Nearly everyone will have a run-in with toe fungus in their lifetime and will naturally look for ways to get rid of toe fungus. Toenail fungus, which is also scientifically referred to as onychomycosis, will affect at least fifty percent of the population by the time they reach the age of seventy. Toe fungus can be embarrassing and unsightly, causing splitting, cracking, and sometimes even the loss of an entire toenail. Fortunately, the condition is oftentimes treatable at home using over-the-counter products that you can buy at your local drugstore, although more advanced cases will require a consultation with a foot specialist or foot clinic.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus
Many of today’s commercial preparations to treat foot fungus are highly effective and can alleviate symptoms right away. Other remedies may be found in your own medicine cabinet. Some of the best include:
Use anti-fungal cream. Found in the nail care section of your drugstore or beauty supply store, these creams can be quite effective in eradicating nail fungus and are applied topically to the effected nails.
Using petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to coat the nails at night can deprive the fungus of the oxygen that it needs to spread. Keep in mind that you should only do this with a dried toenail, since you do not want to seal water in and thus promote fungal growth in a nail that is not dried. You can also keep the toenails polished, particularly where a new nail is forming,
Use sulfur powder. Sold as a non-prescription item at your pharmacy, this powder can retard the growth of fungus.
Vinegar. Some people have had success in curing their toe fungus by soaking their feet in a bath of one part vinegar to eight parts water. You can also try to soak your feet in a bath of one-half cup baking soda, one-quarter cup peroxide, and four cups of water.
Orange oils and other oils. You can also sometimes get rid of toe fungus with a solution of five or ten percent orange oil. You can find this oil at any big box retailer. Apply daily between your toes and under and on your toe nails. Tea tree oil, thyme oil, and oil of oregano have also shown promise in treating toe fungus.
When to Seek Medical Attention to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus
When all else fails, schedule a visit with a foot specialist at a clinic like the Clear Toes Clinic. Only a medical professional or clinician can tell if you actually have onychomycosis, and can recommend the best treatments to get rid of toenail fungus for good.
