Is Bleach A “Treatment” For Toenail Fungus? Bleach is a chemical solution that is designed for disinfecting and cleaning surfaces like in kitchens and bathrooms. Various non-medically sourced internet sites may recommend using bleach to attempt to treat toenail fungus at home.
There are a number of reasons why this type of at-home treatment is not recommended. The application of bleach to the toenails is one of the DIY “home remedies” for toenail fungus recommended online. These will not give you the results you are looking for; they are actually more likely to cause lasting harm and further the infection. Some DIY treatments are worse options than others, although pretty much all of them are going to be very ineffective. One of the worst at-home treatments is attempting to use bleach on the skin. This is because it comes with many negatives and probable side effects as well.
Bleach as Treatment Option
The advice to use bleach on your toenails should actually be a red flag. It should prompt you to reconsider the source of every piece of medical advice that you find on the internet. Bleach is not a medical treatment, and should never be used as such. This chemical can only be used safely when its label instructions are followed. This specifically states that it is not safe to be used internally or on the skin. Using bleach against label instructions on the skin can actually cause serious, long-lasting damage to the tissue.
This is why the label of the bleach has such serious warning signs and recommendations on it; to prompt you to understand the dangers that lie inside of the bottle. By applying bleach to your toe, you are likely to irritate the skin further. This can both worsen the fungal infection and cause more serious health concerns.
Chemical Burns from Bleach
Chemical burns from when bleach is applied to the skin for an extended period of time. As the skin is exposed to a chemical, it will react. Some reactions are in a way that forms a chemical burn of varying severity. Severe damage to the skin follows the disruption in the body’s natural pH balance that comes with contact with bleach. Chemical burns will commonly cause redness, irritation, burning, and pain. When chemical burns are more severe, they can cause symptoms such as blistering and numbness. In very severe situations even systemic issues.
At-Home Treatments for Fungus
Also, bleach will not be effective at eliminating the fungus itself. This chemical is not a good antifungal agent. It will not be able to penetrate the nail into the nail bed where the fungus is. Other DIY home treatments for toenail fungus also have this problem. Some examples are Vicks vapor rub, as well as prescription and over-the-counter topical treatments. If you are intent on trying to treat fungus at home, there are over-the-counter prescription creams that are available.
You should be aware that these are very weak and may even take years of application to see any improvement. It takes even longer to see a fully cleared nail. While these are definitely a better option than bleach, they are still unlikely to eliminate the fungal infection. They are much safer than bleach.
Toenail Fungus Treatment Options
Is Bleach A “Treatment” For Toenail Fungus? No, it is a very dangerous treatment. Aside from home methods like bleach and over-the-counter topical medications, there are also prescription medications available for fungus. A visit to a nail doctor in your area will be the best first step towards eliminating your fungus; podiatrists are doctors who specialize in treating issues with the feet. A nail doctor will be able to give you a treatment plan that is backed by research, which will minimize negative effects from the treatment they prescribe.
However, not all prescription or medical treatments for fungus are made the same. For example, prescription oral medications for fungus can be very dangerous for the liver. There are medical treatments that are safe for fungus, however. The safest treatment available is also the most effective: the PinPointe Laser treatment. This laser only requires one treatment to eliminate the fungus and has no side effects. To learn more about this treatment or schedule a free consultation with a nail doctor, give us a call at 1-(800) 672-0625 or visit our website for more information.
