Effective Natural Remedies for Thick Toenails Treatment
In this post, we’ll discuss natural remedies for thick toenails! Thickened toenails can be painful and difficult to cut and if not treated can increase your susceptibility to infection. There are several factors that cause toenails to thicken.
Your toenails can thicken as a result of alteration to the nail plate, root of the nail or nail bed. Thickening of toenails can also be associated to age changes such as reduced blood flow, metabolic change or accumulation of trauma.
Fungal and bacterial infections are also major causes of thickening. Other causes may include trauma on the toe caused by pressure of the shoe or even dropping of hammer.
Systematic diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer among others can also contribute to toenails hardening.
Careful trimming and filing with a nail file or emery board can reduce the thickness of a toenail. Treatment of thickened toenails depends on the cause of the problem.
If thickening is caused by fungal infection, there are several natural remedies for thick toenails that you can use.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has fungicide and antiseptic properties that help a lot in the treatment of toenail fungus. With the help of a cotton ball, you should apply pure tea tree oil to the affected nail and toe for about ten minutes and then scrub gently the affected nail with a toothbrush. You should mix tea tree oil with thyme oil or olive oil before treatment. This treatment works best for infection that are not too old.
2. Orange Oil
All types of orange oil have antifungal properties making them the most effective natural remedies for thick toenails. With the help of a dropper, you should apply the orange oil daily between the affected toes, and under and on the toe nails for about one hour.
However, you should avoid using pure orange oil as it may cause allergic reactions and have side effects. You can dilute the orange oil with any kind of carrier oil such as grape seed oil and test the solution on a small spot of the skin before applying.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most readily available natural remedy for thick toenails. You will need a half cup of the baking soda, four cups of hot water, half cup of Epsom salts and 1/4 cup of peroxide. Mix the ingredients and then add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the mix. Then, soak the affected toe in the vinegar for a few minutes and then apply the mixture to the toe and wrap it with a tape. You should apply this treatment every ten hours for about four weeks for effective treatment.
4. Garlic
Garlic is rich in antifungal properties and thus, can be used to treat toenail fungus effectively. Mixing garlic oil with white vinegar increases the effectiveness and thus, quick treatment. To treat, apply the solution on and around the infected toenail and then cover it with an elastic bandage. This treatment can slow down fungus activities within hours. If you do not have garlic oil, you can make it in your home by crushing two garlic cloves and adding two tablespoon of olive oil and let it stay for 24 hours. It is also important to note that eating one clove of garlic daily can inhibit the growth of fungus.
5. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is one of the most effective natural treatments for any kind of infection. It also prevents skin irritation. Create the treatment solution by mixing lavender oil with tea tree oil in equal amounts and then warm slightly. When ready, apply the solution under the top edge of the toe nail and the surrounding areas with a cotton ball for two to three times in a day. It is advisable to apply the solution immediately before going to sleep and then wearing thick woollen socks to increase effectiveness.
6. Lemon Juice
Lemon is well known for its antiseptic and antifungal properties. The lemon’s citric acid is highly effective in stopping the toenail fungus from spreading. You should take fresh lemon juice and apply it on the infected toenail directly and then leave it for about ten minutes and then rinse with warm water. You should repeat the treatment daily for about a month or until you see positive outcome.
It is important to note that the above natural remedies for thick toenails effectiveness depend on the proper use and application. You should also try them for sometime before you can determine their effectiveness.
7. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil has been shown to treat fungal infections quite rapidly. Simply apply the oil to the affected nails with a cotton swab two times a day. After applying the vitamin E oil, gently push on the nails. Reports claim that this natural treatment for nail fungus can help in about one month.
8. Mouthwash
Mouthwash has been shown to be an effective natural remedy when treating nail fungus. Soaking the nails in mouthwash, such as Listerine, for a few minutes every day will help treat the infection. Because mouthwash has antibacterial properties, it will stop the growth and spread of the infection, allowing the nails to heal.
