Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus

Fungal infections are common in both, fingernails and toenails.  Toenail fungus, which is also known as onychomycosis, is generally caused by a group of fungus known as dermatophytes.  These types of fungi are harmful because as they grow, they feed on the keratin which makes up the surface of the toenail.  The little toe and big toe are the two fingers that are more likely to be affected. The little toe and the big toe are, in fact, more susceptible to paronychia, which is an infection of the soft tissue around the nail.  Toenail fungus results in discoloration and disfiguration of the nails.  It is a contagious disease and sometimes it may be hereditary.  Paronychia and onychomycosis are common toenail problems and may require medical assistance if they have been neglected.

  

Home Remedies

Toenail fungus can be treated using some of the popular treatments like treating the condition with black toenail fungus home remedies like hydrogen peroxide and bleach.  The use of bleach for toenail fungus is quite popular as a foot fungus remedy.  Another remedy that is popular is the use of baking soda for fingernail fungus or toenail fungus and skin fungus and there is a lengthy list of nail fungus baking soda remedies.  The best home remedies for toenail fungus treatment are not guaranteed to produce results but there is no fast or instant home remedy for toenail fungus.  If for some reason, the patient is disinclined to seek medical attention and toenail fungus home treatments are needed, then the best option would be to try nail fungus treatment with over-the-counter nail fungus medication and applications.

Tea tree oil is considered as a potent natural antiseptic and fungicide which can help fight fungus.  Applying undiluted tea tree oil with olive oil to the affected toenail can provide much relief.  Alternatively, a few drops of tea oil can be dropped on toenails and rubbed in thoroughly every day.

For mild to moderate cases of onychomycosis, treatment with tea tree oil is often recommended. The best-recommended step is to mix equal quantities of olive oil, tea tree oil, and thyme oil and apply this blend of oil to the affected nail.  Allow it to remain on for 10 to 15 minutes and then use a toothbrush to gently scrub the affected nail.  This ensures that the oil covers the nail completely and also gets under the nail.  Scrubbing the nail which is affected by fungus gently also can help to slough off the uppermost layer of the nail which generally contains most of the fungus.  In order to get rid of the toenail fungus completely, you will need to continue using tea tree oil for a few weeks after the infection has cleared.  This is because there may still be remnants of the fungus which may be embedded deep within the nail or nail bed.

Another home remedy is to soak your toes in Listerine mouthwash.  The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy.  Mouthwash contains compounds and alcohols like salicylate, thymol and eucalyptol which combine to form a strong toenail fungus treatment Toenail fungus home remedies generally require a mixture of mouthwash and a strong natural acid like undiluted lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.  This is done with the aim of increasing the effectiveness of the treatment as acid retards the growth of fungus and prevents it from spreading.  You can pour a significant amount of this mouthwash and an equal amount of vinegar into a tub and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes or so.

Soak your toenails for 15 to 20 minutes in a basin full of warm water and natural apple cider vinegar mixed in equal proportion.  When done, dry your toenails thoroughly.  Use a hairdryer on warm setting to absorb all the moisture in and around the toes.  Apple cider vinegar is a mild acid that prevents the toenail fungus from spreading.