Toenail fungus is an infection that gets in through the cracks of your toenails or even through the wounds in the skin.
If your toenails become discolored, thickened, oddly shaped, or possibly separated or lifted away from the skin, they may be infected and if the infection is severe, it may usually be associated with pain. This can occur as a result of sweat, damp, and warmth, areas where fungi prosper.
A few different types of fungus can cause toenail fungus at either the same time or individually.
Dermatophytes are one type that can grow on areas of the body such as the skin, hair, or nails. Athlete’s foot or Trichophyton Rubrum is the most common toenail fungus.
Though more commonly found in elderly men, than the young, or women, some traits and factors can raise your risk for toenail fungus development including genetic history, damp environment, diabetes, AIDS, tight footwear, heavy perspiration, injury or infection to your skin or nail.
Onychomycosis is the technical name of fungal nail infections.
According to the University of North Carolina, Onychomycosis is a problem and about 23% people across Europe, 20% in East Asia have been diagnosed with it.
The condition is also not satisfactory in the North America and about 14% people are suffering from some types of fungal nail infections.
Deficiency of micronutrients may contribute to skin and nail infections, such as athlete’s foot.
The most common association with these infections is caused by a lack of protein and fatty acids.
Aside from these necessary nutrients, an internal imbalance created by sugar, grains, dairy, and nuts can make you susceptible to toenail fungus.
Daily discomfort can create a constant turmoil in your life. Not being at your healthiest can stress you out, disrupt your daily routine, and cause you to be constantly uncomfortable.
Below you will find some home remedies for toenail fungus that can help keep money in your pockets and the embarrassment of going to the doctor, though it is recommended.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
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You need to soak the infected nail in the apple cider vinegar for about 10-15 minutes, remove the nails and pat dry (a wet environment is inviting for bacteria).
Make the paste of baking soda and water. The baking soda inhibits any future fungal growth and the vinegar kills the current fungus while also preventing future infections because of its antifungal, antiviral, and anti-bacterial properties.
Manuka honey is also equally beneficial and can be applied after apple cider vinegar. The antifungal properties of manuka honey make it a wonderful healer.
Vinegar has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries. Like other vinegars, apple cider vinegar has excellent antimicrobial properties that help in fighting with fungal infections.
2. Cinnamon Leaf Oil
Like apple cider vinegar, cinnamon leaf oil has anti-fungal and anti-bacteria properties from an ingredient called Eugenol.
One of the best ways to use cinnamon oil is after soaking the nails.
Unlike some of the oils, you can take this oil internally, or put it in teas. It fights the bacteria quickly and you can use it on a daily basis.
Try using a hair dryer after you pat the nails dry with a towel, so the hot air can envelop all areas of the nail and can especially reach pockets or cracks that a towel can’t reach.
Cinnamon poses incredible properties that make it an excellent medicinal element. The antifungal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties make is a good relief for toenail fungus infection.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Applying one to two drops of the oil directly to the infection can help cure it. Some people have seen a decrease in the infection in just a day.
For the best results, it is suggested to keep the area as dry as possible; don’t use toenail polish, change your socks daily, and shorten the toenails so that pressure isn’t being pushed on the toe itself.
You can try following recipe, which will help relieve pain, inflammation, and decrease the infection:
A foot soak of ½ cup apple cider vinegar, 6 drops of tea tree oil, and one to two drops of an essential oil such as sandalwood, peppermint, thyme, or patchouli to a bucket filled with warm water.
Soak the feet for fifteen to twenty minutes for the best results.
Tea tree or melaleuca oil is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic and is commonly used for a variety of ailments. It has been in use for over 100 years in Australia, but now easily available worldwide due to its well-known medicinal properties.
4. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a healing substance that mimics the consistency and properties of the skin. It comes from the jojoba nut. These amazing plants have a miraculous lifespan of 200 years.
Because it contains phospholipids, it medically promotes healthy skin and hair.
