Severe cases of toenail fungus may cause pain and irreversible toenail damage. If you try home remedies to treat the infection that don’t work or cause side effects, consult your doctor.
Try One of These 10 Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus
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You may be able to treat toenail fungus at home with certain essential oils and other products with antimicrobial and antifungal properties, like Vicks VapoRub.
Toenail fungus, also called onychomycosis, is a common fungal infection of the toenail. The most noticeable symptom is a white, brown, or yellow discoloration of one or more of the toenails. It may spread and cause the nails to thicken or crack.
Sandal season or not, toenail fungus typically isn’t what you want to see when you look at your feet. There are many treatments you can try.
Prescription oral antifungals, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or fluconazole (Diflucan), are traditionally used to treat toenail fungus. These treatments are often effective but may cause serious side effects such as upset stomach, dizziness, severe skin problems, and jaundice.
This may be why many people try home remedies instead. Here are 10 of these at-home treatments.
Vicks VapoRub is a topical ointment. Although designed for cough suppression, its active ingredients (camphor and eucalyptus oil) may help treat toenail fungus.
A 2011 study found that Vicks VapoRub had a “positive clinical effect” in treating toenail fungus.
To use, apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the affected area at least once a day.
Snakeroot (Ageratina pichinchensis) extract is an antifungal made from plants in the sunflower family.
A 2008 study showed that the remedy is effective against toenail fungus as the antifungal medication ciclopirox.
For the study, snakeroot extract was applied to the affected area every third day for the first month, twice a week for the second month, and once a week for the third month.
Tea tree oil, also called melaleuca, is an essential oil with antifungal and antiseptic abilities.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , some small-scale clinical studies showed that tea tree oil might be effective against toenail fungus.
Paint the tea tree oil directly onto the affected nail twice daily with a cotton swab.
Oregano oil contains thymol. According to a 2016 review, thymol has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
To treat toenail fungus, apply oregano oil to the affected nail twice daily with a cotton swab. Some people use oregano oil and tea tree oil together.
Both products are potent and may cause irritation or allergic reactions. Combining them may increase this risk.
An active substance in olive leaf extract, oleuropein, is thought to have antifungal, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting abilities.
You can apply olive leaf salve directly to nail fungus or ingest it in capsule form.
According to a 2012 review, taking one to three olive leaf capsules with meals twice daily is more effective than olive leaf salve in treating toenail fungus. It’s recommended that you drink plenty of water throughout this treatment.
Ozonized oils are oils like olive oil and sunflower oil that are “injected” with ozone gas.
According to a 2011 study , this type of ozone exposure in low concentrations for a short duration can then inactivate many organisms, such as fungi, yeast, and bacteria.
Another study found that ozonized sunflower oil was more effective in treating toenail fungus than the prescription topical antifungal ketoconazole (Xolegel).
To treat toenail fungus with ozonized oil, work the oil into the affected toenail twice a day.
Only anecdotal evidence exists supporting vinegar as a treatment for toenail fungus. Still, it’s a reasonably safe home remedy to try.
Soak the affected foot in one part vinegar to two parts warm water for up to 20 minutes daily.
Listerine mouthwash contains menthol, thymol, and eucalyptus, which have antibacterial and antifungal properties. This may be why it’s a popular folk remedy for toenail fungus.
Supporters of the treatment recommend soaking the affected foot in a basin of amber-colored Listerine for 30 minutes daily.
A 2009 review found that garlic has some antifungal and antimicrobial capabilities.
You may treat toenail fungus with garlic by placing chopped or crushed garlic cloves on the affected area for 30 minutes daily.
It may be better, and less smelly, to treat it from the inside out with garlic capsules. Take as directed by the manufacturer.
The link between diet and health is clear: The healthier the foods you eat, the better chance your body has to fight off conditions such as toenail fungus.
Give your body the nutrients it needs by eating:
- probiotic-rich yogurt
- enough protein to support nail regrowth
- enough iron to prevent brittle nails
- a diet rich in essential fatty acids
- foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as low fat dairy products
In most cases, toenail fungus is considered a cosmetic problem. Still, it may cause serious complications for some people.
If you have diabetes, toenail fungus may lead to foot ulcers or other foot problems. According to a 2012 study, chronic toenail fungus is a significant risk factor for bacterial cellulitis of the leg.
You shouldn’t use home remedies for toenail fungus if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Contact your doctor for the appropriate course of action.
Home remedies may be more effective than prescription medications in treating mild-to-moderate toenail fungus. Although home remedies typically have fewer side effects, there’s less scientific evidence that they work.
Many factors come into play when treating toenail fungus, such as nail penetrability, infection severity, and overall health.
Home remedies may take longer to wipe out toenail fungus than topical prescription medications or oral systemic antifungals. You may not see results for several months. Reinfection is common.
Once the infection is gone, keep your toenails dry, clean, and well-trimmed.
Severe cases of toenail fungus may cause pain and irreversible toenail damage. If you try home remedies to treat the infection that don’t work or cause side effects, consult your doctor.
Last medically reviewed on October 10, 2022
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