Don’t try to cut your nail past where the white section ends. You could cut yourself. If you have trouble cutting your nail, try softening it with a urea cream first. This is a common cosmetic treatment for skin irritations, and is available at most pharmacies. Disinfect the clipper as soon as you’re finished so you don’t spread the infection. Soak it in isopropyl alcohol for 30 minutes to kill all the fungus.

You could also use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar. Both contain similar amounts of acetic acid.

If you have any cuts on your foot, the vinegar may sting a little. This isn’t dangerous.

Don’t use this towel again before washing it because it could spread the fungus.

If your nail grows, trim it back again so the vinegar can reach the fungus. This could take several months to work. If you can’t keep up with soaking your foot twice a day or the fungus doesn’t seem to be getting better, then see a podiatrist instead.

Approved antifungal creams include Amorolfine, Ciclopirox, Efinaconazole, and Tavaborole. Keep your nails short so the cream can reach the fungus. Creams usually don’t work as well for nail fungus because they can’t penetrate the nail. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see much improvement and have to see a foot doctor. [3] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source

Some common antifungal medications include Lamisil and Sporanox. Don’t stop taking the medication early. If you stop before all the fungus is dead, the infection could come back. At the initial appointment, the podiatrist may also trim your nail a bit to remove some of the fungus. This can help, but probably won’t cure the infection entirely. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source Antifungal medications can be powerful, so your doctor may want to test your blood periodically to make sure the levels in your system are correct. Too much could cause liver damage. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

The application procedure might be different depending on what medication your podiatrist prescribes. Follow the instructions that they provide.