Neglected feet and unkempt toes are not a pretty sight, but what's even more repulsive are fungal foot and toenail infections.

Whether the fungal infection is in its early, latent stage or in the more advanced form, it can cause many people to feel embarrassed and hide their feet in public.

If you are among those who suffer from foot and toenail fungus, here's a bit of a good news: there are many natural remedies that can restore a healthy appearance to your feet and toenails.

Feet are usually affected by two types of fungal infections: athlete's foot and toenail fungus.

Athlete's foot

Athlete's foot (also known as ringworm of the foot, tinea pedis and moccasin foot) is a common and contagious fungal infection of the foot caused by several types of mold-like fungi called dermatophytes that  thrive in warm, moist environments like sweaty feet confined in socks and shoes.

The infection is called athlete's foot because it is commonly seen in athletes. 

One of the most common ways to get this infection is from walking barefoot in moist and humid public areas that have been contaminated with the infection-causing fungus, such as showers, pools, locker rooms, saunas or gyms.

Besides athletes and people who suffer from excessive sweating, men seem to be more likely to develop athlete's foot due to the fact that they tend to wear sneakers and tight-fitting or confining shoes during summer.

The early signs of athlete's foot are dry and flaking skin, most often between the toes and on the soles or sides of the feet.

If left untreated, athlete's foot may spread to other parts of your foot and lead to intense itching, burning, cracked, blistered or peeling areas of skin, redness or scaling.

In more severe cases, water blisters and cracks may develop on the feet.

Athlete's foot fungi may also spread to your toenails, causing an unpleasant fungal nail infection.

Toenail fungus infection – onychomycosis

Onychomycosis (Latin tinea unquium) is a fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails, which may occur on its own, without the skin being infected. 

It is usually caused by the same fungi that cause skin fungal infections like athlete's foot (dermatophytes), although Candida and nondermatophytic molds may also be involved.

Common symptoms include thickening or deformity of the nail as well as discoloration (usually yellowish-brown or opaque).

Changes in nail colour and texture first occur at the lower edges of the toenail, and then slowly spread to cover the entire area of the nail.

In more severe cases, especially in patients with chronic candidiasis disease, onychomycosis may lead to significant nail damage and cause toenails to thicken, discolor, disfigure and crumble.

If left untreated, the skin can become inflamed and painful underneath and around the nail.

The infection may also present itself in the form of discrete white patches or streaks on the nail surface, the symptoms of which people tend to neglect and dismiss as unrelated to fungi.

Onychomycosis affects mostly athletes, the elderly (due to the weakened circulation in the limbs), those with compromised immune function, diabetes and psoriasis.

To prevent and treat toenail fungus infection one should wash and change socks frequently, implement good feet hygiene, keep feet clean and dry

after swimming, showering or bathing, especially between the toes. 

Athletes and people susceptible to excessive sweating should change their socks and footwear several times per day.

Make sure you wash your shoes and sneakers thoroughly, leave them to dry and disinfect before wearing again.

Top 10 natural remedies for toenail fungus

To keep your feet and toes healthy, you may use various potent natural home remedies that can effectively address toenail fungal infections

1) Probiotics

An imbalance of healthy microflora in the body may enhance fungal proliferation.

To give your toenail fungus treatment a boost, you should include probiotic foods and supplements in your diet, since the beneficial gut bacteria hinder the growth and proliferation of parasitic fungi and other microbes.

Also, lactobacillus bacteria found in most probiotic products secrete a substance that is posonous to Candida.

Make sure you avoid foods and supplements that contain sugar (fruit yoghurts) or artificial fillers.

2)  Tea

The tea plant (any kind of homemade tea) contains a rich concentration of tannic acid, which does not affect the fungi directly, but works wonderfully to dry out sweaty feet and reduce foot odor. 

Pour a litre of hot water into a basin and soak five tea bags in it for 5 minutes.

Let the tea foot bath cool until you are can put your feet in comfortably. Immerse your feet in a tea foot bath for half an hour.

3) Apple cider vinegar

Mildly acidic, apple cider vinegar may be used both topically and orally.

Every morning you may dilute two tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of water, add a teaspoon of honey to sweeten the beverage and drink before breakfast.

You may also prepare natural healing apple cider vinegar foot soak. 

Blend one litre of water with half a cup of vinegar and let it cool to moderate temperature. 

Immerse your feet in a vinegar foot soak for at least half an hour. Repeat twice a day.

If you lack apple cider vinegar, you may use white wine vinegar as a substitute. Prepare the foot soak using the same ratio, but soak your feet twice a day more briefly.

4) Lemon juice

Due to its antiseptic and antifungal properties, the citric acid present in lemon juice will help stop the toenail fungus from spreading.

Apply fresh lemon juice on the infected toenail. Leave it on for about half an hour before rinsing it off with hot water. Repeat several times a day.

Another option is to mix equal amounts of lemon juice and olive oil and use the mixture to massage the infected area.

The olive oil will help soften your skin, while the lemon juice will help contol the fungal infection.

A glass of warm lemon water is a perfect way to start your day, providing your body with a number of benefits, especially if you are in the habit of drinking it regularly.

5) Lavender oil

Anti-fungal properties of lavender oil make it an effective remedy for mild cases of toenail fungus or athlete's foot.

Apply a few drops of laveder oil to the infected nails and toes every night before bedtime and let it soak in overnight.

For best results, you can cover your feet with a pair of cotton or wool socks.

To prevent recurrence, continue to apply lavender oil on the affected area for at least a few weeks after the infection appears to be gone.

6) Orange oil

Orange oil is yet another natural anti-fungal agent that can be applied daily to toenails and surrounding skin to address toenail fungal infection.

Apply the oil on nails and between toes and let it soak in for at least one hour.

To massage the infected areas on your toes, dilute the oil at an one-to-one ratio with a natural carrier such as olive oil.

Like other citrus oils, orange oil can cause allergic reactions in skin-sensitive individuals. 

So first test orange oil on a spot of healthy skin on your face or some other sensitive area before applying it to infected nails.

7) Oregano oil

Another herb with potent anti-fungal properties is oregano.

Mix a few drops of oregano oil into a teaspoon of olive oil or some other natural carrier oil. Dab onto infected nails or rub into the skin.

8) Tea tree oil

Antiseptic and anti-fungal properties of tea tree oil make it an excellent remedy for onychomycosis.

First clean the infected nails with rubbing alcohol and then apply undiluted tea tree oil directly to the affected nails. Let it soak in.

After about 10 minutes, gently scrub the nails with a soft toothbrush.

When applying tea tree oil to the affected areas, mix the oil one-to-one with an all-natural carrier such as olive oil.

9) Coconut oil

Caprylic acid, one of the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil, has the ability to penetrate the cell wall of Candida and other fungi.

Without its protective coating the cells of the fungus dissolve, effectively elliminating the infection.

Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to the infected  areas and let it soak in for at least 15 minutes.

Coconut oil is extremely beneficial for skin health, so there is no limit to how often you may use this treatment.

Just make sure you aren't allergic to coconuts by applying a small amount of coconut oil on a skin sensitive area.

10) Neem oil

As a major herbal remedy in Ayurvedic medicine, neem tree has numerous healing properties which make it extremely effective in addressing fungal infections as well.

Put a few drops of neem oil on a cotton ball and apply to your clean and dry feet and toes. Let it soak in.

Although fungal infections may be very persistent, they are curable and easily treated with these simple and easy home remedies.

Discover the optimal health remedy for your condition and get rid of these annoying fungal infections for good. 

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