Facts: Many people believe soaking fungus-infected fingernails in diluted chlorine bleach or applying a paste of bleach and petroleum jelly to affected areas will kill infections.
Although some home remedies are very effective, others are not so reliable – they can actually be dangerous. The idea that bleach cures fingernail fungus falls into the latter category. While these methods have shown some efficacy in people who have followed these protocols for up to eight weeks, the infection often returns once treatment is over, due to the systemic nature of certain fungal strains. It is also important to note that bleach is highly-irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucus membranes, and is a known carcinogen. Other natural remedies, such as diluted raw apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil, are safer alternatives.