Homemade Remedy for Nail Keratin Debris Removal
Nail keratin debris is a fungal infection of the nail 1. In medical terms it is called an onychomycosis or tinea unguium. The common symptom of this condition is a dirty yellowish discoloration of the nail, which a manicure or pedicure cannot remove. If you notice that your nails are starting to discolor, you can prevent this from getting worse by using homemade remedies.
Pour warm water in the water basin. Pour enough water to allow you to soak your hand or feet completely. The water basin should be big enough to fit your hand or your foot, depending on what nails are infected with the fungus. Mix 3 bottle caps of apple cider vinegar with the warm water. Soak your affected hand or foot in the vinegar and water mixture for 20 minutes. Dry your hand or foot with the blow dryer afterwards. The blow dryer will make the mixture stick to the hand or the foot so that it will be able to help kill the fungus.
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Put 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil on the affected nails if you want to use the oil instead of the apple cider vinegar, since some do not like the smell of vinegar. Spread the tea tree oil over the nails evenly. Apply this 2 to 3 times a day for 3 weeks.
Mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil with 2 drops of oregano oil. Apply the mixture to the infected nails. The oregano is a good antiseptic as well as antifungal remedy. Apply this mixture daily for 3 to 4 weeks.
Tips
Cut nails short to prevent fungus or bacteria from housing behind the nails.
Warnings
If the homemade remedies do not work after applying for the number of days indicated, consult a foot doctor.
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References
- Home Remedies: Toe Nail Fungus
- Shirwaikar AA, Thomas T, Shirwaikar A, Lobo R, Prabhu KS. Treatment of onychomycosis: an update. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2008;70(6):710-4. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.49088
- Syed TA, Qureshi ZA, Ali SM, Ahmad S, Ahmad SA. Treatment of toenail onychomycosis with 2% butenafine and 5% Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil in cream. Trop Med Int Health. 1999 Apr;4(4):284-7. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3156.1999.00396.x
- Buck DS, Nidorf DM, Addino JG. Comparison of two topical preparations for the treatment of onychomycosis: Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and clotrimazole. J Fam Pract. 1994 Jun;38(6):601-5.
- Chee HY, Lee MH. Antifungal activity of clove essential oil and its volatile vapour against dermatophytic fungi. Mycobiology. 2007;35(4):241-3. doi:10.4489/MYCO.2007.35.4.241
- Gayoso CW, Lima EO, Oliveira VT, Pereira FO, Souza EL, Lima IO, Navarro DF. Sensitivity of fungi isolated from onychomycosis to Eugenia cariophyllata essential oil and eugenol. Fitoterapia. 2005 Mar;76(2):247-9. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2004.12.005
- National Institutes of Health. "Fungal nail infection: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". June 2011.
Tips
- Cut nails short to prevent fungus or bacteria from housing behind the nails.
Warnings
- If the homemade remedies do not work after applying for the number of days indicated, consult a foot doctor.
Writer Bio
Based in West Windsor, N.J., Craig Barney has been writing computer- and electronics-related articles since 1990. His articles have appeared in “Wired” and “Ericsson” magazines, and on Discovery.com. Barney received the Kim Swiss Award in 2006. He holds a Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Missouri.