Using coconut oil for toenail fungus proves to be beneficial in treating the condition. Keep reading to know the details.
What is Toenail Fungus
Fungal infections can take place in any part of your body. It can be uncomfortable and unattractive. Toenail Fungal Infection is the growth of fungal bacteria on the foot, specifically the nails. At its initial stage, you will notice a white or yellow spot at the tip of your toenails. Once the infection increases, the whole nail starts to discolor and ends up becoming thicker than usual. This infection occurs through the cracks in your nails or cuts you might have in your skin beneath the nails.
Since the space below your nails is more prone to collect water and dirt, they are vulnerable to fungal growth. Various fungi can affect the different parts of your nails, and hence, if you don’t take care of it on time, it might spread to your entire feet. So, make sure you clean your nails regularly.
What Causes Toenail Fungus
As mentioned earlier, toenail fungus occurs in or over the toenail. Chances are that fungi is already present on your body and it gets aggravated, which leads to a severe infection or spread. This happens when ideal situations are met with fungal growth. These may include humidity, excess sweat, and heat. Besides, people who have diabetes, athlete’s foot, or an overall weak immune system might also face the issue. Additionally, smokers are at a high risk of getting toenail fungus than any non-smoker.
Coconut Oil for Toenail Fungus
It is imperative to control the infection while there’s still time, or you could have to go through a long-term medication. One such easy home remedy that can treat toenail fungus is coconut oil. Coconut oil has become quite popular and displays exceptional properties that help heal your body in numerous ways.
Coconut oil includes many saturated fats such as caprylic acid, linoleic acid, and lauric acid. These are helpful in different ways and help eliminate all the dirt and harmful fungi in our bodies. Thus, making it an effective and affordable home remedy for toenail fungus.
In addition to that, the oil has remarkable healing, antioxidant and anti-fungal properties that attack and eliminate any form of fungal infection.
What Coconut Oil to Use
Using the right type of oil helps pace up your recovery process. The coconut oil you should use for eliminating toenail fungus should have four essential features for effective treatment. The coconut oil that you should use, should be:
- Organic
- Unrefined
- 100% pure
- Cold-pressed
How to Use
The only catch with coconut oil is that it takes a little bit of time to eliminate the infection. To apply the oil, there are certain steps that you need to follow:
- First and foremost, clean your hands and feet well and adequately and dry them before performing the remedy.
- Next, take a small amount of coconut oil in your palms.
- Gently apply the oil on your feet and nails and rub it everywhere around your toes and nails and even underneath your nails.
- Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
- A few weeks of this will show a massive change in your toenail fungus condition, and you can also add a bit of essential oil to it.
Another way to apply coconut oil on your toenails is to use a coconut oil bandage, wherein you soak the dressing in oil and apply it to the affected area. Then you cover it with socks and take them off in the morning. This helps the feet to soak the oil better and help in getting rid of the infection faster.
Apart from using it directly, there are various other ways to use this oil and reap its benefits. When you use warm coconut oil, it helps keep your body moisturized and warm at all times and quickens the process of healing. Regular application of the oil can also help prevent fungal infections.
Other Home Remedies for Treating Toenail Fungus
1. Tea Tree Oil and Orange Oil Massage
A teaspoon of tree tea oil and half a teaspoon of compressed orange oil makes a wonderful massage oil for treating toenail fungus. For the massage, clean your toenails and feet properly. Then, massage the oil thoroughly till your skin and nails soak it and let it stay overnight.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar Soak
Add five tablespoons of baking soda to a cup of apple cider vinegar and use it in a warm foot soak. The alkaline properties of the mixture prevent the growth of fungus while treating it at the same time.
3. Oregano Oil Massage
Adding a few drops of oregano oil to coconut oil or olive oil for a foot massage helps treat toenail fungus. The anti-fungal properties of this mix can also help you prevent fungal infections.
Tips to Prevent Fungal Infections
- Wash your feet regularly, especially if you have been wearing socks the entire day.
- Ensure that you dry your feet properly after coming out of a shower or a pool.
- Get pedicures done only from trustworthy and clean salons who sanitize their equipment.
- Avoid being barefoot outdoors.
- Treat toenails wounds immediately.
- Reduce the use of nail polishes.
So, keep your toenails clean and healthy! If the home remedies don’t show positive results, consult a doctor to treat the fungal infection.
