If you have thick, brittle,discolored toenails, it is probable that you might have nail fungus. This condition, also known as onychomycosis, is a condition that starts of as a tiny white or yellow discoloration under the nail. This is due to the infection caused by the fungus which has managed to gain entry past the one-effective barrier provided by your nails. Because the fungus has now taken up residence under the nails, it makes it all the more difficult to treat.
The discoloration grows larger and larger until the whole of the nail turns yellow, and the nail becomes brittle, which makes it prone to breakage. In severe cases the nail eventually separates from the nail bed, a painful and unsightly condition that leaves the sufferer unable to do simple activities like walking or running. Some people suffer a great deal of embarrassment because the infection also produces a foul odor.
But like any problem, there is always a solution, and that solution may not be that expensive or hard to find. In the case of nail fungus, there are a wide variety of medications that your doctor can recommend that are very effective in treating you of your nail fungus. However, there are also other remedies that others swear that will cure your of your fungus, and all these you will most likely see in your kitchen or medicine cabinet.
Before trying out the medications recommended by the doctor, why not give a few of these home-remedies for nail fungus a try:
1. Antiperspirant
The fungus thrives well in moist and dark environments, so to keep your feet from sweating too much, apply unscented antiperspirant on it, especially if you wear closed-shoes for most of the day. This will keep your feet sweat-free, thus controlling the growth of your fungus.
2. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has powerful antiseptic and antifungal properties. Just rub a few drops of the oil on your toes and you're ready to go. You can do this a couple of times throughout the day.
3. Tea tree oil and lavender oil
You can put a few drops of tea tree oil and an equal amount of lavender oil on a cotton ball and apply it on your toenails. The tea tree oil will help fight the fungal infection while lavender oil will prevent irritation.
4. Listerine mouthwash
You can soak your feet in a basin of Listerine mouthwash . Listerine is a very good antiseptic, which is effective in fighting the infection. Some would recommend using a vinegar and Listerine tandem,, because you will see results faster this way.
You actually have a lot of choices of home remedies for nail fungus that you can choose from, and all these you can easily find at home, in your kitchen or medicine cabinet. Just keep in mind that these may work for you (because they have worked for so many others), but different home remedies may work differently for various kinds of toenail infections, and home remedies usually take a few months for you to see the complete effects.
But, using your own home remedy for nail fungus and with a little patience and a bit of discipline, you'll have that toenail fungus gone in no time.