Anyone who loves the summertime understands how wonderful it is to have beautiful toenails to flaunt when wearing sandals. However, taking care of your toenails is not only important for aesthetic purposes.
Onychomycosis, a fungus that affects the toenails, can be difficult to treat once it has been identified. If the infection is not treated, it will eventually destroy the nail if left unchecked. Due to the lack of discomfort associated with fungus infections, many people don’t become aware of their spread until it is too late.
Fungal toenail infections can be of different types based on symptoms and causes, and one of those types is White Superficial Onychomyosis. In this article, we will get to know more about this condition, and how you can treat it easily at home through different home remedies.
What is White Superficial Onychomyosis?
While toenail fungus is relatively common, white superficial onychomycosis or WSO, is quite rare. Unlike some other fungi, it stays on the surface of the nail and does not spread under the toenail. This fungus manifests as white spots on the toenail, which turn powdery afterwards and cause the nail to crumble.
Usual Causes of White Superficial Onychomyosis
Overuse of substances like acetone when removing nail polish is a leading cause of white superficial onychomycosis. Nail paint remover contains several chemicals, some of which might be harmful, including those that can dry out your nails. Overuse of these chemical compounds causes the keratin protein in our nails to dry out.
How to Treat White Superficial Onychomycosis at Home
Diagnosing white superficial onychomycosis is based solely on visual inspection. Your podiatrist may also take a culture of your nails to identify the specific type of foot fungus you have. Oral antifungal medicines and topical antifungal drugs are commonly used to treat foot fungus.
You can also treat this easily at home, as there are several home remedies and therapies that can cure toenail fungus, or white superficial onychomyosis. By supporting your feet with proper care, and going through those remedies, you can eradicate the infection.
Here are the home remedies that can help you deal with this problem properly-
Baking powder
Since it can help absorb moisture that might promote toenail fungus, proponents of baking soda may recommend it as a cure. It may also have fungistatic effects, which mean it does not kill fungi but rather stunts their growth. A small, older study that found baking soda to be effective against fungus growth supports this.
However, there is no proof that baking soda may heal fungal infections or that it really works as a therapy.
Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub is a topical ointment. Its active constituents (camphor and eucalyptus oil) may help treat toenail fungus, despite the fact that it was developed to decrease coughing. The “positive clinical effect” of Vicks VapoRub in the treatment of toenail fungus was confirmed in a study conducted in 2011. Vicks VapoRub should be applied to the affected area as needed, but no less than once each day.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a staple in many kitchens, and apple cider vinegar (ACV) is used in a wide variety of natural therapies. According to a study published in 2017, ACV may have antifungal characteristics. However, more study is required.
Tea Tree Oil
Melaleuca oil, popularly known as tea tree oil, is an antifungal and antiseptic essential oil. Some preliminary clinical investigations suggested that tea tree oil could be useful in treating toenail fungus, as reported by the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health. Apply two coats of tea tree oil to the nail twice a day using a cotton swab.
Oregano Oil
Thymol is found in oregano oil. A 2016 review concluded that thymol is effective against both fungi and bacteria. To cure toenail fungus, dab a cotton swab soaked in oregano oil over the infected nail two times daily. Oregano oil is sometimes used with tea tree oil. Both items are highly concentrated and may trigger skin or respiratory problems. The risk may rise if they are combined.
Garlic
Garlic, commonly used for flavouring food, may also be useful in treating toenail fungus. There is some evidence, albeit scant, to back up this contention. Garlic extract may have antifungal capabilities against fungi that cause toenail infections, according to a 2019 study. More research is needed, but in the meantime, it’s recommended that garlic extract be used in conjunction with conventional antifungal medications.
Snakeroot Extract
Although snakeroot is not commonly used in the United States, in Mexico it has long been used to cure a variety of skin ailments and wounds. Part of the sunflower family, this plant (Ageratina pichinchensis) may have antifungal effects.
Although snakeroot oil has shown mixed results in a few preliminary studies, larger, better-designed studies are needed to determine its efficacy, according to a study published in 2020.
Changing Your Eating Habits
There is no denying the connection between what you put in your body and how you feel, as eating nutritious foods increases your body’s resistance to infections like WSO. You need to give your body the necessary nutrients it requires to stay healthy, as well as deal with WSO by eating-
- Yoghurt rich in probiotic
- Enough protein for proper nail regrowth
- Sufficient iron to stop brittle nails
- Essential fatty acids
- Low fat dairy products
- Foods rich in vitamin D and calcium
Light Therapy
If you suffer from WSO and are looking for a solution that won’t harm your body but will instead improve your health and well-being, consider red light therapy.
Red light can reduce cell numbers in some pathogens. It can prevent yeast growth, too, making it quite useful for combating nail and skin fungus infections. Light therapy, by reducing the number of infections in the body, can help the immune system fight off the remaining pathogens.
Red light has been shown to help quickly heal wounds, decrease inflammation, and stimulate collagen production, in addition to its other therapeutic advantages. Similar effects can be achieved with near-infrared light, which can penetrate deeper into the body’s tissues.
There are a number of additional ways that this therapy can aid in the treatment of fungi, such as by boosting cellular energy, which enables immune cells to become more equipped to combat pathogens. It also helps by increasing blood flow to the nail matrix and getting immune cells like white blood cells to the afflicted area. Light therapy also helps stimulate keratin production in the nails, that can gelp with WSO as well.
You can easily take red light therapy by using a red light therapy device at home.
Self-care
While home treatments can help improve your situation, you also need to take care of yourself to properly deal with the condition and prevent it from happening again.
Make sure to trim infected nails short and clean, and use a separate clipper for the healthy ones. Wear comfortable, airy footwear, and maintain proper foot hygiene by always using clean, dry cotton socks and changing them everyday. If thicker toenails are causing you pain when walking, wear clean shower shoes when using a public shower, and contact a podiatrist if necessary.
Is White Superficial Onychomycosis Contagious?
Yes, white superficial onychomycosis can be contagious and it can be transmitted through-
- Direct contact
- Wearing same socks
- Wearing same footwears or shoes
- Contact with an infected surface
- Walking barefoot through public spaces
- Using public showers or locker rooms
How to Stop the Spread of White Superficial Onychomycosis
It’s suggested that you switch to some fresh, airy footwear. Shoes that allow for adequate ventilation will reduce the amount of moisture around your feet, reducing the likelihood of foot fungus. You might also try treating your shoes with an antifungal spray after you’ve given them a thorough cleaning.
Getting the appropriate footwear isn’t enough. Use socks that wick away moisture and allow air to circulate freely to prevent discomfort from wet feet. White superficial onychomycosis can be prevented with good foot care practises, including regular nail cleaning and cutting.
Final Words
Home remedies are preferable to prescription pharmaceuticals when treating white superficial onychomycosis. Home remedies assist in solving the problem successfully and conveniently without having any negative side effects, despite the fact that there is less scientific evidence that they are effective.
When treating WSO, you may need to take into account a number of variables, such as the patient’s general health, the degree of the infection, and how permeable the nail is. Home remedies for toenail fungus may take longer to work than prescription topical medications or oral systemic antifungals.
Keep your toenails dry, clean, and clipped when the infection has cleared up. In severe cases, WSO can cause irreversible nail damage and be excruciatingly painful. If treating the infection at home doesn’t work, has unpleasant side effects, or takes too long to heal, it’ll be beneficial for you to seek medical attention.