Easy and Effective Ways to Use Coconut Oil For Nail Fungus

It is a known fact that coconut oil finds its use in many home remedies and beauty products.

Coconut oil has loads of vitamin E, caprylic acids, lauric acid and healthy fat, etc. which can keep your skin and hair nourished and youthful for ages.

When it comes to home remedies, coconut oil has myriad uses as well. And one of those uses we are about to discuss here is using coconut oil for nail fungus treatment.

Not heard of it before? Well then, read on to find out more!

What is Nail Fungus?

Also called as Athletes Foot (official name – onychomcosis), nail fungus is a fungal infection that occurs beneath the nails.

Starting off as what look like small whitish/yellowish spots that appear on the surface of the skin, the infection can quickly worsen and cause the nails to become brittle and fall off if not treated in time.

Who is at Risk of Getting Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus is not exactly a very pleasant business to deal with. The fungus particularly thrives near the foot area where it tends to get dark and sweaty owing to the shoes that we wear for long periods of time.

The infection can attack anyone and everyone although there are some who are more susceptible to get infected than others.

These include runners who usually face the most problems with nail fungus owing to their stressed out feet which remain exposed to sweat, dampness and darkness for hours on end.

Other factors that could possibly trigger off an infection or worsen an existing condition include using communal bathrooms and showers, salon visits, walking barefoot in public and improper hygiene.

Symptoms of Nail Fungus

What has this got to do with coconut oil you may ask? Well, before trying to use a particular home remedy for an issue, it is important that you know what you are suffering from.

This makes the remedy you are about to use effective while minimizing the chance of any side effects that may arise due to a wrong remedy.

In the case of nail fungus, your nails are a dead giveaway of the condition. What starts off as a small whitish, yellowish tinge will slowly spread to the rest of your nail.

As the infection worsens, your nail will become brittle, rugged, dark, dull and unshapely. This accumulates to the point where the nail starts separating from the nailbed and eventually falls off.

But you probably don’t want to let the infection stay on that long do you? Let’s move on now to how you can use coconut oil for nails and treat nail fungus effectively with some rather simple and easy to whip up home remedies.

How Does Coconut Oil work to Eradicate Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus is not easy to cure. The infection tends to recur in spite of treating it with OTC remedies like creams or ointments.

This is where studies actually pointed out the efficacy of coconut oil in dealing with nail fungus. And this is how it manages to do something other ingredients, medicines or remedies possibly cannot.

• Loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties: This is more than enough reason to point out why coconut oil is a great eradicator of nail fungus.
• Contains lauric acid, caprylic acid, and lots of medium chain fatty acids: These are natural fungicides which also work effectively in treating nail fungus.
• It has moisturizing properties: Nail fungus can leave the nail as well as the skin around it dry and dull. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer that helps replenish the lost nutrients in the skin and nail to make the latter glow again.
• It contains immune boosting properties: A fungal infection can leave your nails weak and prone to more damage. Coconut oil has immune boosting properties that help strengthen the nails, cuticles and nail beds. In addition to getting rid of the fungus causing the infection, coconut oil will give your nails the strength to fight it off should the fungus decide to come back.

How to use Coconut Oil for Nail Fungus

Now that you have a fair idea of what lies in store for the nail fungus in your nails if you use coconut oil as a remedy for it, here are some simple ways in which you can use the oil to treat the condition.

These DIY remedies are easy to prepare and can have your nails fungus free within a matter of days.

1. Plain Coconut Oil

This is by far the simplest remedy you can opt for when treating nail fungus. The anti-fungal property of coconut oil will ensure that the fungus living beneath the nail bed is flushed out completely in no time at all.

What you need:

• Coconut Oil: 10 drops

What you need to do:

• Apply the coconut oil over the infected nail.
• Massage the oil gently into the skin surrounding the infected nail, including the cuticles. Use gentle, circular motions.
• Wait for the oil to dry completely. Wash it off in warm water afterwards and repeat the process.
• Follow this remedy at least thrice a day to get rid of the nail fungus.

Note: You can also choose to warm up the coconut oil a little before massaging it onto the nail and the surrounding areas.

Make sure to keep on applying the coconut oil even after the infection has disappeared. This helps prevent recurrences.

More:  Natural Home Remedies for Nail Fungus

2. Coconut Oil Bandage

If you don’t like the idea of coconut oil dripping all over your clothes while massaging, try bandaging it in with a piece of cloth or gauze.

This is also known to be an effective way to force the fungus out of its hiding place in the nail bed.

This is also a better way to use coconut oil for nail fungus infection which has spread to a larger area like the skin on the foot.

What you need:

• Coconut Oil – 10 drops
• Bandage or Gauze – 1
• Sock or Plastic Wrap – 1

What you need to do:

• Warm the coconut oil until it becomes viscous.
• Dip the bandage into the warm oil, allowing it to soak up all the oil evenly (the oil must spread throughout the bandage).
• Wrap the oil soaked bandage around the infected nails or toes and allow it to dry naturally.
• Cover the bandage with a plastic bag/sock and allow it to remain so for the entire night.
• Remove the bandage the next morning and wipe the infected toes with warm water and a soft cloth.
• Re-apply a new bandage and replace it on a daily basis until the infection dies down naturally.

Note: Make sure you keep reapplying a little bit of coconut oil to the bandage at regular intervals throughout the day in order to keep it moist.

