Can Vitamin C Cure Nail Fungus?

Fungal nail infections can be dangerous if left untreated. The fungus from the nail can enter your bloodstream and cause you to become very ill. There are several folk remedies about treating nail fungus, including using vitamin C. Treating a fungal infection is not easy, but with the help of your physician, you can rid yourself of the infection and may even be able to save your nail.

Types

There are various types of fungi that can enter your nail bed or fingernail, which can cause severe infections of your nails. Yeast, molds and another fungi known as dermatophyitesk or tinea unguium can lead to nasty fungal infections of your nails. These can occur in your fingernails or toenails. Sometimes a fungal nail infection can be a secondary infection. If you develop athlete’s foot, the fungus can spread to your toenails, causing a fungal nail infection, which would be secondary to the original infection.

Treatment

To treat a fungal infection, you must use an anti-fungal medication. Your health care provider may elect to use a topical anti-fungal cream or ointment or an oral anti-fungal medication. If you have a severe fungal nail infection, you may need to take a topical and an oral anti-fungal medication together for the most effective treatment, according to DermNet NZ 2. Laser treatment, used in New Zealand and elsewhere, is used in cases of resistance to anti-fungal medications. As of 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of laser therapy for fungal infections.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is not an effective treatment for nail fungus. Vitamin C may treat other conditions such as scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency. Scurvy is typically characterized by anemia, general weakness, gingivitis and skin hemorrhages, according to DermNet NZ 2. Scurvy generally doesn’t occur until your diet has lacked vitamin C for a prolonged period of time. Scurvy is rare in the United States, but when it is present, it tends to affect the elderly.

Symptoms

You may experience symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency that could prompt you to ask your physician to test your vitamin C level. You may also experience a decreased wound-healing rate as vitamin C helps repair injured skin tissue.