Nail fungus can affect both your toenails and fingernails, making them brittle and discolored in the process. This fungus usually appears because of poor hygiene, moist areas, and underlying illness. You can take antibiotics to solve this problem or use over-the-counter topical solutions as prescribed by your doctor. Then again, you can try some natural remedies to get rid of the fungus and fast. Here are some home remedies that might help your nails become healthy once more.
- Tea tree oil. One of the best solutions for nail fungus is tea tree oil because it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in relieving you of the growing fungus under your nailbed. To use this treatment, you only need to combine a few drops of tea tree oil and olive oil. Dip a cotton ball into the solution and apply on the affected nail. Let the oil seep into the nail for ten minutes before you brush the nail with a toothbrush. Do this two to three times a day to speed up the treatment.
- Apple cider vinegar. Another effective solution to nail fungus is apple cider vinegar because its has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiseptic properties that can get rid of the fungus while cleaning up the rest of the infected nail bed to prevent further fungal growth. You can prepare a soak solution by combining one part apple cider vinegar and one part Epsom salt and add them to six cups of warm water in a basin. Make sure that the water is not that hot for you to soak your feet into. Let your feet soak for 30 minutes twice a day to get rid of any bacterial or fungal growth.
- Garlic oil. You can also use garlic oil to remedy your nail fungus as it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties that can nip the problem in the bud. For this home remedy, combine equal parts of olive oil and garlic oil then apply the solution on the infected nail including the surrounding area. Cover the infected nail with a gauze and leave it on for a few hours. You should do this every day until the infection completely disappears.
- Coconut oil. Another home remedy that you can use for your nail fungus is coconut oil. The caprylic acid that is present in this ingredient can penetrate the walls of the Candida or other bacteria so that they will be vulnerable to the medication. Just apply a small amount of coconut oil on the infected nail or nails and let the oil sit for 15 minutes. Since coconut oil is actually good for your skin, you can use it several times in the day. However, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to use a carrier oil to dilute it first before applying on the infection.
These are just a few examples of home remedies that have been found to be quite effective in dealing with nail fungus. There are more out there for you to choose from so you should see which one will give you the best result.