9. Vinegar
Home remedies for nail fungus also include the use of vinegar. Again, there’s no proven clinical evidence this is an effective course of treatment, however anecdotal reports have been around for years. It’s said that soaking the affected nails in a vinegar solution of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water for 15 to 20 minutes will treat the infection. This occurs because it’s believed the vinegar stops the spread of the infection, reducing the growth of the fungus.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Other home remedies for nail fungus include the use of apple cider vinegar. Although there’s no conclusive evidence of its effectiveness, reports claim this remedy will effectively treat some fungal infections. Soak the affected area in the apple cider vinegar for 2 minutes twice a day, and the infection should clear up within a few weeks.
Toenail Fungus Remedies With Essential Oils
There are several essential oils you can use as toenail fungus remedies and in this article you will learn more about what essential oils are, which ones can be used as toenail fungus remedies and how to use them.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have been extracted from plants for their therapeutic and medicinal properties. Plants have been used for thousands of years as treatments for various ailments, and with herbal and homeopathic treatments becoming more popular once more essential oils have been in a sense re-discovered.
They make very effective toenail fungus remedies though as with any nail fungus treatment daily use needs to be followed for a period of several months. With proper application to ensure the oil penetrates the nail and reaches the fungus they do work on many sufferers. These are not oils for cooking with, and most are not to be taken internally. If it does say for internal use it has been diluted in carrier oil.
Carrier Oils
Essential oils should not be used undiluted as they are too harsh and can cause side effects. Therefore when referring to essential oils, carrier oils are also mentioned. Carrier oils are those oils that are used to dilute the essential oil before application. For example olive oil is good carrier oil but there are several others including sesame oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil and more. Essential oils come from aromatic parts of a plant, the bark, leaves, and roots. Carrier oils come from the fatty part of a plant, the kernels, seeds or nuts.
Essential Oils That Can Be Used as Toenail Fungus Remedies
Amongst others, some essential oils that have anti-fungal properties include:
- Tea tree oil
- Oregano oil
- Lavender oil
- Lemon grass oil
- Myrrh
- Manuka
- Clove
Ways To Use Essential Oils As Toenail Fungus Remedies
Tea tree oil and lavender oil – Mix olive oil with equal amounts of tea tree oil and lavender oil. Dip on a cotton ball and dab on the nail and around it two or three times a day. Warming the oil may help its absorption.
Oregano oil and olive oil – With one teaspoon of olive oil blend 2 drops of oregano oil and apply.
Tea tree oil and Lavender oil – Blend both oils with carrier oil and apply two or three times a day. Use a q-tip or a small brush so it reaches under the nail.
Kill Toenail Fungus Remedy
If you have been suffering from ugly toenail fungus for any length of time, you already know how annoying it can be and killing it can be tough. Many of the inquiries we receive are asking where to buy Zetaclear because it has developed a reputation as one of the top natural toenail fungus killers.
ZetaClear is a proprietary formula for the effective treatment of toenail fungus without using harsh drugs. It can be used a few times per day as a topical treatment in and around the infected nail. In addition, there is a new homeopathic oral solution that is FDA registered for safe toenail fungus treatment.
It is best to buy ZetaClear from the actual manufacturer to ensure that you are offered the full 90 money back guarantee that comes with the product. Currently, Zeta Clear is offered for sale via the internet and shipped to approximately 218 countries/locations. Some of these will change from time to time.
Where to Buy ZetaClear Globally (Partial List)
At the moment, it is not possible to buy zetaclear through retail merchants like Walmart, etc. Zetaclear is sold exclusively via authorized distributors and is not marketed through large store chains. Also, when you buy zetaclear direct from the manufacturer, you are given a solid 90 day money back guarantee.
Unlike other so called home remedies seen on the web like Vicks and Listerine, Zetaclear is designed to combat toenail fungus and is far more effective than soaking or coating your feet in solutions that were not made for that purpose.
Best Nail Fungus Cures and Remedies
Many of the best nail fungus “cures” and remedies are available through over the counter (OTC) medications, medications prescribed by a doctor, and even a few products you may have in your home’s cupboards. It is a real problem that plenty of people experience, yet do not wish to share their problem or solutions. Although nail fungus can occur on your fingernails, it usually shows up on your toe nails. It is very difficult to “cure” and even when it seems to have disappeared, it can re-occur again without proper care.
