No 1 Apple Cider Vinegar
When a toenail is infected with fungus, the pH of the surrounding skin and nail becomes more alkaline, and fungus thrives in this environment. If the pH of the area becomes acidic, the fungus will die off. This is how apple cider vinegar can help because its acidic but still mild enough not to damage the surrounding skin and nail.
Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar with water and soak your feet in the solution for 15-20 minutes twice a day. Make sure there is enough fluid to cover the toes entirely and alternate between warm water and cold water for every other foot bath. Make sure to dry feet thoroughly after soaking.
If you dont have time to soak your feet twice a day, you can apply two drops of apple cider vinegar directly to the nail bed. Allow the vinegar to sit for several minutes to get the full effects, before drying it off thoroughly. This should be done at least twice a day and can be used in conjunction with the foot bath. Continue with this treatment until the entire diseased nail has grown out and a new healthy nail appears, which usually takes a couple of months.
How To Use It
Apply mentholated ointment directly to the affected nail. Do this about once a day for several weeks or until the nail shows noticeable improvements.
Vinegar is a common household product found in cooking and some home cleaning solutions. Though no clinical evidence exists to date, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that vinegar is an effective tool to help treat toenail fungus.
No Evidence Apple Cider Vinegar Cures Toenail Fungus
Mandy Lombo 2 days ago Law
Can soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar help get rid of toenail fungus? Thats one of the claims made in a .
It features a photo of someone pouring yellow liquid over their feet in a tub of water and a list of ailments a mix of apple cider vinegar and water will supposedly cure.
Apple cider vinegar is made by mixing apple juice with yeast. This leads to fermentation, turning the sugar in the juice into alcohol. Bacteria then turns the alcohol into acetic acid, which gives the vinegar its distinctive taste and smell.
The Facebook post says to mix one part vinegar with four parts water and soak your feet for 30 minutes. But is this good advice for a person with foot fungus? We spoke to a medical expert to find out.
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How Long Does It Take For Apple Cider Vinegar To Cure Toenail Fungus
People often ask like how many weeks or months apple cider vinegar take to cure toenail fungus. Well, the answer is very subjective. The results will depend upon the age, gender, and other medical conditions of the infected person.
It can normally take 6 to 8 months. It can be a tiresome business but once the healthy nail is up, the infected part will die.
The toenail growth is really slow, so you cannot do anything about it unless you add some other treatments as well.
If somebody is old and the nail growth is really slow, then he may need to consult some other solutions as well.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Kill Toenail Fungus
We all use the apple cider vinegar to make our food delicious. So, it is clearly a safe chemical to put on our skin.
Women even use apple cider vinegar as a toner to maintain the pH level of their skin.
For a few people it can be a bit irritating, but as compared to the facial skin toenail skin is thicker, so a few drops of apple cider vinegar can treat the toenail fungus if you apply it regularly.
How does it work then?
When ones toenail thickens and causes pain, they need to start treating it with some effective solution.
Some people dont think that it would be worthwhile to go for a laser treatment because for most of the people the toenail fungus is not that painful.
The apple cider vinegar tends to change the pH of the toenail fungus, disturbing the pH will affect the growth of the fungus.
The apple cider vinegar contains maleic acid and the acetic acid. To prepare the apple cider vinegar apples are fermented and as a result of fermentation acetic acid is produced in Apple Cider Vinegar.
The toe-nail fungus can grow in an alkaline environment, through applying apple cider vinegar containing acetic and maleic acids, the environment around the toenail will become acidic.
The drying effect of apple cider vinegar
The apple cider vinegar is acidic, and every acidic solution works like an antiseptic. It will dry the wound and kill the fungus gradually.
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How To Heal Your Toenail Fungus At Home
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HOW TO HEAL YOUR TOENAIL FUNGUS AT HOME
If you have mild toenail fungus, theres a very good chance that a home remedy can help you get rid of it. Though you can definitely try these with moderate to severe toenail fungus, too, as long as youre healthy, it is recommended that you see a specialist if its a bad case of fungus.
As always, if your immune system is compromised or you have diabetes, its always best to see a podiatrist so you dont risk making things worse or needing surgery.
Without further ado, here are several home remedies you can try to heal your toenail fungus.
How Fast Does Bleach For Toenail Fungus Work
The appeal of bleach is that its such a strong solution. Most people think this means it will work fast, but thats not the case. Bleach has to be heavily diluted, so its effects wont be as rapid.
Toenail fungus wont go away overnight. But, you have to take into consideration the fact that it didnt show up overnight, either. The best thing you can do for bleach or any treatment to work faster is to catch a toenail fungus early on. Mild toenail fungus can be cleared up in weeks.
