Ore. Many experts believe that the fungus starts out as athlete's foot. Men and women are equally susceptible, and the condition can be lifelong, meaning that even once the fungus has been treated and seems to be gone, it can recur at any time. And because it can be contagious in vulnerable people, they need to be extra vigilant. Nail fungus can be a real stigma, according to Dr. Rich, particularly for younger people who are dating, or for people whose hands are very visible during their work. It's not always possible to avoid fungal infections altogether, but there are steps you can take to lower your odds.
Help is at hand.
Medications to treat nail fungus have come a long way since the 1950s. With the older drugs, patients needed to take a pill twice a day every day, until the nail grew out completely. With the new medications, such as terbinafine, and itraconazole, treatment lasts only three or four months, after which the nail should grow out normally, since the drug stays in the nail for a while. Another antifungal medication, fluconazole, awaits FDA approval for nail treatment. These oral anti-fungal medications have revolutionized the treatment of nail fungus infections.