How Effective Nail Fungus Home Remedies To Treat

Also known as onychomycosis, nail fungus is a widely spread stubborn infection caused by fungi invading the nails. Usually it starts as a small, discolored spot on the nail that can make the nail thick, brittle and painful. Although there are many over the counter treatments for nail fungus, many people save money and treat nail fungus at home with nail fungus home remedies. Rather, prescription medications usually come with a much higher price tag and come with numerous side effects, while home treatments are low cost and typically easier to access. In this article, we’ll discover the best nail fungus home remedies for you to try in order to restore your nails back to how it was before.

What Is Nail Fungus?

This is a fungal infection of the nail bed, called nail fungus, or onychomycosis, which is caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, or molds. It usually first appears in toenails but may also occur in fingernails. Once you have the infection, it starts as a small white or yellow spot under the nail that spreads and thickens, becomes discolored, and eventually crumbles.

Several factors can make an individual more susceptible to nail fungus, including:

• Moisture exposure: Warm and damp environments are considered to be the best for fungus to grow, so sweaty feet or bare feet that aren’t dried well are perfect breeding grounds.
• Poor hygiene: Fungal infections are more likely if you don’t regularly clean your feet or nails.
• Injury to the nail: Fungus can also enter through a wound to the nail.
• Weakened immune system: People with diabetes or HIV have a weaker immune system and are more likely to develop infections.

The condition is rarely serious, but since it can be uncomfortable and cause the patients to feel self-consciousness so treatment is important.

Reasons You Should Think About Nail Fungus home Remedies

Treating nail fungus at home offers several benefits, such as:

• Lower Cost: Prescription or over the counter antifungal treatments tend to be much more expensive than home remedies.
• Fewer Side Effects: Natural remedies are much gentler to the body and can be much less likely to cause unwanted side effects as pharmaceutical treatments.
• Convenience: There’s no need for a prescription or doctor’s visit and you can treat nail fungus in the privacy of your own home.
• Accessibility: The common nail fungus home remedies use common home ingredients such as vinegar, coconut oil and tea tree oil; which make treatment accessible to everyone.

These nail fungus home remedies may sound simple, but they do take time to work and you can definitely notice improvements in nail health if kept up with over time.

Symptoms of Nail Fungus

Fighting the fungus early can also stop the fungus from spreading to other nails. Common symptoms include:

• Discoloration: Nails may become white, yellow, brown or green.
• Thickening of the Nail: If the nail is thicker than normal it may be harder to file or keep.
• Brittle Nails: The nails infected may crack, crumble, or break more easily.
• Foul Odor: Nail fungus causes some cases to emit a strong, unpleasant odor caused by the accumulation of fungal debris.
• Pain or Sensitivity: If the infection spreads, then it can cause swelling, redness or tenderness around the affected nail.

If you notice these symptoms, it’s vital to get treatment as soon as possible to halt the infection from worsening.

Top Nail Fungus Home Remedies

There are a few simple, but effective nail fungus home remedies that can treat the infection and get your nails back to health. 

1. Tea Tree Oil

There’s a well-known natural antifungal agent called tea tree oil. A compound that destroys the fungi responsible for the onychomycosis is terpinen-4-ol, a main component of the oil.

How to Use:

• To avoid skin irritation, always mix tea tree oil with carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil.
• You apply it directly to the infected nail with a cotton swab.
• Do this twice daily for about 3 weeks to treat the infection.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar isn’t just a useful kitchen staple, it’s a great treatment for nail fungus. ACV also contains acidity that prevents the fungi from growing, while preserving the nail’s health.

How to Use:

If you have any apple cider vinegar, mix equal parts cider vinegar and warm water.

• Daily, the affected nail is soaked in the solution for 20 minutes.
• Take dry nails following every soaking.
• Stick to it every day until the fungus is gone.

Apple cider vinegar has an incredibly high level of acetic acid, which can help in reducing the pH in and around the infected area so it’s not in a good environment for fungi.

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an antifungal remedy. Also, it consists of medium chain fatty acids, lauric acid in particular, which contribute to the breakdown of fungal cell membranes.

