How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
You may have toenail fungus if one or more of your nails is discolored, brittle, crumbly, or thicker than normal. The condition normally develops as an infection under the surface of a nail. As the infection grows, the nail will become darker and can develop a foul odor. White marks may also develop on the nail plate, and debris may accumulate under it. The condition may also cause pain.
Because the condition causes a progressive deterioration of the toenails quality and color, the toenail can become ugly and embarrassing. As a result, many people affected by the condition delay seeking treatment. Unfortunately, this can worsen the condition. The earlier you seek professional treatment for toenail fungus, the easier it will be to clear the infection.
The effectiveness of treatments will vary depending on the type and severity of your infection. Youll get the best results from working with a fungal toenail specialist. Podiatrist and foot and ankle specialist of Foot Care Specialists, PC, in Quincy and Dedham, Massachusetts, provides fast and effective treatment for toenail fungus. Dr. Lukoff can use treatments ranging from oral medications to cutting-edge lasers.
Put An End To Unsightly Fungal Toenails With Our Help
You don’t know how you got them, but you’d like nothing more than to get rid of them. Thick, yellow toenails that break apart easily at the edges are a sign that you have fungi growing underneath the nail. The same fungus that causes athlete’s foot when it infects the areas between your toes and on the bottoms of your feet can be a nuisance at best and painful at worst when it infects the nail bed. Called onychomycosis, nail fungus is hard to get rid of on your own. Learn more about this stubborn condition and how our team of podiatrists and medical assistants can help you.
Wash Your Socks Regularly
Wearing the same socks every day is also a major cause of fungus, so wash your socks daily as much as possible. Although we wear socks because they absorb moisture, but if you wear the same pair of socks frequently, they can cause problems for you and can be a major cause of the fungus.
If your shoes have already been infected with the fungus, you will need to be more careful. For this, you will have to wash your socks with disinfected soap and dry them in sunlight and after drying, store it in a dry place so that the fungus does not multiply after wearing the socks.
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Why Vicks For Toenail Fungus
Now that we know how someone could get toenail fungus, lets talk a possible treatment: Vicks Vapor Rub. What is it about this cough and cold medicine that helps with infected toenails? Good question.
One of the ingredients in Vicks is thyme oil and it has been shown to remove fungus from underneath toenails.
In the January-February 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, a study was printed in which eighteen people who were dealing with toenail fungus applied Vicks to the affected area.
Five of the participants were cured, ten saw their symptoms improve, and three participants experienced no changes at all.
Of the five people who were cured, only two kinds of fungus were identified Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida parapsilosis. This suggests that the treatments effectiveness may depend on the type of fungus that someone has on their toe.
Creams & Topical Treatments For Toenail Fungus
Over-the-counter fungal creams like clotrimazole dont work well for treating toenail fungus. Prescription nail polishes are available, but they take longer to work and arent effective for severe cases. Thats because they dont penetrate the nail very well. That said, they are still a good option for people with mild cases of toenail fungus, or for those who cant take the oral antifungals. Examples include:
Side effects are usually minor and include redness or burning at the application site.
You might hear or read about medicated chest rub as a treatment for toenail fungus, but its mostly hype. Its a tempting option because its so safe, easy to use, and cheap. But its not likely to help.
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Treating Athletes Foot Fungus
Athletes foot is one of the most common foot infections. It is easily acquired, especially by people who often use communal showers and pools, such as those in college dorms or gyms. It grows in warm, damp places like public showers, locker rooms, and pools.
This foot condition is also common with shoes that are too tight or socks or shoes that are damp. Athletes foot can also be contracted from getting pedicures with not properly sanitized equipment.
Tinea pedis, the scientific name for athletes foot, is often characterized by itching, burning, redness, peeling, and sores and blisters. Athletes foot can also be known as jungle rot, from military personnel who contract it in warm, damp climates.
Four different kinds of fungus can cause of athletes foot. These fungi live on dead skin, hair, or toenails.
Athletes foot consists of three different kinds of infections. The most common variety is called interdigital and grows between the toes, usually the two smallest. It often causes scaling, itching, and burning and can move to the rest of the foot. Interdigital infections can also be called toe web infections.
An infection on the sole is known as moccasin infection. It causes the skin to crack and thicken and is accompanied by dry skin, itching, scaling, and irritation. It can move to the sides of feet, as well.
