Can changing diet heal a fungal toenail?

Some of the foods that can help keep the body healthy can include fresh vegetables, chicken, and fish. Eating these types of foods can be essential for improving the immune system and is often considered when starting treatment for toenail fungus. The medical condition known as toenail fungus is often noticed by the discoloration of the toenails. The nail may appear thick and yellow and, in severe cases, the nail can sometimes become brittle and fall out. Some patients find it helpful to incorporate antifungal foods as part of their daily eating habits.

Research has suggested that it may be beneficial to eat foods made with specific ingredients and oils that can improve the quality of bacteria in the gut. If you suffer from this ailment or have recurrent toenail fungus, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist as soon as possible so that he can determine what treatment methods are best for you. Antifungal preparations that are applied on and under the nail with the same type of brush used for enamels are widely available. They can improve the appearance of nail fungus, but they are not an effective way to cure the problem.

No product is clearly superior. To treat toenail fungus, apply oregano oil to the affected nail twice daily with a cotton swab. Some people use oregano oil and oil of tea tree together. Prescription oral antifungals, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or fluconazole (Diflucan), are traditionally used to treat toenail fungus.

Home remedies may take longer to eliminate toenail fungus than prescription topical medications or oral systemic antifungals. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), some small-scale clinical studies have shown that tea tree oil may be effective against toenail fungus. Listerine mouthwash can help treat toenail fungus because it contains menthol, thymol and eucalyptus, which have antibacterial and antifungal properties. You may be able to treat toenail fungus at home with certain essential oils and other products with antimicrobial and antifungal properties, such as Vicks VapoRub.

If you can follow a diet rich in good fats and proteins, along with some quality fiber, and really reduce sugar and starches, you'll be well on your way to eliminating candida in your body and, therefore, the signs of fungi in toenails.