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The Best Toenail Fungus Home Remedies

Article by Marie Fratzen

Fungal infections can be very unsightly and sometimes uncomfortable. They occur mostly in the toenails but also at times in the fingernails. If you have an infection that has only just started you may be able to hold off the symptoms by trying some of the following toenail fungus home remedies.

There are several different types of fungal infections. The first type of fungus gets into the nail bed and underneath the plate. The second type gets into the layers of the nail. The next type is more uncommon, normally found in people with weak immune systems, penetrating the nail plate and the nail fold. The final fungus is much more common and is usually found in people that spend a lot of time with their hands or feet in water. This will be made worse if the nail has suffered a trauma.

The most obvious symptoms of an infection to this part of the body are easy to spot as they will be very visible. The nail will normally be yellow, thick, and often ragged and crumbly too. Sometimes the fungi can lead to lesions in unrelated parts of the body that will show themselves as a bad itch on the skin. This is a type of allergic reaction. If you develop an allergic reaction you should visit your doctor.

People living in tropical climates can be prone to these fungi, as can elderly people or people with compromised immune systems. They can also be transferred when in close proximity to mice although this is not usual. By far, the most common fungi are found in people who have their feet in water for long periods of time.

As well as older people being at risk of certain types of fungi, it has been proven that these type of problems can run in families. The fungi breed more easily in warm climates and people with problems with their immune systems are more susceptible to infections. People that do a lot of sports or use public swimming pools are also more likely to pick up the bacteria.

In the early stages of this problem you can try some of these home remedies to try and clear it up quickly. The earlier you try to treat it, the easier it will be to get rid of it. You can try putting a few drops of tea tree oil onto the toe each day. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and fungicide. The toenail can then be scrubbed to remove the fungus. This treatment should be continued until all traces are removed.

You can treat the foot in a similar way with antiseptic mouthwash. This has the added ingredient of alcohol. For best results mix the mouthwash with an acid like vinegar or lemon juice as this can slow down the growth of the fungi. Try to wash the feet in this liquid at least every day or you could even wear the solution around with you, by bandaging a cotton pad soaked in the solution to your toe.

These toenail fungus home remedies should be tried in the early stages of the infection. If you see no improvement within a couple of days you should visit your doctor. They will be able to prescribe some stronger anti fungal creams which could improve the situation greatly.

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