If you are suffering from a fungal infection, try the following home remedies to get rid of it. Just remember to be consistent in applying these remedies.
Ringworm is a common fungal infection that is characterized by itching. It is caused by fungi from the Dermatophyte group. These include Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton.
1. Garlic
Garlic is an allium vegetable with many health-promoting properties. It has antifungal properties and helps reduce symptoms like itchiness and discharge. It also improves the body’s ability to fight infection. It is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family and is related to onions, leeks and chives. It produces flat leaves and contains multiple cloves enclosed in a white or purplish parchment-like skin.
Fungal infections are a common problem. They can occur in various parts of the body including the skin, hair or nails. They can be caused by a number of factors including poor hygiene, living in a damp environment and being overweight. Other causes include a compromised immune system, diabetes and other diseases, and hormonal changes.
Studies have shown that garlic has fungicidal activity due to its allicin content. It can be used internally and externally to treat fungal infections. It has been found to be effective against Candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections.
2. Oregano Oil
Many people suffer from fungal infections like athlete’s foot or nail fungus because of poor hygiene habits or humid conditions. These infections are easy to catch and can be extremely difficult to treat because the fungi are resistant to most antifungal medications.
Oregano oil can help with these infections because it contains compounds that are natural antifungal agents. One of these compounds is thymol, which is known for its strong antifungal activity. Another compound is carvacrol, which can destroy fungi.
Oil of oregano can be used as a topical remedy for fungal skin infections or taken internally. Those who want to take it internally should use a delayed-release capsule so that the oil doesn’t enter the upper GI and expose people to potential side effects like heartburn or nausea.
Oregano oil is also a powerful antioxidant, so it can support immune health and prevent damage from free radicals. This may help prevent oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can be caused by fungal infection.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and has potent antifungal properties. It is extracted from the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree. The oil has been shown to be effective in a number of studies for treating fungus on the skin. It can be used to treat ringworm of the body or scalp, athlete’s foot, and nail fungus. It also appears to be helpful for getting rid of lice.
It may irritate sensitive skin, so be sure to test it in a small area before applying it to the affected areas of your body. Tea tree oil can also cause eye irritation in some people, so avoid putting it directly into your eyes.
Drinking water, consuming probiotics like yoghurt, and wearing loose-fitting, breathable clothing can all help create an internal environment less hospitable to fungal infections. Remember to self-examine your body regularly for any signs of a fungal infection, and always seek medical attention when necessary.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Traditionally, apple cider vinegar has been used as a natural cure for nail fungus, warts and other ailments. It has also been used as a natural sanitizer for more than 2,000 years. It kills some strains of bacteria and has antioxidant properties.
Test-tube studies have shown that apple cider vinegar may inhibit the growth of candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections. It is believed to do so by creating an hostile environment for the fungus.
ACV contains acetic acid, which can kill candida. It also has a number of other beneficial substances, such as enzymes, potassium, iron, magnesium and vitamins C and E. Using it as a tonic may help with some health issues, including high blood pressure and diabetes. In addition, it is a natural preservative. However, prolonged contact with skin can cause chemical burns. If you use ACV for soaking or topical application, be sure to dilute it with water or other liquid.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong antiseptic and disinfectant. It kills viruses, bacteria, yeast and fungus spores. It can be used to clean wounds, sanitize tools and household surfaces such as countertops, sinks, tubs and showers, toilets, doorknobs, light switches and cutting boards. It can also be used to disinfect personal care items like nail clippers and tweezers.
Home remedies like vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are great for a fungal infection but sometimes you need something stronger to really kill the infection. If your symptoms don’t improve after using a home remedy, talk to your doctor about prescription-strength treatments.
Gardening experts Tammy Sons and Lucie Bradley recommend soaking seeds in a 3:1 solution of water and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to soften the seed coat and help with germination. They say that drenching plants in the same solution can prevent downy mildew and powdery mildew, encourages seedling growth and sterilizes soil to ensure healthy plants.
6. Soap
For a natural way to fight fungus and keep your skin healthy, try antifungal soap. This body wash is made from natural ingredients without harsh chemicals, parabens, additives or artificial dyes. It’s safe for all skin types including those with sensitive or dry skin. Its formula contains Shea butter and olive oil for moisture, as well as Thuja, a powerful fungus-fighting ingredient.
Fungal infections can occur on any part of your body but most often affect the feet, mouth, or nails. They’re caused by an overgrowth of fungi and can be contagious. You can get them from poor hygiene, sharing personal items like towels or combs, walking barefoot in public areas such as locker rooms and showers, and excessive sweating.
It’s also important to exercise, manage stress, and eat a healthy diet to help boost your immune system. Recognizing the signs of a fungal infection early can ensure quick treatment and reduce your risk of it spreading to other parts of your body.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Adding apple cider vinegar to your bath or to a cotton ball and dabbing it on your skin a few times a day is thought to help treat ringworm. Its acidic properties can create an unfriendly environment for the fungus. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe the irritated skin.
Another fungus that can be treated at home with ACV is athlete’s foot. This condition resembles ringworm and presents as red, itchy scaly patches on the feet. It’s caused by fungi in the Dermatophyte family.
ACV is a natural alternative to over-the-counter antifungal medication for treating athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. It can be combined with tea tree oil for a double-punch against these pesky invaders. Other simple steps you can take to prevent and fight a fungal infection include wearing loose-fitting, breathable clothing and shoes. Drying your skin thoroughly after showering or sweating is essential. And remember to keep your skin healthy with probiotic-rich foods and beverages like kefir or kombucha, which support the beneficial microflora in your body.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a common household staple, adding a subtle tartness to salad dressing and marinades. But ACV has also long been hailed as a natural “elixir” with health and beauty benefits, including cleansing detox diets, weight loss, controlling diabetes, lowering cholesterol and more.
The acidic properties of ACV can kill fungus and act as a gentle exfoliant, says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. Most ACV sold in grocery stores is pasteurized and filtered, but raw, unfiltered varieties contain a cloudy sediment called the mother, which contains bacteria and yeast.
Soak a cotton pad in undiluted vinegar and apply to a fungal infection daily, such as ringworm (which causes itchy red, ring-shaped patches on the skin) or nail fungus (caused by the overgrowth of fungi like Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton and up to 40 other species). Combine ACV soaks with tea tree oil applications for a one-two punch.
9. Tea Tree Oil
There are many natural remedies with antifungal properties, but tea tree oil is perhaps the most potent. It’s effective against a wide range of fungi, including the microbes that cause ringworm, athlete’s foot, and toenail fungus.
To treat ringworm, apply tea tree oil topically to the affected area several times daily. This will help keep the infection from spreading and causing more itching.
Fungi can be very difficult to kill, especially when they are in a damp environment like the skin or nails. In addition to these home remedies, make sure you’re drinking enough water and taking probiotics. These will balance the good bacteria in your body, which can help prevent a fungal overgrowth. Yoghurt, kefir, and kombucha are all good options. They also contain beneficial yeast that can help combat fungi.
