If a nail infection is severe, causes pain, and does not respond to other forms of treatment, surgery may be needed. All or part of the nail may be removed. Here is how a nail is surgically removed: An anesthetic is injected into the affected finger or toe. The affected nail or area is surgically removed. A medication may be applied to the underlying tissues which destroys some of the tissues. This prevents the nail from re-growing. It is done in order to prevent future infection. An antibiotic is applied and the area is bandaged.

Ongoing treatment with oral and topical antifungal agents is needed postoperatively. Risks associated with surgical removal of a nail include pain, infection, and disfiguration of the nail if it grows back. (Health wise staff, reviewers: Burgess, P. and Thompson, E.G., 2014) If the surgery is performed on multiple toenails, crutches may be needed. The cost for surgical removal of a nail varies. The surgeon’s fee may be upwards of two hundred dollars. Anesthesia and the other medications may cost a thousand or more dollars. Depending upon where the procedure is performed, there may be a facility fee. Insurance may cover many of the costs of the procedure. (Ortiz).

Several small studies have been conducted to determine if the use of lasers may benefit individuals who have fungal infections of the nails. According to expert Ivan R. Bristow, more research is needed. He found that the studies were small in size. Among people who received laser treatments, no substantial benefits were obtained and reinfection appeared common. (Bristow, 2014)

The use of lasers is reserved for people who have severe fungal infections. Usually one treatment is sufficient. Costs range from two hundred to five hundred dollars for each affected nail. Depending upon the number of affected areas, severity of infection, costs of additional therapies and supplies, laser treatment may cost several thousand dollars. If more than one session is needed, the follow up treatments are generally one third of initial cost. Laser treatment of nail infections is considered to be cosmetic surgery so it is unlikely to be covered by health insurance. (Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus, 2015).

Topical and internal prescription drugs may be used to relieve fungal infections. Whether you choose to use an over-the-counter or prescription remedy, be aware that it takes many months of treatment for a full resolution of the infection to occur, regardless which type of medication is used. If you opt to use prescription medications, be aware that they may take as long as one year to become fully effective.

Fortunately, for people who do not want to take the risks associated with taking oral medicines, there are other treatment options. Topical remedies are as popular as oral drugs, though some of them are said to be not as effective. However, it’s a different matter for topical antifungal ointments that have the right ingredients. Topical medicines with 10% undecylenic acid combined with a penetrating agent may just be the solution and best alternative for oral anti-fungal medicines.