Home Remedies

Toenail Fungus Cure: How to get rid of Toenail Fungus Fast at Home

How to get rid of toenail fungus fast at home? Nails reveal everything about your overall health. It creates a kind of first impression about your cleanliness and lifestyle also. So trimming your nails from time to time is mandatory.

But in some cases, trimming doesn’t work correctly if you get the habit of wearing tight shoes, same socks for days, or leave your toe in moist condition day by day.

All these may lead to toenail fungus infection. Though toenail fungus is not a glamorous subject to discuss but your little unawareness may turn your beautiful nails into a crapped ones with yellowish spots on them.

So what will you do then? Obviously you will seek medical help. But believe me, there are lots of easy home remedies that can help you get rid of toenail fungus.

Therefore to release your worriedness in such a situation, we are here with a detailed discussion about toenail fungus, its cause, symptoms, and the best home remedies you can afford. Stay with us to know more.

Your nails may need more care than that. Your carelessness can lead to fungal infections. This article will discuss how to get rid of toenail fungus fast at home? Let us check it—

What is Toenail Fungus?

Although fungi flourish in a warm and moist environment, fungal infection on the skin can affect sweaty and damp parts of the body that receive less airflow.

Such parts are feet, groin, and folds of new skin. Toenail fungus is also the same kind of fungus growth that gradually makes the nails change the normal color and become brittle and cracked.

In medical terms, such a condition is called Onychomycosis or Tinea unguium.

Facts about Toenail Fungus

  • Toenail fungus infection is often caused by a common type of fungus known as a dermatophyte.  
  • Apart from fungi, yeast or molds can also cause nail infection.
  • Toenail infection can occur at any age, but older adults have a high chance to grow them.
  • It can affect any fingernail, but the toenail is the most common area to get the infection.
  • Nobody is immune to toenail fungus by any means, but the chance of infection enhances with growing age.
  • From the toenail, it can spread to the other part of the toe if it remains untreated.
  • Injured Nails can affect by fungus.

What Causes Toenail Fungus?

The toenail may affect by fungus due to various reasons, and each of the reasons has a specific solution of its own.

Usually, most of the toenail fungus infection is curable, but certain risk factors increase the chance to develop such infection.

Basically, dermatophyte is the primary causative pathogens of toenail fungus, growing in moist areas.

So individuals are more likely to develop big toenail fungus if they belong to the following category—

  • Diabetic patients. Suffering from a disease that causes poor blood circulation.
  • Aged people.
  • People who used to wear artificial nails.
  • Individuals have low immunity.
  • Injury around the toenail.
  • Staying with damp or moist toenail for an extended period.
  • Individuals wearing tight shoes.
  • In case the toenail develops any infection. This type of infection is familiar to those who used to swim in the public swimming pool. 
  • People who sweat heavily.
  • The slow growth of the nail.
  • People wear shoes and socks that prevent air from passing on.
  • Previous history of fungal infection in the family.
  • Have to stay or work in moist or damp weather for a long time.

Toenail Fungus Symptoms

Toenail fungus starts with a little common indication like swollen, redness, and soreness. But these symptoms are almost identical when you get a bruise on your toes or fingers.

So when you notice your toenail getting red spots to try to recall whether you have any wound there or not. If not, it is an indication of toenail fungus. So let us check the specific symptoms of fungal infection. 

Color Changes

Discoloration is the first evidential sign of toenail fungus. Color changes may also happen if there is any wound under the toenail.

If you notice any shiny black spot on your toenail, be sure it is a bruise, not a fungal infection.

But if the spot is grey or yellowish and your nail is gradually losing its normal color, it is none other than a fungal infection.

Other than discoloration of the toenail, there is another sign indicating a fungal infection in that specific location. Such as—

  • Thicken nail surface.
  • Nails become brittle or ragged.
  • Nail shape distorted.
  • Affected toenails lost their natural shine ad become dull. 
  • Pain and bad smell when pus began to form.

Apart from the signs mentioned above, there may be additional signs that occur when your toenail gets infected. Such as—

• Due to inflammation or irritation to the nail, skin, or scales under the nail bed started to form. This is known as Hyperkeratosis. 

• Dermatophyte, yeasts, or non-dermatophyte molds are the three types of fungi that can cause lateral Onychomycosis. You can notice a yellow or white stripe on the toenail.

  • Yellow or grey spots may occur on the nail top. It is called proximal Onychomycosis.
  • Infected toenail slowly detached from the nail bed.

