10 best toenail fungus treatments of 2021 for treating and preventing fungal nails

The last thing you want to be worrying about this summer is not being able to wear sandals because you’re feeling self-conscious about a fungal nail infection. You can help prevent it by keeping your feet clean and dry, but for some of you it may already be too late and you might be looking for treatment rather than prevention.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, you may have a fungal nail infection if your nails:

• Appear thicker than usual.
• Look white with yellow or brown discolouration.
• Seem brittle or with a crumbly texture.
• Have a gross smell.

Keep a close eye on your nails and if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms popping up, it might be time to try a treatment.

How can you prevent fungal nail infections?

Fungal infections can easily be prevented, you just have to know what (and what not) to do.

The NHS has some handy hints as to how you can avoid these painful infections, such as:

• Treat Athlete’s foot promptly in order to stop it from spreading to your nails.
• Keep your feet clean and dry as much as possible.
• Wear clean socks each day and avoid rewearing old ones.
• Throw out shoes when they’re looking a little worse for wear.
• Wear flip flops in public showers and pools in order to prevent picking them up from someone else.
• Avoid sharing towels with others.
• Never share nail clippers or files.

What kind of treatments are there for fungal nail infections?

If you have a particularly bad case, your GP may recommend anti-fungal tablets or laser treatment, but most mild cases can be treated at home with a product you can buy over the counter.

These home-based treatments come in a variety of forms such as anti-fungus polishes, creams, oils, body washes, and more – we’ll take you through the top 10 below.

Best Scholl fungal nail treatment

Scholl Fungal Nail Treatment

Scholl is one of the top brands for treating nail fungus, and as this treatment has more than 7,000 5-star reviews it’s safe to say this is one of their best.

Scholl Fungal Nail Treatment not only treats the early signs of fungal nail infections but also helps stop the infection from spreading to other nails.

The treatment kit works in two steps: Step one, apply the liquid formula directly onto the source so it can fight the infection. Step two, use one of the disposable files to prevent the infection from spreading.

This treatment is far from a gimmick and has been clinically proven to treat fungal nails. The system works within two weeks, able to gradually improve fungal nail infections.

Best fungal nail cream

Emtrix Fungal Nail Treatment Cream

Promising to improve the appearance of fungal nails within a week, Emtrix Fungal Nail cream helps to quickly restore a healthy colour to your nails by deeply hydrating the nail plate while also smoothing damaged layers with a gentle peeling effect.

The unique blend of propylene, glycol, urea, glycerol and lactic acid all work together to penetrate the nail and treat the infection by improving the integrity of the nail surface and degrading the fungi cells.

Best fungal nail treatment for thick nails

Premium Fungal Nail Destroyer

One of the most common side effects of fungal nails is thick, unsightly nails.

This premium fungal nail destroyer from Thera Health Care is the best selling nail treatment on Amazon and can tackle fungal nails with its powerful blend of ingredients.

Working over two to four weeks, this oil restores a healthy appearance in your nails, protects them from fungal infections and stimulates nail growth.

The product is made from nail-loving natural ingredients such as grape seed oil, jojoba seed oil, almond oil, Vitamin E, which all work to smooth and hydrate the nails.

Natural fungal nail treatment

Indimization Fungal Nail Treatment

This natural, painless anti-fungal cream works to quickly and powerfully kill the fungus that is causing your infection.

The plant-based formula is ideal for sensitive skin types and will help thin out thick nails and restore a natural colour.

Best fungal nail treatment for disguising discolouration on the toenails

Nailner treat and colour brush

Sometimes you don’t have time to let the treatments work before you have to show off your toes, in which case you’ll need to look for a polish that will help hide the appearance of your fungal infection without making it worse.

This breathable polish from Nailner combines a treatment with a nail polish that helps camouflage the discolouration and damage caused by the infection. The treatment uses a powerful blend of ingredients that lower the nails pH level to kill the fungus, while the nude coloured polish restores a natural colour.

Buy on Lloyd’s Pharmacy for £24.99

Best fungal nail treatment oil

Yoffee Anti Fungal Nail Treatment

Help to prevent recurrent fungal infections and the spread to other nails with this highly concentrated treatment oil.

A blend of vitamin E, argan oil, tea tree oil, aloe vera, rosemary oil, pomegranate oil, and eucalyptus oil help to put an immediate stop to itching and other uncomfortable symptoms, while also killing the fungus and promoting nail growth.

Best anti-fungal nail treatment

Curanail Once Weekly 5% Fungal Nail Treatment

This medicated nail lacquer has been clinically proven to penetrate the nail, kill the nail fungus, and prevent the spread of the infection. And the best part? You only need to use it once a week.

Unlike other treatments that need to be used once or twice a day, the deeply penetrative formula of this treatment only needs to be applied once a week as it keeps working over seven days.

Best fungal nail soap

Remedy Anti-Fungal Soap

This dermatologically tested anti-fungal soap helps to prevent nail fungal infections by using a concentrated blend of natural and organic ingredients that clean and moisturise your skin and nails. These ingredients include tea tree oil, aloe vera, rosemary, and mint, as well as jojoba, coconut, and olive oil.

Not only does this soap help to prevent fungal nails, but it also helps with body odour, athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, yeast infections, and more general skin irritations with the 100 percent natural formula.

Best medicated nail polish for fungal nail

Excilor Ultra Nail Fungus Treatment

Using an innovative slow-release penetrative formula, Excilor Ultra Nail Fungus Treatment works over a 24-hour period to ensure the healthy re-growth of the nail.

You won’t have to spend time filing down your nails with this treatment, as it can get through to the infection without it. This polish can also be used in conjunction with nail polish, so you can disguise the infection as you treat it.

Best anti-fungal nail gel

Flexitol Nail Revitaliser Gel

This anti-fungal nail gel by Flexitol helps to condition and treat discoloured and thickened nails on your hands and feet. The triple-action formula contains a brightener to remove discolouration, urea to soften thickened nails, and keratin to restore a healthy nail quality.

In order to use, you apply the gel to the discoloured nail and allow it to dry, and then apply a second coat as required. You then repeat this process twice daily until the discolouration is gone.