Anyone had success treating toenail fungus caused by "saprophytic aspergillus" with topical Tolcylen or laser treatment?

I used to work for Podiatrists. Toe Nail fungus looks nasty, but as far as I know it does not lead to other infections or conditions that can be detrimental to health. So why is he suggesting treating it at all?

The ones I worked for would only prescribe treatment if the patient really want it. The topical medication rarely worked. The oral one was contraindicated by other medications, but effective for those who could take it. Oral was very expensive and it took at least one month of pills. Laser treatment was expensive, needed multiple visits and still there was not guarantee.

So I've been researching this - did they culture this and are certain of the type of fungus? Whatever you do I think I would want a second opinion, resistant aspergillus is apparently becoming a big problem as a cause of lung disease and is a very rare condition of the skin. For regular toenail fungus I was going to recommend tea tree oil, but for something like this it may be better to go with the laser option.

Thanks, cwillie and Tothill. Yes, they did the culture and identified this specific fungus. I researched it, too, and saw the lung disease thing. For the toenails the doctor did not indicate it was a rarity, but maybe it is. Tothill, you are right about oral meds being preferred treatment option, but as you also pointed out these meds can be contraindicated, as is the case with my Mom. Fortunately, this isn't some kind of crisis situation, so I can mull it over. We bought the Tolcylen but when I got it home and read what the process is (2 products applied twice daily after soap and water foot wash for 2 months with the likelihood of having to buy a second kit and repeating the experience), I had to roll my eyes. My plate in life is so full already with Mom care and everything else I need to do, the thought of adding this process into the equation just does not get me jazzed up. Plus we don't have a money tree to put into something that may not work and may not be that important in the overall scheme of things. Mom is 3 month away from 96 and has a 20% chance of making it to 100. There are perhaps bigger things to worry about. Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it.

Nail fungus is difficult to get rid of, does not cause long term problems.
Even topical medications it could take a year to see results, the old nail has to grow out before you would see good new nail growth. Same with oral medications and they come with a whole host of side effects.
Unless there is some physical discomfort caused by the nails bothers your mom I would leave them alone.
Continue to have them trimmed so you do not have to deal with other problems like ingrown nails. (I used to kid my husband that I could only cut his nails with a hacksaw)

If the nail does cause pain you could go a step further and have the nail removed. There are procedures that can do that and if properly done the nail will not grow back.

If this is simply a toenail problem and there are no problems with open sores between the toes then I think that I would not do anything - seems like too many doctors are recommending treatments that 'could' be done rather than using common sense about what 'should' be done.

MomcareFL..yes a nail can grow back. And previously when a nail was removed it wold grow back but there is a medication that can be put on the nail bed that will prevent the regrowth of the nail. I think it has to be repeated a few times but at least you do not have to worry about the entire nail growing back and having to deal with whatever problem there was previously.
I had considered it for my Husband but by that time it was just better to leave well enough alone. As was the decision for so many things.

momcare, if you and she can work it into your schedule maybe try the Vick’s or tea tree oil anyway? Would she be physically able to rub something onto her own toes when she was lying in bed or in the couch? Good idea with trying the vinegar... Epsom salts in the foot bath might be a good. Maybe more frequently than once/week, if you can just set it up and let her enjoy.
I hadn’t heard of this different fungus! Best wishes.

Try putting on Teatree essential oil straight on her nails every day for about a week. You’ll be amazed to see the fungus vanish! Cost about $10-20 dollars for a 30ml bottlefrom Edens Garden essential oils.
I just cleared up my husbands nails and keep mine fungus free by applying it everytime I shower.
No doc will tell you this as it hurts their bottom line. It simple, easy , natural with no side effects and cheap. Win win!

The essential oil treatment might be the answer. Also, Walmart has an anti-fungal liquid (that is the name of it on the bottle) that worked for me. It has Undecylenic acid, and, if remember correctly, it is derived from the Catawba tree. Directions are to apply it around the edge of the nail daily. I have had no more problem since I used it several years ago. I hope you find an answer!

tea tree oil or oregano oil should do the trick

My husband has fungus in all his toenails but one. He is using Econazole 1% cream it is a prescription. Used twice a day morning and night. We are seeing a difference. The new nail is starting to grow in on several toes. He sees the podiatrist every couple months who uses a dromel that trims away the thickness.

My 93 yr old Dad went to the podiatry doctor and treated his fungus and ssid to come back in 6 weeks in the meantime he said to put sone rubbing alcohol in a sprayer and spray his toes and feet to keep his feet dry. Fungus live on moisture.

I have never had any luck getting rid of my toenail fungus. Tried orals, topicals with no luck. They do say that soaking in Clear Listerine is supposed to work. I've known people who had all toenails removed with no success ... their fungus toenails grew back.

find a good health food store and inquire about tea tree oil - or look it up and find out how to use itl. We used that for fungus on toenails for my dad...

My mom had fungus but not sure if it’s the same kind as yours had. I used otc cream from drugstore. Took a long time to clear up. One thing her doctor said to do was to place cream under her nail as well as on her nail. Also, trim nails short and keep them short.

Her nurse said a soak in a foot spa with Epsom salts too would make her feel better. Soothing.

Talk it over with a podiatrist. I’m certainly not an expert in this area. Others may have much better advice. Hope you can resolve the issue soon.

This will probably cause a huge uproar here, but it worked for my FIL when nothing else did. (Nothing - including multiple, often expensive, prescriptions.). He was diabetic. A caregiver went to his house a few days a week. Every time she visited she would use bleach on the toe nail only. She would use a Q-tip and just gently roll it on top of the nail. She would let it dry completely before putting clean socks on his feet. It took a little time, but it was the only thing that cleared it up.

This is too good not to share. One time I went to a podiatrist with my toenail fungus issue. Unbelievably, he said "Just paint them with nail polish." I laughed out loud and said "That's all you've got to offer? You're a specialist." Shocking!

momcare, I did some reading on saprophytic funguses and they seem worth a stronger effort. I’d perhaps seek a specialist. Don’t want to scare you with this article’s name, just to share some info! There are other articles out there. www.mdedge.com/infectiousdisease/article/107274/hiv/when-toenail-onychomycosis-can-turn-deadly