Apply Or Consume Garlic
A 2019 study indicates that garlic is an antifungal powerhouse, potentially making it a gem for treating toenail fungal infections. It is best to place crushed or chopped garlic on the affected area daily, Hayag says. It is important to take caution when following this remedy, as garlic has the potential to cause chemical burns to the skin. To avoid any burns, theres also the option of taking garlic supplements to see if that might help clear things up.
Complementary & Alternative Treatment For Nail Fungus
In addition to laser toenail removal treatment, there are at-home remedies and natural treatments you should consider if you want to eliminate fungus faster and prevent of coming back. As you might already know, onychomycosis has a recurrence rate of 10% to 50%.
1. Change your diet
According to Dr. Ken Berry, by eliminating refined sugar, high carbs from your diet, youre actually killing the fungus. How? Well by including fibres, vitamins and minerals into your body youll be creating an inhospitable environment for any fungus. Also, for a faster and more efficient treatment he suggest to be barefoot as much as possible and get five minutes per day of sun exposure.
He states that exposure to the sun is hostile to foot fungus. Also make sure to keep nails trimmed, but not around the corners, as you might get an infection.
2.Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak with Epsom Salt
A foot soak is another fantastic complementary way of treating toenail fungal infection. The Tea Tree Oil soak offers a pleasant and relaxing way of treating severe fungal infections on the nails. A foot soaks can treat both toenail fungus and athletes foot simultaneously.
The Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak with Epsom salt is one of the best options for foot care available in the market. It is made using sea salt, Epsom salt, Australia tea oil, and other oils to help treat toenail fungus naturally. It dries out the fungus and helps soften the cracked skin and nails.
Baking Soda And Borax
The fungus cannot thrive in an alkaline environment. So, it is important that you use alkaline baking soda to prevent and curb toenail fungus. It creates an uninhabitable environment for the toenail fungus. Borax is a powerful fungicide which works against toe nail fungus. The baking soda and borax is an incredible combination that can cure nail fungus fast.
Remedy
Combine equal parts borax powder and baking soda and water to make a paste. Clean your feet and mixture onto the affected area. Try this for at least two weeks and continue with this treatment to get rid of toenail fungus, permanently.
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White Vinegar Or Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar is slightly acidic, so natural remedies like apple cider vinegar work to balance the pH of the skin. It also helps to prevent the fungus from spreading and kills bacteria and fungi. Mix equal parts vinegar and water and soak the infected area for 30 minutes daily. Make sure to thoroughly dry your foot after.
Natural Toenail Fungus Treatment How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
If you have been there, done that and yet havent got the results you want, I mean youve tried ointments, antifungal creams, and oral medications, and still havent been able to get the results you always wanted, maybe it is time you took matters into your own hands and tried natural toenail fungus treatments, which dont have the side effects of conventional treatments. There is also laser treatment to remove nail fungus, but it is sure to make a deep dent in your pocket. It is expensive, and not covered by insurance, now are you sure you want to go for it?
So, now you can try the home remedies listed below to get rid of toenail fungus.
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What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Nail Fungus
With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.
To clear the fungus, its important to:
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Use the treatment exactly as prescribed
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Apply the medicine for as long as prescribed
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Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist
Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you had a severe infection, its possible to clear the infection. A healthy looking nail, however, may be unrealistic, but you can expect the nail to look better and feel more comfortable.
Even with clearing, nail fungus can return. Youll find steps to reduce your risk in Tips: 12 ways to prevent another nail infection.
ImageGetty Images
ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.
Making A Foot Soak With Epsom Salt For Toenail Fungus
Making Epsom foot soak is rather easy. Here is the step-by-step process:
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Can Simple Food At Home Help To Cure Toenail Fungus Find Out
Toenail Fungus can never be treated by laziness or carelessness. You may be on various medications to treat the toenail fungus.
Most anti-fungal medicines come with tons of side-effects. You may have observed a few of them already. In that case, changing your diet to accommodate the medicines and attack the fungi would be the best idea.
Of course, some home remedies are always a good idea, but everything fails if your body isnt healing from within.
Top Home Remedies To Treat Toenail Fungus
While fungal toenail infections tend to be fairly common in all ages, older adults are more frequently diagnosed. Toenail fungus occurs when fungi are allowed to enter small cracks in the toenails or the surrounding skin. Walking barefoot in high-risk environments, like gyms, pools, and salons is the most common reason for being diagnosed with a toenail fungus infection.
