Our feet take most of the strain from our whole body, especially since we spend more than half the time standing or walking. It is very important thus that we give extra time and attention taking care of our feet.
While it is essential to go for regular pedicures and moisturize our feet every day, extra care must be given to nails as well.
When moisture gets trapped in our toenails due to use of closed shoes for longer hours, use of synthetic socks, poor foot care or sweat build in the shoes, it leads to toenail fungus. Medically this is termed as onychomycosis.
Some of the common signs of this condition are thickening, crumbling, swelling and yellowing of the nails. This can be painful and makes our feet look unhealthy and unpleasant.
Through this post we are bringing you some of the best natural remedies to deal with it.
#1: Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acid called caprylic acid which penetrates in cell walls of fungus. It disturbs the cell membranes of fungus, disintegrates the cells and then dissolves and destroys the fungus.
To use coconut oil for your toe nails, wash your hands wells and simply dab a small amount of coconut oil on the effected toenail. No need to rub in let it stay and dry on its own, repeat twice or thrice a day.
#2: Essential Oils
From ages, essential oils have been used for various medical purposes. These oils help in the healing process as they have antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
To treat your toenail fungus you will need tea tree oil which is widely used for its antibacterial and fungicidal properties, orange oil, which is known to help in healing fungus and grape seed or olive oil. While using these oils, ensure to dilute them with some amount of water.
Take 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil, add ½ a teaspoon of orange oil and ½ teaspoon of olive or grape seed oil to it. Mix and blend them well. Dip a cotton ball in this oil concoction and gently apply to the toenail, pressing it firmly so that the oil gets soaked in the nail. Let it dry naturally.
Alternatively take water in a small foot tub and add few drops of tea tree oil to it. Dip your feet in it for 15 to 20 and pat dry. Repeat these remedies twice a day to see remarkable difference.
#3: Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda is alkaline in nature and thus instead of acting as fungicidal, it acts as fungistatic. This means even though it will not kill the fungus, it will stop the fungus from growing and spreading. Vinegar is known to kill the fungus, use these two elements to repair of your toe nail.
Take a foot tub, add water enough to soak your feet in it, add 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar to it and soak your feet for 15 minutes and pat dry with towel. Add 4 to 5 tablespoons of baking to soda to water and soak your feet once again for another 15 minutes and pat dry. Repeat this remedy twice a day for best results.
Preventive Tips
To prevent toenail fungus:
- Always wear open toe footwear and ensure your footwear is comfortable to wear.
- Do not reuse the socks you have already worn.
- Clean and trim your nails regularly.
- Keep your clippers and filers clean and disinfect them after every use.
- Ensure that before you start off with any of these remedies your hands and toes are clean to prevent spread of infection.
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