Whats a good natural way to get rid of toenail fungus?

I have it and it's making my toenails look very gross I want to get rid of it if its at all possible. Please Help Me!!!!!Whats a good natural way to get rid of toenail fungus?
Been there, tried EVERYTHING! NOTHING works except Lamasil that's prescribed by a doctor %26amp; a toenail avulsion.





I tried Vicks VapoRub on the toe %26amp; covered the whole foot with a sock at night. Didn't work, just smelled bad. I tried soaking my toe in hydrogen peroxide. Didn't work, just tingled a little. I've bought the brush on toenail fungicides. They work for a little while, then the infection sets in deeper while it works on the top of your infected nail.





I've had 2 fungal toenails, both on my right foot's big toe. I've had to have my toenail removed both times %26amp; take the Lamasil medication for 16 weeks. I only got a repeat of the fungal infection because I forgot to toss out my old shoes. After I got it again, I had my toenail removed again, took the medicine a second time %26amp; bought new socks %26amp; shoes. A hassel but worth it. I've been fungal free for 2 years now.Whats a good natural way to get rid of toenail fungus?
Fungal infection -


Moist environments, such as sweaty shoes and socks, are excellent places for fungi to breed, especially if they can get a ';toehold'; in small fissures or breaks. High-impact exercise like jogging can cause these kinds of skin openings, which is why runners and other athletes are especially prone to nail fungus. People who spend a lot of time on their feet, such as restaurant workers, police officers, and mail carriers, are also particularly vulnerable.





Typically, a fungus first shows itself with a small yellow or white spot on the nail. Over the next few months, the spot spreads over the entire nail, which may turn yellow, brown, black, or gray. The nail gradually thickens and finally becomes so brittle it may split or even come off entirely.





Usually, nail fungus is simply a cosmetic problem, but it occasionally progresses to the point where activities like typing or even walking can become painful.





Tests and Procedures -


A laboratory culture of cells from the nail or nail bed may be needed to determine whether the source of your infection is a bacteria or a fungus. If your nail problems appear to be the result of another illness, additional tests may be required to identify any underlying health problems.





Important note on nail fungus:





Once you are diagnosed with a nail fungus, you will likely need a prescription medication to clear it up. Using supplements alone for nail fungus is a waste of money and will only allow the infectious condition to get worse.





Natural Approach -





A high-potency B-complex vitamin is a good place to start; it should include extra supply of biotin. It works well with the antioxidant vitamin C. Together they should prevent virtually any nail problem associated with a nutritional deficiency.





Mixed amino acids are the building blocks of protein, which in turn is needed to manufacture keratin, the main structural protein of both nails and hair.





Calcium and magnesium, two minerals necessary for strong bones, are also needed for healthy nails.





Silica has long been recommended by herbalists for healthy hair and nails. It can be taken either as a single supplement or supplied by certain herbs, such as oat straw and horsetail. No clinical studies, however, have proven the usefulness of these substances specifically for nail conditions.





Essential fatty acids--including borage oil, flaxseed oil, or evening primrose oil--are needed throughout the body and are especially important for nails, skin, and hair.





Tea tree oil or garlic oil may help to control the fungus spread into the nails, stopping an infection at an early stage can save you problems later on. However, these natural remedies have not been particularly effective when the fungus gets deep into the nail itself.





Calendula ointment has some antibacterial properties and it may be useful for mild nonfungal irritations of the foot or around the nail beds.





To prevent nail fungus infection: There are a number of actions you can take on a daily basis to foil any fungal nail problem.








Pick the right shoes. The best choices are made from ';breathable'; materials, such as leather or canvas. They should fit properly--meaning that your toes don't bump against the shoe, which can damage nails.





Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash them with soap and water and dry them thoroughly around nails and between toes. Antifungal foot powders help to keep fungus at bay, but contrary to common lore, cornstarch does not.





Wear cotton or wool socks. These natural materials wick moisture away from the nails more readily than nylon, polyester, or other synthetics do. Also avoid tight hosiery, which promotes moisture buildup and creates a favorable environment for fungi.





Wear sandals whenever you can. This gives your feet a chance to dry out, as does going barefoot (which is safe on clean, dry, indoor surfaces). Wear waterproof sandals in public showers, health clubs, and poolside.





