Home Remedies For Nail Fungus | The Best 10

Home remedies for nail fungus, first you should know that nail fungus is an infection that gets through cuts and cracks in nails.

It can change the color of nails and get them thicker. Different types of fungi and yeast affect different parts of the nail.

What is the cause of developing nail fungus?

Fungi survive in warm, moist environments. Fungi infect the toenails more commonly than hand nails as toenails are usually in shoes that are warm and moist environments.

You must get sure that tools in salons are sanitized because these tools can spread fungal infections from one person to another.

What are the types of fungal nail infections?

There are four main fungal infections.

•  Distal or lateral subungual onychomycosis. This is the most common type of nail fungus.This affects the bed of nails.

• White superficial onychomycosis. There are the least common types that affect nails surface.

• Proximal subungual onychomycosis appears as white spots.

• Candidal onychomycosis. Yeast causes this infection.

Symptoms of nail fungus:

Symptoms depend on the type of fungal infection to get home remedies for nail fungus. They start mild and get more serious.

• You may see the white or yellow spot under your nails then over time it spreads under the whole nail.

• Nails may be hard and thick.

• It starts to curl up or loose from the nail bed.

• Nails become brittle when you touch them.

• Your nails may have a bad smell.

Prevention of nail fungus

Preventing nail fungus needs hand and foot hygiene and home remedies for nail fungus.
Some suggestions like:

• Use antifungal sprays or powders.

• Wear gloves while using water.

• Avoid biting your nails.

• Keep nails clean, short, and dry.

• Make sure that your salons sterilize their tools.

• Avoid using artificial nails.

• Avoid sharing shoes and socks.

Risk factors of nail fungus:

• Reduced blood circulation.

• Nails grow slowly.

• Family history of fungal infection.

• Wearing socks and shoes that prevent aeration.

When should you visit a doctor?

 Sometimes using different home remedies for nail fungus is not enough, in severe cases, you need to see a doctor.

If self-care measures haven't worked and the nail starts to get thicker, more discolored, or malformed, you might wish to consult a doctor.

Additionally, go over the following with your healthcare provider:

• You believe you have nail fungus and diabetes.

•  Surrounding the nails in blood.

• Discomfort or swelling around the nails.

• Having trouble walking.

Or you can get home remedies for nail fungus.

How does a dermatologist diagnose nail fungus?

A dermatologist will inspect your nails and the surrounding skin to determine whether you have nail fungus.

Checking the skin is crucial since the fungus might spread.

You might already have a fungal skin infection like an athlete's foot.

You must treat all diseased places if you want to get rid of the infection.

Your dermatologist may also take some samples before making a diagnosis.

It can be quite beneficial to remove some skin, trim a small portion of your nail, or gather some debris from under a nail.

These samples can be analyzed under a microscope in a lab to determine the root of the issue.

Complications of nail fungus:

A severe case of nail fungus can be uncomfortable and potentially harm your nails permanently.

Additionally, if your immune system is compromised due to medication, diabetes, or another illness, it could lead to other serious infections that spread outside of your body.

Treatment of nail fungus

Your dermatologist will likely start the treatment by clipping the diseased nail(s) and removing each infected nail down to where it joins your finger or toe.

The material under the nail may potentially be scraped out by your dermatologist.

This aids in the removal of certain fungi. In addition, some patients prefer to use home remedies for nail fungus.

Most patients additionally require one or more of the following treatments to completely eradicate the infection:

Medicine applied to the nail: 

If you have a little infection, applying medication to your nails may help to clear it up.

This treatment aids in keeping existing fungus at bay while the nails are growing.

Usually, fingernails grow out in four to six months. Toenails typically take 12 to 18 months to grow.

Remembering to use this treatment as directed is probably the most challenging aspect of it.

Some therapies need to be used daily. You can apply for others once every week.

You must use these medications exactly as recommended to receive the best benefits.