How Do You Stop Foot And Toenail Fungus
Have you ever had toenail fungus or athletes foot? If so, it probably wasnt very pretty. It can send your nails looking yellow, thick, discoloured and the skin itchy and cracked. Thickened, fungal toenails can also cause discomfort when wearing shoes.
Foot and toenail fungus can be hard to treat. However, theyre both very common because exposure to the fungus that causes them is easy to do.
The fungus is a common enemy lurking throughout locker rooms that when infecting the skin can cause itching and burning symptoms. However, you may have contracted this foot condition even if you havent been to a gym or locker room. The two separate infections: one that affects the skin on the feet and another infection that affects the toenails called mycotic nails .
So how do you stop foot and toenail fungus in its tracks?
Fungi love dark, damp, warm places so your feet are especially vulnerable to fungal infection.
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What Is The Big Deal With Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus can easily be diagnosed. In fact, you don’t have to be an expert to notice discoloration on your toenails. The fungus often goes deep under your nails, which makes it nasty.
People hate this issue because of the visual effect. However, the fact it is hard to remove makes it so much more troublesome. It also quickly spreads, which means that it needs constant attention.
Unfortunately, antifungal drugs are powerful and can cause various side effects.
Perhaps the biggest issue is how these drugs impact the liver. They are very dangerous for people who have any liver issues, which is why you have to test your blood before taking drugs for toenail fungus. Even if everything looks fine, there is still a chance complications will occur.
As an alternative, doctors will often recommend topical creams. These products are much better as they don’t cause severe side effects. However, they are not as strong as regular oral drugs, which prolongs the whole treatment. Patients usually have to apply topical cream for several months until they notice any progress.
Home remedies are also a popular alternative.
Besides various oils and vinegar, many people use baking soda for toenail fungus.
How To Make A Paste
In order to use baking soda for toenail fungus, you will have to create a paste.
Luckily, it is something you can easily do at your own home. This is precisely why people love home remedies. You already have these ingredients you have to mix them and apply them in the comfort of your own home. There is no need to visit a doctor or deal with long queues at pharmacies.
Just take a little bit of baking soda and mix it with lukewarm water until it becomes applicable. Then, put it on top of your nail as well as under it. The treatment has to be performed each day, several times a day. Make sure to leave the paste for at least 10 to 15 minutes. It might seem a bit overbearing, but there is no other way to treat the condition .
According to several studies, baking soda provides excellent results for toenail fungus, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t help you as well.
After 10, 15 minutes, it is essential to rinse baking soda thoroughly. Wash your feet, and dry them well. Keep in mind that high humidity is perhaps the biggest issue, so you will have to remember that at all times. It is also common for a toenail to fall completely off. This is very normal, and you shouldn’t be scared if it happens health, a new nail will appear in its stead!
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Use Vinegar To Remove Fungus From Shoes
Known for its acidic properties, vinegar tends to slow down the multiplication of the bacteria causing foot fungus by lowering its pH level. Vinegar is readily available in food stores and in supermarkets if you insist on using this method.
After getting the vinegar, pour it in a spray bottle to make a vinegar spray to use on your shoes in eliminating the foot fungus.
What Is Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is usually an infection of the toenail caused by opportunistic fungi, explains Oliva. It may cause your nail to turn a yellow or white hue, thicken, or crumble at the outer edges.
While toenail fungus can occur in people of all ages, board-certified dermatologist Marie Hayag, MD, says that its most common in older folks. As the nail ages, it is prone to becoming brittle and dry, which can result in cracks in the nails that make it susceptible to fungal infections, she explains, noting that all of the aforementioned causes can be even more of a concern as a result.
Meet the Expert
- , MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Manhattan. She is an assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai Hospital and also teaches in the Dermatology Departments surgery clinic.
- Francisco Oliva, DPM, is a Miami-based podiatrist who has been in private practice for 25+ years.
Nevertheless, because developing a toenail fungus can occur at all ages, we reveal the best ways to treat toenail fungus at home, below.
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How To Clear Up Fungal Toenails Fast
Nobody likes toenail fungus. The yellow, brittle toenails, however, are very common. Toenail fungus is not only embarrassing, but it can lead to further, more serious foot conditions if not treated.
If you have an event or maybe a beach vacation coming up, and you want to show off your cute and relaxing sandals, you want to get rid of your toenail fungus fast.
As toenail fungus is a common foot health issue, many treatment options are now available. There are over-the-counter creams, and pills as well as those prescribed by your podiatrist.
