How To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus In South Africa
What is Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge.
How To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus In South Africa
1. Weekly maintenance
First, prepare your nails for treatment by trimming and filing them once a week. Clipping toenails relieves pressure on the nails and helps antifungal solutions penetrate the nail. Use traditional toenail clippers and an Emory board to keep nails short and thin. Make sure to disinfect utensils after each use. Maintaining trimmed, clean, and dry nails will be essential in treating toenail fungus and preventing it in the future.
2. Clean socks and shoes
Regularly changing your socks and shoes can also cut down on the growth of unwanted foot fungus. Both socks and athletic shoes can be washed in hot water to rid the growth of yeasts and fungi that may be growing on the fabric. Adding a half-cup of baking soda or one cup of vinegar to the washing machine can help eliminate bacteria or fungus on socks or shoes. Some shoes can be machine dried. Drying shoes in the sun is another option when cleaning footwear.
3. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus that grows on toenails. You can directly wipe hydrogen peroxide on your infected toes or toenails with a clean cloth or cotton swab. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in a foot soak. Mix 1/8 cup of hydrogen peroxide (or several capfuls) to four cups of cool water and soak feet for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse feet with warm water and pat dry.
4. Black tea
Soaking feet in plain tea can also be beneficial in treating toenail or foot fungus. Black tea contains tannic acid that dries out the feet, kills bacteria, and helps to close the foot’s pores to reduce sweating. Boil two quarts of water then add five to six tea bags. Allow the tea to cool and soak feet for 30 minutes. Use this foot soak daily if desired.
5. Apple cider vinegar
Another home remedy to treat toenail fungus includes the use of apple cider vinegar. Vinegar is an antifungal ingredient that can be mixed with water to create a foot soak. It’s acetic acid component helps to whiten discolored toenails and stop the spread of the infection to other toes. Try two parts vinegar to one part warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes daily. For a more potent foot soak, the ratio could be one part vinegar to one part water. If the smell is too overwhelming, essential oils can be added to make the experience more pleasant. White vinegar can be used as an alternative as both are equally effective.
6. Baking soda
Add baking soda to a foot soak to heal the affected nail. You can also make a paste of baking soda with a minimal amount of water and apply it directly to the foot. Allow the paste to sit on the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry the foot thoroughly.
Baking soda can also be sprinkled onto the foot or in the shoes like foot powder. Once applied to a dry foot, put on clean socks; the baking soda can wick away moisture while healing properties work to reduce toenail fungus.
7. Epsom salt
Soaking feet in an Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) bath can be beneficial to relieve your foot fungus. You can mix one cup of Epsom salt to two quarts of warm to hot water and soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes.
8. Essential oils
Essential oils are gaining popularity in homeopathic treatment to heal a variety of common ailments. Many essential oils have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.
9. Ozonated oils
Ozonated oils, such as olive and sunflower oil, contain ozone gas. The idea is that ozone delivers oxygen to the affected areas, which kills bacteria and stimulates skin cells for faster healing. One study found that ozonated oil is an effective home remedy for toenail fungus.
Researchers tested ozonized sunflower oil on 101 samples of yeast. The oil was an effective treatment against several fungal strains. To try this remedy, clean and dry your foot first. Gently massage a small amount of ozonated oil into the skin, working it into the affected nails and around the entire toe.
10. Olive leaf extract
Olive leaf extract contains oleuropein, which is a natural antifungal and antimicrobial. A salve made from the olive leaf can be applied to the toenails to reduce infection. You may also swallow capsules containing the extract to boost the immune system and treat toenail fungus systemically. Approximately two olive leaf extract capsules can be taken twice a day for an extended period. Consult your healthcare provider before taking olive leaf extract.
11. Snakeroot extract
Snakeroot extract, made from plants in the sunflower family, is an all-natural antifungal homeopathic treatment also used to treat toenail fungus. Commonly used in Ayurvedic practices in India, snakeroot extract can be applied directly to the affected toenail. Apply the extract two to three times a week for several months. Ask your healthcare provider if snakeroot extract is right for your type of foot fungus.
12. Zinc
Zinc oxide is a mineral that can treat fungal infections. As a skin protectant, miconazole-zinc oxide can be sprayed or applied to the affected area to fight infection and reduce signs of foot fungus. Check with your provider to see if adding zinc to your foot care regimen is right for you.
13. Garlic
Garlic is a potent antimicrobial plant. For topical treatment, chop cloves of garlic and leave it on the affected nails for 30 minutes. Use raw garlic sparingly, as it can result in a chemical burn.
