Fungal Nail Infection: Causes, Treatments, and What Really Works

When your nails turn yellow, thicken, or crumble, it’s often not dirt—it’s a fungal nail infection, a common condition caused by fungi invading the nail bed, often starting as a small white or yellow spot. Also known as onychomycosis, it’s more than a cosmetic issue—it can hurt, make walking difficult, and spread to other nails or people. This isn’t just a problem for older adults; active people, swimmers, and anyone who wears tight shoes for long periods are at risk. Fungi thrive in warm, moist places like locker rooms, showers, and inside sweaty socks.

Many people try over-the-counter creams or home remedies, but most don’t work because the fungus lives deep under the nail. Effective treatment often needs prescription antifungal treatment, oral or topical drugs designed to kill the fungus without harming the nail or skin. Drugs like terbinafine and itraconazole are common, but they don’t work the same for everyone. Some people need months of treatment, and even then, the infection can come back. What many don’t realize is that other meds can interfere. For example, Lotrisone, a combo of a steroid and antifungal used for skin infections, is great for athlete’s foot but won’t fix a nail infection because it doesn’t penetrate deep enough. Worse, if you’re taking a drug interaction, a situation where one medication changes how another works in the body like a proton pump inhibitor for acid reflux, your antifungal might not absorb properly—leading to treatment failure.

It’s not just about picking the right drug. Your lifestyle matters too. Wearing breathable shoes, drying feet thoroughly, and avoiding shared nail clippers can stop it from spreading or returning. Some people swear by tea tree oil or vinegar soaks, but science doesn’t back them up as reliable fixes. What does work? A clear diagnosis, the right antifungal, patience, and avoiding habits that feed the fungus.

Below, you’ll find real guides on what treatments actually help—and which ones waste your time and money. You’ll see why Lotrisone works for skin but not nails, how PPIs can sabotage your antifungal, and what alternatives doctors recommend when the first try fails. No fluff. Just what you need to know to get your nails back.