Is it possible to treat toenail fungus while at home? This article contain insights on the various home remedies for toenail fungus such as hydrogen peroxide and Vicks among others. You will also learn from the various pictures showing the different types of toenail fungus.
Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is also medically known as onychomycosis. It is a common condition that causes yellowing and thickening of nails. If not treated, it may cause splitting, cracking and eventually results to toenail falling off. The areas around infected toenails may become swollen and tender.
The fungus thrives well in warm, moist and damp areas such as public washrooms, swimming pools and hot tubs. You may get infected by walking in such areas barefooted. Other conditions such as weak immune system, HIV infections, diabetes and poor foot hygiene increases the chances of fungal infection.
Why should you suffer from this nail condition when you can easily treat it while at home? There are various natural and home remedies that are effective in treating the toenail fungus and other nail bed infections. They contain anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties that helps in treating various nail conditions. They includes the following:
- Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has a history of treating various nail and skin conditions. It contains antibacterial as well as antibacterial properties that give it power to treat toenail fungus. Pure tea tree oil may cause some irritations especially if your skin is hypersensitive. To control the irritation you are advised to use diluted tea tree oil.
To use this remedy, you simply mix 3-4 drops of tea tree oil with one teaspoonful of coconut oil or olive. Apply the mixture on the affected area using a cotton ball.
Leave it for 15 minutes to penetrate in the tissues around the nail before trying to scrub the affected toenail using a soft nail brush. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day until your condition improves.
- Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also among the effective home remedies for toenail fungus. This remedy is mildly acidic, it therefore helps to prevent the fungal infection from spreading to other parts. It also has antifungal and antiseptic properties that kills fungi and bacteria.
Mix equal proportions of apple cider vinegar for nail fungus with water. Soak the affected foot in the solution for 20-30 minutes. Remove your foot from the solution and use a clean towel to dry it thoroughly. This solution may also restore yellow toenails to its normal color.
- Baking soda
Baking soda is among the ingredients that are readily available in your kitchen that has the power to treat nail fungus. It does not really kill the fungus but it helps to prevent the growth and spread of the infection as well as neutralizing the bad odor.
Baking soda is alkaline and the fungi thrives well in acidic environment. Mixing this ingredient with vinegar may work best for your condition. Vinegar will help in killing the fungi on the affected area. You simply requires 4 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar, some water and a paper towel.
Mix equal amount of water and vinegar, add baking soda in the mixture and stir well. Soak the affected foot in the solution for 20 minutes. When done, dry the food using the paper towel thoroughly. Repeat the procedure 3 times daily until your condition improves.
- Coconut oil
Coconut oil is also among the effective home remedies for toenail fungus. It contains medium chain fatty acids that that works as natural fungicide in killing the fungus. The fatty acids penetrates the fungal membrane to destroy the infection.
To use this remedy, you simply requires the coconut oil. Clean your hands thoroughly and apply a thin layer of this natural oil on the affected area. You are required to apply 2-3 times daily until the infection is treated.
- Oil of oregano
A part from using the leaves of oregano in flavoring food, you can also use its oil in treating various skin conditions including the toenail fungus. It contains antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral and analgesic properties that are effective in treating various skin problems.
To make this remedy more effective, you simply mix 3 drops of oil of oregano in one teaspoonful of coconut oil and apply on the affected area.
Leave it to penetrate the affected area for 30 minutes before rinsing the area with clean water. Use a paper towel to dry the affected foot thoroughly. Repeat the treatment twice daily until your condition improves.
- Listerine mouthwash
The several compounds used in making Listerine mouthwash to kill different bacteria in the mouth also has the ability to treat toenails fungus. Its strong antiseptic properties has the power to kill various bacteria and fungi.
You may use Listerine mouthwash alone or its combination with white vinegar. Mix equal proportions of the two and soak the affected foot in the solution for 30 minutes.
Use a soft nail brush to scrub the affected area. Rinse it and dry it thoroughly using disposable paper towel. The infection will clear after several month when this remedy is used twice daily.
