Is Baking Soda to Treat Nail Fungus Safe?

You should never use baking soda to treat nail fungus, as this substance if very abrasive. We'll tell you more in today's article.

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Karla Henríquez.

Written by Daniela Echeverri Castro

Last update: 30 May, 2022

According to popular belief, it’s possible to use baking soda to treat nail fungus. But is this really safe? This substance is a popular choice when it comes to a variety of different purposes, including cleaning the bathroom, for example.

Because your extremities are regularly exposed to warm and humid conditions, microorganisms have an ideal habitat for reproduction and affect your nails. As a result, your nails start to look bad and display symptoms like dryness, itching, peeling, yellowing, paleness, etc.

Given that fungal infections of the nails are an esthetic problem, it’s important to attack the problem correctly in order to avoid unsightly appearances.

How can you treat nail fungus?

Once the nails become infected by a fungus, they develop visible and unsightly alterations. What’s more, people often experience symptoms like reddening, itchiness, and peeling of the surrounding skin.

According to popular belief, it’s possible to use baking soda in order to treat nail fungus. While its effects are not immediate, they are supposedly noticeable over time. Therefore, it’s important to be consistent in its application.

There are also those who recommend mixing baking soda with apple cider vinegar in order to obtain better results. However, you need to use the mixture only on an occasional basis and very carefully .

The mixture may be abrasive (both for the skin and the nails. What’s more, if you use it indiscriminately, it may make things worse rather than helping the situation.

Is it good to use baking soda to treat nail fungus?

Baking soda is a white powder that dissolves easily in water. While it’s said to possess antiseptic and antifungal properties, research has shown that it’s not always the right product for certain issues, including the treatment of skin and nail infections.

Given its abrasive and deodorizing effect, it helps get rid of bad smells and grime in hard to clean places. However, applying it to your feet doesn’t “balance” their pH or attack just the fungus.

Home remedy with baking soda

While it’s best not to apply baking soda directly to your nails or skin to treat nail fungus, you can use the same remedy to deodorize and clean shoes and socks .

Ingredients

• 6 cups of water (1.5 liters)
• 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar (125 ml)
• 3 tablespoons of baking soda (30 g)

Instructions

• Heat the water to a temperature that is bearable.
• Add the apple cider vinegar and pour this mixture into a large bowl.
• Dip your shoes and/or socks in the liquid and let them soak for several minutes.
• After this time, rinse them under running water and allow them to dry in the sun.
• Throw out the rest of the liquid.

What to keep in mind regarding the treatment of nail fungus

• Avoid using closed shoes for long periods of time. Use open and ventilated shoes that impede the accumulation of sweat and bacteria.
• Avoid exposing the area to humidity. Dry your feet and hands well after each washing, as leftover moisture can contribute to fungus growth.
• Wash and disinfect manicure and pedicure utensils correctly in order to keep infections from spreading to unaffected nails.

If you have nail fungus, the best thing you can do is see a doctor and follow his or her instructions. At the same time, you can see a podiatrist to fix your nails properly.