How To Soften Toenails At Home
Many people try to cut their thick toenails and end up causing crumbling. It can even lead to cuts to the skin and even infection.
So its best to soften your toenails before attempting to cut them. Cutting thick toenails is easier to perform with a little softening. you can start by following these steps:
- You can start by soaking your feet in a gallon of warm water in your tub or basin, make sure the water is enough to properly cover your feet. Mix about 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt in it.
- Let your foot soak into the solution for about 20 to 30 minutes. You should let them soak for about 1 hour if your toenails are very thick.
- You can now remove and pat your feet and nails completely dry with a soft towel.
- Now you can apply Miracle Toenail Softening Cream. Then cut your toenails easily.
% Hydrogen Peroxide With Distilled Water
This Hydrogen peroxide is a recommended one to disinfect the skin, and other surfaces like nails. And can easily be used to help the toenail to get rid of fungus. But remember, you should not use it for other purpose like gargling.
As it is 12% concentrated, if will impact more on your nails fungus and could get you some more better results.
But if you have a very sensitive skin then you can go with the 3% Hydrogen peroxide. However it is also safe completely when you dilute it more in any other thing like water.
Here is one of the reviews of this one been used by a having toenail fungus.
Julia concluded: That she is really glad that she bought it.
You can also make a sanitizer with this Hydrogen peroxide. The manufacturers have designed it for food and juices as well.
It is equally good for the skin treatments, and safe for kids.
Pros
- Can treat cold as well.
- You can use it for cleaning a lot of household items.
Cons
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Nail Fungus: How It Starts
Nail fungus, often begins with a small white or yellow spot under the fingernails or foot nail. As the fungus progresses, the nail becomes thick and brittle. With time it can also change color, moving from yellow to brown or black, and become painful.
You can get nail fungus at any age, but older people are more susceptible for several reasons. Decreased blood circulation, natural patterns of thicker and slow growing nails, and age related conditions like diabetes are just some reasons the aged among us are likely to get toenail fungus.
Runners and power walkers are also at risk because the pressure they place on their toes combined with sweaty feet in closed shoes provide the perfect atmosphere for the fungus to take hold and spread.
Apart from above population anybody can get nail fungus just from an injury which went unnoticed.
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Medications For Toenails Fungus
- Oral antifungal medication-These medications treat the infection from the inside out. The most common medications used are Terbinafine and Iitraconazole . These medicines are often taken for 12 weeks and uninfected nail growth will slowly grow out replacing the fungus toenails. This therapy can also be combined with topical therapy and the end results wont show for four months or longer.
- Medicated nail polish- Ciclopirox is a prescription medicated nail polish you apply daily to the affected area. Once a week the layer of built up lacquer is removed with alcohol. Result can take up to a year or longer.
- Medicated Cream-Antifungal cream can be applied on, around, and under the affected toenails. Thinning of the nails allows better penetration and reduces the amount of fungus .
- Medicated Foot Baths- Special compounded medical foot soaks may be prescribed which offer combinations of antifungal and antibacterial solution to help fight fungal infections.
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Dr. Allen and Dr. Collom have over 40 years of Podiatry experience. Our well seasoned staff have been employed with us for an average of 5 ½ years/ Our office are conveniently located in new Port Richey and Spring Hill and we look forward providing you with exceptional care regarding your podiatry needs. Please call to schedule your appointment today.
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Clorox Bleach Pen For Toenail Fungus
It is an easy to use bleach pen following the zero-splash technology is an ideal bleach for severe toenail fungus, especially when it is completely damaged and you cannot feel anything now.
A skin spot where the fungus is at its extreme, can only be treated with a slightly concentrated bleach, otherwise, you must go for a diluted bleach.
This pen is all ready to treat that without any unnecessary hassle. For the busy bees, it can be the best alternative of soaking tehri feet for 60 minutes daily.
You can use it directly on the toenail fungus but you need to be accurate and should not let the bleach spread over a healthy skin around the nail.
We recommend you to use it only once daily uncles you have a very severe fungus on your nails.
Also, we recommend you that before going directly for this bleach for your nail fungus, try to use bleach solution and if that doesnât show much results or if you are totally fine with that then you can go for it, but yes, one can go for it to treat oneâs toenail fungus.
Pros
- May cause irritation on thin sensitive skin.
