6 Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of Nail Fungus
Contracting a nail fungus can be nasty and in rare cases, a painful experience. It generally occurs in warm or moist climatic conditions where your nails are being exposed to too much moisture. It also occurs due to bad nail hygiene usually due to increased amount of sweat build up and also wearing the same pair of gloves and/or socks for longer periods of times. Some people are more prone to get infected with it than others simply based on their genetic structures. Getting rid of nail fungus can be hectic and a lengthy procedure. There are, broadly, 2 ways in which you can get rid of nail fungus. Either see a dermatologist or try the DIY home remedies. Following methods work the best for treating you.
Home Remedies
Below are 3 best home remedies you can use to cure nail fungus.
1. Tea Tree/Orange Oil
Tea tree Oil and Orange oil are natural disinfectants and can be used as effective cures for the nail fungus infections. For this method, mix together about ½ teaspoon of orange oil and olive oil with 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil. Then soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply on the affected area and press it so that the cotton ball releases the antiseptic mixture onto the fungal area to kill the infection. Then let it dry without washing the stuff. This process needs to be repeated 2 times a day until your nail looks normal.
2. Vinegar and Baking Soda Soak
For this method, add one cup of vinegar to a small tub of warm water enough so that you can soak your nails in it. After 15 minutes remove your nails and dry them. Then in a fresh tub of warm water, add about 5 tablespoons of baking soda and again dip and soak your fungus affected nails in it. Similarly after 15 minutes, dry your nails. Vinegar soak will actually get rid of the fungus infection. The baking soda soak will not let the infection grow.
3. Garlic and white vinegar
For this method, crush some garlic cloves and mix it with white vinegar making it as a paste or a dip for your nails to get rid of the fungus infections. It also helps if you consume raw garlic since it’s an antiseptic and an antibiotic for many infections.
Causes of Nail Fungus Infection
Medical Treatments
The following medical procedures are used in curing a fungus infection for your nails.
1. Oral Medications
Usually, a doctor may prescribe you oral medications like course of antibiotics for a duration of some days and weeks, especially if the nail fungus is old and have started to become painful. It is a lengthy process since nails take time to grow.
2. Antifungal Lacquer or Tube
If your nail fungus us relatively new and not painful, the doctor may prescribe you a lacquer/tube which you can apply atop the infected area. This forms a layer on top if the area and works on your nail fungus by stopping it to grow. This process takes even longer than oral medication.
3. Surgical Removal
In some extreme cases, the nail fungus infection may have destroyed most of your nail and you may be at a risk especially since the fungus can easily spread to other parts of your body at this point. The doctor will then recommend you surgical removal of the fungus and your nail to keep the infection from spreading further. This is usually followed by antibiotic coursed to heal up your surgical wounds, after which normal nail growth pursues.
