Home Remedies that Work Wonders for Nail Fungus
Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is an unpleasant problem. It is caused by moisture, fungus, mold, and yeast. When moisture traps in warm and dark places, it allows the fungus to thrive. For example, a regular wearing of shoes causes fungus in the toenails.
The nail fungus infection starts as a yellow or white spot at the tip of the nail. Gradually, the spot progresses and thickens and causes the nail to crumble/brittle. The nail color may change either turn dark or dull. In the worst case, nail separates from the nail bed resulting in onycholysis.
Here are some of the best home remedies for nail fungus:
Tea tree/orange oil: Tea tree oil has antibacterial and fungicidal and disinfectant properties. When the orange oil is mixed with tea tree oil, it gives wonderful results to treat fungus.
Take one teaspoon of tea tree oil, half teaspoon of orange oil, and a half teaspoon of olive oil and mix them. After this, dip some cotton balls in the mixture and apply it on the nail affected by fungus. Allow the oil to dry.
You can even add 4–5 drops of tea tree oil in water and dip your feet in it. Try both of these home remedies for nail fungus twice a day for better results.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil works like a miracle and is one of the most effective home remedies for nail fungus. The fatty acids present in coconut oil absorb into the lipid layer of the fungal membrane and interfere with it. This causes the cells to disintegrate and destroy the nail fungus.
Wear gloves and rub coconut oil on the affected nail. Allow the nail to absorb the oil and dry. Follow this two times a day to cure the nail.
Baking soda and vinegar: Baking soda has fungi-static properties which prevent the growth of fungus, thereby comprising one of the most popular home remedies for nail fungus. The alkaline properties of baking soda neutralize the acidic fungus.
Take four tablespoons of baking soda and a cup of apple cider vinegar. Add water to them to make a mixture and soak the affected nails in it for 15 minutes. Pat it dry with a towel. Repeat it twice a day.
Snakeroot: Snakeroot has antifungal properties. Snakeroot has antifungal properties which make it one of the most effective home remedies for nail fungus. Apply the snakeroot extract on the infected nail for a couple of days.
Garlic: Compounds such as Allicin and ajoene present in garlic have great antifungal properties. Take garlic oil and add some amount of vinegar to the garlic oil. Put this oil mixture on the affected nail and put a bandage around the nail. Keep it for some hours. Try this home remedy for nail fungus daily until it is treated completely.
If you don’t have garlic oil, fry two garlic cloves in two teaspoons of olive oil and filter the oil.
Eat one garlic clove every day to prevent nail fungal infection.
Lemon juice: Extract fresh lemon juice and apply it on the nail fungus. Allow it to dry naturally for half hour. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
You can even mix equal parts of lemon juice and clove oil and apply the mixture on the infected area. Let it stay on the nail for 2–3 hours and rinse it off. Try any of the above-mentioned home remedies for nail fungus for about a month to get better results.
Lemon juice, with its antifungal and antiseptic properties, inhibit the spreading of toenail fungus. Olive oil hydrates the skin and softens it.
Lavender oil: Lavender oil has great antifungal properties. Put some drops of lavender oil on the infected nail at night.
Apply the oil for a couple of days until you see positive results. Allow it to stay overnight. You can even wear woolen socks to prevent the rubbing off of the oil. Follow the method for few weeks until you see positive results.
Oregano oil: The oil of oregano had rich antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties. These properties make it an effective treatment for nail fungus.
Take some drops of oregano oil and mix it a teaspoon of olive oil. Take cotton balls and dab it on the infected toenail. Allow it to dry naturally for half hour. Rinse off the feet with warm water and pat dry the toes with paper towels. Follow the process until the toenail fungus recedes or goes away permanently.
Probiotics: The shortage of micro-flora in the body causes fungal infections. It is advised to take probiotic supplements. Probiotic supplements inhibit the thriving of bacteria and prevent nail infections.
Olive leaf extract: The detoxifying properties of olive leaf cure fungal infections. You can take it as a diet supplement. The antibacterial nature of olive leaf prevents the occurrence of toenail infections.
The home remedies for nail fungus mentioned above work wonders to cure fungus. Remember that the problem won’t go away overnight. Try the natural remedies regularly to see better results and get rid of the discomfort.
