Luckily nothing ever spread but because dermatophytes eats the keratin, the nails stops growing. I originally figured it would groe out but after a long time without and progress I looked up the cause. After discovering the root of it I went to the pharmacy for a product to help.
The first product I picked up was a medication in a pen. It had a brush tip that by pressing down would release the medication which then would be applied to the surface of the nail. It seemed easy enough so I bought it.
At first it seemed easy to apply and I thought I had found my solution. Unfortunately, it started to smell after 2 uses. It honestly could have smelt from the start but I was battling a sinus cold. I worked past the smell but I started getting headaches. Then I would become nauseas and after applying the product I started getting stomach issues. Weird, I know. How could this be related? I'm unsure but after two months of use I had to stop.
I felt much better so after several months of abandoning this treatment I decided to try again. Instantly, my symptoms returned so I stopped again and threw the product away. I gave up with the idea of using an over the counter solutions assuming all the solvents would be the same.
I began trying every home remedies I could find online. I did everything from apple cider soaks to putting Vicks Vapor Rub on my toes. The Vicks rub actually showed signs it could work but the time it needed was a minimum of a year more depending on how long you've had it. By this time it was nearing the decade mark. After a year of minimal progress I was done trying and was looking into paying for expensive laser treatments.
The progress the Vicks had made was gone, taken back by the dermatophytes. Walking through the pharmacy one day looking for a knee brace for my husband I saw the store brand equivalent to Kerasal. This store happened to be out of the actual Kerasal. I took a chance and bought it.
From the start I noticed this was different. It was not smelly, no headachs, no tummy problems, no side effects. I used one tube for a few weeks. It did show improvements within the two weeks as advertised on the box. But after my three year old got ahold of it and used it on paper thinking it was glue, I had to buy more.
I bought the store brand again even though the Kerasal gives one week and you will see improvements. But I knew this worked and it was a bit less than the actual brand. That lasted the three months it said it would. Though that should take care of a simple case, after 10 years I don't think mine is a simple case anymore.
After that I bought the Kerasal the brand. I was now at the supermarket and bought my only option. Thank goodness I decided not to wait to return to the pharmacy. Kerasal worked far better with faster improvements. That was only 2 weeks ago and I see a difference.
I have only been using this treatment (both the store brand and the Kerasal since May.) It hasn't been 4 months yet but I'm happy with the progress. I'm about a fourth of the way cured of the dermatophytes. I've included a photo comparison of my first day starting this treatment and a picture of where I am, nearly 4 months later.
I know the top photo is a bit blurry but that was on my old phone. The coloring is accurate and you can see how low that crack was. Now, as you can see the crack has grown out on the right foot and the left is close to the top. I'm finally seeing growth, and that purple coloring at the base of the nail is actual healthy nail. The yellowing has faded as well. I finally feel comfortable wearing sandles and open toed shoes. I recommend the Kerasal, it really does work!
