First of all, often nail fungus can be an external symptom of candidiasis (overpopulation of candida albicans). Candidiasis is very common, the product of the rampant overuse of prescription drugs, particularly antibiotics. Antibiotics kill all bacteria in the gut, including the beneficial gut microflora, and this encourages candida overgrowth. Once yeast overpopulates, it becomes systemic (throughout the body) and behaves like a fungus.
From there, the candida takes root in the intestinal lining and/or vascular linings. This forms countless holes in the gut and bloodstream and further perpetuates the systemic spread of candida. This leads to a condition called leaky gut syndrome. You can tell from the name alone that it’s good to avoid.
Ways to tell if you might have a yeast infection are severe sugar cravings, constant lightheadedness, white coating on your tongue, itchy warm, moist parts of your body (jock itch or athlete’s foot), recurring yeast infection, bloating, and constipation. If you have some or all of these symptoms, you most likely have a yeast infection.
Diet improvements are often necessary to rebalance. Massive reduction of refined carbohydrates and refined sugar are the most important steps. I cannot stress this enough. American farming practices store grain in huge silos and vats. This is a total mushroom factory. Insects, fungi, mold, and rodent feces are present in large numbers on most staple grain crops. You don’t need a degree to realize it’s a recipe for ill health. Refined sugar is quite poisonous. I strongly encourage everyone to massively reduce your intake of refined sugars and artificial sweeteners.
At the same time, you reduce your intake of refined grains and refined sugars, start eating more high-fiber vegetables, cultured foods, and take a high-potency probiotic (10 billion organisms or more). The fiber will help clear dead and dying candida from the gut, while the probiotics will rebalance dysbiosis (imbalance between beneficial and non-beneficial flora).
I would also encourage you to consume herbs that are known to reduce candida. Some of my favorite options are garlic, pau d’arco, and olive leaf. These antifungal herbs will help to actively reduce candida levels while probiotics and cultured foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kim-chi, natto, miso) increase beneficial flora. Follow the recommended instructions on the product. As always, be sure to get a high-quality version of the herbs. Kyolic, New Chapter and Natural Factors are good garlic, Gaia herbs and Herb Pharm are excellent pau d’arco, and Seagate and Blue Bonnet are good olive leaves.
If you choose the garlic option, you can also have fresh garlic. It has an incredibly strong flavor, but the allicin content in raw garlic is powerful in reducing fungus levels in your body. Roasted garlic tastes better but is not very potent for mushrooms.
An alternative to the herbal approach to reduce candida levels is an enzyme-based approach. This would involve taking a product like Candidase from Enzymedica or Candex from Pure Essence Labs. Both are great for quick full results (although a bit more expensive in the short term).
For added benefit, apply a good quality tea tree oil or neem seed oil to the nail bed. After doing so, cover the area with a sock. The heat will increase absorption into the skin and nail bed and will also slow evaporation. Tea tree oil dries very quickly if left exposed. It will still work, but will require more frequent application.
Plan to apply tea tree oil or neem seed oil at least twice a day. Apply with a cotton swab, such as a Q-tip, first thing in the morning and at the end of the night. Plan to do this for 3-6 months. You can get good results sooner, but it’s safer to plan for the long term.