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Many people are reluctant to visit a dermatologist or podiatrist because of nail fungus. There is the embarrassment factor. Nail fungus looks kind of gross. Nasty nail fungus infections just don’t seem like that big a deal, but the longer they persist, the worse they get. When a condition is not worrisome, we are OK with home remedies. To be on the safe side, people with diabetes and those with psoriasis should have their discolored or deformed nails checked by a doctor.
Nasty Nail Fungus and the Yuck Factor:
We know that infected nails are ugly. They can start out a pale yellow color. As the nail gets thicker and more brittle, it may become a darker shade of yellow. As the fungus advances, the color may change from yellow to brown. In some cases, a really nasty nail fungus case may even turn black and start to crumble. Clipping such nails becomes a challenge.
Fungus on the toes nails. Twisted toes on the foot with calluses. Hallux rigidus tends to affect males foot.
When Does Nasty Nail Fungus Require Medical Intervention?
Some people have a hard time clipping their nails. A podiatrist can help. There are some color changes that require medical attention. White nails could be a sign of liver or kidney damage. Pale nails may indicate anemia, nutritional problems or even heart failure.
A dark streak or a black spot under a nail requires medical oversight to rule out melanoma. People with diabetes may also need special treatment to avoid complications.
There is also the possibility that nail “fungus” is not fungus! We have heard from many visitors to this website that what they thought was purely a fungal infection is actually a bacterial infection or a combination of both bacteria and fungi.
When Home Remedies Make Sense:
For most people with mild to moderate nail fungus, home remedies are an option, especially when a trip to the doctor seems intimidating. Readers of our syndicated newspaper column have been sharing their success stories for over 40 years.
Lisa points out that patience is a critical component for overcoming nasty nail fungus:
“I fought toenail fungus for several years. It seemed like I had two different kinds. One made the surface of the nail white and rough, and the other turned the nail yellow or orange. That one also caused the nail to crumble over time.
“After reading about it on the People’s Pharmacy, I tried tea tree oil first. It was very effective on the white toenail fungus. The nails grew out clear and stayed that way.
“I tried Vicks next, and it worked on the yellow toenails. That was a slower process, as there was more damage. Several times when I was just getting one nail finished, the fungus would start on another one. It took about three years to get every nail clear, but I have had no new fungus for over a year now. The treatments were inexpensive and easy, but patience is required!”
Lisa is absolutely on target. Even pricey prescription nail fungus treatments are tested for about a year. You can read about a pricey prescription anti-fungal liquid at this link:
FDA Approves Jublia for Fighting Nail Fungus
Jublia (efinaconazole) is a topical liquid for treating nail fungus. How good is Jublia? Not that great. How pricey is Jublia? Very! Is it worth the cost?
The last time we checked, the cost of a 4 ml (0.14 oz.) bottle of Jublia was over $700. A person with several infected nails might need more than a dozen bottles. The total price might add up to several thousand dollars over the 48-week treatment program.
Theresa went to a doctor to get rid of her nasty nail fungus:
“I had toenail fungus for years and finally asked for help in getting rid of it. The doctor prescribed a generic oral pill, and it took nearly a year to get rid of it all.
“A few years later, my second toe began to turn yellow again. I read about using Vicks and started applying it at night before bed. Voila! It’s gone! Now I keep the Vicks on my nightstand–just in case.”
In case you think this sounds unscientific at best and ridiculous at worst, here is a link to a scientific study titled:
A Novel Treatment for Onychomycosis in People Living With HIV Infection: Vicks VapoRub™ is Effective and Safe
Onychomycosis is the medical term for nail fungus. The article was published in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (Jan-Feb, 2016). The nurses reported that Vicks was safe and effective for patients with nail fungus.
This reader could not talk her doctor into an oral antifungal medicine:
“I have nasty nail fungus on a thumb and both big toes. My doctor will not prescribe pills because of possible liver damage, so I would like anything that will get rid of the fungus. My thumbnail really looks bad when the polish is removed during a manicure.
