Toenail fungus, also known by the official name Onychomycosis, is a silent and largely superficial infection that more than 5% of the population will struggle with at some point in their lives.
Toenail fungus is typically marked by the yellowing of the toenail as well as its eventual transition to a thickened, brittle surface. What causes toenail fungus? Well, typically sweaty shoes, damp environments, and dirty socks are to blame.
Fungus thrives in dark, warm, and damp environments, and it can easily spread. Think of a gym locker room or your shoes after a long day hiking.
Article Navigation
- #13 - Listerine Foot Bath
- #12 – Lavender Oil
- #11 – Orange Oil
- #10 – Baking Soda and Vinegar
- #9 – Apple Cider Vinegar Shots
- #8 – Coconut Oil
- #7 – Olive Leaf Extract Supplements
- #6 – Vicks VapoRub
- #5 – Tea Tree Oil
- #4 – Probiotic Supplements
- #3 – Garlic Capsules
- #2 – Baking Soda and Borax Powder
- #1 – Organic Cornmeal
While toenail fungus is not life-threatening, or even painful, it is a condition that can cause great embarrassment due to its unsightly nature. For that reason, alone many folks seek how to get rid of foot fungus with easy-to-apply and safe home remedies.
While there are prescription medications available through your doctor, these drugs come with a slew of side effects that could end up making your suffering worse. So we decided to pull together safer home remedies for your usage. Listed below you'll find the top 13 home remedies for toenail fungus.
#13 - Listerine Foot Bath
If you want your feet to be fresh while also battling your toenail fungus then look no further. Listerine has been a popular remedy for toenail fungus for decades now, and the folk remedy has been backed up by science. Most Listerine contains eucalyptus as well as menthol and thymol.
Those three chemicals all have properties that fight bacteria and fungus. When you mix all three chemicals together you get a potent anti-fungal. Mix a dash or two of Listerine into a basin of warm water and allow your feet to soak upwards of 30 minutes.
Repeat this treatment daily, and monitor your results. Some people will see immediate results while others will take a little bit longer, so your mileage may vary.
#11 - Orange Oil
If you find that you struggle with toenail fungus and want a simple toenail fungus treatment, Orange Oil might just do the trick for you. Citrus has long been used as an anti-fungal, and you can find it in a variety of other skin care medications.
In order to get rid of foot fungus, all you need to do is apply the viscous oil directly to your infected nails, as well as the spaces in between your toes. Let the solution soak for roughly an hour before rinsing it off.
Pat your feet dry with a clean towel or washrag, and make sure not to reuse the same rag for your next application. Most people don't realize what causes toenail fungus, and they don't know that infections can reoccur if you don't follow stringent cleanliness.
id="4#10 - Baking Soda and Vinegar
When people look for home remedies for toenail fungus they are usually looking for safe alternatives to damaging prescription drugs. A safe solution that is still powerful includes using baking soda and vinegar in a solution to soak your feet.
Simply mix four tablespoons of baking soda with a cup of white vinegar in a bowl. Add some water to dilute the mixture, and then pour it into a large container that your feet can fit in. The acidity in vinegar helps to kill the fungus while the baking soda acts as a fungistatic, preventing the spread of the spores.
#8 - Coconut Oil
For folks who need to know how to get rid of toenail fungus without spending a bunch of money, coconut oil might be the remedy for you. Coconut oil, preferably organic, is a natural fungicide due to the prevalence of fatty acids within the mixture.
Fatty acids attack the fungal membrane which eventually leads to the removal of your toenail infection. Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to your feet two or three times per day, preferably after thoroughly washing your feet. Don't immediately put on socks or shoes, and let your feet breathe for a little bit so as to absorb the oil and air dry.
#6 - Vicks VapoRub
There are products in stores now that are designed for one purpose but completely applicable to another. Vicks VapoRub is a miracle ointment in that it can help you with a cold, or attack that sinister foot fungus that is ruining your day at the beach.
Vicks VapoRub can be used as a topical ointment, much like the coconut oil remedy we listed above, that has been clinically proven to affect toenail fungus. Before bed, and after cleaning your feet, apply a thick layer of Vicks VapoRub to your afflicted toenails and the spaces in between your toes.
The ingredients that will be doing the heavy lifting against your fungal infection are camphor as well as eucalyptus oil. This is probably the best smelling solution on our list, and also one of the cheapest. If you can't afford Vicks, then go ahead and get the generic version; just make sure those two ingredients are still found on the label.
#4 - Probiotic Supplements
If you've spent any time researching toenail fungus, then you've learned the role that bacteria plays in its growth. Bacteria on your body can be bad, but bacteria in your gut can be a good thing. Microflora live within your stomach, and if they start to get killed off or grow out of whack, then you could end up with Onychomycosis as a result.
Keep your stomach flora in good shape by supplementing your diet with healthy probiotic supplements. Look for probiotic supplements that have lactobacillus bacteria as a primary ingredient. Lactobacillus bacteria targets and eradicates candida.
If you want to keep up on your probiotic attack then try to limit your intake of sugars, artificial flavorings and fillers, and preservatives. Adhering to a healthy probiotic-first diet will lead to a happier, healthier you — with no toenail fungus.
#2 - Baking Soda and Borax Powder
If you want to really attack your toenail fungus then something a bit tougher might be what you need. Borax powder, or sodium borate, is a tough and natural mineral that you'll find in a variety of different cleaning products in and around your home.
Borax is found in toothpaste, detergent, and even some cosmetic skincare lines. Baking soda needs no introduction. Baking soda and borax powder can be combined into one heck of an anti-fungal fighter. The first thing you will need to do is mix your borax powder and baking soda together in a little bowl.
Add in some water and mix it together until you get a chalky paste. Once you have a satisfying chalky paste you will want to coat your feet and toenails with the material and really rub it in there deep, wearing gloves if necessary. Your feet will feel fresh and they'll probably be cleaner than you have seen them in a long time!
This treatment can be utilized twice per day, but if you have sensitive skin you might want to go ahead and just do it once daily. Monitor your progress, and be aware of any skin reactions so that you can modify your regimen appropriately.
