The technical term for toenail fungus is onychomycosis. This infection is caused by a fungus that can become ground within the beds of the toe or finger nails and then stay. Some of the symptoms of nail fungus include discolored nails that become thick. There may be a foul smell that comes from the area. During later stages the edges around the nails may start to crust or become scaly.
Toenail fungus is actually quite common with estimates of around ten percent of the population being infected at some time. When the toenails become infected, many people become embarrassed by the way that the nail looks. While the body can heal the toenail with time, many people do not want to wait for this to occur. The good news is that there are some home remedies that can help to speed up the process. Here are fifteen home remedies that can be used to help cure toenail fungus.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil comes from a tree located in Australia called the Melaleuca alternifolia. This oil is known for its powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties. In order to use tea tree oil as a treatment for toenail fungus you will want to mix a few drops of it with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Soak a cotton swab with the oil.
Next, take the cotton swab that has been soaked in the oil mixture and apply it to the nail or nails that have been affected with the fungus. Try to move the nail up using either a toothpick or your fingernail to make sure that the oil gets to the skin that is below the nail. To clear up the fungal infection quickly you will want to use this oil mixture on a regular basis. Another option for using tea tree oil is to add some of the tea tree oil to a footbath and soak your feet in the solution at least once per day.