Women pay more attention to their toes than men; after all, men rarely wear open-toed shoes while women look for opportunities to flaunt their high heels. However, nail fungus or onychomycosis can affect both men and women. A healthy nail can be described as having a pink section and a white section. This distinction is often highlighted by a French manicure. Nail fungus can cause a white or yellow spot to develop under the tip of your nail and gradually discolor the nail as the infection goes deeper.

Fungal infections in the toenail are typically caused by a type of fungus known as dermatophyte fungus. It may also be triggered by yeast or mold. Elderly people are more susceptible to this infection. Your risk of suffering from this infection increases if you sweat heavily, wear shoes and socks most of the time, as well as walk barefoot in communal areas. In most cases, this is not a serious condition. However, if a person has a compromised immune system caused by conditions such as diabetes, it can lead to other infections. Thankfully, this condition can be treated with wase through medication or,  if required,  surgery.

Oral m edication
An oral drug is the most popular form of toenail fungus remedy. Oral drugs will need to be taken for 6 to 12 weeks and will gradually help a new nail grow to replace the old, infected nail. With medication, it can take up to four months for the infection to be completely eliminated. Oral medication is often used in combination with topical ointments. Two popular anti-fungal drugs used to treat toenail fungus are itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamisil). It is not advisable to self-medicate with these drugs as they may react with other medications that you may be taking or may not be suited to your body.

Medicated nail polish
Nail polish can do more than accentuate the beauty of a woman’s foot. Anti-fungal nail polish such as ciclopirox (Penlac) can also act as a toenail fungus remedy. This nail polish needs to be painted over the infected nail once a day for seven days. On the eighth day, all the layers must be wiped clean, and the seven-day cycle can be restarted. Such nail polishes can be used for up to a year.

Medicated nail cream
Anti-fungal creams are often used as a toenail fungus remedy. These are usually prescribed along with oral medication. To use these creams, it is best to first soak the infected foot in warm water to soften the nail and then thin it before applying the ointment. This helps the medicine penetrate through the nail and reach the fungus underneath. Nails that have thickened as a result of onychomycosis can be thinned with a file by your doctor, or you could do it at home.

Surgical r emoval of the i nfected ail
In cases of severe fungal infections or cases in which the nail is very painful, the doctor may advise removing the entire nail. This is surgically performed, and a new nail should regrow in place of the old one within a year. Ciclopirox may also be used along with surgery to treat the nail bed in such cases.

Home r emedies
You could also look at a simple home-based toenail fungus remedy in case it is a mild infection. For example, tea tree and oregano oils can be used over the infected nail to treat underlying fungal infections. Tea tree oil is quite popular for its anti-fungal properties while oregano oil contains an ingredient called thymol, which has anti-fungal properties. These oils can be applied together or individually. In rare cases, it may cause an allergic reaction; therefore, look out for rashes around the area.

Soaking your feet in warm water and vinegar in a ratio of 2:1 for 20 minutes every day can also help reduce the intensity of toenail fungal infections. Similarly, you could soak your feet in Listerine or add Listerine to the vinegar and water solution.

Cornmeal can also act as an effective toenail fungus remedy option. To use this, mix cornmeal with hot water in a pan to make a paste. Let this cool and then soak your feet in it for up to an hour for a week.

Home toenail fungus remedy options are usually effective in cases of mild infections. If these do not work, you must consult a doctor immediately. Once the infection has cleared, keep your feet clean and dry and trim your nails regularly. This will reduce the chances of the infection coming back.