How to Heal Fingernail Fungus

Fingernail fungal infections occur when fungi grow under the nail, causing discoloration and nail damage. There are several home remedies for nail fungus, but before using these remedies discuss them with your doctor. If the fungus is painful or spreads underneath the nail, or if there is growing damage to the nail itself, make an appointment with your doctor to talk about medical intervention.

Early medical treatments are topical and pain-free, but if your condition worsens, you might eventually resort to oral medications or invasive surgery.

Things You'll Need

• Tea tree oil
• Cotton balls
• Alcohol-based mouthwash
• Apple cider vinegar
• Small bowl
• Warm water
• Oregano essential oil
• Olive oil
• Anti-fungal lacquer
• Topical fungal medications
• Oral fungal medications

Show More

Instructions

Home remedies

• 1

  Place several drops of tea tree oil on the affected nail. Rub oil into the nail and surrounding skin with a cotton ball. Repeat daily until the fungus clears completely.

• 2

  Soak the affected nail in a mixture of alcohol-based mouthwash and apple cider vinegar. Pour equal amounts mouthwash and vinegar in a small bowl and soak the affected nail for 20 minutes every day until the fungus clears. You can also try a soak of equal parts warm water and apple cider vinegar.

• 3

  Add two drops oregano essential oil to 1 tsp. olive oil in a small bowl. Apply this mixture to the nail with a cotton ball every day for three weeks.

Medical intervention

• 4

  Use an anti-fungal nail lacquer. Apply these lacquers to your nail like nail polish. They are one of the least invasive treatments for nail fungus.

• 5

  Apply a topical medication; these are cream-based medicines you apply to the nail and surrounding skin. They may require a prescription.

• 6

  Use oral treatments; these usually require a prescription and are best for people with diabetes or a history of cellulitis or people with associated pain and severe infection.

• 7

  Use surgery to remove part or all of the nail. This is the most invasive procedure and it may take up to a year for the nail to grow back. This is recommended for people who have exhausted other medical treatments.