How to get rid of Toenail Fungus Fast at Home

Check out these natural home remedies for how to get rid of toenail fungus under the nail

1. Cornmeal

Cornmeal for toenail fungus

Cornmeal is flour made from dried maize, which is not very fine. It is more coarse than regular wheat flour.

Cornmeal is very popular for its use to banish black spots caused by a fungal infection, so it is estimated that cornmeal has some antifungal properties that help cure toenail fungus.

Method

  • Take 3 to 4 spoon of cornmeal or as per your requirement
  • Add it slowly into warm water and stir well to make an even paste.
  • Let it cool down and apply coat the affected nail and keep it for one hour.
  • If you want to soak your feet in cornmeal solution using enough lukewarm water to make a liquid solution and dip your affected toenail for an hour.

2. Essential oil

These are the group of herbal oil that is widely used in aromatherapy. But apart from aromatherapy, essential oils can give wonder effect as far as other health issues.

In essential oils, the properties and flavor of mother flavor plant remain unmodified and original as they obtained through the process of distillation.

To treat toenail fungus, you can use several essential oils to get the best result.

Oil You Need

  • Tea tree oil.
  • Clove oil.
  • Lemongrass oil.
  • Cinnamon oil.
  • Jasmine oil.
  • Eucalyptus oil.
  • Lemon oil.
  • Oregano oil.

Method

  • Now take equal quantities of each essential oil in a container. 
  • Dilute them with a carrier oil or olive oil.
  • Mix the oils well to make a solution.
  • Apply a few drops on the affected nails.
  • Wrap the nail with a soft bandage so that it can be absorbed completely. 

3. Garlic

Garlic for toenail fungus

This popular flavoring ingredient needs no introduction as humans have used it for both culinary and therapeutic purposes.

Garlic extract has potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties to cure toenail fungus.  

Method

  • Please take a few cloves of garlic and chop them.
  • Apply the crushed garlic on the affected toenail and cover it with a gauze bandage.
  • Keep it for 30 minutes to one hour.
  • Garlic is the best way to get rid of toenail fungus.

4. Snakeroot Extract

Snakeroot Extract for toenail fungus

Snakeroot is a plant that belongs to the sunflower family, and it is a natural antifungal reagent.

It is widely used in homeopathic and ayurvedic medicines. It has chemicals such as reserpine, which is useful to lower high blood pressure.

Method

  • Collect snakeroot extract from an online shop.
  • Apply the extract to the infected area.
  • Repeat the process two to three times a week.
  • This treatment could take 3 months to show results.
  • Best remedy getting rid of toenail fungus naturally.

5. Epsom salt

How to get rid of toenail fungus fast with Epsom salt? it is the conventional name of magnesium sulfate. This is known as the Earth’s salt and has various usages in beauty, agriculture, and medicine.

If you are suffering from toenail fungus, Epsom salt foot bath can give your toenail relief from redness and soring. 

Method

  • 2-3 cups of hot water.
  • ½ cup of Epsom salt.
  • ¼ cup of white vinegar.
  • Mix well all the ingredients in a tub and soak your feet for half an hour.
  • You can also add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil. 
  • After soaking your toenail for 30 minutes, clean it with normal water, and pat it dry.
  • It is the best toenail fungus treatment.

6. Baking soda

How to get rid of toenail fungus fast with baking soda? Sodium bicarbonate, popularly known as baking soda which is being used in the kitchen for centuries for a different purpose.

Apart from culinary uses, it is also beneficial for health issues, including toenail fungus due to its antibacterial and antifungal nature.

Baking soda is also a potent exfoliator, and thus it can exfoliate the fungal infected skin surface.

Besides this, its alkaline nature help to create an acidic effect where fungus can hardly survive.

Method

  • To cure fungus infection on the toenail, you have to make a paste with baking soda and water.
  • Add one teaspoon of baking soda with 2 to 3 drops of lukewarm water and mix well.
  • Now apply this concoction with the help of a clean earbud to the nail. Please keep it for 30 minutes and wash with normal water.
  • Repeat this treatment daily 2 to 3 times if you want a better result.
  • You can also sprinkle dry baking soda on the affected area and cover it with a sock.
  • Baking soda is the best cure for toenail fungus.
  • it also cure ingrown toenail fungus.

Read Also: Candida auris Symptoms in Men and Women 

7. Listerine

Soaking foot in Listerine solution is a way to treat toenail fungus and athlete foot at home.

Leistering is a popular mouthwash and helpful to kill bacteria. It contains a few beneficial compounds like menthol, eucalyptus oil, and thymol.

All these are antibacterial and antifungal in nature. So owing to all these properties, we can take a Listerine foot bath.