How to Use:

• Directly apply a generous amount of coconut oil on top of the nail and attached skin.
• Rub the oil on the nail bed.
• Do these two or three times a day, especially before you sleep.

Also, coconut oil is also moisturising, and helps protect the nail from drying out during the healing process.

4. Garlic

Garlic is a very strong natural antifungal agent, because of its allicin containing a lot of sulphur compounds with strong antimicrobial properties. For the treatment of nail fungus, it’s been used for centuries.

How to Use:

• Convert some garlic into a paste by crushing a few of them.
• Put the garlic paste on the infected nail and set a bandage on top.
• Then, leave the paste on for 30 minutes, rinse it off with warm water.

Do this once or twice a day. However, garlic may actually make you feel like you’re on fire a bit, which is a good thing as it means that it is working to fight the infection.

5. Oregano Oil

Another powerful antifungal agent is oregano oil. Its main active compounds, carvacrol and thymol, have antifungal properties that could kill nail fungus.

How to Use:

• Mix a few drops of oregano oil straight from the bottle in olive oil.
• Put this mixture directly onto the affected nail.
• It’s best to repeat the following twice a day.

The oregano oil you purchase at the store can be extremely strong so always dilute before applying it to your nails.

6. Lemon Juice

If you’re looking for the best nail fungus home remedies, the benefits of lemon juice include citric acid which possesses a property of being an antifungal that might be able to kill the fungus. It also brightens nails that become discolored due to the infection.

How to Use:

• Apply a drop or two of fresh lemon juice on a cotton ball and apply it to the infected nail.
• Rinse with lukewarm water a few minutes after letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Best results obtained by repeating this twice daily.

The lemon juice also brightens the nails a bit in addition to clearing up and also treats infection.

7. Epsom Salt

You must have heard of the popular Epsom salt for its ability to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin. Also, it contains magnesium, which can reduce swelling around the infected nail.

How to Use:

• Pour 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in warm water and dissolve.
• The solution is soaked, for 20 minutes, over the affected nails.
• Soak them then ensure the nails are really dry to avoid further fungal growth.
• Repeat this treatment daily.

If you have an infection, Epsom salt can help soothe any discomfort associated with the infection.

8. Hydrogen Peroxide

Another well-known antiseptic, hydrogen peroxide helps kill bacteria and fungi. It is especially helpful in helping to remove debris and dead tissue around the infected nail.

How to Use:

• For each application, mix one part to one part hydrogen peroxide to water.
• Place your infected nails into this solution for 10-15 minutes.
• If soaking the nails, thoroughly rinse then dry the nails.
• You use this as required maybe, once or twice daily until the fungus clears up.

Whitening of the affected nail is also an added plus for hydrogen peroxide to act as a healer.

There are some nail fungus home remedies, but the infection may be so bad that it needs professional help. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it may be time to consult a healthcare provider

• It spreads to many nails.
• Severe pain occurs, or tenderness develops.

If you have these conditions — such as diabetes or a weakened immune system — the infection could be harder to treat.

In such situations a health care provider may recommend prescription antifungal medicine or even complete removal of the infected nail in severe cases.

Patience is The Key: Treatment Duration

Results take time when treating nail fungus at home, so it’s important to know that. Nail fungus is slow to heal and even the best nail fungus home remedies might not get rid of the infection for several weeks or even months. The nail itself just takes its own sweet time growing, and it can take a while for new, healthy, clear nail growth to replace the infected area.

Here are some tips for managing your expectations during the treatment process:

Consistency is Essential: Follow the treatment plan every day, and don’t skip sessions. Prolonged infection or resistance to antifungal remedies occurs in response to the treatment in an inconsistent way

Monitor Your Progress: Start looking for improvement regularly. It may include less thickening, reduced discoloration or even new, healthy nail growth.

Avoid Recurring Infection: While the infection is being treated, be more cautious towards exposing the nail to lots of additional fungi. It may mean avoiding damp, clean socks, or not sharing nail tools.

The key is persistence. You won’t immediately see results, but if you keep up with your treatments and continue to maintain good hygiene, the infection can still be healing underneath the surface.

