Toenail fungus treatment is a bear to deal with; nail fungus infections are insidiously hardy, don't go away on their own and can be difficult to treat, even with prescription drugs. It would remiss of me not to mention that if you suspect you have one (yellowish,thicker nails are a tell-tale sign) visiting your doctor would be a worthy decision. Otherwise, left to its own devices, toenail fungus infections can cause permanent damage to your toenails, spread to neighboring nails and potentially lead to more serious infections throughout your body.

Here are the most popular toenail fungus treatments around today:

Over-the-counter antifungal nail creams: You can get these at your local drugstore but they're usually ineffective in curing the infection. I am saying "usually" because we are all an experiment of one, so try it if you like, it just might work, though keep in mind the odds.

Oral antifungal medication, such as Terbinafine (Lamisil), Itraconazole (Sporanox) or Fluconazole (Diflucan): This type of toenail fungus treatment requires a prescription from your doctor and is typically taken for 6 weeks to 3 months. Eliminating the toenail infection with these drugs can take up to a year.

Antifungal nail polish: Ciclopirox (Penlac) is a topical antifungal polish you paint on your toes, as well as the surrounding skin. Be aware however, that this type of type of toenail fungus treatment cures nail fungus infections in less than 10 percent of those who use it.

Topical medications like econazole nitrate (Spectazole): These don't usually cure the problem but can be used alongside oral medications.

Lastly, we have the popular home remedies for fungus infections you've probably already read about, such as tea tree oil, Vick's Vaporub or vinegar. Again, your mileage may vary, so we'll cross fingers (and toes) that you find a toenail fungus treatment that works for you.