Keep Toe Nail Fungus Off the Natural Way

Attracted to dark, damp environments, fungus is more than happy to make itself at home on your feet. This living organism creeps its way under your toe nails, and once its bed is made, your nails then function as natural shields against anything that wishes to cause the fungus harm. In payment, it can turn your toe nails into unsightly yellowish lumps, often brittle and flaking off at the ends. Once this occurs, there is no choice but to deal with it, because no matter how hard you try, you are not going to be able to run away from your own feet.

There are several treatments that help destroy toe nail fungus, and luckily, many of them can already be found in your own pantry. Using natural remedies from your own kitchen is not only convenient, but can also offer a solution for those already too embarrassed by the problem to have it further accentuated through the purchase of over-the-counter treatments that publicize your problem, as well as risk being discovered by guests to your home.

One of the most recognized natural treatments of toe nail fungus is using oil of oregano, as many experts believe that the active ingredient, carvacrol, inhibits bacterial growth and acts to regenerate cells. Therefore, oregano has natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties. Other effective treatments, besides oregano, include other oils, such as olive oil and tea tree oil, that have antifungal and antiseptic properties, as well as common vinegars, including apple cider and cane vinegars, also believed to have antiseptic characteristics.

Another natural, topical remedy is Vicks Vapor Rub. While unknown exactly why this is such an effective treatment, there is a link between it and oregano that may pose a clue. Vicks Vapor Rub is often recognized for the effects of the mentholatum within it, and menthalatum is often made to include pressed mint leaves. Interestingly, oregano is part of the mint family, so there may be a property within mint that may prove itself as one of the underlying reasons why these two treatments are so effective against toe nail fungus.

Regardless, you should note that while using natural remedies may help keep the problem under wraps a little longer, there are a few factors that should be considered before a final decision is made. While many experts agree on the usefulness of herbal remedies, there is not a universal agreement about how much of and how often these home remedies are to be applied. Many, such as olive oil and oregano oil, can be applied directly onto the fungus; however, others, like tea tree oil, have been known to cause skin irritation on occasion if not diluted before use. Therefore, you should use caution when trying these at-home treatments. Nonetheless, as with any successful treatment, one should practice consistency, and apply the treatment no less than daily.

Sources:

*Nail Infections, health911.com

*Oregano, New World Encyclopedia

*Carvacrol, wikipedia.com