Preventing Future Nail Fungus

If your nail fungus is finally treated you need to begin to take precautionary approaches to prevent re infection. Nail fungus can return if proper care isn’t taken, so here are some steps to help prevent future infections:

1. Practice Good Foot Hygiene

Fungi love warm and wet surfaces; therefore, it is important to wash your feet thoroughly each day, especially between the toes. Afterward, make sure you dry your feet well so no moisture remains on your nails.

2. Wear Breathable Shoes

Be careful wearing tight shoes, it is not considerate so avoid that, choose some breathable materials such as leather or mesh which enables air flow, and prevents moisture buildup. Alternate shoes if possible, so that you can have them dry between wears.

3. Spend money on Antifungal Powder or Spray

And to keep your feet dry and from developing fungi, you can sprinkle antifungal powder or use a spray in your shoes.

4. Keep Your Nails Trimmed

They also reduce their chances of having fungi living in short nails. Cut your nails each week and make sure that they are clean. They use sanitized nail clippers to not pass the infection on.

When to Get Help from a Professional

For many, home remedies for nail fungus work, but there are times when professional treatment is needed. If home treatments don’t seem to work or if the infection worsens, here are some options your healthcare provider may suggest:

Prescription Medications

If home remedies are not working, your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medication, such as terbinafine or itraconazole. The medications that these do work from the inside out and attack the fungal infection from the source. While they can have side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems or liver toxicity, they’re usually recommended for noted cases.

Topical Antifungal Creams and Lacquers

If the infection is limited to the surface of the nail, topical antifungal treatments may be enough. The infection can be fought directly with prescription strength cream or medicated nail lacquer.

Laser Therapy

In recent years, laser therapy has come on to the scene as a treatment for nail fungus. That laser works by hitting a particular area below your nail without harming the surrounding tissue. Though this method works well enough, it’s a pricier way to paste than home remedies and may require more than one session to achieve maximum results.

Surgical Nail Removal

In life threatening, very severe cases where an infection does not clear up with other treatment, a doctor might suggest complete removal of the infected nail. It helps to allow the nail bed to heal and keeps the fungus from spreading.

 Patience, Persistence and Prevention.

Nail fungus home remedies can work well and be relatively simple if you use the right remedy consistently. Popular and well researched nail fungus home remedies include tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil and garlic, because they are known for having antifungal properties.

No matter what, you need to realize, however, that nail fungus frequently doesn’t go away quickly and may not be fully gone for weeks or months. The most important part in the whole process is patience and persistence.

You may boost your chances of succeeding by following good foot hygiene, keeping your nails trimmed and monitoring the progress of your treatment. Seek professional medical advice if you don’t see improvement, or the infection spreads or worsens.

The use of appropriate nail fungus home remedies in addition to good hygiene and prevention can help you get rid of or treat nail fungus and make your nails healthy again

Nail Fungus Home Remedies Final Thoughts

A common, manageable condition that affects millions of people, nail fungus is something that can be treated. Whether it’s a minor annoyance or there’s a more serious problem buried deep within the nail, it’s worth trying these nail fungus home remedies to help cure the fungus and return your nails to health. Nail fungus tends to have a life cycle of repeated outbreaks, so the sooner you treat it, the better. With the right treatment, patience and consistent care, you can successfully treat nail fungus at home and prevent future outbreaks.

Although nail fungus home remedies are often effective for many, it’s always good to consult with a healthcare provider if you’re unsure of a procedure or the infection continues. Taking preventative steps and taking care of your nails will result in clear, healthy nails again.

Why Choose Revitalize London for Nail Fungus Treatment?

At Revitalize London, we use the latest technology and personalized treatments for nail fungus. Each team of professionals at Revitalize London provides your business with personalized solutions because we look at everything as a whole. Advanced, non-invasive therapies are used to treat the root cause of the infection and we use them to ensure recovery is faster and results last longer. Patient comfort and care are our focus along with creating a welcoming environment where you can feel comfortable in your treatment journey. Revitalize London is a trusted, professional and genuinely result-driven spot for nail fungus treatment. Find out what we prioritize: your nail health!