How to Get Rid of Toe Fungus

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Pin ItArticle EditDiscussToe fungus, known clinically as onychomycosis, affects about half the population by the age of 70. It is unsightly and embarrassing, and can cause cracking, splitting, and even complete loss of the toenail. The good news is that toe fungus is curable. It may require medical treatment but there are positive things you can do to stop fungus without medical bills. We'll show you a few ways to do this.

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Method One: Home Remedies1Use commercial anti-fungal cream. You can find products for the removal of nail fungus in a drugstore or a beauty supply store's nail care section.

2Depriving the fungus of oxygen. This may stop the spread of the infection into new nail as it grows. One remedy is to coat nails nightly with vaseline. Only use this on a thoroughly dried toenail to avoid sealing in water that promotes fungal growth. Or, you can keep nail polish on them, especially at the quick, where new nail is forming.

3Use sulfur powder. It's available in most drug stores as a non-prescription item, or look for it in the gardening department. You can also mix this with an over-the-counter anti-fungal powder.

4Change the environment. Fungus is a growing, living thing, and by changing the environment that it lives in, you may stop its growth.

Wear open-toed shoes when you can, and expose your feet to the sun. If you can't do that, try wearing more spacious shoes, at least. Fungus likes warm, dark places—deny that, and banish the rot. If sunning, don't forget to use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.5Take foot baths. There are various solutions that people have tried that may work for you.

Soak your feet in water with vinegar added:1/4 cup (60 ml) of vinegar2 quarts (2 liters) of water. Do this every day for at least two weeks, then at least once a month.Using peroxide and baking soda:4 cups (1 liter) hot water1/4 cup (60 ml) peroxide1/2 cup (120 ml) baking soda1/2 cup (120 ml) epsom saltsMix ingredients, then add 1/4 cup (60 ml) white vinegarSoak the affected toe in vinegar. In the morning, take a cotton ball and soak it in white vinegar. Set it on the nail, and tape in place. Secure with a small balloon. Change out the cotton in the evening. Continue this regimen until your fungus has disappeared—about four weeks.Soak the affected toe in a solution of Listerine and vinegar. Listerine includes thymol, the active ingredient in thyme oil, and has anti-fungal properties.6Use orange oil. Another method is a five to ten percent solution of pure orange oil, available in garden and farm centers (not orange oil cleaner) in a mixture of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Apply daily between toes, on and under toe nails. You can obtain a medicine dropper at a drugstore or Walmart.

7Try other oils. As an alternative, you could use a few drops of tea tree oil, neem oil, thyme oil, or oregano oil. These can be bought in vitamin or health food stores.

Snakeroot leaf extract has been shown to be effective to some degree.

Method Two: See Your Doctor1Make an appointment. If home remedies are not working, your doctor will be able to tell you if you have onychomycosis, and if so, will know the best way to treat a stubborn case, and can give you a prescription for an oral medication that will kill the fungus.

Typically, you take the pills daily for a week out of each month for at least six months.There are warnings for this kind of anti-fungal product which is taken internally and includes side effects of possible liver damage and even death. Be sure you consult your physician before embarking on this sort of regimen.Your physician may also want to use laser therapy instead, or in addition to other remedies.

Prevent Future Occurrences1Avoid bare-footing. Wear sandals in public showers and locker rooms.

2Keep your feet dry. Make sure the insides of your shoes are dry, and change socks frequently. Cotton socks are best in this case.

3Keep your shoes comfy. Wearing comfortable shoes, with wide tip that doesn't jam your toes together will keep your feet airy.

4Keep it toxic (to fungi). If your habits or wardrobe are a risk factor, regularly dust your feet with an absorbent or anti-fungal powder.

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Edit TipsToenails grow slowly. It may take 6 months or more for healthy nail to replace diseased tissue. Be patient and consistent with your remedy in order to see results.Try to keep your feet dry.Clean the inside of all your shoes with vinegar. Sit them in the hot sun to dry.If your feet are also red you may have a mixed fungus and yeast infection. The vinegar will kill the yeast infection also, but avoiding eating yeast and sugary foods will also help in this case.Zetaclear is an anti-fungus formula containing natural ingredients such as tea tree oil, lemongrass oil and almond oil.Carefully read the directions of all products used.But be aware—toe fungus's nickname is athlete's foot

Edit Related wikiHowsHow to Prevent Varicose VeinsHow to Get Rid of Those White Spots on Your NailsHow to Cheer up a Friend With Chicken PoxHow to Make Your Own Acne TreatmentHow to Cure Jock Itch

EditSources and CitationsJournal of EthnopharmacologyWebMDZetaclear ReviewArticle Info Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Feet Knees and Legs | Skin Conditions

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