There are certain situations in which youre more likely to get toenail fungus, such as when you have a toenail injury, athlete’s foot, diabetes, a weak immune system, and/or blood circulation problems.
Read Also: How To Cure Foot Nail Fungus
How Apple Cider Vinegar May Help Treat Toenail Fungus
If you notice that your toenails are starting to thicken or change color, there is a chance you may have onychomycosis. Onychomycosis is the medical term for the condition commonly known as toenail fungus. If you are in the early stages of developing toenail fungus, you may notice a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. Afterward, you may notice that the fungus will travel deeper and start to discolor, thicken, or distort the edge of the nail. Nevertheless, there are items you likely have in your kitchen cabinet that can aid in fighting toenail fungus. Apple cider vinegar is a popular remedy for toenail fungus due to its antifungal properties. If you want to treat your fungus using ACV, you can soak your feet in a mixture of warm water and the vinegar for about 15 minutes, twice a day. When purchasing the ACV, you should make sure it is raw, unpasteurized, and organic. For further assistance with treating toenail fungus, please consider scheduling a consultation with a podiatrist.
If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Gordon Fosdick of Affiliated Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Symptoms
- Warped or oddly shaped nails
- Yellowish nails
What Causes Nail Fungus With Acrylic Nails
I often got questioned from women like do acrylic nails cause fungus. So, the answer is Yes, it can. Acrylic nails may look great, but if not taken care properly or fixed with care, they can lead to nail fungus. Which will be a nightmare for most of the women.
There could be several reason because of which Acrylic nails can cause fungus on your nails.
Below are the common causes of such fungus.
The moisture under the fake nails
The thin moisture layer, under the acrylic nail provides shelter for the fungus. Fungus can only grow when there is moisture on your skin. Moreover, if somebody is not hygiene conscious.
Another primary factor that can cause nail fungus through acrylic nails, is the duration.
Keeping acrylic nails for more than two months is risky. They are more likely to develop nail fungus.
Dirty manicure tools can cause fungus
Dirty manicure tools may have bacterial or fungal spores on them. Always choose a reliable salon, with the clean tools.
Sanitized tools are the best for manicures. Fungus spores are invisible but they are the most strongest living cells, and can survive in various situations.
Many professional salons ensure to use new manicure tools for every new customer.
The last a customer can ask for is to check if the tools are clean, and they have sterilized them live in front of them keep in mind that prevention is better than cure.
Other factors contributing for nail fungus
We cannot blame the tools only.
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Get Rid Of Grooves With Vicks Vaporub
Dont put away the cold remedy yet! Vicks VapoRub is proven to cure thickened, wavy nails caused by toenail fungus for 83 percent of study participants in 12 weeks, according to U.S. Air Force scientists. The salves abundance of natural antifungals work in tandem to smother trouble-causing spores. Plus, at $5, it saves patients as much as $876 compared to prescription treatments, says study lead Richard Derby, M.D. Tip: Repurpose an old toothbrush to work the product into the nooks and crannies under and around your toenails once daily.
Clean Socks And Shoes
Regularly changing your socks and shoes can also cut down on the growth of unwanted foot fungus. Both socks and athletic shoes can also be washed in hot water to rid the growth of yeasts and fungi that may be growing on the fabric. Some shoes can be machine dried. Drying shoes in the sun is another option when cleaning footwear.
Adding a half-cup of baking soda or one cup of vinegar to the washing machine can help eliminate bacteria or fungus on socks or shoes.
Boots and other footwear that are not machine washable could be wiped out with a vinegar and water solution or sprayed with an over-the-counter antifungal spray. Medicated powders are also helpful in treating shoes for foot fungus.
Allowing the feet to breathe by taking off shoes and socks when possible can prevent fungal growth. Protect your feet by wearing breathable footwear and clean socks. Antimicrobial socks and shoes made from bamboo, copper, or specialty fabrics are also available. They can help reduce unwanted bacteria and yeast from growing in your footwear.
A proactive approach to keeping your feet clean and dry can prevent the spread of toenail fungus. You can wash or soak feet with warm soapy water or a foot bath using everyday household items. Soaking your feet in an all-natural, homeopathic concoction can be beneficial in reducing or eliminating toenail fungus.
