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.
Advantages Of Apple Cider Vinegar In Treating Toenail Fungus
Apple cider vinegar is now one of the most used edible vinegars. It is available in every household. People love its taste, and there are several other benefits of having apple cider vinegar with you.
In this section, we will mention all those advantages that a person will experience if he has apple cider vinegar as the only option to treat toenail fungus.
Dries the skin
Moisture is the best friend of a growing toenail fungus. You cannot even think of killing the toenail fungus without keeping the toe dry.
Even though the apple cider vinegar is a liquid, but it is acidic nature will dry the skin, eventually disturbing the moisture ratio for the fungus.
Balances the pH
Highly alkaline skin pH is a major reason for toenail fungus growth. To inhibit it, an acidic solution such as hydrogen peroxide, or apple cider vinegar is required.
The apple cider vinegar solution will decrease the pH level. This will not only stop the growth of toenail fungus, but also kill the already existing fungus.
Reduces itchiness
To get rid of itchiness and burning, mix apple cider vinegar with baking soda. It will reduce the redness, soothing the skin, with a neutralizing effect.
Antibacterial
Apple cider vinegar is healthy for skin, as it creates an anti-bacterial film around the effected area. This film will help in minimizing the risk of worsen bacterial infections.
It exfoliates
A thin layer of apple cider vinegar can clean the layers of dead skin cells making it immune to further reactions.
How Much Does Hydrogen Peroxide Cost With Insurance
You will not have a copay for Hydrogen Peroxide because it is not usually covered by insurance. Currently, however, you will pay only $3.05 for Hydrogen Peroxide with a SingleCare savings card and a prescription for Hydrogen Peroxide. SingleCare is welcomed at major pharmacies throughout the nation, including Target, Walmart, and Harris Teeter.
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What Is Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is a naturally-occurring compound used primarily as an antiseptic to kill bacteria and other organisms. Although it is toxic to cells, Hydrogen Peroxide is naturally produced in small amounts in the body as a defense against microorganisms. Available without a prescription, Hydrogen Peroxide is used to disinfect surfaces, small cuts, and scrapes, or treat acne. Hydrogen Peroxide is used in cosmetics to bleach hair or to whiten teeth.
As a surface or instrument disinfectant, Hydrogen Peroxide is used in a wide variety of products. In general, 3% Hydrogen Peroxide is used in the home and 30% or more Hydrogen Peroxide in clinical or industrial applications.
3% Hydrogen Peroxide can be used to disinfectant skin surfaces. At one time, Hydrogen Peroxide was widely used to disinfect cuts, scrapes, and burns. However, Hydrogen Peroxide interferes with the healing process by killing new skin cells, so it is no longer advised for disinfecting wounds.
At one time, Hydrogen Peroxide was a popular treatment for acne because it killed bacteria. Again, however, Hydrogen Peroxide interferes with the healing process making acne scars more likely, so it is no longer advised for use against acne.
How To Prepare The Foot Soak
One of the best ways to maximize the results is to thoroughly wash your feet and trim your toenails prior to the soak. This will allow the vinegar to reach the fungal spores and eliminate the problem from the source. Once you have done this you can begin preparing the soak.
To properly use apple cider vinegar for nail fungus, add one cup of apple cider vinegar and two cups of warm water into a water basin. Soak your feet in the water basin for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to pat dry your feet thoroughly to prevent fungal infections coming back. Perform this soak twice a day for a month or until the fungal infection subsides.
QUICK TIP: For this soak, you will want to use unfiltered and contains something called the mother which is a colony of beneficial bacteria. If you can handle the taste, you can also drink a cup full of apple cider vinegar with water to hit the fungus from all angles.
Out of all the things, one of the most important is to ensure that your feet are completely dry after finishing this foot soak because fungus loves moist environments.
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Why Does Vinegar Soak Work
The idea behind vinegar foot soaks is relatively simple: vinegar is acidic, which gives it antifungal and antibacterial properties.
To explain a bit further, vinegar is a diluted form of acetic acid . As a result, it is an antifungal agent meaning it slows down the growth of some types of foot fungus and may kill fungus entirely.
It might also make your body less hospitable to fungus because the acidity affects the pH level of your skin. This makes fungal overgrowth and infection much more unlikely.
