A lot of cases of pain in toenail are caused by fungal toenails and ingrowing toenails. That’s why it’s important to know how to treat fungal toenail at home, as well as ingrowing toenail management.
Keep in mind, however, that home remedies are often a quick fix and may not alleviate the issue altogether. Which is why it’s best to see a podiatrist for your fungal toenail, ingrowing toenail, or pain in toenail. But, if you like quick home remedies to help you ease the pain quickly, this article is just right for you.
So, read on to learn about 10 quick home remedies on how to treat fungal toenail!
How To Treat Fungal Toenail: Home Remedies
Toenail fungus is also called onychomycosis. It is a common fungal infection of the toenail. The main symptom is a brown, white, or yellow coloration on one or more of your toenails. It can spread rapidly and cause your nails to crack / thicken.
Toenail fungus is not an attractive look, as you may have guessed already. But, worry not, because there are treatments you can try at home to deal with it!
Here are 10 of the most popular home remedies on how to treat fungal toenail:
- Vicks VapoRub
It may seem unlikely since Vicks VapoRub is made for cough suppression, but it is a great topical ointment for fungal toenails. It’s active ingredients like camphor and eucalyptus oil can help treat toenail fungus.
All you have to do is apply tiny amounts of Vicks VapoRub to the affected area at least once a day. A study done in 2011 proved that this ointment had a “positive clinical effect” when it ame to treatment of toenail fungus.
- Snakeroot Extract
Snakeroot extract is an anti-fungal made from plants belonging to the sunflower family. A study done in 2008 showed that Snakeroot extract is as effective in treating fungal toenails as a prescription antifungal called ciclopirox.
In the study, Snakeroot extract was applied to the affected areas every third day for the first month, twice a week for the second month, and once a week for the third month. It proved to be very effective.
- Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has antiseptic and antifungal properties. Small-scale clinical studies showed that tea tree oil may be effective in treating toenail fungus. To use this home remedy, all you have to do is apply tea tree oil directly onto the affected nail at least two times a day with a cotton swab.
- Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has Thymol in it. Thymol has antifungal and antibacterial properties. To use this treatment, apply oregano oil to the infected nail at least twice daily with a cotton swab. You can even make a mix of oregano oil and tea tree oil. Both of these have the potential to cause skin irritation and allergic reaction, though, so we don’t recommend combining them.
- Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf extract has an active ingredient called “oleuropein”, and it has antifungal, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting abilities. You can either apply it topically or ingest in the form of a capsule.
A 2012 review proved that taking one to three olive leaf capsules with meals twice a day, is more effective than taking it topically. If you choose this home remedy, make sure to drink lots of water throughout.
- Ozonized Oils
These are oils that are injected with ozone gas, such as olive oil and sunflower oil. A 2011 study proved that ozone exposure in low concentrations for short durations can inactivate organisms like fungi, yeast, and bacteria.
Another study found that ozonized sunflower oil was more effective than prescription topical antifungal ketoconazole when it came to treating toenail fungus.
For this remedy, all you have to do is work the oil into the affected toenail twice a day.
- Vinegar
This is a reasonably safe home remedy to try out, although there’s only anecdotal evidence saying that vinegar is an effective treatment for toenail fungus.
For this method, soak the affected foot in one part vinegar and two parts warm water for 20 minutes a day.
- Listerine Mouthwash
This may seem like an unconventional method, but hear us out. Listerine mouthwash has ingredients like menthol, thymol, and eucalyptus. All of which are known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. This is why it’s a popular home remedy for toenail fungus.
People that have tried and tested this method say that you should soak the affected foot in a tub/basin full of amber-coloured Listerine for 30 minutes everyday.
- Garlic
A review done in 2009 proved that garlic has some antifungal and antimicrobial properties. To use this method, place chopped/crushed garlic cloves on your affected toenail, everyday for 30 minutes.
If you don’t like the smell of garlic, you can also treat it by ingesting garlic capsules. Take these capsules as it says on the box.
- Change in Diet
There’s no doubt that there’s a direct link between diet and health. You are what you eat. So, the healthier you eat, the better chances your body has of fighting off illnesses like toenail fungus.
Eat the following:
- probiotic-rich yogurt
- enough protein to support nail regrowth
- enough iron to prevent brittle nails
- a diet rich in essential fatty acids
- foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as low fat dairy products
Conclusion
Though home remedies are a good way to gain immediate results, they may not always work effectively. That’s why you must always see a Podiatrist for fungal toenail and ingrowing toenail maintenance. Especially if you have diabetes, a simple cosmetic issue like fungal toenail can turn into something way worse if left untreated.
So, don’t hesitate. Book an appointment with Bucks Foot Clinic for the best foot-care treatment in all fields.
Please call us on 0800 107 3290 / 077 99 122 099 Or contact us now
