A lot of people take their feet for granted and tend to neglect them. Foot health is a part of overall health, however. Cracked, yellowing, or discolored toenails do more than just affect your ability to wear flip flops; it may be the result of a nail fungus. Onychomycosis – more commonly referred to as toenail fungus – can cause nails to thicken, yellow, and crack, as well as cause pain, swelling, and inflammation of the toe.
And while fungal toenail infection may not be life-threatening, you’ll still realize the importance of your feet. You might feel self-conscious about the appearance of your toes, or you might have a symptom of a larger problem (such as an imbalanced diet).
Whatever the case, you’re better off avoiding a fungus infection. Or, if you already have one, here are a few ways for how to get rid of toenail fungus.
Table of Contents
What Causes Fungal Infections?
Is it Nail Fungus or Something Else?
Onycholysis
Hematoma
Paronychia
Nail Psoriasis
How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus
How to Treat Nail Fungus
Home Remedies for Nail Fungus
Apple Cider Vinegar
Tea Tree Oil and Castor Oil
Antifungal Nail Polish
Digestive System
Vicks Vapor Rub
What Causes Fungal Infections?
If you have an infection, you might be feeling alarmed. You might feel
self-conscious about the condition and feel like you’re alone.
Rest easy. Toenail fungus may be an eyesore, but it isn’t a reason for
embarrassment. In fact, it is surprisingly common; more than 10% of
adults have fungal nail infections. Additionally, 20% of adults over the
age of 60 deal with fungus as well.
The following are nail conditions that have similar symptoms to nail fungus.
Onycholysis
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail from the nail bed. When this
occurs, a yellowish color may appear, similar to the color of a nail
with a fungal infection. Trim your nails as short as possible to treat
onycholysis; healthy nail growth should help the color return to normal
within two to three months.
Hematoma
Hematomas under the nail bed are large red, brownish, or black spots
that occur after a trauma such as slamming a toe in a door or hitting a
finger with a hammer. Caused by burst blood vessels under the nail,
hematomas will grow out with the nail. However, if a red or black spot
occurs under the nail without trauma, it is important to have it checked
out by a doctor as it may be melanoma.
Paronychia
Paronychia is the name for redness and swelling of the skin around the
nail beds. Sudden onset paronychia if typically caused by bacteria
entering an inflamed or injured cuticle; warm soaks and compresses can
alleviate pain and redness, but a doctor may need to drain the area.
Long-term, repeated, or severe infections may require treatment with
antibiotics.
Nail Psoriasis
Both nail fungus and nail psoriasis can cause pitting and thickening of
the nails. However, nail psoriasis is more likely to occur for those
already suffering from psoriasis and typically found on fingernails.
Because it isn’t a fungal infection, nail psoriasis is not contagious.
How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus
How to Treat Nail Fungus
Topical antifungal creams, oral antifungal prescriptions, and, in severe cases, removal of the nail. However, these medications and procedures can have serious side effects including pain, fever, diarrhea, fatigue, swelling, difficulty breathing, weight gain, liver damage, heart problems, and more.
Hoping to avoid health consequences, more and more patients are looking for ways to treat their nail fungus naturally at home.
Home Remedies for Nail Fungus
Treating nail fungus doesn’t have to mean relying on a doctor’s
prescription. Instead, patients can take control of their health with
these easy home remedies for toenail fungus.
This pantry staple can help cure nail fungus and is also a wonderful
home remedy for foot rot when applied topically or taken internally.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix apple cider vinegar (do not use white vinegar) and Epsom salt with
hot water and soak your feet in the solution twice a day for at least
thirty minutes to help kill the nail fungus. Likewise, mix two
tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with eight ounces of water – as well
as a bit of honey for sweetness – and drink once a day.
Tea Tree Oil and Castor Oil
With natural antiseptic and antifungal properties, castor oil and tea
tree oil for nail fungus have been used for centuries. Undiluted tea
tree oil can be applied directly to affected nails to help kill fungus;
ten minutes after application, gently massage the oil into the nail
using an old toothbrush.
When applied to surrounding skin, tea tree oil is best diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil. Continue to use daily until several weeks after new nail growth has occurred to prevent the fungus from returning.
Antifungal Nail Polish
Wearing open-toed shoes can be difficult if you have a fungal infection,
especially if you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your
toes. Coincidentally, open-toed shoes are good for fighting fungal
infections because they help to keep your feet aerated and dry.
The solution? An antifungal nail polish. Antifungal nail polish can help
cover the discoloration associated with the infection while at the same
time fighting the fungus itself. It allows you to continue to wear your
favorite open-toed shoes while at the same time fighting the infection
underneath!
Digestive System
While they may not seem connected, the health of your digestive system
can have an impact on the growth of nail fungus. Healthy gut bacteria
can help prevent the growth of fungi and microbes in the body; an
imbalance of flora in the digestive system can lead to fungal
overgrowth.
Maintaining gut health can help minimize the spread of nail fungus and keep it from returning in the future. Yeast tends to prefer sugar, so eliminate excess sugars from your diet.
Replace it with healthier foods (greens, legumes) and introduce more fiber, protein, and healthy fats to your eating habits.
Vicks Vapor Rub
Vicks Vapor Rub can do more than help you breathe easier when you have a
cold – it can also eliminate nail fungus! The thymol, or oil of thyme,
in Vicks Vapor Rub, has natural anti-fungal properties. Spreading it on
affected areas can help disrupt the cell membranes of the fungus. While
thyme oil has the same properties, Vicks is much easier to find in
stores; in fact, you probably already have some in your medicine
cabinet!
Nail fungus can be unsightly and uncomfortable; however, it is possible to treat it naturally without harsh antifungal drugs.
In this article, you learned how to get rid of toenail fungus. You learned what toenail fungus looks like, and some of the other ailments that you can mistake for an infection. You also learned several home remedies for toenail fungus.