A toenail infection, or onychomycosis, is one of the most common infections of the feet. Toenail fungus is characterized by the thickening of your toenail plate which appears to lift upwards. The infection also leads to a change of color (yellow) along with inflammation, pain, and also crumbling of the toe.

If left untreated, the fungus becomes worse and can infect your other toenails, the skin on your feet, and even your fingernails. In severe cases, the infection can impair your ability to walk or cause painful ingrown toenails.

To get rid of this troublesome fungus, you have to take proactive measures. Most times, natural home remedies can help get rid of toenail fungus and will also not affect your toes and skin adversely.

Read further to find out more about these best toenail fungus remedies:

Coconut oil
Coconut oil is one of the best toenail fungus remedies. It contains a medium chain of fatty acids called Caprylic acid. This substance can penetrate the cell wall of fungi to kill them. Apply a layer of coconut oil to the infected areas on your feet and let the oil remain coated for at least 15 minutes to remove the infection effectively. As long as you are not allergic to coconut oil, you can continue using this best toenail fungus remedies to fight toenail fungus.

Cinnamon oil extract
Cinnamon oil is another one of the best toenail fungus remedies. Candida is a type of fungus and is one of the leading causes of toenail fungus. Cinnamon works well against Candida yeast infections. Mix about two teaspoons of Cinnamon Leaf Oil in a water bath and soak your feet in it. Regular usage of this remedy will clear the yellowing of your toenails within a month. For fast and efficient results use this treatment at least two to three times in a day.

Oregano oil
Oregano oil is extracted from a herb called oregano. Oregano contains fungicidal properties which help to combat fungal infections. The oregano oil contains this fungicide in a concentrated form. Mix two to three drops of the oregano oil along with a teaspoon of carrier oil and apply onto the infected nails. Let the solution sit so that the oil can seep into the affected areas. Follow this treatment for about two to three weeks to get results. Oregano oil should be diluted and applied in fewer quantities as an undiluted application of oregano oil can cause irritation and redness of the skin.

Tea Tree oil
Tea tree oil is known for being a natural antiseptic and is one of the best toenail fungus remedies. For this treatment, clean the areas on and around the infection by rubbing alcohol on them. Apply undiluted tea tree oil directly onto the affected nails. Make sure you let the oil soak to kill the toenail fungus. The oil is a natural disinfectant and contains fungicidal and antibacterial properties. The healing process with this treatment takes about three weeks time.

Cornmeal
The mixture of cornmeal and water is extremely effective when it comes to removing dead skin. Fungus dies when exposed to an oxygen-rich environment, like the air. The dirt under your toenails feeds the fungus and also provides a low oxygen environment for it to live. Cornmeal baths remove this debris from under your nails and soften your toes and nails. This cleans the infected area and increases the oxygen content under your nails. Cornmeal does not harm your skin, so you can keep using this method until you get results. Regular usage of cornmeal can also prevent the fungus from attacking again.

Probiotics
Probiotics are effective in fighting several kinds of diseases and are also one of the best toenail fungus remedies. When probiotics enter your gut, they attack the disease-causing fungus indirectly. Probiotics are live microorganisms that fight the bad bacteria which are feeding the disease-causing fungus. They also help replenish the healthy bacteria in your gut to ward off infections. As the number of good bacteria increases, they impede the growth and spread of deadly microbes and fungi by reducing the space available for the fungi and bacteria to live in.

Baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda is alkaline and acts like a fungistatic (doesn’t allow the fungus to grow). This is because the fungus prefers an acidic environment to grow in. However, baking soda doesn’t help in killing the fungus, which is why you need to use vinegar along with it. While vinegar is acidic, it helps in killing the bacteria. You don’t have to worry about the vinegar harming your skin as it is a weak acid. It doesn’t alter the pH level of your feet or damage your skin. To get rid of your toenail fungus, mix one glass of vinegar in a large bowl along with 4 to 5 teaspoons of baking soda. Soak your feet in this bath for about 15 minutes to kill your toenail fungus.