“The nurse said to try Vicks VapoRub. A friend recommended white vinegar or lime juice. I can’t figure out how to get any of these under the nail. I’ve heard it might take six months to get rid of the fungus. Is there anything else that would work faster?”
The sad truth is, getting rid of nasty nail fungus is a slow process because the treated nail has to grow out healthy. This can take months.
There are many solutions you can use at home to discourage fungus, including Listerine and Pau d’Arco tea as well as vinegar or Vicks. No one remedy works for everyone, but all of them have worked for some individuals.
More Success Stories:
Julia has a complicated ritual that works for her:
“I’ve had toenail fungus for over 10 years and I’m just 25 :-( so it’s been hard. I would always hide my toes and wear closed shoes due to my toenails being so thick, yellow, dry and disgusting. People tell me I’m beautiful, but the nail fungus brought tremendous insecurity into life. I grew up to be a shy person as a result.
“I recently started to use tea tree oil, and even though it makes my nails dry, it’s working perfectly. This is what I do:
- I file my infected nails to reduce the size of the infected areas.
- Then I take a shower and I scrub my feet really well to get rid of the dead skin.
- After I’m done showering I spray white vinegar on my feet and nails, just in case I spread the fungus around. I then let the nails air dry.
- Once my toenails are completely dry, I put some drops of tea tree oil on all of my toenails, even the ones that are not infected.
- Sometimes I alternate with oregano oil.
- Finally I seal the toenails with Vicks VapoRub.
“Your nails will become so clean, that you won’t be embarrassed to wear sandals anymore, even if you are missing some of your toenail. They might get a lil dark in the beginning due to the fungus dying but a little patience will make it better :-).
“You won’t spend too much money or time. Tea tree oil is $10 or less, a foot scrubber is less than $4, white vinegar is less than $3 for a decent size and Vicks is less than $6. All these supplies will last a very long time, and we already have most of them at home. GOOD LUCK!”
Elizabeth has a special solution for soaking her toes:
“What I have used for nail fungus, with great success, is a foot soak of 1 cup Listerine, 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups warm water. I soak for 15 to 20 minutes and towel dry the feet but don’t rinse them. This takes time but it works.”
Sharon is a Vicks enthusiast:
“A couple of years ago I had a fungal infection so bad in my toenail that it was about to fall off. My GP recommended Vicks VapoRub and it worked a treat [a British saying for it worked great]. It took several months for the new nail to grow out, but once it did it was perfect. Because of my occupation as a nurse I was prone to these infections, and now I use the rub a couple of times a week to prevent the problem from returning. It may not work for everyone, but it’s worth a try.”
Manuka Honey for Nasty Nail Fungus?
We thought we had heard just about every remedy ever tried for nail fungus.
Sam surprised us with something different:
“I’ve struggled with toenail fungus on my big toe for over five years. None of the remedies I tried really worked.
“This spring I purchased a tube of ‘medical grade’ Manuka honey ointment to have on hand for burns and scrapes. I started putting just a small dab on and under my toenail before I put my socks on every morning. I noticed a difference in about a week. A lot of the darkest color had disappeared.
“Three months later, I can clearly see where my nail is growing out with no fungus. The honey is brown so it stains the nail, but that’s a more than acceptable trade-off for me. I’m guessing that after about five months of treatment, my nail will finally be back to normal.”
Gentian Violet is Bright Purple!
Another remedy that stains the nail and the toe is the old antifungal liquid, gentian violet:
“I have used gentian violet with great success. It does dye your toe purple, but with nail fungus I was not wearing open-toe shoes anyway. You can get this online or at the pharmacy. It’s cheap and effective.”
JMG uses the foot soaks to relax:
“I’ve had 2-3 fingernail fungus attacks; I used the half-water half vinegar solution to soak the nail for 20-30 minutes twice a day and it worked! It is not speedy, taking about a month or so to kill the fungus. It takes discipline, but it gives me an excuse to sit down, read, and relax while I’m undergoing my ‘treatment’!”
