Home Remedy for Toenail Fungus

An infection of nail fungus occurs when fungi infect one or more of your nails. A nail fungal infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the nail fungus spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges an unsightly and potentially painful problem.

How to avoid Toe Fungus:
Toenail and athlete's foot fungi like to grow in warm, moist areas, which include public areas such as spas, swimming pools, locker rooms, or showers. For short periods of time the it can live in warm puddles on tile floors, awaiting someone to step in and pick up the spores. If you can wear sandals, water shoes, or swimming booties they would help in keeping your feet from touching the floor directly. Some public swimming pool areas have small wade-through pools which help to keep the toenail and athlete's foot fungi in check. After your session at the pool or other public area, wash your feet thoroughly and dry them well.


Home Remedies to Treat Toenail Fungus:

The moment you notice any symptoms of toenail fungus you can follow certain home remedies that will prove very effective in eliminating the spread of the fungus before it spreads. Toenail fungus is contagious, so the sooner you eliminate the fungus, the better.
Following are some home remedies that use commonly available ingredients to stop the growth of the fungus and eventually eliminate it.

Vinegar:
Fill a basin with warm water and vinegar in equal proportion (any vinegar will do, but apple cider vinegar has proven more effective). Soak your toenails in this solution for about 20 minutes. Wipe your toes and toenails thoroughly with a dry towel and then with super absorbent paper. This should be done twice daily till symptoms disappear.

Tea Tree Oil:
The uses of tea tree oil are many. Tea tree oil is a natural and powerful fungicide and antiseptic. Rub the affected toenails with a cotton ball dipped in tea tree oil. Do this twice daily, morning and just before going to bed (three times if possible) for maximum effect, until the fungus is gone.

Listerine:
Almost all homes will have this mouthwash. Soak the affected toenails in Listerine for about 20 minutes twice daily. The antiseptic will help eradicate the fungus.

Rubbing Alcohol:
Rubbing alcohol is easily available at any pharmacy. Soak the affected toenails in rubbing alcohol for about 20 minutes twice daily (morning and just before going to bed). Dry thoroughly using super absorbent paper towels.

Vicks Voporub:
The efficacy of using Vicks for treatment of toenail fungus is not very clear. Many have found that using Vicks on the affected toenails has helped, and many have found no benefit. Vicks is known to stop the growth of the fungus, not eliminate it. You will have to use Vicks until the infected toenail grows out and a new one replaces it. Generally, it is advisable to try the other
options instead of this one.