12 Best Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus

My toenail is turning yellow and flaking out, what is happening? After pedicure many people find themselves exposed to fungal infection in their feet. Toenail fungus is also called as “Onychomycosis”. They are painless and shrinks your toe nail as fungus is eating them away. Fortunately there are natural treatments you can try get rid of fungus infection from your big toe.

The infection looks like crumbled nails that is yellow in color and often shed it self. Thickening of nails in your toe is another common symptoms which affects more than 30% of the patients.
Conventional treatments are often effective and generally doctors will prescribe you antifungal pills. People also use ointments to treat toenail fungus.

Fluconazole is a conventional medicine for toenail fungus which is typically used to treat specific types of the fungus “Candida”. Women suffering from yeast infection also uses this oral pill to counter the growth of fungi in private parts.
Always look for the ways to get rid of toenail fungus at home or with antifungal creams. Otherwise, untreated condition can cause you surgical removal of the nail.

Here are Top 12 Best Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Due to anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, apple cider vinegar can be used for the treatment of toenail fungus. Home remedies often don’t cause you side-effects. However, Apple cider vinegar is acidic, hence people with sensitive skin should take precautions while using it.
Foot soaks can be helpful in eliminating the growth of fungi. Apple cider vinegar will also help with inflammation and pain caused due to the infection.
ACV is highly effective on Candida which is responsible for giving your itching in your private parts. It kill fungus and bacteria by making the skin environment more acidic. These type of micro-organism can not survive in high pH levels. It is also used for urinary tract infection at-home treatment.
How to use apple cider vinegar to cure toenail fungus:

• Fill half of a foot tub with lukewarm water.
• Add 1 cup of organic apple cider vinegar.
• Soak your infected foot in this tub.
• Keep it inside for 20 minutes then rinse with clean water.
• Use this remedy regularly to kill the fungus.

2. Vicks VapoRub for Toenail Fungus

Can I use Vicks for treating toenail fungus? The petroleum gel is made with natural disinfectant ingredient that can kill fungal infection. Vicks is an effective home cure for toenail fungus that can alleviate pain and discomforts fast.
A research published by Journal of American Board of Family Medicine found positive clinical trial results. The study focused on the effects of Vicks VapoRub by using it as ointment for infection.
How to use:

• With the help of a cotton swab apply Vicks VaporRub on fungus infection.
• Apply a duct tap over the cotton swab.
• Keep this bandage for 1 hour.
• Then remove and rinse with lukewarm water.
• Use this natural treatment twice a day for best result.

3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus oil is one the most effective home remedies for toenail fungus. It help reduce inflammation of big toe and kill fungi. People are using it as topical ointment to sanitize the affected area and prevent them from getting infected again.
The 2015 study by Journal of Foot and Ankle Research has shown that, antifungal activity of eucalyptus oil is an effective treatment for onychomycosis without nail matrix infection.
The study was performed on 70 volunteer among which only 3% were white superficial onychomycosis. After using eucalyptus for several weeks, 86% of the patients were able to clear the infection.
How to use:

• Soak a cotton ball in eucalyptus oil.
• Place it over affected area and apply a bandage over the cotton.
• Keep it on for 30 minutes then use antifungal rinse to clean the infection.
• Make sure to use only organic and pure essential oil.
• Use this remedy as treatment for yeast infection in toenails

4. Bleach with Baking Soda

Thanks to the bleaching properties of baking soda, it can cure toenail fungus at home by killing the fungi groups. Baking soda is one of the natural alkalizing agent that can erode the top layer of microbes. As a result these microbial insects are not able to survive and die quickly.
Baking soda is a fast ingrown toenail fungus home treatment. Because it can reach under the nails and kill the infection.

Topical use of this natural cure can prevent you from losing the big toe nail. It might not be able to help you grow them back quickly. However, with time your nails will grow if not damaged beyond repair.
How to use:

• Take one tablespoon of baking soda.
• Mix liberal amount of water to make a paste.
• Apply this cream on toe fungus and leave them for 20 minutes.
• Then rinse with water and pat dry.
• Alternatively, you can bleach the area directly with baking soda powder.
• However, it might burn or irritate your skin if there is any bleeding from toe.

5. Cornmeal

Corn-meal is another popular home remedy for toe fungus that kills fungus under the skin of nails. Cornmeal is effective in removing the microbes from their internal linking.
If you are looking for black toenail fungus home remedies then try cornmeal. It will reduce the blackness of your toe and prevent them from turning purple.
Cornmeal is helpful in thinning your blood. It help treat thickening of nails in your toes. Many people who are linked to ancient Chinese medicine swear that it works. However, there is no scientific research backing this claim. In traditional medicines, cornmeal has been in use from long time.
How to use:

• Take on small tub and fill it with warm water.
• Mix 1/4 cup of cornmeal and stir well to dissolve it completely.
• Soak your infected foot and keep it inside for 20 minutes.
• This will help you relive pain and itching.

