Tips To Avoid Reinfection
- Bring your shower sandals, slides, or flip-flops while visiting a spa, public shower, locker room, gym, and pool area.
- Give your feet a good rinse on a daily basis with antibacterial soap and dry them thoroughly with a towel as well.
- Give explicit instruction to the spa and salon staff to use sanitized equipment only.
- Always wear dry and clean socks and shoes.
- Never share your towels, clothes, socks, and shoes with anyone.
- Cut and file your toenails often.
- Carry sweat-absorbing socks and shoes made up of breathable fabric.
Also Check: What Is The Best Otc Toenail Fungus Medicine
Natural Toenail Fungus Treatment
Step 1: Eliminating the Source of Yeast and Fungus
The first step in treating toenail fungus is using one of the most effective and natural ways to fight candida. In other words, youll likely need to make some changes in your diet and adopt a candida diet. The most crucial tactic for treating candida overgrowth is to eliminate what feeds the yeast and candida virus living in your digestive tract in the first place: sugars and conventional grain products.
Candida albicans is a common yeast that grows inside the human body. In healthy people, other bacteria and immune cells keep this yeast under control so it doesnt cause any problems, but in some people candida can become overgrown and cause infections in various areas. One of the ways candida shows up is through the skin where it can cause noticeable reactions or infections. Other ways are on the mouth, vagina and anus.
What triggers candida in the first place? This overgrowth of yeast can develop from a number of factors, including antibiotic use, poor digestion, low immune system function, a high sugar and grain diet, stress or hormonal changes. All these create an acidic environment that encourages yeast growth and the presence of candida. Many people opt for over-the-counter anti-fungal creams or even medications, but they only treat the symptoms, not the environment that allows candida to flourish.
Step 2: Replenishing Healthy Bacteria
Step 3. Consume More Fiber, Protein and Quality Fats
Foods to Eat Plenty Of:
How Long To See Results
Toenail fungus can take a year to a year and a half to completely go away. Many of the above mentioned antifungal treatments can yield noticeable results in as little as a few weeks, with some taking multiple months to produce significant improvements. As of now, there isnt an immediate cure for toenail fungus nor is there a treatment that produces immediate results. In many cases, noticeable results arent immediate and not all antifungal treatments address the underlying causes of toenail fungus.
If theres an event or occasion coming up where you need your toes looking great, it is recommended that you begin treating your toenail fungus a few months beforehand.
Some patients have advanced toenail fungus that can only be treated at the podiatrists office. In the worst-case scenario, all or part of the toenail may be removed. This can take around a year to heal.
Whether you have a recent, minor form of toenail fungus or youve been battling your toenail fungus for many years, it is a good idea to pay us a visit at Advanced Foot and Ankle Center. Our feet specialist can help you find the best antifungal treatment for your case that is quick and which addresses the underlying cause of your toenail fungus.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
You Might Also Enjoy…
Recommended Reading: How Do You Get Fungus In Your Lungs
How Fungi Infect The Nail
Onchomycosis, or toenail fungal infection, is an invasion by a microscopic organism that thrives in warm, damp environments. Fungal spores are in the air, and they will grow if they land on a receptive surface like your toenail. They feed off the nail tissues, burrowing into the skin under the nail. Over time the nail thickens and may lift off the nail bed as fungal debris accumulates. Once your nail is raised off the nail bed, it wonât reattach, and a new nail wonât grow from that part of the nail bed. However, your nail will continue to grow from the root at the base.
How To Treat Nail Fungus
Vinegar has been a popular, non-invasive way to treat nail fungus for the last few centuries. Its quite acidic, which is how it kills fungus, but it will need to be diluted not to irritate the skin.
- One basin large enough for your feet
- Warm water
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- Several cups of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
You should always keep your nails and cuticles trimmed, cleaning your nail clippers or scissors before and after each use. Its also a good idea to brush nails with tea tree oil every day to help fight fungus in between treatments.
