There is something quite horrific about a fungal fingernail infection: no one likes to think that there is a fungus growing in, or under, their fingernail. Fungus actually rarely infects people because fungi are adapted for growing on dead and decaying organic material. The human immune system is able to fight off most fungi that it comes in contact with. Fingernails and toenails (and hair) are the notable exception to this rule because the cells that make up fingernails are not alive. They are dead cells packed tightly together to provide protection for the fingertips. Unfortunately, fungi can live on this dead material, and fungal fingernail infections are not uncommon.

Fungal toenail infections are more common still. The feet are kept wrapped up in socks and enclosed in shoes for long periods of time. They get hot and sweaty, are not washed nearly as often as hands are, and come in more frequent contact with the earth and the damp flooring in wet public places such as swimming pools. These factors make it more likely that the toenails will come in contact with fungi, and more likely that a fungus will be able to set up an infection. Fungal nail infections usually start on the feet - fingernail infection occurs later, when the fungus spreads from the feet to the hands.

Fingernail infection and toenail infections are treated in the same way. Antifungal treatments that are taken by mouth are not common, but there are few among the prescription drugs, and a few more that are either natural remedies, or home remedies. If you are interested in trying something that doesn't require a prescription, look into the apple cider vinegar home remedy: taking a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar twice a day reportedly clears up fungal nail infections - but tastes pretty bad. In a more general sense, many people simply advocate a healthy diet and lifestyle: the boost that healthy living can give to an immune system may clear up the problem without other measures. A third type of oral remedy is Leucatin, a natural healing product that includes an herbal capsule taken by mouth combined with a topical solution that is applied directly to the toenail or fingernail infection.

Topical treatments for fungal fingernail infection, or toenail infections, are much more common than oral ones. There is only one topical prescription drug, a nail lacquer called Penlac. Most over the counter nail lotions don't seem to work very well because they don't penetrate the nail to get at the fungus. A few natural remedies show some promise: Tea tree oil blended with other essential oils and the topical solution that come with Leucatin seem to work for many people. Many people also like old home remedies, like soaking your nails in vinegar, dilute bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. When it comes to treating fungal fingernail infections, a lack of choices is not the problem - the problem is finding something that really works.