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Friday, September 23, 2011

Health and Fitness ? Toenail Fungus Home Remedies You Can Try ...

Toenail Fungus Home Remedies You Can Try

in Health ?? (submitted 2011-09-20)

Fungal infections can be very unsightly and sometimes uncomfortable. They occur mostly in the toenails but also at times in the fingernails. If you have an infection that has only just started you may be able to hold off the symptoms by trying some of the following toenail fungus home remedies.

There are a few different types of fungus that can be found in the toes. Some of these fungi penetrate the nail bed while others work between the layers of the nails. There are several different situations that can breed the fungi easily and they can be made worse by a trauma to the toenail, for example, if the person has stubbed their toe badly.

If your toenail has become thick and yellow colored or perhaps flaky and crumbling you may have one of these problems developing. Sometimes the nail will even start pulling away from the nail bed. Occasionally, the fungi can also cause an allergic reaction. This is noted by skin lesions or itching.

The bacteria that cause the infections can come from a variety of sources. Some of them have been linked to mice although this is rare. The bacteria more commonly comes from water and countries that have very warm temperatures. Elderly people are more prone to some of these bacteria than young people.

You are more at risk of an infection like this if you are older or you have a family history of these type of problems. Those living in warm climates or who are in poor health are more susceptible. Those that take part in fitness activities or who use public swimming pools are also more likely to pick up the fungi that cause the infections.

If your problem has only just begun there are a few home remedies that you can try to nip the infection in the bud. Quick treatment is essential. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and fungicide. Apply a few drops to the toe regularly and if possible scrub the nail to try to remove the fungus. This treatment may need to be continued for some time to completely eradicate the problem.

In a similar way, you could bathe the foot in an antiseptic mouthwash. It will be even more effective if you can mix the mouthwash with a natural acid like vinegar or lemon juice. This will stop the fungi from growing and spreading. Bathe the foot regularly and keep the area as clean as possible to stop the bacteria from spreading.

Try to use these toenail fungus home remedies as soon as you notice a difference with your toes. If you are lucky this may be enough to solve your difficulties on its own. If there is no improvement within a few days you should seek medical advice, where a prescription may be given.

Marie is a foot health specialist focusing on foot fungus. .

About the Author

The most common disease concerning the nails are fungal infections. They can occur in the fingernails or the toenails, although the latter is more common.

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Toenail-Fungus-Home-Remedies-You-Can-Try/5378613/