get rid of toenail fungus infection

How To Get Rid Of Fungus On Your Toes:6 Home Remedies That Works

Although fungal nail infections are common, they can take a long time to treat. These infections are common in toenails, but someone can get them on their fingernails. You will identify the condition if you spot brown, white, or yellow discoloration on one toenail, but the condition also affects other toenails. Failure to treat toenail fungus on time might result in the infection of the neighboring toenails.

get rid of toenail fungus infection

Fungal nail infection is not pretty, but hiding it and hoping it goes away alone won’t solve the problem. You can usually get rid of toe fungus without a trip to the doctor. Utilizing natural ingredients such as garlic and olive oil at home might prevent the condition from becoming rampant. 

Also, there are medical prescriptions meant to eradicate the condition quickly so that you do not have to struggle with the condition for too long. This document highlights several methods that you can utilize to reduce toe fungal infection and eliminate fungus on your toes.

How Do You Get Rid of Fungus on Your Toes:6 Home Remedies You Must Try

Patients can use several treatment options to eliminate fungi on their toes. Examples of such options include:

  • Drug-free alternatives
  • Prescription drugs
  • Laser treatment
  • Surgical removal

We recommend that patients suffering from toenails first begin with natural items found at home before buying any medications or visiting their healthcare personnel for surgery. Studies have shown that drug-free alternatives are more effective in getting rid of toenail fungus than other alternatives. Some of the drug-free alternatives include:

  • Epsom salt

The scientific name for Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Studies show that soaking your feet for approximately 20 minutes helps relieve the pain caused by toenail fungus, aside from completely getting rid of the condition. Add one cup of Epsom salt to four cups warm water and soak your feet. Also, read our article on Can fungus infection on toenails be cured.

Users claim that mixing half a cup of Epsom salt with baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide to four cups of warm water presents better results in getting rid of toenail fungus. There is nothing against adding a few drops of essential oils. Once you’ve soaked your feet for approximately 20 minutes, rinse them with a few cups of warm water and use a clean cloth to dry them.

  • Essential oils

Essential oils are slowly gaining popularity when it comes to treatment and getting rid of toenail fungus. However, they have also been used to treat several ailments for a long time. Most essential oils have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, explaining why they are always in demand. 

Examples of essential oils that you might consider using to get rid of toenail fungus include:

  • Lemon oil
  • Lemongrass oil
  • Cinnamon oil
  • Clove oil, and
  • Tea tree oil

Once you’ve selected one of the essential oils above, you might need to dilute it using a carrier oil, including olive or coconut oil, before you soak your feet in the mixture. Once you mix the two oils, you can add two to three drops of the oil to the infected areas daily.

  • Ozonated oils

Ozonated oil is a combination of some essential oils with ozone gas. The idea is ozone delivers some oxygen to the infected areas and kills the bacteria found in these areas. Several studies have also proven that ozonated oils stimulate skin cells for faster healing. The product is an effective home remedy for toenail fungus caused by certain strains.

Several researchers tested ozonized sunflower oil on 100 samples of yeast. They discovered that the oil was an effective treatment against several strains of fungi. However, you must clean and dry your feet before using ozonated oils. Once your feet are dry and clean, massage a small amount of ozonated oil into the affected toenail, working it into the surrounding skin and the entire toe.

  • Garlic

Garlic is a potent antimicrobial plant that eliminates toenail fungus when garlic cloves are placed on the surface of the infected feet for about 30 minutes. However, users should use raw garlic sparingly as it might cause a painful chemical burn. Alternatively, you can protect yourself from these chemical burns by finding herbal supplements that contain garlic. Such supplements are orally consumed to eliminate toenail fungus, reduce high blood pressure, and certain kinds of cancer.

However, people suffering from stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, and digestive problems should refrain from garlic supplements. Studies have also indicated that these supplements might interfere with the performance of birth pills.

Examples of over-the-counter drugs for the treatment of toenail fungus include:

  • Undecylenic acid

Undecylenic acid is the main ingredient in most OTC products used to treat toenail fungi. The drug is available in local drug stores, plus you can also access them in online stores. The product is a liquid or a polish that may be painted on top of the infected toenail. This product is essential because it eases the raw, irritated skin that comes with a fungus.

  • Clotrimazole

This toenail treatment product is available for the treatment of most yeast infections. Scientists in the UK discovered that the product produced promising results in getting rid of toenail fungus for most patients over 12 weeks. The product is available in the form of a cream or lotion. Also read: How to treat nail fungus quickly

  • Terbinafine

This is another toenail treatment product available as a powder, spray, gel, and cream. You can also request your doctor to administer the drug as a pill. For the product to be effective, you should take at least one pill daily for 12 weeks. Not only will the product kill the toenail fungi, but it will also take you only a few months to see full results.

Wrap Up

Someone can use many forms of toenail treatment to administer to the infected toenails. While over-the-counter alternatives are available, home remedies to treat infected toenails are more effective. If you need to decide between medical or natural products to treat the infection, always use natural options because they are safer and less irritating. When using home remedies, you will need to be a little more patient with the results as they may take more time.