Read Also: How Do I Get Rid Of Toe Fungus Naturally
Should I Cut Off My Fungus Toenail
If you do have a toenail fungus, your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options: Trimming the Toenail Trimming the toenail is usually combined with medication, but having a podiatrist periodically trim the nail down is helpful and allows the medication to work better, says Sundling.
Heres What You Should Value In A Product
Strength of Active Ingredient: After comparing several products, weve found that those with an active ingredient – typically with a concentration greater than 10% – work best for toenail fungus. A product that includes very little active ingredient, or none at all, is not as reliable in our opinion.
Vitamins and Oils: We think its important to include essential oils, vitamins, and minerals to any product that comes into contact with your skin. These include, but are not limited to, Tea Tree oil, Jojoba Seed oil, Rosehip oil, and Vitamin E.
You May Like: What Can I Use For Toe Fungus
How To Use It:
Soak your foot in a mixture of half water and half apple cider vinegar. Make sure that you dry your foot after the soak thoroughly. Keep in mind that fungi nurture in wet environments. So keep your feet dry. You can also make a paste of apple cider vinegar with rice flour and apply it to the infected part of the foot.
You May Like: How To Kill Foot Fungus Fast
Risk Factors Associated With Toenail Fungus
Certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can make you increasingly vulnerable to developing nail fungus:
Health: You have a greater chance of contracting a fungal nail infection if you suffer from one or more of the following issues:
- Other fungal skin infections, such as athletes foot or ringworm
- Diabetes
- Increasingly brittle, crumbly, or ragged nail
- Nail that appears warped or distorted in shape
- Nail that appears dull without any luster
- Dark color, caused by the accumulation of debris under your nail
- Slightly foul odor in the affected area
Read Also: How To Cure Fingernail Fungus At Home
Home Remedy For Toenail Fungus Tea Tree Oil Home Remedy For Killing Nail Fungus
Formula 3 For Toenail Fungus Removal Timeframe How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide On Toenail Fungus Strong Spice That Kills Nail Fungus. Do Topical Probiotics Kill Foot Fungus Fungus Fluconazole 100mg For Nail Fungus Reviews. Foot Fungus Album Cover Nail Fungus Medicine In India. Fungus On The Bottom Or Side Of The Foot What Causes Nail Fungus With Acrylic And How To Treat It.
What Causes Skin To Turn Black Toe Fungus Foot Fungus In Livestock. Uses Mentholatum For Toenail Fungus Home Remedy For Toenail Fungus Athlete Foot Fungus Infection Sign Skin. Amazon Toe Nail Fungus Treatment Nail Fungus Starts Out As A.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Spice In Shoes To Cure Toenail Fungus
The right spices can inhibit the fungus and provide a fertile environment for healthy nails
The benefits of this method are that the spice will release an odorless substance that will kill all bacteria and fungi within the shoe. This includes any traces of nail fungus lingering around your toes from previous infections.
Spices are known for their healing properties, and thats because they contain essential oils that have been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various ailments.
Also Check: Can Dermatologist Treat Toenail Fungus
Manuka Honey For Nasty Nail Fungus
We thought we had heard just about every remedy ever tried for nail fungus.
Sam surprised us with something different:
Ive struggled with toenail fungus on my big toe for over five years. None of the remedies I tried really worked.
This spring I purchased a tube of medical grade Manuka honey ointment to have on hand for burns and scrapes. I started putting just a small dab on and under my toenail before I put my socks on every morning. I noticed a difference in about a week. A lot of the darkest color had disappeared.
Three months later, I can clearly see where my nail is growing out with no fungus. The honey is brown so it stains the nail, but thats a more than acceptable trade-off for me. Im guessing that after about five months of treatment, my nail will finally be back to normal.
Dont Miss: Does Vicks Salve Cure Toenail Fungus
Treating Toenail Fungus Medically
Also Check: What Really Works On Toenail Fungus
Taking Care Of Your Feet
The most effective remedy, then, is good hygiene. It can help prevent infection as well as help speed treatment. Keep your feet dryalways dry them thoroughly after bathing. Avoid socks manufactured from synthetic fibers because they dont absorb moisture very well. Instead, buy socks made of cotton, wool, or a combination. Change your socks frequently and wear well-ventilated shoes with leather soles, not those with synthetic uppers or hard rubber soles. Change shoes a couple of times daily, so each pair can dry thoroughly.