Consumersâ reviews
The following reviews and answers can help you better understand the use of this bleach pen for toenail fungus.
John said that it has worked very effectively on his toenail fungus.
Another user said that he was having the toenail fungus for 10 years and then he used this Clorox bleach pen for nail fungus treatment and it worked perfectly for him
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Can Bleach Cure Toenail Fungus We Found The Answer
So can bleach cure toenail fungus effectively? Toenail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis is a common fungal infestation that affects a toes nail bed. The condition occurs when fungi affects the skin on the toes and around the nail bed leading to small white spots under the nail that eventually spread to the entire nail. The infestation causes discoloured toenails and often makes the nails weak.
Toenail fungus is a fairly mild and non-serious condition. However, it is aesthetically unappealing and can make it impossible and unsightly to wear your favourite sandals and open- toes shoes.
Studies show that around 5- 10% of adults will experience the condition at some point in their lives. However, the good news is that toenail fungus can be easily treated using normal bathroom and kitchen products. One popular and effective treatment for toenail fungus is bleach.
Contents
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What To Expect From A Toenail Fungus Soak
While some toenail fungus infections are easier to treat than others, we should be clear that you shouldnt solely rely on a toenail fungus soak to kill fungus permanently.
I havent seen any compelling evidence that soaks will help in the treatment of fungal infection of the nails, says dermatologist Rajani Katta, MD, who serves as volunteer clinical faculty at Baylor College of Medicine and McGovern Medical School at UT Health in Houston.
However, a soak may help ease symptoms such as itching and burning and help stave off bacteria. It could take weeks or several months of consistent soaks to see improvementor they might not work at all.
Be mindful that although your toes look and feel better, the fungus could still be alive and lingering and can spread to other toes and areas of the foot.
One caveat: if you have diabetes and notice changes in your toenails or feetthink redness, swelling, a color change, or a black vertical streak on your toenaildont try a foot soak. In fact, people with diabetes should check in with a doctor if they notice any foot-related changes at all.
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How Do I Know If My Toenail Fungus Is Dying
Its sometimes hard to tell if youve got toenail fungus or just a bruised toe. Its even harder to tell if the fungus is going away!
Unlike a regular fungal infection on your skin that clears up when treated, and your skin goes back to normal, the part of the toenail that is infected with fungus will never return to normal.
You have to wait until that part of the nail grows out and is replaced by the new healthy nail.
You will know that the treatment is working and the infection is clearing up when you see a new, healthy nail starting to grow from the nailbed without any white or cloudy discoloration underneath. It might take a while before you start to see new regrowth of the healthy nail because on average, a toenail only grows about 1.6mm per month.
As your nail grows out, keep trimming off the part of the nail that was infected until all you are left with is a healthy nail.
The key to successfully treating toenail fungus is being persistent and making sure you are using whatever treatment you decide on, as often as is recommended and until the healthy nail is fully regrown.
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First What Causes Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is caused by a fungal infection that gets beneath the surface of your nail. Its typically caused by exposure to an infected environment, but it can also be a result of athletes foot, excessive perspiration, or improper cleaning of the foot. It can last for many months if left untreated, and its often accompanied by a bacterial and/or yeast infection around the nail bed. Toenail fungus can spread to other toenails as well as fingernails or the skin.
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Prevention Of Toenail Fungus
One of the best ways to prevent this infection is through regular washing of your feet. You should also be sure you are cleaning around your nails properly and that your shoes are not too tight or too loose. If you feel like you may have a fungal infection, visit your doctor as soon as possible to avoid infecting other parts of your body and worsening the problem.
So Does Bleach Really Work?
Yes, bleach is very effective in getting rid of toenail fungus. It does have harsh side effects so its all about trying what works best for your skin! I hope this article helps you on the road to healthy toes!
How Much Bleach Is Needed In Bleach Water To Kill All Fungi
There is no certain amount of bleach that can kill fungi. However, science explains how bleach can dry and clean the skin and nail so the fungi dont multiply.
You need only a little amount of bleach to do so. Adding a drop or spoon more to your solution may only make things worse.
Also, it is advisable not to soak your feet in bleach water if you have sores, blisters or swelling.
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How To Prevent Infections Or Reinfections
Fungus grows in warm, moist, dark environments, so the tight, dark, sweaty confines of your shoe present a perfect setting for fungus to flourish. In order to fight infection, you must work to keep your feet dry and away from any spores.