- White vinegar
This is among the best home remedies for toenail fungus vinegar. It helps in killing the toenail fungus as well as restoring the skin pH of the affected foot. You simply requires white vinegar and warm water.
Mix equal amount of this ingredient and water. Soak the affected foot in the solution for 20-30 minutes. When done, rinse the affected area and dry it thoroughly using a paper towel. Repeat twice daily until the infection heals.
- Lemon juice
Lemon juice is also among effective home remedies for toenail fungus due to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It also citric acid that gives it power to stop the fungus from spreading to other parts of the toenail, to other toenails or to the areas around.
Obtain fresh lemon fruit, extract some juice from it and apply on the affected foot. Leave it for 30 minutes to penetrate the skin before rinsing it off using warm water. Repeat this treatment 2-3 times a day until the infection is healed.
Toenail Fungus Vinegar
The use of vinegar is cheap and simple in treatment of toenail fungus. Whether it is white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, both has the ability of curing toenail or fingernail fungal infections. You are not supposed to worry about the type or brand name of the vinegar. The pH of the vinegar is what matters.
There are different types of vinegar that includes white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, malt vinegar, wine vinegar cane vinegar, rice vinegar, Chinese black vinegar, raisin vinegar, coconut vinegar, balsamic vinegar, honey vinegar, fruit vinegar and beer vinegar among other various types.
The sour taste of vinegar results from oxidation of ethanol in liquids containing alcohol such as beer, wine, cider, fruit juice and many more. It helps to treating toenail fungus in different ways as described below:
- The acidity of the vinegar helps in relieving the itchy sensation caused by the fungal infection while restoring the altered PH of the skin to normal.
- It contains antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties that helps to treat and prevent recurring of fungal infections.
- Helps in fighting and preventing the spread of bacteria, fungi and other micro-organisms that causes toenail fungus.
- Fungus thrives well in alkaline PH, while the vinegar is acidic, it therefore increases acidity to
- Helps to treat other nail conditions such as white spots on nails.
Before applying the vinegar or any other home remedies and prescribed medicines, clean the areas around. Trim the nails short using a clipper. Smoothen the edges using a nail file.
This helps to allow the treatment to penetrate deeper into affected areas. It also reduces pain and discomfort. It is also important on how to strengthen nails by preventing breakage.
Vinegar is among the best home remedies for toenail fungus. It is recommended to use equal proportion of warm water and vinegar. Mix 50% of vinegar and 50% of warm water in a large bowl. Soak the infected foot for 20-30 minutes.
When your infection is severe, you may try to apply vinegar directly to the affected area. Alternatively, you may increase the concentration of vinegar against water. Exposure of the toenail fungus to vinegar may increase the chances of positive results.
After toenail fungus vinegar soak, allow the foot to dry completely before putting on socks. You may use a paper towel to dry the areas between toes. The fungi multiply and spreads easily in moist and warm conditions. This helps to prevent the infection from spreading.
Apply this treatment twice daily. You will be able to notice improvements after 1-2 weeks of treatment. However, you are supposed to observe to hygiene of your foot during treatment. Keep the foot clean, cool and dry for positive results.
Toenail Fungus Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is among the household disinfectant that is used in cleaning and treating minor injuries on the skin. This solution can also be used as an antiseptic, oxidizer and antiseptic. Although there is not scientific study that shows the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide in treating fungi, many people have recovered from toenail fungus up on the use of this remedy.
This solution is among the effective home remedies for toenail fungus when a correct concentration of 3% is used. A strong concentration is harmful to your skin and may cause various reaction. There are different procedures you can use to apply this remedy. They include the following:
- Obtain 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and mix with equal quantity of water or vinegar. Soak the affected foot in the solution. Leave the solution to penetrate your skin and under the nail bed for about 30 minutes. When done, dry your feet thoroughly before wearing socks or shoes.
- Alternatively, you can spray the affected foot using the hydrogen solution and leave it to dry there.
