Fungus infected toenails become thick, yellow and crumbly. They can be a source of embarrassment and can result in sufferers being too self-conscious to wear sandals or expose their feet in other ways. Though toe nail fungus is not dangerous, since it is unsightly, many who suffer from onchomycosis are on the lookout for toenail fungus remedies.
Mentholatum for Treatment of Toenail Fungus
Mentholatum, commonly known as Vicks Vapo Rub, is a common toenail fungus home remedy. It can be used in the following way to treat nail fungus:
- Place about a tablespoon of Mentholatum into a small bowl or plate.
- Rub Mentholatum into each fungus-infected toenail and also into the cuticle.
- Allow the Mentholatum to soak into the nail. Do not rub any of it off.
- Cover the toenails with bandages or with a sock before going to bed to keep sheets from being stained by the Mentholatum.
- To prevent infecting other nails, discard leftover Mentholatum.
The above procedure should be done twice a day until the fungus-infected toenails completely grow out. This generally takes between four and six months.
Vinegar as a Toenail Fungus Home Remedy
Vinegar is another common home remedy for treating toenail fungus. It is quick, inexpensive, and easy to do. However, as is the case with all treatments for nail fungus, patience is required, since treatment must be done at least once daily until the infected nail completely grows out.
Vinegar for the treatment of nail fungus can be used in the following ways:
- Use a spray bottle to spritz vinegar onto the toenails.
- Use a cotton ball or swab to dab vinegar onto toenails.
- Soak fungus-infected nails in undiluted vinegar.
Hydrogen Peroxide to Cure Toenail Fungus
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to treat toenail fungus in much the same way as vinegar. The key for both treatments is that it must be done twice a day until the infected nail grows completely out.
Soaking toenails in either hydrogen peroxide or vinegar should only be done once a week for about 30 minutes since these treatments can dry and irritate the skin if done too often.
Some people find it helpful to alternate between hydrogen peroxide and vinegar when using home remedies for the treatment of toenail fungus. For example, one week use hydrogen peroxide and the next week use vinegar.
Oral Medication for Toenail Fungus
Although home remedies do work for the treatment of toenail fungus, they are not always effective. Therefore, some find it necessary to seek professional medical attention in order to get rid of nail fungus.
Doctors may prescribe two types of oral medication for toenail fungus: terbinafine (known as Lamisil) and itraconazole (known as Sporanox).
Good candidates for oral medication for the treatment of toenail fungus include diabetics, those who either have a history of cellulitus or are at risk of getting cellulitus, those who are experiencing pain as a result of nail fungus, or those who simply want to get rid of nail fungus for cosmetic reasons.
Side effects and risk of oral medication for the treatment of toenail fungus include skin rashes and liver damage. Since liver damage is a possibility, patients must first undergo tests to confirm their liver is healthy before taking Lamisil or Sporanox. They must also undergoing periodic tests during treatment to make sure liver damage is not taking place.
Home remedies such as Mentholatum, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are effective in the treatment of toenail fungus, but some opt to fight nail fungus through the use of conventional medicine, such as Lamisil or Sporanox. Regardless of whether home remedies or conventional medicine is used, the treatment of toenail fungus is a long, slow process that requires patience and consistency.
Resources:
The People's Pharmacy. Unique Uses for Vicks (accessed 18 November, 2009).
Mayo Clinic. Nail Fungus Treatments and Drugs (accessed 19 November, 2009).
Rebecca Livermore - Rebecca Livermore has been a freelance writer for more than 15 years. She had her first article published in a national print magazine in ...
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