Nail fungus isn’t really dangerous but it can be a source of embarrassment because it makes your nails appear thick and have discoloration too. It’s a bit difficult to trim your nails when they are infected which is why you need to find a way to eliminate the fungal infection as soon as possible. Nail fungus can appear when you are constantly wearing shoes that are tight causing moisture to appear. When this happens, the moist environment plus the warmth inside your shoes can actually trigger nail fungus to appear.
Australians believe that in order to fight off nail fungus, you will need tea tree oil which is actually harvested from Melaleuca alternifolia which is found in the country. This particular oil has been found to contain antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties which make it a good treatment for nail fungus.
Tea Tree Oil and Other Remedies
The Australians believe that the tea tree oil works wonders when it comes to eliminating the fungus in your nails. All that you have to do is to add a few drops of this oil on the infected nail and allow it to seep into the nail bed. This is not a miracle cure for nail fungus which means that it will take a while before you see any changes to it. You will need to apply tea tree oil on the infected nail two times a day every day for about two months to see improvement. You can even mix it with other oils like lavender which has soothing and healing properties to speed up the healing process.
Aside from tea tree oil, there are other home remedies that have been found to be effective in banishing nail fungus. Here are other natural remedies that you can try.
Vinegar soaks
The acidic nature of vinegars is actually an effective treatment against fungal infections because it can make the environmental conditions harsh. If your toenails have fungal infections, doing vinegar soaks may help eradicate the presence of fungus under the nails. This treatment, however, may take a while before progress can be seen.
Mentholated ointments
It is believed that mentholated chest rubs are also useful in fighting off nail fungus because of the thymol oil present in it. The thymol oil, which is extracted from the herb thyme, has been found to eradicate any fungal infections on the nails when it is applied regularly. Those who have tried this remedy simply massage the chest rub on the infected nail repeatedly until the discoloration and thickening disappears.
Aloe vera
Another possible remedy for your nail fungus is aloe vera. This herbal plant contains a gel like substance in its leaf which has been found to have many uses. Aside from using it to treat cuts, burns, hair loss, and the like, aloe vera has also been found to be effective in banishing fungal infections. To use this home remedy, simply gather the gel inside the leaves of the plant, apply it on the infected nail, and leave it on until it has dried. You can repeat this several times in a day.
