Got unwelcomed gift after a barefoot walk around the public pool? Toenail fungus or onychomycosis is a kind of fungal infection that results in white, yellow, or brown discoloration of your toenails. Toenail fungus can also spread to other nails and cause nail thickening or cracks. It can occur when you have wet nails for a long time such as wearing soggy boots for the whole day or your socks are very sweaty. Here are some other reasons that can cause toenail fungus infection:
• Recent nail injury
• Living in a hot and humid place
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Having an athlete’s foot
• Weak immune system
There can be many other reasons that can cause toenail fungus. There are various antifungal medicines available in the market but they may cause some side-effects like skin issues, upset stomach, and dizziness. Visiting a homeopathic doctor New York can be beneficial because homeopathic remedies don’t have any kind of harmful side-effect and also help in building your immune system that can reduce the chances of reoccurrence. You can also use several home remedies to cure your toenail fungal infection.
Here we have mentioned the top 7 home remedies for toenail fungus treatment.
• Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub is used for cough suppression but it can be a good home remedy for treating toenail fungus. Vicks VapoRub has active ingredients like eucalyptus oil and camphor that can be beneficial for curing toenail fungus. Take Vicks VapoRub in a cotton swab and apply it on the affected nail once in a day. Let the balm dry before putting shoes.
• Baking Soda
Baking soda has good antifungal effects. About 79 perfect of the specimens tested can be prevented by using baking soda. It helps to soak the moisture so you can put some baking soda inside your socks or shoes. You can mix baking soda and water and put it directly into the affected area. Wait about 20-25 minutes before rinsing. You can apply baking soda several times in a day until your toenail fungus gets to heal.
• Vinegar
Vinegar foot bath can be considered as the most common home remedy for treating toenail fungus. Vinegar has various antimicrobial properties that can help to prevent further infection. Take a small tub and put 3 cups of water in it. Now put about half cup vinegar and mix it. Put your feet into the tub for 20 minutes. You can take a vinegar foot bath once a day.
• Garlic
A compound known as ajoene is present in garlic that has excellent antimycotic properties which makes it a good remedy for treating toenail fungus. You just have to peel 2-3 garlic cloves and crush them like a paste. Put the paste directly on your nail. Leave the garlic paste for about 30-40 minutes and then rinse with water. You can use this remedy twice a day.
• Ozonized Sunflower Oil
You can also use ozonized sunflower oil for curing toenail fungus as it also has several fungistatic properties. Apply a few drops of ozonized sunflower oil directly into the affected area but make sure to cover it with sterile gauze. Use this remedy once in a day.
• Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one of the best home remedies for curing almost every skin problem because it contains both healing and antifungal properties. Cut an Aloe Vera leaf and extract all the gel. Apply it in your nail and leave for 20-25 minutes. You can use Aloe Vera several times a day.
• Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf extract has some bioactive constituents that can help in treating toenail fungus. You just have to apply a few drops of olive leaf extract on your toenail and leave it. Apply olive leaf extract twice a day.
There are various other home remedies such as tea tree oil, Listerine, oregano oil, and snakeroot extract, etc which are very beneficial for treating toenail fungus. But if you are not getting any kind of help from these home remedies then asking a doctor is advisable.