Home Treatments for Nail Fungus

Fungal infections can be found in any part of the body, but are most commonly seen in fingernails and toenails. These infections are most likely to develop in warm, humid weather, since they thrive in heat and humidity. They can also develop if fungi are already present in or on your body, or if you have come in contact with items that have been previously worn by someone who already has a fungal infection, like their shoes, pedicure or manicure set.

People who have a weakened immune system, suffer from diabetes, diseases that cause poor circulation, or are over 65 years old are more likely to suffer from this infection. Other factors that may put you at a higher risk of being infected are swimming in public pools, always wearing closed-toe shoes, having nail injuries, or skin injuries around the nails, and consistently wearing artificial nails.

Because prevention is key, and we believe in always going natural first, here are a few prevention tips, and some home remedies you can try if the infection is not too severe.

Prevention is the only cure guaranteed to work. If you don’t get infected, there’s nothing to cure.

These are some preventive measures you can take to avoid contracting nail fungus:

• Always wash and dry your feet thoroughly after swimming in public pools
• Avoid being barefoot in public places
• Dry your feet well after stepping out of your own shower
• Only get pedicures at trustworthy nail salons, and be sure that the tools being used were properly disinfected
• Avoid using artificial nails or nail polish
• If possible, spend some time barefoot every day to let your feet breathe

Here are some remedies you can use to treat already existing nail fungus.

• Snakeroot oil extract: a study done in 2008 stated that applying snakeroot extract to the affected toenail several times a week for three months was as effective as  the prescription antifungal medicine ciclopirox in treating the fungus.
• Oregano oil: oregano oil contains thymol, which according to a 2016 review, has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Applying it twice a day on the affected nail should do the trick, although it should be used with care, since it is a potent product that may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
• Vinegar: there isn’t abundant research in proving vinegar effective against fungus, but it’s a safe enough home remedy to try. Just soak the affected foot in one part vinegar with two parts water for up to 20 minutes a day.
• Garlic: you may treat fungus by placing crushed or chopped garlic cloves around the affected area for 30 minutes a day. It may be more effective to take garlic capsules. You can take our Odorless Garlic supplement three times a day.
• Aloe Vera: aloe vera has been used for many years in treating bacterial and fungal infections, including ringworm. You can apply an ointment containing aloe vera, or simply apply the aloe vera gel directly on the fungus.

Although nail fungus are often no more than a cosmetic issue, it is important to be extra careful and visit a doctor if you are a diabetic or your immune system is weakened, since toenail fungus can lead to ulcers and other issues. In this case, we recommend visiting a doctor before trying any of these home remedies. We also recommend taking Echinacea daily to help strengthen your immune system.

We hope that this article has given you some insight on preventing nail fungus and treating it if necessary.

You can call us at 1-800-299-7917 to make a virtual appointment with Doctor Rigoberto Perez Diaz, or visit our website www.salud.bz, we will gladly assist you. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram and do not forget to tune into our daily program SALUD TV.