Medically reviewed by Kristen M. Moyer, MD, Internal Medicine , Pediatrics , Hospice and Palliative Medicine — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on April 1, 2021
Toenail fungus can turn an otherwise healthy toenail into a discolored, thickened, and cracking one. While fungal toenail infections may be fairly common, this doesn’t mean you should use common household products — like bleach — to treat the infection.
Keep reading to find out why bleach is a bad idea for your toenail fungus, and what doctors recommend you use instead to treat it.
What You Should Know Before Using Bleach For Toenail Fungus
According to an article in the Asian Journal of Research in Dermatological Science, use of topical bleach can increase the risks for fungal infections because it can damage the skin and nails. This allows opportunistic fungus to come in through the damaged skin or nail and cause an infection.
Never apply concentrated (undiluted) bleach to the skin. It can create a painful chemical burn that may require medical attention. Breathing in concentrated bleach fumes can also damage your lungs.
Infections on the skin. These involve mixing a very small amount of bleach in bath water — typically a half cup of bleach to a full-sized bathtub of water.
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While it’s true that bleach baths may temporarily kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses, the effects aren’t long-lasting and aren’t likely to treat an existing toenail fungal infection.
You shouldn’t take a bleach bath unless a doctor recommends it. This is because bleach baths can irritate and dry out the skin for people who don’t really need the approach.
Also, the bleach can worsen conditions like asthma. Accidentally drinking bleach can burn the mouth and throat as well as lead to severe stomach upset and bleeding.
Your Shoes May Be Causing Toenail Fungus
The myth that bleach could treat toenail fungus may be less related to topical applications and more about using bleach to clean other items that could potentially infect the toenails, such as nail clippers or files.
Shoes and socks exposed to toenail fungus can be washed with bleach. Follow the bleach product’s directions for your washer and laundry load size. You can also use bleach-based solutions to clean areas where fungus may grow in your home, such as your shower tiles, bath mats, or floor.
Always wear gloves when handling bleach and mix any bleach solutions in a well-ventilated area. Don’t mix bleach with other household cleansers — only water.
Is Nail Fungus Contagious? Preventing Toenail & Fingernail Fungus
Most of the time, you’ll need to see a doctor for a prescription antifungal medication, such as terbinafine or itraconazole. These will often involve taking a pill that helps to kill the fungus. Sometimes, you may have to take these pills over an extended time period (12 weeks or more) before you see improvements in your toenail.
However, oral antifungal medications can have potentially severe side effects. A doctor should review these effects with you to determine if this treatment approach is right for you and your overall health.
If you don’t want to take antifungal medications, or your doctor is concerned with how well they may work, laser therapy is another option.
Mayo Clinic Q And A: Toenail Fungus Often Difficult To Eliminate Completely
Laser treatments involve applying a photosensitizing compound to the toenail and exposing the toenail to laser light. This has the effect of killing off fungus or keeping it from multiplying.
When a doctor is treating your infected toenail, they may debride the nail or remove the outer most, damaged layers. Only a professional should do this to prevent further damage to your nail.
Unfortunately, the warm and moist environment inside your shoe can make you vulnerable to fungal infections. When these occur on the toenail, doctors call the condition onychomycosis. Fungal skin infections commonly called athlete’s foot can often affect the foot as well.
How To Use Bleach For Curing Toenail Fungus
You get a fungal toenail infection is when fungus invades small cracks in your toenail. Some people are at greater risk for this occurring, including those with:
Toenail fungal infections have a high rate of recurrence, even after you’ve treated them. That’s why it’s important to couple treatment measures with preventive ones to give yourself the best chance for keeping your toenails healthy in appearance.
Bleach isn’t a good method for treating or preventing toenail fungus. Bleach can burn the skin and shouldn’t be applied (even in highly diluted amounts) unless a doctor recommends it.
Toenail Fungus & Your Shoes, How Long Can Fungus Live In Your Shoes?
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Having a toenail fungus can be frustrating and embarrassing. The toenail turns various shades of brown and yellow and becomes brittle, leaving you without the ability to wear sandals without feeling self-conscious. There are many home remedies rumored to be effective, including the use of a bleach pen on the affected toenail. Understanding the underlying cause and progression of toenail fungus can help you decide whether or not to try using a bleach pen to treat it.
How Exactly Did You Cure Your Own Toe Nail Fungus? I Already Looked Up Supposed Cures Online And Several Do Not Work.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a toenail fungus is caused when there is an infection under the toenail by fungi. Toenail fungus can affect one toe, or several toes at the same time. Toenail fungus can be spread from one nail to another and can also be transferred to the fingernails if precautions are not taken when touching the affected area. The Mayo Clinic reports that toenail fungus typically starts as a white or yellow spot under the nail. As it progresses, toenail fungus spreads more deeply into the nail and causes it to become brittle and crumble. It can also cause the entire nail to become discolored and thicken.
One of the chief complaints of people with toenail fungus is the duration of the problem. Once the infection begins, it can last for months, years or indefinitely if it is not properly treated. Treated toenail fungus infections can go away only to return at a later date.
Toenail fungus is caused by organisms that thrive in moist, warm environments. The fungus can be picked up in a swimming pool, shower, hot tub or by sharing shoes with someone who has toenail fungus. The fungus gets into the nail through a tiny cut, scrape or abrasion on the skin near the toenail.
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Risk factors for the development of toenail fungus include aging, having psoriasis, wearing footwear that is not conducive to letting your feet and toes breathe, and being barefoot in places that are constantly damp and are accessed by the public. Having athlete's foot also sets the stage for a toenail fungus to develop.
The Mayo Clinic reports there are many anecdotal stories about the success of using a bleach pen to cure toenail fungus. According to the Mayo Clinic, a bleach pen used alone or along with a bleach/water soak has been recommended by those who do not want to use prescription medications. A bleach pen is a pen shaped tool that can be purchased anywhere that laundry detergents are sold. The pen is used to rub over stains in clothing before the clothing is washed. In the case of toenail fungus infections, the Mayo Clinic has received many reports that using the bleach pen to cover the entire toenail and surrounding skin can help eradicate toenail fungus.
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Bleach For Toenail Fungus And Other Myths
Candace Webb has been writing professionally since 1989. She has worked as a full-time journalist as well as contributed to metropolitan newspapers including the "Tennessean." She has also worked on staff as an associate editor at the "Nashville Parent" magazine. Webb holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a minor in business from San Jose State University.Looking for a hassle-free method to remove nasty fungal infections? Then read this article on How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus with Bleach!
Are you tired of visiting a podiatrist whenever you suspect a toenail fungus? An extremely cheaper and time-saving option is bleach. This homemade remedy will save you time and a few bucks as well. So, let’s find out
Bleach is not recommended for toenail fungus treatment as it can cause skin irritation, chemical burns, and other potential complications. While it’s true that bleach eliminates fungi, bacteria, and viruses,
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