Unlike tea tree oil, it doesn’t dry the skin, though it isn’t as strong as tea tree oil or oregano oil if we compare anti-fungal properties.
But, because it has a milder effect, it works well in combination with oregano oil as it acts as a carrier oil.
This oil is a bit more expensive than most oils because it is uncommon in the U.S. If you cannot find this oil, olive oil will also work as a carrier.
It has an abundance of vitamin E and because it doesn’t oxidize, the oil remains stable at room temperature for a long period of time.
5. Oregano Oil
Though oregano oil may irritate the skin, it is one of the most powerful fungicidal
Be careful with the amount you put on because it may burn your skin.
Try diluting the oil in water or a carrier oil like jojoba or olive oil. Dilute the solution with two to three drops oregano oil and a teaspoon of jojoba or olive oil.
Rub the mixture over the infected area and keep the area as dry as possible. Try to avoid covering the area. If you have to cover the area, try looking for some breathable footwear.
6. Almond Oil
Almond oil also has anti-fungal properties. The soothing properties of the sweet almond oil are amazing for relieving the itching, burning sensations you get from athlete’s foot.
Since it is high in fatty acids, biotin, vitamin E, the oil provides anti-inflammatory qualities and increases the rate of healing.
7. Aloe Vera Gel
Soak your feet in a solution of ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup water for twenty minutes. Afterward, massage the toes and nails with pure aloe vera gel.
This can be applied several times a day. It might also help to apply oregano oil using a cotton swab before massaging aloe vera oil on the infected area and the surrounding skin.
There are 6 fungi, viruses and bacteria inhibitors available in aloe vera gel that
Aloe vera gel is a treasure of 75 potentially active constituents which a healthy body requires. These include vitamins, enzymes, minerals, amino acids, laxatives, anthraquinones etc.
8. Turmeric Paste
Herbal supplements that contain turmeric help treat and prevent some types of fungal infections.
Twenty-three fungi stains were examined to understand the antifungal properties of the chemical compound turmeric.
One study found, it prevented the attachment of Candida orally thus providing therapeutic relief for AIDS patients.
Turmeric treats fungi by relieving inflammation and killing the fungal infection. Turmeric is available as a spice, tablet, tincture, and fluid extract.
Apply the paste onto the affected area daily until the infection disappears. It can even be left on all day.
9. Onions
Onion juice helps in the recovery of toenails due to toenail fungus because of its antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Crush an onion and leave it on the affected area. If the smell gets to you, you can try using olive oil to mask it.
If you cannot leave the onion on your skin, juice it and soak the toes in the onion juice for ten minutes.
When you remove your feet, don’t dry them. You can boost the effects by adding half of the onion juice with lemon juice.
10. Honey
Honey helps kill fungi by drawing the toxins out of the nail. For best results, use organic honey for all the full benefits.
There are a few different ways you can use honey.
You can saturate the entire set of infected nails in a tablespoon of honey and keep the area covered with a gauze square.
A glass mixture of warm water, apple cider vinegar, and honey can help treat the infection from the inside out.
According to the Emory University School of Medicine, honey has good antimicrobial properties that clean up infections from wounds and promote faster healing of tissues.
11. Hydrogen Peroxide
When hydrogen peroxide is applied as a remedy, it reacts with organic materials and the substance breaks down its elemental form which is to separate water and oxygen.
With the added oxygen, most infections, wounds, and diseases cannot thrive or live in these dangerous conditions.
Though there are not many scientific studies done to confirm its usefulness, the solution is safe and causes fewer skin reactions.
Soak the foot for twenty to thirty minutes in hydrogen peroxide every day until the infection clears up. You can also pour the peroxide into a spray bottle and spray the area multiple times during the day then allow the area to air-dry.
Conclusion
It is advised to eat a healthy balanced diet while minimizing the amount of sugar you take in.
You might want to try a body detox to rid your entire body of toxins that might be contributing to your condition.
With these home remedies, you can restore your skin and nails back to the way they were, if not even healthier than ever before.