Onychomycosis or fungus in the toe nails is a common problem, especially during the monsoons. And since the season is upon us, we will at some point need these home remedies for toe fungus.
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The fungus that grows in our toe nails thrives under specific conditions, like irregular pH levels of the skin, constant exposure to humid or moist environment, a weak immune system etc. Toe fungus is also caused by sweaty shoes and/or socks. Poor hygiene and high sugar levels can also result in toe fungus.
Suggested read: 10 Easy Home Remedies For Foot Care For Healthy, Happy Feet
According to Healthline,
“The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states fungal infections affect toenails more commonly than fingernails because your toes are usually confined to your shoes, where they’re in a warm, moist environment.
If you get a manicure or pedicure at a nail salon, be sure to ask how the staff disinfects their tools and how often they do it. Tools, such as emery boards and nail clippers, can spread fungal infections from person-to-person if they’re not sanitized.”
Symptoms of toe fungus
The common symptoms of toe fungus are,
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Yellow toe nails
- Thick toe nails
- Crumbling of toe nails
Though infection in the toes are not painful, they spread very fast and can be extremely uncomfortable.
Toe nail fungus can be cured with natural treatments that are not only easy, but also extremely effective. If the fungus is left untreated, then the condition can worsen really fast. It can cause the toe nails to crack and split. It can even cause the complete loss of the toe nail.
Risk factor for toe fungus
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following increases your risk of developing nail fungus,
-
“Being older, owing to reduced blood flow, more years of exposure to fungi and slower growing nails
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Perspiring heavily
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Being male, especially if you have a family history of nail fungal infections
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Working in a humid or moist environment or in a job where your hands are often wet, such as bartending or housekeeping
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Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation and don’t absorb perspiration
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Living with someone who has nail fungus
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Walking barefoot in damp communal areas, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms
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Having athlete’s foot
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Having a minor skin or nail injury or a skin condition, such as psoriasis
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Having diabetes, circulation problems, a weakened immune system or, in children, Down syndrome”
Home remedies for toe fungus
Here are the ten best natural treatments to prevent toenail fungus. If despite using these remedies the condition seems to persist or spread further, then you need to consult a doctor immediately.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
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The first remedy on our list is apple cider vinegar. The vinegar prevents toe nail fungus very effectively. It stops it from spreading, and simultaneously, kills the fungi.
To treat your toe nail fungus, mic apple cider vinegar and water in the ratio of 1:1. Pour this diluted solution of apple cider vinegar in a bucket, and soak your feet in it for about half an hour. Then, make sure you dry your feet properly so that the fungus does not spread. You need to do this treatment every day to treat your condition quickly.
The alternative option is to prepare an anti-fungal exfoliating scrub at home. To prepare this, mix some ground rice flour (make sure it is a little coarse so that it is an effective scrub) with apple cider vinegar. Mix to form a paste, and apply it on the affected toe nail. Scrub lightly. Do not rub. This treatment should be done twice a week to cure toe nail fungus. This also helps get rid of the dead skin cells on the toes, leaving them soft and beautiful.
2. Tea Tree Oil
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The second remedy on our list is tea tree oil, which is an antiseptic and also contains antifungal properties. It helps treat toenail fungus effectively.
Tea tree oil also works great on other types of skin infections.
To use this as a remedy for toe nail fungus, mix 5 to 6 drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of olive oil. You can also use coconut oil in place of olive oil. Using a clean cotton ball, apply the mix on your affected toe nail. You need to leave it on for about 15 minutes and then using a clean and soft toothbrush scrub the nail gently.
This should be done thrice a week for the desired results.
3. Baking Soda
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The third natural treatment on our list of home remedies to treat toe fungus is baking soda. Baking soda is also a great treatment for foot odor.
In a cup, add one-fourth cup hydrogen peroxide (3 per cent) half cup Epsom salt and one-half cup baking soda. Now mix this with four cups of boiled water. Mix well and add some white vinegar to the mix. Soak your feet in the solution for about 15 minutes. Now wash your feet with clean water. You need to dry your feet properly to make sure the fungus does not worsen.
This treatment should be repeated two times a day until you see the toe nail fungus is cured.
4. White Vinegar
White vinegar helps restore our skin’s acid-base level, and so treats toe nail fungus very effectively.
To use white vinegar as a remedy, prepare a mix of white vinegar and water in the ratio of 1:2. Make sure the water is warm. Now soak your feet in this solution for about 10 minutes. Wash the solution off with cold water and dry properly.
This natural treatment should be repeated two times every day until the problem is cured.
A word of caution: If you have sensitive skin, then you may have to dilute the solution further and repeat the process every alternate days and not every day.
Suggested read: 9 Excellent Home Remedies For Foot Blisters That Help Get Rid Of Them
5. Oil of Oregano
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The next remedy on today’s post is oil of oregano which is not only antiseptic, but also ant parasitic, antiviral, analgesic and anti-fungal.
For the remedy, mix a teaspoon of olive oil with two drops of oil of oregano. Now lightly apply this mix on your affected toenail. Leave the oil on for about half an hour and then wash with cold water. Do not forget to dry your toenails thoroughly.
You should repeat this natural treatment two times a day for best results.
6. Garlic
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Allicin and ajoene are two compounds in garlic that help with toe nail fungus by making garlic antifungal.
For the remedy, prepare a mix of garlic and white vinegar in the ratio of 1:1. Now lightly apply the mix on the affected toe nail and then cover the toe with bandage. Leave the bandage on for a couple of hours.
You should repeat this remedy two times a week to get rid of the fungus in your toe nails. If garlic oil is not available, then you can prepare your own oil by crushing two cloves of garlic.
7. Lemon Juice
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The next remedy for toe fungus is lemon juice. Due to its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, lemon juice helps stop the fungus from spreading to other toes.
For the remedy, squeeze out the juice of a lemon and apply it on the infected toe nail. You need to leave the juice on for about half an hour, and then wash out with lukewarm water.
An alternative option is mixing half a tablespoon of lemon juice with a teaspoon of olive oil and apply the mic on your infected toe nail. Massage gently and leave the mix on for at least a couple of hours. Now wash out with water. While the lemon juice will stop the infection from spreading, the olive oil will soften your skin.
8. Lavender Oil
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The last remedy on our list is lavender oil. Lavender oil due to its volatile compounds serves as an amazing natural treatment for toe fungus. Also, lavender oil prevents different types of skin infections and irritation.
For the remedy, mix six drops of lavender oil and tea tree oil in a small cup. Now with a clean cotton ball, apply this mix on the infected toe nail. Also apply on the other toe to stop the infection from spreading. Leave it on for about 15 minutes. Now wash the oil off and dry with a clean towel.
This natural treatment should be done three times a day until the infection is cured.
Suggested read: 8 Home Remedies To Prevent Athlete’s Foot Itch
That is all we have on the home remedies for toe fungus. Do you think this post was helpful? Do you have some suggestions for us? Let us know in the comment section below.
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See you again tomorrow with a new set of remedies for a general medical condition.
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