Nail fungus is also known as onychomycosis. The feet, and especially the toes, are the ideal habitat for the growth of fungi. Antifungal medications can clear up the infection, but all of the fungi might not be killed and it could return. Fungi love dark, warm and moist areas, and as they begin to grow and spread deeper into the nail, the nail will discolor, thicken and even crumble, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alternative treatments for nail fungus should be discussed with your doctor before use.
Probiotic Therapy
Fungal overgrowth of any type tends to occur more frequently in people with suppressed or underdeveloped immune systems. These types of infections are considered opportunistic. Probiotics, the good bacteria that line the digestive, vaginal and urinary tracts, are vital parts of the immune system. Opportunistic infections are allowed to thrive in an environment where the levels of good, protective bacteria are decreased. David M. Hughes, author of the ToenailFungusCured.com article, "Different Types of Toenail Fungus," notes that the good bacteria found in fermented foods--such as yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut or that is consumed through a probiotic supplement--can be beneficial in healing onychomycosis. Changes in diet should be discussed with a health care professional in advance.
Foot Baths
Foot soaks may provide a relaxing way to bathe away the organisms causing toenail fungus. A "Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus" editorial from ILoveIndia.com says that apple cider vinegar can be added to warm water to create a medicinal bath. Generally, the soak is suggested for 15 to 20 minutes and should be followed by a thorough towel drying of the area. The Mayo Clinic suggests using 1 part vinegar to 2 parts warm water. The soak can be repeated two times per day. Other common household ingredients that can be used in the foot bath in lieu of apple cider vinegar include white vinegar, rubbing alcohol or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Foot baths that use medicinal ingredients should be discussed with your health care practitioner.
Topical Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a strong antimicrobial that is effective in killing a variety of infective agents, including fungi. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that the oil has shown clinical effectiveness in treating fungal overgrowth that has occurred underneath the nail bed. Tea tree oil compared equally to a conventional antifungal medicine when used over six months. The 100 percent herb oil was applied with a cotton ball twice per day over this period.
Tea tree oil is most often applied topically, as its extracts are known to be caustic when ingested. Even with topical application, the Sloan-Kettering site notes that skin irritation and hypersensitivity reactions can occur. Other essential oils, such as lavender and oregano oil, have been suggested by the "Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus" article and may offer benefit in combination or in alternation with tea tree oil. The use of essential oils to treat nail fungus should be discussed with your physician before use.
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