There are also natural, at-home toe fungal treatments as well that include the use of essential oils, spices, vinegar and a healthy diet.
Who Suffers From Toenail Fungus
- Do you sweat a lot?
- Do you use a public pool or take communal showers at the gym?
- Do you regularly go to a nail salon to get a manicure or pedicure?
- Do you suffer from diabetes, malnutrition, a weak immune system, or have you smoked for a long time?
Unfortunately, if you answered yes to any of these questions, you are more likely to contract toenail fungus.
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How To Get Rid Of Toe Fungus
This article was co-authored by . Dr. Mark Co is a Podiatrist who runs his own private practice in San Francisco, California. Dr. Co specializes in treatments for bunions, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also offers custom orthotics for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle issues. Dr. Co completed a Master of Business Administration at New York University and an MA in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Co also completed his DPM at the California School of Podiatric Medicine and a residency and internship at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Dr. Co was awarded San Francisco’s “Top 3 Podiatrists” in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Dr. Co is also a member of the CPMA .There are 15 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. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,481,677 times.
Use A Foot Spray To Disinfect Shoes From Athletes Foot
Before wearing your shoes, ensure that you spray both your feet and your shoes with a foot spray. The foot spray should be one that contains a disinfectant in it to ensure that it is beneficial in killing the foot fungus.
Some foot sprays are scented to ensure that your feet and shoes not only are bacterial and fungus free but also ensure that your feet and shoes smell nice.
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Why Should You Use Bleach For Toenail Fungus
The foremost reason is quite recognized for the usage of bleach is the convenience. Bleach is the best home remedy for toenail fungus and readily available and that too at a lower cost. A good number of people have confirmed that their treatment has been successful with bleach.
If the infection is lesser, the soaks may work. However, if the case is severe, applying the bleach directly is recommended. It can kill the fungal spores and also lighten up the yellow toenails. Nevertheless, talk to your doctors to make an informed decision.
Luxuriate In Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is known for being incredibly calming for the senses, sure, but its also a great option for calming toenail fungal infections. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, lavender provides a powerful antifungal punch. Lavender essential oil shows a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi that are responsible for toenail fungus and other skin fungal infections, Hayag explains. When using lavender oil to treat toenail fungus, it is best to apply one to two drops of lavender oil to the affected nail and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. After soaking, she suggests gently scrubbing the area with a clean toothbrush and repeating the process daily until the infection has been resolved.
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How To Apply Apple Cider Vinegar For Toenail Fungus Infection
For good result when using apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus treatment, you want to make sure you buy raw, unpasteurized, and organic vinegar. To use Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungi infection, all you need to do is to soak your feet in a bowl of warm water and vinegar for a between 20-30 minutes. Do this twice a day till the fungus clears from your toenail.
Application
- Step 1 Fill a bucket or basin or a foot tub with water enough to completely cover your feet. You could add the water using cups for measurement purpose.
- Step 2 If for instance 4 cups of water was used in step one, use two cups of ACV here. You want to make sure the apple cider vinegar added is at least half of the water to be used.
- Step 3 Immerse your feet in the bowl of water and leave them there for at least 20-30 minutes. Note that it is important that your feet are completely immersed in the water, if the water is not enough, you must add more water and ensure half the quantity of water added as extra is also added in form of Apple cider.
Once done you can then wipe your feet properly and repeat the process for at least two times per day in order to see better results.
Top Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
There are many home remedies available nowadays for getting rid of toenail fungus, which means you have many choices. When it comes to which ones you should try, it’s really a matter of experimenting to see which home remedies may or may not work for you.
So what are some top home remedies for toenail fungus people use to address their fungal infection? See below for some of the more popular home remedies for treating toenail fungus.
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Potential Side Effects Of Using Bleach For Nail Fungus
A bleach is undoubtedly the most excellent home remedy. But, it can cause severe damage to the skin. Whether it is a chlorine bleach or a non-chlorine one, both are risky.
Here are some of the possible side effects of bleach when used for nail fungus:
Since the advent of this treatment, bleach is considered to be quite vital. Before using it on your toenail fungus, you need to know everything about it. These include its pros as well as cons. But, as notified by the majority of the people, this is truly a viable treatment. The toenail fungus appears to be quite small. However, if it is not treated on time, it may prove to be fatal. Till now, you might have got a real idea about how to get rid of toenail fungus with bleach. Still, we recommend you to see your doctor as some expert advice is very necessary.