Fungal nails are not often a cause for concern, but in some cases they can become a serious problem. Fungal nail infections range from mild to severe and can cause problems with normal nail growth. Anyone who has ever had a fungal infection of the toe or finger will know how seriously annoying this type of disease is. Fortunately there are some effective ways to treat nail fungus.
Toenail fungus is a common infection that affects the toenail. The infection can be devastating, especially if it occurs on the big toe. The condition is also known as onychomycosis. We will give you a brief overview about toenail fungus in this article. We will also talk about natural remedy for toenail fungus.
Types of Toenail Fungus
White superficial onychomycosis (WSO). This type of infection affects the top layer of the skin (the eponychium) around your nails. It can be caused by a number of different types of fungus and doesn’t usually cause any serious problems apart from some discoloration and discomfort at first.
Nail psoriasis (also known as pachyonychia congenita). This condition causes thickening, pitting and scaling of your nails, which eventually become brittle. There’s no cure for psoriasis but certain treatments can help control symptoms.
Fungal infections under the nail (subungual). These infections usually cause pain and swelling under your nails, although they rarely affect other areas of your body too.
Causes of Toenail Fungus
Fungus thrives in warm, dark and damp environments. It can grow in the form of a white or yellow film on the tip or sides of your nails, leaving them brittle and discolored. Some people may have no symptoms at all while others may experience pain, itching and a foul odor as well as nail thickening, separation from the nail bed and crumbling edges that make it difficult to paint your nails or wear open-toe shoes.
Toenail fungus is caused by microscopic molds called dermatophytes that live on dead skin cells found on your feet (and sometimes hands). These molds are present naturally in nature but can also be transferred from person to person through contact with infected surfaces such as floors, showers and bathtubs, shared clothing items like socks and shoes or by coming into contact with someone who has an active case of fungal infection (such as athlete’s foot).
Natural remedies can be an effective way to treat toenail fungus. There are several natural remedies that can help you get rid of this fungus.
Natural Remedy For Toenail Fungus
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful antimicrobial agent, which means it is able to kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. Its antimicrobial properties make it an ideal treatment for toenail fungus. To use tea tree oil for toenail fungus, you can apply some drops directly on your nails or mix it with water and soak your feet in the mixture for 15 minutes. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular foot cream and massage your feet with it daily until you get relief from the infection.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel contains several nutrients like vitamins A and C, thiamine and riboflavin that are beneficial for treating toenail fungus infection. Aloe vera gel works by increasing blood flow to the infected area and also acts as an antiseptic agent by killing bacteria and viruses present in the area. To apply aloe vera gel on your toes, simply soak a cotton ball in the gel and cover your infected nails with it before going to bed at night. Repeat this process every night until you get relief.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice has strong antifungal properties, so it’s effective against various types of fungus including athlete’s foot and nail fungus. To use lemon juice as a home remedy for toenail fungus, mix one part lemon juice with two parts water and then dip your feet into this solution for 15 minutes every day until you see results from this treatment (usually within 2 weeks).
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy that has been used for hundreds of years to treat various ailments. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids, enzymes and acetic acid, which is what gives it the distinct sour taste.
The acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar is believed to be very effective at treating nail fungus because it reduces inflammation in the body. Apple cider vinegar also contains pectin, which helps to keep your digestive system healthy by absorbing toxins from your intestine walls.
Apple cider vinegar can be applied directly to the affected area several times per day for about two weeks. You can also soak your feet in warm water mixed with apple vinegar before bed each night for two weeks.
How to prevent toenail fungus
When it comes to toenail fungus, there are many natural remedies that you can use to treat the problem.
The best way to treat a fungal infection is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Some of these methods include:
Wearing closed-toe shoes and socks when you are participating in sports activities or working out at the gym.
Washing your feet with antibacterial soap after being outside in damp conditions or walking barefoot on surfaces that may have been contaminated by fungi.
Applying a moisturizer on your feet after showering or bathing to help prevent dry skin from forming on your feet as well as keeping them soft and supple so they do not crack open and allow bacteria entry into your body through open wounds on your skin surface.
If you decide to use a natural remedy for toenail fungus, then you will need to be consistent. Only, then it will be possible to get the results. Make sure that you make the right decision to treat the fungus.
