So What Causes Toenail Fungus
You can catch toenail fungus in warm, moist places like a pool deck or gym locker rooms. If someone has an infection and walks barefoot on the surface before you, you can easily pick it up, the AAD says.
Having wet nails for long periods of time, like wearing sweaty shoes or soggy boots all day, can also cause toenail fungus.
Certain people are more likely to get toenail fungus than others. Youre more likely to deal with this type of infection if you meet the following criteria:
- You live in a hot, humid climate
- You have athletes foot
- Youve had a nail infection in the past
- You spend a lot of time barefoot
- You wear tight-fitting, closed toe shoes and you have sweaty feet
- You spend a lot of time in water
Ultimately, anyone can get toenail fungus, Dr. Goldenberg says. However, he sees it most commonly with athletes, people who go barefoot at the gym or swimming pool, and older patients.
Making A Vinegar Soak
If you want to try treating your nail fungus with vinegar, then the best thing to do is soak your foot in a vinegar-water mixture. Diluting the vinegar is important to prevent it from irritating your skin. Try a daily soak and see if it helps clear the infection. If not, then don’t panic. You can still use more conventional treatments.
Cons / Side Effects Of Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is a great source of thymol and carvacrol, so certainly it is an effective solution for toenail fungus.
However, for some people it can be harmful, the following are some side effects of oregano oil for toenail fungus.
- Oregano oil is a potent oil, having a lot of chemicals that can affect a weak immune system by making it fire back, so it is essential to consult a doctor before drinking oregano oil.
- Drinking oregano oil is not very safe, only a few drops are enough, drinking too much of it, can lead to tissue burning.
- Pregnant women and children should always take oregano oil as an external topical solution. Drinking it can be harmful for them.
- Using oregano oil alone is not beneficial, it can be harsh to the skin, so it is always better to use oregano oil with a carrier oil.
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Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
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Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is a common nail condition affecting millions of people in the United States. Fungal nail infections can develop on the nail from various organisms such as molds, yeasts, and fungi. This usually occurs after these organisms come into contact with a cracked nail or skin surrounding the nail as the opening provides a portal of entry for these organisms.
What Are The Causes Of Yellow Nail Syndrome
The exact cause of yellow nail syndrome is unknown.
This condition can start sporadically for no apparent reason, which occurs in most cases. Even so, in rare cases, its believed it may run in families. A mutation of the FOXC2 gene which causes a disorder called lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome may play a role in developing yellow nail syndrome. More research is needed to confirm this, as other literature currently reports that there is no known genetic factor for yellow nail syndrome.
Another belief is that yellow nail syndrome results from problems with lymphatic drainage. Improper circulation and drainage of lymph allows fluid to collect in the soft tissue under the skin, which may slowly turn nails yellow.
Yellow nail syndrome can also develop on its own or occur with certain types of cancers, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and immunodeficiencies.
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Footwear Instructions For People Suffering From Toe Nail Fungus
Treating a fungal toe nail infection is a long process. The treatment methods can take weeks for complete nail recovery. The irregular shape and nail color will return to normal within a year of treatment. You will have to exhibit patience during the process. You will also have to follow any instructions from your doctor or podiatrist,to avoid any further complications in the treatment.
- Wear dry footwear and socks to avoid moisture, causing fungus
- Do not wear ill-fitted or tight shoes
- Wash your socks on daily basis
- Sandals are preferable to allow air to the affected feet
- Avoid tight hosiery
- Dry your feet thoroughly after bathing or swimming
How To Prepare Your Nails Before Using Tea Tree Oil
Doing some prep work before you use tea tree oil on your nails can help the oil reach deeper into your skin and nails and offer better results. If your nails are too thick or long, the nail bed will not absorb the oil properly.
Heres how you can prepare your nails for tea tree oil treatments:
After prepping your nails, the next step is to apply the tea tree oil to them. Read the next section for further steps.
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How To Use Baking Soda For Toenail Fungus
Most people will tell you that toenail fungus shouldn’t be ignored. The condition is primarily esthetic, but if left untreated, it can lead to some nasty complications.
Things get even more complicated when you realize that fungus has high adaptability. It thrives in a humid environment, and given that our feet are often sweaty, you can easily see why some people deal with this condition for months and months.
But, this is just the beginning of our troubles. It is tough to treat the condition, which is why some people opt for alternative treatments, such as using baking soda for toenail fungus.
Toenail Fungus Home Care
Sometimes itâs possible to treat your toenail fungus at home. You can try:
- Over the counter antifungal creams or ointments. File or cut off any white markings on your nails. Soak your nails in water and dry off before you put on the medicated cream.
- Special nail care. If you keep your nails trimmed, it can reduce the pressure and pain you feel. You can also thin your nail bed by filing it down. This can help antifungal creams get to the problem easier.
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Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus
Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.
How To Treat Toenail Fungus
Despite what you may hear, covering your infection with nail polish or artificial nails will not get rid of toenail fungus, says the AAD.
There are a few different ways to get rid of toenail fungus, whether youre looking for home remedies or stronger prescribed treatments. Just know this, per Dr. Goldenberg: Treating toenail fungus is extremely difficult.
But the earlier you treat the nail infection, the more likely you are to cure it, explains, Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York Citybased board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Treatment can take several months, even up to a year, as you need to wait for healthy nail to grow out, which is a slow process, he says.
