We bring you a long list of herbs and preparations that can serve as a natural remedy for nail fungus, and which, with a little perseverance and will, will help you get in the way of this pain.
Lemon, ginger, garlic, but also baking soda, apple cider vinegar, seawater, hydrogen, and mixtures of different essential oils, can really help you finally overcome fungal nail infections.
Recognize if you have nail fungus at all ?!
Natural home-made preparations and treatments that are safe and easy to use. However, in order to know at all whether you are fighting a fungal nail infection, we will first briefly look at what it is and what the most common symptoms that accompany it are.
Did you know, for example, that this is the most common nail disease? As many as half of all changes and disorders on them are caused by fungi.
Any change in the structure or color of the nail plate warns that it is necessary to establish as soon as possible what it is about in order to undergo appropriate treatments in time. Fungus on toenails is almost 10 times more common than fungus on toenails.
1.Fungal nail infection, professionally called onychomycosis, in the initial stage looks like a white or yellow spot. If you notice it, it's time to react then. Unfortunately, most of us tend to ignore such changes on our nails, which is very wrong. Over time, as the infection spreads, the nails begin to crack, darken, and thicken. The structure and shape of the nails change, and the fungi even cause the nail to separate from the finger, and inflammation of the skin under and around the nail, which is a particularly painful and unpleasant experience;
2. Most infections start from the feet, then spread to the nails. Our toenails, especially those on our feet, are most common in socks and shoes. As the dark and humid environment is most conducive to the formation and spread of fungi, nails are very susceptible to this disease. In addition to toenails, fungal infections also affect the nails on the hands, and it is most often transmitted due to scratching the feet and nails, but also due to frequent sweating of the palms. Decreased immunity and poor circulation of the legs also affect the onset and development of this disease;
3.Although no one is protected from getting a fungal infection, statistics still show that men are more prone to this disease than women. Also, older people are more susceptible than younger ones. People who have athletic foot, diabetes, psoriasis, increased sweating, who smoke, or have someone in the family who has fungi, are at a higher risk of getting them. If you spend a lot of time in the water or you hit and hurt your nail, you will be more prone to getting nail fungus;
4.Fungal infections can look like other conditions, so it is important for the doctor to determine what it is. A sample is taken from the diseased area and sent for laboratory analysis, and in that way, it is determined whether it is a fungus. After that, the therapy and treatment procedure are determined. Although nail fungus is usually not painful, still, if not treated in time, it can spread to the extent that it stays on the nails for years, even decades. Sometimes, in the most severe cases, the nail needs to be surgically removed, because that is the only way to prevent further infection. In other cases, the doctor usually resorts to one of the following options:
a cream that is applied directly to the nail;
nail polish or antifungal spray;
antifungal tablets;
laser treatment that removes the damaged area of the nail or skin.
Beat fungal nail infections with natural remedies
Although prevention and daily care of the hand, and nail hygiene are the best way to prevent the formation of fungi, when they already appear, it is important to know how to treat them. In addition to the therapy prescribed by a doctor, there are also numerous popular natural remedies and preparations for nail fungus that have been tried and help solve this problem.
First of all, read how a natural nail fungus spray can help you!
There are also those natural remedies that you can make yourself!
Although for some of them you would never think that they can be of help to you, nothing costs you to try and maybe they will have a surprisingly good effect on your nails. We bring you proven home methods by which you can treat nails affected by fungi.
Soda
There is nothing that baking soda is not used in the household, as a means of scrubbing, removing tartar and even whitening teeth. Also, soda has proven to be an excellent ally against nail fungus. Baking soda works by absorbing moisture on the feet, which can cause fungus. Interestingly, one study showed that the use of baking soda prevented the further development of fungi in as many as 79 percent of respondents who used it. When we know this, it is certainly not out of place to try these treatments.
Put baking soda in socks and shoes, and it will draw out moisture throughout the day;
Make a bath of warm water and baking soda. Soak your feet or hands for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. It is important to repeat this procedure several times a day.
Alcoholic vinegar for nail fungus
We all have it in the kitchen. Although there is no clinical evidence that vinegar helps eliminate fungus, many swear by it. You can apply it directly to infected nails by using a mixture of warm water and vinegar in a ratio of 2 to 1 in favor of water. It is important to soak your feet in this bath twice a day. The pH level in vinegar works by destroying fungi. The improvement should be seen in a week or two.
Apple cider vinegar against nail fungus
This vinegar is a natural medicine that is used both in the regulation of blood pressure and in the treatment of fungal nail infections. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water, soak your nails for half an hour. If you carry out this treatment regularly for a few weeks, you should notice an improvement.
Olive leaf as a natural remedy against nail fungus
Influenza, tuberculosis, meningitis, herpes, are just some of the diseases in the treatment of which folk medicine includes olive leaves. Research shows that olive leaf extract has such an effect that it has a better effect on the body than antibiotics. When it comes to treating nail fungus, the leaf also has an effect. You can apply a few olive leaves on infected nails, leave it on for about 30 minutes and rinse with water. Olive leaf tea will improve your immunity, and prepare it by putting up to two teaspoons of dried leaves of this plant on 2 dl of hot water. Cook for about 15 minutes, strain and drink up to 3 cups of this tea during the day.
St. John's wort (St. John's wort)
St. John's wort is highly recognized and valued as a natural ally in the fight against cramps, kidney disease, liver, bladder, and also helps in the treatment of depression. It contains essential oils, tannin, vitamin C, has antibacterial and antifungal effects.
Make a balm with St. John's wort oil against fungus in a sweetening way.
Components:
1 tablespoon St. John's wort oil,
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Mix these three ingredients well, apply to the affected finger and wrap in gauze overnight. Repeat this procedure for three nights in a row.
