This article was reviewed by Dr. Emilija Ashtalkoska on August 29th, 2018. Products listed therein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
Overview
Nail fungus is one of the most common fungal infections in the world.
It is estimated that nearly 10% of the adult population will contract nail fungus in their lifetime, so if you have the disease, you are certainly not alone with your fungal problems.
It can cause discoloration, unsightly nails, foul odors, and even pain. Worst of all, if left untreated, the fungal infection can spread to the groin, head, hands, and even thumb.
If you’re reading this, it’s because you have nail fungus on your thumb. Do not fret! Below we will outline everything you need to know about a fungal infection of the thumbnail, and what you can do to treat it.
Background Info On Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are caused by fungi, yeasts, or molds coming into direct contact with a susceptible infection site.
Once the fungus has embedded itself in the nail, it will start to turn yellow or develop an off-white color. From here, the nail can thicken, discolor, or even crumble.
Nail fungus is highly contagious, so it can quickly spread to the other nails.
Many people who have contracted nail fungus actually start by getting athlete’s foot, possibly without even realizing it. Unfortunately, they leave it untreated and eventually it spreads to the nails.
How Nail Fungus Spread To Your Thumb
Unfortunately, there are various numbers of ways that you could have contracted nail fungus on your thumb. In general, fingernail fungus is slightly rarer than toenail fungus.
The most likely scenario is that you currently have athletes foot, toenail fungus, or ringworm and that it has spread to your thumb and possibly other fingernails.
However, it is also possible that your thumbnail came into direct contact with foreign bacteria, causing nail fungus to only develop on your thumb.
Common Sources Of Fungal Infections
What are the most common sources of fungal infections? The most common source of toenail fungus is when people come into direct contact with the fungi while walking around barefoot.
These include saunas, public pools, or even the great outdoors.
Are you a fan of getting manicures or pedicures? Nail salons are also a common place for people to contract fungal infections.
All it takes is for an unsanitized piece of equipment to touch your nailbed or open skin, and all of a sudden, you have a fungal infection.
Regardless of how you contracted nail fungus on your thumb, the most important thing is to start treating the infection immediately so it does not become worse or spread throughout your body.
What Treatment Option Do You Recommend?
Below we outline our top three treatment options for anyone suffering from nail fungus on their thumb.
We have chosen the top two topical solutions, Zane Hellas Fungus Stop and Puriya Wonder Balm and the at-home laser solution ClearTouch PhotoTherapy.
All fungal treatments have their positives and negatives, but these are three great treatment options for your fungal nail.
[table “25nbspresponsivescroll” not found /]Treatment Option #1 – Zane Hellas Fungus Stop
Zane Hellas Fungus Stop is of the best anti-fungal topical solutions on the market today. It harnesses the power of Oregano Oil and Tea Tree Oil to quickly destroy your fungal infection.
Most importantly, it is compact and discreet, making it an awesome option for anyone suffering from nail fungus on their thumb.
It comes in a 10 ml container with an applicator brush, making it easy to apply directly to your nails without being cumbersome.
We recommend using Fungus Stop if you have nail fungus and not additional fungal infections such as athlete’s foot or ringworm.
While the solution can treat other fungal infections, Puriya Wonder Balm is a better solution for nail fungus in conjunction with athlete’s foot or ringworm.
Treatment Option #2 – Puriya Wonder Balm
Puriya Wonder Balm is another great option for treating the nail fungus on your thumb.
It contains high doses of therapeutical grade Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, and other essential oils and is both antifungal and antimicrobial.
It also comes with a fantastic 180-day money back guarantee. It comes with 2 oz of cream per package, but the solution is highly potent, meaning it will last a long time.
If you have nail fungus in conjunction with other fungal infections, we recommend using Wonder Balm. Wonder Balm can treat nail fungus, athletes foot, ringworm, and other fungal infections.
Additionally, the cream allows for you to apply the solution to various fungal sites without the risk of contamination or spreading.
Treatment Option #3 – ClearTouch PhotoTherapy
ClearTouch At Home PhotoTherapy is a unique product in the world of nail fungus treatments. It is a powerful, at-home laser treatment.
