What is the effectiveness of Nogal (none) tincture, aloe vera, sulfur, blue stone (copper sulfate), and marañon (Byrsonima crassifolia) against onychomycosis (nail fungus)?

From the Guidelines

The most effective treatment for onychomycosis is prescription antifungal medication, such as terbinafine or itraconazole, as natural remedies like nogal tincture, aloe vera, sulfur, and marañon lack strong scientific evidence for treating nail fungus effectively. For nail fungus, oral antifungal drugs like terbinafine (250 mg daily for 6-12 weeks) or itraconazole (200 mg daily for 12 weeks) are typically recommended, as supported by the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of onychomycosis 2014 1. Topical treatments like ciclopirox nail lacquer may also be prescribed for milder cases.

Some key points to consider when treating onychomycosis include:

• The importance of mycological confirmation of infection before starting treatment, as emphasized in the guidelines for treatment of onychomycosis 1
• The need to assess disease susceptibility and risk factors, as well as deciding on the most suitable therapy options for the clinical form of onychomycosis and aetiological agent, as outlined in the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of onychomycosis 2014 1
• The potential for treatment failure or relapse, and the need for careful consideration of the reasons for such failure, as discussed in the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of onychomycosis 2014 1

Natural remedies like those mentioned (nogal tincture, aloe vera, sulfur, etc.) lack strong scientific evidence for treating nail fungus effectively, and fungal nail infections are notoriously difficult to treat, often requiring prescription-strength medication to fully eradicate the infection. If you suspect you have nail fungus, it is essential to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment, as they can determine the best course of action based on the severity and type of infection, and attempting to self-treat with unproven remedies may delay effective treatment and allow the infection to worsen.

From the Research

Effectiveness of Various Treatments Against Onychomycosis

The provided studies do not specifically mention the effectiveness of Nogal (none) tincture, aloe vera, sulfur, blue stone (copper sulfate), and marañon (Byrsonima crassifolia) against onychomycosis.

Established Treatments for Onychomycosis

• Oral terbinafine is preferred over topical therapy due to its better effectiveness and shorter treatment duration 2
• Topical therapy, including ciclopirox 8%, efinaconazole 10%, and tavaborole 5%, is less effective than oral agents but can be used to treat mild to moderate onychomycosis 2, 3
• Antifungal lacquers (5% amorolfine and 8% ciclopirox) applied to the nails cure about 30% of fungal infections 4
• Chemical nail destruction with a combination of urea and bifonazole, followed by treatment with an antifungal ointment, can be used when the nail is markedly thickened 4
• Oral azoles (ketonazole, itraconazole) are effective in treating Candida nail infections 4, 5

Treatment Considerations

• Treatment decisions should be based on severity, comorbidities, and patient preference 2
• Accurate diagnosis is important before initiating treatment because therapy is lengthy and can cause adverse effects 2, 6, 5
• Nail trimming and debridement used concurrently with pharmacologic therapy improve treatment response 2
• Preventive measures such as avoiding walking barefoot in public places and disinfecting shoes and socks are thought to reduce the relapse rate 2