The following medications that you apply to the nail to treat nail fungus have been authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

• Amorolfine

• Ciclopirox

• Efinaconazole

• Tavaborole 

The following systemic medications for treating nail fungus have received FDA approval:

• Fluconazole

• Griseofulvin

• Itraconazole

• Terbinafine 

Home remedies for nail fungus:

1. Vicks VapoRub

A topical ointment is Vicks VapoRub. Camphor and eucalyptus oil, which are the main ingredients, are intended to reduce coughs, but they may also be used to cure toenail fungus as home remedies for nail fungus.

According to a 2011 study, Vicks VapoRub is effective in treating toenail fungus.

At least once each day, Vicks VapoRub should be applied sparingly to the affected area.

2. Tea tree oil

Melaleuca, or tea tree oil, is an essential oil that has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Tea tree oil may be useful in home remedies for nail fungus, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (Reliable Source).

 Twice daily, apply tea tree oil with a cotton swab straight to the damaged nail.

3. Oregano oil

It’s considered one of the most powerful home remedies for nail fungus.

Thymol is found in oregano oil, a 2016 analysis found that thymol has antibacterial and antifungal properties, but how to use it?

Dab oregano oil onto the affected nail twice daily using a cotton swab. 

Sometimes, tea tree oil and oregano oil are mixed.

Both products are strong and could irritate people or make them allergic.

Combining them might make this danger worse.

4. Snakeroot extract

Snakeroot (Ageratina pichinchensis) extract, a plant from the sunflower family, has antifungal properties.

The treatment is just as effective as home remedies for nail fungus as the antifungal drug ciclopirox, according to a 2008 research.

How to use it as one of the home remedies for nail fungus? 

Every third day for the first month, twice per week for the second, and once per week for the third, snakeroot extract was applied to the affected area as part of the study.

5. Ozonized oil

It’s considered one of the most effective home remedies for nail fungus.

Ozonized oils are oils like olive oil and sunflower oil that are “injected” with ozone gas. According to a 2011 study, this type of ozone exposure in low concentrations for a short duration can then inactivate many organisms, such as fungi, yeast, and bacteria.

Another study found that ozonized sunflower oil was more effective in home remedies for nail fungus than the prescription topical antifungal ketoconazole (Xolegel). 

Work ozonized oil into the infected toenail twice daily to treat toenail fungus.

6. Olive leaf extract

Oleuropein, an ingredient in olive leaf extract, is hypothesized to have antifungal, antibacterial, and immune-stimulating properties.

Olive leaf salve can be taken orally or directly applied to the affected nails to be used as a home remedy for nail fungus. 

One to three olive leaf capsules taken with meals twice a day are superior to olive leaf salve in treating toenail fungus, according to a 2012 review.

Throughout this treatment, it is advised that you hydrate well.

7. Listerine mouthwash

Menthol, thymol, and eucalyptus, which have antibacterial and antifungal characteristics, are ingredients in Listerine mouthwash.

It may be a common home remedy for nail fungus.

8. Vinegar

The only evidence in favor of using vinegar as a toenail fungus treatment is anecdotal.

It's still a somewhat safe home remedy for nail fungus. For up to 20 minutes each day, soak the troublesome foot in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts warm water.

9. Garlic

Garlic contains some antifungal and antimicrobial properties, according to a 2009 research.

Garlic can be used as one of the home remedies for nail fungus by applying crushed or chopped cloves to the afflicted area for 30 minutes each day.

Treatment with garlic capsules from the inside out might be more effective and less offensive.

Take as the manufacturer has advised.

10. Adjust your diet

A 2009 study found that garlic had some antifungal and antimicrobial effects.

Applying crushed or chopped garlic cloves to the affected area for 30 minutes each day will help treat toenail fungus.

Garlic capsule therapy may be less offensive and more effective than external applications.

Follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage.

Summary 

We can avoid nail fungus by washing our hands and drying them well to get rid of growing fungus under the nail.

Home remedies for nail fungus are very easy to use to get our nails well from any infection we get.