5 Easy Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus

5 Easy Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus

Your toenails are made from keratin, the same protein that makes up your skin, hair, and fingernails.
Keratin makes your nails tough and resilient to daily wear and tear.
As resilient as they are, there are some health conditions as well as lifestyle habits that can wreak havoc on them.

Where does toenail fungus come from?

Toenail fungus is caused by an infection either through cracks in your nail or cuts in your skin.
The color of your nail can also change or thicken and can be painful.
Fungus grows well in areas that are dark, warm, and damp, which are common environments for your toes.
If not treated, an infection can spread to other toenails and the surrounding skin and those with diabetes are also more likely to contract toenail fungus.

Causes of toenail fungus

• Yeast and mold can cause nail infections
• Sweating heavily
• Aging causes your nails to become brittle and dry, resulting in cracks that allow fungi to enter
• Reduced blood circulation to the feet
• A weakened immune system
• History of Athlete’s foot
  Source: mayoclinic.org – nail fungus

5 Home remedies for toenail fungus

Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
Vinegar acts as an antifungal ingredient and mixed with water it makes for an ideal foot soak.
Its acetic acid component helps to stop the spread of the infection to other toes.
Mix two parts vinegar to one part warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes daily.

Black tea
Soaking feet in plain tea can be beneficial in treating toenail fungus.
Black tea contains tannic acid that dries out the feet, kills bacteria, and helps to close the foot’s pores to reduce sweating.
Boil two liters of water and add five tea bags.
Allow the tea to cool slightly and soak feet for 30 minutes.
Use this foot soak daily if desired. 

Baking soda 
Add baking soda to a foot soak to help heal the affected nail.
Alternatively, you can also make a paste of baking soda mixed with a minimal amount of water and apply it directly to the foot.
Allow the paste to sit on the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry the foot thoroughly.

Epsom salt
Soaking feet in an Epsom salt bath can be beneficial in relieving foot fungus.
Mix one cup of Epsom salt to two liters of warm water and soak feet for 10 to 20 minutes.

Essential oils
Many essential oils have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, that can help reduce toenail fungus. These include:

• Tea tree oil
• Clove oil
• Jasmine oil
• Lavender oil
• Ylang-ylang oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Lemon oil
• Lemongrass oil
• Jojoba oil
  Source: medicalnewstoday.com – home remedies

 

Other treatment options for toenail fungus

Treatment of toenail fungus depends on which fungus you have and how bad the infection is.
Suitable options include:

• Topical creams
• Antifungal pills
• Laser treatment to remove the damaged area of the nail
• Surgery might be needed to have the nail removed completely
  Source: mayoclinic.org – nail fungus diagnosis treatment

Prevention of toenail fungus

It can take some time for a fungal nail infection to go away.
You can help prevent toenail fungus by:

• Keeping your feet clean and dry
• Avoid walking barefoot in gym showers and changing rooms
• Do not share nail clippers
• Choose nail salons that sterilize their instruments.

Effectively managing your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes

Ingrown toenail

An ingrown toenail is caused by the pressure from the nail edge digging into the skin and most commonly affects the large toes.
If the edge of the nail cuts through the skin, it can cause inflammation

Causes of ingrown toenail

• Cutting your toenails too short
• Cutting your toenails in a curved shape, instead of straight across
• Injuring your toenail
• Having abnormally large or curved toenails

Symptoms of ingrown toenail

• Pain, swelling and redness along the side of the nail
• A clear yellowish fluid, or if it becomes infected, pus

Home remedies for an ingrown toenail

The following home remedies can offer some relief:
Lukewarm water foot soaks
Soaking feet for 15-20 minutes with any one of the following:

• One-part white vinegar to four parts water, or 2 tablespoons Epsom salts per 1litre of water
• Gently massage the affected skin area in a downward motion while soaking
• Taking oral anti-inflammatory medications
• Apply antibacterial ointment on the affected part of the nail
• Trim the toenail straight across the top without digging into the corners and don’t cut them too short

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatments may include, removal of the offending nail border, detachment of the nail or nail border, or permanent elimination of the nail.