During sandal season I get a lot of questions about how to deal with toenail fungus – especially from guys, who don’t have the luxury of covering it up with nail poish during the summer months.  My advice is to just wear high-cut black socks with their sandals like tourists do on their Hawaii vacations.  Just kidding!  Here are a few home remedies that may help with minor cases of nail fungus.  They can be used together or one at a time – whatever works best for you!

• Give your nails as much air as possible.  This means removing nail polish, exposing your nails to sunlight whenever you can, and keeping nails clean and dry.  Fungus thrives in dark, moist areas.

• Eliminate fungus from within by correcting the balance of healthy bacteria in your body through diet and a probiotic supplement.  If your body is in balance, it is less likely that fungus and other unwanted organisms will grow.  The best type of diet to promote the balance of healthy bacteria is a whole foods diet that is low in sugar and refined carbs and rich in cultured and fermented foods.  See the book The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates for more info. 

• Apply a mix of apple cider vinegar diluted 1:1 with water to the top of the affected nail and blot it around the edges and underneath the nail also (this is where the fungus originates).  Use this mixture in the evening before you go to bed and first thing in the morning.  For more severe cases of fungus, soak the nail in this solution for 30 minutes twice daily.  Many people start to see results after a month of use.  Please do not apply undiluted vinegar to nails as it may cause discoloration.

• Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide (this is the concentration you buy at the drug store) to the affected nail with a cotton ball twice daily.  If this concentration stings, try diluting it 1:1 with water.  Many people start to see results within 1 week, with the added benefit of the HP lightening discolored nails due to fungus or use of nail polish.

• Rub a few drops of coconut oil mixed with a few drops of tea tree oil (can be purchased at most health food stores) into the affected nail and the surrounding area twice daily.  This mixture has anti-fungal properties, will help to soften and condition the nail, and the rubbing motion gives the added benefit of bringing more blood flow to the affected area for faster healing.

Please remember that nails take months to re-grow, so be patient and give yourself some time to heal!  And if any of you readers out there have found home remedies for nail fungus that worked for you and are not listed above, please share them in the comments section.  Thanks for reading!

NOTE: This blog is for information only and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.  If you have toenail fungus causing pain or nail loss please consult your doctor.

Related posts:

1. Probiotics and Immunity
2. Five Foods to Eat for Beautiful Skin