Can gray nail be treated?

Jul 09, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My husband's toenails have turned yellow, possibly due to a fungal infection (onychomycosis). Can onychomycosis be treated?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Gray nails can be treated, and the treatment methods mainly include medication, surgery, and laser therapy. 1. **Medication**: Commonly used oral medications include itraconazole and terbinafine, which can inhibit fungal growth. However, these medications may affect liver and kidney function, so regular monitoring of liver and kidney function is necessary. Topical medications, such as terbinafine cream and ketoconazole cream, act directly on the fungi in the nail and help promote the growth of new nails. 2. **Surgery**: For patients with severe symptoms, thickened nails, or nails that have separated from the nail bed, when medication proves ineffective, surgical removal of the nail or debridement of the diseased nail may be considered. 3. **Laser Therapy**: Laser treatment involves irradiating the affected nail with a laser to kill the fungi without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue, and is currently considered one of the better treatment options. In addition, maintaining nail hygiene, changing socks frequently, showering regularly, and keeping feet dry can also help prevent and treat gray nails. It is important to note that treating gray nails requires patience and persistence, as nails grow slowly and the treatment course is generally long. The specific treatment plan should be determined based on the patient's condition and the doctor's recommendations.