Serena adds:
“I’ve been using the vinegar/Listerine mixture on my feet now for a month. It is working beautifully.
“I got toenail fungus from a nail salon, and have had it for over 3 years. This is the only thing that has even touched the fungus (I’ve done tea-tree oil, Vicks VapoRub, and painted some of everything on my toes religiously).
“My nail is now finally growing back normally and the fungus has turned white (from greenish-brown) and the toenail is no longer spongy. I’ll be able to wear sandals without bandaids very soon! Not only is Listerine/vinegar good for the toenails, but my feet have never looked better – the cracks and redness have disappeared.
“I soak my feet every night for 15-30 minutes. And I’m going to continue doing this until my toenails have completely grown out, at least 3 times per week.”
Penetrating the Nail Bed:
As you have correctly pointed out, getting anti-fungal ingredients under the nail is challenging. You cannot lift the nail without causing serious harm. Long soaks (at least 30 minutes) though, appear to allow enough penetration to begin the assault on nasty nail fungus.
As our readers above have noted, patience is the critical ingredient. We have found this to be true for ourselves. Reading a book for half an hour or watching television while you soak your tootsies once a day is a great start. But it could take anywhere from six to nine months to see the nails growing out pink and healthy.
What About Anti-fungal Drugs?
In studies of Jublia topical medicine, the “complete cure” rate after almost a year of continuous treatment was between 15 and 18 percent. That means the vast majority of subjects did not achieve full success in ridding their nails of fungus. And remember the cost could be thousands of dollars.
As Julia pointed out above, the cost of the home remedies she used was under $25 and there would be enough to last for a very long time.
What if Your S0-Called Fungal Infection is NOT Fungal?
We have been surprised to learn that the inexpensive topical antibiotic Neosporin may help some people get rid of long-lasting “fungal” infections of the nail bed. You can real about their successes at this link.
Decolorized iodine may also work for a similar reason. Iodine has both anti-fungal and antibacterial activity! You can read about decolorized iodine for treating nail “fungus”at this link.
Do You Like Home Remedies?
During this pandemic, many people have delayed treatments for relatively minor health problems such as nail fungus. That’s completely understandable. It also explains why home remedies are more popular than ever.
We have two options if you would like to learn more. Our eGuide to Favorite Home Remedies is an electronic resource that you can refer to on your computer. You can find it in the Health eGuide section of this website. It provides scientific rationale behind many of our favorite remedies.
If you are the kind of person who loves to hold a book in your hand, we recommend The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies (published by National Geographic). It is 264 pages and can be found in our bookstore.
Have you tried a home remedy to fight your own nail fungus? How did it work? Leave your story in the comment section below.
PJ
I went to a podiatrist because of toe nail fungus. She said to use all of the home remedies. You can also use over-the-counter products (optional). But she did not recommend the corn starch remedy.
Use a different remedy a day, rotating through them – Vicks one day, Listerine the next and so on.
It really works!
Janice
I had a plantar’s wart for years. I tried OTC products to no avail. I would scrape it with a razor blade because it felt like a pea in my shoe. A doctor tried to burn it off.
Then I developed toenail fungus so I tried soaking my foot in Listerine and vinegar. After several weeks, I noticed I hadn’t noticed the wart. I looked at the bottom of my foot and it was completely gone. That’s been over 20 yrs ago. It never came back.
S
I eliminated a toenail fungus with heat. It was a recommendation from my doctor. He’d read a recent study that showed positive results (with heat above 106 degrees Farhenheit). I’m a massage therapist and use hot stones so I had access to a good heat source. I heat the stones to 130-140 degrees. Pick them up with a towel, and place them on the affected toe nail for as long as I could stand it or until the rock cooled. I did this several nights a week for several weeks (easy to do while relaxing after dinner). The fungus died, my nail grew out, and there are no signs of it any longer. The fungus on my toenail was not more than a year old, so I assume it could take longer for funguses that have been around longer. Very inexpensive option.