Its worth noting though, that there is no scientific evidence that shows vinegar soaks is a reliable method for treating toenail fungus.
How Much Does Hydrogen Peroxide Cost Without Insurance
Hydrogen Peroxide is a generic, non-prescription compound available separately or in combination with other ingredients in several cosmetic, health, and industrial products. Insured and uninsured customers can expect to pay $11.99 for Hydrogen Peroxide. With a SingleCare discount card and a prescription for Hydrogen Peroxide, you pay only $3.05.
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How To Use Acv To Treat Toenail Fungus
The best and most effective way to use apple cider vinegar to treat fungal overgrowth is through ACV foot soaks. And they are shockingly easy to do at homefollow the instructions below about once a week, but you can do it daily if you choose:
How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed
Since psoriasis is caused by an immune system response, it is easiest to diagnose when the rash is occurring. While the specific symptoms will vary by the type of psoriasis you have, the most commonly occurring symptoms are red, inflamed skin covered in patches of scaly, silver-colored skin. These patches will be itchy or painful and the scaly skin may even crack and bleed. The scales can occur anywhere. Sometimes they are even found on or near the scalp. Fingernail or toenail issues can also happen as a result of psoriasis, causing discoloration, crumbling, or complete detachment from the nail bed itself.
A primary care physician or dermatological specialist can perform an examination to diagnose psoriasis. Although there are not any blood tests or other tool-based tests for diagnosing psoriasis, a biopsy on the skin may be performed. Some cases of psoriasis can resemble other skin conditions like eczema, which can cause the doctor to biopsy the skin for further examination under a microscope.
Before the appointment with your dermatologist, you may want to look into your familys history as one-third of people with psoriasis have a family member with the disease.
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What Is The Best Medication For Toenail Fungus
Below is a list of the most recommended prescription treatment for toenail fungus.
| Best medications for toenail fungus | |
|---|---|
| Drug name | |
| 200 mg once daily for 12 consecutive weeks | Nausea, vomiting, rash, headache |
Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and age. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list. A very rare side effect can be trouble breathing if this occurs, seek immediate emergency medical attention.
How To Prepare An Apple Cider Vinegar For Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a type of infection which cut the skin near toe and gets in via cracks in your nails, resultant nails get thicker and discolored. At times, it hurts too. One of the chief reasons behind toenail fungus is warm and damp toes. Fungus and yeast grow in different parts of the toenail and if they are not treated on time, it spreads further and causes infection. The infected nail can be easily distinguished from the normal one as it is thicker and yellowish in color from the normal nail. Moreover, sometimes a white dot is visible on the nail and it gets bigger. The infected nail can break easily, it is so because the nail gets to loosen up and separate itself from the bed completely. If left untreated for a long time or if proper care is not taken, an infection can even spread to the skin around the nails.
As per observation, men get it more than women and chances increases as you age. Apart from it, people with weak immune system, diabetic patients, one who smokes or have athletes foot have more chances of their toenail getting infected. Also, the one who spends more time in water such as swimmers or surfers, their odds of catching toenail fungus is higher.
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How Apple Cider Vinegar Works For Toenail Fungus
Once fungus develop under your toenails, it will change the pH levels of your skin so that is will be more alkaline than the usual pH level of the skin. Thanks to the acidic effect preventing fungus from developing, apple cider vinegar can help treat foot fungus in a natural way. Also, ACV fights bacteria, germs, and other micro-orgasms causing nail fungus. It consists of anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties that can help prevent potential fungal infections. Also, the acidity of ACV relieves itching and pain.
A vinegar soak for toenail fungus can also help other problems with the feet, such as foot odors, athletes foot, dry skin, cracked heels, etc.
Now, it is time to learn how to use apple cider vinegar for foot fungus. Take a look from Wikiyeah.com!
See Your Physician If Your Home Remedies Do Not Work
Toenail fungus requires therapy until its gone. Otherwise, your gut could be ruined or might develop a worse disease. If you have been treating your nail with vinegar or other home remedies but do not see an improvement following a 2-week interval, you have to realize your physician.
You might require a more powerful treatment, like a prescription antifungal lotion.