One of the very best remedies for this problem is keeping your nails very clean and dry and allowing them to “air” breath. A main reason for contracting a nail fungus problem is wearing tight shoes that are “air tight” which cause your feet to perspire and do not allow your feet and toenails to stay dry. This causes them to be in a constant state of dampness which allows the perfect environment for this problem.
There are many different types of nail fungus remedies, yet very few cures. Begin your treatment by wearing “breathable” shoes that fit well. If you wear socks, make them cotton, preferably organic cotton. Change your socks as soon as they become damp if possible and / or and dust your feet with cornstarch before dressing. Alternatively, buy and wear socks that absorb moisture.
Over the counter (OTC) remedies and cures include anti-fungal cream like Tineacide or liquids like Flexitol which is applied to the nail and nail-bed daily.
More aggressive forms of nail fungus remedies and cures include anti-fungal drugs prescribed by your doctor which may include Difulcan, or Sporanox. Unfortunately, these drugs may cause bad side effects like liver damage, headaches, nausea or more. These medications are very expensive if you do not have health insurance that covers prescriptions. They can cost as much as $300 – $400 a month for aggressive treatment and $100 – $150 a month for maintenance. And, they may also interfere with other prescriptions you are taking.
Home remedies that you may have in your home cupboard include soaking your feet in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water, or dabbing apple cider vinegar directly on your toenails three times a day and allowing it to dry fully. Another nail fungus home remedy is rubbing toothpaste into your nail-beds. Also, soaking your feet in water mixed with sea salt has been reported to help this problem.
It usually takes up to 3 months to cure nail fungus. The “cure” happens by killing any fungus that is currently on your nails or nail beds. When your nail grows, it will grow without the fungus being present. Yet even after the problem is gone, it can re-occur again if you continue to wear too tight “non-breathable” shoes for excessive periods of time.
The best cure or remedy for nail fungus is prevention. This is one of those problems of once you experience it, the problems comes back very easily. Therefore, make sure you keep your feet and nails as clean and dry as possible. If you are in a damp environment like gym’s shower room, pool or spa area, do not walk around barefoot. You should wear flip flops or protective slippers.
Ingrown Toenails Home Remedies
An ingrown toenail is also known as onychocryptosis. When a toenail is ingrown, the edges of the nail curve down and grow into the surrounding tissues. In essence, the nail digs into your skin and can cause pain, swelling, redness, inflammation and infection. There are numerous causes for this common toe problem. Some of our patients inherited the tendency to develop them.
Most of the time it is improper trimming of the toenails that puts you at risk for the nail to become ingrown. Cutting nails curved and too short encourages the skin around it to fold over the nail. Ill-fitting shoes such as styles with tight toe boxes can lead to their formation. Trauma, such as stubbing your toe or jamming it into the ground during a sports game and fungal infections are also risk factors for this toe problem.
What Can I do at Home?
If you have been feeling some discomfort where the side of your nail meets the skin and/or see any secondary symptoms such as redness and swelling, there are a few treatment options to try at home that may provide some relief.
The first thing you can do is to prepare a warm footbath to soak your feet in for 15 to 20 minutes. Add some Epsom salts and massage the affected area of skin to reduce the inflammation. This can be done two or three times a day. After each foot soak, it may help to put a small piece of cotton or waxed dental floss under the ingrown nail edge. This encourages the nail to grow above the skin. If this method is tried, you should use fresh cotton or floss after each foot soak.
An antibiotic ointment and bandage will protect the area from infection and it is wise to wear shoes with wide toe boxes to remove any extra pressure on the injured area. It may take several days for an ingrown nail to fully heal but patience and the right care will keep it from getting worse and allow it to heal properly. It is never a good idea to attempt your own form of bathroom surgery. Cutting the nail again or further injuring the surrounding skin could lead to a serious infection.
When Do I Need to Seek Treatment?
As small as an ingrown toenail can be, it doesn’t take long for a minor foot problem to turn into a major one. If you have tried some of the home treatments mentioned above and see no improvement after a few days, it is time to have it treated by a medical professional such as Dr. Lawrence Kales. Any time a toe problem such as this causes persistent pain, inflammation, swelling or a discharge begins to appear, it needs to be treated at our office.