Sarah
I heard of the following remedy for toenail fungus, as a way to soak with vinegar: Use a pair of peds or short socks and soak the toe in vinegar, or maybe vinegar and Listerine; wear to bed overnight, covered with a plastic glove. Then apply Vicks in the morning.
Kaye
Should polish be removed to treat toenail fungus?
Lisa
For a toe nail fungus I got from a salon I used my urine. I put the urine in a plastic bag and tied it around my foot and sat on the side of the bath tub to 30 minutes twice a week or 3 weeks. I did nothing else. 3 months later my toe nail had grown out perfectly.
TK
Two approaches that aren’t typically mentioned in nail fungus home remedy blogs, but seem to be responsible for my toenails improving greatly (in my case fungus has been longstanding):
(1) Affected toenails have started growing again, and I mean growing rapidly like they did a long time ago, as soon as I cut out sugar entirely for three days and then only had very limited sugar intake since. I have always had a bad sweet-tooth!
(2) Exfoliation of toes and feet — I’ve used different products including lemon juice, yogurt, facial exfoliants, etc., but my latest approach was using a mixture of two products including normal moisturizing cream mixed with a very little bit of a 17% salicylic acid liquid that is sold as a wart remover and/or skin tag remover. I also remove dead skin/fungal cells after using the exfoliants.
3) In addition, I have recently started applying Vics VapoRub again at night, and I use anti-fungal spray and baking soda in my shoes.
Melissa
I have struggled with toenail fungus for years!! Tried everything. No matter which course of action you take you must be consistent. I have tried every essential oil, peroxide, vinegar, and Vicks Vapo Rub, (which did pretty well–rubbed it all over my feet between toes, on heel, ectc.). The only thing that really killed the fungus quick was the bleach pen. I put it on before my shower, all over the affected nails for about 10 min. I shower, then before putting on my socks I applied the Vicks. Continue every day; it takes awhile. Make sure you keep the toenails short and filed in depth as low as possible so the treatments can penetrate the nail bed. Good luck!
Stacy
I used corn gluten, Listerine, and Vick’s. Recently I have been using a Monoject syringe with hydrogen peroxide. I use it twice a day. I fill the syringe and flush under the toe and the sides. It works great and is quick!
Keith -
Crushed garlic mixed with Olive Oil works well overnight, with excellent results in 24 hours:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i987-4FHzgA
Dallee
Left out the cornmeal soak — mixed with water and soaked my feet!
The reason for so many different home remedies is because there are a number of fungi — you need to find the combination that works on what you have. And, as one of the persons interviewed noted, you might just have more than one.
Your articles on nail fungus home remedies have helped me significantly — and the friends to whom I have passed the information along.
There really is no doubt that the cost of professional treatments, including nail removal, are not worth the price.
Rich
After 5 strokes, bleeding ulcer, surgery to remove part of my colon due to infection from diverticulitis over 1 year, my daughter put me on a plant based, dairy free, gluten free diet to try to keep me alive. One of the benefits is the over 5 years a problem with infected toe nails on the big toes is starting to clear up over probably 4 or 5 months.
C
I alternate to keep the fungus away with iodine, Listerine and ACV. I use one for a week then the next for the following week, as I think anything can build a resistance to something used all the time.
Once a week I file a small amount off the top of the affected nail. I just think it absorbs the treatments better by doing that. I also treat the other nails to prevent it coming back.
Larry
Am using clear or white iodine, which you can buy off Amazon for next to nothing, on toe nail fungus. It is working and nails are growing out and loosing the terrible dark and yellow color.
Lisa
I had a toenail that had become disconnected from the nail bed. I read that applying the “oil” from inside a fish oil pill would help. I poked a hole with a straight pin in a fish oil pill and squeeze a little on the toenail after each shower. It has worked like a charm. The nail has grown out and is attaching to the nail bed.
