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If
you are fighting a nail fungus or infection, you are not alone. Medical
professionals have learned that around half the people in this country will end
up with a nail fungus by the time they are age 70. The U.S. National Library of
Medicine has determined that half of the causes of nail disease are due to
fungus.
What is Nail Fungus?
Technically,
nail fungus is known as onychomycosis. It is an infection, usually of the
toenails, caused by molds, ringworms, and yeasts.
It
is a chronic condition that eventually breaks down the plate of the nail. It is
common in areas of the country that have very warm weather and seems to
flourish under warm, moist conditions.
Wearing
closed-toed shoes, walking barefoot around public pools or in the shower area
of your workout facility, or even getting a pedicure all may increase your
chances of getting a nail fungus.
What Are the Symptoms
of Nail Fungus?
A
nail fungus may start off innocently at first as a yellow or white spot beneath
your toenail, but it will quickly attack your nail, making it thick and deep
yellow and crumbly as it goes deeper under the surface.
What Treatments Are
Available?
·
Medications
– If you visit your doctor, you will be able to get a prescription to get rid
of your nail fungus.
·
Dietary
Changes – If you want to take matters into your own hands, you can change the
way you eat and see if you can resolve your nail fungus this way. Try these
suggestions to see if they work for you. The good news is that they are
supposed to act fast in treating the fungus.
·
Eliminate
grains and sugar
– These two food groups are responsible for feeding the development of yeast
and candida in your body, two conditions that contribute to nail fungus.
·
Eat
foods that help good bacteria grow – Once you get the bad stuff out, you will
want to replace it with things such as foods that are fermented, probiotic
foods, yogurt, and kefir.
·
Eat
quality fats and protein, and increase your fiber – Because fiber is not
absorbed in the digestive system, it is able to safely remove waste toxins,
cholesterol, and fat that could build up in your gut. Foods in these groups can
help the body safely eliminate toxins.
The following are the
best natural ways to treat nail fungus:
1. TeaTree Oil
This
product is an effective antiseptic and is able to kill the fungus on your
affected nails. Make sure that the area is clean by wiping it with rubbing
alcohol. Next put the tea tree oil undiluted right on the nails. After it sets
for about 10 minutes, scrub the affected nail with a soft toothbrush.
Apple
cider vinegar is a powerful remedy that really works. You can soak your feet in
pure vinegar or mix it with Epsom salts
daily. For best results, soak your feet for 30 minutes twice a day.
3. Vicks VapoRub
You
may be surprised, but this antifungal has eucalyptus oil and camphor, both of
which help heal nail fungus. Take a cotton swab and put a dab of Vicks VapoRub
on the nail once a day. Eighty-three percent of those who used this product saw
an improvement in their fungus.
4. Listerine
Combine
equal parts of Listerine and white vinegar in a container, and soak the
infected area for up to 60 minutes.
5. Pau d’arco tea
This
tea is made from the inside bark of a tree located in South America. It has
antifungal properties that are just as effective as a prescription medication.
Simply soak two pau d’arco tea bags and relax your feet in the solution for
about 20 minutes twice a day.
6. Oregano oil
The
thymol in oregano oil has antifungal properties that are effective in treating
nail fungus. All you have to do is apply a couple of drops on the nail two
times a day and your fungus will begin to disappear.
7. Probiotics
When
you find a toenail fungus remedy that works for you, add a probiotic supplement
to your diet to make sure that you have all methods of healing covered.
8. Corn meal
The
reason that corn meal works in treating nail fungus is because it does not
affect the body, but it is able to kill Candida.
Find a container in which you can place either your affected foot or both feet
and add a cup of cornmeal with two quarts of water. The cornmeal needs to soak
for about an hour before submerging your feet. You can then soak your feet
for about a half hour as often as you like.
9. Baking soda
Baking
soda is alkaline, which keeps toenail fungus from spreading. You can soak your
feet in baking soda by itself or combine it borax to create a strong fungicide.
Mix equal parts with a little water and rub it onto the affected areas. You can
repeat this two times a day.
10. Coconut oil
You
will see some relief from your toenail fungus if you put a thin coat of coconut
oil on the area and let it set for about 15 minutes.
Once
you have gotten rid of your nail fungus, what can you do to keep from getting it again? There are some
precautions you can take to prevent this persistent fungus from attacking your
feet again.
Keep
your nails short and your feet clean and dry. Wear swim shoes near the pool or
beach, cotton socks with your footwear, and don’t go barefoot in areas that are
open to the public and may carry the makings of athlete’s foot.
For more ideas to
treat toenail fungus, look no further than Cathy Robbins’ Nail Fungus Revealed
Program. She is a leading Naturopathic Physician and Nail Fungus Expert from
California, Creator of the Nail Fungus Revealed program - a comprehensive guide
to beating toenail fungus for good, under 21 days. It is a guide to the best
practices that boost the immune system to deliver a permanent solution to the
often recurring and prolific nature of fungus infection.
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