Overview

When someone realizes they have a nail fungal infection they probably think that they will have to go out and buy expensive creams or pills.

That is not the case, you can actually resolve this type of issue at home.

In this article, you will learn seven home remedies for toenail fungus with items that can be found in any household.

7 Simple Home Remedies that Cure Toenail Fungus

1.  Vinegar

When it comes to vinegar, it naturally has a mildly acidic pH, allowing it to get underneath your nail and attack fungus that is causing the discoloration.  There is a few different ways to use vinegar against a nail fungal infection.  One way is to soak your feet in a mixture of water and either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.  Here is what you need:

  • 1 cup white or AC vinegar
  • 2 cup water
  • water basin

Put two cups of warm water per one cup vinegar and soak your feet for at least 15 minutes.  Do this twice daily to see improvement in your nails.

Alternative with Vinegar:  Sometimes people do not have time for a foot soak twice a day and that is understandable.  Here is a different method to help get rid of toe fungus with vinegar.

What you will need:

  • Band-aids
  • White or AC vinegar
  • Cottonballs

Directions:

First, you will want to dip or soak each cotton ball into your vinegar.

Secondly, you will apply some of the vinegar with the cotton ball directly onto your nail and then get a fresh cotton ball that has been dipped in vinegar and place it on the infected nails.

After you have done that wrap a band-aid around the cotton ball and your toe, securing the vinegar cotton balls on each toe.

Perfect to do in the morning before work, so you want be at work fighting your fungus.  Do this twice daily.

2.  Fresh Garlic

This one is great because a lot of people have fresh garlic cloves in their house.  If not you can always go to the store and pick up some for cheap.  Once you have your garlic cloves, get them peeled and sliced up.

Now it is time for application.  Take the sliced garlic and rub it on your affected nails.

Apply it as if your infected toenails are a cheese grater and the garlic is the cheese.  This will allow the garlic to work its way into the nail bed.

I have heard of people using toothpicks or q-tips to push the garlic pulp farther into the nail bed for accelerated results.

An advisory warning on not to use dried garlic for this treatment.  It is not as effective and also leaves a horrible smell.

3.  Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

This mixture is universal!  Not only will it make your teeth whiter but it will also make your nails healthier.

Here is what you will need:

  • 1 table spoon baking soda
  • 2 table spoons of hydrogen peroxide
  • Container and spoon to mix paste in

Directions:

All you need to do is add the above ingredients and mix it into paste.  Then apply the paste with a cotton swab or whatever you fancy.

Be sure to focus on the edges of the nail and the nail bed if exposed.

This treatment is especially neat because if often fizzes or bubbles when applied to the fungus.

Don’t worry, that means it is working.  Leave the paste on.

Apply this about 3-4 times daily until you begin seeing results.  1-2 times daily can also work but it is typically best to try and eradicate the fungus as quickly as possible.

4.  Cheap Scotch

Some people have some scotch laying around in their house that they will never drink.  If this is the case, you can use it to get rid of your toenail fungus!  If not you can typically pick up some cheap scotch at your grocery store for around or under $10.  Stay away with alcohol with sugar in it, that is why Irish Scotch works best for this.

Here is what you need:

  • Cheap Scotch
  • Tub

Directions

Pour just enough scotch into the tub to cover the affected toes.  Let them soak for about 20-30 minutes, to allow the alcohol do it’s job.  Do this once daily until you begin to see results.  This can also be substituted with Listerine.  If you choose to use Listerine be sure to dilute it with water.

5.  Fresh Lemons

The same acidic pH properties present in vinegar are also present in lemons.  These properties help aid in the removal of stubborn toenail fungal infections.

All you have to do for this one is juice a lemon and then use a cotton ball to apply it to the affected toes.  Let it sit for 45 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.  Do this about 1-2 times daily.

This treatment smells a lot better than using vinegar.  Also, do not use juice concentrates for this, they are ineffective.  Limes and other citric fruits can have the same affects but stay away form naval oranges.  Expect to see results in 4-8 weeks.

6.  Bleach

After trying bleach foot soaks, I can say they are not very effective if you have a severe toenail fungus.

However, you can still treat a bad toenail fungal infection with bleach.  Instead of a foot soak try a water and bleach blend and apply it directly to the nail.

You may want to dilute the bleach with water if it is too painful for you to apply the bleach to the nail.  Try a 1:10 solution of bleach and water to apply.

In some cases, this application actually works in about 10-14 days on the fungus.  I wrote more in an article about if one should use bleach for toenail fungus.

7.  Vick’s Vapor Rub

I have heard of some cases of people treating their foot fungus using Vick’s Vapor Rub but this is usually only effective in the very early stages of a nail fungal infection.

If you caught the fungus early and your nails are just becoming discolored, apply this liberally 2-3 times daily.  Be sure to work it around the edges and trim your nails.

Make sure your nails and feet are completely dry.  Otherwise, the petroleum jelly in the Vick’s Vapor Rub will trap the moisture in and enable fungus growth.

The Most Common Fungus

If you have toenail fungus or athletes foot then you most likely have onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis, which is the medical term for your common toenail fungal infection, is a problem which many people face today.  Nearly 50% of all nail fungal infections are of this fungus.

Even though it is a problem that may not create any real pain, it can be embarrassing and visually unattractive.  There is nothing worse than being worried about going barefoot in summer.

Luckily, you can achieve gorgeous nails by this summer with some home remedies that can cure a toenail fungal infection.

If your nails have any of the following symptoms then there is a good chance you have toenail fungus.

  • Yellowing discoloration of the nail
  • Brittleness
  • Abnormal Thickening
  • Cracking and Peeling
  • Redness around the nail bed

Other causes of these symptoms  can be an infection from candida or dermatophytes.

If Your Fungal Infection is Severe…

Sometimes a fungus can advance far past a minor or moderate infection.

In cases that your fungal infection is severe or not responding the way you want to at-home remedies then it may be best to try alternatives.

One of the best alternatives I found that takes care of more prominent infections is a combination of OTC and natural products. You can find that article here.

The Bottom Line

No matter what method of treatment you choose, there is one thing you have to do be successful at curing toenail fungus.  You need to be persistent and do not miss a single day of applying or soaking your feet with a treatment.  When you miss days you are allowing the fungus a chance to grow back.

From my personal experience, it is best to be aggressive with your treatments and get an OTC cream and combine that with natural remedies.