You simply place the machine on top of your infected thumbnail, and 10-seconds later, you are done.
The treatment utilizes the same technology as doctors and dermatologists at a fraction of the cost.
ClearTouch is a great treatment option if you just have nail fungus without any other fungal infections. Additionally, if you can not stand the mess or smell of topical solutions, it is a good option for you.
Please keep in mind that is more expensive than traditional topical solutions.
How To Treat Nail Fungus On Your Thumb
1. Trim And Clean The Nail
The first step is to prepare the nail for treatment. We recommend using sterilized clippers to trim the thumbnail.
Please take precaution when disposing of the infected clippings, since the fungal infection can spread. From here, we recommend washing your hands in hot and soapy water to remove debris.
If you have antifungal soap, we highly recommend using that in your daily cleaning regimen.
2. Apply The Treatment
Once your hand has dried, you can move forward with utilizing a treatment.
If you are applying a topical treatment, go ahead and apply the solution directly to the nail, nail bed, and skin around the nail.
Zane Hellas Fungus Stop comes with an applicator brush, making this extremely easy. If you are utilizing Puriya Balm, we recommend using a cotton ball or q-tip to prevent coming into direct contact with the nail.
Regardless of which treatment you are using, let the solution sit for upwards of thirty minutes before washing it off.
If you have decided to use ClearTouch Phototherapy, the directions are a little different.
Place the device directly on your thumbnail and press the button, allowing The LTE light to penetrate the nail. It’s as simple as that!
3. Go On With Your Life
It’s as simple as that! If you are using a topical solution, we recommend applying the treatment once in the morning and once at night. If you are using ClearTouch, you can use the treatment multiple times a day since it is so quick.
The most important thing with any nail fungus treatment is to remain diligent and patient.
It may take a few weeks or even longer to see results, but daily usage of the treatment will clean up the fungal infection of the thumb.
We highly recommend using the treatment even after the fungus has cleared up to ensure there is no possibility of reinfection.
What About Home Remedies?
Everyone has heard of using home remedies to treat nail fungus. Listerine, Vicks Vaporub, or even Vinegar are commonly touted as useful solutions for a fungal infection.
While these all have antifungal properties, we do not recommend using them to try and treat nail fungus on your thumb. Why is this?
Fingernail fungus is more difficult to treat than toenail fungus. Home remedies generally work best for mild cases of toenail fungus and athletes foot.
If you have nail fungus on your thumb, we recommend utilizing a more powerful solution, such a the ones listed in this article.
Is The Fungus Contagious?
Yes, and we can not stress this enough. A fungal infection in any form is highly contagious.
This is why it is so important to treat the fungal infection – so it doesn’t continue to develop, and spread throughout your body or to the people in your life.
Can I Wear Nail Polish If I Have Nail Fungus On My Thumb?
This is a common question that we receive – many people want to know if they can continue to wear nail polish if they have contracted a fungal infection.
The answer is yes, you can wear nail polish, but only antifungal nail polish.
Traditional nail polish will simply make the fungal infection worse, because it traps the fungi underneath the nail, allowing it to grow and spread.
Antifungal nail polish usually includes ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil, which treat the fungal infection.
Conclusion
Although having nail fungus on your thumb can be frightening, confusing, or even embarrassing, there are ways to treat it.
Follow the directions in this guide and you will eventually rid yourself of your fungal woes!
Please keep in mind that no fungus treatment is going to cure the infection overnight, and the most important thing is to continue using the treatment daily.
As always, please reach out to use if you have any questions about any part of this guide.
References
Sources for more information:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595230/ – antifungal properties of eucalyptus, an ingredient present in Vicks Vaporub
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110214201842.htm – Antifungal effect of lavender oil
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25219289 – a study which shows that apple cider vinegar can have antifungal properties
I am the founder of DestroyNailFungus, and I do my best to provide comprehensive guides on health and wellness.
When I’m not running the site, I enjoy spending time outdoors and drinking coffee.