Natural remedies for fungal nail
Are you looking for home remedies for toenail fungus? Although fungal nail is common it is not serious and will go away once treated. However, sometimes after the nail infection has gone, repeat infections can happen.
Fungal nail infection treatment can often take a long time. A doctor can prescribe you medication, however there are home remedies for fungal nail infections that you can try.
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1. Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub is the first home remedy that you can try as a fungal nail infection treatment. It has been known to help eliminate toenail fungus and to have a significant improvement on fungal-infected toenails. [1]
Apply a thin coat of Vicks VapoRub on top of the nails. Make sure that it is only the toes and try to avoid getting it on the skin. You should put the product on your nail once a day. It is recommended that you wear socks once you have applied Vicks.
Make sure that you wash your feet clean and dry them after you have kept Vicks on them for a long period of time.
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2. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has both antifungal and antiseptic properties. Scientific evidence has suggested that tea tree oil has the ability to reduce the growth of fungus in nail infections. [2]
It is safe to use tea tree oil for treating nail fungus, however, you should not apply any more than 3 drops.
Take a small amount of tea tree oil and apply to the nail with a cotton bud twice a day. You can also do the same thing with eucalyptus oil.
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3. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can be used for treating toenail fungus. It works as an antifungal treatment due to its antimicrobial properties.
The best and most effective way to treat fungal nail with apple cider vinegar is to do a foot soak. Fill up a bowl with warm water and apple cider vinegar. Soak your feet in the mixture for 10 to 20 minutes. After soaking, rinse your feet with water and dry them.
4. Garlic
Garlic extract has been known to have antifungal properties. This can help kill toenail fungus and promote a healthy nail.
To treat your toenail with garlic, place chopped or crushed garlic cloves on the nail and leave it for 30 minutes. You should do this daily.
You should be careful when using garlic as a treatment, especially if you have sensitive skin. It has the potential to cause chemical burns to the skin. Always make sure you are paying close attention when using this treatment method.
5. Nail maintenance
It can sometimes take up to 12 months to cure a fungal nail, even if you are using antifungal cream or any other prescribed antifungal treatment. That is why it is important to keep on top of maintaining your nails.
When your nails grow, it is a good idea to keep cutting them. You should continue to care for your nails whilst treating the infected nail.
Even when the toenail has been treated you should still keep your toenails dry, clean and well-trimmed. This can prevent you from getting toenail and skin infections in the future.
6. Listerine mouthwash
Listerine mouthwash can assist with the treatment of fungal nail infection due to the combination of ingredients it contains. It is made with ingredients such as menthol, thymol and eucalyptus. These all have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Due to the antifungal properties in the listerine ingredients, they can help eradicate many types of fungi.
You should soak the affected nail in listerine for 30 minutes per day.
7. Snakeroot extract
Snakeroot extract is an antifungal that is made from plants in the sunflower family. It has the ability to help fungal nail infections.
You can either apply a few drops to the affected nail directly or you can soak a cotton pad in it and tape it to the nail. You should apply snakeroot extract to the nail daily for the best results.
8. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has the ability to kill some types of fungi including yeast and mould. It can be effective in treating fungal nail infections. It is, however, only effective in killing the fungi sitting on the surface of your nails.
You must never put hydrogen peroxide directly on the nail. You should always make sure that you dilute it first. You can then apply the solution to any infected nails.
Treatment for fungal nail isn’t always needed and there are ways that you can try to treat it yourself at home. Home remedies are often preferred as they have fewer side effects than prescribed medication.
It is important to be patient when you are treating fungal nail as it can take a long time to clear up. If your condition doesn’t improve after trying out home remedies you should talk to your healthcare provider to discuss other treatment options with them.
