Toenail fungus and other skin infections tend to spread quickly if not treated quickly. I learned this the hard way by letting my nail fungus go unchecked and before I knew it my toenail fungus affected all 10 of my toes.
With so many products and treatments being sold in drug stores and online, it is sometimes hard to determine which ones work and which don’t. Recently, colloidal silver has started to be presented as a possible answer to the treatment of fungal infections on toenails.
This article will be a complete guide of everything you need to know about colloidal silver for nail fungus infections.
Can Colloidal Silver Cure Nail Fungal Infections?
Yes, a study done in 2008 by the Department of Microbiology, within the Kyungpook National University of Daegu, Korea demonstrated that colloidal silver is an effective treatment solution against fungal pathogens [1]. This study was published in the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology.
Authors of the study claim that colloidal silver is one of the most powerful and effective antifungal agents in the world [2]. Additionally, it is 100% natural which normally means less adverse side effects or allergic reactions.
The study focused primarily on two of the most common pathogens involved with the appearance of fungal infections; Candida and Trichophyton.
For this study, The efficiency of colloidal silver was determined by comparing it commonly administered antifungal medication.
What was found was that…
Colloidal silver is equally effective in treating fungal infections as other popular antifungal drugs. It even illuminated that the efficiency of this preparation is superior to one of the most commonly prescribed antifungal drugs, which signifies fluconazole.
In conclusion, colloidal silver can provide a possible positive topical treatment for those who suffer from toenail fungus.
View Pricing on AmazonWhat is Colloidal Silver?
Before thinking about any treatment for an ailment, you typically want to know what it is exactly that you are using.
Colloidal silver is the term used to describe tiny particles of silver suspended in a liquid [3]. Due to the small size of the particles, a normal filtering process would not remove them.
These particles are often referred to as “nanoparticles” which means they are less than 100nm in size and invisible to the naked eye [4].
Before the advent of modern antibiotics, colloidal silver was used as an all-purpose remedy for various infections and illnesses.
As of recently, it has seen a rebirth in popularity, with people making claims that it can replace antibiotics or other medical therapies to treat bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
How to Use Colloidal Silver Properly on Your Nails
Now that the bases have been covered about the studies performed on colloidal silver and what it is exactly, it is time to go over how to use it properly.
The most commonly used method with using colloidal silver for nail fungus is soaking the feet in a foot bath.
For this method, you will prepare a foot soak with one tablespoon colloidal silver per one gallon of warm water. Soaking your feet for 20-30 minutes each day in this solution produces optimal results.
Another Method
A secondary method that is more cost-efficient will be direct application onto the infected nails. To make sure that this method is more effective, we recommend doing the following:
- Soaking your nails in warm water with Epsom Salts
- Trimming your nails
- Filing the infected nails down as much as possible
Once the nails are cleaned and filed, take a cotton ball and soak it in the colloidal silver. If more than one toenail is affected than repeat this process for each infected nail. Using a surgical glove, place the soaked cotton ball onto the affected nails and then secure it with a bandaid over each of the cotton balls.
Keep this on overnight and clean off your toenails in the morning. Repeat this same treatment for a couple of weeks, with trimming the infected part of the nail as the new healthy one grows in. Be patient for this process because toenails do not grow quickly.
The key to both of these aforementioned treatments is going to be consistency. It is imperative you follow the recommended treatment for one month even though it may take longer for a new healthy nail to grow back and to see visible results.
What You Must Know Before Using Colloidal Silver
If you plan on using the first method, the foot soak, to treat your toenail fungus then you must be aware that it can have higher costs than the second method. This is because performing the soak uses more colloidal silver to create the solution.
Since this is a topical treatment, colloidal silver does not interact or interfere with other medications. However, it is recommended to talk to your doctor or dermatologist before considering any treatments for such infections.
The Dark Side of Colloidal Silver
Currently, there is a literature on people taking colloidal silver orally. This is not recommended. Silver has no known function or benefits in the body when taken by mouth [5].
In addition, colloidal silver can cause serious side effects. The most common one is argyria, a bluish-gray discoloration of the skin which is usually permanent [6]. Argyria can happen if silver builds up in your body and can happen if taking colloidal silver orally [7].
Luckily, if you are battling toenail fungus then a topical application is only necessary.
The Verdict
While there have not been many studies done on colloidal silver’s application for treating ailments it has seen use for treating topical infections on the skin. For example, colloidal silver is used in medicines to prevent conjunctivitis (an eye condition) in newborns.
The few studies that have been completed on colloidal silver show positive evidence that makes it a great topical solution for toenail fungus. In fact, it even rivals popular antifungal medicines in the marketplace.
Colloidal silver may be difficult to find in stores but you can get yours here today.
We do not endorse the use of colloidal silver taken orally.