Kathy
I diagnosed and treated (with Vicks twice daily) my toenail fungus from reading an article you published several years ago. I was seeing a podiatrist for a different issue at the time, who never mentioned the discolored nail. Thank you for many years of sound advice!
Margaret
My husband, age 68, has developed toe fungus over the last 5 years or so. While he has tried some of the home remedies that I just read about, he has not tried them all. I am going to encourage him to try the listerine/vinegar soak. That is one remedy which we have not previously heard.
What I would like to know, how is this fungus of the nail spread? How contagious is the nail fungus? What kind of precautions should a person with nail fungus be practicing?
Thanks, as always, for excellent articles.
Keith
I’m nearly 66 and I’ve never had toe nail fungus until this year. I think where I went wrong was not cutting my two big toe nails. This allowed them to grow out and my shoes pushed the nails upwards away from the quick, which has allowed the fungus to get under the nails. So keep your nails short and close to the quick, and this will help to keep the fungus from getting under the nail in the first place.
Debbie
St Louis
I’ve had toenail fungus for years all the women in my family seem to get it and it never goes away I’ve been getting treated by a foot doctor for it for years I’ve been on pills, layered and the only that helps us some special nail polish the doctor developed that keeps its at bay. The doctor has since retired and I don’t know if I will be able to get it anymore
paul k.
TX
What about laser treatments?
Amy
Bangor PA
Has anyone had the experience of using tea tree oil for toenail fungus, only to have it get much worse and migrate to other areas of the foot? This happened to me and is most puzzling. I am immune compromised. Now the fungus seems to be traveling up my shins as well. I stopped the tea tree oil and am using OTC antifungals now, which are not much help either.
Miss Nancy
Apple cider vinegar applied by a Q tip or dipping the whole toe in it twice a day. Had big toe fungus for 21 years, and this is the only thing I tried that worked. Or you can spend $1000 on laser treatments and pills that may or may not work. Wow, I cured mine for under $3! Up to you! FYI, got toenail fungus wearing steel-toed safety boots at the factory I once worked in. My feet got sweaty and no circulation. Good luck!
Jo
California
Tea tree oil has been working for my 2 toes that have been infected for over 11 years. I use a cotton swap with a generous amount of oil, 2-3 times a day, and file them down before applying it a couple of times a week. The new nails are growing, slowly, and the thick, lifted and raised part of the nails are now close to my skin. It’s been 6 months, and I expect a clean, pink nail in another 3 or 4 months. I’m very pleased! Another important thing is to let your toes air out–wear sandals as much as possible to dry out the fungus, even in the winter when you’re home. I always had my toes covered in socks and shoes, and this made the fungus continue to grow. Good luck to all!
Renee
Philippines
I do hope that the tea tree oil will be the solution for the nail lifting problem of mine. I got so stressed by just looking at my fingernails.
Tina Tinacious
Tampa
Here’s a great way to make the Vic’s Vapor Rub stay on, and not get wiped away on your sock…put a ton of it on, and then wrap it up in Saran Wrap before slipping your feet into socks and shoes. No tape needed, it all stays together and my guess is that it helps keep the air out and a lack of fresh oxygen in this case, is a good thing.
Oli
I have found cayenne pepper tincture to be far more effective than Vicks. Just apply it to the infected area couple of times a day. Had no negative impact from it. Make sure to keep cutting the infected nails as it grows.
larry
Highland Sprngs , Va.
I have toenail fungus on my big toe left side. I tried many treatments for it, but nothing. I tried Vicks Vaporub and kept using it almost every day for about 3 months, with a bandaid to cover it up when wearing my socks and shoes. Paitence is the key. Slowly it is clearing up, and its already starting to come back to its normal color.
Angie
Kansas
I was wondering if you can still wear nail polish on your toes if using vicks vapor rub for toe nail fugus?
Mary
Ohio
Tea tree oil dripped behind toenail into the crust fungal stuff. No filing or cutting down. Repeat application every few days. Takes months to grow out good nail. Amazingly my husband’s nail is nearly grown out.
