Nail fungus can affect fingernails and toenails but it is more common condition in toenails than fingernails. Toenail fungus is also known as Onychomycosis. This is a very common problem in many people all around the world. Crumbling, thickening, yellowing, swelling and inflammation of the nail are the most common symptoms of toe nail fungus. Usually this condition is not painful unless this infection spreads. The fungus tends to thrive under certain conditions such as diabetes, poor hygiene, continuous exposure to a moist environment including socks and sweaty shoes, a weakened immune system and abnormal pH levels of the skin. If you left this condition untreated, then it can cause splitting, cracking and even complete loss of the toenail. This condition is treatable and there are many home remedies which can be used as natural treatment of this condition. There are many home remedies which can cure this infection in one or two months.
How to get rid of toenail fungus naturally
Listerine mouthwash: Listerine mouthwash can kill germs and bacteria in your mouth and also this can be used as natural cure for toe nail fungus. This mouthwash has several components as well as alcohol which act as a strong antiseptic to keep away fungi and harmful bacteria [1]. You should fill a small tub with Listerine mouthwash or you can make a combination of white vinegar and equal parts of Listerine mouthwash. You should soak the affected foot in this natural cure for thirty minutes and then you should scrub the infected toenail gently. You should rinse it off. Then, you should dry the affected area thoroughly. You should repeat this natural treatment once or twice per day until the infection clears.
Oil of oregano: This natural cure has antifungal, analgesic, antiviral, antiparasitic, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. These properties are making the oil of oregano one of the best home remedies for nail fungus [2]. You should mix one teaspoon of olive oil with two drops of oil of oregano. You should apply this mixture on the affected areas. You should let it stay there for thirty minutes. Then, you should rinse it off and dry your toes thoroughly. You should repeat this natural treatment once or twice per day in a period of three weeks to see positive results.
White vinegar: This is one of the best home remedies which you can use to treat the toenail fungus because it fights the infection and also it helps to restore the pH of your skin. You should mix two parts of warm water with one part of white vinegar. You should soak the affected toenail in this home remedy for ten to fifteen minutes. You should rinse it off and then you should dry the affected area thoroughly. You should repeat this home treatment two times per day until you have noticed that the nail fungus is gone. If you have noticed that your skin becomes irritated, then you should add more water to this home remedy and you should repeat this home treatment every other day instead of daily.
Lavender oil: This oil has antiseptic properties and several volatile compounds which can fight any kind of infection and it can prevent skin irritation [3]. You should mix 5 drops of tea tree oil with 5 drops of lavender oil. You should use a cotton ball to apply this home remedy under the top edge of the affected toenail and surrounding area. You should let it stay there for at least ten minutes. Then, you should rinse it off and dry your toes thoroughly. You should repeat this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day.
Home remedies for toe nail fungus
Baking soda: This home remedy is available in all kitchens and you can use it as your natural treatment for nail fungus [4]. Also this home remedy will help neutralize the foot odor. You should add ½ cup of Epsom salt, ¼ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and ½ cup of baking soda to 4 cups of hot water. You should mix the mentioned ingredients thoroughly and then add ¼ cup of white vinegar to it. You should soak the affected toenail in this home remedy for about ten minutes. You should wash it with clean water and then you should dry your foot thoroughly. You should repeat this home treatment two times per day in a period of several weeks.
Tea tree oil: This natural cure has antifungal and antiseptic properties which can help you in the treatment of toe nail fungus. This natural cure can be used as natural treatment for other kinds of skin infections [5]. You should mix a few drops of tea tree oil in one teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil. You should use a cotton ball to apply this home remedy on the affected toenail. You should let it stay there for ten minutes. Then, you should use a toothbrush to gently scrub the affected nail. You should do this home remedy 2 or 3 times per day until you have notices positive results.
