How to Turn Yellow Toenails to White
When you notice your toenails are turning yellow, you will want to take action. The yellow indicates a fungal infection. The medical term for this is onychomycosis. A person can get a toenail infection when the fungus enters and receives moisture and warmth to grow. Indoor pools and gym showers are the perfect breeding ground for this type of fungal infection. The fungus must be killed for the toenail to return to its natural white.
Things You'll Need
- Sporanox or Griseofulvin
- Lamisil
- Toenail clippers
- 2 cups vinegar
- 4 cups water
- Anti-fungal foot powder
Instructions
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Make an appointment with your doctor to get an oral prescription for Sporanox or Griseofulvin. These drugs work by stopping the fungus from growing.
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2
Purchase Lamasil cream. Again, this requires a prescription. You may prefer this option over an oral medication. Your doctor will be able to tell you which one he thinks is best for you.
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3
Wait for your toenail to grow while you are taking the oral medication, or using the cream. Use a pair of toenail clippers to clip off the yellow toenail. The white toenail will be growing from the bottom up. Once your toenail grows enough that you can clip off the last bit of yellow, stop treatment.
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Mix vinegar and water together in a small tub. Soak your infected toenail in this mixture for 15 minutes each day. Rinse and dry your feet when you are done. Keeping your feet clean and dry will get rid of the conditions the fungus needs to survive.
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Sprinkle an anti-fungal foot powder in your shoes until your toenail has returned to its normal color. This will keep the infection from spreading or becoming much worse.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't want to clip your toenails, file them down instead.
According to the Mayo Clinic, one home remedy is to apply Vicks Vapor Rub to your infected toenail.
The oral medications used to treat toenail fungal infections can cause skin rashes, and even damage the liver. Make sure that your doctor has informed you of all of the possible side effects before you begin taking the drug.
