Toenail fungus is also known as Onychomycosis. This is a pretty common fungal infection that exclusively affects your toenails.
Its most visible symptom is a brown, white, or even yellow discoloration of either one or more of your toenails.
Once the infection has occurred, it will start to spread, and it will cause your nails to start thickening until they eventually crack.
While not being particularly painful, it is certainly unsightly, to say the least. After all, you don’t want people to see your fungus infested toenails during sandal season.
Fortunately, it does not have to be this way at all, since there are many nail fungus home remedies and treatments available today.
Prescription-only oral antifungals such as Terbinafine or Fluconazole can treat toenail fungus very effectively, but they might cause some serious side effects.
These may include an upset stomach and dizziness all the way to severe skin problems and even jaundice.
This is why more and more people are shifting to nail fungus home remedies instead.
Let us take a quick look at some of the more popular at-home treatments that are both easy and effective at the same time.
Vicks VapoRub
Vicks topical lotion has been used to control and suppress coughing fits and help unclog nasal passages.
However, its active ingredients include eucalyptus oil and camphor—both of which have been known to help treat toenail fungus.
A 2011 study had found Vicks VapoRub to have a highly positive clinical effect with regard to the effective treatment of toenail fungus.
You should apply a small amount of the ointment to the main affected area at least once every day until the infection subsides completely.
Tea Tree Oil
This is also called Melaleuca. It is basically an essential oil that is full of both antiseptic as well as antifungal abilities.
Many studies have been conducted that have showcased this essential oil’s efficacy against even the most stubborn toenail fungus strains.
You should paint the tea tree oil directly onto the fungus-ridden nail at least twice a day, with the help of a cotton swab.
You should continue treatment until you are completely cured.
Baking Soda
Most people are unaware that baking soda or sodium bicarbonate actually has fairly significant antifungal properties.
Many laboratory studies have gone on to show that baking soda is an effective treatment against some of the most common fungal species that are responsible for toenail fungus.
In fact, it was able to inhibit 80% growth of nail fungus in one study.
You should make a paste out of baking soda and water. Once the paste is made, you have to spread it all over your nails.
This is a very effective remedy.
Apart from that, you can also add half a mug of baking soda to a bucket full of fresh water and soak your foot in it every day for at least half an hour or so.
Snakeroot Extract
Snakeroot extract is an antifungal lotion that is made from various plants belonging to the sunflower family.
Many studies have consistently shown that Snakeroot extract is at least as effective in the treatment of this fungus as the usual prescription-only antifungal medicines.
Applying it even once every two days can also work very well. The extract is easily available both online and offline.
Coconut Oil
It is possible to use coconut oil in order to treat your toenail fungus.
Apart from its myriad health effects such as preventing dementia and hearing loss, is a very powerful antifungal agent as well.
You should melt two teaspoonfuls of coconut oil on your fingertips (in case it has solidified) and apply it directly to all of the affected areas.
Listerine
Listerine is known to contain various key ingredients such as thymol, menthol, and eucalyptus, which have antifungal as well as antibacterial properties.
This is why it is such a popular home remedy for the treatment of this fungus.
You should apply liquid Listerine directly on the affected area for at least half an hour on a daily basis.
Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaves contain a large number of highly beneficial phenolic compounds.
This is why their extracts have shown such significant antibacterial and antifungal effects.
According to a number of studies, olive leaf extracts can be an extremely useful tool when it comes to fighting toenail fungus. You should use its liquid form.
It is best to cover all the infected parts of your toenails, at least three times a day.
It is a good idea to continue the treatment for a few days even after the symptoms have completely vanished.
This will effectively eliminate even the residual fungus as well and there will be no chance of a recurrence.
Garlic Cloves
Garlic cloves have been found to have many antimicrobial and antifungal capabilities.
It is possible to treat toenail fungus by placing finely chopped or crushed garlic cloves on the infected toenail.
However, they must be placed on the infected area for approximately 30 minutes every day.
With that said, it is important to check and see if you are allergic to garlic or if it gives you a slight burn since some garlic cloves can be very strong.
Oregano Oil
This oil contains an ingredient known as thymol which is known for its powerful antibacterial and anti-antifungal properties.
If you are going to treat toenail fungus with oregano oil, you will have to apply it to the affected nail at least twice daily with a wad of cotton.
Many people use it with tea tree oil for quick results.
However, it can also be applied as a standalone treatment.
Conclusion
In light of the above, we can see that various nail fungus home remedies can easily and effectively combat even highly stubborn infections.
If you were to use them regularly, you can get rid of your nail fungus once and for all!
But in case you feel that the infection remains, it is a good idea to go to a dermatologist and have your nails checked out.
Especially in the case of a particularly severe infection.
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