The best home remedies for nail mycosis, popularly known as “unho” or scientifically as onychomycosis, are mainly those prepared with essential oils, since a good part of these oils have proven and studied antifungal properties.
Although they can be used alone, essential oils can also be used in conjunction with medical treatment prescribed by the doctor, enhancing their effect and accelerating recovery. However, it is important to always inform the doctor about the use of oils, so that the doses can be adapted and even specific care oriented.
These natural remedies can even be used when the first symptoms of mycosis of the nail appear, such as the presence of a yellowish spot and thickening of the nail, to try to control the infection, until the consultation with the doctor. Know how to identify the symptoms of nail fungus.
1. Garlic essential oil
Garlic essential oil is one of the best studied oils for fighting fungi and other microorganisms, having a strong effect and being therefore recommended by many doctors and professionals who resort to natural options for the treatment of fungal infections. This effect is mainly due to the presence of the substance allicin.
In addition, garlic is cheap and quite versatile, and can be used in its natural form or as an oil.
Ingredients
Method of preparation
Cut the garlic into slices and apply it directly to the affected nail for 30 minutes every day. Ideally, the foot should be washed before and after applying garlic to ensure the best effect. This process must be repeated up to 4 weeks after the nail has returned to its normal state, which can take between 4 to 6 months.
Since some people may have an increased sensitivity to garlic essential oil, it is advised to try to keep the garlic only on the nail. If symptoms of burning or redness appear on the skin due to the application of garlic, it is recommended to wash the area with cold water and avoid putting garlic in this area again, as it can cause burns or inflammation.
2. Essential oil of tea tree
the oil of tea tree, which can also be known as tea tree oil, contains a compound, known as terpinen-4-ol, which, according to some scientific studies, has been shown to have an antifungal effect, especially against the main organisms that cause nail fungus.
How to use: a drop should be dripped directly on the affected nail, 2 times a day, after washing the place with soap and water. Treatment should be continued for about 4 to 6 months or up to 4 weeks after the nail recovers to normal characteristics.
Although in most cases there are no reported side effects with the use of this oil, people who have more sensitive skin should mix a drop of tea tree with 1 drop of a vegetable oil, such as coconut or avocado, before applying it to the nail.
3. Rosemary essential oil
As well as the oil tea tree, rosemary oil, known scientifically as rosmarinus officinalis, it has also shown very positive effects in combating the fungi responsible for nail mycosis, in studies carried out in the laboratory. Thus, it can be an excellent natural option to try to control the problem.
How to use: apply one drop directly to the affected nail, 2 times a day, after washing the area with soap and water. If there is skin sensitivity to this essential oil, with irritation and redness of the skin around the nail, it should be mixed with 1 drop of a vegetable oil, such as almond, avocado or coconut oil, for example.
This treatment should be continued for up to 4 weeks after symptoms have disappeared to ensure that the excess fungus is completely eliminated.
4. Clove essential oil
Clove essential oil is an excellent natural option for toenail mycosis, as it is rich in eugenol which has proven potent antifungal action, which helps to fight the fungi that cause mycosis on the toenail, such as Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
How to use: Apply 1 drop of clove essential oil directly to the affected nail, at least 2 times a day, after washing the affected area with soap and water. To prevent irritation to the skin around the nail, you can mix 2 drops of clove essential oil with 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil or jojoba oil, for example. .
5. Thyme essential oil
Thymol and carvacrol, present in the composition of thyme essential oil, have strong antifungal action that helps to eliminate fungi that cause mycosis on the nail, such as Candida albicans, being a good natural option to fight this type of ringworm.
How to use: Mix 1 to 3 drops of thyme essential oil with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or other vegetable oil and apply directly to the affected nail, 2 times a day, after washing the affected area with water and neutral soap. Thyme essential oil treatment can be done for a maximum of 3 months and should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
6. Oregano essential oil
Oregano essential oil is another good natural option for the treatment of nail mycosis, as it has substances such as carvacrol, caryophyllene and spathulenol, with strong antifungal action that help to eliminate the fungi that cause nail mycosis such as Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Fusarium oxysporum.
How to use: To apply oregano essential oil, mix 3 drops of essential oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, olive oil or other vegetable oil, and apply to the affected nail 1 to 2 times a day, after washing it. it with water and neutral soap. This treatment should be done for up to 3 weeks to ensure that the fungi are eliminated.
