Simple home remedies for toenail fungus

Onychomycosis, which is the medical term for your common toenail fungal infection, is a problem which many people face today. Half of all nail fungal infections are of this fungus. Sometimes it is a problem that doesn’t generate any bothersome signs or symptoms, so it is left untreated. If you have yellowing of the toenail, a nail that is thicker than normal, cracking, peeling, swelling, or redness around your nail bed, then there is a good chance that you have toenail fungus.

Candida and dermatophytes can also cause similar symptoms when they create an infection as well.

That’s the bad news. Now here’s the good news. There are several simple home remedies for toenail fungus that can help you get rid of that bothersome problem in as little as 2-3 weeks. Most fungal infections of a toenail are completely curable and will only take a few minutes out of your day.

Which one of these home remedies for toenail fungus could work for you? Let’s take a look.

Image	Description	Treatment Type	Our Rating	Price
	Fungus Stop by Zane Hellas	Oil of Oregano	3.8	$
	Probelle Extra Strength Natural Fungal Nail Gel	Patented	3.8	$$
	Fungi Nail Brand Toe and Foot Pen Solution	Undecylenic	4.0	$
	Tea Tree Essential Oil 4 ounce Bottle	Essential Oil	4.4	$$
	Manuka Oil by Pur365	Essential Oil	4.5	$$
	Pacific Northwest Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak	Foot Soak	4.7	$$
	Xenna All Natural NonyX Nail Gel	Keratin Exfoliant	4.1	$$$
	Molecular AF Antifungal Oil System	Essential Oil	4.5	$$$$
	Woodward's Mycocide NS Antifungal Care Kit	Allantoin	4.3	$$
	Vicks VapoRub	Essential Oil	4.6	$
Image	Description	Treatment Type	Our Rating	Price

#1. Vinegar Paste

Vinegar has a mildly acidic pH, which allows it to get underneath your nail and attack the fungus that is causing the issues you see. You could waste 30 minutes of your time on a toenail soak in a solution that is equal parts water to vinegar, but there’s a better way. Create a vinegar paste instead.

Here’s what you do. Mix any type of flour with your preferred type of vinegar. It’s like making paste with flour and water from your elementary school days, but with a thicker consistency. You want the mixture to be smooth and thick, not thin and runny.

Apply the vinegar paste to all of your affected nails. If you think you might have athlete’s foot, then apply the paste to those spots as well. Then wrap your foot with clear cellophane so the paste won’t drip anywhere. You can leave the paste on all day if you wish, for 30 minutes, or whatever time suits you best. It’s up to you.

Once your feet are wrapped, you can then go about the business of your day.

#2. Tea Tree Oil

There are several products containing tea tree oil which will also help to work out the toenail fungus infection for you in a relatively short amount of time. Lotions, balms, and creams tend to work the best. If you find it as an essential oil, that will also work.

Apply the lotion, balm, or cream as directed.

If you have the essential oil, then you can apply it to a cotton ball and then hold against the affected nails for up to 10 minutes. You can tape the cotton to the nail so it stays covered as you go about your day.

You can also mix the oil into coconut or olive oil with baking soda and then scrub your toenails with a new toothbrush.

Repeating this method 2-3 times per day will usually provide the best results. For severe yellowing or cracking that isn’t painful, 4-5 times per day may be necessary for the first 7-14 days of the treatment.

#3. Baking Soda with Hydrogen Peroxide

It’s a combination that helps to make your teeth whiter and your toenails pinker. Mix a small amount of baking soda [1 tablespoon] with hydrogen peroxide [2 tablespoons] to make a baste. Apply it directly to the affected nail, focusing on the edges and the nail bed if exposed.

You may see the paste begin to bubble after applying it. This is normal when there are bacteria and fungi being killed by this application.

This paste can be covered if you wish, but unlike the vinegar paste, it will only be effective for up to 30 minutes at a time. You can apply this paste throughout the day if you wish, but do so at least 3-4 times until you begin to see results. Then you can lower it to 1-2 times per day or switch to a different simple home remedy for toenail fungus to continue the healing process.

#4. Vick’s Vaporub

This home remedy is only effective if you catch the toenail fungal infection in its early stages. If your nails have just started to turn yellow, grow thicker, or curl, then apply this ointment liberally to the affected nail 2-3 times per day.

For best results, you will want to make sure your feet are completely dry before applying it. The petroleum jelly in the Vaporub can actually trap moisture next to your skin so that the fungus can continue to grow.

#5. Oregano Oil

Oil of Oregano has many of the same properties that Tea Tree Oil contains. You can make the same pastes with this product or just apply it directly if you wish. For Oil of Oregano to be effective, you’ll need to give it at least 30 minutes to work. You’ll also need to apply it at least twice per day for a minimum of 21 days before being able to see results.

#6. Cheap Scotch

Forget using Listerine mouthwash or other oral cleansing products that will make your feet smell like bubble gum or cotton candy. Go for the real alcohol if you need to kill a tough case of toenail fungus at home. Anything that is at least 80 proof will work, but you do want to use alcoholic products that contain minimal sugar. For this reason, cheap scotch is the preferred method.

