Toenail fungus is a fairly common disease of the toenails. Nail infections can affect toenails or fingernails, but toenail infections are especially common. Some of the causes of this problem are excessive sweating, being in a humid environment, psoriasis, and wearing socks and shoes that block airflow and do not absorb sweat. Other common causes include walking barefoot in damp public places such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms, athletes foot injuries, minor skin or nail injuries, damaged nails or other infections, diabetes or circulatory problems, and weakened immune systems.
When a nail is infected, the most common symptom is that the nail becomes thick and discolored, and as the infection progresses, the nail can become brittle. If left untreated, the skin under and around the nail can become inflamed and painful.
Best home remedies for toenail fungus
Nail fungus infections can be tricky and can recur, but here I want to share with you some simple and natural remedies for toenail fungus:
- apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide
Treating nail fungus with vinegar is very popular. To kill the fungus, it is recommended to soak your feet in vinegar and water for at least 30 minutes, two or more times a day.
“The acidity of the vinegar restores the pH of the nails and helps reduce the discomfort caused by toenail fungus,” he explains. Although many types of vinegar can be used to treat toenail fungus, apple cider vinegar is recommended because it is the most effective.
You can also dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it directly to the nail, but make sure the vinegar stays on your nails for a long time. Apple cider vinegar is most commonly used to treat fungal infections.
It is a strong astringent and has antifungal properties. It is also known to reduce inflammation and pain associated with certain stages of fungal infection. Mixing vinegar with hydrogen peroxide to create a solution that is more effective at killing bacteria and viruses is also recommended.
Soak your toes or toes in a 50/50 solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and vinegar every day and you will have fungus in no time.
- Tea tree essential oil
Recent controlled studies using tea tree oil have shown promise for people with stubborn nail infections.
This is one of the few problems that use 100% tea tree oil for best results. After several months of testing, doctors found that tea tree oil was equivalent to the results seen after using standard antifungal topical treatments.
Why resort to medical treatments with mysterious ingredients when there are all-natural alternatives that are just as effective?
Apply this oil on the affected nails twice a day for at least two months. The nail has to grow to eliminate the fungus, so you may not see results for several months.
- Baking soda
Baking soda is very alkaline. So when used on your feet, baking soda can help balance your pH levels, making it harder for fungus and bacteria to grow. Baking soda is very alkaline and can balance your pH levels, making it harder for fungus to grow.
In a small bowl, mix two parts baking soda to one part water to form a paste.
Use a cotton swab to apply the paste all over the nail and leave it for 10 minutes.
Then wash off the paste and dry the nails. Repeat this treatment twice a day until the fungus dies (this can take up to two weeks).
The nail may fall out, but this is normal when treating toenail fungus and a new, healthy nail should grow in its place.
