The special remedies that stores sell for nail fungus are often expensive and only help a little.
Although a nail fungus can start quite easily, it is not easy to get rid of it. The remedies that you can buy in pharmacies often do not help and the medicines that you can get with a doctor’s prescription are bad for your liver. So let’s get started with remedies that you probably already have in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet!
Keep the nail thin
First, it is important to keep the nail as thin as possible. All remedies have little effect if they cannot penetrate the nail because the cause of the nail fungus is located under the nail. With a pedicure, you can have the nail filed down. Some prefer to save the cost of the pedicure and start working with a file at home. If so, use a clean file to prevent further contamination.
1. Apple cider vinegar or natural vinegar
If there is something that fungi don’t like, it is vinegar. Soak a cotton ball with vinegar and place it over the nail. Keep it in place with plaster for a while, and then allow the nail to dry.
2. Sudocrem
For a few euros you can buy a jar of Sudocrem at the drugstore. This is much cheaper than the typical anti-fungal remedies, and is reportedly more effective. Apply a generous layer of Sudocrem to the nail. The ingredients in this cream can have an anti-fungal effect, so you can get rid of your nail fungus.
3. Vicks Vaporub
Vicks Vaporub is commonly used to treat colds, but you can also use it effectively for nail fungus. Apparently, the nail will darken first and then brighten. Apply the Vaporub liberally to the nail, and using a cotton swab, try to apply it to the nail bed and the skin under the nail.
4. Tea tree oil
You can use this oil for all kinds of things, including combating nail fungus. The various ingredients in this oil are known for their antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. You just need to spread the oil over the affected nail and the surrounding area.
5. Eucalyptus oil
This oil is used by many people to treat a cold with steam, but it can also work great as a remedy for a nail fungus. Eucalyptus oil has a bactericidal property that fungi cannot resist. Spread the oil on the nail fungus and also try to apply it to the cuticles and the skin under the nail.
6. Dettol
Do you have Dettol at home? If so, you can also use this to treat nail fungus. Prepare a foot bath with warm water and add a generous splash of Dettol. Bathe your foot for half an hour and then dry it well.
7. Garlic and lemon
This does not cause a nice smell, but garlic is a natural anti-microbial agent. You can make a foot bath by crushing 10 cloves of garlic and cooking in 500 milliliters of water. Let it boil for five minutes and then cool to a comfortable temperature. Add some lemon juice (fungi don’t like acid) and soak your feet in the bath for 10 minutes. Then dry the feet thoroughly. Repeat three times a week. You can also rub the nail directly with the juice of a clove of garlic.
What you should definitely not do
There are also a number of things that you should not do if you suffer from a nail fungus. For example, do not use moisturizing ointments that contain turpentine oil. This oil will dry out your nail, which can cause it to crumble even further. Also try to resist the temptation to hide the fungal nail with nail polish. Nail polish aggravates the fungus because it prevents oxygen from reaching the nail. You can also contaminate other nails, because the bacteria will stick to the nail polish brush.
