• Fungal nail infections develop when fungus enters small breaks in the skin around a nail. Fingernails or toenails can be affected, but infection occurs in toenails most often. Nail fungus can be difficult to eliminate; it is common for the infection to recur after treatment.
  
  

Oral Medications

• Prescription oral medications, such as terbinafine and itraconazole, may help a new healthy nail to take the place of the infected nail. These medications may have to be taken for six to 12 weeks. Serious side effects, such as liver damage, are possible. Oral medications are only effective about 50 percent of the time, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It is also possible for the fungus to reappear after treatment.
  
  

Topical Medications

• Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams are not usually effective against nail fungus, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. However, your doctor may recommend you use an antifungal cream while you are taking oral medications, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ciclopirox, an antifungal nail lacquer, may be polished onto infected nails, but it requires a prescription and may have to be used for a year. Even then, it may not be effective against all infections.
  
  

Nail Removal

• Your doctor may recommend surgical nail removal. This treatment is usually reserved for severe or painful infections. After the old nail is removed, a new nail will typically replace it within a year.
  
  

Vinegar

• Soaking the affected area in one part vinegar to two parts warm water for 15 to 20 minutes once a day may be helpful, although there is no specific evidence to support the use of vinegar as a nail fungus treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. You may need to reduce the soaks to two to three times a week if your skin becomes irritated.
  
  

Mentholated Ointment

• Mentholated ointment is normally used to ease congestion during a cold, but it is also a popular home remedy for nail fungus. No universally accepted directions are available for using a mentholated rub to treat nail fungus. Talk to your doctor for treatment recommendations.