Home remedies for toenail fungus:
Listerine Mouthwash
Name: Listerine Mouthwash
Treatment Form: soaking solution (bathe feet in solution or apply directly)
What is Listerine Mouthwash?
Listerine is an antiseptic liquid that is usually used as a mouthwash. The active ingredients are menthol, eucalyptol, thymol and methyl salicylate. These are all essential oils. Listerine Mouthwash also contains ethanol or alcohol.
Administration of Listerine Mouthwash
Fungal toenail infections can be treated by soaking the toes in Listerine mouthwash for 20 minutes. This should be done once a day. It is also possible to apply the Listerine directly to the affected areas in order to reduce the amount that is required. Soaking the toes in Listerine will usually be more effective, however, since it will allow plenty of time for the liquid to affect the toenails. The toes should be dried off carefully after treatment.
Listerine can also be mixed in equal parts with vinegar, and the toes soaked in the resulting solution, in order to combine the action of the acid in vinegar and Listerine's essential oils against the toenail fungus.
How Does Listerine Mouthwash Work on Toenail Fungus?
The active ingredients in Listerine are four essential oils: menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate, and eucalyptol. The essential oils that Listerine contains are believed to have an antimicrobial effect. In particular, thymol has been shown to be an effective fungicide.
Is Listerine Mouthwash Effective Against Toenail Fungus?
There are widespread anecdotal reports that Listerine is an effective home remedy for toenail fungus. However, while studies have shown that Listerine is effective against microorganisms that affect the teeth and mouth, we have found no scientific studies to evidence that Listerine is also effective against toenail fungus. Thymol, an active ingredient in Listerine, has been shown to be an effective fungicide and is an ingredient in many over-the-counter toenail fungus treatments.
Warnings and Precautions When Taking Listerine Mouthwash
Listerine is safe to use, although the alcohol it contains may cause some pain if it is applied to areas of broken skin.
Side-Effects of Listerine Mouthwash
Listerine is not known to cause any serious side-effects when used to treat toenail infections, but it can leave the skin with a slight hint of color. This effect is only cosmetic and is temporary.