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Manuka Honey And Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
The consumption of a decoction of organic manuka honey and unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus treatment is a remedy that will help you get rid of that stubborn fungus.
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How to use?
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of organic manuka honey to 2-3 tablespoons of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar for making a paste
- Heat a cup of purified or distilled water over a low flame for a few minutes
- Add the paste of honey and apple cider vinegar into the cup of lukewarm water with gentle stirring to prepare a solution
- Drink the solution on an empty stomach every morning and before going to bed.
- Follow through with the home remedy twice a day on a daily basis for the natural treatment of toenail fungus
Benefits
The combination of organic manuka honey and unfiltered apple cider vinegar makes for excellent use of apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus. Medical studies and research point to manuka honey being a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent. These get accentuated with the addition of raw apple cider vinegar.
Precaution:
It is recommended to not apply manuka honey directly to the skin as it can be sticky and quite messy. Do not eat or drink anything for at least half an hour after drinking the solution. Make sure that your digestive tract is not allergic to apple cider vinegar and do not consume the vinegar in excess.
What You Should Eat During Antibiotic Therapy
And dont stop with supplementseating foods that are rich in probiotics and prebiotics can help your stomach stay strong. Prebiotics are the high fiber foods that your body cant digest. As they pass through your digestive tract, they feed the probiotics living there. In other words, they help the good bacteria in your gut flourish.
When youre taking antibiotics, its a good idea to eat a diet thats rich in both prebiotics and probiotics.
Try eating these prebiotic rich foods, such as:
- Leafy bitter greens, like dandelion greens, seaweed, and spinach
- Onions, garlic, and leeks
- Roots, like chicory root and jicama root
- Jerusalem artichoke
These can all help to increase beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus.
Then, add more probiotic-rich foods to your diet, like:
- Fermented food like raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut , tempeh, and kimchi
- Miso
- Yogurt , kefir, and buttermilk
- Kombucha
- Pickles
If you are trying to incorporate pre-and probiotic foods into your diet, be sure to double check with your doctor or pharmacist about foods and drinks that may interfere with your antibiotics.
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Apple Cider Vinegar For Toenail Fungus: Does It Work
There are trillions of microbes that live on our skincollectively called the skin microbiomeand for the most part, they help our skin thrive. However, sometimes organisms may get out of balance, and that’s when infections or various other skin conditions can appear. “From what we can tell, a healthy skin microbiome protects against infection in much the same way a good gut microbiome does: by crowding out overgrowth of pathogenic organisms,” writes physician Kara Fitzgerald, N.D., This is what happens with certain strains of fungus.
Fungal overgrowth is actually the cause of tinea pedis, or what’s commonly called athlete’s foot. It’s caused by the overgrowth of fungus like Candida albicans, trichophyton, epidermophyton, and microsporum. In the case of athlete’s foot, these fungi thrive in wet, warm conditionslike your feet after being tucked into socks and shoes all day or after a workout.
What Is The Best Medication For Psoriasis
Because psoriasis can vary in symptoms and triggers, finding the best medication can be hard to do. Many patients will have to try a few different medications before finding the one that works best. Your psoriasis treatment may be completely different than the one that works for another person. Consult a healthcare professional when selecting a medication for your psoriasis.
| Best medications for psoriasis | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5 mg tablet taken 1 to 2 times daily | Blocks cellular processes to control inflammation | Headache, diarrhea |
Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.
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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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At Home Treatments For Toenail Fungus
As a society, many of us take for granted how the internet affects our lives. If you want to do it yourself for things like building a new bookcase or using at-home treatments for toenail fungus, you only need to use a search engine to pull up instructional videos and webpages. Kids might have a hard time believing this, but it used to take a trip to the library to achieve the same results!
A clear example of this are the tips and advice we provide right here on our website. If you are looking for information or the latest in health news, be sure to connect with us on social media . Now, when it comes to something like a case of fungal toenails, you might want to try home treatment and see if it will help first.
Regarding at-home treatments for fungal toenails, options you might consider include:
If at-home treatments for toenail fungus are not delivering the results you want to see, consult our professionals here at Fixing Feet Institute! We provide comprehensive foot and ankle care, so simply give us a call at 584-5556 or take a moment to fill out our online form and connect with our Surprise, AZ office right now.