At a time when people are searching for natural cures nail fungus (onychomycosis) is fertile ground. Well established traditional home remedies have recently been joined by a host of other self treatment regimens for this type of infection. Why? One reason is that the current prescription drugs for treatment of fungal infections are so expensive that they are simply out of reach for many people.

When it comes to natural cures nail fungus is the mother of invention for another reason: the current oral prescription drugs come with the risk of side effects. The most popular systemic prescription drug for onychomycosis is Lamisil tablets (terbinafine hydrochloride), manufactured by Novartis. Though relatively uncommon, side effects of Lamisil tablets include liver damage, and serious skin reactions. Many people, weighing pretty nails against the possibility of dangerous drug side effects simply find the risk unacceptable.

The types of fungi that infect toenails and fingernails grow beneath the nail in the hospitable and sheltered environment of the nail bed. They break down keratin in the nail, which is why infected toe- and fingernails start to come apart and crumble away. Out of all the natural cures nail fungus probably responds best to the ones that can either penetrate the thick covering of nail or contact the fungus from below. To help the process of penetration, onychomycosis sufferers can file away the outside layers of affected nails so that a topical treatment has a better chance of getting through.

The body's natural immunity takes care of most fungal challenges. With the oral natural cures nail fungus is presumably weakened by a stronger immune system: anything that boosts immunity against a fungal infection will help the body fight it off. Examples of this kind of home remedy include diet regimes, taking apple cider vinegar, and the homeopathic remedy, Leucatin. Lamisil tablets, in contrast, act on the fungus, inhibiting its ability to build a cell membrane.

All antibiotics, however, act in concert with the immune system to fight off infection. Whether the chosen treatment is a prescription drug, such as Lamisil tablets, or one of the natural cures nail fungus will be beaten faster if a healthy body and a strong immune system are part of the team.