[ Also Read: Excellent Home Remedies to Get Rid of Hang Nails]

3. Oregano Oil & Coconut Oil for Nail Fungus

A combination of coconut oil and oregano oil can do wonders in treating nail fungus. Daily use of this remedy can help treat the condition as well as prevent further recurrences effectively.

What you need:

• Coconut Oil – 10 drops
• Oregano Oil – 2 to 3 drops

What you need to do:

• Wash the infected area with warm water.
• Mix the coconut oil and oregano oil nicely in a bowl.
• Use a Q-tip to apply a small amount of this oil on the infected nail as well as the skin surrounding it.
• Wait for the oil to dry properly.
• Soak the infected area in warm water for about 15 minutes. Pat dry with a soft towel afterwards.
• Follow this remedy at least 4 times a week to get rid of the nail fungus.

Note: If you notice a burning sensation after applying this oil mix, use less amount of oregano oil the next time.

4.  Clove Oil & Coconut Oil fro Nail Fungus

The anti-fungal properties of clove oil (1) combine with the anti-fungal properties of coconut oil to form a very powerful remedy for nail fungus.

What you need:

• Coconut Oil – 1 tsp.
• Clove Oil – 2 to 4 drops

What you need to do:

• Mix the coconut oil and the clove oil nicely and heat the mix a bit.
• Apply this warm mix on the infected nail and wait for about 10 minutes.
• Rinse off the area with lukewarm water.
• Follow this remedy twice a week for best results.

5. Coconut Oil  and 7 Essential Oil Mix

Essential oils are known to be very effective in treating bacterial and fungal infections. Combine them with coconut oil in this effective DIY mix to treat nail fungus at home.

What you need:

• Coconut Oil – 2 tsp.
• Oregano Oil – 10 drops
• Tea Tree Oil – 10 drops
• Garlic Oil – 10 drops
• Peppermint Oil – 10 drops
• Clove Oil – 10 drops

What you need to do:

• Warm the coconut oil nicely and add the essential oils to it one by one, stirring nicely as you do so.
• Allow the mix to cool down to room temperature and store in an airtight container.
• Using a Q – tip, apply a small amount of this oil over the infected nail or skin and massage it in nicely.
• Massage this oil mix on the infected region at least thrice a day to get rid of the nail fungus.

6. Coconut Oil & Sesame

A mixture of coconut and sesame oil can also have potent effects on the fungus affecting your nails (2). Try this remedy out if you happen to have some sesame seeds in your home.

What you need:

• Coconut Oil – 10 drops
• Sesame Seeds – 1 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Powder the sesame seeds and add this powder to the coconut oil.
• Mix well and apply the same on the infected nail. If needed, cover the infected area with a bandage.
• Remove the bandage after a few hours, clean the area with some water and reapply the mix.
• Use this remedy of Sesame &  Coconut Oil for nail fungus regularly for a few days to get desirable results.

[ Also Read:How to Get Rid of Yellow Nails Naturally]

Necessary Everyday Tips to Help Treat Nail Fungus

In addition to using coconut oil to treat nail fungus, here are some everyday tips that can help alleviate the effect of the coconut oil on the fungus, leading to a quick and complete recovery.

Use pure coconut oil for nail Fungus: It is considered safe to use extra virgin coconut oil when treating nail fungus. Blended coconut oils can have certain substances that can cause the fungus to grow instead of killing it.

Trim the nails beforehand: Before starting the treatment, soak the infected nails in warm water for about 15 minutes.

Next, use a clean (preferably sterilized) nail clipper to slowly trim the infected nail as much as possible.

Avoid peeling the nail with your fingers or trying to cut too close to the cuticle as this may cause injuries to the site.

Coat the nailbed in coconut oil too: In case you lose an entire nail, make sure to coat the exposed nail bed with a generous amount of coconut oil. This will reduce the chances of the new nail getting infected as it grows.

Keep feet dry and clean: This is a very important tip to follow, especially if you are suffering from or are prone to nail fungus.

Ensure to dry your feet completely using a soft towel after washing them each time. Wear only clean socks and wash used ones in warm water to kill off any fungus that might have crept into them.

Apply anti-fungal powders on the feet: Apply anti-fungal powders on the infected toes and nails when wearing socks and shoes to prevent dampness from settling into these areas.

You can also apply a coating of anti-fungal nail polish to the nails to prevent the fungus from spreading to them.

Expose your feet to sunshine: You need to do this for at least 30 minutes every day. This ensures that your feet remain dry and moisture free, with the heat of the sun killing off the fungus effectively.

Avoid walking barefoot: This is another important tip to follow if you are prone to nail fungus. In addition to remaining safe from infections, you can also avoid the risk of passing off an existing infection to others around you.

Drink coconut water regularly: Chances are the infection may reduce on the surface of the skin but may be lying dormant inside the body.

By drinking coconut water on a regular basis, you can ensure that any traces of the infection or the fungus in your body will be wiped out completely in no time at all.

Disinfect used tools: Always make it a point to disinfect the tools you use for your toes and nails when treating nail fungus.

Disinfect them by dipping them in warm water before and after use. This way, you can prevent the infection from recurring.

Call in a doctor: This is the last resort you need to follow if all other options fail. If you find no respite from the condition in spite of using these home remedies and other OTC medications, consider consulting a doctor who can help you with further course of action.

Summary: A toenail fungus is a nasty condition to get as well as treat. In addition to the embarrassment, you will also need to deal with the pain that accompanies the condition.

Thankfully, you can take care of nail fungus with these extremely easy home remedies that get the job done without causing any pain or side effects.