Home Remedies for Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is a form of fungal infection that affects the nail or the skin that lies beneath it which is also known as nail bed. The fungus can attack the fingernails as well as the toenails. Medically, this condition is known as Onychomycosis. It goes into the nail either through the gap between the nail and nail bed or through any cuts on the skin surface around the nail. The fungi thrives well in warm and humid condition. It often affect people who wear shoes for long hours. The dampness of the shoes and the socks promote the growth of fungus. As this fungus is highly contagious in nature, it can spread due to sharing of swimming pools or showers with infected people.

Symptoms

The first identifiable symptoms of a fungal attack on the nails is itching sensation and redness in and around the infected nail. You may also notice a white or yellow spot on the tip of the nail. Initially, nail fungus symptoms are not painful but as the infection spreads deeper into the nail, one can experience mild to moderate pain. With passage of time, the nail loses its natural shine and becomes discolored and thick. Later on, it turns into yellowish brown or black in color. The infected nail tend to become brittle and start crumbling at the edges. In a serious form of infection, the nail may get detached from its nail bed and cause bleeding and emit foul smell.

Home Remedies for Nail Fungus

Many people try out over the counter treatment with the help of antifungal creams, lotions or medicated nail lacquer which has to be continued for several weeks. Such a prolonged use of medication often causes outbreak of skin rashes. For this reason, natural remedies is considered as the best treatment options. Here are a few of them:

Vinegar: Many people consider it to be the best natural nail fungus treatment. Both apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can be used for this. Vinegar has an amazing effect on the fungus mainly because of the presence of acetic acid in it which prohibit its growth. Add one part of vinegar into two parts of warm water and soak the infected nail in this mixture for 20 minutes. Then wash off with plain water and dry it up thoroughly. It should be repeated two times in a day.

Garlic: Garlic can be used internally as well as externally for treating nail fungus. For topical application, crush a few cloves of garlic to extract the juice and apply it on the affected nail. Allow the juice to dry up on the nail surface. Repeat it two times in a day. Along with it, chew one cloves of garlic twice a day.

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is one of the most popular home remedies for nail fungus. Basically, it is owing to its inherent antifungal properties. Make sure you clean up the affected nail properly prior to application of tea tree oil. Dip a cotton ball in pure tea tree oil and rub it over the infected nail thoroughly so that the oil diffuses well into the nail. in fact, it diffuses well into the inaccessible part of the nail much easily than any other oils. It should be applied once in the morning and once at night before going to bed.

Olive Oil: Olive oil is another natural oil used effectively for nail fungus cure. Take some olive oil and a few drops of oregano essential oil to it. Then apply this mixture on the nail to get relief from its symptoms.

Turmeric: Prepare a thick paste by mixing up turmeric powder and water. Apply it generously on the infected nail. Wait till the paste dries up completely. Then wash off with water and make it dry.

Lime Juice: Concentrated form of lime juice shows great results when applied on toenail fungus. Here too the acidic properties of the juice plays major role in getting rid of the fungus. Soak a cotton ball into the juice and rub it on the nail.

Once you are cured, take some suitable precautions so that it does not recur. Always keep the nail neat and clean. Trim the nails carefully in order to avoid any kind of injury to the skin portion of the nail. You should avoid sharing of nail filing tools, nail polish, towels, socks with other people. Those women who have the tendency to develop nail fungus infection must avoid use of nail polish and artificial nails.