Here are some tips to avoid getting infected or having the infection get worse.
Athletes Foot And Toenail Fungus Live In Your Shoes
Another common fungus fond of the same environment is athletes foot, or tinea pedis. Unlike onychomycosis, this fungal infection thrives also in a dry environment, so is common in summer months among sandal and flip-flop wearers. Athletes foot manifests in intense itching cracked, blistered or peeling skin and redness and scaling in dry, flaky areas. If you dont wear socks, dead skin cells may rub off your feet onto your shoes, creating a surprisingly efficient breeding ground for fungi.
Tinea pedis and onychomycosis fungi will remain active on dead skin cells and wait inside your shoes until the next time you slip them on. A dry environment may be less friendly to fungi than a moist environment, but wherever fungi cells are allowed to thrive, the scene is set for infection by toenail fungus spores and athletes foot.
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Option : Soak Your Toes In Bleach With Vinegar And Hydrogen Peroxide
For this method, you will need.
1 cup of water ¼ cup vinegar 2 teaspoons hydrogen peroxide ½ teaspoon of bleach
It is recommended that you only use ¼ cup of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. Anything more will damage your skin! Also, if there is too much vinegar and/or hydrogen peroxide the solution may become too foamy and the reaction time will be slowed down.
Preparing the Solution:
Start by mixing ¾ of a cup of water, 1 teaspoon of bleach, and 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. To this solution add ¼ cup vinegar and mix very well until all of the ingredients have been combined. Now you can use this solution to soak your toes in.
It is suggested that you soak your feet for 10-15 minutes longer soaking times will increase the harshness of the bleach on your skin and may give you blisters. If this happens, take a break from using the solution for several days to heal any damage done to your skin before continuing with treatment.
How Do You Make A Vinegar Foot Soak
If you would like to try out a vinegar foot bath at home, you can follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Get a bottle of vinegar. The type of vinegar you use doesnt necessarily matter most people either take a white vinegar foot soak or an apple cider vinegar foot soak. The important thing is the pH of the vinegar, which should typically be 2-3. So, its not a question of what is better for toenail fungus , its a question of whether youve selected vinegar with a pH of 2-3.
Step 2: Fill a sink or bowl with 1 part vinegar and 2 parts warm water .
Top tip: if youre finding the smell of vinegar too strong or unpleasant, you can add a few drops of essential oils to the mixture, such as lavender oil.
Step 3: Soak foot for 15-30 minutes daily in the mixture. Do not soak for longer than 30 minutes.
Step 4: Make sure that you dry your foot/feet thoroughly after your soak. The fungus grows best in a moist environment, so leaving feet damp encourages fungal growth especially if you are putting on socks or shoes next.
Step 5: Repeat this process daily until you can see that your infection has disappeared.
If you have particularly sensitive skin, you may find that vinegar causes some skin irritation. If this is the case, you can try decreasing the time you spend soaking your feet to 10-15 minutes or diluting the mixture with more water. You could also try reducing the amount of foot soaks you try to a few times a week instead.
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Can I Use A Bleach Pen For Toenail Fungus
Bleach pens are convenient for removing stains from fabric quickly. The good news is that you can use them for toenail fungus just as conveniently. Not only will it help to get rid of discoloration, but it will kill the fungus thats underneath the nail.
There have been many success stories that suggest using a bleach pen can clear up toenail fungus faster. Of course, you can choose to use one or the other. But, combining the two may yield faster results in your healing process.
A bleach pen is easy to use. You remove the cap and apply it directly to the nail and surrounding skin. Bleach pens are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. You may already even have one in your home and can try it right away.
So, why dont you have to dilute a bleach pen for toenail fungus? Most bleach pens contain a lower concentration of sodium hypochlorite . They also include several ingredients not typically found in liquid bleach.
This is because the pen releases a thicker, gel-like substance. These extra ingredients help to lower the concentration of the potent chemicals, so its safer to use directly on your nails and skin.
If you experience any irritation, stop using bleach to treat toenail fungus immediately.
Treatment Tips and Advice
If you want to get the best results when using a bleach foot soak or bleach paste, you need to prepare your toenails ahead of time. Use these tips to make the treatment more effective.
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.
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