Of course, Most people prefer to use home remedies for yellow toenails than oral antifungal treatments. However, these treatments are effective but may cause severe side effects.
What are yellow toenails?
Yellow toenails or onychomycosis is a fungal infection, it's not common but can affect your fingernails as well because this infection can spread easily and develop quickly.
Toenails are an ideal environment for the growth of fungal infections because they are moist and warm. Hence, it's very important to keep this place dry after washing it, in addition to using home remedies for yellow toenails to stop the growth of fungus and keep it grow healthy.
The most common sign of yellow toenails is a white, brown, or yellow discoloration of one or more of the toenails. On the other hand, Healthy toenails are smooth, translucent, or pink, without any pits, and made up of keratin.
This fungal infection can also cause your toenails to be thick or become distorted. The fungus can cause unpleasant odors.
who are more susceptible to yellow toenails infection
Home remedies for yellow toenails are the first choices for those who are more susceptible to this infection.
People who are:
- Already have athlete's foot.
- Smokers.
- Are exposed to wet areas often.
- Have a weak immune system.
- Have diabetes type 1 / 2, circulatory problems, or psoriasis (a skin condition).
- Repeated injury or trauma can also make people more susceptible to getting a fungal infection that leads to yellow toenails.
This always happens to athletes that exercise frequently. However, it can also happen when people wear unfit shoes.
Precautions during home remedies for yellow toenails
It's very important to practice habits to prevent toenails infection and reinfection.
The following protective measures can help you to prevent yellow toenails infection:
1- Wear cotton socks to absorb sweat and prevent the growth of fungi.
2- Wear shoes in pool areas and locker rooms.
3- Treatment of shoes with antifungal powder or disinfectant as old shoes are an ideal environment for fungus growth.
4- Wash and dry your hands and feet regularly.
5- Clip your toenails and smooth the edges with a file to make topical treatments (like creams or gels) reach deeper layers of the nail easily.
Home remedies for yellow toenails
Baking soda
Baking soda has a strong antifungal effect. So, it's the first and most favorable of all home remedies for yellow toenails.
To kill fungus, you can soak the thick yellow toenails in baking soda and water.
Tea tree oil or melaleuca
Applying 100% tea tree oil to thick yellow toenails directly twice daily can help relieve symptoms.
Some clinical studies proved that tea tree oil might be effective against toenail fungus due to its antiseptic effects.
Olive leaf extract
"Oleuropein" is the active substance in olive leaf extract, and is thought to have antifungal, antibacterial, and immune-stimulating effects.
You can apply it in its liquid form directly on infected toenails multiple times a day or ingest it in capsule form, also you can take one to three olive leaf capsules with meals twice daily.
Ingestion of olive leaf capsules is more effective than direct application to olive leaf solution in treating toenail fungus. It’s better that you drink plenty of water during this treatment.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a strong antifungal agent.
If you use a small amount of melted coconut oil, it can help heal thick yellow toenails.
Oregano oil
Oregano oil contains thymol which has antifungal and antibacterial properties, you can apply oregano oil to the affected toenail twice daily with a cotton swab.
Some people use oregano oil and tea tree oil together to treat toenail fungus, but both products are potent and may cause allergic reactions.
Vinegar
Some expected that vinegar might be supported in the treatment of toenail fungus. So, it’s considered one of the safe home remedies for yellow toenails which I advise you to try.
You can use one part vinegar to two parts warm water and immerse the affected foot for up to 20 minutes daily.
Listerine mouthwash
Listerine mouthwash contains menthol, thymol, and eucalyptus, which are characterized by antibacterial and antifungal effects.
This may be why it’s a popular one of the best home remedies for yellow toenails infection.
You can immerse the affected foot in a basin of amber-colored Listerine for 30 minutes daily.
Garlic
It's known that garlic has some antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
So, you can use garlic as one of the most effective home remedies for yellow toenails by placing chopped or crushed garlic cloves on the affected nails for 30 minutes daily.
But, using garlic capsules may be better and less smelly.
OTC antifungals creams
You can buy over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal nail creams and ointments. Be sure to trim and clean your nails before use to make sure the creams reach deeper layers.
Home remedies for yellow toenails are characterized by:
- Simple and available
- Cheap and easily applied
- Not cause side effects
A healthy diet and home remedies for yellow toenails infection
The relation is strong: the healthier the food you eat, the faster you can recover from fungal infections such as thick yellow toenails.
For a healthier diet, you need to obtain:
- Probiotic-rich yogurt.
- Enough protein of high quality to support nail regrowth.
- Enough iron to prevent brittle nails.
- Essential fatty acids.
- Calcium and vitamin D, such as dairy products.
Finally, a healthy diet is very important as it increases your immunity and therefore accelerates the efficacy of home remedies for yellow toenails.
When to see a doctor
If your condition does not respond well to OTC treatment or home remedies for yellow toenails, you should see your doctor, may prescribe a medicated nail cream, or use laser therapy as a cosmetic problem, especially in severe cases.
If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, toenail fungus may lead to foot ulcers or other foot problems. So, you must see your doctor, and don't waste your time on home remedies for yellow toenails.
Summary
Home remedies for yellow toenails are effective in many cases and can show remarkable results if you use them in the right way.
But if they don't, pay a visit to a doctor immediately!
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