When you have fungus on your fingernails, you may tend to hide your hands or keep them from being noticed. Fingernail fungus treatments are used to reduce and eliminate the problem. There are ways to treat the symptoms locally with various topical ointments, but ultimately it’s best to get to the bottom of the problem and stop the generation of fungus.

First of all, it can manifest as thick or discolored nails. If you have diabetes or your circulation is impaired, this can make you more prone to nail fungus infections of your hands or feet. The official name is onychomycosis. Try to not share towels if you have a fingernail fungus problem or a family member does. It can be caught easily. The same is true for sharing nail clippers or files. Don’t share gloves as well.

Let’s look at natural ways to rid the nails of fungal infections as well as ways to get to the underlying candida issue for those with chronic fungal problems. Tea tree oil is a natural germicide and fungicide and can be used directly on the areas of problem. Another oil that is used is neem oil. Neem oil has a pungent odor but has been used succesfully for scabies problems as well as other skin issues. It works well with bacterial and fungal infections. Fortunately, unlike toenail fungus, fingernal fungus is not covered up during the day by socks and in a sweaty sneaker or shoe. Getting some sunlight directly on the hands is helpful for killing fungus as it needs dampness and darkiness to grow. I used to get tinea versicolor (a fungus on my back) in the summertime due to perspiring and staying in my shirt after going to the gym. Sunlight helped this resolve as well as improving my diet.

Yeast or candida which produces candida may be the real cause of the problem according to experts. The body produces this naturally in a certain quantity, but it can become out of control and cause health problems. Whenever you have to take penicillin, amoxicillin or another antibiotic, take care to have some friendly bacteria via yogurt or probiotics to replenish the good bacteria in your system. Some people get candida as a yeast infection and others may have it manifest in the nails.

It is hard to cut out sugar, but try to reduce it as it feeds yeast.

One supplement that is ueful is caprylic acid made from coconut oil. It is a fatty acid and helps the body.

Garlic is also very good to help fight candida, but best in the raw clove form. Most people are nervous about having a few cloves at a meal, but it is very good for your system. You can get odorless garlic pills as well but they are reported to be less effective in this context.

The reason for getting at the root of fingernail fungal infections is to stop it from recurring. If you can “nail it” you’ll assist your body with hand fungus as well as the sugar cravings, tiredness and tendency towards ringworm infections. You can also find formulas over the counter to combat fingernail fungus such as lamisil. There are also anti-fungal meds your doctor can give you. Another “home remedy for fingernail fungus” that one reader wrote me was to soak the fingers in listerine. I believe it took her 10 weeks of doing this daily for five minutes she found success. I am not sure if it would be drying on fingers though due to the alcohol so I would proceed with caution on this one.