If you’re plagued with white or yellow spots under your toenails, that is the sign to toenail fungus. Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a very common problem. And, if it runs deeper, nail fungus could discolor, thicken and even distort your nail. Why not try a natural home remedy to rid your toenail fungus? You may generally have a useful and helpful ingredient right in your kitchen cabinet.
Toenail fungus can be frightening, painful and embarrassing, but you are not alone. Fungal nail infections are extremely common and very easy to catch.
Follow these below natural home remedies to treat toenail infection.
Causes
- Sweating excessively
- Tight shoes
- Infected clippers
- Reduced circulation
- Genetics
- Poor ventilation
- Weak immune system
- Illness
- Walking barefoot
- Sharing shoes
- Skin condition.
Symptoms
- Thickened
- Whitish to yellow-brown discoloration
- Brittle, crumbly or ragged
- Distorted in shape
- A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail
- Smelling slightly foul.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic and it can help prevent toenail fungus from spreading. At the same time, it kills bacteria and fungi.
- Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat Toenail Fungus
- Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Soak your toenail in this solution for 30 minutes daily. When done, dry your toenail thoroughly. When used daily for a few weeks, you will notice improvement very quickly.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil contains antiseptic as well as antifungal properties that help a lot in the treatment of toenail fungus. This oil is also used to treat other kinds of skin infections too.
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in one teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil.
- Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture on the affected toenail.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes, and then use a toothbrush to gently scrub the affected nail.
- Do this two or three times daily until you are satisfied with the results.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a readily available staple in most kitchens that can also be used to cure toenail fungus. It will also help neutralize foot odor.
- Add one and half cup of baking soda with one-fourth cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and one-half cup of Epsom salt to four cups of hot water. Mix the ingredients thoroughly, and then add one-fourth cup of white vinegar to it.
- Soak the affected toenail in this solution for about 10 minutes.
- Wash with clean warm water and dry your foot thoroughly.
- Repeat the process 2times daily for several weeks.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is one of the best ingredients for treating toenail fungus because it fights the infection and helps restore the skin’s pH.
- Mix one part of white vinegar with two parts of warm water.
- Soak the affected area of toenail in this above solution for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off and dry the affected area thoroughly.
- Repeat twice daily until the fungus is gone.
Garlic
Garlic contains compounds like allicin and ajoene which have antifungal properties that can help treat toenail fungus.
- Mix garlic oil with an equal amount of white vinegar. Apply this mixture on and around the infected toenail and cover the treated toe with a bandage. Leave it on for a few hours before removing the bandage. Repeat daily until the infection clears. (If garlic oil is not available, you can make your own by frying two garlic cloves in a pan with two tablespoons of olive oil and then straining the oil.)
- You can also eat one or two crushed garlic cloves daily.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains both antiseptic and antifungal properties. The citric acid present in lemon juice also will help stop the toenail fungus from spreading.
- Apply fresh lemon juice on the infected toenail. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
- Another option is to mix equal amounts of lemon juice with olive oil and use this mixture to massage the infected area. Leave it on for a few hours before cleaning it off. The olive oil will help soften your skin, while the lemon juice will help control the fungal infection.
Use either of these above natural home remedies a few times daily for one month or longer until you notice the positive results.