How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus with Natural Remedies

What causes toenail fungus?

Toenail fungus can be caused by wearing socks and shoes for long time periods, sharing footwear with an infected person, walking barefoot in public pools or showers, not drying the feet thoroughly after bathing and a weak immune system are some of the leading factors that can contribute to or aggravate toenail fungus.

Here are a few natural remedies that can help. You should find most of the ingredients listed in your kitchen pantry.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the best home remedies for toenail fungus due to the presence of antimicrobial properties.

It helps kill the fungus causing the infection, and its mild acidic nature will also prevent the infection from spreading.

• Mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and lukewarm water. Soak the infected toenail in this solution for half an hour. When done, pat dry your toenail thoroughly. You can even use a hair dryer to remove all the moisture in and around the toes. Do this once daily for a few weeks.
• Alternatively, you can make an exfoliating scrub with one tablespoon of coarsely ground rice flour and two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. Mix the ingredients well to make a thick paste. Apply the paste on the infected toenail and gently scrub with a toothbrush for five minutes to get rid of dead skin cells. Then rinse your feet well and pat dry with a soft towel. Follow this remedy every other day for one or two months.

2. Baking Soda

The alkaline nature of baking soda makes this ingredient a good home remedy for toenail fungus. Baking soda will not kill the fungus, but it can effectively prevent fungus from growing and spreading. Plus, it helps by alkalizing pH level of the skin.

• Mix two parts baking soda and one part warm water to make a paste. Apply the paste on the infected toenail using a cotton ball. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and then rinse it off. Repeat twice a day for about a month.
• Combine four tablespoons of baking soda, one cup of white vinegar and two to three cups of lukewarm water. Soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes, and then pat dry with paper towels. Do this twice a day for at least one month.

You can also sprinkle a little baking soda in your shoes and let it sit overnight. Dump the powder out in the morning before wearing your shoes. It will prevent the fungi from attacking your toenails and also absorb the smelly odors.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has antifungal as well as antiseptic properties that help kill the fungus infecting your toenail.

• Clean the infected nail with rubbing alcohol. Then apply a few drops of tea tree oil on it. Do this at least once a day for about a month.
• Alternatively, put four or five drops of tea tree oil in a small tub filled with lukewarm water. Soak your feet in the solution for 15 minutes, and then pat dry thoroughly. Do this twice daily for a month.
• Break a vitamin E capsule and mix the contents with a little tea tree oil. Rub the mixture on the infected toenail. Leave it on for half an hour. Then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Do this twice a day for a month.

4. Oregano Oil

Oregano oil has antiseptic as well as antifungal properties that help treat toenail fungus.

1. Mix four to five drops of oregano oil in two teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil.
2. Use a cotton ball to apply the solution on the infected toenail.
3. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
4. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub away the uppermost layer of the nail. Then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
5. Follow this remedy at least once daily for three weeks.

5. Garlic

Garlic contains the antifungal compound known as ajoene, which is very effective against toenail fungus.

• Finely crush seven to eight garlic cloves and add them to a foot bath filled with lukewarm water. Soak the infected area in the solution for half an hour. Pat dry and then apply some petroleum jelly on the infected toenail. Do this once daily until you get rid of the fungus completely.

• Alternatively, mix two to three freshly crushed garlic cloves with olive oil. Rub the mixture on the affected area with a cotton ball. To keep the mixture in place, wrap the infected toenail with a gauze bandage. Keep it on for several hours and then rinse with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy once or twice daily for several weeks.

• Also, try to eat one or two cloves of fresh garlic daily. This will make it difficult for the fungus to survive and spread.

For more amazing toenail fungus remedies please visit top10homeremedies.com

Source:top10homeremedies.com