All the natural oils take an active part in fighting the fungus and ensure fast healing.

With the help of listerine we can get rid of fungus toes naturally.

8. Olive Leaf Extract

Another home remedy for toenail fungus is olive leaf extract. It contains oleuropein, which has both antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

The ointment made from this leaf is used to reduce infection over the toenail area.

There are also capsules of olive leaf extract to make up your immunity. But you must consult a doctor about this. 

9. Ozonized Oils

Ozonated oil is nothing but oils containing ozone gas. This includes olive oil, sunflower oil, etc. Ozone gas helps in the delivery of oxygen to the affected areas.

This kills all the bacteria and microorganisms. Researches proved that it is effective over toenail fungus. So it must be noted that before you apply the oil, your foot must be dry. 

10. Black Tea Treatment

Black Tea for toenail fungus

Black tea is not a refreshing beverage; it is loaded with antioxidants and caffeine and a valuable part and parcel of beauty-related products.

To treat toenail fungus, soaking feet in the black tea solution is effective as it has tannic acid that helps kill bacteria. Moreover, it closes the skin pores and thus reduces sweat and helps to make the feet dry.

Method

  • Take adequate water to dip your feet and boil it in a container.
  • Add 3 to 4 tea bags into it.
  • Let the solution cool down and soak your affected nail for at least 30 minutes.
  • Do this daily.     

How to Prevent Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus seems not such a serious issue. But it may damage your nail permanently, and it also may start other serious infections. So we must follow some tips to prevent it—

  • Always wash your feet with soap and pat them dry. Do not leave moisture in between your fingers.
  • The fungus is contagious, and it spreads in warm and wet places. So avoid going to public places like swimming pool, toilet barefoot.
  • Try to change your diet and make yourself habituated with enough protein-enriched foods. Take foods or supplements that contain iron, calcium, and vitamin D. This will prevent brittle nails.
  • Put a habit to wear clean socks and shoes. The fungus often grows in moist shoes.
  • Do not allow your toenail to grow big. So trim your nails short. 
  • Use food gel or powder to keep your foot fresh and dry.
  • If you have a previous history of toenail fungus, keep antifungal cream and use it once a week.
  • Check your nails and feet daily if you have diabetes. 

Be sure to read: Appendicitis Causes Home Remedies and Treatment

Frequently Asked Question & Answers-

Q. How to cure Toenail fungus with Vicks vaporub?

Ans- Vicks vaporub contains eucalyptus and camphor that clinically proved to cure toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis. Apply a small amount of Vicks vaporub to the affected area once a day and repeat the process for a few weeks and see the positive results. 

Q. How to cure Toenail fungus with Apple cider vinegar?

Ans- Apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal properties that kill fungi and prevent developing them. Mix some ACV in water and soak your feet for 5-10 minutes once a day. It will take 2-3 weeks to eliminate toenail infection. 

Q. How to cure Toenail fungus with Bleach?

Ans-However, bleach isn’t a good idea. It can irritate the skin, especially people with sensitive skin tone though some people appreciate the positive results of bleach to treat toenail fungus. 

Add one tbsp. bleach in some water and soak the feet for 5-7 minutes. Repeat once a day for a few weeks. 

You must ask an expert before using bleach powder. 

Q. How to cure Toenail fungus with Hydrogen peroxide?

Ans-Hydrogen peroxide is a much safer way than bleach to cure toenail fungus. All you need to do is add some hydrogen peroxide in a tub half-filled with lukewarm water that is readily available at any store and soak the feet for 5-10 minutes. Repeat once a day. 

Soon you’ll get effective results, and it is also helpful to cure calluses and prevent athlete’s foot infection. 

Q. Why is Toenail fungus so hard to Cure?

Ans-Mostly, toenail fungi are hard to treat or take a long time to get treated. It occurs because of the fungal leaves in the layers of the nail and cells, and without antifungal supplements, it becomes worse and hard to cure.   

Q. What does Toenail fungus Look like?

Ans-During the initial stages of the toenail fungus appears like white, yellow lines on the nails. You may notice thickened nails with yellow color with brittleness. The fungus may spread in the whole part, and you may feel pain as well, and infection can spread more if not treated well. 

Q. What is the Most effective treatment for Toenail fungus?

Ans-The doctor may prescribe antifungal drugs named terbinafine and itraconazole that you need to consume for a couple of weeks. You need to complete the antifungal course to get rid of it, or it can return again. 

With that, antifungal ointments and creams are also available to prevent this from growing. Home remedies can also be worthy of preventing this.  