Dont stop treatment just because it looks like the infection is starting to get better. Whether youre using bleach or another home remedy, keep using it for a few weeks even after the fungus has cleared up to make sure its completely gone.
Because it is so strong, bleach can kill fungus and leave your nails looking clean and white. Many people have enjoyed success with bleach foot soaks, pastes, and pens.
Make sure to dilute bleach if youre putting it on your feet. If not, you will almost certainly irritate your skin or toenails. You may also experience side effects if you breathe in this chemical solution.
If you want a DIY solution for toenail fungus, bleach may be what you need to clear up a fungal infection. If you have sensitive skin, a more natural option to treat toenail fungus is recommended.
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Best Home Treatment Cures For Nail Fungus
Many at-home treatments for toenail fungus are natural, inexpensive, and have minimal if any, side effects. Its a much more favorable alternative to prescription treatments. Home remedies usually work the best on mild or moderate infections. If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, contact your doctor before trying any at home methods. The effectiveness of these natural treatments will be dependent on how penetrated the fungus is in the nail, the severity of the fungal infection, and your overall health.
Below are my top recommendations for treating toenail fungus at home, with many items you probably already have in your pantry.
How To Cure Toenail Fungus: Can Vinegar Help
This article was co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND. Dr. Degrandpre is a Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is also a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 19 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,073,560 times.
Nail fungus refers to a fungal infection that starts underneath your toenails. It could cause discoloration, thickening, or crumbling on one or more of your nails. This is a frustrating problem, so youll naturally want to get rid of nail fungus as soon as possible. One remedy you may have heard of is soaking your foot in vinegar to clear the infection. Vinegar is acidic, so it will kill bacteria and fungus.XResearch source However, this remedy has very limited success because the vinegar cant penetrate under the nail. You can try it if you want to, but visit a podiatrist for further treatment if you dont see any results in 2 weeks.
Also Check: What Is Nail Bed Fungus
The Benefits Of Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural product that is used for cooking, home and medicinal purposes.
- As shown in this study by the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, it has antiseptic, alkaline and antimycotic properties, which can facilitate the control of various types of internal and external infections.
- Topical use removes dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin.
- Its ideal for regulating the pH level of your skin. It also decreases sweating and other conditions that facilitate the development of fungi and bacteria.
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Does Bleach Kill Toenail Fungus In Socks
When treating nail fungus infection it is important to also disinfect your shoes and socks more especially after getting rid of nail fungal infection to avoid re-infection.
Bleaching can cause your socks to change color.
Use a ratio of 1:16 of bleach to water.
How Does Household Bleach Differs From Industrial Bleach?
The difference between household bleach and industrial bleach is that household bleach contains 3% to 6% sodium hypochlorite and industrial bleach contains 10% to 12% NaOCl
and this makes household bleach less corrosive and toxic but being exposed to it for a long period can cause irritation to your lungs, eyes and skin.
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No 7 Snakeroot Extract
Snakeroot extract is an antifungal made from plants that are part of the sunflower family. A study conducted in 2008 showed that snakeroot extract can be as useful for treating toenail fungus as ciclopirox, which is a prescription antifungal medicine.
Apply the extract to the affected area once every three days for the first month, twice a week for the second month, and once a week for the third month. Continue until the fungus is completely gone.
What To Do About Toe Nail Fungus
Dear Sunny,
What can I do for toe nail fungus? Im afraid to take the prescribed medications and Id like to get into my sandals this summer.
Sandal-less
Dear Sandal-less,
Fungi are very hardy and virulent creatures that thrive in moist, wet areas. Often times, you see fungus in the form of ringworm and athletes foot. These are relatively easy to cure because they are only on the surface of the skin. Toe nail fungus is harder to conquer because your toe nail acts as a shield to protect the fungus from being harmed. There are several things you can try, but you need to be just as tenacious as the fungus and remember this requires daily attention.
One of the simplest items to use on toe nail fungus is Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. Braggs vinegar has the Ômother in it, which is rich in enzymes from the fermentation process. So dabbing a cotton ball or soaking your toe in vinegar can help kill the fungus. Another popular remedy is to use tea tree oil. This anti-fungal and anti-viral herb has an aromatic scent and should not be used on open cuts. Always use caution with these two products because they can cause drying action to the skin around the toenail if exposed for lengthy periods of time. Oil of Oregano is another popular very potent anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral that can be used to treat many fungal infections. This supplement may be taken both internally and applied externally.
