Learn about how you can use hydrogen peroxide for toenail fungus and prevent the infection from arising again in this informative article.
What is Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a condition that affects millions of people every year. The existence and recognition of this situation are usually self-realized and can be treated by the person suffering from it. Toenail Fungus or Fungus Nail infection develops in the area around, beneath, in, or over your nail and can occur due to various reasons.
Toenail fungus is quite common and is initially indicated with a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. Once the fungal infection increases and the infection deepens, it might end up causing your nail to discolor and thicken as well. This condition can occur in one nail but eventually spread to all the nails on your foot. The toenails can also become distorted in shape and a bit brittle. Finally, the nail starts emitting a foul smell that can even be noticed by people around the infected person.
What Causes Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus can be caused because of a variety of reasons. However, the most common cause of toenail fungus is poor hygiene or a wound between your fingers or nails. The condition is often passed on from an infected person as well. So, one must maintain distance from such a person and avoid using the same towel too.
Fungal infection can happen at any stage of life, but it is more common in adults. With time, the cracks in the nails let the fungi permeate through. Also, reduced blood circulation and a weak immune system can contribute to this condition of the skin and nails.
People Susceptible to the Infection:
- People wearing shoes that make feet sweaty or wearing them for more extended hours
- Walk barefoot outdoors or in public places.
- Someone in the family has the fungal infection
- Have an athlete’s foot.
- Have or had an injury on your nail.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Toenail Fungus
Thankfully today, there are home treatments that can help eliminate this issue, and the most common one is oxidative therapy. Oxidative therapy makes use of hydrogen peroxide to get rid of this condition of toenail fungus.
Hydrogen Peroxide is a household ingredient that is usually used to disinfect scratches and cuts that occur regularly. This ingredient comes with antifungal properties and helps kill the fungus. The liquid is quite useful and can also be used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antifungal agent.
When you apply this on your toenails, it helps treat the condition effectively, and within a few weeks or months, you’ll start noticing certain changes. The results don’t come quickly, and hence, one should apply this product for a few months to see how it’s working. This is a tried and tested remedy that shows effective and good results.
How to Use
To use hydrogen peroxide for treating toenail fungus, follow these steps:
- The first step is to soak your feet in hydrogen peroxide. For this, you will require distilled water, a tub, some tissues, and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Start with mixing hydrogen peroxide and distilled water in the tub equally. Keep in mind that you are not using hydrogen peroxide stronger than 3 percent as it might end up damaging your skin further.
- Soak the nails and your feet in this solution.
- Wait for about 30-40 minutes.
- Now, take your feet out and dry them with a dry tissue and throw the tissue afterward.
- Make sure that the nails are completely dry before you cover them back again.
How does this work?
This is an oxidative therapy and is quite useful for this condition. Using peroxide can help treat your infected and affected nails, and as the oxygen level increases, the fungus starts reducing and eventually disappears altogether.
Other Home Remedies to Treat Toenail Fungus
1. Keep Feet Clean
Always keep your feet, especially the nails, and the area around them clean to avoid such fungal infections.
2. Foot and Nail Massages
Particular oils like oregano oil or tea tree oil massages can help keep your feet calm, clean, and safe. The antifungal properties of the oil can help treat and prevent toenail fungus.
Note: Make sure you mix the essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut oil.
3. Apply Vicks Vaporub
Otherwise infamous for cough and cold, Vicks is also an effective treatment for toenail fungus. The topical ointment has active ingredients that help in curing the infection.
4. Using Vinegar
A daily foot soak of twenty minutes with a cup of vinegar or apple cider vinegar can help you treat toenail fungus effectively.
5. Using Listerine
The active ingredients of this mouth wash have ingredients such as menthol, thymol, and eucalyptus. These ingredients have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Therefore, a foot soak with this bathroom essential (particularly the amber color Listerine) is an effective treatment for toenail fungus.
6. Using Garlic
Apply crushed garlic over the infected area every day for thirty minutes to see results. The antibacterial properties of garlic help in treating fungal infection.
How to Prevent Toenail Fungus
Follow these steps to avoid this fungal infection:
- Keep your nails short and clean.
- Avoid overexposure to water.
- Always wear slippers in public places.
- Avoid using artificial nails all the time and wear nail polish less often.
- Avoid sharing shoes, socks, and towels with someone that has the infection.
Takeaway
There are various remedies to treat toenail fungus. But one must make sure that their feet are always clean and the socks and shoes they wear are properly washed and disinfected regularly. Also, consult a doctor if these home remedies are not making a difference in your condition.
