Hydrogen peroxide has been around for ages and has many uses including as a disinfectant, stain remover and even as rocket fuel. It is used medicinally to sterilize cuts, scratches and wounds but it appears it also has the power to kill nail fungal infections.

Treating nail fungus with hydrogen peroxide, however, requires extreme care as the substance can cause unpleasant and dangerous side effects if used inappropriately.

How to Get Rid of Fungi Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Nail fungus is easy to treat. The challenge, however, is getting the medication to the affected area. As noted before, the fungus lives on the nail bed and uses the nail as a shield against destruction.

The best way to use hydrogen peroxide is as a nail soak because this will allow the substance to penetrate the nail to kill the fungus hiding underneath. You will want to use a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Anything higher than that will cause skin irritation.

• Cut the nail as short as possible
• Clean the nail of any dirt
• Mix equal parts warm water and hydrogen peroxide
• Soak only the affected toe in the solution for at least 30 minutes; soaking the whole foot may cause the skin to become irritated
• Thoroughly dry the nail
• Try to leave feet uncovered for as long as possible; if you are walking around your house, wear open-toed sandals
• Do not cover in nail polish as this can make the infection worse by sealing in moisture

This procedure should be done on a daily basis. It will take few weeks to several months of consistent effort to see results. If the infection worsens or you experience skin irritation, then you should discontinue the treatment.

Iodine for Nail Fungus

Most people associate iodine with salt. It is a chemical element that is essential for human health and, in developed countries, it’s added to salt to ensure the population receives an adequate supply of this element through their diet. Iodine also plays a role in a number of medical treatments which may be why many people with fungal toenail infections wonder if it can help eliminate the problem.

Clear Iodine for Nail Fungus

Iodine is normally a reddish color. However, there is a decolorized form of this element called white iodine. It is a clear liquid that doesn’t stain skin or clothing like regular iodine does. The availability of this substance is regulated by local laws. In some areas it can be found on store shelves. In others, it is hidden behind the pharmacy counter and you must sign a register in order to purchase it.
White iodine is often touted as a solution for strengthening weak nails. Applying this substance to nails is supposed to fortify the keratin and make nails stronger. It also has disinfectant and anti-fungal properties. People who used white iodine to treat nail fungus at home claim it stopped the infection in its tracks.

Treating nail fungus using iodine consists of:

• Cleaning the nail and trimming it short
• Drying the nail thoroughly
• Applying the white iodine on top of the nail and underneath it; however, avoid get it on the actual nail bed
• Letting the solution dry

The treatment should be done before bed for seven nights. It is important to avoid using hydrogen peroxide on nails that have been treated using iodine; otherwise the nail will turn yellow. Additionally, iodine can dry the cuticles and the skin surrounding the nails. It is a good idea to use a cuticle oil to keep the area moisturized while treating the infected nail.

Does Iodine Work?

This is debatable. White iodine faces the same challenges as any other topical medication for nail fungus; it must get past the nail plate to destroy the fungus underneath. Allegedly, iodine molecules are small enough to penetrate the nail plate and that’s why it works for some people to clear their fungal infections. However, it doesn’t work for everyone. There are just as many people who say white iodine did nothing to cure their fungal infection as those who say it did.

Whether it works or not, there are precautions that must be taken when using iodine. Improper use of this substance can lead to weaker nails that only feed the infection. More importantly, don’t try it orally as it can cause serious health complications in people with thyroid problems. For that reason, it is a good idea to consult with a qualified medical professional about how using iodine will affect your health prior to using treating nail fungus with it.

Better Way of Ridding Fungi Naturally

Many people find using this method of nail fungus removal to be too time consuming to do as directed. An easier way to get rid of onychomycosis is to use mediacted options specifically designed to kill the fungus and deliver healthy nails fast. There are several on the market that are made of proven ingredients that work with the body’s internal healing processes to eliminate the nail fungus without causing unpleasant side effects. Check with your doctor for more information.

About Nail Fungus

After getting into the specifics of how to cure nail fungus with hydrogen peroxide, it is a good idea to learn a little bit about the condition being treated. Toenail and fingernail fungus is known by a few different names. The official medical term is onychomycosis. It is also known as ringworm of the nail, tinea unguium, and dermatophytic onychomycosis but these terms basically describe the same thing: a fungal infection of the nail.

Onychomycosis is the most common nail infection and accounts for over 50 percent of all nail deformities. About 6 to 8 percent of the adult world population has a nail infection at any one time. The infection is caused by fungi called dermatophytes and is highly contagious. These organisms thrive in warm moist places like public showers and pool areas. If you discover you have nail fungus, it is important to keep your living area clean and not share personal items like socks and shoes to avoid passing the disease to other people.

The fungus damages the nail causing it to become discolored and brittle. However, the fungus actually lives under the nail on the nail bed. Normally, the nail protects the nail bed from invading entities, but any damage to the fingernail or toenail provides the fungus with the opportunity to move in. It is not a life-threatening medical condition, but it can cause significant embarrassment loss of quality of life.

Symptoms of toenail fungus include:

• Discoloration; nails may turn yellow, black, white, or green
• Brittle nails that break off
• Nails that lift completely off the nail bed
• Inflamed and painful skin under the nail
• Yellow or white patches of skin around the nail