8 Home Remedies For Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is a common infection and many people suffer from the fungus without doing anything about it. This further aggravates the problem. Treatments available in hospitals cannot cure the infection completely and often the infection returns. Also, these treatments are expensive and take long to show any results.Therefore, many people resort to home remedies as they are cheap and quite effective in curing nail fungus infection.

Natural Home Remedies For Nail Fungus

Vinegar

Vinegar has acidic properties that help inhibit the growth of certain types of fungi and bacteria. To treat nail fungus with vinegar mix a cup of vinegar in two cups of warm water. Soak the infected nail in this liquid combination for 15-20 minutes. After soaking the feet in vinegar wash it well with plain water and pat it dry or use hair dryer to dry your nail completely. The vinegar treatment should be done daily at least thrice a day, for up to 4 weeks. You will soon see a difference in the color of your nail. Vinegar will not only prevent the fungus from growing but will also remove the existing fungus from the skin.

Vicks Vaporub

There are no studies to prove the effectiveness of VapoRub in curing nail fungus. However, there are many user testimonials to show that VapoRub is indeed effective in removing fungus from the nail. Simply rub sufficient amount of VapoRub on the infected nail twice a day. This treatment is best done at night when nothing can remove the VapoRub from the nail. In the morning wash off the VapoRub using warm water.

Oregano Oil

Oregano essential oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that make it very effective in treating nail fungus. However, no essential oil should be rubbed directly on the skin as it has very strong acidic properties that can irritate and harm the skin.
For this reason, essential oils are always mixed with carrier oils before application. Mix four drops of oregano essential oil with three drops of olive oil or almond oil. Rub this mixture of oils over the infected area. Do this treatment at least 4-5 times in a day regularly for three weeks. The new nail that grows back will be healthy, clear and shiny.

Bleach

Bleach has chemicals that are known to act upon the fungal growth in the nail. These chemicals dissolve the fungi and prevent them from growing further. In fact people who are prone to fungal infections in the nails often do the bleach treatment to avoid recurrence of the infection. Prepare a foot soak by mixing two capfuls of liquid bleach with half a bucket of water. Soak the infected nail in this mixture for 15-20 minutes. Do this treatment twice a day for 4-5 weeks.
However, rinse the area well using a mild soap and warm water after soaking it in bleach mixture. Pat your skin dry. You may find your other nails turning white with this treatment. However, this is only temporary. The nails will return to their normal and healthy color once you stop the treatment. The positive part of this treatment is that your nail will be fungus free forever. But remember to do this treatment regularly for the required time or the fungus may grow back.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Like oregano essential oil, tea tree essential oil too has anti-fungal properties which make the oil very effective in treatment of various infections. In fact, many medications for treatment of nail fungus contain tea tree extracts. Tea tree essential oil is also used in the treatment of other infections like athlete’s foot, bacterial vaginosis, impetigo etc.
Since tea tree is an essential oil it needs to be mixed with any carrier oil for application. Combine 2ml of tea tree oil with 3ml of olive oil and rub this mixture daily on the nail and the surrounding skin for 3 weeks. You can soak the nail in a bath prepared using tea tree essential oil and water. Simply dip the nail in a mixture of 5 drops tea tree oil and 500ml of warm water. Soak the nail for 10-15 minutes twice a day in this mixture.

Listerine Mouthwash

This is another favorite home remedy of many people for treating nail fungus. Listerine mouthwash has anti-fungal and anti-bacteria ingredients that make the mouthwash ideal for curing nail fungus. The mouthwash can be used undiluted for removing the fungus. Pour some mouthwash in a small utensil and soak your nail in this for 10-15 minutes.
Wash off with plain lukewarm water. Alternatively, you can also apply Listerine mouthwash directly on the skin using Q-tip. The treatment should be done 3-4 times in a day for several weeks. You will see improvement in your condition when the nail loses its discoloration.Some people also like to mix vinegar or ascetic acid in the mouthwash for faster results. But do not try this if you have extremely sensitive skin.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is quite common home remedy for treating nail fungus. However, this treatment can take up to several months before your nail begins to heal. Green tea has anti-fungal properties that make it ideal for curing infections. Prepare a soak by combining green tea extract with water. You can even add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to increase the potential of the soak. Dip the infected nail in the soak for 15-20 minutes and then rinse the area with lukewarm water. The treatment should be done 3-4 times in a day for 5 months. This remedy takes time but it is very effective in removing the infection from the nail.

Garlic

Since ancient times garlic is being used for treating various fungal, bacterial and viral infections. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. This gives the garlic the potential to cure nail fungus as well.

Crush two-three pods of garlic after peeling them. Apply the crushed garlic over the infected nail as well as the surrounding skin. Tie medical gauze over garlic and leave the garlic for up to 2 hours. Do this treatment twice a day for three weeks.