Home Remedies for Nail Fungus

Most of us have had to deal with yucky nail fungus but for diabetics, it is a serious medical issue because they need to be especially careful with any kind of foot ailment. If you have a problem with nail fungus or you know someone who does, check out these home remedies to get rid of this nasty fungus.

Vinegar Soak

Vinegar to the rescue again! Readers who wrote in to the authors of, Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy, say that a vinegar soak has worked wonders for them. Simple use two parts of water to one part of vinegar for a soaking solution. It doesn't matter whether you use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar but since white vinegar is cheaper then that would be the best one to use. There are a couple of ways you can use this remedy. One way is to soak your hands or feet in the solution for either an hour each week or for once a day, depending on how bad it is. The other way to use the vinegar remedy is taking a cotton swab and dabbing it in the vinegar and applying it to the toe nails or finger nails after your shower. Try both or pick which one you prefer. Either way it is an inexpensive way to get rid of nail fungus.

Cornmeal

Cornmeal is another cheap home remedy that seems to work for a lot of people. To use this remedy simply put about an inch of cornmeal into a shallow pan and add enough hot water to dissolve it. Let stand for an hour to cool down and then soak your feet for an hour. There is no scientific reason why this works but a lot of people have had success with it.

Gardeners also say that working cornmeal into the soil around a rose bush will prevent black spot disease which is a fungus that affects roses.

Vitamin E

People who have used Vitamin E oil to soak their fingers and toes say that this is an effective way to get rid of fungus.

Listerine

Listerine is normally used as a mouth wash but has many home remedy effects for different ailments. Some say to mix it with vinegar and soak your feet or hands in it and others say to just soak your feet and hands in plain Listerine. It is a slow treatment but it is inexpensive and effective.

For the Listerine and vinegar soak you will need a 50/50 mixture and for the plain Listerine remedy, either soak your feet and toes or apply it to the nails with a cotton swab. Either way, it is inexpensive and people claim it works so it doesn't hurt to try it.

Vicks VapoRub

We all know that Vicks VapoRub is used to treat cough and congestion but it can also be used as a remedy for other ailments, including nail fungus. Although it is a slow going process, it is an inexpensive way to get rid of nasty nail fungus. The main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub are the main sources to get rid of fungus. Camphor, menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, cedar leaf, nutmeg, and turpentine are the ingredients in Vicks VapoRub and are said to be the reason this remedy works so well. To use this remedy, simple apply Vicks VapoRub all around the infected nail or nails once a day. Putting it on right after a bath or shower seems to work well. If you apply it at night, don't forget to wear socks to keep your sheets clean. This treatment could take up to 6 months to work.

An allergy rash is possible so be careful. Another warning that some people reported is that the fungus effected nail came off with this treatment , and even though this can increase the effectiveness, it could be painful.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is very effective for skin conditions and can also be helpful in treating nail fungus. You can find this oil in drug stores or on the internet. Simply apply the tea tree oil to the effected nail or nails daily until it is gone. Be careful though, it has been reported that some people got an allergic rash so watch out for itching or redness.

Oregano Oil

Oregano oil contains thyme like Listerine and Vicks VapoRub and this is most likely the reason why people have had such success with it for nail fungus. Simply put a drop between the nail and the skin every day and even though this is also a slow going process, it seems to work. Some people are allergic to oregano oil and if you have ever had an allergic reaction to basil, sage, lavender, marjoram, or mint then you should stay away from oregano oil.

Lemon

The lemon remedy is by far the strangest one. One reader of the book, Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy, wrote in to tell the authors about a strange lemon remedy that she learned from an elderly friend of hers. Apparently, by cutting 3 fresh lemons and scooping out a hollow just large enough for your toe and placing it on your toe for 3 nights in a row, this should get rid of the fungus. The infected toenail becomes soft enough to peel right off to let the new one grow in. Instead of peeling the toe yourself, you should have a doctor do it. One reader said she had to place duct tape around the lemon and the toe to hold it in. Doesn't seem like a very good remedy but it is inexpensive so if all else fails, give it a try.

For more information about popular nail fungus remedies visit this website. Also check out the book, Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy.