Having foot fungus is a common condition caused by microscopic organisms that grow in warm, moist areas. If a person walks in a warm place, such as dressing rooms, showers or pools, organisms can invade your nails and cause an infection. It can look very insightly.
It Causes thck nails and at some point they lose color and start to break. The condition is unsightly, and can be painful in severe cases. Although most cases be treated by a doctor, there are home cures, such as Vicks VapoRub, which have shown big progress.
Today we revisit a study that looked at why Vicks VapoRub or similar products can be so effective at treating it, even where traditional treatments fail. The study isolated an ingredient called thymol, which is naturally found in the herb thyme.
Treatment
Although toenails fungi are usually treated with oral medication prescribed by a doctor, some people treat them with Vicks VapoRub. There is evidence proving that Vicks VapoRub can cure fungal toenails in some people. This is largely due to its ingredients, including menthol, camphor and eucalyptus oil. These ingredients may have antifungal properties that inhibit the growth of the fungus in the toenails and allow it to grow a new and healthy one. The ointment should be applied to the affected nails every day.
Research
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that daily use of Vicks VapoRub cured fungal toenails of 32 people from a total of 85 participants. It took five to 16 months to completely eliminate the infection, which is comparable with other treatments for fungal toenails.
Benefits
Vicks VapoRub has no side effects, which can make it a good choice for people who have problems with oral medications. Oral antifungal medications can cause skin irritation in some patients and can also cause liver damage. Patients with congestive heart failure or liver disease may be unable to take an oral treatment, so Vick VapoRub can be a good alternative for them.
Warning
Vicks VapoRub is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used as a cure for fungus toenails. The company does not recommend using it to treat nail fungus.
How to apply vicks vapor rub on fungal infections
To treat toenail fungus with Vicks VapoRub, clean and trim your toenails. Wash them well and make sure they are completely dry. Coat the toenail with the Vicks, and be sure to get the gel deep into the sides of the nail and as far underneath as possible. If you have any cracks in your nail, rub deeply into them.
Once the nail is covered, then wrap a light gauze bandage or adhesive bandage around the nail to protect the Vicks from rubbing off on to socks or something else. Leave it on and let the gel absorb into the nail. Repeat daily. The time it takes to notice results can be anywhere from 10 days to six weeks, depending upon how deep your fungus is.