Hydrogen peroxide and apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus

If you have been plagued with the unfortunate nuisance of a toenail fungal infection, you’re no stranger to the unsightly and sometimes very painful effects. A quick internet search will turn up a bunch of “cures”, but what is the best toenail fungus treatment? Fungi can be tough to avoid and come with several undesirable results, however that does not mean you can’t rid your body of them. Whether it’s natural, supplemental, meditative, or laser treatment, there are a plethora of options available to those who are ready to kick their fungal infection to the curb.

Preventative Maintenance and Natural Remedies

As you have probably heard, the best offense is a good defense. This applies to sports and toenail fungus prevention. It’s always better to start fighting these infections before they even have a chance to manifest. For example, stay vigilant in changing your socks after you exercise. Keeping your feet in dark, moist socks only provides an ideal breeding ground for fungi. While we’re on the topic of the gym, make sure to always bring shower shoes or sandals to wear in the locker room, sauna, or shower. Fungi loves these kinds of places for their warm, wet climate. Avoid walking barefoot in places like these as much as you can. If you have contracted athlete’s foot, begin treating it as soon as possible as it is closely associated with toenail fungal infections. Always keep your toes clean and keep your feet moving to encourage blood circulation to help prevent these infections.

Natural remedies can be an effective way of killing off a toenail fungus. Soaking your toes in water mixed with a couple ounces of apple cider vinegar and a quarter cup of Himalayan salt for ten minutes a day can help start nudging your infection in the right direction. Additionally, it has been found that applying a drop of a combination of oregano and tee tree oil before bed can alleviate your nails. Lastly, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, water, and vinegar has been proven to be a fast and effect remedy. The amounts needed are:

• One drop of 35% grade hydrogen peroxide
• Six drops of distilled water
• Three drops of apple cider vinegar
• One drop of DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)

Medication

If your toenail infection refuses to go away, your doctor may prescribe you oral antifungal drugs. These drugs are typically taken for 2-3 months. Lamisil (terbinafine) and Sporanox (Itraconazole) are the most well-known and proven effective medications that help promote the regrowth of nails. As the new nail begins to come in, it replaces the infected nail. Always ask your doctor about potential side effects of oral antifungal drugs. Besides oral medication, your doctor may also prescribe you a medicated nail polish or cream. These treatments usually require to soak and then rub on the antifungal cream or polish nightly. The goal of these medications is to fight through the surface of the hardened nail and eliminate the fungus underneath, directly.

For more severe toenail, fungal infections, surgery may be desired. Many procedures involve using a laser to attack the site of the fungus. However, man of these laser treatments are inefficient because they have trouble effectively penetrating the toe nail matrix to get to the fungus. Luckily, Juvanail, a proprietary procedure offered only at Tower Foot and Ankle Surgery offers a superior alternative. Since toenail fungus creates and often opaque discoloration of the nail, it makes it difficult for many lasers to reach the fungal site. Juvanail utilizes the correct light waveforms and appropriate cooling technologies to ensure your fungus is killed at the root of your toe nail matrix, while maintaining a safe and comfortable experience. Juvanail uses a laser model that allows for cooling which helps prevent unnecessary damage to the toenail and surrounding areas. Using its patented CoolTouch laser, Juvanail offers the best toenail fungus treatment options, with painless and effective solutions to Toenail fungus infections.

There are many places to go and things to do in Berkeley all year long, and especially in our summer months. No matter if you enjoy visiting the Berkeley Rose Garden or revisiting your childhood with a ride on the Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round, it’s always a little better when you’re wearing sandals or open-toed shoes to air out your feet and keep them cool. You may disagree, though, if you have a case of fungal toenails!

Whereas some people are quite comfortable sporting open-toed shoes, others feel the need to keep discolored, distorted toenails hidden from the world. If you are one of those individuals, you should know there are fungal toenail treatment options that can help.

When it comes to treatment for fungal toenails, the best place to start is with methods you can try on your own at home. We will certainly provide professional treatment if you need it, but you may want to try any of the following remedies first:

• Apple cider vinegar. This particular type of vinegar has a mild acidity, which both prevents the fungal infection from spreading and eradicates the offensive fungus (along with other microorganisms, like odor-causing bacteria). To correctly perform this form of treatment, mix apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water in a basin. Soak the affected foot (or feet) in the solution for about thirty minutes.

• Baking soda. Baking soda is a versatile product. In addition to treating the fungal infection, it can also help with neutralizing foot odor. To use baking soda correctly as a treatment for toenail fungus, start by mixing a half-cup of it—along with a half-cup of Epsom salt and a quarter-cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%)—in four cups of hot water. After mixing those ingredients, add a quarter-cup of white vinegar and then soak your feet in the solution for about ten minutes. When you’re done, rinse off your feet with clean water and dry them completely.

• Tea tree oil. This essential oil contains both antifungal and antiseptic properties. To use this for treating a fungal nail condition, start by mixing a few drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of either coconut oil or olive oil. Apply this mixture to any infected toenails with a cotton ball. After letting it sit for about ten minutes, gently scrub the treated nails with a clean toothbrush. For optimal results, repeat the process two or three times a day.

Home care is a good starting point, but there is certainly a chance you will benefit from professional treatment. In these cases, you may need:

• Topical medication. More commonly used for mild infections, topical medications include creams, lotions, powders, sprays, and nail lacquers. These topical solutions attack the fungus from the outside in, which means they might not be able to reach fungus residing under infected nails.
• Oral medication. Sometimes, we prescribe pills which deliver antifungal medication via the bloodstream. This can reach the fungus topical medications cannot, but may come with side effects.

An important consideration with all types of toenail fungus treatment is the fact you have a role to play as well. We can put together the plan, but it is up to you to follow the directions for consistent use of medication and taking measures—keeping feet dry and clean, trimming toenails properly, protecting feet in public areas—to prevent reinfection.

As with most lower limb conditions and issues, it’s best to treat fungal toenails early for optimal results (especially because the infection can be rather stubborn). You don’t have to live with embarrassment or be self-conscious because of unsightly nails. Instead, come see us here at the office of Yuko Miyazaki, DPM.! We will work with you to restore your toenails back to their healthy, clear selves.

In the event you, or one of your loved ones, have a fungal toenail infection, simply contact us online or call (510) 647-3744 to request your appointment.