The finger- and toenails can be vulnerable to fungal infections. These infections are treatable with oral medication, but some people worry about the side effects. There are many home remedies that may eliminate finger- and toenail infections without the need for drugs. Most have not been verified by research, but there is anecdotal evidence that they can work for some cases and at least one has been verified by a study.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is believed to have anti-fungal properties, so some people use it to treat mild nail fungus infections. The oil is applied daily to the affected nails until a new, healthy nail grows out. While there is word-of-mouth evidence that it may be able to fight nail fungus, Maria Essig of Healthwise says this has not been scientifically proven. Granny Med says that tea tree oil works best when it is used right at the beginning of the infection.
Bleach
According to Granny Med, applying a drop of bleach to infected nails may kill the fungus. This treatment may be more effective if the nail is soaked in warm water and cut back first. The soaking and bleach application should be done twice a day.
Vinegar Soaks
Vinegar may fight nail infections when used in a soak. According to the Mayo Clinic, the soak should be made up of two parts warm water to one part vinegar, although it can be diluted more if it irritates the skin. Granny Med advocates using apple cider vinegar and says that lavender oil can be added to the soak, as this oil is also reputed to fight nail fungus. Vinegar soaks should be done daily for up to 20 minutes, although the frequency can be reduced if the skin gets irritated.
Mentholated Rub
Mentholated chest rubs can be applied daily as a home remedy for nail fungus. A Michigan State University study showed that Vicks can cure nail infections in many people, although it can take up to 16 months. Any brand of rub should work, as long as it contains camphor, menthol and eucalyptus, as these are believed to be the effective ingredients.
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