Irish whiskey will also work effectively if that is what your store prefers to carry. Most bottles will be $10 or less.

Place a tub on the floor and pour just enough cheap scotch into it so your affected nail is completely submerged. Sit there for about 15-30 minutes, allowing the alcohol to do its job. Perhaps pour a drink for yourself while you’re waiting. Once you’ve finished, make sure you throw that foot fungus scotch away and rinse off your foot.

This simple home remedy for foot fungus only needs to be once per day for most people. Continue to repeat until the infection clears.

#7. Fresh Garlic

Go to the store and purchase some fresh garlic. Get it peeled to expose the clove. Then slice that clove in half.

Now comes the fun part. Your affected toenail is now going to act a lot like a cheese grater. You need to run the half-clove of garlic directly up and down on your affected nail. This will cause the pulp to work its way into the affected nail bed so that the fungus won’t have a place to hide.

One of our readers has suggested using a toothpick to pack in the garlic pulp as far as possible for best results. You’ll begin to see results in 14-21 days.

Don’t settle for using dried garlic for this treatment. Not only is it ineffective, but it will make your feet smell like a week-old loaf of bread. Only use fresh garlic cloves. If you cannot find any fresh cloves, then canned minced garlic that you pack into the toenail will also be fairly effective. If you use canned garlic, remember to refrigerate it after opening so it doesn’t lose its treatment properties.

#8. Fresh Lemons

The acidic pH in vinegar helps to remove athlete’s foot and stubborn toenail fungus. This is the same properties that a lemon has with its citric acid. Just juice a fresh lemon and then apply it directly with a cotton ball to the affected toenail or infected area. Keep it there for 30-45 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Other citric fruits also work pretty well. Limes are just as effective as lemons. Oranges can be effective, but avoid navel oranges if you can. Grapefruit should not be used because it can interfere with other medications you may using.

You cannot use the juice concentrate that is sold in grocery stores for this treatment to work. It has to come directly from the fruit. It is fine to include some of the fruit pulp in your treatment. It will take 4-8 weeks to begin seeing results in most cases.

#9. Lavender Oil

As an essential oil, lavender oil does an excellent job of clearing up a minor toenail fungus infection. For those who find that Tea Tree Oil is too strong for their sensitive skin, you can mix one-part lavender oil with one-part Tea Tree Oil to produce similar results.

You’ll want to soak a cotton ball with the essential oil(s) and then get it as far underneath your nail as you can. If your nail has already broken off to expose a majority of the nail bed, then just apply directly to the area. It needs at least 10 minutes to work, but don’t go over 20 minutes for each treatment session.

Rinse with warm water and then thoroughly dry your feet. You can repeat this 3-4 times per day and results begin to appear for most in 14-21 days.

Please note: Lavender oil is typically only available during the summer months due to the growing season for this plant, so its availability may be limited in some markets. Orange oil works as an equal substitute for minor toenail fungus infections. Orange oil can also be mixed with Tea Tree Oil if desired.

#10. ClearNail Pro+

This product is specifically designed to help treat toenail fungus that is being stubborn. You just take it as directed and this combination of an oral homeopathic spray and direct nail application will get the job done in a remarkably short amount of time.

Of course medicine is an inexact science, so different people will see different results. Most who use ClearNail Pro+ report having clearer nails and fewer issues with athlete’s foot in about 14 days when consistently taking this product. Even tough cases of toenail fungus can clear up while using this product in as little as 4-6 weeks.

While using ClearNail Pro+, it is important to avoid using moisturizers, lotions, and other products that may trap “wetness” around your feet. Fungi love to grow in moist, dark environments. Put moisturizer on your foot and stick it in a shoe all day and you’re giving that fungi that perfect home. You will want to keep your foot or toenail as dry as possible for best results.

#11. Bleach

Do not soak your foot in bleach. You will cause an injury to yourself even if it does kill the toenail fungus or your athlete’s foot problem.

The best way to use bleach is to apply a 1:10 bleach to water solution onto a cotton ball and then apply it to your problematic toenail. Even apply a small bleach solution to your nail can burn the surrounding skin around it, which can then cause the fungal infection to spread more than it normally would.

You can also damage other nails to make them more susceptible to a spreading infection with straight bleach.

If you do it right, then you can actually kill off this infection in just 7-14 days with bleach. The 1:10 bleach/water solution will take about 15 minutes to work compared to 5 minutes for straight bleach, but it’s also a lot safer to use the diluted solution.

Apply once or twice per day to see results. Rinse your foot thoroughly with warm water after applying this home treatment method.

If you continue to see problems with toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, or another fungal infection on your toes or foot, then it is time to go see a doctor.

These simple home remedies for toenail fungus and athlete’s foot have proven to be effective. Use the system which works best for you, apply it consistently, and your feet will thank you for your efforts in no time at all.

Do you have a home treatment remedy for toenail fungus or athlete’s foot that was not covered here? We’d love to have you share your home treatments with us and how you discovered it was such an effective method for your foot health!