Try These Natural Toenail Fungus Treatments Before Resorting To Drugs

While there are prescription drugs available for the treatment of toenail fungus, for many patients, the side effects they cause are hardly worth the relief from toenail fungus. Prescription treatments for toenail fungus can cause flaking of the skin, swollen glands, rashes on the face, flu symptoms and fever, among other symptoms. If you are looking for a more pleasant way to cure your toenail fungus, consider trying one of these natural treatments instead. 

Tea Tree Oil

Known for its natural antifungal and antibacterial properties, tea tree oil can be as effective as antifungal medications for treating toenail fungus, according to some reports. The oil is sold in small dropper bottles in many health food stores. Make sure you purchase from a well-known brand, as some cheaper preparations may be diluted with vegetable oil.

To treat your toenail fungus with tea tree oil, use a clipper to remove as much of the infected nail as possible. Then, rub a few drops of the oil into your nail, using a cotton swab. Repeat the application twice per day until symptoms disappear.

Baking Soda

For mild cases of toenail fungus that are not causing any discomfort, a little baking soda may be all you need. It can alter the pH of your nails and skin, making them less appealing to the fungus. Make a paste out of a little baking soda and water, and massage it over your nail. Repeat this process twice per day until your symptoms disappear.

Orange Oil

Orange oil is another essential oil with natural antifungal and pain relieving properties. It also smells lovely, so you won't mind leaving it on your toes all day! Look for pure orange oil at a health food store. Then, dilute it by combining 10 drops of orange oil with 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a separate dropper container. (Using the oil undiluted may cause skin irritation.) Massage a drop of this blended oil into your infected nails twice a day. It should impart a slight tingling, cooling sensation as it is absorbed into your nail and skin. Do not wipe the mixture off when finished – let it work its magic throughout the day.

While these natural treatments work for many people, they do not work for everyone. If one treatment does not seem to be improving your condition after a month or two, try a different one. For very stubborn nail fungus, you may end up needing to talk to a local podiatrist, such as one from Better Foot Care, about prescription treatments.