Fungal infections of the nails are a widespread condition that plagues many people. They can cause your nails to thicken up and become discolored and brittle. In other cases, they can even smell bad. Not only is this condition embarrassing enough, but it can also be painful if left untreated. Fungal infections thrive in warm and moist environments to grow in, so your feet become their perfect place.
While medical interventions can be used, some people prefer to have their health treated through natural ways to avoid chemicals. Natural treatments can be as effective if used regularly and consistently. The key to it all is patience and persistence.
Are you looking for safe and natural ways to treat fungal infections of the nails? This step-by-step tutorial will help you start.
With these simple techniques, you can restore your nails to their healthy condition and prevent the recurrence of infection.
1. Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry
Keeping your feet clean is one of the primary methods of treating fungal infection of the nails without medicine. Fungi proliferate best in warm and humid conditions, so frequently washing your feet is extremely important.
Start with washing your feet daily with warm water and mild soap. Clean under and around your nails to remove buildup or debris. Finish by drying your feet carefully, particularly between your toes.
Proper socks play a very important function. Wearing breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking that do not permit sweat to reach your skin is important.
Replace your socks if they become wet at some point in the day to prevent fungus from developing. Open-toe shoes or sandals can also allow air to pass through. Keeping your feet dry and frequently washing them will make it difficult for fungus to grow. If your infection does not subside, you can consider a fungal nail treatment for more efficient and quicker results.
2. Try Natural Remedies
Natural cures can be extremely effective at healing fungal infections of the nails if used consistently. The best is tea tree oil, which has extremely potent antifungal properties. Use a few drops on the affected nail twice daily and let it soak in. Over time, tea tree oil can eliminate the fungus and create healthy new nail growth.
Another effective natural remedy is apple cider vinegar. Soaking your feet in a bowl of half vinegar and half water for approximately 20 minutes daily will help to eliminate the fungus. The acidity of apple cider vinegar creates a poor medium for fungal growth and slows its propagation.
Coconut oil is another good alternative because it contains fatty acids that target fungal cells. Putting a small amount on the infected nail and allowing it to soak in can calm and gradually heal nail health.
You can also make use of baking soda. A baking soda and water paste can be applied to the infected nail to help dry out excess moisture and prevent more fungal growth. It takes time and patience but can produce positive results if practiced regularly.
3. Trim and File Your Nails Properly
Proper maintenance of your nails is vital in healing. Trimming your nails and filing will help to prevent infection from spreading to other nails or worsening with time. Start with a sanitized and hygienic nail clipper to trim the infected nail. Cut straight across to avoid causing harm to yourself since open wounds can worsen the infection.
Once you have cut it back, you can smoothen out jagged edges with a nail file and cut off as much infected tissue as possible. This will also permit your natural treatments to penetrate deep into the nail bed.
Don't forget to sanitize your clippers and files each time you use them to prevent the fungus from spreading. If you have multiple infected nails, have a different tool for each nail or thoroughly sanitize between uses. Keeping your nails trimmed and healthy will allow them to heal more efficiently.
4. Boost Your Immune System
Your immune system is also essential to fight off fungal infections of the nails. Strengthen your immune system to help your body fight off the fungus internally. A healthy and well-balanced diet with many fruits and vegetables can accomplish this. Foods containing vitamins A, C, and E and zinc can help in immune function and healing.
Staying hydrated is crucial as well. Drinking water throughout your day washes toxins out of your body and keeps your body working effectively. Sleeping is also essential so your body can heal and fight off infection more effectively.
Regular exercise is another healthy way to increase circulation and give your nails more oxygen and nourishing substances. This will make your nails heal more efficiently and become healthier overall. Probiotics such as yogurt or probiotic supplements can also keep good bacteria in your body at a healthy level and stop fungus from occurring.
Strengthening your immune system gives your body a good chance to resist infection and prevent subsequent breakouts naturally.
5. Protect Your Nails from Reinfection
Once your nails have begun to heal, it is important to take steps to prevent reinfection. Fungal infection can recur if care is not taken. Daily wear of clean and dry socks is one of the simplest ways to prevent reinfection. Changing your socks often if your feet sweat a lot will prevent fungus.
You will also have to disinfect your shoes regularly. The fungus will remain in your shoes until it finds conditions in which it will again begin to grow. Antifungal powder applied to your shoes or a disinfectant spray can help to remove still-existing fungal spores.
Avoid going barefoot in public areas such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers at gyms since such areas tend to harbor fungal infections. When you go to a nail salon, ensure they sterilize their equipment thoroughly before applying it to your nails.
And do not share personal care items such as towels, files, or clippers with others. Fungal infections can pass easily through direct contact, so keeping your items to yourself will help you not get reinfected. These steps can help you have healthy nails and prevent fungus recurrence.
Wrapping Up
Treating a fungal infection of your nails requires patience, consistency, and cleanliness. Keeping your feet dry and clean, applying natural treatments, cutting your nails properly, building up your immune system, and avoiding reinfection can help restore your nails to their healthy condition.
But if it does not improve or worsen, professional fungal treatment of the nails can be the best option. Medical and laser therapies can eradicate persistent infections if natural options do not work.