Apply the solution twice daily until you get the positive results. You may start to notice some improvements after 1-2 month of treatment. This treatment gives quicker results when treating the athlete’s foot fungus and compared to other nail bed fungal infections.
For this treatment to work, you need to be persistence in application of the solution and patience with the results. Continue applying the solution until your condition is treated. If you use this remedy for two month without improvements, stop its use and see a doctor.
This remedy works when the solution penetrates to the thick layer of the skin to the nail bed and plate. This are the areas where the fungus breed and multiply.
To facilitate the penetration of the solution to such areas, you are supposed to clean your toenails before applying the treatment. Use a nail clipper and a file to trim and smoothen the sharp edges.
Vicks for Toenail Fungus
Vicks VapoRub has also become one of the home remedies for toenail fungus. Many people have had a successful treatment of toenail fungus by using this remedy. A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Vicks and the result showed that a larger percentage of fungal infected individuals showed improvement from their condition while a smaller percentage had no improvement.
Vicks VapoRub contains three active ingredients that are believed to help in fighting the fungal infection. They includes the Camphor that is a topical anesthetic, menthol that has the same properties of anesthetic as Camphor and Eucalyptus oil.
This ingredients are found in different percentages together with other inactive ingredients that includes: thymol, nutmeg oil, cedar leaf oil, turpentine oil and special petroleum. The scientific studies was also tested on the different ingredients in the Vicks.
From the study, thymol was among the effective ingredient that inhibits the spread and growth of the dermatophytes that causes toenail fungus. It also penetrates the cell membrane of candida, which is another cause nail fungus and destroys it.
To use this remedy, you simply apply a thin layer of Vicks on the affected areas 2-3 times a day. You may notice some improvements of using Vicks salve for toenail fungus after a month of use. Practicing good hygiene of your foot may help for quick improvement.
How to Treat Toenail Fungus
When the home remedies for toenail fungus have failed to show the positive results, you are supposed to visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. You may be given a combination of prescribed medicines that will treat your condition. The medication includes the following:
- Oral antifungal drugs
Your podiatrist may prescribe some oral antifungal medicines. They are effective treatment especially for a recurring fungal infection. Some of the drugs are terbinafine or Lamisil and itraconazole. You may be required to take the medicines for 6-12 weeks.
You may not be able to notice the results immediately. The medication may take four or more month to see the positive results. You are only required to take the medicines as directed by the doctor. Do not stop taking the drugs even if the symptoms improves.
- topical antifungal creams
Your podiatrist may prescribe topical antifungal creams or gel that are applied directly on the affected area. In most cases, the antifungal creams are given when the infection is mild or you can be prescribed together with the oral antifungal drugs.
- Medicated nail polish
You may be required to use antifungal nail polish such as ciclopirox. The polish is simply applied on the affected nails and the areas around once awhile. After a period of one week, the older polish is removed and replaced with new until the nail fungus heals.
Toenail Fungus Pictures
There are various pictures that can help you identify if you are suffering from toenail fungus. They can also give you a guideline for treatment while using home remedies for toenail fungus. The pictures or images are showing the different symptoms that you may encounter when infection.
From the pictures, it is clear that the nail fungus can affect both the toenails and the fingernails. Toenails are more prone to this condition because they may contract the infection from infected ground or surfaces. Poor foot hygiene is also a risk factor.
Black Toenail Fungus
Have you ever noticed black spots under your toenails? If yes, then you may be suffering from black toenail fungus. The nail is supposed to have the normal color any color change or discoloration may be a great indication of nail fungus or other underlying body condition.
The black toenail fungus is common among individuals who walk barefooted in areas that may contain fungi. Such areas includes the public washrooms, swimming pools, beach showers and hot tubs. You can even get infected while at your own home.
Several days after infection, you may notice some nail fungus symptoms such as discoloration of toenails from normal color to yellow or black, flaking and thickening. It is easier to treat this condition while it is still mild. You may consider home remedies for toenail fungus or visit your podiatrist for treatment.