Ann R
california
Yesterday I used a q-tip soaked in purex for my fingernail fungus and today it is clear.
Jerri
North Carolina
Purex – Bleach? Straight from the bottle, you are using, then onto the nail? In one day?
Your nail fungus must have been very recently acquired through some route. Have you been able to track down where you think you might have picked up this unwelcome hitch-hiker from?
Cheek
You would get better penetration if you soak your feet in warm water before applying.
Trisha
Ottawa
Help!!! Tea Tree Oil isn’t working for me and it’s made my nail fungus worse. I had a small nail fungus on my big toe and I started treating it with apple cider vinegar soaks nightly and dabbing on Tea Tree Oil. I also started wearing a band aid over it since it was winter and I wanted the oil not to smudge off on other things or sheets at night. Well it made the fungus worse and made my nail yellow and crack from the middle. Now a part of my nail to the right side has cracked and lifted and raised off. I won’t pull it off but now what do I do? Do I stop using the tea tree oil because it’s too strong on me. Has this oil dried up my healthy nail? The fungus is still there in the middle of the nail. What have I done wrong?
Catherine
Yonkers NY
Years ago a large wood splinter got under my pointer finger. Didn’t get it all our and became incredibly infected. Since then there is a gap where part of my nail never attached back to nail bed. For the past 7 years I have been battling recurring infections, where I need to remove most of my nail and have it grow back (which takes months). It stays healthy for a while, then I guess germs get under where the space is, you can actually see it. Any ideas?? One dermatologist said maybe a plastic surgeon to close up the space…
gayle
Tea tree oil has done wonders for nail fungus and plantar wart!!
Jessie
florida
I spray my toenails twice a day with Hydrogen Peroxide. It seems to kill the fungus and seems to prevent it from coming back. I spray after the morning shower then let air dry as I get ready. Then I spray again before bed.
Anne
California
I have toe nail fungus under the nail caused by cleaning my cuticle that bled and then got infected which led to countless infections and the fungus. Every time I take a shower my toe gets infected at the corner of the nail and lifts the nail encoucouraging the fungus to grow. What’ the best treatment for this frustrating dilemma?
Mery
TX
I agree that there are different strains of fungus as I tried some recommended treatments over several months and had little success. Then I applied some Clove oil and had an immediate response. The nail is looking much healthier now and it’s only been a few weeks. I use Young Living oils as they are guaranteed 100% pure since the company controls the planting and harvesting of the oils. It’s their “Seed to Seal” guarantee.
Rena Reese
Salem, OR
I got nail fungus from a nail salon and my mother, a retired LVN told me to make a paste by adding drops of water to comet and pushing the mixture up under my nails for a couple of minutes. Then take a clean unused tooth brush, wet it and and scrub under my nails. I did this 2 X a day for a week and fungus was gone and never returned. Hope it can work for someone else.
cpmt
you must change your shoes and disinfect stockings, etc. it is very difficult to get rid of because the fungus enters the skin. Listerine and vicks worked for me (but I got rid of my old shoes and bought new natural material shoes — NO PLASTIC–)
Jim
Southern Calif.
I had a really stubborn case of toenail fungus. I used a Dremel grinder to grind my nails down. I heard about a solution and it really worked:
I used a large Tupperware type cake pan (reuseable) filled with white vinegar. Once every two weeks, I soaked my feet in it for twenty minutes. The fungus was gone after six months, along with cracks (diabetic) in my soles, and a stubborn, unhealed sore on my foot.
My cost was about $20.00 – far less than all of these costly over-the-counter remedies that I had tried and which failed.
Now, I do a soak every 6-8 weeks just to keep it all at bay.
Doc
San Diego
Copper is a well known antifungal. Soaking the afflicted area in a solution of copper sulfate for 20 minutes on 14 consecutive days will eradicate the fungus infection. The area needs to be completely submerged so that the solution can interact with all of the fungus. The solution needs to be discarded after each treatment. Contact me for more info on Copper Sulfate.