In severe cases, the doctor can advise laser therapy to remove the infected nail so it can’t spread in the bloodstream.  

Q. What are the stages of Toenail fungus?

Ans- Changed nail color: you may notice the changed color with brown, yellow, or grey, which is the beginning of fungal infection. 

Weird Ridges: ridges of the nail appear to be raised.

Thick nail:  nails become thicker than normal. 

Scaly skin with a bad odour: the nail becomes scaly or powdery, and a bad smell comes from the infected area. 

Q. How to tell if Toenail fungus is Healing?

Ans- You may notice the discoloration of the area starts decreasing. 

With effective treatment, the thickened nails start appearing normally, and new nails grow with health conditions. 

It may take a few months to heal toenail fungus, and you mustn’t stop the treatment in the middle.  

 Q. How to cure really bad Toenail fungus?

Ans- Antifungal supplements are the traditional ways to cure toenails fungus. Moreover, some of the home remedies can also help, and some of the popular remedies are:-

  • Apply tea tree oil to the affected part with a cotton ball twice daily. 
  • Apply oregano oil twice a day, or you can mix it with tea tree oil. 
  • Apply freshly chopped or crushed garlic to the affected area twice a day. 
  • Consult your doctor regularly and continue the medication. 
  • Maintain foot hygiene, trim the nails on the edges. 
  • Always wash your hands properly after touching your feet.  

Q. What are the Types of Toenail fungus?

  • Distal subungual onychomycosis is the most basic type of toenail fungus, and the signs include discolouration of the nails. 
  • White superficial onychomycosis: the symptoms start from nails discolouration and brittle nails. 
  • Proximal subungual onychomycosis: white spots appear in the nail and move outward and mostly occur in people with HIV or weak immunity. 
  • Candidal onychomycosis:  the nails become inflamed, and the outer skin gets swollen. 

Q. Why do you get Toenail fungus?

Ans-Various fungi cause toenail infection and dermatophyte, which is the common type of fungi. 

Q. Why does Toenail fungus smell?

Ans-The microorganism surviving in the area generates a foul odour as they feed on your body.  

Q. Why is Toenail fungus Dangerous?

Ans-Lack of proper treatment causes permanent damage as the infection can spread in the bloodstream, especially in people with HIV and diabetes.  

Q. Why does Toenail fungus cause pain?

Ans-Due to fungi growth, the inner skin is affected linked with toenails, which causes pain and swelling.  

Q. Why is Toenail fungus yellow?

Ans-The fungi are responsible for nail discoloration and turn your nail brown, yellow, grey, and even black in the worst cases.  

Q. How contagious is Toenail fungus?

Ans-Mostly, the toenail fungus is contagious and quickly spread to another person by touching the area or wearing infected socks or shoes.  

Q. How can you kill Toenail fungus?

Ans-The antifungal course is one of the ways to treat toenail fungus, and if you don’t notice any changes, the doctor may suggest the laser removal treatment, and by this, the infection kills from the root.  

Q. How to know if Toenail fungus is Dying?

Ans-You may notice positive results by sticking with effective treatment, including healthy nail color with decreasing nail thickness and swelling.  

Q. Is Toenail fungus Contagious?

Ans-Yes, they are. If a healthy person contacts an infected person by using his socks, shoes, or touching the infected part, the fungi can also trigger the healthy person. 

Q. What is Black Toenail fungus?

Ans-Dermatophytes are the fungi that cause black toenail infection. The debris can develop during the infection, and lack of treatment causes fungi and microorganisms to grow rapidly.   

In Closing

At the end of the article, we must say that toenail fungus may create some severeness in some person, especially who has high blood sugar.

So they must be careful enough while doing all the home remedies, and if they do not get a satisfactory result within a few days, they must consult medical professionals.

Do keep in mind that unless you find a new infection-free nail coming out, your treatment is not successful. So keep patience and follow the tips to prevent nail fungus and get beautiful nails.    

We hope you’ve enjoyed this article on how to get rid of toenail fungus fast at home!

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References from trusted source

  • Clinical trial for evaluating the effectiveness and tolerability of Ageratina pichinchensis (Snakeroot Extract) extract on patients with mild to moderate onychomycosis[1]
  • Evaluation of the antifungal activity of olive leaf aqueous extracts against Candida albicans PTCC-5027[2]
  • The Use of Ozonized Oil in the Treatment of Dermatophitosis Caused by Microsporum Canis in Rabbits[3]
  • Antifungal Effects of Common Mouthwashes on Candida Strains[4]
  • Allium sativum Extract Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Antifungal Effect against Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Causing Onychomycosis[5]

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

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