You can try free home remedies for mild toenail fungus like soaking feet in diluted apple cider vinegar or Listerine, applying tea tree oil or Vicks VapoRub, and using baking soda paste, but success varies and diligence is key, requiring thorough drying and nail trimming. Good hygiene, like wearing breathable shoes, changing socks daily, and keeping nails short, is crucial for managing and preventing fungus, though severe infections usually need professional medical treatment.
Fast-Acting Treatments for Toenail Fungus
Laser therapy is one of the fastest ways to target fungal nail infections. This FDA-approved procedure uses concentrated light to penetrate the nail and kill the fungus at its source—without damaging the surrounding skin.
What is the 1-minute sock trick for fungus? This viral remedy involves soaking socks in a diluted vinegar or antifungal solution before wearing. It may offer some relief, but it's not a substitute for medical treatment.
Vicks Vaporub for Toenail Fungus
And, while this may sound like a crazy idea, this study actually suggests that applying the over-the-counter product has a positive healing effect. Still, within the study, completely clearing the fungus took 48 weeks when using topical Vicks products.
If the doctor has said to use a topical antifungal medicine, put this medicine directly on your child's skin or nail. Keep your child's feet and hands dry. Dry skin and nails are less likely to get infected. Put powder on dry feet or hands after a shower or bath.
Additionally, biotin deficiency can increase the risk of fungal nail infections and subsequent nail plate discoloration. Changes in nail shape and surface.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Epsom Salt
Another foot soak method, this is said to work really well for toenail fungal infections. Apple cider vinegar (also known as ACV) has a number of healing and antibacterial properties if it's organic, making it a go-to for many homeopathic treatments.
Dry Thoroughly: After soaking, dry the nails completely to prevent any residual moisture, which can promote further fungal growth. Apply Directly (Optional): Some people choose to apply undiluted apple cider vinegar directly to the affected nails using a cotton ball, leaving it on for a few minutes before rinsing.
Your podiatrist can detect a fungal infection early, perform a lab test, determine the cause, and form a suitable treatment plan, which may include prescribing topical or oral medication, and debridement (removal of diseased nail matter and debris) of an infected nail.
One small study found that pure tea tree oil helped a small amount of people who used it to treat toenail fungus. But other studies on using lower amounts of tea tree oil haven't found it helps treat toenail fungus. Tea tree oil may work well when used with other antifungal medicines.
What is most interesting is when the contaminated socks worn by patients with tinea pedis and onychomycosis were laundered in a domestic washing machine at 40ºC. Thirty-six percent of the socks revealed positive fungal cultures at the end of the cleaning and drying cycle.
Soaking your feet and toes in a bath containing Epsom salts can help dry out fungal infections by killing fungal spores. Add 1–2 cups of Epsom salt to a footbath of warm water and soak for 30 minutes.
What is the strongest natural antifungal? Many natural remedies boast antifungal properties, but tea tree oil often takes the crown as the most potent. Its effectiveness against a broad spectrum of fungi makes it a popular choice for treating various skin infections.
Eating foods and oils that improve your gut health is a great way to ward off toenail fungus. Doing so also improves your immune system. Try to eat fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, garlic, onions, and asparagus.
Tolnaftate: An FDA-approved antifungal found in products like Fungi-Nail, our best overall pick. Clotrimazole: A broad-spectrum antifungal often used in OTC creams to stop fungal growth at the source.
Nail fungus is caused by various fungal organisms (fungi). The most common is a type called dermatophyte. Yeast, bacteria and molds also can cause nail infections. The discoloration from a bacterial infection tends to be green or black.
Keratin granules are areas of damage to the top layers of the nail. They show up as small, chalky white spots or rough patches and happen when nail polish, especially if left on too long, dries out and weakens the surface of the nail.
When considering a podiatrist or dermatologist for toe fungus, it's best to see a podiatrist. They have the tools to diagnose infections accurately and provide thorough toenail fungus treatment, while checking for any peripheral effects on your gait, balance, and alignment.
Once the toe is numb, you will not experience any pain while the nail is removed. After the procedure, when the anaesthetic wears off, the toe will be cushioned in a protective dressing. It may feel a little tender but should not be painful at all. You just need to take care not to knock it against something!
“Each evening, patients go to a bathroom or other place with a vinegar-resistant floor, don old cotton socks, pour a few spoons of plain or apple-cider vinegar and a few spoons of water over the toes, and sit and read for 10-15 minutes. They then doff the socks, apply topical antifungals, and go to bed.
Oregano Oil
The application and benefits of oregano oil are the same as tea tree oil. Thanks to bacteria-fighting properties, you may be able to use oregano oil to treat toenail fungus at home. Just a few drops two or three times a day will be enough to keep your toenails coated, and help ward off future growth.
Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash—Original Flavor
“This mouthwash can be used to treat nail fungus,” Dr. West says. “While it's not particularly effective, some patients want to try something less aggressive, which is reasonable.”
Baking soda.
In addition to treating the fungal infection, it can also help with neutralizing foot odor. To use baking soda correctly as a treatment for toenail fungus, start by mixing a half-cup of it—along with a half-cup of Epsom salt and a quarter-cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%)—in four cups of hot water.
Thick toe nails can be managed using an emery board and filing your nails. This will stunt nail growth and keep them manageable. Gently file each nail across the thickened part 2-3 time weekly to reduce the thickness. The best time to do this is when the nail is dry, before a bath or shower.