It can be difficult to treat and unattractive to look at toenail fungus. It’s a good thing that there are some efficient home treatments for toenail fungus that you can use to get rid of the condition.
14% of people in the US suffer from toenail fungus, which is prevalent. It frequently affects older people. Breakage and discolouration are the normal outcomes. The fungus can harden the nails and spread to the other toes if left untreated. People choose natural solutions because they want to avoid the adverse effects of over-the-counter pharmaceutical treatments, which are the best way to treat toenail fungus.
What Is Toenail Fungus?
A common ailment that affects the toenails is toenail fungus. Onychomycosis, another name for the condition, is characterized by the development of thick, yellow or brown toenails as a result of fungus colonizing the area between the toe and the toe bed (tissue directly beneath the toenail). This usually happens as a result of a cut or crack in your toe. It immediately spreads to other toenails and is very contagious.Causes
Candida species are among the dermatophyte fungi, which are commonly responsible for nail fungal infections. Several typical causes of a toenail fungus infection include:
- Distributing private stuff like towels or nail clippers.
- Poor foot hygiene.
- A nail injury.
- Previous infection.
- Sweaty socks and shoes.
- Contact with a sufferer of toenail fungus physically.
Symptoms
Toenail discolouration, an increase in thickness, loose toenails, and a weak toenail that begins to fall apart are typical signs.Home Remedies
Exercise
The healing process can be sped up by regular exercise. Blood moves toxins out of the body and releases natural vitamins as it circulates more quickly. Just remember to maintain good hygiene to prevent toenail fungus from getting worse. Wear flip-flops or sandals in public spaces like showers or swimming pools, apply antifungal foot powder, remove shoes and socks right away after working out to allow feet to breathe. After your shower, don’t forget to properly dry your feet and wash them with antibacterial soap.Diet
Your present diet may be nourishing the fungus that results from an overgrowth of Candida. Here are some dietary adjustments you can make to improve toenail fungus and starve the yeast:
- Use coconut oil when cooking
- Mix in ginger and garlic
- Add a probiotic to your diet
- Reduce your intake of processed carbs such white bread, cookies, and cereal.
- Eliminate sugar.
- Stay away from booze
Cornmeal
There are some antifungal qualities in cornmeal. As a weekly home cure for toenail fungus, you might try cornmeal.
Applying cornmeal as a paste or a soak might work. Cornmeal should be dissolved in warm water in a shallow pan to make a paste. Before applying the paste to your feet, allow it to cool. Give it an hour to sit.
Add an inch of cornmeal as a soak to a small container. Pour an inch of warm water on top of the cornmeal, then wait an hour for the water and cornmeal to naturally combine. After an hour, cover your entire foot with warm water and let it soak for an additional hour.
Garlic
A strong antibacterial herb is garlic. Apply chopped garlic cloves topically for a week, leaving them on the troublesome nails for 30 minutes each day. Be careful when using raw garlic because it can cause a chemical burn.
Consult a pharmacist for information on garlic-containing herbal supplements. These supplements can be taken orally to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, certain malignancies, and tick bite risk reduction in addition to treating skin diseases. People who have bleeding diseases, ulcers in the stomach, or issues with digestion shouldn’t take garlic supplements. It might also reduce the effectiveness of birth control tablets. Before taking oral garlic supplements, see a healthcare provider.
Snakeroot extract
To cure toenail fungus, snakeroot extract, a natural antifungal homeopathic remedy, is prepared from plants in the sunflower family. Snakeroot extract, which is frequently used in Ayurvedic treatments in India, can be directly administered to the toenail that is bothersome. For several months, apply the extract two to three times per week. Ask your doctor if snakeroot extract is appropriate for your particular form of fungus.Olive leaf extract
Oleuropein, a naturally occurring antifungal and antibacterial compound, is present in olive leaf extract. To prevent infection, you can apply an olive leaf salve to your toenails. For a systemic approach to treating toenail fungus, you can also consider taking oral capsules containing the extract to try to strengthen your immune system. Before taking olive leaf extract, speak with your doctor. By formulation, the dose varies.Ozonated oils
Ozone gas is present in ozonated oils like olive and sunflower oil. The theory is that ozone transports oxygen to the wounds, killing germs and igniting skin cells to hasten healing. According to one study, certain strains of toenail fungus can be treated at home with ozonated oil. 101 samples of yeast were evaluated by researchers using ozonized sunflower oil. The oil worked well as a remedy for various fungi strains. First, clean and dry your foot before doing this cure. Apply a tiny amount of ozonated oil to the epidermis and gently massage it around the toe and into the damaged nails.Essential oils
Popular at-home treatments for a number of common maladies include essential oils. Numerous essential oils have built-in antibacterial and antifungal defenses.
Before using essential oils to the skin, dilute them with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil. Apply a few drops to the damaged nail after combining the required oil or mix of oils with your preferred carrier oil.
Epsom salt
To get rid of foot fungus, soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath (magnesium sulfate). You can soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes in a mixture of one cup of Epsom salt and two quarts of warm to hot water. Another option is to make an elaborate Epsom salt remedy using the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 4 cups warm to hot water
- 1/2 cup Epsom salt
Feet should be soaked for 15 to 20 minutes after combining all the ingredients. Foot baths benefit greatly from the addition of a few drops of aromatic oils. Below is a selection of essential oils that can effectively treat foot fungus. After your foot bath, rinse them with fresh water and dry them with a fresh towel. After your foot bath, put on fresh socks and breathable shoes to prevent infecting clean feet.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
Baking soda
In an effort to try to cure the damaged toenail, add baking soda to a foot soak. Additionally, you can apply baking soda directly to the foot by mixing it with a small amount of water to produce a paste. After letting the paste stay on the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes, rinse the foot with warm water and completely dry it.
Like foot powder, baking soda can also be placed inside the shoes. Shake the shoes gently to spread the powder after adding some baking soda. After at least 24 hours, shake out any remaining baking soda. Then, let the shoes air dry.
Baking soda can also be sprinkled on the foot. Apply to a dry foot and then put on fresh socks. Baking soda’s primary constituent, sodium bicarbonate, has drying and anti-fungal characteristics that can help with toenail fungus.
Soaking feet in vinegar
Apple cider vinegar foot soaks are another natural treatment for toenail fungus. In order to make a foot soak, vinegar, an antifungal agent, can be combined with water. The acetic acid in it aids in whitening yellowed toenails and prevents the illness from spreading to other toes. Try soaking feet for 20 minutes each day in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts warm water. A few drops of essential oils can be added to the mixture to improve the smell if it is too overpowering. White vinegar can be used as a substitute because they both work equally well.Black tea
Foot and toenail fungus can be successfully treated by soaking feet in simple tea. Tannic acid, which is present in black tea, helps to shut the pores on the feet by drying them out and killing bacteria to stop sweating. Add five or six tea bags after bringing two quarts of water to a boil. Feet should soak in the solution for 30 minutes while it cools. If desired, use this foot soak every day.Hydrogen peroxide
The fungus that thrives on toenails can be eliminated by hydrogen peroxide. Apply hydrogen peroxide to your infected toenails or toes with a clean towel or cotton swab to treat toenail fungus. Another option is to bathe your feet in hydrogen peroxide. Mix four cups of cool water with 1/8 cup of hydrogen peroxide (or many capfuls) and soak feet for 10 to 20 minutes. After foot washing with warm water, pat dry.Clean socks and shoes
The development of undesirable foot fungus can also be slowed down by often switching out your socks and shoes. To get rid of yeasts and fungi that may be forming on the fabric, you can wash both socks and athletic shoes. Baking soda or vinegar, when added to the washing machine, can help get rid of bacteria and kill fungus in socks and shoes. Some shoes can be dried using a machine. Another alternative for drying footwear after cleaning is to put them in the sun, but before doing so, make sure they are entirely dry.
It is possible to wipe down boots and other non-machine washable footwear with a vinegar and water solution or spritz them with an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal spray. Treatment for foot fungus in shoes can also be achieved with medicated antifungal powder for shoes.
When feasible, removing shoes and socks to allow the feet to breathe can help stop the growth of fungi. You may safeguard your feet by donning breathable shoes and fresh, dry socks. There are also antimicrobial socks and shoes made of bamboo, copper, or specific materials. They can lessen the growth of unwelcome bacteria and yeast in your shoes.
The spread of toenail fungus can be stopped by taking preventative measures to keep your feet clean and dry. Using common household products, you can wash or soak your feet in warm, soapy water or a foot bath. Toenail fungus can be reduced or removed by soaking your feet in an all-natural, homeopathic mixture.
Weekly maintenance
Trim and file your nails once a week to get them ready for treatment. Cutting toenails helps antifungal medications penetrate the nail and removes pressure on the nails. To keep nails short and thin, use standard toenail clippers and an Emory board. After each usage, make sure to disinfect the utensils. Toenail fungus can be treated and prevented in the future by keeping nails that are kept clipped, clean, and dry.When to see a doctor about toenail fungus
If you are experiencing persistent toenail fungus or pain is present, you may need to schedule an appointment with a specialist. A dermatologist or podiatrist will assess your symptoms and may send a small sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a laboratory to be analyzed as various types of fungi and yeasts cause onychomycosis. Knowing the specific cause of your foot fungus can help identify the best treatment of toenail fungus.You may need to make an appointment with a professional if your toenail fungus is persistent or if discomfort is present. As several kinds of fungus and yeasts cause onychomycosis, a dermatologist or podiatrist may evaluate your symptoms and might send a little sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a lab for analysis. The best way to cure toenail fungus can be determined by understanding the precise source of your foot infection.
It’s crucial to get medical advice if your illness persists or gets worse because nail abnormalities can also be caused by underlying diseases like diabetes and psoriasis. Diabetes patients frequently require hospital hospitalizations for bacterial and fungal skin infections, which in extreme situations may necessitate amputations. A professional medical diagnosis and treatment should be sought if you are more susceptible to infection.
