If you have ever had a Onychomycosis, you already know that they can be difficult to treat nail fungus. Nail fungus happens when fungi infect one or more of your nails, causing them to thicken or become discolored. Many times, the nails will become extremely brittle and painful. In addition to being difficult to treat, these types of infections can also be quick to reoccur.
Some of the symptoms of a nail fungus include thickened, brittle or distorted nails, or nails which are dark in color. Nails may also occasionally separate from the nail bed. If you see any of these symptoms, you need to start treating the infection right away.
There are many different herbal treatments for nail fungus. One of the most popular remedies is to use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and fungicide which has many different uses. For treating a nail fungus, there are several different ways of using tea tree oil. It can be applied straight to the nail, mixed with olive oil and applied (the olive oil helps it stay on the nail) or mixed with lavender oil and put under the edge of the nail a few times a day. Lavender can help prevent infection and skin irritation, so combined with the antiseptic properties of tea tree oil, it makes a powerful treatment.
Another method of treating nail fungus is to use a combination of warm water and apple cider vinegar. Vinegar has been used for hundreds of years as an antiseptic and is also believed to have antifungal properties. To use it for a nail fungus, first soak the nails in equal parts warm water and vinegar for 15-20 minutes. When done, make sure you dry your nails thoroughly, as fungi multiply rapidly in warm, wet environments. Using a hair dryer on a low setting can help remove all the moisture from your nails.
Another herb which has both antiseptic and antifungal properties is oregano. Mixing a few drops of oregano oil with olive oil and applying to the affected nails may clear up the infection. There are a few other natural oils which have antiseptic properties. One of those is lemongrass. If you can find lemongrass oil, applying it directly to the nail often starts fighting the fungus immediately.
In addition to these treatments, you may want to consider your diet as well. If you are suffering from any type of fungus, its a good idea to include more probiotics in your diet. Probiotics are considered to be the good bacteria and are found mainly in yogurt.