This cheap oral health staple can actually treat your toenail fungus

Nailed it?Nail fungus is a frustratingly common ailment — about 10% of people are expected to get it at some point in their lives — and it can be tough to address because medications have to penetrate the nail deep enough to reach the infection within the nail bed.And because nails — especially toenails — grow slowly, treatment tends to be expensive and time-consuming.Now, a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist is sharing a cheap trick for tackling unsightly nail fungus at home.“If you have cheesy, crumbly toenail fungus, use Listerine.The same brown Listerine you use as a mouthwash has anti-fungal properties and can help you with a stubborn fungus on your fingers or toes,” Dr.

Neera Nathan said recently on TikTok.“Brown” Listerine is known officially as Listerine Original Anti­septic Mouthwash, which contains the antifungal compounds menthol, eucalyptol and thymol.The amber-colored oral rinse has been praised for everything from killing lice to treating bug bites to clearing dandruff.For fungus, Nathan suggests coating a cotton ball with Listerine, applying it on top and underneath the affected nails and letting it dry.You could also soak the nails in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a week.Fingernails should be treated for six months and toenails for one year.“This is an affordable alternative to prescription topical antifungals, which are very expensive and don’t work very well,” Nathan said.

“To get rid of severe fungus, see a dermatologist for prescription oral treatment.” Subscribe to our weekly Post Care newsletter! Please provide a valid email address.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story.Prescription drugs such as Lamisil and Sporanox generally have higher success rates than antifungal creams and gels, but side effects can include diarrhea, stomach pain, mood changes and rarely, liv...