Alternative Treatment for Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is the living microorganism that prefers to grow well in dark, wet environments such as under the nail, around the nail etc. Toenails are most affected when compared to the fingernail because of the usage of footwear. Alternative treatment for toenail fungus is gaining its importance owing to the fact that it doesn’t produce any side effects.

The toenails become more prone in case the person has the habit of wearing tight fitting shoes made up of synthetic materials such as rexin, plastic etc. In severe condition the toe nail becomes brown or yellow. The toe nail will be thick and brittle. At times the toenail will have uneven edges there by giving the foot more ugly look. There are so many treatment and alternative treatments for toenail fungus. Let us discuss about all here.

As soon as the people get the toe nail fungus, most of them think of antifungal medications such as fluconazole, itraconazole, terfinabine, grieseofulvin etc. Of course these allopathic medications can bring about cure rather quickly, but the side effects are more common.

The person who is using this allopathic medication can get head ache, and they can also get stomach upsets such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation etc. In some people these medications can also result in liver damage which is a much more serious condition. Because of the few possible side effects discussed above, some people refrain from using these medications and start using alternative treatments such as herbal and homeopathic medications.

Homeopathic treatment

Homeopathic treatment is the other treatment available for the toenail fungus. Here the side effects are nil at the same time the cost of treatment is also less. Only disadvantage here is that the duration of the treatment is long [usually 2-3 months].

The reason is that the homeopathic medicines eliminate the root cause of the infection there by removing the possibility of reoccurrence. The popular homeopathic medications for toenail fungus treatment are silica, graphites, natsulp, acid nit, acid flour, alumina etc.

Herbal treatment for toenail fungus

Herbal remedies are worth considering for the treatment of toenail fungus as they can relive the inflammation and cure the condition. The plus point here is that there are no side effects. Tea tree oil is the beast herbal medication as far as toenail fungus is concerned. Add few drops [5-6 drops] of tea tree oil in the four qt of water. The water should be warm. Soak the infected feet completely in the water mixed with tea tree oil for about half an hour a day. Repeat the procedure once a day till the toenail fungus is cured completely. Tea tree oil is the one of the best alternative treatment for toenail fungus.

Symptoms of Nail Fungus

Nail infection is caused by a fungus, which comes under the group called Dermatophytes. The nail fungus is found to grow under the nail in the skin bed and causes the infection of the nail.

Statistics revealed that at least 35 million Americans are suffering from Onychomycosis and almost half of people over age 70 may have it.

You have to treat this nail fungus at the earlier stage when you see the symptoms. Otherwise it will be difficult to cure, as you will lose your nails periodically. Knowing the symptoms of the nail fungus will help you to overcome the infection and avoid the complications that arise out of this nail fungus infection.

Initial Symptoms
The first symptom of nail fungus would be some change in the color of the nail. This can be found in patches. Some the patches may look white in color. Yellowish patch is also common.

It is found that some people have brown patches in the nail. This may also appear to be horizontal streaks of colors. If you know this symptom and start the treatment at this stage you can easily cure the nail fungus. Watch for these symptoms and try to cure it at the earliest.

The other symptom, which might occur, is a brittle appearance of the nail. The nail may also appear to be chipped. The nail becomes small pieces and this symptom is one that indicates that you are affected by the nail fungus.

Sometimes debris of the nail may also collect under the nails. If debris of nails or the nail crumbles then it would be difficult to wear socks. The socks would pull the crumbles and it would cause pain in your toe.

At a later stage the smell of your nail may be bad. If you get a bad smell from the nails then it is in the advanced stage and you have to treat it immediately.

If you’re suffering from nail fungus, you have difficulty walking. You may experience pain while walking. If you are experiencing this symptom then it is time to get it properly diagnosed for the nail fungus. Consult your doctor immediately. Walking with discomfort might prevent you from functioning properly and it will also divert you from doing any work.

Thickening of the nails is also a symptom of toenail fungus infection. Due to this thickening of the nail you might not be able to wear your shoes properly. Sometimes due to this thickening, nail might grow in and cause discomfort and pain. Such in growth of nails is also common if left unattended.

The nail infection if not treated early would lead to in-growing while the nail thickens. In grown nails causes secondary infection which needs further treatment.

Watch for the symptoms of the nail fungus and get proper treatment on time. Otherwise you will be forced to remove the nail totally through surgery and wait for the nail to grow again.

Bleach for toenail fungus

Toe nail fungus also known as onychomycosis is nothing but the fungal infection of the toe nail. Fungus is group of microorganisms that are capable of causing infection under condition that favors their growth.

Treatment options are many for toe nail fungus. Bleaching is one among them. Of yore bleaching was so popular but this treatment was slowly replaced by commercial home remedies and prescription medications.

Bleaching is time consuming process. This is the main reason for losing its popularity nevertheless its efficiency in treating toe nail fungus. The person really need to spend not less than half an hour every. This is really asking too much.

Bleaching of course the cheapest treatment option one can think of for toe nail fungus and compared with the other popular remedies. Some will have bleaching powder along with their laundry supplies and some will have this stored along with their cosmetics. There are few other people in all probability will be bleaching toenails for different reasons.

There are many foot care professionals who recommend bleaching for various purposes. Some advise the persons to use one part of bleaching powder in hundred parts of water just to keep the foot clean and fresh. Some other professionals recommend one part of bleaching powder in ten parts of water in order to remove the stains from toe nail fungus.

Bleaching for curing toenail fungus require different dilution and more contact time. First of all, one needs to trim the toe nail as much as possible followed by filing the nail to make it thinner. Now take one table spoon of bleaching powder in one gallon of water. Soak the toe nail for not less than thirty minutes. It will be better if one could soak the infected toenail fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen minutes in the evening.