Apple cider vinegar: This home remedy is mildly acidic and it can prevent toenail fungus from spreading. At the same time, it kills fungi and bacteria. You should mix equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar. You should soak your toenail in this home remedy for thirty minutes every day. When done, dry your toenail thoroughly. When you use this natural treatment every day in a period of few weeks, you will notice improvements very quickly. Also there is another option which you can do and that is to make an antifungal exfoliating scrub by some coarsely ground rice flour with a few spoons of apple cider vinegar. You should apply this paste on and around the affected nail and you should gently scrub the affected area. You should do this natural treatment a few times a week. This natural cure will also help you to rid of the dead skin cells and it will keep your skin soft.
Garlic: This vegetable has antifungal compound which is known as ajoene and it is very effective against toenail fungus [2]. You should finely crush 7 – 8 garlic cloves and you should add them to a foot bath filled with lukewarm water. You should soak the infected area in this home remedy for half an hour. Pat dry and then you should apply some petroleum jelly on your infected toenail. You should do this natural treatment once per day until you get rid of the nail fungus completely. Also you can mix 2 – 3 freshly crushed garlic cloves with olive oil. You should rub the mixture on the affected area with a cotton ball. To keep this mixture in place, you should wrap the infected toenail with a gauze bandage. You should keep it on for several hours and then you should rinse it with lukewarm water. You should follow this natural treatment once or two times per day in a period of several weeks. Also you can eat one or two cloves of fresh garlic every day. This will make it difficult for the fungus to spread and survive.
Orange oil: This oil has antifungal properties. It can be used to treat infected toenails. This oil can cause allergic reactions and it can have some side effects. This is a reason why you need to test some orange oil on a small spot of your skin before you start using it as your natural treatment [6]. You should use a dropper to apply pure orange oil between your toes and on and under your toenails. If you have sensitive skin, then you should dilute this essential oil with an equal amount of carrier oil such as grape seed oil. You should leave it on the affected area for at least thirty minutes. You should repeat this natural treatment 2 or 3 times per day until you see improvements in your condition.
Lemon juice: This type of juice has antifungal and antiseptic properties [6]. It has citric acid which will stop the toenail fungus from spreading. You should apply fresh lemon juice on the infected toenail. You should let it stay there for about thirty minutes before you rinse it off with warm water. Also there is another option which you can make and that is to mix equal amounts of olive oil and lemon juice. You should use this natural cure to massage the infected area. You should let it stay there in a period of a few hours before you rinse it off. The olive oil will soften your skin. The lemon juice will control the toenail fungus infection. You should use some of the mentioned natural cures with lemon juice a few times per day in a period of one month or longer until you have notices positive results.
Turmeric: It has strong antiseptic properties which can treat toenail fungus and they can prevent the infection from recurring [7]. You should grind dry turmeric root into powder form. You should mix one tablespoon of turmeric powder with a small amount of water to make a thick paste. You should apply this home remedy on the affected toenail. You should let it stay there for 2 – 3 hours. Then, you should rinse it off with lukewarm water and dry your toenail thoroughly. You should repeat this toenail fungus home remedy 2 times per day until you rid of this infection.
References:
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[2] Parashar B, Yadav V, Maurya B, Sharma L. Natural therapy of fungal nail disease: A review. The Pharma Innovation. 2012;1(4):31-47.
[3] Society for General Microbiology. Lavender oil has potent antifungal effect. Science Daily. 2011. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110214201842.htm
[4] Letscher-Bru V, Obszynski CM, Samsoen M, et al. Antifungal activity of sodium bicarbonate against fungal agents causing superficial infections. Mycopathologia. 2013;175(1-2):153-8.
[5] Misner BD. A novel aromatic oil compound inhibits microbial overgrowth on feet: a case study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2007;4(3).
[6] Essential oils of peppermint, orange or lemongrass kill most strains of fungal and bacterial infections. Positive Health News. 1998;17:26-7.
[7] Lee W, Lee DG. An antifungal mechanism of curcumin lies in membrane‐targeted action within Candida albicans. IUBMB Life. 2014;66(11):780-85.