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Q. You recently wrote about the high cost of treating toenail fungus with the prescription medicine Jublia.
I found a better approach after trying several over-the-counter products without success. A few months ago, I started using a liniment with a high concentration of capsaicin.
It is normally used for sore muscles, but I thought I’d try it on my toenails. I applied it twice a day, after my morning shower and before bed. (I wore disposable latex gloves, so as not to burn myself accidentally with capsaicin residue on my fingers.) After two weeks and less than $25, the fungus was undetectable.
A. Capsaicin is the compound that makes chili peppers hot. Although we have heard of dozens of remedies against nail fungus, this is the first time anyone mentioned capsaicin.
For those who would like a less spicy solution to nail fungus, we offer our Guide to Hair and Nail Care.
Hunter
AZ
I have been using Habanero pepper sauce for several weeks now and seeing a difference. The nails are no longer spongy and stopped growing all that crud I have to keep clipping off. The sauce isn’t burning me either though it stains the nails orange, but they are that disgusting yellow anyway. So no biggie. I have been using it twice a day and you can get a big bottle at the dollar store that will last forever.
I just brush it on and let it dry before putting on my socks. I have a brush left I use from Fungi Nail which BTW didn’t do anything and I went thru several of those. Anyway, the real proof will be when these nails grow all the way out and new ones come in. But it looks like the nail on my little toe may already be growing in clearer near the cuticle and I actually have hope for once after trying Vick’s, Listerine, Peroxide, bleach, vinegar and several over the counter so called cures
FrAncesca
Geelong
Could you please tell me who sells the capsaicin remedy . My son has fungal infection on toes and hands. Thx
mark
FL
I’ve given up on OTC nail products and expensive prescription liquids . File your problem nail nice and smooth and use Vicks every night and cover it with surgical paper tape …it’s working and nail looks better .
Now I am experimenting with capsasian .01% …love the heat it gives off …no matter what product you use , you must file the top of the nail so the lotion can get into the nail …I use a metal file from a hardware store …don’t give up , keep working on it …consider it a hobby …lol !
KD
Palo alto, Ca
I have been treating the horrible fungus infection under my nail for now more than 7 years ..
Strong Lemongrass oil seem to work although over along period of time. My toe nail has fallen off a few times and new one came and went by. But the fungus remained .. but Lemongrass works.. you must be willing to work on it for years. All lemongrass oils are also no t the same .. you have to get a quality pure one.
I will try the solution offered by others here to see if they work.
James
New Mexico
I’ve toe nail fungus for years like lots of people. I checked out the OTC stuff and the prescription stuff, lots of expensive non-working remedies. I read on the Internet about Apple Cider Vinegar treatment.
I got some Apple Cider Vinegar at the grocery store and I got a 6.25 quart Plastic shoe box w/cover at Family $ for a buck. I put 3 cups of hot water in shoe box and mixed in 1 cup of Apple cider vinegar, soaked my 2 feet for 30 minutes. The water/vinegar mixture was urine colored at first, but later turner a darkish orange/brown. I used an old tooth brush to scrub the solution around my toe nails, under the edges and corners towards the end of the soaking. I got lots of debris out of the nails and around the cuticles, it was like white flaky stuff, could be dead skin..? I then rinsed my feet with hot water mixed w/a tad of cold= warmest I could stand without burning, then dried off. Just having all that flaky stuff gone was an improvement.
This was my 1st attempt to cure the fungus, I’ll do this nightly for a while and see what happens. I’m thinking about adding some Hydrogen Peroxide to the mixture….? There are many ways to cure toe nail fungus, dont waste your $ on drugs and creams….!
Kimberly
Greensboro NC 27410-5262
Trying the golden listerine soak, followed by the vicks…..but only once/day-3 days/week. Noticeable improvements. But staying tuned for further insights.
Luke
London, ON
I have found that Vicks Vapor Rub cures any types of toe fungus.
Martha
Hobe Sound, Fl
I suffered with toenail fungus for over 5 years. All of the, so-called cures and remedy’s never worked. I had over half of my toenail cut off, without a good result. Someone suggested I use “Tea Tree Oil” (Malaluca Tree) I dip a cue-tip into the bottle, rub that all over the nail, cuticle and underneath, every time I thought of it. While watching TV at night I would use it, 3-4 times. By the time my new nail grew out, I was FUNGUS FREE! Never a problem again. I keep Tea Tree Oil on hand for all kinds of infections.
Dee
Garland, TX
I had the same questions: brand name, how much do I use, how often….
Sherrie
Tn.
I would also love the name of this liniment. It’ worth a try. I have something like that that’s I’ve used for arthritis. I don’t use it much because it really does have a lot of capsaicin in it and I have a tendency to rub my eyes and it doesn’t wash of easily. But what I have is a roll on so I may try it on my nails. Can’t hurt.
Gene
SC
Concerning cures for toenail fungus, I can only speak on behalf of my toenail fungus. I cannot tell after two weeks whether something cures my fungus. My whole toenails reflect the fungus. You can only tell if a cure has occurred when the toenail has grown out and the nail is clear. I can only wish for a two week cure!
Alexander
NJ
Needs to be more specific . How you make remedy?
John
90290
Wouldn’t it be great if you were to mention the name and brand of this liniment with capsaicin…