Herbs like Tea Tree Oil, Neem, Oregano Oil, Garlic, Pau d'Arco, and Echinacea show antifungal properties for foot fungus (athlete's foot), often applied diluted or in soaks to reduce symptoms and fight infection, but always do a patch test for irritation and consult a doctor for severe cases.
There is a published case study of significant anti-fungal activity of a mix of arrowroot, baking soda, basil oil, bay oil, tea tree oil, sage oil, and clove oil applied to feet twice a day (Misner, 2007).
Garlic: It is one of the most potent antifungal and antimicrobial herbs. Those who take garlic regularly in their diet they are less susceptible to fungal infections.
For pregnancy-safe toenail fungus treatment, consult your doctor for options like topical antifungals (clotrimazole, miconazole), which are generally preferred, or laser therapy, a medication-free choice; avoid oral medications unless necessary, and consider home remedies like Epsom salt soaks or tea tree oil (diluted, with professional guidance) while waiting for professional care, as oral antifungals and some natural remedies carry risks.
Severe cases must be treated with prescription antifungal drugs to prevent athlete's foot from coming back. Due to it being caused by fungi, athlete's foot cannot be treated with antibiotics.
After washing and drying your feet, apply an antifungal product. The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective. Another option is clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). You may need to experiment to find the product and formulation — ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder or spray — that work for you.
Topical treatment with Vicks VapoRub: The combination of camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, the three main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub, is believed to stop the growth of certain fungi. Follow the same application process as for tea tree oil. Numerous readers swear by this.
Diluted tea tree oil can be applied directly to affected nails to help combat the fungal invasion. Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, creates an environment that's unfavorable for fungal growth. Soaking your nails in a mixture of vinegar and water might help curb the spread of nail fungus.
If toenail fungus goes untreated, it worsens, causing the nail to thicken, discolor (yellow/brown), become brittle, crumble, and potentially separate from the nail bed, leading to pain, odor, and difficulty walking; it can spread to other nails/skin (athlete's foot) and, in rare cases, lead to serious bacterial infections like cellulitis, especially for those with diabetes or weakened immunity, potentially causing permanent nail damage or systemic issues.
To use it, apply Vicks VapoRub with a cotton swab and try to work it under the nail a bit, Dr. West says. Put a sock on to keep the product in place. Repeat at least three to four times per week, though daily is safe, too.
Traditional Chinese medicine has identified many plants with antimicrobial properties, such as Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis chinensis and Lonicerae japonicae flos, which provides a rich resource as natural biocides.
10 natural remedies for fungal skin infections
Many spices—such as clove, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, and cumin—possessed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities against food spoilage bacteria like Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, harmful fungi like Aspergillus flavus, even ...
Cinnamon can be used to treat conditions such as toenail fungus, where cinnamon “has the ability to stop drug-resistant yeast infections.” Cinnamon leaf oil in particular or cinnamon oil diluted in water can both be used to treat toenail fungus and other conditions such as Athlete's foot.
Lavender
Lavender oil is a fragrant essential oil with antifungal properties, making it a useful foot fungus home remedy. It not only fights the fungus but also helps soothe irritated skin. Mix lavender oil with your preferred carrier oil and apply it to the infected area before bedtime.
Even a mild infection like this can snowball into something more serious, like cellulitis, a severe bacterial skin infection. Another problem is that untreated fungus eventually can spread to either neighboring toenails or to the skin of your foot, causing athlete's foot.
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.
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.
There's some evidence to show applying vitamin E topically to your infected toenails can help eliminate toenail fungus over time.
“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.
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.
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.
Don't pick at the skin around your nails. Don't use nail polish or fake nails on your nails. Don't share personal things, such as towels and nail clippers.
Research hasn't shown tea tree oil is effective in treating toenail fungus. One small study found that pure tea tree oil helped a small amount of people who used it to treat toenail fungus.