If you have ingrown nails, repeat this treatment for longer.
Seawater as a natural remedy for nail fungus
The healing properties of seawater are known, which have an antiseptic effect, activate cell metabolism, tighten the skin, and remove impurities. Processed seawater is an ingredient in many skincare and airway treatment products. If you have the opportunity to stay at sea often, good for you, then seawater will also help you treat nail fungus. In order to make seawater at home, we need to pour a cup of sea salt into a liter of water. Soak your feet or hands in this bath for about 15 minutes and then rinse them with plain water.
Garlic as a treatment against nail fungus
It is superfluous to mention how much garlic is domesticated in our country in the treatment of many diseases, and it also helps to get rid of nail fungus. Garlic has strong antifungal effects, so try to treat fungi with it as soon as possible. Take a few cloves of onion, chop finely, apply them on the infected part, and leave for 30 minutes. However, be careful, because fresh garlic can sometimes cause tingling and itching of the skin.
It is also interesting that you can put one clove of garlic, finely chopped, in a bottle of transparent nail polish. Apply nail polish and then rub your nails with a slice of lemon to remove the recognizable smell of onions. The improvement should be seen after a week of use.
Ginger
This plant also has a powerful effect on fungi. You can mix a small teaspoon of grated ginger with finely chopped garlic and 5 drops of tea tree oatmeal. Mix everything well until you get a thick mixture. Apply to diseased nails and cover with gauze, then keep for at least two hours. This medicine is even more effective if you use it in the early phase of the infection.
Silver water against nail fungus
Silver water is considered to be the oldest natural antibiotic, it is used preventively, and it also works against fungi. Silverworks by preventing the growth of fungi and mold. You can drink it, but also apply it directly on the affected area, both on wounds or burns, and on nail fungus. It is used independently of any other drugs and does not harm the body.
Turmeric
This plant contains curcumin, which fights against as many as 23 species of fungi, and its antiseptic and antifungal effects have been proven. Get raw turmeric root, mash it and apply the juice you get on infected nails. Leave to stand for 2 hours and rinse. Repeat twice a day.
Lemon juice
Lemon acid acts as a strong antiseptic, and it also has antifungal properties that help stop the spread of infection. Apply squeezed lemon juice on infected nails several times a day and leave it on for about 30 minutes, then rinse. You can also mix lemon juice with olive oil and massage your feet or hands.
Hypermanganese as a natural remedy for nail fungus
Soak your feet or hands in a solution of hyper manganese which you will get by pouring a few grains with two liters of warm water. Carry out the treatment three times a week, and the fungi will start to separate.
Boric acid
Boric acid is used both in the household and in the treatment of various diseases. Borax is a white crystalline powder, with boric acid, and is easily dissolved in water. You have to be careful when using it because it is also used as an insecticide, but its careful use works against nail fungus and athletic foot. You can use a 3% solution of boric acid and apply it to the infected area.
Hydrogen as a natural preparation against nail fungus
Hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen can prevent further spread of the fungal infection. It is very effective, non-toxic, and at the same time very cheap, and is a faithful ally in the treatment of numerous ailments. Take 100 ml of 3% pharmaceutical hydrogen and add to a liter of distilled water. Soak your feet in this solution for about 20 minutes. Repeat the treatment every day until the fungus disappears.
Povidone-iodine
Treatment of fungal nail infection with povidone-iodine lasts 20 days. Every day, 1 drop of 5% iodine solution is applied to infected nails. You can treat those nails that are not diseased once in two days. Your nails may sting, but it is a sign that the treatment is working and that recovery is beginning.
Propolis drops
Propolis is considered one of the strongest natural remedies, and it is best to buy real propolis from beekeepers. You need to make a 20% solution of propolis, apply it on cotton wool, and put it on the affected nail for a few minutes. Repeat this procedure every night until healing. One piece of propolis lasts a long time and does not lose its properties.
Natural oils against persistent fungi
1. Tea tree oil
Due to its pronounced fungicidal and antiseptic properties, tea tree oil is considered to be one of the most effective natural remedies against nail fungus. It is known that this oil is used in the treatment of numerous skin infections, so one study shows that this oil helped in the treatment of athletic feet in as many as 64 percent of cases. Rub tea tree oil on the affected area and leave it on for ten minutes. Then, with an old toothbrush, rub the infected nails. You can also mix it with olive oil. It is important that your nails are clean, so they should be disinfected with alcohol before each treatment.
2. Coconut oil as a natural remedy for nail fungus
Coconut oil has powerful antifungal effects and many people use it against fungal infections of the feet, but also the nails themselves. Melt a small amount of coconut oil at room temperature and rub directly on the part affected by the fungus.
3. Orange oil
You can apply this oil daily by rubbing it on the surface of the nail and leaving it on for at least an hour. Be careful, because this, like other citrus oils, can cause allergies. Test a drop of oil on the skin first, so if there is no reaction, you can safely use it to treat fungus.
4. Castor oil
Destroys fungi in a safe way, without irritation. Castor oil is very thick, so you can mix it with, e.g. olive oil and add a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this mixture on infected nails, then rinse after 20 minutes.
5. Wild oregano oil
Oregano is a plant with strong antifungal properties. Mix a few drops of oregano oil with a teaspoon of olive oil. Smear on infected nails.
6. Lavender oil
Apply a few drops on the nails, put on cotton socks, and leave it on overnight. The antifungal properties of lavender oil help the most in milder cases of fungal nail infections.
All of these natural remedies for nail fungus are readily available and it certainly costs you almost nothing to try them and beat a nail infection. It takes time and perseverance, but the results will not be missed. Of course, going to the doctor and consulting with him are necessary if none of the above helps. As we said, nail fungus is not at all naive, so try to find the right solution to remove it as soon as possible.
Good one