If you prefer to go the natural route first, these are the home remedies worth tryingplus, stronger prescription options to ask about if the infection persists. It usually takes three months of treatment to cure a toenail fungal infection.
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Top Treatments For Toenail Fungus
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Toenail fungus, medically called onychomycosis, is a common problem that causes thickened, yellow toenails. It is contagious, which means you can give the fungus to someone else. You may have caught it by walking barefoot in the same area someone with the infection walked just before you, or from someone in your home. Common places to catch the fungal infection are pool decks, locker rooms, and gym showers. Infections like this should be treated promptly, especially if you have an underlying medical problem, like diabetes. Learn about some common toenail fungus treatments, including prescriptions, and home remedies.
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.
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Toenail Fungus Prescription Medications
Sometimes prescription medications are needed to treat a toenail infection that just wont go away with natural remedies or over-the-counter medication in a few months. In this case, prescription-strength antifungal medication can eradicate stubborn onychomycosis.
Topical medications often are effective in treating mild to moderate toenail fungus. Topical solutions may include medicated nail polishes or liquid medications. Loprox , Penlac , Kerydin , and Jublia are among the top prescription drugs for toenail fungus.
Oral medications can come in capsules, tablets, or liquid. Some common prescriptions are Diflucan , Lamisil , Onmel , and Sporanox .
Cure Toe Nail Fungus With Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is the most effective way to get rid of toenail fungus, according to Earth Clinic posters. If you’ve been trying to get rid of your toenail fungus for a while, trying this treatment and then that one, you’re not alone – 5% of all people have nail fungus. Commercial nail fungus treatments are harsh and often don’t work. The older people get, the more likely they are to have this problem – over half of all those over 70 are afflicted with toenail fungus.
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Complications Of Yellow Nail Syndrome
Yellow nail syndrome is also associated with bronchiectasis, which is when the small airways in your lung become abnormally widened, weak, and scarred. In bronchiectasis, airway mucus cant be properly moved. As a result, you could end up developing pneumonia if your lungs fill up with germy mucus and become infected. This bronchiectasis, in addition to the fluid that builds up in the pleural space outside of the lungs, causes lung problems.
Theres no one treatment for yellow nail syndrome. Treatment addresses specific symptoms of the condition and may include:
- topical or oral vitamin E for nail discoloration
- corticosteroids
Tea Tree Oil And Oregano Oil For Toenail Fungus
Oregano oil and tea tree oil both are essential oils, but sometimes the tea tree oil is also used as a carrier oil.
However, as both of these oils are potent, but are good treatment for toenail fungus, that is why it can be used as an effective solution for the nail fungus.
According to research, tea tree oil is particularly known to treat the T. rubrum fungus , which is often found on nails.
You can add a few more oils to this solution to avoid any risk, if the toenail fungus is at the initial stages, then it is safe to mix 5 drops of oregano oil into 10 drops of tea tree oil.
If it has become severe and painful, then try another carrier oil as well.
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Reducing The Risk Of Reinfection Of The Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus could be the source of numerous biological disorders, including hypertension, diabetes, and any other condition that could decrease your immunity and increase your vulnerability to being infected by bacteria of any kind. In addition to observing the proper hygiene conditions and affluent safety measures, there are a variety of methods we can alter our daily routine to reduce the development of toenail fungus. They include:
How We Ranked The Best Fungus Supplements
Every toenail fungus supplement claims to eliminate toenail fungus quickly. However, few supplements work. To distinguish the best toenail supplements available today, our editorial team used the following metrics:
Science-Backed Ingredients & Dosages
The first and most important metric was the use of science-backed ingredients and dosages. You want your toenail fungus supplement to work quickly. The more science-backed ingredients and dosages a formula had, the higher it was rated.
Honest Advertised Benefits
Some toenail fungus supplement manufacturers make unrealistic promises. They claim to clear up toenail fungus overnight, for example, or rapidly rid your body of the infection. Toenail fungus supplements are supplements not drugs or medicine. Manufacturers cannot claim to treat or prevent disease. We preferred toenail supplements that made realistic claims about their benefits.
Made or Endorsed by Doctors
Good supplement companies have a medical advisory board with MDs, PhDs, and other professionals. We preferred toenail fungus supplements that were made or endorsed by doctors with genuine medical experience.
Price & Value
Some toenail fungus supplements cost $200. Others cost $20. We featured a range of supplements for different budgets, although we emphasized good value at every price. We wanted users to get the most bang for their buck regardless of their budget.
Manufacturer Reputation
Clinical Trials and Studies
Moneyback or Satisfaction Guarantee
Ease of Use
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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.
Why Are Spices Good For Health And Toenail Fungus
Before we study each spice separately, it would be better to let you understand how useful spices are. Here we have given a general account about spices as many people doubt their value.
Cure inflation
According to researches, spices are great in tackling the issue of inflammation. Herbs and spices, like mint, and cinnamon are great to cure any kind of inflammation in your body. As toenail fungus can also cause inflammation on your thumb thus, it would be wise to add these spices to your diet.
Moreover, ginger is also an anti-inflammatory spice, you can use it in powder form to fight inflammation.
Phytochemicals
These spices that would be discussed later contain phytochemicals that are good for the overall health. These are known to treat inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and inhibit the production of cancerous cells.
Regulates hormones
As hormones, such as androgens, cortisol, and other stress hormones make our bodies receptive for the toenail fungus and other skin infections, thus it is necessary to take food that can help regulate hormone production. Spices and herbs are quite efficient in doing so.
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