The next time you get a pedicure or a manicure for yourself, do yourself a favor and check if the parlor staff use sanitized tools. Do you realize that those shared swimming pool dips and showers also contain some undesirable microbes that might lead to fungal infections?

Toenails tend to stay warm and damp all throughout the day. Untidy toenails make it easy for a toenail fungus infection to breed in the bed of your toenails.

Apart from this, fungal toenails can be caused by other factors such as:

• An abnormal pH of the skin
• If the toenails are continuously exposed to moisture
• Usage of synthetic socks
• Immune deficiency
• Sweating a lot while wearing shoes
• Unhygienic foot
• Weak circulation of blood in the toenails due to diabetes

Toenail fungus is a very common ailment that turns toenails yellow, brown, and sometimes, even black. The toenail fungus makes the nail brittle, chirpy, and sometimes, even the whole nail plate roots off the nail bed. A severe case of toenail fungus can also be painful, and surgeries might be necessary. But the good news is that, apart from medical emergencies, a mild toenail fungus can be easily treated. You can use various over-the-counter remedies at home, or natural cures. Toenail fungus can be eliminated quite effectively using these techniques:

Vicks VapoRub Remedy
Studies have proved that application of Vicks VapoRub reduces the spread of fungus growth in toenails. Vicks VapoRub contains essential antifungal ingredients like eucalyptus and camphor oil.

Listerine And White Vinegar Remedy
White vinegar is acidic. The fungus cannot survive in an acidic environment. And Listerine contains antifungal ingredients like thymol and menthol. You can make a solution of these two excellent antifungal rich products mixed in equal proportions. Soak an infected toe for about an hour or more to reduce toenail fungus.

Cornmeal Remedy
Organic cornmeal is an excellent natural remedy for toenail fungus. Cornmeal contains a harmless fungus that acts as a deadly antifungal to the most common form of fungus known as Candida. The cornmeal is left to soak in water for about an hour. You can soak your infected toenail in the cornmeal mixture for about half an hour. This treatment can reduce toenail fungus to a remarkable extent and can be repeated several times a week.

Pau D’arco Tea Remedy
It is the inner bark of a tree found in South America. Research proves that the bark of this tree is rich in antifungal properties. It sometimes works better than prescription medicines. Soak two tea bags of Pau d’arco tea in water. Submerge your infected toenail in that water for about 20 minutes. This remedy can work wonders on infected toenails.

Tea Tree Oil Remedy
Tea tree oil is a rich antiseptic and has antifungal properties. Minor infections sometimes heal completely when you simply rub this oil on the infected nail twice daily.

Urea Paste Remedy
Application of urea paste such as Gormel Crème on the infected toenail dissolves the infected part of the nail.

Olive Leaf Extracts Remedy
Olive leaf extracts have got some excellent antiviral and antibacterial properties. The olive leaf extract is also an excellent detoxifier. Hence a person might experience some minor discomfort for the first couple of days. A supplement of olive leave extracts can cure toenail fungus infections from its roots.

Baking Soda And Sodium Borate Remedy
Sodium Borate or Borax is a mineral and an effective fungicide that occurs naturally. Borax, when mixed in equal proportions with baking soda and some water, creates a paste that can cure toenail fungus magically. This paste must be applied twice daily. The procedure must be continued for about two weeks to see visible results.

Probiotics Remedy
A fungus infection flourishes when a person has an imbalance of healthy microflora in their body. Along with home remedies, it is necessary for a person to add a supplement of Probiotics in their diet. Developing healthy gut bacteria obstructs the growth of microbes and various other parasitic fungi. It limits their living space and obstructs the growth.

A Change In Your Diet Remedy
A healthy diet is equal to a healthy body. Eating healthy will help develop the immunity to fight against such fungal infections. Enrich your diet with Probiotics, protein, iron, essential fatty acids, and eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin D and calcium.

A mild to moderate toenail fungus infection can be easily treated with these natural cures and home remedies. Though they have no side effects, results may vary from person to person. Other factors such the severity of the toenail infection can also hinder its effects. Be patient while treating yourself with one of these home remedies.

It is always better to consult a doctor in case of severe toenail fungus, as this is usually accompanied by pain.