Most Effective Nail Fungus Treatment During Pregnancy

Infection and Pregnancy:

One of the most impactful moments in a woman’s life is in her pregnancy. It is a complicated process that a woman goes through to give birth to new life. During pregnancy, a mother experiences significant anatomical and physiological changes in her body in order to nurture and accommodate the developing fetus. There is an increase in blood production, abnormalities in the body’s biochemical balance, and changes in body shape to name a few.

Pregnant women are highly susceptible to infections and diseases during this period in their life. A weakened immune system also compromises their body’s ability to fight off infections that may be more severe. Infections, in general, pose a great threat to the woman’s and baby’s health. Certain complications may arise if these infections are not treated.

Fungal infections can be easily contracted from our environment because they can be found almost anywhere – especially in high moisture surroundings. Fungi can invade the cracks in between or through the small cuts around the skin of the nail, developing a contagious nail fungal infection. Onychomycosis, as it is medically called, is one of the most common stubborn nail abnormalities that have caused frustrations for around 15% of the world’s population today.

Most Effective Nail Fungal Treatments for Pregnant Women

If you have noticed your nail color or texture has changed to something dull-looking, yellowish, and rough — take it as a sign that it might be due to nail fungus. Fungal nail infections, especially when detected and treated early, are rarely a threatening emergency that expectant mothers should be wary of.

With the many available treatments out there, knowing what’s best for you and for your baby’s health is an utmost priority. A podiatrist or dermatologist should be able to classify the severity of your nail fungus and advise the most efficient and safest treatment for you. Here are some of treatments your physicians may suggest:

Topical Treatments

When a nail fungal infection is detected early and there are minimal damages to the nail, topical medicines, like anti-fungal creams and ointments, may be advised to be the safest treatment for soon-to-be mothers. Topical treatments are safe because they do not produce any side-effects that may be harmful to the mother and the baby.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Topical Treatments

Topical treatments are highly recommended by OB-GYNs and podiatrists alike because of the lower risks for significant side effects to the mother and baby’s health. When topical medicines are used, there is a direct application to the nail which helps concentrate its treatment to the problem area.

Recommended Topical Treatments

• EmoniNail

  • EmoniNail has been designed to kill nail fungus with its powerful FDA-approved ingredients, such as fungicide, undecylenic acid, and tea tree oil. The formulation of this topical treatment supports nail health and aid in the penetration of the formula deep into the tissues to promote healing and prevent reinfection.

• Funginix

  • Funginix is a topical product formulated to relieve finger and toe fungus. Several ingredients, including herbal extracts and essential oils, are used in this product which primarily have powerful anti-fungal actions.

• Zetaclear

  • Zetaclear is a combination product that includes an oral spray and a topical solution designed to treat the fungus infection of the fingernails and toenails. The oral spray contains homeopathic ingredients that work together to soothe inflammation, support the immune system, and help rid the body of infection. On the other hand, the topical solution contains anti-fungal ingredients that will destroy the fungus and relieve the burning and itching sensations in infected tissues.

Home Remedies

Treating nail fungus naturally with everyday home ingredients seems to be the new alternative. Although little studies have tested the efficiency of these home remedies, many have sworn by their natural anti-fungal properties. Among the popular ingredients are:

• Tea tree oil

  • Tea tree oil has natural anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects that all help nail fungus to heal. Mixing tea tree oil with olive or coconut oil decreases its potency.

• Vicks VapoRub

  • Vicks VapoRub contains an inhibiting ingredient, Thymol, which stops the growth of dermatophytes which cause nail fungus. A study on Vicks VapoRub as alternative treatment in onychomycosis showed an 83% positive clinical effect of thymol.

Oral Medicines

One of the known anti-fungal oral medicines in the market is Lamisil prescribed mostly to treat fingernail and toenail fungal infections. Lamisil is classified by FDA under Pregnancy Category B drug, which indicates that the drug is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Nevertheless, lactating mothers should be warned that Lamisil can affect the baby as the drug gets transmitted through the breast milk. If your nail fungal infection becomes severe that the need for oral medication arises, consult your doctor for proper prescription.

Preventing Nail Fungal Infections During Pregnancy:

As they say, “prevention is better than cure”. If you are pregnant, keeping your nail health in check is important. Here are some of the best tips for maintaining healthy nails during your pregnancy.

• Regularly clean your feet with soap and water, and make sure to dry them well.

• Wear shower shoes when showering in public areas.

• Avoid wearing shoes or hosiery that are too tight.

• Wear shoes made of material that breathes well.

• Wear socks made of synthetic fibers, which help reduce moisture quicker than other fibers.

• Change shoes and socks at least a couple times per day.

• Keep nails trimmed, clipping them straight across the top.

• Disinfect home pedicure tools, including tools used to trim the nails.

• Do not use nail polish on infected nails or nails that you suspect may be infected.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a beautiful event in a woman’s life, but it comes with a lot of health risks and hazards. A woman’s immune system becomes weak and compromised to accommodate the growth and development of the fetus. Fungal infections, especially in the nails, may possibly occur during a woman’s pregnancy.

In the market, there are several options for treatment, but because expectant mothers are susceptible to risks and hazards in health during pregnancy, selecting a treatment may be challenging. Topical treatments and selected home remedies are recommended by most physicians because they are the safest and most efficient cure for mild to moderate fungal nail infections. Oral medication must be taken in caution and under the supervision of a doctor because its side effects may be passed on to the baby through breast milk. To avoid going through the hurdles of treating nail fungus, taking proper care of our nails and considering the precautions to nail fungal infections are essential. If you are pregnant or lactating and experiencing severe recurring nail fungal infections, consult your doctor to know the best possible treatment.