Toenail fungi can be annoying to take care of and undesirable to check out. Fortunately, there are some efficient natural home remedy for toe nail fungi that you can follow to do away with it.
Toenail fungus is common and affects 14% of the people in the US ( 1 ). It is generally located in the elderly. It normally results in staining and damage. If left without treatment, the fungi can solidify the nails and infected the various other toes. While non-prescription prescription medicines are the most effective way to deal with toenail fungi, individuals select all-natural alternatives to prevent their negative effects. Fortunately is that there are various natural home remedy you can try together with prescription drug to bid your toenail fungus goodbye. Scroll down to recognize even more!
In This Article
What Is Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus is a common condition that affects the toenails. It is likewise referred to as onychomycosis, and it takes place when fungi colonize the space in between the toe and the toe bed (tissue right underneath the nail), leading to thick yellow or brownish toenails. This typically happens through a cut or crack in your toe. It is highly contagious and can infect various other toenails rapidly ( 1 ).
According to a study conducted on 3,226 patients, onychomycosis is among one of the most typical nail infections seen in professional practice. Out of these, 27.99% of the clients had onychomycosis. It was further kept in mind that 81.49 % of guys were infected with onychomycosis in their toe nails than women (60.26%).
Toe nail fungus can be caused by a range of elements. Read the next section to discover everything about it!
Causes Of Toenail Fungus
Nail fungal infections are normally triggered by a class of fungi referred to as dermatophytes, that include types of Yeast infection. A few of the usual sources of a nail fungal infection:
- Poor foot hygiene.
- Athlete’s foot.
- A nail injury.
- Previous infection.
- Sharing personal items, like a towel or a nail clipper.
- Physical contact with a person with toenail fungus.
- Sweaty socks and shoes.
Interested to recognize just how to eliminate this condition? Look into the most reliable natural home remedy and therapies for toenail fungi in the following area.
How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
1. Tea Tree Oil
Using tea tree oil is a great home remedy for toenail fungus. It can be used to treat onychomycosis. Applying it topically can help treat the symptoms of nail fungus and improve the appearance of the affected nails ( 2 ).
You Will Need
- 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
- A carrier oil like coconut oil
- Cotton pad
What You Have To Do
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil and coconut oil.
- Dab this mixture on a cotton pad and apply it to the affected toenail.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this 2 times daily.
Related: 31 Health Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil And Its Side Effects
2. Vicks VapoRub
This decongestant is formulated using menthol that can help alleviate the symptoms of toenail fungus ( 3 ). Harjinder Sidhu, a YouTuber, dealing with toenail fungus shared just how using Vicks on the impacted toenail helped heal the problem. He says, "This is something I have actually observed in my very own life on my toenails and I got it treated by using Vicks VapoRub ( i ).”
You Will Need
- Vicks VapoRub
- Sterile gauze
What You Have To Do
- Trim the affected nails and wash them.
- Apply some Vicks VapoRub on the affected nail.
- Cover the toe with sterile gauze and leave it on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this for a few weeks, every night before going to bed.
3. Snakeroot Extract
Snakeroot extract can help heal the affected toenail and alleviate the symptoms of toenail fungus ( 4 ).
You Will Need
- A few drops of snakeroot extract
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Mix a few drops of snakeroot extract with water.
- Apply this solution to the affected nail.
- Wash it off after an hour or so.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2 times daily.
4. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is an essential oil made from the oregano herb that possesses powerful antifungal properties ( 5 ). Hence, it can help alleviate the symptoms of a fungal nail infection by destroying its root cause.
You Will Need
- 3-4 drops of oregano oil
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Add three to four drops of oregano oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil.
- Mix well and apply it to the affected nail.
- Leave it on until it dries completely.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2 times daily.
5. Olive Leaf Extract
Research shows that olive leaf extract exhibits antifungal properties ( 6 ). Its bioactive constituents can eliminate the fungal infection and make your toenail healthy again.
You Will Need
A few drops of olive leaf extract
What You Have To Do
- Apply a few drops of olive leaf extract to the affected toenail.
- Leave it on and let it dry.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2 times daily.
Related: 22 Impressive Benefits Of Olive Oil, How To Select, & Caution
6. Ozonized Sunflower Oil
Ozonized sunflower oil might show fungistatic homes. This can make it appropriate for dealing with toenail fungi as the ozone can diffuse right into the fungal wall, consequently inhibiting its spreading ( 7 ).