14. Cornmeal
Cornmeal has some antifungal properties. You can try applying cornmeal as a paste or a soak. For a paste, dissolve cornmeal in warm water in a shallow pan. Let the paste cool before using it on your feet. Let it sit for an hour. As a soak, add an inch of cornmeal to a shallow container. Pour an inch of warm water on top of the cornmeal, letting the cornmeal and water mix naturally for an hour. Then, add enough warm water to cover your entire foot and let it soak for an hour. You can try cornmeal as a weekly home remedy for toenail fungus.
15. Diet
Your current diet could be feeding fungus caused by Candida overgrowth. Here are some diet changes you can make to starve the yeast and improve toenail fungus:
- Cut out sugar
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Limit your carbohydrates to one cup a day
- Cook with coconut oil
- Incorporate ginger and garlic
- Supplement with a probiotic
16. Exercise
Regular exercise can expedite the healing process. As blood pumps faster through the body, it releases natural vitamins and flushes toxins. Just be sure to practice proper hygiene to avoid making toenail fungus worse.
Wear socks that wick away excess moisture, use antifungal foot powder, remove shoes immediately after a workout to let feet breathe, and wear flip-flops or sandals in shower rooms or pools. Remember to wash your feet with antibacterial soap and completely dry your feet after your shower.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
How do I get rid of nail fungus ASAP in South Africa?
Oral antifungal drugs.
These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. Options include terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox). These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part.
What is the best cure for fungal nail infection in South Africa?
Terbinafine and itraconazole are the two medicines most commonly prescribed for fungal nail infections. These usually need to be taken once or twice a day for several months to ensure the infection has completely cleared up. If you stop taking the medication too early, the infection may return.
Does nail fungus go away permanently?
But nail fungus doesn’t go away by itself. And if you don’t treat it, there’s a chance it could get worse. It could spread to other nails or through your body. It could cause pain when you walk.
Should I cut off my fungus toenail in South Africa?
Nail removal: If you have a severe infection or other treatments just don’t work, your dermatologist may recommend removing the nail(s) to get rid of the infection.
What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?
If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience: Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened, distorted toenails. Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete’s foot. Infection of the surrounding areas, causing cracked skin, and increasing bacterial spread.
What’s the cause of nail fungus?
Fungal nail infections are caused by various fungal organisms (fungi). The most common cause is a type of fungus called dermatophyte. Yeast and molds also can cause nail infections. Fungal nail infection can develop in people at any age, but it’s more common in older adults.
How do you treat nail fungus in South Africa?
Often, you can take care of a fungal nail infection at home: Try over-the-counter antifungal nail creams and ointments. Several products are available. If you notice white markings on the surfaces of the nails, file them off, soak your nails in water, dry them, and apply the medicated cream or lotion.
What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?
In medical terms this is called onychomycosis or tinea unguium,” says Batra. The fungal infection breaks down the keratin in the nail to form a white or yellow chalky substance under the nail plate. “As keratin debris spreads under the nail, the nail plate typically becomes lifted up off of the nail bed.
How long does apple cider vinegar take to cure toenail fungus?
The antifungal properties also make vinegar soaks a good idea for people who have toenail fungus. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes daily in a vinegar bath until the infection subsides. You can increase the length of time in the soak gradually. It may take two to three weeks or longer to see improvement in symptoms.
Can toenail fungus be cured in South Africa?
Treatment. Fungal nail infections can be difficult to cure, and they typically don’t go away without antifungal treatment. The best treatment for a fungal nail infection is usually prescription antifungal pills taken by mouth. In severe cases, a doctor might remove the nail completely.
Should I cut off my fungus toenail in South Africa?
Nail removal: If you have a severe infection or other treatments just don’t work, your dermatologist may recommend removing the nail(s) to get rid of the infection.
What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?
If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience: Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened, distorted toenails. Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete’s foot. Infection of the surrounding areas, causing cracked skin, and increasing bacterial spread.
What is the fastest way to cure toenail fungus?
The fastest way to eliminate the infection is through toenail laser treatment. Laser nail therapy specifically targets the microorganisms under your nail while leaving the keratin intact. In just a few treatments, the infection can be entirely eliminated.
Can baking soda cure toenail fungus?
The baking soda will be an effective treatment for nail fungus. You can count it as a home remedy for nail fungus. Baking soda is alkaline in nature, and it will take almost three months to treat toenail fungus. You can make a paste of baking soda and apply it on your toenail regularly for best results.
Can I mix baking soda and vinegar for toenail fungus?
Baking soda can prevent fungus from growing and spreading. Vinegar is a weak acid and will help to kill off the fungus without altering the Ph level. Mix 4-5 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and add enough warm water to fully soak your feet.