Fall in Pleasanton is not cool. It may not be the blazing days of summer, but people are far from thinking about jackets and scarves! Average temperatures for the month of October stay in the low 80s, which means you still sweat quite a bit when you’re active outside. Your feet are not exempt from sweating. In fact, they have a high concentration of sweat glands. All that moisture can collect, creating the perfect atmosphere for toenail fungus. Fungal infections are embarrassing and unpleasant, but if you catch one early, there are home remedies you can use to treat it.

Foot fungus of any kind, but especially in the nails, is hard to eliminate. The fungus lingers in your socks and shoes. Nail infections fester underneath the hard keratin where many treatments have a hard time affecting it. There are, however, some home remedies that people find helpful. They aren’t guaranteed and they many not benefit everyone, but some people have found they make a difference.

Here are a few methods you can try at home:

Trim and Thin – Keep your nails clipped short and file down the keratin thickness with a disposable nail file. This helps the keratin absorb anti-fungal treatments. Over-the-Counter Ointments – You can find these at any drug store. After filing down your nails, rub in the topical medication every day until your nails clear. Apple Cider Vinegar – The acid kills the bacteria and fungi on the surface of your feet and nails. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a foot bath. Soak your toes for 30 minutes each day, then dry your feet thoroughly. You can also mix the vinegar with coarsely ground rice flour to make a nail scrub. Vick’s VapoRub – Some of the ingredients in Vick’s seem to improve fungus. Apply the rub to your infected nails with a cotton swab at least once a day.

Toenail fungus is stubborn, so whatever method you choose, treat your toes every day. If your infection isn’t responding to home or over-the-counter remedies, you may need prescription-strength treatment. Contact Dr. Darren Silvester and the Next Step Foot & Ankle Clinic team to help you take care of your nails. Call our Pleasanton, TX, office at (830) 569-3338 or use the website to reach us for an appointment.