Some toe nail fungus is hard to treat. Other types are easier. There is a case in which the fungus grows on top of the nails, and this can be removed with simple cleaning and scraping. The type of fungus that gets underneath the toenail is the one that usually proves the hardest to treat. There are topical ointments, lacquers and creams for treatment of this type of fungus under toe nails but the cases of success with this method alone are few and far between.

Consider the fact that your medicine cabinet might contain some great remedies. Check your medicine cabinet for some of the following items if you are looking for quick ways to treat your yellowing, brittle toenails.

Listerine

Listerine is a popular brand of mouthwash. It works by killing bacteria, and it works great for fungus of the nails as well. Soak your feet in Listerine a couple of times a week for a month. Pat your feet dry and keep them cool. As your toenails grow out keep them trimmed and neat. After a while the fungus should grow off.

Vicks Vapo-Rub

Vick’s Vapo-Rub is great for chest colds and coughs. It is useful for adults and children alike and can help even the nastiest cold be that much easier to deal with. However, Vicks Vapo-Rub might also be useful for helping to clear up cases of nail fungus. Rub some on the tip of the toe and the toe nail and wrap it up with a bandage or a band-aid every night. Do this several times a week for a month and notice the difference. Be sure to keep the nail trimmed and dry during this type of treatment as well.

Iodine

Iodine is another useful treatment for toenail fungus. It can be found right in your medicine cabinet or first aid kit. Dab a bit of iodine underneath the tip of your nail every night for a month and notice the difference. If you keep your nails trimmed you will notice them growing in cleaner and clearer in about a month’s time.

These are some great tips for helping to clear it up that you can use by just peeking in your medicine cabinet. You don’t have to spend any extra money on treatments, and you can do them in just a few second’s time. Keep your feet clean and dry and your toenails trimmed and you should be back in business in no time at all.

VINEGAR

Vinegar is one of those natural home remedies that have been around since ancient times.  Almost everyone has a “vinegar story” related to a specific use that the properties of the substance provides.  Nail fungus cures can be one of them.  The history and uses of vinegar have been passed down from generation to generation through family members.

A variety of vinegar types is available and, to act as a cure, it doesn’t really matter which type you choose.  Apple cider vinegar, however, is perhaps chosen the most frequently due to its “extra” acidic nature.  Vinegar is quite possibly the least expensive option to try as a cure for nail fungus.  It can usually be found easily in most kitchen cabinets.

Recommendations for vinegar use suggest mixing 50 percent water with 50 percent vinegar in a small tub or basin for fungus cures.  Soak the affected nail areas in the mixture for about 30 minutes three times a day.  Success stories have been told of these foot baths spread throughout the day, with one in the morning, one at mid-day, and the other in the evening before you retire to bed.  Some people also alternate the foot baths using hot and cold water every other time.  Other recommendations include using one-third part vinegar to two-thirds parts warm water as a good soaking foot bath.

Vinegar has an acidic quality courtesy of the oxidation of ethanol that is a process of fermentation.  The oxidation can take place in fruit juice, wine, cider, beer, or other alcoholic liquids.  The acidity aids in the itching that often accompanies nail fungus.  It also helps normalize the pH balance in the body that is required to fight the microorganisms that cause nail fungus.  This can be a good cure because the bacteria present in the infection will not like an acidic environment.

Apple cider vinegar can be quite helpful in alleviating inflammation and pain caused by the nail fungus infection.  When hydrogen peroxide is added to the mix, it also helps kill the harmful bacteria.  Hydrogen peroxide is strong, so use this combination sparingly  until you know how your skin will react to it.

Another optional use for nail fungus cures from the vinegar is to apply two drops directly onto the affected nail area twice daily.  Some individuals have reported more success with this method than the soaking; it just depends on each person’s body and how quickly the infection reacts to subside.  When using the two-drop method of delivering vinegar directly to the nail, however, you must ensure you give the drops adequate time to soak in before resuming normal activities.

NATURAL HOME REMEDIES

Tea tree oil is often recommended because of its properties as a fungicide and ability to act as an antiseptic.  It fights fungus using natural methods.  Among the recommended ways to use tea tree oil is to include olive oil and apply it to the toenail (or fingernail) that is infected.  Another usage suggests putting a few drops of tea tree oil directly on the toenail and rubbing it in.

Lavender oil and tea tree oil offers a blend from the lavender oil that will help fight off infection and also soothe the skin area to ease any irritation.  Use a cotton swab or cotton ball and put like amounts of both substances on the swab or ball.  Touch the affected toenail and surrounding edges of the toe with the oiled cotton instrument approximately two or three times per day until you see improvement. Between the nail fungus cures of lavender oil and the tea tree oil, the mixture will provide an antibiotic and an infection fighter.

Apple cider vinegar, along with warm water, is another option that many believe has merit.  You simply combine the natural apple cider vinegar with warm water in a basin or tub and soak your nails for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.  After soaking, ensure you dry your feet and toenails completely.  You can even use a warm hair dryer to make sure all the moisture has been removed from the site.

Listerine mouthwash is an antiseptic that can be used as a cure to fight nail infections as well as bad breath germs.  Pour some Listerine in a tub or basin and soak your toes in it.  Listerine is a strong antiseptic and should bring an appearance of glowing health to your toenails, along with fighting the fungal infection.

Oregano and olive oil is another herbal combination of nail fungus cures that can work wonders to rid your nails of a fungal infection.  The suggested use is to take two drops of Oregano oil, mix it with a teaspoon of olive oil, and apply to the affected area with a cotton ball or cotton swab.  The essential oil of Oregano has properties that are related to antiseptic and antibacterial virtues.  Do not practice this remedy for more than three weeks as the Oregano has strong properties.

The Right Diet Can Help
Eating the right foods and giving your body the proper nutrition it requires is important in the healing aspects of treatment for nearly all ailments.  Since nail fungus is basically a form of bad bacteria, you can counteract that by eating more good bacteria, or probiotics.  Yogurt and kefir are examples of foods containing good bacteria.  Extract of olive leaf also works well within your body’s system to promote anti-fungal properties.  Besides the good bacteria that you should try to take in, you should try to reduce your intake of dairy products, vinegar, and refined sugar.

Whether you choose to try a home remedy or seek professional help, conscientious knowledge of the condition of your toenails and fingernails can lead to more discriminate care of these vital parts of your body.