You Will Need
A teaspoon of ozonized sunflower oil
What You Have To Do
- Apply several drops of ozonized sunflower oil to the affected toenail.
- You must cover it with sterile gauze.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this once daily. Also, you can use ozonated olive oil to treat the infection ( 7 ).
7. Vinegar
A vinegar foot bathroom is just one of the typical home remedies to deal with nail fungi. This can be credited to the antimicrobial homes of the vinegar solution that can additionally stop further infection ( 8 ).
You Will Need
- 1/2 cup of vinegar
- 2-3 cups of water
- A shallow tub
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients mentioned above in a shallow tub.
- Soak your feet in this solution for about 20 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.
8. Garlic
Garlic contains a bioactive compound called ajoene that possesses antimycotic properties ( 9 ). This helps garlic to fight the fungal infection that causes toenail fungus.
You Will Need
1-2 peeled garlic cloves
What You Have To Do
- Crush two cloves of fresh garlic.
- Apply this paste to the affected toenail.
- You must leave it on for half an hour and then wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 2 times daily.
Related: 32 Benefits Of Garlic For Health, Skin, & Hair + How To Use It
9. Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, exhibits antifungal activity against fungal infections ( 10 ). This makes it suitable for use in the treatment of toenail fungus or onychomycosis.
You Will Need
What You Have To Do
- Prepare a paste by mixing baking soda and water.
- Apply this paste to the infected nail.
- Rinse it off after 20-30 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
10. Hydrogen Peroxide
A solution of hydrogen peroxide can be used as an antifungal agent ( 11 ). Its bioactive compounds can help eliminate toenail infection.
You Will Need
- 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide solution
- 3 cups of water
What You Have To Do
- Take a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and mix it with three cups of water.
- Transfer this solution to a small tub.
- Soak your feet in this solution for 20 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.
11. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has wound healing and antifungal properties ( 12 ). Both these properties can help fight the dermatophytes that cause nail fungus.
You Will Need
Aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do
- Extract gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf.
- Apply it to the affected toenail.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
12. Mouthwash
Mouthwash contains active ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, essential oils, fluoride, and peroxide that exhibit antifungal properties ( 13 ). This may help treat onychomycosis.
You Will Need
- Mouthwash
- A bowl
What You Have To Do
Soak your toenail in a bowl of mouthwash.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this for 30 minutes daily.
13. Castor Oil
Castor oil might have antifungal qualities. A research study showed that castor oil has a compound known as undecylenic acid, which is renowned for its antimicrobial and antifungal homes ( 14 ). However, remember that the effectiveness of castor oil against toe nail fungus lacks clinical evidence and warrants further research. You must additionally get in touch with a medical professional before using it to prevent spreading out the infection.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of castor oil
- Gauze
What You Have To Do
- Apply several drops of castor oil to the affected toenail.
- Cover it with sterile gauze to prevent the infection from spreading.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.
Besides the above-mentioned solutions, you can likewise use calamine lotion, turmeric extract, apple cider vinegar, and onion on the contaminated toenail to aid remove the infection and provide alleviation as a result of their antifungal residential or commercial properties ( 15 ), ( 16 ), ( 17 ). Nonetheless, if these natural remedy are not proving efficient and the infection persists, speak with a doctor regarding other treatment alternatives.
Medical Treatments
Toenail fungi (onychomycosis) therapy varies based on the degree of the infection and the sort of fungi that caused the problem in the first place. Nonetheless, the following are a few of the most efficient therapies for a fungal nail infection:
1. Oral Medications
Your physician may prescribe probiotics or antifungal medications to help eliminate the fungus from your toenail ( 18 ). Nonetheless, refresher courses are required to sustain this case. Considering that they get to the nail plate within days of beginning treatment, these antifungal medicines are extra effective. Treatment might last approximately three months.
2. Topical Medications
Toenail infections are sometimes treated with topical medication like antifungal creams. In addition, you may likewise use antifungal nail polish to the contaminated nail to deal with the infection. Make certain that you practice caution and talk to your healthcare provider before utilizing this solution. These methods might be efficient for moderate infections, yet they can not pass through the nail deep sufficient to deal with a more serious infection. Topical treatment may be utilized along with an oral medicine.
3. Surgery
In one of the most serious situations of toenail fungal infection, the toe nail may be surgically removed or liquified with acid. To enhance the possibilities of the continuing to be nail growing back properly, this procedure might be done on simply an area of the nail.
