How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Get Rid of Nail Fungus

Fungal infection or athlete’s foot might be one of the most common diseases today. In most cases, mycotic lesion on feet is not life-threatening, however, it does cause discomfort.

This disease occurs in about one every in five people in the world. It is caused by Trichophyton rub rum fungus, colonizing skin on feet and nails. Sometimes, mold fungi and thrush-causing candida join Trichophyton rub rum colonies.

bottle of hydrogen peroxidAs a result of the disease, noxious toxins accumulate in the human body; they appear when the pathogenic fungi reproduce and grow. These substances are carried throughout the body by the bloodstream, thus, worsening the metabolism and increasing the body’s sensitivity to various external threats.

Medicine is aware of many factors that provoke athlete’s foot. The majors are:

  • Wounds on legs, bruises, calluses, and cuts (they may occur after cosmetic procedures or injury due to wearing shoes)
  • Improper foot hygiene
  • Weakness of immune system
  • Use of antibiotics and other drugs
  • Excessive sweating of the feet

If there is at least one of these factors, the likelihood of fungal infection immediately increases. However, you can avoid infection, if you stick to the prevention rules, which we will explain later.

What does a Fungal Infection look like?

Generally, a fungal infection usually begins with the feeling of dryness and flaking on the feet. Also, there may also be itching and redness. However, the symptoms are quite varied. The illness may even begin with imperceptible peeling between the toes.

In the case of excessive sweating, moisture lesion areas are visible. The occurrence of itching bullas(fluid trapped under a thin layer of skin; a type of blister) and calluses are also possible.

In addition, the shape and color of the toenails change frequently. Fungal spores penetrate deeper into the nail plate. Stripes and spots of yellow appear, nails become cracked, brittle and lose their color. There are voids and a crumbly mixture underneath the nail.

fungus infection on toe nail

Under the influence of fungus, sweat acquires an unpleasant odor. If the patient has severe disease state, mycosis prevents normal moves and the body temperature increases.

If you notice such changes on your feet as cracks, dryness, and itching, you need to take urgent action! The specialist will determine exactly what type of fungus struck your feet and how to deal with it. In the initial stages of the disease, you may apply gels and ointments independently. But if the fungus has struck your nails, it is time to visit a dermatologist urgently!

It should be noted that fungal infections can become complicated with psoriasis or eczema — this should motivate you to visit a doctor even more.

What are the types of Mycosis?

  1. Vesicular type. In this case, damage starts with the bottom of the foot. There are small blisters with or without fluid. This type of fungal infection is characterized by the addition of bacterial pathogens.
  2. Membrane type. The disease is localized between the little finger and the penultimate toe. On the skin, there are visible flakes and cracks; there may be even more obvious skin lesions in the case of additional bacterial infection.
  3. Moccasin type. The disease begins with the heel and sole of the foot. It is manifested by pain, thickening of the skin, and cracks.

Often, a fungal infection develops on the nails. They can crumble, change color, thicken, and eventually, they can completely fall out of the nail bed. As fungal infection is foreign to our body, the immune system may react to it with an allergy.

In order not to lead your body to such state when the nails need to be surgically removed, visit a doctor in time. He will tell you how to cure toenail fungus at home and prescribe you the most appropriate medication.

Ways to Treat Nail Fungus

Today, there are several ways to treat toenail fungus:

  1. Laser treatment — this is the fastest and the most effective way to treat nail fungus, both of hands and feet. Often, the disease disappears right after the first irradiation procedure; in too complicated cases, re-irradiation may be needed. This procedure is rather costly.
  2. Treatment with pharmacy drugs — it is also an adequate method of treatment; it is much cheaper than laser irradiation. Though, of course, it takes time and patience to completely cure fungus this way. There is also a significant disadvantage in such treatment: antifungal drugs have a strong toxic effect, i.e. they not only kill the fungus but also poison the whole body, which is already weakened.
  3. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide and other traditional medicines — it is probably the most gentle, and most affordable way of getting rid of the fungus.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Nail Fungus

We already know the healing properties of hydrogen peroxide. This substance is effective in treating many diseases and it is an excellent antibacterial and prophylactic remedy. In addition, the use of hydrogen peroxide both externally and internally has no contraindications. For the most effective treatment of nail fungus with hydrogen peroxide, you need to steam nails in a soda solution first.

hydrogen peroxide antifungal applications

How to prepare nails for the hydrogen peroxide application?

To prepare the solution, you will need 1 teaspoon of baking soda per liter of warm water. After soaking the nails, take a cotton ball or cotton pad and cut a piece of it in the form of your nail.

How to apply hydrogen peroxide on the affected area?

Saturate the piece of cotton with hydrogen peroxide and apply to the affected nail. If possible, put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the nail cavity 2-3 times a day. Leave the application for 10-15 minutes on fingernails, and as for toenails — leave it for 40, or even 60 minutes.

How often is it necessary to undertake the hydrogen peroxide treatment procedure?

Implement this procedure once or twice a day. To prevent the hydrogen peroxide evaporating quickly, make sure it has time to act effectively, wrap the area being treated in plastic, or even wrap them in tape. At the end of the procedure, remove the bandage. If you feel discomfort on the nails, slight burning or pain — rinse nails in water.

Hydrogen Peroxide Baths for Fungus

Instead of these applications, you may use hydrogen peroxide treatment baths for nails, suffering from fungus infection. For this, dissolve 3%peroxide in warm water — two tablespoons per liter of water. Soak your feet or hands in the tub for a quarter of an hour. Make these therapeutic baths twice a day. The results will be seen within four days.

Nail fungus is easily treatable. The problem, however, lies in the delivery of medication to the disease site. It is best to apply hydrogen peroxide to a wet nail because, this way, the substance can easily penetrate the nail to kill the fungus, which is hidden beneath it.

IMPORTANT: For the nail fungus treatment, only 3% hydrogen peroxide is suitable. Any other may cause skin irritation.

When Hydrogen Peroxide is Effective for Nail Fungus Treatment

Hydrogen peroxide for nail fungus is effective only if it can penetrate through the thick layers of the nail plate and nail bed, where the fungus emerges and reproduces. That is why it is so important to steam or soak nails before treating them with peroxide.

In the case of toenail fungus, it is necessary to use a cotton pad soaked in peroxide for at least 30 minutes every day during a month to ensure that the substance can cope with the infection.

Also, hydrogen peroxide may be poured into a spray bottle and sprayed over the diseased areas. Allow the liquid to air dry before wearing stockings or socks.

Hydrogen peroxide treatment of nail fungus takes time. Some people find this method too painstaking and time-consuming. In this case, it is best to consult a dermatologist, who will offer a faster pharmacological alternative to the peroxide treatment.

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