Home Remedies for Toe Fungus
Toe fungus is one of the most difficult conditions to treat with a home remedy. The fungus thrives in damp environments and lives on the keratin in finger and toe nails. It takes up residence beneath the nail, turning it yellow or brown and disfiguring it, resulting in a ridged, bumpy nail that can eventually turn brittle and fall off. Because the fungus is underneath the nail bed, it’s notoriously hard to treat, and even when it is cured, it can take months for a healthy nail to grow out.
Preventative Home Remedy for Toe Fungus
In order to prevent toe fungus, be sure to always take good care of your toes. This means keeping them very clean and making sure you dry them thoroughly every time you clean them. Fungus loves damp toes! If you have a toe fungus already, drying the area out with a hairdryer on a low setting can help prevent the fungus’ spread.
Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight or restrictive, and wear clean, dry socks every day, particularly with athletic shoes.
Simple Home Remedies for Toe Fungus
The key to successful use of any home remedy for toe fungus is being consistent and keeping with it for as long as needed. This may take months, so be don’t quite when the fungus starts to fade away. It needs to be completely eradicated or it will simply come back.
Undiluted tea tree oil combined with olive oil in equal proportions is a good antifungal that also has antiseptic properties. Rub into the toe nail and around the nail bed, then use a cotton swab to make sure you get some under the nail. Within a few weeks the discoloration should begin to fade.
Some people swear by the application of Vicks Vapo Rub or generic mentholated rubs that are used for colds and congestion. Lightly sand the affected nails to rough them up, then slather with the mentholated rub. Cover with cotton socks and leave on over night so that the rub has time to penetrate the nail beds.
If you don’t want to go to bed with sticky feet, a good home remedy soak can work just as well in treating toe fungus. One of the easiest is to soak all of the affected toes in Listerine mouthwash. This is a powerful antibacterial, antifungal solution and will also keep your feet fresh smelling despite the fungal infection.
Apple cider vinegar, mixed in a 50/50 solution with cool water, is also very good. The high acidity of the vinegar isn’t hospitable to fungus, so a nice evening soak every day for a few weeks will have you well on the way to recovery. Mix enough of the solution so that you can completely submerge the toes; this will ensure that the mixture gets underneath the nails, where it is most needed.
Another effective home remedy of for toe fungus is made by combining oregano essential oil (not fresh or dried oregano) with olive oil. The proportions should be two drops of oregano oil to one teaspoon of olive oil. Add this antifungal to your toe fungus twice a day for as long as needed.
An interesting home remedy for toe fungus that originated in China is made with just two ingredients. Mix Pin-Sol or a similar pine cleaner with soy sauce in equal portions, then carefully apply a few drops of this solution to the toe fungus after every shower or bath.
Once you’re cured your toe fungus, be sure you always wash and dry your feet thoroughly and avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms or public showers. Flip-flops are a good way to reduce your exposure to toe fungus, which lingers in locker rooms and damp showers.