Top 3 Home Remedies To Treat Nail Infection Naturally

Nail Infections of various types occur in about 20 percent of the adult population worldwide. To treat a nail infection naturally we need to first understand the cause of infection. There are hundreds of home remedies on internet but every home remedy will not work for every nail infection and every individual. Rather than operating in a hit-and-run manner, its better to understand the roots of your infection and then treat your infection accordingly.

Nail Infection - Bacterial Or Fungal ?

Almost all nail infections can be categorised in 2 major types:

Paronychia - Most common culprits are bacterias and / or Candida (yeast).
Fungal Nail Infection (Onychomycosis) - Most common culprits are fungi like Dermatophytes and / or Candida (yeast). Dermatophytes are the fungi most commonly responsible for fungal nail infection in the temperate western countries; while Candida is more frequently involved in the tropics and subtropics with a hot and humid climate.

In some cases, bacteria and fungus (yeast) can even combine into one infection. If the infection is recurrent, there is a high chance that it is due to Candida (yeast) overgrowing within your system.

Nail Infection - Signs and Symptoms of Paronychia

Paronychia (per-ah-NIK-ee-ah) occurs at the nail edges where the nail and skin meet at the side or at the base of a finger or toenail.

Skin which is touching the nail becomes red and hot.
Swelling is usually present and is very painful to touch.
Pus is usually present.
Gradual thickening and discoloration of the nail happens.

Fungal Nail Infection - Signs and Symptoms of Onychomycosis

Fungal Nail Infection is usually not painful and it involves only the nail not the adjoining skin.

Usually no pain.
Thickening and discoloration of the nail.
Nail gradually becomes brittle, with pieces breaking off the toe or finger.

Nail Infection Treatment - Drugs Or Natural Remedies?

The usual western medicine prescription for nail infections is topical antibiotics and antifungals (surface application and not taken by mouth) like canespro, sporanox, etc. Your doctor may even prescribe an antibiotic / antifungal like Terbinafine, Lamisil, Itraconazole, etc. to take by mouth if the infection is more severe. In extreme cases surgery of the nail may be required. Your nail may need to be cut and drained of fluids to relieve discomfort.

But these medications may have side effects ranging from skin rash to liver damage and may further aggravate the root cause of illness. If the underlying cause of your nail infection is Candida yeast, it is best to stay away from antibiotics as far as possible because antibiotics will worsen your immunity against candida big time. Moreover, many people report that these medications don't work long term or solve the underlying issue. Even after taking the full course of anti fungal medications for 3-6 months, many people still get the fungal infection again. On the other hand, don't let the infection just stay because it can spread to all of your fingernails or toenails.

The recommended procedure is to first try the natural remedies / home remedies for nail infection and if the infection does not go away or does not subside, seek medical care to avoid any complications.

Before starting any home remedy, keep in mind that it takes a lot of time, in fact months, to treat nail infections especially fungal infections completely. One should religiously follow the chosen remedy for at least a month to see the infection subsiding and then the remedy should be continued even after the infection begins to clear up and until the infected portion of the nail has completely grows out.

No 1 Home Remedy for Paronychia Nail Infection - Hot saline water soaks

Take hot water in a bowl and mix a tablespoon of salt and a pinch of turmeric. Soak the infected area in this water for 10 minutes several times in a day everyday till infection subsides. The water should be tolerably hot (not very hot).

I felt some relief from pain just after the first soak and infection was gone after about 7-8 soaks. The early you start doing the soaks the better the results will be. If you are using antifugal creams it is best to apply them after this soak as your skin will be softer and more absorbing. Rub your cream gently on the affected area in a circular motion.

No 2 Home Remedy for Paronychia Nail Infection - Oregano Oil

Mix few drops of Oregano oil with few drops of olive oil or tea tree oil. Rub this mixture gently on the affected area for 2 minutes. Repeat religiously four times a day. In few days you should see the infection subsiding. If that is the case, continue using this remedy for 2 months to clear up the infection fully.

Oregano oil is known for its powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which helps is clearing up the infection. Similarly, tea tree oil is anti-septic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial and is effective in treating nail infections.

Oregano Oil may cause skin irritations in some people so it is best to apply it mixed with a carrier oil like olive oil or tea tree oil or jojoba oil.

No 3 Home Remedy for Paronychia Nail Infection - Olive Oil & Tea Tree Oil

Take equal quantities of both and mix them well. Dip cotton in the solution and apply on the affected area. Keep it for 10 minutes. Repeat religiously four times a day. In few days you should see the infection subsiding. If that is the case, continue using this remedy for 2 months to clear up the infection fully.

Olive oil has anti-bacterial properties which helps in fighting off the bacteria causing the nail infection. Similarly, tea tree oil is anti-septic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.

No 1 Home Remedy for Fungal Nail Infection - Crushed Garlic

Crush 2-3 cloves of garlic and apply it to the affected area for 30 minutes. You can wrap a cloth around the nail to prevent the garlic from falling off. Wash afterwards. Repeat this 2 times a day for few days.

Garlic is highly effective natural antifungal and is very inexpensive too. There are many scientific studies which establish garlic as anticandidal agent too i.e., very effective against Candida.

No 2 Home Remedy for Fungal Nail Infection - Oregano Oil

Oregano Oil may cause skin irritations in some people so it is best to apply it mixed with a carrier oil like olive oil or tea tree oil or jojoba oil.

No 3 Home Remedy for Fungal Nail Infection -Olive Oil & Tea Tree Oil

Olive oil has anti-bacterial properties which helps in fighting off the bacteria causing the nail infection. Similarly, tea tree oil is anti-septic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.

Nail Infection - Prevention and Precautions

Once the infection is cleared take precautions so that it does not come back.

Keep your nails dry as far as possible. Avoid putting in water for too long as in when swimming.
Avoid use of any chemicals on your nails. Try wearing gloves when chemical contact with nails cannot be avoided. I found that toilet cleaning solution Harpic was the cause in one of the occurrence of my nail infection. I did not wear gloves before starting off with cleaning.
Apply castor oil daily on your nails to strengthen the nails and cuticles.
Keep your toes open as far as possible. Moisture gets trapped inside the shoes and present a good breeding ground for fungi which needs warm and moist environment to grow. If you have to wear socks, choose good quality cotton socks for facilitating air circulation.
Avoid any type of damage to your nails - no nail biting, no tearing of cuticles, etc.

We wish you perfect nails lifelong!