Home Remedies for Nail Fungus - Causes and Treatment

Nail Fungus, as the name suggests, is a kind of fungus that develops around the nails, especially more in the toenails. The fungus develops in the soft tissues surrounding the nails, and can sometimes occur because of hereditary reasons. It is important to cure this fungus as soon as it is recognized to avoid it from spreading to other nails and other people. The big toe and the little toe are the most susceptible ones to this kind of nail fungus. The signs and symptoms of nail fungus include growth of crumbling nails, black nails, exceptionally thick nails, discolored nails etc.

There are some home remedies for nail fungus, which are very effective in treating the problem. If the fungus has not spread much, then these remedies can serve as a complete treatment. However, if the problem has been existent for a long time, then it is best to go in for a combination of over the counter medicines or those prescribed by the doctor, and home remedies for nail fungus.

One of the most effective home remedies for nail fungus is to apply tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is capable of treating many different kinds of bacterial, fungal and viral infections. It is used a lot in cosmetics and beauty products as well, especially those which are related to skin problems. Applying this oil on the affected nails on a regular basis will definitely help in improvement.

Another option is to use the oil of oregano. You can mix it in any other oil, such as olive oil, and then apply it with the help of a cotton ball, or you can apply it directly as well. It has been used since ancient Greek times to cure rashes, but it can also kill viral, fungal, bacterial and yeast infections very well, thereby making it an essential ingredient in most products used to cure skin diseases.

Ensure that when you are suffering from nail fungus, you keep the area clean at all times. Once a day, you should soak your nails in warm water for about 20 minutes. Then take out the feet, dry them, and apply fresh apple cider vinegar. After that, you can use a hair dryer to absorb all the extra moisture from your feet. Apple Cider Vinegar will help in ensuring that the fungus does not spread much.

A very interesting and unique one out of all home remedies for nail fungus is to soak one's feet in mouthwash daily for about 20 minutes. Ideally, Listerine mouthwash should be used. This is because mouthwash has all the essential properties to disinfect the feet and avoid the fungus from spreading. Also, some oils, which are a part of the composition of the mouthwash, help to treat the nail fungus quickly.

Make sure that you wear lose and comfortable shoes all the time, preferably slippers, so that accumulation of sweat does not worsen the condition. Also keep washing your feet on a regular basis with water for relief and recovery.