4. Laser And Light Therapies
These are also being researched as potential toenail fungal treatments ( 19 ). In addition, laser treatment has shown promise when used in conjunction with oral or topical antifungal agents.
Quick TipChoose footwear made from breathable material. They enable correct air flow around the feet, making them less at risk to fungal growth.
Let us now take a look at how you can prevent toenail fungus.
Prevention Tips
- Ensure that your feet are clean and dry at all times.
- Refrain from walking barefoot anywhere in public spaces.
- Make sure not to wear unwashed socks and unclean shoes.
- Trim your nails regularly to avoid infection.
- You can also use foot powder to keep your feet free of moisture.
Quick TipAlways use sterilized manicure tools and disinfect your nail clippers after each use to avoid nail fungal infections.
These suggestions make sure to keep your nails from getting contaminated. Allow us now see when you will certainly need to seek advice from a medical professional.
When To See A Doctor
Fungal nail infections have the possible to intensify over time. As a result, you ought to see a medical professional if the signs do not disappear after utilizing natural home remedy, non-prescription medications, and preventative care strategies.
Additionally, visit a doctor immediately if the symptoms deteriorate, such as:
- If the nail gets thicker, more distorted, or more discolored.
- If there is swelling, the skin turns red, or becomes warmer or tender.
- Pus starts to leak from the infected toe and the surrounding area.
- There are crimson streaks that appear around the infected toe.
- You develop a fever.
- The infection spreads further.
- It becomes too painful to tolerate.
- If you are diabetic.
Infographic: 6 Home Remedies To Treat Toenail Fungus
The typical toenail infection is certainly one pesky problem to deal with. However, you do not have to take over the counter medicines to handle it. Rather, various do it yourself remedies can aid in dealing with the infection and properly deal with the signs. Have a look at the infographic below to bookmark 6 simple natural home remedy to deal with toenail fungi.
Illustration:
Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.
The Bottom Line
Nail fungi is a highly contagious problem that causes thick and yellow or brownish toe nails. Over the counter drugs are usually used to get rid of the fungal infection, but you can conversely use natural remedy for toenail fungus to settle the circumstance. Tea tree oil, snakeroot essence, garlic, baking soda, aloe vera, vinegar, and oregano oil are some of the most popular and effective ingredients used as treatments due to their antimicrobial homes and can protect against rise of the infection. Nevertheless, more research study is required to establish that they can decrease fungal growth, so it is advised that you consult your health care expert if you see no enhancement after using these solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a pedicure if you have toenail fungus?
Yes, you can get a pedicure if you have toenail fungi. You will certainly have to make the staff aware of the infection to ensure that they use non reusable and clean and sterile devices.
Can nail fungus heal by itself?
Nail fungus does not heal on its own. If you do not tend to it soon, you might run the risk of the spreading of the infection to various other toenails.
Can nail fungus spread to other parts of the body?
If left unattended, it may infect the other toes as well as the skin surrounding the impacted toenails. This, in turn, can create a problem called professional athlete's foot.
How does Listerine cure toenail fungus?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Listerine can heal nail fungus. Nevertheless, unscientific evidence suggests that a Listerine saturate may assist do away with the fungus in a couple of days. To make a bathroom with this light antifungal representative, mix it with warm water in a 1:2 ratio or with vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. Soak your feet in this bath for 40-60 minutes on a daily basis till the fungus improves.
Does Epsom salt get rid of toenail fungus?
Epsom salt might aid eliminate toe nail fungi by extracting moisture and drying the moist setting harboring the fungus. Nonetheless, there are no clinical researches to verify that Epsom salt can eliminate the infection.
How long does it take for tea tree oil to work on toenail fungus?
According to a 2013 research study carried out to show the result of tea tree oil on finger nail fungi, tea tree oil took around 2 week to substantially minimize the fungal infection ( 20 ). A similar duration may be expected in the case of toenail fungus as well.
Key Takeaways
- You can get toenail fungus due to various reasons, including nail injury, poor foot hygiene, and Athlete’s foot.
- There are both home remedies and medical options to get rid of this issue.
- You can use ingredients like vinegar, tea tree oil, or hydrogen peroxide to treat toenail fungus.
- If you want to go for medications, there are oral or topical medicines for the same.
- Keep your feet clean and dry all the time to prevent this infection.
Do you struggle with nail fungus? Enjoy the video listed below to obtain pointers on avoidance and therapy to help you get rid of it for good.