Some people even go to the extend of using one in four solution of bleaching powder or un diluted bleaching powder directly on the infected toe nail. But one must be careful here not to irritate the skin as bleaching powder is a corrosive chemical. The fumes that come out from the bleaching powder must not be inhaled as it will damage the respiratory system.

Bleaching won’t cure the toe nail fungus immediately. One must be prepared to wait for two to three months to get cured completely. Bleaching though it takes long time to cure toe nail fungus, considered harmless if used in proper dilution.

Natural Chinese home remedies for toenail fungus

Toenail fungus is one of the many common fungal infections of the human beings. Although there are innumerable therapies available for curing toe nail fungus, natural Chinese home remedies for toenail fungus are considered to be a best one.

Damp off

The ingredients of these Chinese home remedies are listed below. Atractylodis alba , atractyloidis, poly polus, poria cocos, citri reticulate, alismatis, cinnamomi, jujube, glycyrrhiza, zingiberies recens and magonolia officinalis.

This Chinese preparation strengthens the spleen. Harmonization of the middle burner and dispelling of the dampness is also possible. This is Very effective in treating the fungal infection, yeast infection and even moniasis infection. This preparation can also be used to treat gastritis, difficulty in urination, edema, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis.

Fungo off

The ingredients of this Chinese preparation are citrus viride, citrus peel, capilaris, poria, tokoro, atractylodis, plantago, dictamnus, alisma, tribulus, kochia, scute, gypsum, phellodendron, and cicade moulting.

This concoction is highly effective in the treatment of fungal infection such as moniasis; nail fungus, yeast, and tinea but destroying the fungus completely. This concoction is much better when compared to the other antifungal oral medications. This concoction is cheap at the same time very effective in the treatment of nail fungus. The cost of this preparation is only 35 dollars for 90 caps.

Fungo balm

The fungo balm ingredients are kochiae, gypsum, zinc oxide, cnidium, and sophora ans licorice. This fungo balm is the best for the treatment of nail fungus, tinea infection, athlete’s foot, ringworm etc. this balm clears the dampness of the systems of the body and heals the ailments faster. The cost of this balm is not much. 60 grams of fungo balm will cost only 27 dollars.

Fungo lotion

This is yet another effective natural Chinese home remedy for toenail fungus, which can be used with success for the treatment of nail fungus. This lotion contains melia, dictamium, borel, and cnidium in vinegar –sugar solution. One must apply this lotion few minutes [min 5 minutes] in the affected nail before applying the fungo balm. This way the cure is much faster. The cot of the lotion is 27 dollars per 60 ml.

Natural Chinese home remedies for toenail fungus can be one and all [those affected] as the Chinese natural preparations are revered by the medical fraternity as the effective and risk free medications.

Toenail Fungus- Etiology and Epidemiology

Are you regularly exposed to wet environments like swimming pool and showers regularly? Then, you are more at risk for the toenail fungus infection. These environments favor the growth of the fungus that causes nail infections. The nails that are affected could be fingernails or toenails.

The nail infection called Onychomycosis, which is a progressive and recurring disease, is caused by the Dermatophytes. They affect the skin under the nail. You may not realize that this fungus affecting you until the symptoms show up. Symptoms are coloring of the nail. The nail color may become white or pale yellow or yellow.

Around 35 million Americans have suffered from onychomycosis. At least 35% of the patients of ages between 60 and 70 get affected with this disease, and almost half of people over age 70 may have it.

Epidemiology of the nail fungus infection or Onychomycosis is partially known since it involves combination of different factors. The patient’s background, clinical form of the infection, and the etiological agent are the initial factors responsible for the onset of onychomycosis. Apart from the ecology and physiology of the causative agent, the poulation habits also play an important role in the occurrence of this condition.

A person who is having family history, peripheral vascular disease and smoking are more prone to this dreadful disease of toenail fungus.

Toenail fungus can easily infect the people who have damaged nail or athlete’s foot. Exposure to wetness for a long time could also be one of the main reasons for getting affected by the nail fungus.

Non-dermatophytic moulds, yeasts, and Dermatophytes are the main etiological factors responsible for the occurrence of toenail fungus. The main causative agent for majority of nail infections is due to Dermatophytes, most often Trichophyton Rubrum. Invasion of candidia (See Glossary) is noticed commonly in women than men and also common in fingernails rather than toenails.

Once you are infected with nail fungus in one nail, then it would be the main cause of getting the other nail infected. It easily spreads to the other nails. It is also possible for the mycosis (See glossary) to spread to the other parts of the body.

Who are more prone to Nail Fungus?
Apart from the above factors that contribute to the growth of the nail fungus there are also other factors like chronic diseases and disorder that might be there in a patient. Patients with HIV and diabetes are more likely to get these infections. Men suffering from diabetes are about three times more prone for onychomycosis than diabetic females.

Genetic disorders like the Down syndrome and the blood circulation disorders like the Raynaud syndrome could also contribute to the nail fungus infection.

Cushing’s syndrome that produces excess cortisone could also contribute to the rapid growth and infection of the nail fungus. As the age of the person increase they are more susceptible to nail fungus infections.

People working in the food industry, swimming pools, hospitals, nurses, sportsperson, childcare centers are at risk of getting the nail infections caused by the Dermatophytes.

After reading about the etiology and epidemiology of nail fungus, do you want to keep the nail fungus in check? Don’t worry. It is easy to treat just like that of relieving from a common cold. Do pay attention to underneath the toenails and also scrub away dirt, dead fungus and nail tissue using a nailbrush.