Onychomycosis/Toenail Infection: 10 Must-Try Home Remedies

Fingernails and toenails demand the same time and effort we allocate to our physical appearance and overall health. Onychomycosis is a nail infection that commonly affects men and women equally. It occurs in elderly adults with age, as their nails tend to get thicker. Over time, the infection causes the nails to discolor and fall off. Let us look at some home remedies that effectively can help us with onychomycosis treatment along with some over-the-counter preparations also.

Causes of Onychomycosis:

Onychomycosis mostly occurs due to aging. As one gets older, the nails become thick and discolored. It is also a fungal infection. It affects adults as they age. The nails of older adults become thicker and lead to nail onychomycosis. Another common cause would be a moist environment and a lack of ventilation. Onychomycosis can be avoided by taking preventive measures such as the regular trimming of nails and wearing appropriate footwear.

10 Best Natural Treatments for Onychomycosis:

Let us see some home remedies to treat onychomycosis.

1. Garlic:

Garlic can disrupt the lifecycle of fungal colonies in toenails and promotes circulation to that area. It contains a potent antimicrobial compound called allicin. Garlic improves nutrition in that area. You can choose to take care of onychomycosis utilizing garlic in the form of home remedies.

Ingredients: Garlic cloves (required amount)

How to Prepare and Apply:

• Peel the garlic cloves
• Chop garlic cloves into small pieces
• Apply this on the affected toenails and allow it to remain for 30 minutes
• The antifungal properties of the garlic will help treat it
• Carefully apply to the infected nail because garlic can sometimes cause a chemical burn.

2. Coconut Oil:

Studies show that coconut oil has antifungal properties and works as an active antifungal agent on infected nails. It also works best as a conditioner for the skin. The fatty acids keep onychomycosis fingernail fungal infection at bay. Studies show that coconut oil can be extremely effective against Candida albicans, which is responsible for most fungal infections.

Ingredients:

• Coconut oil
• Any essential oil of choice

How to Prepare and Use:

• Mix coconut oil with essential oil of choice (OR) to apply coconut oil gently on the affected area after washing and drying the area.
• Apply on the area of infection for up to six times a day.

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3. Essential Oils:

Essential oils are said to work well against most nail infections. Among essential oils, clove oil is considered the best to fight nail infections. Another oil is the Oregano oil, which is also said to work well against nail infections.

Ingredients:

• Essential Oil of choice (Clove, Oregano, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Lavender, Lemongrass, and Thyme oil)
• Carrier oil

How to Prepare and Use:

• Take 2-3 drops of essential oil
• Mix it in coconut oil
• Apply using a cotton gauze pad on the infected toe.

4. Baking Soda:

Baking soda helps treat toe fungal infection. It helps to soak up the moisture that causes toenail fungus and helps to get rid of the infection. It also keeps the feet free of foot odor.

Ingredients:

• Baking Soda
• Water

How to Prepare and Use:

• Mix all the items and make a fine paste
• Apply on the nail that has an infection
• Allow it to remain for 10 minutes
• Rinse well

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5. Bleach:

Bleach is a well-known home remedy that helps to get rid of toenail fungus quickly. Bleach soaks work well against fungal infection of the toenails. It is the best way to cure toenail fungus. The chlorine in the bleach helps to treat the nail fungus.

Ingredients:

• Bleach 1 tablespoon.
• Half a gallon of water

How to Prepare and Use:

• In a basin add sufficient water with a tablespoon of bleach
• Soak feet in this for 10 minutes
• The bleach kills the fungus and treats it
• Avoid excess bleach as it can burn the skin.

6. Snakeroot:

The extract of Snakeroot is an antifungal made from plants belonging to the sunflower family. Snakeroot extract for toenail fungus becomes invaluable because of its antimicrobial properties.

Ingredients: Snakeroot extract

How to Prepare and Use:

Apply the snakeroot extract on the infected toenail. Adjust the number of times the remedy is applied until you get the desired result.

7. White Vinegar:

Vinegar helps to control the fungus by killing it, as it is more acidic, and people generally use a combination of vinegar and Listerine. Some even use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Both methods show that vinegar is an essential ingredient in fighting toenail fungus.

Ingredients: White Vinegar

How to Prepare and Use:

• Take a basin full of water
• Add vinegar
• Soak feet in this for 20 minutes and rinse off
• Do this until the infection subsides.

8. Listerine:

We all know that Listerine is a well-known mouthwash, but not many know that it is useful to treat nail infections. Let us see how to treat nail infections with this.

Ingredients:

• Basin with water
• Listerine mouthwash

How to Prepare and Use:

• Add Listerine to a basin of water
• Ensure that you use water just enough for one capful of Listerine
• Soak the foot in this
• Use until you note an improvement in the nail.

9. Hydrogen Peroxide:

Hydrogen Peroxide helps to destroy toenail fungus and has an antifungal effect at low concentrations. Use this as a foot soak to cure the infection.

Ingredients:

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Basin of adequate size

How to Prepare and Use:

Fill the basin with sufficient warm water. Now add hydrogen peroxide to it. The hydrogen peroxide may cause it to bubble, and the foot may turn white when soaked. This soak helps to clean toenails.

Soak feet in this for 10 minutes.

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10. Extract of Olive Leaf:

Olive oil has always been used to treat all kinds of infections for several years and is a well-known remedy. It is known to treat infections. The antimicrobial properties help combat fungal infection.

Ingredients:

• Use Olive leaf extract in the form of capsules, tincture, or salve




• Ensure it is bought from a reputed store

How to Prepare and Use:

The olive leaf extract capsule must always be taken with meals to prevent stomach upset. The right amount of water intake is essential too! Do this until the toenail infection gets eliminated.

Though the clinical symptoms of the infection are non-specific, there are antifungal lacquers available along with home remedies that help to cure these fungal infections. Trimming and filing our nails are likely to be helpful along with medications. When treating fungal nail infections with home remedies, procedures, exercise caution, and watch out for side effects and precautions, especially when the risks surpass the predicted benefits. We hope these remedies were useful in treating fungal infection. Please share with us as to which remedies offered you relief and treated you the best!