Nail fungus is a common and annoying problem that affects millions of people around the world. It can make your nails look ugly, thick, and brittle, and sometimes cause pain and discomfort. If left untreated, nail fungus can spread to other nails and even damage your skin.

You may be wondering how to destroy nail fungus and prevent it from coming back. There are many treatments available, but not all of them are effective or safe. Some may have side effects or interact with other medications. Others may take a long time to work or require repeated applications.

In this blog post, I will share with you the best way to destroy nail fungus and keep your nails healthy and beautiful. You will learn what causes nail fungus, how to recognize its symptoms, and how to treat it with natural remedies and over-the-counter products. You will also discover how to prevent nail fungus from recurring and what to do if you have a severe infection.

What is Nail Fungus and What Causes It?

Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a fungal infection that affects the nails of the fingers or toes. It is caused by various types of fungi that thrive in warm, moist, and dark environments, such as shoes, socks, nail salons, gyms, pools, etc.

Some of the factors that increase the risk of getting nail fungus are:

Having diabetes, poor circulation, or a weak immune system
Wearing tight-fitting or sweaty shoes or socks
Sharing nail clippers, files, or polish with others
Having a nail injury or trauma
Having psoriasis, eczema, or other skin conditions

destroy nail fungus

What Are the Symptoms of Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus can affect one or more nails on your hands or feet. The symptoms may vary depending on the type and severity of the infection, but they usually include:

Discoloration of the nail (white, yellow, brown, green, or black)
Thickening of the nail
Crumbling or splitting of the nail
Distortion or deformation of the nail shape
Separation of the nail from the nail bed
Pain or discomfort in the affected area
Bad odor from the infected nail

Nail fungus can also affect the skin around your nails, causing redness, swelling, inflammation, or blisters.

How to Treat Nail Fungus Naturally?

If you have mild to moderate nail fungus, you may be able to treat it at home with natural remedies. These are some of the most popular and effective ones:

Tea tree oil: This is a powerful antifungal and antibacterial agent that can kill the fungi and prevent them from spreading. To use it, apply a few drops of pure tea tree oil to the affected nail twice a day with a cotton swab. You can also mix it with olive oil or coconut oil to dilute it and moisturize your skin.
Apple cider vinegar: This is another potent antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent that can balance the pH of your skin and create an unfavorable environment for the fungi. To use it, soak your nails in a solution of equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water for 15 to 20 minutes daily. You can also drink a glass of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar every day to boost your immunity.
Garlic: This is a natural antibiotic that can fight off infections and improve your blood circulation. To use it, crush a few cloves of garlic and apply them directly to the infected nail. Cover it with a bandage and leave it overnight. You can also eat raw garlic or take garlic supplements for extra benefits.
Baking soda: This is a cheap and easy way to eliminate the odor and reduce the itching caused by nail fungus. To use it, mix half a cup of baking soda with a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide and a quarter cup of water. Apply this paste to the affected nail and let it dry for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and repeat twice a day.

How to Treat Nail Fungus with Over-the-Counter Products?

If natural remedies don’t work for you or you have a severe infection, you may need to use over-the-counter products to treat your nail fungus. These are some of the most common ones:

Antifungal creams: These are topical ointments that contain antifungal ingredients like clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, or ketoconazole. They can help reduce the symptoms and clear the infection, but they may take several weeks or months to work. To use them, apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected nail and the surrounding skin twice a day. You may need to file or trim your nail before applying the cream to make it more effective.
Antifungal nail polishes: These are medicated lacquers that contain antifungal ingredients like ciclopirox or amorolfine. They can help prevent the fungus from spreading and protect your nail from further damage, but they may not cure the infection completely. To use them, apply a thin coat of the polish to the affected nail once or twice a week. You may need to remove the old polish with alcohol before applying a new one.
Antifungal nail stickers: These are adhesive patches that contain antifungal ingredients like urea or salicylic acid. They can help soften and dissolve the infected nail, making it easier to remove. To use them, apply a sticker to the affected nail and leave it for 7 to 10 days. Then peel off the sticker and file or cut off the dead nail tissue.

How to Prevent Nail Fungus from Recurring?

Nail fungus can be hard to get rid of, and it can come back if you don’t take proper care of your nails and feet. Here are some tips to prevent nail fungus from recurring:

Keep your nails short, clean, and dry. Trim them straight across and avoid biting or picking at them.
Wear breathable shoes and socks that fit well and don’t cause friction or pressure on your toes.
Change your socks regularly and wash them in hot water with bleach or vinegar.
Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight, too loose, or too worn out.
Avoid walking barefoot in public places like pools, locker rooms, or showers. Use flip-flops or shower shoes instead.
Don’t share your shoes, socks, nail clippers, or nail files with anyone else.
Disinfect your nail tools after each use with alcohol or boiling water.
Treat any foot problems like athlete’s foot, corns, or calluses as soon as possible.
Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can boost your immune system and fight off infections.
Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

What to Do If You Have a Severe Nail Fungus Infection?

