10 Ways To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus
Fungi can infect one or more of your nails when you least expect. A fungal infection on the nail usually start as a yellow or white spot under the tip of a toe nail or finger nail. When left untreated, the fungus will spread deeper into the nail. This changes the appearance of the nail. The nail will discolor, thicken and have crumbling edges.
This infection usually develops on nails that are continuously exposed to a warm and moist environment e.g. sweaty shoes. There are some people who are genetically susceptible to nail fungus. Fortunately, there are simple things that can be done to treat nail fungus. Using coconut oil for nail fungus is not the only thing that you can do. There many other things that you should do. The things that you can do include:
1. The Use Of Tea Tree Oil
For hundreds of years, people have been using tea tree oil as a fungicide and as an antiseptic. If you are suffering from nail fungus, tea tree oil nail fungus can be very helpful. You should dab a few drops of tea tree oil on the affected area of your nail or soak a cotton ball in tea tree oil and the use it to rub the affected area. You should use a tooth brush to scrub the affected area before applying tea tree oil. Make sure that the tooth brush is thrown away after using it for this purpose. Apply the mixture of tea tree oil as often as you like. If your infection is mild, applying tea tree oil twice a day can be sufficient. However, if you have serious infection you should try to apply the tea tree oil as often as you can.
2. A mixture Of Garlic And White Vinegar
Garlic has antibacterial and antifungal properties in its raw state. Before using garlic to treat your nail fungus problem, you should take you time to crush it. Crushing it helps to release allicin, a compound that has antifungal properties. When you thoroughly crush the garlic, mix it with white vinegar. You should then soak the affected toes in the mixture for as long as possible. The consumption of raw garlic can also help you treat nail fungus. Consume as much raw garlic as possible when you want to fend off nail fungus.
3. Application Of Apple Cider Vinegar
The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar helps to make it a very effective element for fighting fungus infection. Apple cider vinegar will help to stop the speared of fungus as well as kill the bacteria that is present in the affected area. Mix some vinegar with an equal amount of water before applying it on the affected area. The best thing to do is allow the affected nail to be soaked in the mixture for at least 30 minutes. This process should be repeated at least once every day. Ensure that you dry your nail thoroughly after soaking it in the mixture.
4. Soaking The Affected Area In Mouth Wash
Mouth wash contains alcohol. This alcohol helps to make the mouthwash an effective antiseptic. The germ fighting compounds in mouth wash also help to make it an effective solution for fighting nail fungus. To get the most out of mouth wash, submerge you nails in it for at least 15 minutes every day.
5. Make Use Of Lemon Juice
When fungus infects a nail, it can spread very fast to other nails. Lemon Juice can help to prevent this spread. This is becsue lemon juice is rich in citric acid. When you apply the critic acid to the affected nail, you make it difficult for the fungus to spread to other nails and to other areas of your body. Squeeze some lemon juice directly on the affected area and let it stay there for at least 15 minutes. Rinse it away with water and then dry up the area.
6. Taking Oral Medication
Your doctor can prescribe an oral antifungal medication. You should opt for medication if you have tried using home remedies for treating nail fungus without success. After examination, your doctor will be able to determine the type of medication that suits you best. Stick to the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist when using any oral medication. You could also use the clear nails plus supplement that is available.
7. Surgical Removal
When your infection is severe, your doctor can recommend that the affected nails should be surgically removed. You should not be so worried about the surgical removal of your nail because it will eventually grow back. It will only be a matter of time before you nail grows back. However, you may experience some pain before your nail eventually grows back.
8. Application Of A Topical Gel Or Cream
Your doctor may also prescribe a topical gel or cream that has antifungal properties. Some of these creams and gels contain urea. Urea helps to absorb any excess moisture that may be present in the affected area of you nail. Some topical gels ad creams require a prescription. There are other antifungal creams and gels that are available over the counter.
9. Use An Antifungal Lacquer
If your infection is not very serous, you may not need oral medication, surgical removal or other serious nail fungus treatment methods. An antifungal lacquer may be all you need. Apply a lacquer to the affected areas at least once every week. However, you should keep in mind the fact that using a lacquer to treat nail fungus can take a very long time.
10. Undergo Laser Treatment
Doctors are now able to treat people who are suffering from nail fungus using laser. This treatment is fairly new. It may not be available in your area. You should also keep in mind the fact that laser treatment for nail fungus can be very expensive. Laser treatment is one of the most effective ways to get rid of nail fungus.
Other useful tips:
- Practice good hygiene.
- Keep your nails clean, short and dry.
- Wear rubber gloves every time you are cleaning dishes or using cleaning products.
- Wear shoes when you are in public places.
- Wear ventilating socks.
