Dealing with Toenail Fungus

By the age of 70, about half of the population is expected to suffer from toenail fungus. That doesn’t mean, of course, that you can’t get the condition if you haven’t reached 70 just yet. It only means the condition is less common in younger people. Whether you get toenail fungus at 70 or younger, what remains the same is that the experience isn’t pleasant at all. It can involve something as simple as discoloration of your nails to swelling, discharges, unpleasant odors, and even to your nails crumbling or falling off completely. And though the condition can affect any of your toes, it is most often found on your big toe or small toe.

Toenail fungus is known in the medical world as onychomycosis. The fungal infection typically occurs when fungi manages to enter your nails through even the smallest of injuries. If you constantly wear shoes and socks for work or exercise as most people do, then the fungi could easily grow and spread, since the environment inside your shoes is typically moist and warm, perfect for fungal growth. And because the nails on your toes grow significantly more slowly than your fingernails, toenail fungus is a lot more difficult to treat. But, therein lies the good news: It can be treated.

Among the most commonly used home remedies for toenail fungus are vinegar footbaths. A vinegar footbath involves filling a container with vinegar and then soaking your feet for 30 minutes twice each day. With this treatment method, your condition should improve within 4-6 months. Another treatment option is an anti-fungal mouthwash footbath. The fact that mouthwash has anti-fungal properties is what makes this option very popular. The procedure involved is the same as that with vinegar and perhaps the only drawback is that this can be a bit more expensive than using the cooking ingredient.

Other people choose to treat toenail fungus with a mixture of 20% bleach and 80% water. Soak your affected toes in the mixture for two minutes several times each day. Tea tree oil is another good option for treating toenail fungus, although it works only on mild cases. The good thing is that you can easily purchase it from your local grocery. But, perhaps the simplest way to deal with toenail fungus is to adopt proper skincare and work on natural skin rejuvenation. Soak your affected toe in warm water for about 30 minutes and then remove parts of the nail covering the affected area. Once the nail is removed, you should scrape off as much of the fungus as you can.

If it is at all possible, try to avoid wearing shoes and socks until your fungal infection clears completely. If you have to wear socks, choose white and be sure to bleach it. More importantly, be patient as you wait for your nails to heal. Bear in mind that toenail fungus is very difficult, but not impossible to treat. Visit a skin centre in your area and seek professional advice as regards caring properly for your nails.