6. Snakeroot Extract

Snakeroot extract is among best home remedies for ingrown toenail fungus infection. This plant belongs to the family of sunflower. The extract is made out from the flower and roots of the plant. Some brands and companies also use the stem of the plant to get the extracts.
Planta Medica published a study in 2008 which found that snakeroot extract can reduce inflammation of toenail due to fungal infection. Topical use of snakeroot extract is helpful in treatment of onychomycosis.
One can identify onychomycosis by changes on the color, texture and thickness of the nail. If it is thick and yellow in color then you are suffering from onychomycosis. After using this remedy, you might feel the ease of pain. It help you get rid of swollen toe.
How to use:

• First of all clean the affected area with lukewarm water.
• Then apply the extract directly on your infection.
• Cover it with a cotton swab and seal it with a bandage.
• Keep the bandage for 1 hour.
• Use this remedy once or twice a day.

7. Garlic

Garlic is one of my favorite anti-fugal agent that can treat toe fungus effectively. Allicin is the main ingredient of garlic that depicts antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
You can prepare a paste of garlic which can be used as topical ointment in the form of cream for toenail fungus. It will be easy to use and store. In addition to garlic, people also add vinegar in the paste to increase the overall effectiveness of the remedy. (Checkout various remedies for cold sores including garlic).
How to use:

• Throw handful of garlic cloves in mortar.
• Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
• With the help of pestle make a thick paste.
• Use this homemade antifungal cream on affected area.
• Keep it for around 20-30 minutes to get best result.
• Using this cream for several days can help you with the condition.

8. Oregano Oil

Everyone in natural living community knows the health benefits of oregano oil. If you are new to the world of traditional medicine then you should have this oil in your shelf.
Oregano is potent antimicrobial and antifungal that kill fungi infection in your toe. It contains thymol which give it the healing abilities. A 2016 review published in Science Direct confirms it efficacy why this remedy works amazingly.
Note that it is very reactive oil and may cause allergic reaction. Hence avoid using it if you have sensitive skin or allergies from oregano.
How to use:

• Apply it directly to affected area to treat toe fungus fast.
• Alternatively, to reduce the risk of allergic reaction, pour five tablespoon of oregano oil in a small bowl.
• Fill it with lukewarm water.
• Soak your feet inside the water for 10 minutes.
• Use this remedy to reduce inflammation and itching (if any).

9. Listerine

Do you use Listerine to kill germs that causes bad breath? if yes, then you potential had one of the popular home remedy for toenail fungus.
Listerine is made up of thymol, menthol, and eucalyptus which have anti-fungal properties. They are also effective in killing bacteria and harmful germs.
User amber-colored Listerine to get the best result from this remedy.
How to use:

• Take one bowl which should be long enough to soak your foot.
• Fill the bowl with amber color Listerine.
• Soak your affected foot in this solution for 20 minutes.
• Use this home cure regularly to get rid of toe fungus fast.

10. Hydrogen Peroxide

It is not natural but reasonably safe home remedy to try. Hydrogen peroxide is another popular home treatment for toenail fungus. Topical uses of peroxide will sanitize the affected skin from fungi and other bacteria.
You might feel sensation of burning when used, but the feeling reside eventually. Many people use hydrogen peroxide on open wounds as disinfectant. It clean the wound and protect them from bacteria.
How to use:

• First of all wash the infection with warm water.
• Then pour few drops of peroxide and cover with cotton swab.
• Keep it on for 10 minutes then remove the peroxide with water.
• Use this remedy for several days to heal infection under your nails.

11. Tea Tree Oil

The oil extracted from the tea tree is widely used for treating skin conditions. However, one can use tea tree oil as natural treatment for toenail fungus. Tea tree oil is powerful antifungal agent which can kill them and prevent them from forming colonies under your skin.
Some times if you can identify the infection at initial stage then applying it topically on small portion of nail can prevent the condition.
Note: Tea tree oil is very powerful and may cause you allergic reaction. Hence to reduce the risk, you can dilute it with other carrier oil such as coconut oil.
How to use tea tree oil for toe fungus:

• Rinse the area with lukewarm water before using this remedy.
• Soak a cotton a ball in tea tree and dab it on affected area.
• Keep the cotton ball on the infection for 5 minutes.
• Use this remedy judicially several times.
• Alternatively, you can dilute it in one bowl of water.
• Use this solution as foot soak twice a day.

12. White Vinegar

Like apple cider vinegar, white vinegar is also antifungal that kills fungus. It is helpful in reducing the inflammation of skin caused due these microbes. You must use white vinegar to make foot soak. For quick relief one can also use it directly on affected area.
However, mixing it with ACV is also useful to increase the efficacy of this remedy. I like to use white vinegar in my regular foot soak.

• Mix half cup of white vinegar in one bowl of water.
• Soak your affected foot in this solution for half hour.
• Repeat the process twice a day to get best results.

So try these home remedies for treating toenail fungus naturally. Also increase the intake of naturally antifungal foods such as garlic, apple, coconut oil, ginger and onions. To reduce the recovery time stop eating tangy foods or foods that taste sour.

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