What is it? - Fungal infections can turn the nails white or slightly discoloured. There can also be some nail deformity and nail thickening, which occurs when the immune system is weakened. If there is a fungal infection in the nails, then there will be a fungal infection in the digestive tract, hence the whole body should be treated. Fungal infections are difficult to overcome and can take up to 6 months to improve.
Causes - The most common infection is caused by Candida albicans, a yeast that also causes thrush. If the yeast is allowed to spread and mature it changes into the fungal form, which is very difficult to get rid of.
Advice - The best course of action is to go an anti-candida diet and use antifungal treatments both internally and externally. The diet involves vastly restricting intake of sugar, as this is the food that candida and all yeasts thrive on. The following should be avoided; sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, such as cakes, sweets, biscuits, white bread, white rice and white flour. Most fruits and root vegetables. Obviously, with such a restricted diet there needs to be extra quantities of other vegetables eaten to 'top-up' valuable nutrients. Eating protein foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and fish are important for immune health, whilst oily fish nuts and seeds will provide fatty acids for skin and hormone health. In addition, a strong multivitamin and mineral should be taken to correct any remaining shortfalls in this difficult diet. Natural, live yoghurt will provide friendly bacteria that help fight off the candida yeast.
Alcohol should also be avoided as the liver will already be having to cope with the ethanol produced from the yeast (sugar + yeast = ethanol + carbon dioxide).
Try to eat lots of garlic as this is a powerful antifungal. In addition, crush two cloves of garlic into a bowl of warm water. Add two tablespoons of cider vinegar and soak the nails in this mix for at least five minutes every day. Garlic can also be taken as a supplement along with other natural remedies, if the condition has been there for some time:
If nail infections are difficult to overcome or recurrent, it may be a good idea to see a registered naturoptah. He or she will assess the situation and will employ methods that focus on supporting liver, immune and digestive functions, in order to treat this difficult problem. The liver can be supported using the herbs milk thistle, dandelion and artichoke, while the immune system can be helped with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and herbs such as echinacea and astragalus. The digestive system can be improved and cleansed using soluble fibres like linseed, psyllium, oatbran, marshmallow and slippery elm, and enhanced with herbal bitter tonics such as centuary and gentian.
The biochemic tissue salt, 'Combination L' can be used for nail infections. It contains homoeopathic concentrations of three vital mineral salts for this type of problem. Use as directed.
Tea tree oil can also be used to treat nail infections, as it is a powerful antifungal agent. It should be diluted by 50% with water and applied to the nail and surrounding area 2-3 times per day. Neem oil or white distilled vinegar can be used as alternatives. If the nails itch, they can be soothed by soaking them twice a day with calendula solution or applying calendula ointment or cream to the affected area.