Home Remedies for Onychomycosis (Hands and Feet)
In today’s article, we’re going to provide home remedies for Onychomycosis. This word may seem a little weird, but it refers to a fungus infection in your hands and feet.
Fungus refers to microorganisms that, in this case, can especially affect your toenails or fingernails.
However, it mainly affects your toenails as their reproduction is more likely in this area.
Your feet tend to be covered and are more susceptible to withholding heat and moisture, which is ideal for these invaders. If you also suffer from excess sweat in your feet, you should take greater care.
Fungus infection is not exactly characterized by pain, which usually leads people to see a doctor. This infection mainly causes discomforts like itching, reddening, and skin peeling in any area in the body.
And, when referring specifically to the nails, the call to attention is usually a visible change in their appearance; t hey turn a darker color, get thicker, detach from the skin, are more fragile, and have an unpleasant odor.
It is good to know that for people that suffer from a disease that weakens their immune system, a fungus infection becomes very dangerous.
In turn, if your immune system is resistant, the problem won’t be very grave, but it will be very uncomfortable.
We always recommend treating any disease when it starts even if it does not have major risks because if you let it go for a long time, it will be more and more difficult to get rid of the problem, treatments will be longer and will end up being more expensive.
We will recommend some home remedies for onychomycosis to help with the treatment in the first cases.
If you have fungus in your nails, whether it’s in your hands or feet, have been there for a while, and the damages are significant, the best option is to see a specialist.
Our home remedies for Onychomycosis:
Read also: How to Use Garlic to Harden Your Nails
Prevention
Prevention is the best option in this case. You should be very cautious about your personal hygiene. Remember that the things that these microorganisms like most are darkness, heat, and moisture.
So, don’t give them a favorable environment to invade you. Keep your fingernails and toenails in good hygiene.
Keep your nails short and clean. If you prefer them longer, you should be more careful with your hygiene. Do periodic cleanings, without forgetting to properly dry them.
To do this, you can even use a hairdryer. Clean underneath your nails properly but don’t cause any injuries. If you do that, the fungus could even take advantage of this and enter through the injury.
Don’t share personal hygiene utensils, shoes, socks, etc.
Medical treatment for nail fungus can range from topical applications, oral medication, and in more serious cases, removal of the infected nail.
Below, we will give you some home remedies that will help you in the fight against nail fungus.
Vinegar
Submerge your feet in a liter of warm water plus a cup of apple cider vinegar for 20 minutes. Then, take your feet out of the water and dry them thoroughly. This is an excellent home remedy for onychomycosis.
Read also: 5 Natural Solutions for Ingrown Toenails
Baking Soda
Make a paste with baking soda and warm water. You can put it on the infected areas and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse and dry properly.
Onion
Blend an onion. With a cotton ball, put the juice on the infected nail. Let sit for a half hour and then rinse and dry.
Oregano Oil
Make a mixture of two drops of oregano oil plus a tablespoon of olive oil. Apply directly to your infected nails.
These home remedies for onychomycosis can be used for a couple of weeks as long as they don’t cause bad reactions. If symptoms continue, see your doctor.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Carrillo, L. Hongos. In Microbiología Agrícola. 2003; 10(4): 40-59.
- Berenguer, J. Hongos. Book. 2000; 3(1): 129-156.
- Carrillo, L. Estructuras de los hongos. Microbiología Agrícola. 2004.
- Dalmay J, Roé E, Corella F, García X, et al. Onicomicosis. Farmacia profesional. 2006; 20(10): 62-66.