Fungal nail infection is a long-lasting and embarrassing battle. The feet are the least taken care of when it comes to body parts, yet they do most of the job on point. They carry us all day, going back and forth even when you’re wearing uncomfortable shoes.
Our feet end up having odour, pain, blisters, and fungus. Good thing there are pretty straightforward solutions to these woes that are found in our kitchen cupboards. Vinegar soak is a popular home remedy for toenail fungus. But does this solution effectively treat fungus like an athlete’s foot? How does it work?
Is it effective to use vinegar soak for toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus infection, or onychomycosis, affects billions of people worldwide. It’s self-diagnosed and develops on the skin or nails around the toes. It comes from various sources, including fungi, yeast, and mould, which come in contact with the body. Later, this grows into cracks.
Several people are infected with athlete’s foot in locker rooms or swimming pools when the feet remain sweaty, damp, or moist. This paves the way for the fungus to grow on the affected area or toenails. Assessing the efficacy of vinegar soak compared to other top toenail fungus treatments is vital. Checking treatment, cause, and symptoms is vital to helping you decide whether home remedies work well, or you’ll need to check available medical treatments.
You will find lots of anecdotal evidence that suggests and proves the efficacy of vinegar soak when dealing with onychomycosis. This home remedy can help get rid of infections, especially with toenail fungus, under repeated use. While there is no solid clinical evidence of its efficacy, many users have testified of how it cures mild cases concerning fungal infections.
- It’s a low-risk home remedy that will not harm anyone, so it’s worth trying.
- Doctors won’t recommend home remedies and will often give you prescription medicines or topical nail paint treatment.
- Vinegar soak works due to its acidic properties, which provide antibacterial and antifungal properties.
- Acetic acid is used to dilute vinegar, making it safe for consumption.
- The process makes the vinegar a great antifungal property that slows down various fungus growth.
- It makes the body inhabitable to fungus due to the acidity level of the skin.
How To Make Vinegar Soak
Making your vinegar soak at home is easy. If you have a toenail fungus infection, here’s how you can prepare it:
Step 1. Prepare your chosen vinegar, either white or apple cider. Ensure that it’s pH 2 to 3.
Step 2. Fill the bowl or sink with warm water (2 parts) and vinegar (1-part).
Step 3. Soak your foot for about 15 to 30 minutes on the mixture every day. Don’t exceed soaking your feet for over 30 minutes.
Step 4. Thoroughly dry your feet after soaking.
Step 5. Every day, repeat the process described until the infection disappears.
Vinegar may cause irritations to sensitive skin. You can modify and decrease the time you soak your feet in the solutions. If the vinegar smell is too strong, you can add essential oils.
What’s The Best Treatment For Toenail Fungus?
Finding the most effective remedy for toenail fungus infection is essential. If a home remedy is not your thing, you may want to consult your doctor and ask for medication.
However, oral antifungal medications are the best treatment for toenail fungal infections. These medications clear the infected area quickly compared to other topical drugs. This oral antifungal medicine helps grow a new nail that is free from infection as it slowly replaces the infected nail or area.
Home Remedies That Cure Toenail Fungus
Aside from vinegar soak, there are other home remedies you can try with toenail fungal infections like:
- Baking soda
- Black Tea
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Garlic
- Olive leaf extracts
- Essential oils
- Epsom salt
- Cornmeal
- Ozonated oils
- Snakeroot extract
- Zinc
- Exercise
- Change of diet
- Tea tree oil
- Vicks VapoRub
- Listerine soaks
Experiencing persistent infection is not normal and requires medical aid. Checking for a specialist will help you deal with stubborn fungal infections. A podiatrist or dermatologist may assess the symptoms, do laboratory tests, and analyze the cause of infection.
Since there are different types of yeasts and fungi that cause toenail fungus, it’s essential to determine the cause early and treat the condition accordingly. Changes in your nails can be a sign of underlying issues like diabetes and psoriasis. Always check with a professional if the condition worsens or persists.
Conclusion
Vinegar soak works on mild cases of infections, but if you’re in doubt about your current situation, always seek medical advice before the condition gets worse. The significant advantage of vinegar soak is its convenience, affordability, and easy home remedy. Prescription treatments are created to fight fungal infections more effectively.