If you do develop athletes foot, you may wish to try a natural healing approach. Here, success comes from a combination of topical remedies to aid in short-term symptom control and nontoxic antifungal herbs taken internally to gradually kill the infection. Fungi are hardy, so the treatment can be slow and tedious. Plan to treat the pest for several weeks, or even months. Good hygiene is crucial to treatment success.
Two of the best-known herbal remedies for athletes foot are tea tree oil and garlic. Additionally, I have found that using diluted solutions of the essential oils of clove and cinnamon, applied with a cotton swab or dropper to the infected areas, are very helpful.
Donât Miss: Does Emu Oil Kill Fungus
Staying One Step Ahead Of Toenail Fungus
An established fungal infection is hard to eradicate, but you can stop its spread and improve your toenail’s appearance.
Toenail fungus isn’t a pressing health problem. Yet a fungal infection can ruin the appearance of your nails and cause pain as it lifts the nail away from the nail bed. And fungal infections are notoriously difficult to get rid of. “You may want to consider fungal toenail a condition to be managed rather than cured,” says Dr. James P. Ioli, chief of the podiatry service at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Don’t Miss: Will Tinactin Cure Toenail Fungus
Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide For Toenail Fungus
Hydrogen peroxide addition increase the capability of baking soda. If you have severe toenail fungus then trying it may help, but not in all cases.
- Take 1 tbsp of baking soda.
- Take 1 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide.
- Add two table spoons of water to make a thick paste.
- Apply it on the infected toenail.
You can also soak your feet in tub after applying it.
Home Remedies For Nail Fungus
Herbs that Heal
- Snakeroot extract is obtained from a plant Snakeroot, which belongs to the sunflower family. Snakeroot extract has been found to be effective in nail fungus cure when applied topically.
- Pau DArco is a natural herb, found to be an effective herbal medicine for the treatment of fungal infections.
- Oregano oil is not only blessed with antifungal properties but also has potent antiviral and antibacterial effects.
- Lemongrass herb is also used for its effective antifungal properties.
- Horopito is a plant with some active chemicals such as polygodial, which makes it an effective treatment for nail fungus.
- Anise seeds are obtained from the plant Pimpinella asisum and have various medicinal properties. The chemical components present in anise seeds are powerfully effective against fungus, and hence, it is a good nail fungus cure.
Catharanthus roseusTea Tree Oil Melaleuca alternifoliaOlive Leaf Garlic MiconazoleOzone TherapyVicks VapoRubKeep it Clean and TrimmedNutrition
Don’t Miss: Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
Baking Soda Foot Soak For Toenail Fungus
Baking soda foot soak is also an effective remedy for nail fungi. You do not need any extra ingredients, only water, and baking soda is enough.
For some people who are annoyed by the irritating bad odor of the toenail fungus, there are some essential oils to add.
The best ones are peppermint oil, and lavender oil mixed in the baking soda foot soak.
- Take 1 liter of warm water in a tub, the tub must be cleansed properly.
- Add a tbsp of baking soda in it.
- Soak your feet in baking soda foot soak for 20 minutes.
- Repeat this for three to four days a week.
How I Got Rid Of My Nail Fungus
Often, you can take care of a fungal nail infection at home: Try over-the-counter antifungal nail creams and ointments. Several products are available. If you notice white markings on the surfaces of the nails, file them off, soak your nails in water, dry them, and apply the medicated cream or lotion.
You May Like: Does Vicks Vaporub Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
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 Ãmother 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
Top Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus That Really Work
Fungus needs an acidic environment in order to live, so using alkaline baking soda will stop the fungus from spreading. Borax is a natural mineral that is a powerful fungicide. The combination of these two minerals will create a remedy that kills toenail fungus quickly. Mix equal parts of baking soda and borax with just enough water to make a …
Don’t Miss: How Long Does It Take To Treat Nail Fungus