Our toenails need some tender care as well. A very common toenail infection in the form of a Toenail fungus, also called Onychomycosis, can cause significant discomfort to you and make your daily life miserable. Some toenail infections are mild and do not need any treatment, but some may get painful and need proper medication and treatment.
Causes of Toenail Fungus:
Predominantly, Toenail fungus is seen in people of older age, but it may affect people of any age. When the toenail goes dry, and cracks, certain fungi such as dermatophytes may enter, causing the fungal infection.
Symptoms:
If you notice that your toenail starts to hurt, it is thickening with nails going yellowish, slightly smelling foul, it may be a signal that you have a fungal infection. Dark-coloured debris can also be seen growing inside your nail. It is better to start your treatment at this stage.
Though many antifungal products are available in the market, they may not necessarily always work. In addition to that, some may have adverse effects like skin problems, jaundice, dizziness, or an upset stomach. Hence, many people have started doing fungal nail treatment at home with some simple, easy-to-find products which do not have any side effects on the body. We have listed down some toenail fungus treatments you can easily do at home.
Using Baking Soda:
Studies show that baking soda is an excellent remedy for fungal infections. Though in some cases, it just slows down the fungal growth, in most cases, it prevents the infection to a great extent.
A small amount of baking soda can be added to an equal amount of water, making a paste applied to the infected nail. It should be left there for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Repeating the method several times a day can be very effective.
Using Cornmeal:
Cornmeal contains a certain kind of fungi harmful to any infectious fungus but does not harm the body. To use cornmeal treatment, you need to soak a cup of cornmeal in 3 quarts of water in a bucket or tub that can fit your feet. Leave it for an hour and then soak your feet for half an hour or more in the water.
Using Vinegar or Apple Cider:
Vinegar or apple cider is readily available in almost every household. Their acidic property makes them a good remedy for any fungal infection and can highly prevent and kill fungi. In a mixture of 2:1 of water to vinegar, you can soak your infected nail for 30 minutes. It can be done repeatedly till the infection is fully cured.
Using Mouthwash:
Mouthwash consists of eucalyptus, thymol, and menthol, which have excellent antifungal and antibacterial properties. It helps keep harmful germs away. For the treatment, you need to mix an equal amount of vinegar and mouthwash before dipping your toenail into the mixture for 30 minutes. After that, scrub your toe gently. It can be done once or twice every day till you can see improvement.
Using Garlic:
Garlic is found in every household, primarily used for its taste in seasoning food. This miraculous root has excellent antifungal properties due to its compositions like ajoene and allicin.
Mix a small amount of crushed garlic or garlic oil with equal amounts of vinegar. This mixture can then be applied to the area and covered with a bandage. This should be left for a few hours. It can be repeated daily.
Using Essential Oils:
Some essential oils like lavender oil, jasmine oil, petitgrain oil have antimicrobial and antifungal properties when mixed. Applying this mixture to the affected area with cotton and leaving it for 10-15 minutes can be very effective. It should be rinsed off later and can be repeated several times a day.
Using Topical Ointment:
Topical ointments, also known as Mentholated ointments, have ingredients like camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol that can be useful for toenail fungal infections. Applying the ointment on the affected area once a day for a couple of days can help treat the fungal infection.
Note: If the said remedies do not work and your fungal infection does not seem to cure, you should consult a doctor before it causes further complications.