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The Best Ways To Treat Nail Fungus
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If you are fighting a nail infection, you are not alone. Medical professionals have learned that around half the people in this country will end up with a nail fungus by the time they are age 70. The U.S. National Library of Medicine has determined that half of the causes of nail disease are due to fungus.
What is Nail Fungus?
Technically, nail fungus is known as onychomycosis. It is an infection, usually of the toenails, caused by molds, ringworms, and yeasts. It is a chronic condition that eventually breaks down the plate of the nail. It is common in areas of the country that have very warm weather and seems to flourish under warm, moist conditions. Wearing closed-toed shoes, walking barefoot around public pools or in the shower area of your workout facility, or even getting a pedicure all may increase your chances of getting a nail fungus.
What Are the Symptoms?
A nail fungus may start off innocently at first as a yellow or white spot beneath your toenail, but it will quickly attack your nail, making it thick and deep yellow and crumbly as it goes deeper under the surface.
What Treatments Are Available?
- Medications – If you visit your doctor, you will be able to get a prescription to get rid of your nail fungus.
- Dietary Changes – If you want to take matters into your own hands, you can change the way you eat and see if you can resolve your nail fungus this way. Try these suggestions to see if they work for you. The good news is that they are supposed to act fast in treating the fungus.
- Eliminate grains and sugar – These two food groups are responsible for feeding the development of yeast and candida in your body, two conditions that contribute to nail fungus.
- Eat foods that help good bacteria grow – Once you get the bad stuff out, you will want to replace it with things such as foods that are fermented, probiotic foods, yogurt, and kefir.
- Eat quality fats and protein, and increase your fiber – Because fiber is not absorbed in the digestive system, it is able to safely remove waste toxins, cholesterol, and fat that could build up in your gut. Foods in these groups can help the body safely eliminate toxins.
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The ere the best natural ways to treat nail fungus:
1. Tea tree oil
This product is an effective antiseptic and is able to kill the fungus on your affected nails. Make sure that the area is clean by wiping it with rubbing alcohol. Next put the tea tree oil undiluted right on the nails. After it sets for about 10 minutes, scrub the affected nail with a soft toothbrush.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a powerful remedy that really works. You can soak your feet in pure vinegar or mix it with Epsom salts daily. For best results, soak your feet for 30 minutes twice a day.
3. Vicks VapoRub
You may be surprised, but this antifungal has eucalyptus oil and camphor, both of which help heal nail fungus. Take a cotton swab and put a dab of Vicks VapoRub on the nail once a day. Eighty-three percent of those who used this product saw an improvement in their fungus.
4. Listerine
Combine equal parts of Listerine and white vinegar in a container, and soak the infected area for up to 60 minutes.
5. Pau d’arco tea
This tea is made from the inside bark of a tree located in South America. It has antifungal properties that are just as effective as a prescription medication. Simply soak two pau d’arco tea bags and relax your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes twice a day.
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6. Oregano oil
The thymol in oregano oil has antifungal properties that are effective in treating nail fungus. All you have to do is apply a couple of drops on the nail two times a day and your fungus will begin to disappear.
7. Probiotics
When you find a toenail fungus remedy that works for you, add a probiotic supplement to your diet to make sure that you have all methods of healing covered.
8. Corn meal
The reason that corn meal works in treating nail fungus is because it does not affect the body, but it is able to kill Candida. Find a container in which you can place either your affected foot or both feet and add a cup of cornmeal with two quarts of water. The cornmeal needs to soak for about an hour before submerging your feet. You can then soak your feet for about a half hour as often as you like.
9. Baking soda
Baking soda is alkaline, which keeps toenail fungus from spreading. You can soak your feet in baking soda by itself or combine it borax to create a strong fungicide. Mix equal parts with a little water and rub it onto the affected areas. You can repeat this two times a day.
10. Coconut oil
You will see some relief from your toenail fungus if you put a thin coat of coconut oil on the area and let it set for about 15 minutes.
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Once you have gotten rid of your nail fungus, what can you do to keep from getting it again? There are some precautions you can take to prevent this persistent fungus from attacking your feet again. Keep your nails short and your feet clean and dry. Wear swim shoes near the pool or beach, cotton socks with your footwear, and don’t go barefoot in areas that are open to the public and may carry the makings of athlete’s foot.
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