Toenail Fungus: Common Causes And Natural Remedies

17 October 2014

Jaime Allen

Toenail fungus is one of the most common things that can occur to your toes. When you've become a victim of toenail fungus, your nails will begin to thicken, crumble and turn yellow. Your toes will become swollen and inflamed. As a general rule, it is not painful unless an infection develops. If you leave it untreated, it can lead to extreme pain, a very serious infection and the complete loss of your toenail. Keep reading to learn the causes of toenail fungus and a few natural remedies for treating the fungus.

What Exactly Causes Toenail Fungus?

• Public Exposure – If your toenails are exposed in the public, such as in swimming pools, locker rooms or gyms, then you are in the perfect place to pick up toenail fungus. This is because these areas are warm and moist, which is the perfect breeding environment for fungus. For that reason, you want to ensure you are always wearing appropriate footwear when in public areas like this.
• Toenail Injury – When you injure your toenail, it is more susceptible to the growth of bacteria and the development of an infection. Fungus can begin to grow underneath your damaged nail. The early signs of this is a purple color underneath the nail. The reason the fungus grows here is because of the moist, warm environment. This is why you should avoid tight socks and shoes when you have a damaged nail.
• Ingrown Toenails – When your toenail becomes ingrown, the toenail begins to die because of the swelling and poor circulation. This will eventually lead to the development of toenail fungus. Again, because of the environment that your toenail creates, you should avoid tight socks and shoes when your toenail is ingrown. In fact, your tight shoes could be one reason you received the ingrown toenail in the first place.

How Can Toenail Fungus Be Treated Naturally?

When your injured or ingrown toenails are left untreated, a serious infection can result as well as toenail fungus. Therefore, it is crucial that you take the steps to treat it sooner rather than later. Here are a few natural ways you can treat your toenail fungus:

• Tea Tree Oil – Tea tree oil works well for treating your toenail fungus because it contains anti-fungal properties. Just apply a few drops of the oil to your affected nail twice a day for several months.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – It is incredibly easy to use apple cider vinegar to eliminate your toenail fungus because of its anti-fungal properties. All you need to do is mix it with warm water and soak your affected toes for at least 15 minutes a day. You can do this while browsing the web or watching your favorite TV show.
• Oregano Oil – Oregano oil comes from the oregano plant and contains both anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. It just takes a couple of drops of the oil at least twice daily on your affected toes to help treat toenail fungus.

Toenail fungus isn't something anyone wants to mess with. It's embarrassing and disgusting. If you are suffering from toenail fungus, you should definitely try the above-mentioned natural methods. Keep in mind that it can take several months before results are seen. However, if these natural remedies do not work, consult with your local podiatrist, such as someone at Advanced Foot Clinic, because you need something of a higher strength.

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