Check your feet often and if you see signs of a toenail growing into your skin, take action. If you have diabetes or an underlying condition that could impact the healing of a foot problem, do not wait to seek treatment. Even a small infection from an ingrown toenail could become a major complication.
Most Popular Toenail Fungus Remedies
1. Laser Toenail Fungus Treatment
Laser toenail fungus treatments jumped on the scene in 2009 after getting a little bit of media attention. Some of that attention was good and some of it not so good. The good was that the treatments are fast, seemed to be effective, and are virtually painless.
The bad were that the primary manufacturer of the leading laser machine did not have FDA approval as was implied in some promotional ads (that seems to have been clarified now). Secondly, the price of nearly $1200.00 was out of reach for the average consumer dealing with this ailment.
Generally, laser treatments have developed a pretty good reputation over the last year but there is not a lot of data on any potential long term side effects. Until then, it’s quick, easy, and it doesn’t hurt. That appeals too many of the millions who suffer from nail fungus.
2. Zetaclear Nail Fungus Treatment
Zetaclear topical treatment is one of several toenail fungus remedies that utilize natural antifungal ingredients like tea tree oil and clove oil to fight off the spread of nail fungus. Scientific studies have shown that tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, has the ability to kill dermatophytes which cause fungus.
The appeal of products like Zetaclear and Fungisil is that they are natural, do not have the dangerous side effects associated with several prescription drugs, and they are easy to use on a daily basis. A last point to make is that they don’t cost you $1200.00.
3. Toenail Fungus Remedies at Home
When it comes to potential at home remedies, the internet is full of suggestions and theories as to what works and what doesn’t work. In some cases, the suggested remedy might have some logical potential because it contains ingredients that are known to be anti-fungal/antibacterial in nature.
Two examples of such home remedies would be Listerine and Vicks Vaporub. Neither of these consumer products was designed to be used against nail fungus but they do contain an ingredient called Thymol that can help to combat fungus. Thymol can be purchased as a standalone product from sites like Amazon.com.
Remedy Nail Fungus in 3 Easy Steps
You can remedy nail fungus in 3 easy steps if you are willing to be diligent in taking care of your feet. Right now, there are millions of people who are either looking for a new way to get rid of toenail fungus, or ignoring it because they would rather hide for the next several years.
In a survey of nail fungus sufferers, almost all of them talked about the fact that having nail fungus was highly annoying, physically uncomfortable, and somewhat embarrassing. Several of the sufferers stated that their spouses had not seen their feet in many years for that reason.
Here are three basic steps that can help you to remedy nail fungus.
1. Keep Your Toenails Clean and Cut
Yes, this sounds like common sense but just taking a shower is not enough. You need to pay attention to your feet and wash them with some kind of anti-fungal soap. Using some kind of abrasive sponge or foot brush can also help in getting rid of infected tissue. Try to cut your nails more often to eliminate waste and fungus spores.
2. Keep Feet Dry
The fungus that causes you to itch and scratch thrives in moist and dark places. That means that wet feet and shoes are the perfect breeding ground. And yes, they are breeding. It is a live organism that is using your feet, skin, and nail beds as a food source. Okay, that’s gross but a dose of reality. Dry your feet thoroughly after washing and use a hair dryer if required. Liberal use of anti-fungal foot powders or sprays may help. Don’t wear socks or shoes more than once without cleaning or allowing them to air dry (in the case of your shoes) for one day.
3. Remedy Nail Fungus by Avoiding Re-infection
As mentioned earlier, toenail fungus is caused by a living organism. It does not disappear when you take your shoes off. In fact, it continues to grow and can live for months in shoes, on towels, shower floors, etc. Therefore, you must do everything in your power to avoid contact with the fungus and this is especially important if you have managed to get rid of it. It does you no good to wash and dry diligently and then stick your feet into fungus-loaded shoes or walk barefoot on dirty gym floors.
Nail fungus is difficult to eliminate because it normally lives under the nail. The best way to remedy nail fungus without harsh drugs or surgery is to use natural oils that are permitted to penetrate by the body. Water based solutions can’t really get through the nail barrier to work effectively.