Also Check: How To Cure Extreme Toenail Fungus
What Should You Avoid When Youre On An Anti
As explained, the fungal infection can spread even more if you eat a sugary or carb meal. Hence, you must avoid the following types of foods:
- Sugars
Sugars of all types, natural as well as added, should be avoided as they can cause other health problems too. For example, sugar cubes, powdered sugar, honey, syrup etc.
- Starches
Starches can help the infection spread to other parts or areas. For example, bread, pastries, potatoes, carrots, peas, beans and many more.
- Lactose
Lactose can cause gut health to deteriorate. You must avoid all dairy products including milk, cheese, butter and so on.
Doctor Prescribed Ways To Treat Nail Fungus
Fortunately, there several ways to get rid of nail fungus. Most treatments aim to eradicate the causative organism and restore the normal appearance of healthy nails. Treatment options range from self-care remedies, to medications recommended by a general practitioner, to ointments bought over-the-counter without a prescription.
Its important to note that repeat infections are common even with treatment. Whats more, remedies are not all equally effective with some even causing possible side effects.
With that in mind, here are some of the top ways to treat and get rid of nail fungus at home.
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Your Options For Treating Toenail Fungus
If you think you may have toenail fungus, you should see a podiatrist or dermatologist, who will send a specimen or a piece of your nail to a lab. Different types of fungus are treated slightly differently, so its important to know which type you have, says Sundling.
Also, sometimes the root of the problem is not a fungus at all, but rather another condition, or some kind of trauma to the nail bed for instance, if you dropped something on your toe. There is no treatment for toenail trauma, but removing the nail may be an option if the nail is painful.
If you do have a toenail fungus, your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options:
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Smooth On An Antifungal Cream
Look for antifungal creams at your local drugstore that contain ketoconazole or terbinafine as active ingredients, Rodney says. Just make sure to use them at night or whenever your feet can breathe, she explains, You should not use these when wearing sneakers or boots because they may just add moisture to your already sweaty feet.
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Are There Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
The Internet is filled with anecdotal information on how to cure toenail fungus using home remedies. Vinegar is a commonly recommended home remedy. Some people apply various oils such as tea tree oil, coconut oil, essential oils, and oil of cedar leaf to their nails as well. The effectiveness of these home remedies is highly doubtful. Application of household bleach and hydrogen peroxide is also not recommended due to lack of evidence that these treatments work. These agents can also cause unwanted skin irritation. Thickened nails that have been affected by fungus can be difficult to trim. Using topical urea cream will soften the nail and make it easier to trim. These creams do not require a prescription.
How Can I Prevent Toenail Fungus
Theres no way to guarantee that you wont get toenail fungus. But you can take several steps to help prevent it:
- Avoid going barefoot in communal areas such as hotel rooms / showers, public showers, locker rooms and swimming pools. Most people pick up fungus in these situations. It helps to wear flip flops in these public areas.
- If you have a family member with foot fungus or nail fungus, try to use different shower or wear flip flops in the shower to avoid coming in contact with it.
- Trauma due to accidental or aggressive clipping of the nails can turn into portals of entry for the fungus.
- Clean your nail trimmer before using it.
- Do not tear or rip your toenails on purpose.
- If you have diabetes, follow all foot care recommendations from your healthcare provider.
- Keep your feet dry. Make sure to fully dry your feet after a shower.
- Soak toenails in warm water before cutting them. Or you can cut your nails after a shower or bath.
- Trim toenails straight across .
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Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus
Isvaiyah has been a licensed pharmacist at Gadjah Mada University for nine years. She earned her M.Sc. from the same university.
Read on for 10 ways to beat nail fungus the natural way!
Nail fungus can attack any one of us, but theres no need to worry because there are a number of effective natural remedies out there. This condition normally affects toenails, but fingernails can also become infected. The infected nails often change color, becoming yellow, green, or black. They can also become painful. If left untreated, the fungus may gradually inflict serious damage to the nails, and eventually, have to be removed by a physician.
/6toenail Infection Is A Contagious Disease
Toenail fungus also known as onychomycosis is a common infection of the toenail. This contagious disease can be very painful and can even spread to other parts of the body, if not treated immediately.
The most common symptom of the toenail infection is a white, brown or yellow discoloration of one or more toenails. It may spread and even cause the nails to thicken and crack.
Traditionally, anti-fungal treatments such as terbinafine or fluconazole are used to cure toenail fungus, but these treatments have some serious side effects like upset stomach, dizziness, and jaundice. Most people opt for home remedies to cure this disease.
You can also try these popular home remedies, if your toenail is troubling you.
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