Toenail fungus is a very common infection that can easily destroy your toenails.
It is very contagious as well. This means that it can start in one toenail and then quickly spread to several other toenails very rapidly.
As a general rule, traditional medical treatment typically involves long term use of ‘prescription only’ antifungal medications.
Though such drugs are usually very effective, but there have been instances when people have experienced some unpleasant side effects.
These may range from an upset stomach to various other skin related issues.
This is why many people now have started to prefer home remedies to treat their toenail fungus.
Using baking soda can be a great way of treating even stubborn toenail fungus.
Today we’ll look at how to cure toenail fungus with baking soda, along with a few other home remedies!
Baking Soda Acts As An Anti-Moisture Agent
Baking soda soaks up the moisture that nail fungus thrives off of.
There was a study in which researchers observed the effect of baking soda on various common fungi that are some of the leading toenail infection-causing agents.
The study clearly indicated that baking soda was able to prevent fungal growth in almost 80% of the specimens tested.
While it substantially reduced fungal growth in 17% of the cases, even when it was not able to eradicate the infection entirely.
Apart from eliminating toe fungus, baking soda can also help to remove foot odor as well.
How To Use Baking Soda Paste To Combat Toenail Fungus
Sometimes, getting rid of toenail fungus problems can be as simple as making a paste of warm water mixed with baking soda and applying it all over your affected toenails.
Application of this water and baking soda paste will not just reduce fungal growth but prevent it from taking root in the first place.
A study was published in Mycopathologia that indicated the same results. However, you will need to do this on a consistent basis every day, to see results.
You should apply the paste for at least 10 minutes, several times a day, to eliminate the fungus once and for all.
Afterward, you can rinse the baking soda paste and carefully dry your feet before you put on your socks and shoes.
This will ensure that the excess moisture does not hinder treatment or lead to fresh growth.
Your damaged toenail might become loose and ultimately fall off by itself However, there is no reason to worry as such.
This is because a perfectly new and healthy toenail will grow back in its place.
If this is a recurring problem due to excessive perspiration than you might consider placing baking soda inside your socks and shoes to soak up all that moisture.
If you have the time then you can also create a warm and relaxing foot bath by mixing a gallon bucket of water with a pack of baking soda and soaking both your feet in it.
You can do this for half an hour.
This is also a great way to unwind after a hard day at work!
Other Toenail Fungus Home Remedies – Mentholated Topical Ointment Treatment
Mentholated topical ointments, such as Vicks Vaporub, have been known to help treat various toenail fungus.
While most doctors often recommend such ointments to help treat cough, flu and cold symptoms.
However, the same set of active ingredients in mentholated ointments can help treat toenail fungus infections as well.
These include eucalyptus oil, menthol, and camphor.
All of these ingredients have other properties that are considered to be very effective in treating different types of toenail fungal infections.
One study conducted by the leading experts in the field examined the use of these ointments in order to treat different types of toenail fungus.
All of the participants who volunteered for the study reported being highly satisfied with the results of using these ointments on their toenail fungus.
While dermatologists are now recommending mentholated topical ointment treatments for many toenail fungus infections, but more research is still required.
Vicks Vaporub is an amazing ointment that can help with a variety of other health issues as well!
How to Use Such Ointments
The mentholated ointment should be applied directly to the affected area of the nail.
You should do this at least once a day for half an hour at least; until the nail starts showing noticeable improvements.
However, this is a very slow-paced treatment and it can easily take several weeks before the infection completely disappears for good.
The Wonders of Garlic Cloves
Most of us see garlic as seasoning food for hot and spicy dishes. However, it has many medicinal benefits as well.
In fact, garlic has been known to help treat toenail fungus.
There is a lot of medical evidence that supports this claim.
For example, a study discovered that garlic extract has shown some pretty strong antifungal properties against fungi that cause infections in laboratory samples.
Apart from that, another keynote study also reported some promising results regarding the use of garlic oil against multiple strains of fungi.
However, this study was also conducted on lab-based samples.
How to Use Garlic to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus Infections
Many people use thinly chopped cloves of garlic in order to help treat even very stubborn toenail fungus.
You should chop up a clove into thin strips of small pieces and liberally apply them to the affected area.
You should leave these pieces on the area for approximately half an hour or so and then rinse the garlic off.
You should do this once a day, every day till the infection disappears completely.
However, you should be very careful when using garlic on sensitive skin to treat toenail fungus.
Sometimes using raw garlic can lead to chemical burns on the skin.
Conclusion
In light of the above, we can see that baking soda and various other home-based remedies can effectively combat toenail fungus infections.
If you use them regularly, you won’t need to use allopathic medication at all.
However, in case it is a persistent and recurring infection, it would be a good idea to have it checked by a doctor, for your peace of mind.
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