Treatment for nail fungus (onychomycosis) can be a lengthy process: first, it must get at the fungus and stop its growth, and then it takes time for the damaged toe- or fingernail to grow out, taking the fungus remnants and damage with it. If the goal is healthy looking feet to slip into summer sandals, treatment must begin months in advance. Fingernails grow quite slowly; toenails are even slower.

If treatment for nail fungus begins before the infection is too far advanced, that is, it's still confined to the distal regions of the nail near the tip, it will be easier to treat. It will look healthy sooner, and oral prescription drugs will be more easily avoided. The topical liquid, Penlac nail lacquer, stands out from the other prescription treatments because it is applied to the nail rather than taken internally. It can only be used, however, if the lunula, the crescent shaped whitish part of the nail near the base, is not infected.

Even when the whole nail is infected, there is a wide range of treatment for nail fungus. Prescription drugs other than Penlac nail lacquer are taken orally, and there are cost and toxicity issues to consider. Many proprietary remedies are available, most of which are topical formulations. They include lotions and salves that have been marketed for many years as over the counter remedies. Newer homeopathic variations are made from essential oils and other natural ingredients believed to have antifungal activity.

Other variations on treatment for nail fungus come from the bright ideas of people who thought it through and tried something different. Someone who knew that fungus dislikes acid conditions came up with soaking hands or feet in vinegar. Chlorine bleach's disinfectant properties no doubt inspired the dilute bleach soak, and the antiseptic in Listerine mouthwash was thought, by someone, to be a good treatment. Vicks VapoRub, and hydrogen peroxide have been used similarly, while a mix of dark beer and a strain of bacteria, Bacillus acidophilus, may be based on the idea that a friendly organism can drive out an unfriendly one. Like Penlac Nail lacquer, all of these remedies get at the problem from the outside, through the nail, and they have the best chance of working if they get through to the fungus.