Have you tried dozens of toenail fungus fixes? Perhaps drops, pills, lasers, scrubs, ointments, and creams? Have they worked? Probably not. Instead, follow my 3 Step Fix outlined below to give fungus the boot.
Perhaps you’ve tried one or more of the following remedies –>
Toenail Fungus Prescribed and OTC Medications
Medications prescribed for toenail fungus provide mixed results. And, they’re not without side effects. Your liver (as your body’s detox organ) takes the brunt of the chemicals found in all medications. If the liver is compromised in any way, medications add to the burden and can result in further damage or impaired function. Also, other significant health risks exist for those with autoimmune conditions.[1]
Toenail Fungus Surgery and/or Laser Treatments
In extreme cases of severe infection, surgical removal of the nail (or nails) may be recommended. I can’t imagine volunteering for this but, of course, take your doctor’s advice seriously. If practical, it’s worth it to discuss possible alternative treatments to see if you other methods can make progress first.
In the case of laser treatments, I’d do a bit more research. This method can be quite pricey and I haven’t read much in the way of success using lasers. Since it does nothing to address the issue at the root, it may be something to skip.
Toenail Fungus Natural Treatments
A simple Google search can reveal a plethora of products that claim to solve the nasty problem of toenail fungus. There are polishes, lacquers, ointments, and oil concoctions that include all sorts of ingredients. Some natural. Some not.
Rather than recommend a specific brand or product, I encourage you to read the labels carefully before making any decisions. (I’ll give more details below.)
Why Toenail Fungus Fixes for #Fibromyalgia Don't Work Click To TweetWhy the Above Toenail Fungus Fixes Don’t Work
I should be more specific.
None of the above remedies – on their own – work. At least, not in the long term.
When not addressed at the root, any of the above treatments may, at best, have temporary efficacy. At worst, the fungus may come back with a vengeance (or not go away at all).
As discussed in Part 2 of this series, there are many causes or conditions that contribute to fungal infections. If these conditions aren’t corrected, the infection takes hold and continues to grow. Ew!
Getting a grip on fungal infections takes a multi-pronged approach. Specifically, it takes the following Three Step Fix. For ideal results, follow these steps as best you can.
The Three Step Toenail Fungus Fix
Step 1 – Balance the Gut
Fungal infections on the outside of the body are often reflections of yeast, candida, etc. overgrowth on the inside. The gut is where the primary effort must begin.
Review the symptoms list found in Part 1 of this series to determine if fungal infections are a problem for you. Remember that toenail fungus is just one way that fungus can appear.
To reduce the proliferation of infection in the digestive system, remember these words: Don’t Feed the Fungus! Remove the foods that weaken your gut and replace with foods that strengthen it.
REMOVE: Fungal infections can be starved out by removing its preferred food source – sugar. Added sugars can be found in nearly all processed foods. (Check out this Rebuilding Wellness post on 60 Ways Sugar Hides in Labels.) Natural sugars are also found in dairy, grains, and fruits. Begin by removing processed sugars from the diet and limiting natural sugars as best you can. By removing these, the fungus is deprived of what it needs to grow.
REPLACE: Simply switching to a natural diet of healthy, whole, unprocessed and fresh foods can go a long way toward restoring your gut health. Repair the health of your digestive system with lots of green leafy lettuces and plenty of fresh veggies. Balance your macronutrients with added healthy fats and healthy proteins. The natural fiber found in fresh veggies will help to strengthen the health of the digestive system and restore bacterial balance. The benefits of fats and proteins are too numerous to mention, but when it comes to yeast infections, these macronutrients help to reduce cravings for sugar and keep you feeling fuller for longer periods.
Additional Tips –
BOOST: To amplify your results, add digestive enzymes and/or probiotics to your diet.
SUBDUE: You may need extra support wrestling your internal fungus into submission. If so, take a supplement specifically formulated to target yeast and candida infections. Ask your favorite natural health care practitioner for a recommendation or contact me HERE for my favs.
HYDRATE: Don’t forget! Drink adequate amounts of filtered, clean, and fresh water. For help with how and when to drink, download this free Rebuilding Wellness Hydration Tip sheet.
Step 2 – Clip, Scrub, and Clean
It’s vital to get the nutritional support founds in Step 1 going right away. Next, it’s time to tackle the tootsies. Follow these guidelines to get a jump start at clearing away the fungus.
- Clip the nail(s) as short as you can, being careful to not cut them too close. (Don’t invite an ingrown toenail.)
- Clean away as much of the damaged nail as possible.
- File and/or scrub the nail where it is infected.
- Wash, scrub, and clean the skin around the nail very, very thoroughly.
- Dry completely before putting on shoes or socks.
Important note: don’t try to perform at-home surgery here! Cuts and scrapes of the tender skin around the infected nail can leave you vulnerable to secondary infections which can be very dangerous.
Step 3 – Apply Topical Solutions
Topical remedies are an important part of the process of eradicating fungal infections. With the support of a healthy diet, and a clean slate to work from, this third step will help you to tackle the infection from all angles.
You may choose to use purchased anti-fungal products specifically formulated to tackle toenail fungus. Or, you can make your own. Read the labels of any potential remedy to be certain you’re comfortable with the ingredients.
Making your own remedy isn’t exactly rocket science. Simply use a drop or two of a high quality essential oil or oils. Contact me HERE for my favorite recommendations on essential oils.
Melaleuca (also known as Tea tree) is the most commonly used essential oil for toenail fungus and Oregano oil is known to be a powerful antifungal.
According to Dr. Axe, apply both Melaleuca and Oregano oils up to 4 times daily. He points out that diligent and consistent application is the key.[2] If the skin around the nail is tender, you may wish to dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil (also antifungal!).
Additionally, you may soak the affected areas twice per day. Soak in a warm bath of Epsom salts or you may wish to try a vinegar soak,[3] an apple cider vinegar soak, or hydrogen peroxide in water.[4]
One More (BIG) Thing
Besides balancing gut bacteria, cleaning the infection thoroughly, and then applying a topical treatment, what else can be done?
Get a good night’s SLEEP!
You may not have expected this tip, but there’s nothing an infection likes more (besides sugar) than a stressed out body. Lack of sleep lowers the immune system, impairs digestion, reduces cognitive function, and much more.
During sleep, the body rebuilds and repairs.
Don’t deny your body its best chance to overcome infections of any kind. Make sleep a priority as well as balanced nutrition and proper care.
Practicing these fixes in order assures your fungal fighting success. Oh … and how long should healing take? It depends on the level of infection. For minor issues, you may see results in just a few weeks. For infections that have a greater toe-hold on you (yes, I said that), it may take a few months.
As the healthy nail grows, you’ll see the infected nail grow out enough to clip off the damaged portions. Eventually this leaves healthy, sandal-worthy, and beach-ready nails.
Bravo!
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I hope you’ve enjoyed these posts, and share them with others. If you haven’t already – be sure to read all three posts in this series.
Toenail Fungus and Fibromyalgia – Symptoms Part 1
Toenail Fungus and Fibromyalgia – Causes Part 2
For more on Candida and the Fibromyalgia body (and a bit about Lady Gaga), check out THIS article from Dr. Carolyn Dean.
Do you have favorite remedies to share or a story to tell? Leave a comment below to and help to support this Rebuilding Wellness community!
[1] https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/lamisil
[2] https://draxe.com/toenail-fungus-treatment/
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-make-a-vinegar-foot-soak
[4] http://www.top10homeremedies.com/how-to/how-to-get-rid-of-toenail-fungus.html