Always disinfect manicure and pedicure accessories. After each use, a quick soak in rubbing alcohol, and an air-dry on a paper towel, will do the job. Don't apply polish to nails that might be infected, or are discolored or swollen.





Say farewell to fashionably long talons. Those seemingly endless fingernails not only break easily, but can harbor unhealthy bacteria. And long artificial nails keep your natural nail from ';breathing.';





Leave cuticles untrimmed. In their natural state, cuticles seal out bacteria and fungi; normal wear and tear and hand washing should prevent any overgrowth. Gently pushing your cuticles back with an orange stick after soaking your hands is okay, but don't cut or chemically dissolve them.


To prevent dryness and breaking: Several simple strategies can help with these everyday nail problems.








Wear cotton-lined gloves when doing housework that involves immersing your hands in water, or using chemicals, indoors or out.





Keep nails supple and hydrated by rubbing petroleum jelly into them after your hands have been in water. Many dermatologists and podiatrists also recommend rubbing an over-the-counter alpha-hydroxy lotion into the nails and cuticles nightly.





Keep nails short so they're less likely to break. Soaking your nails before clipping them helps to prevent splitting. Trim toenails with a clipper, not nail scissors, keeping them no longer than the tip of the toe. Never round nail corners or file them inward.





Eat a balanced diet-with lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. And add some corn, soybeans, cauliflower, and egg yolks for biotin, and nonfat dairy products for calcium.





Avoid formaldehyde, a chemical which is often included in nail hardeners or polishes; it can irritate surrounding skin. If you use polish, choose a hypoallergenic brand and non-acetone removers. And don't apply polish more than once a week.
trim nails as far as yu can, soak feet in 50/50 solution of bleach 3 times a week, use foot powder. also use a product like fungus stop----it has undycelinic acid and alchohol, it drys out fungus. It is a long process but it is worth the effort!! the pills that they give for it are bad for your liver? I've been told? stay out of strange showers and wet places like swimming pools. thats usually where yu catch it!! nasty stuff and hard to get rid of!!
Since Tea tree oil can be applied dirrectly to the skin (others have to be diluted), I have read that one can do soaks in it in water, or for severe cases (or one who just wants in gone faster) it can be appiled DIRECTLY into the nail beds two-three times a day. You can get online at ebay for pretty cheap sometimes, at you health food store, or super k-mart has a good deal (I think it is about two ounces for 11 bucks). Tea tree is antifungal, so it'll work, but there are many many other essential oils that are antifungal as well. Just search ';antifungal essential oils'; at google.
maybe soak in vinegar or diluted surgical scrub or maybe peroxide? All can be found OTC at a pharmacy. But it will take several weeks of soaking for hours at a time, it is a long process.
Oil of Oregano!!!! I cannot tell you how effective this oil is! It annihilates fungus! But it also burns! Much like a hot pepper. However, if you try this: Take the oregano oil tablets made by the company ';Now';. And you take ahhh lets say 3 to 5 tablets daily it will clear up in just a couple of days!!! Its NO LIE!! And it will do the same for a yeast infection, or basically anything to do with fungus in general. You can also apply it typically. But I must warn you! It burns!
Neem oil. look up ahimsa neem on the internet and order the 8 oz bottle from there (it will last a lifetime).


then, at night oil up your toes, put on socks and go to bed. the fungus will have cleared up in about 2 weeks.





some people will tell you to soak your feet in bleach. It won't hurt, and will open up the outter surface of the nail so that the neem can soak in.
Trust me on this one, I'm dealing with it myself and am currently using it. Vick's Vaporub will clear it up. How fast it works will depend on the severity of your fungus but I've used it once/twice a day (applying it on the nail when I get home from class or work and putting more on before I go to bed). My nail has gone from grey/cloudy colored to almost clear within 2 months. I've also heard that Tea Tree Oil works due to its anti-fungal properties but I think people are more likely to find Vaporub than a pure essential oil in their medicine cabinets.





Just don't bother with the prescriptions, they have some pretty nasty side effects and this is one case where it's proven that home remedies can work just as well or better than a prescription that's altering your body's chemistry in some way.