Make your day a sunny day, Sunny
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How To Prevent Toenail Fungus
Once you’ve had a chance to treat the infection, you may be wondering how to make sure you don’t get it again. And really the best way to deal with toenail fungus is to make sure you are following proper foot hygiene. Be mindful to wash your feet after workouts, tend to your toenails regularly with proper trimming and cuticle care, switch out of damp shoes and socks, and keep your microbiome balanced by hydrating with natural lotions and creams.
Other Ways Of Killing Fungus
Use of vinegar to kill fungus is a home remedy that can treat mild to moderate cases of fungal infections such as toenail fungus. While it may work for some individuals, for others it is not an effective treatment. Therefore, other ways of treating the fungus may be of essence. For instance, you can visit a doctor for medical prescription, and in addition to that, you can observe proper hygiene. For one, letting your feet dry properly before putting on socks or shoes can help stop growth of fungus on your toes. In addition to that, wear socks and shoes that allow your feet to breathe and do not provide a moist, warm environment where fungus can thrive.
If any fungal infection gets worse, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Toenail fungus for example is characterized by discolored nails, brittleness, thickening, loosening or lifting of the nail as well as loss of shine and luster on the nail surface. In cases of worsened symptoms, you can ask for stronger treatments such as oral antifungal drugs or antifungal ointments/cream. Also, you can apply medicated nail polish at least once a weak, and keep on applying the polish until the fungal infection is gone.
Common fungal infections include athleteâs foot, ringworms, yeast infection, jock itch, and onychomycosis . Fungal infections are common in humans, and often develop in individuals with a weakened immune system.
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How Did I Get Toenail Fungus
Fungal nail infection can develop in people at any age, but its more common in older adults. As the nail ages, it can become brittle and dry. The resulting cracks in the nails allow fungi to enter. Other factors such as reduced blood circulation to the feet and a weakened immune system also may play a role.
Factors That Increase The Risk Of Nail Fungus
- Wearing tight shoes all day. Sandals are better try to wear them when you can.
- Playing a lot of sports. Long-distance running or any other endurance sport can make your feet very sweaty. Remaining in that state for a long period of time puts you at high risk.
- Not changing your socks frequently enough. Socks can absorb moisture and create a breeding ground for fungus.
- Athletes foot. The fungus that causes this condition can spread to your nails.
- A humid environment. This makes it easy for you to develop fungus on both your fingernails and toenails.
- Damage to the nail particularly if it occurs regularly. Wounds are especially prone to infection.
- Going barefoot in communal areas. In places such as locker rooms and around swimming pools, its better to wear flip-flops.
- Using artificial nails. They can cause an allergic reaction or wear down the nails, making them more vulnerable.
Onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is the proper term for nail fungus. Common symptoms are thickened, brittle, and discolored nails.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Drops On Toenail Fungus
Aside from foot soak, you can use apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus treatment by applying drops of the apple cider vinegar directly to your toenail bed. Once applied, you should allow the ACV to sit on your toenail bed for about 10-15 minutes undisturbed.
This method works perfectly for those who do not have 30 minutes two times daily to soak their feet in Apple cider vinegar. For quicker results, those who want can combine this method with the foot soak method.
Whichever of these two methods you intend to use to treat your toenail fungus, should be used for several months or until the fungus toenail is restored back to it normal state.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar for Toenail Fungus Home Remedy Have Any Side Effects
Home remedies generally have no side effects and thats not different with Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus treatment. ACV is used as preservative we eat them in our foods at home and cause us no harm. They are only harmful to fungi. However, in everything moderation is important. You should not overuse ACV foot soak simply because you want to get rid of your toenail fungus infection overnight.
How Long Does It Take For Apple Cider Vinegar To Cure or Kill Toenail Fungus
Making The Vinegar Foot Soak
Vinegar will not hurt your feet, but you should still dilute it for a foot soak. Generally, using 1-part vinegar to 2-parts water is a good ratio. If youre tolerating the diluted vinegar soaks, and not noticing any difference, you can use a stronger soak.
While the soak will smell strong, the odor will dissipate after the vinegar dries from your feet. You can also use essential oils to change the scent slightly.
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Apple Cider Vinegar And Baking Soda: A Natural Treatment To Fight Nail Fungus
This apple cider vinegar and baking soda treatment is a natural choice to get rid fungal infections that can affect the structure of the nails.
This is because this treatment stops the growth of microorganisms, preventing weakening, yellowing, or dark discoloration of the nail.
While no fungal infection can be cured overnight, using this treatment regularly will help prevent the infection from spreading and contaminating other people. We would also recommend booking an appointment with a podiatrist, who will be able to recommend the best course of treatment.
However, its also very important to maintain good hygiene habits. A good body cleansing routine is crucial for disrupting the environment that the fungus requires to grow.