It is also known as toenail fungus or onychomycosis, and it is a widespread nail disorder world wide, irrespective of the gender. It can affect both finger nails and toe nails. This is fungal disorder and it grows slowly resulting in discoloration. Once affected, your fingers may look yellowish brown and becomes easily breakable. However, the available medications are not effective in killing the fungus; they only stop them from spreading. Besides that, these medicines can be toxic posing high risk to liver.
Though it can happen to toe and finger nails, this condition is most common in toe nails, as your shoes may provide the perfect atmosphere for the fungus to grow. Shower rooms, public toilet, sweaty shoes or swimming pools; you may get it from any of these places. It usually starts appearing as a white or yellow spot under your nail, and gradually spreads deeper into your nail.
There are few steps which would effectively prevent this from happening. Keeping your feet dry would be good enough, because moist skin provides the right atmosphere for this fungus to grow. Maximum avoid the use of closed shoes or foot wears, because they may lead to excessive sweating and this could be the perfect setting for the fungus to grow rapidly. Avoid using nail polishes and always keep your nails trimmed. Make a habit of wearing cotton socks which will absorb the moisture and sweat.
There are plenty of home remedies available. However, as in the case of other medication, you may need to try them for over a long period, i.e. for months. This condition wouldn't disappear within few days; you have to patiently try these home remedies for a longer period.
Now, let's check out few natural remedies which you can try at home. Soak your feet regularly in any of the anti-fungal liquid, such as, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine bleach, apple cider vinegar or white synthetic vinegar. You could also try salt water instead of these liquids. You may need to try this at least twice a day, for so many days, weeks or months for a complete cure.
Oil remedies are the next effective cure. Both lavender oil and tea tree oil are considered to be excellent choices to cure this. Tea tree oil is known for its anti-fungal properties and lavender oil for its ability to reduce itching. You may also use listerine mouthwash to soak your nails. Garlic is also found to be an excellent remedy to fight nail fungus. You may make a garlic paste and apply in the affected area.
Instead of trying some home remedies or get help from physician, most people try to hide nail discoloration by using nail polish or shoes. Be warned, both could only worsen the situation, as this could spread the fungus to other nails as well.
Like we said earlier, you need to have good patience to deal with this. This may last for a longer period and you should patiently try these remedies at least twice a day. Moreover, this could happen again once you get cured. So, patience pays off if this condition ever occurs to you.