If you have a severe nail fungus infection that doesn’t respond to home remedies or over-the-counter products, you may need to see a doctor for prescription medications or other treatments. These are some of the options that your doctor may recommend:

Oral antifungal medications: These are pills that you take by mouth that can kill the fungus from inside your body. They can be very effective, but they may have serious side effects like liver damage or skin rashes. You may need to take them for several weeks or months and have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function.
Topical antifungal medications: These are prescription-strength creams, gels, sprays, or solutions that you apply to the affected nail and the surrounding skin. They can be more potent than over-the-counter products, but they may still take a long time to work. You may need to use them for several months or longer.
Laser therapy: This is a new and promising treatment that uses a special device that emits pulses of light to heat up and destroy the fungus in your nail. It can be painless and fast, but it may be expensive and not covered by insurance. You may need several sessions to achieve the best results.
Nail removal: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing part or all of the infected nail under local anesthesia. It can be effective in clearing the infection, but it may be painful and cause scarring or deformity of your nail. You may need several months for your nail to grow back.

Conclusion

Nail fungus is a common problem that can affect anyone at any age. It can make your nails look unsightly and cause discomfort or pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to destroy nail fungus and restore your nails’ health and beauty.

The best way to destroy nail fungus is to treat it as soon as possible with natural remedies or over-the-counter products. If these don’t work for you or you have a severe infection, you may need to see a doctor for prescription medications or other treatments.

The most important thing is to prevent nail fungus from recurring by keeping your nails clean, dry, and well-groomed. You should also avoid factors that can increase your risk of getting infected, such as wearing tight shoes, walking barefoot in public places, or sharing your nail tools with others.

I hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who may benefit from it. And if you have any questions or comments about nail fungus, feel free to leave them below.

FAQ

Q: What are the risk factors for getting nail fungus?

A: Some of the risk factors for getting nail fungus are:

Age: As you get older, your nails grow more slowly and become thicker and more prone to fungal infections.
Gender: Men are more likely to get nail fungus than women, especially on their toenails.
Genetics: Some people have a family history of nail fungus or a genetic predisposition to it.
Health conditions: Certain health conditions can weaken your immune system or affect your blood circulation, making you more susceptible to nail fungus. These include diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, thyroid problems, and cancer.
Medications: Some medications can increase your risk of nail fungus by altering your body’s natural balance of bacteria and fungi. These include antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills, and chemotherapy drugs.
Lifestyle habits: Some lifestyle habits can expose your nails to fungi or create favorable conditions for them to grow. These include smoking, wearing nail polish or artificial nails, sweating excessively, or having poor hygiene.

Q: How can I tell if I have nail fungus or another nail problem?

A: Nail fungus can sometimes be confused with other nail problems, such as psoriasis, eczema, trauma, or aging. To tell the difference, you should look for the following signs of nail fungus:

Discoloration of the nail (white, yellow, brown, green, or black)
Thickening of the nail
Crumbling or splitting of the nail
Distortion or deformation of the nail shape
Separation of the nail from the nail bed
Pain or discomfort in the affected area
Bad odor from the infected nail

If you are not sure whether you have nail fungus or another nail problem, you should consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Q: How long does it take to cure nail fungus?

A: The duration of the treatment for nail fungus depends on several factors, such as the type and severity of the infection, the type and effectiveness of the treatment, and the growth rate of your nails. In general, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year or more to cure nail fungus completely.

Some of the factors that can affect the treatment duration are:

The type and severity of the infection: Some types of fungi are more resistant to treatment than others. Also, some infections are more widespread or deep-rooted than others. The more severe the infection, the longer it will take to cure it.
The type and effectiveness of the treatment: Some treatments are more potent and faster than others. For example, oral antifungal medications can work more quickly than topical antifungal products. However, some treatments may have side effects or contraindications that limit their use. The effectiveness of the treatment also depends on how well you follow the instructions and how consistent you are with the application.
The growth rate of your nails: Your nails grow at different speeds depending on your age, health, nutrition, and genetics. The faster your nails grow, the sooner you will see the results of the treatment. However, you should not stop the treatment until your nails are completely clear of the infection.

To speed up the healing process and prevent recurrence, you should also follow these tips:

Keep your nails short, clean, and dry
Wear breathable shoes and socks that fit well
Change your socks regularly and wash them in hot water with bleach or vinegar
Avoid walking barefoot in public places like pools, locker rooms, or showers
Don’t share your shoes, socks, nail clippers, or nail files with anyone else
Disinfect your nail tools after each use with alcohol or boiling water
Treat any foot problems like athlete’s foot, corns, or calluses as soon as possible
Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated