11 Top Home Remedies To Treat Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is known as onychomycosis in medical terms. It is nothing but a common fungal infection which takes place in the toenail. In this kind of infection, the toenail becomes discolored and has a white, brown or yellowish discoloration. In many cases it has been seen that when the fungal infection spreads, the nails tend to become thick and also crack. Toenail fungus not only looks ugly, but it has a foul smell as well. But the best part is that there are many treatments, which are available for treating this problem.
There are various kinds of antifungal treatments which can be implemented on the affected toenails. These come in the form of ointments and creams and have been used traditionally for treating the problem. However, there are high chances that various kinds of side effects are caused by these treatments. Instead of choosing these, it is better to look for some home remedies for dealing with the problem of toenail fungus.
Read on to know about the top 11 home remedies which can be used for treating toenail fungus:
1. Tea Tree Oil
Also known as melaleuca, tea tree oil is an excellent essential oil, which abounds in antiseptic and antifungal properties. As per studies conducted by various clinics and research laboratories, it has been seen that tea tree oil is highly effective for dealing with the problem of toenail fungus (1). Tea tree oil is available in bottles. Take a cotton swab and put tea tree oil on the same. Dab the affected area with the cotton. Wait for some time and use a toothbrush for gently scrubbing the area. Repeat the process twice a day for best results. The infection is seen to be disappearing in few days’ time.
2. Listerine Mouthwash
Listerine mouthwash contains alcohol and many other different kinds of compounds and these make the product antiseptic in nature. Using this product helps in keeping the bacteria and fungus away. Take a small basin kind of container or utensil and fill it up with Listerine. Soak the feet in this solution in a manner so that the affected toenail is immersed in the solution. Keep this for half an hour. Use a soft brush and scrub the nail gently. Now rinse the water off and dry the infected nail completely and thoroughly. Repeat the process twice a day so that the infection does not spread from one toe to another. Repeat the process regularly and you will be able to notice the change after few weeks.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great ingredient, which has shown excellent results in various kinds of health problems. This ingredient is not only useful for treating the problem of toenail fungus, but it also helps in getting rid of foot odor at the same time. You will need 4 cups of hot water. To this water, you need to mix ¼ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide, ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup Epsom salt. After all these components are properly mixed, add about ¼ cup of white vinegar in the solution. The infected nail needs to be soaked into the solution for 10 minutes. Use clean water for rinsing off the nail. Repeat the process twice daily to get quick results.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
The specialty of apple cider vinegar is that it has extremely mild acidic properties. As a result, it helps in preventing the spread of nail fungus. Infact it plays an important role in killing bacteria and fungus. In a basin like container, take equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Mix the ingredients well and then soak the finger in the same for about 30 minutes every day. Once the soaking is done, the foot and the nails have to be dried completely. This must be repeated till the time the infection goes away completely. The use of apple cider vinegar is very commonly done for treating the problem of toe nail fungus. Many people have gained greatly from this treatment.
5. White Vinegar
Innumerable people have used white vinegar for the treatment of toenail fungal infection and gained highly from the same. Along with combating the infection, this natural ingredient plays an important role in maintaining the pH level of the skin. For this, you will need to take two parts of warm water and mix the same with one part of white vinegar. After mixing the solution, soak the nail in the solution. Let it be there for 15 minutes. Then rinse it off. The infected nail should be dried properly after rinsing. The whole process is recommended to be repeated twice daily for effective treatment of toenail fungus.
6. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice comes with antiseptic and antifungal properties. The fruit has high content of citric acid and this helps in combating the spread of the infection to other parts of the body. You don’t have to do much for this treatment. Extract some fresh lemon juice and apply the same to the infected nail. Let it be there for about 30 minutes or so. Use warm water for rinsing the nail and dry it thoroughly. This can be repeated innumerable times all throughout the day. You will be able to see the results in a few weeks’ time.
7. Orange Oil
The antifungal properties in orange oil are very powerful. This is the reason it is an ideal solution for treating the problem of toenail fungal infection. It has been seen that many people are highly allergic to orange oil. If you suspect that you are allergic to the oil, apply the same to a small patch on the skin. If it suits you, it can be used as a remedy for treating the problem of toenail fungal infection. Use a dropper for applying the oil on and under the nail as well as between the toes. Let it be there for half an hour and rinse and then dry completely. This can be repeated twice or thrice per day.
8. Turmeric Powder
Turmeric abounds in antiseptic properties. The use of this natural ingredient has been seen in ancient medicine since a long time. Turmeric powder has shown to have great effects on treating the problem of nail fungus. Take some turmeric powder in a bowl and add some water to make a smooth paste. Apply the paste on the affected and infected nail. Once done, leave the paste there till it dries completely. Once the paste dries, rinse it off properly. Ensure that you dry the nails thoroughly so that there are no traces of moisture left in the nails as that can worsen the infection.
9. Coconut Oil
Among the many natural oils, which are used for various kinds of treatments, coconut oil needs special mention. This is because coconut oil has excellent healing properties. The oil abounds in antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties richly. You don’t need to do much for this treatment. Just take some coconut oil on a cotton swab and apply the oil on the infected nail and gently massage the same. Continue massaging the area daily as it helps in healing the fungal infection completely. Coconut oil has shown to have great effects on healing damaged skin. It also helps in combating free radicals.
10. Yogurt
You will find yogurt in almost all homes. Rich in probiotics, yogurt is quite healthy as well. This is the reason that this component is ideal for combating various kinds of fungal infections, which also includes toenail fungal infections. Include yogurt as a part of your diet. You can consume the same in various ways. Along with healing the infection completely, yogurt also helps in preventing the spread of the infection from one toe nail to another.
11. Onion
There is probably no home where there is no use of onion. This is an ingredient, which can be found in all places. However, you might not know that onion is one of the most effective ingredients which can be used for treating nail fungus. Take an onion and slice the same. Take the slices and rub them very gently on the infected nail. Do this till the juice of the onions dries up. This has to be repeated every day. The effects of this natural treatment can be seen after a couple of months.
Try these natural remedies for getting rid of stubborn toenail fungal infections without any side effects.