Carla
First of all: avoid nail salons. It isn’t worth to end up with a fungus and painted nails at the same time
I swim a lot and no matter how careful I am, once in a while, I end up, with a toenail, that need immediate treatment.
I use 1/2 apple cider vinegar and half mouthwash Start at the heel of the feet and work towards the toes(infected on last) I use wipes and 1 wipe for every foot This to avoid the fungus to spread to other toes.
Works real well. As a special treat, I use Vicks( can be found at the $ store, for, yes a $
Good luck
Laurel
Atlanta
Be very wary of products from the $ store that you put on or in your body. 20-20, 60 Minutes, and other news organizations have had articles on toothpaste and other similar products from these sorts of stores not being what they are claimed. Packaging is very similar, but a detailed examination reveals that the products are not manufactured by the brands or in the countries claimed.
Pay the little bit extra and get it from your local grocery or pharmacy.
Mike
United States
About 20 years ago, I had fungus on my right big toe all the way through the quick. My doctor said to soak it a few times a week in warm water and industrial grade sulfur. I did that for some weeks. Also, I physically attacked the fungus by keeping my nail trimmed and filed as closely possible to the quick. I also filed the top of the nail and scored it in both directions using a pocket knife and a three sided metal rasp (see Home Depot). After about a month, the nail came loose and I pulled it out. It grew back clear, and the fungus has not reappeared.
I found the sulfur at a local nursery that carried sulfur to battle plant fungus.
Rebecca
United States
I fought toe nail fungus on my big toes for years. I have had it for over 20 years and began fighting it in earnest about 9 years ago. I used tea tree oil twice a day for several years. My nail would look cured but then, within a few days, the fungus would show up and run over much of the nail. So I would start the whole process over again.
Then I tried Listerine–soaking my nails for several minutes twice a day. That never worked. I guess you must soak for a longer time (which I just didn’t have the time for), or possibly this just doesn’t work on my fungus.
Last winter I decided to try Vicks Vapor Rub. I could push the ointment under the nail twice a day. This time, I think I have really cured the fungus. I have not seen any indication that it still exists for over 3 months. But, I still keep checking and using the Vicks since I was surprised and disappointed so many times with the tea tree oil.
ebm
Fl
DO not forget the cornmeal mush PP mentioned before, corn meal
and real warm water soak. Some type fungus responds to a fungus in corn meal, I read this some time ago on PP. As the doc said, different remedies for different fungi problems. Yellow corn meal it
said. And that is cheap, too. Ole’
Ronald S
Denton, TX
I too have been treating nail fungus on two toes on different feet. No history of athlete’s feet. I do not visit nail salons. I have been treating the condition with a combination solution of the recommended possibilities, Listerine, Tea Tree oil, Vicks, Vinegar with indications of improvement. I addition to daily shower and drying I apply the solution to the affected nails which are in a toenail bandage so that it soaks into the nail. My question is “Is their an enabling dietary imbalance that creates body chemistry which allows fungus to thrive?”
Austen
Texas
Eating sugar and dairy seem to keep the nail fungus alive and thriving. I believe you have to clean out the inside of your body to get rid of the fungus.
Eli
Florida
“I’ve also been using the vinegar/Listerine mixture including Vick’s Vapor Rub on my thumb nail for about 2 month. It has improved the appearance on the nail. Not completely but apparently it does take time. Just being patient. As Judith Ronat commented “I believe there is no quick fix”.
Cara
Coupeville
People with fungus should not use nail polish. If they are foolish enough to go to a salon for a manicure or pedicure they should bring their own equipment. In fact, everyone should. Sometimes the salons don’t sterilize their equipment even though they are supoosed to.
Tony
United States
Hoping for a solution to a long time problem.
Dreama
Walkertown, NC
I also had two toenails and one fingernail that was infected with fungus from a nail salon for years. Ironically someone from a salon told me about this cure and it has worked for me. Use one tablespoon of sea salt to about 1/2 cup water. Soak for no more than 10 minutes once a day. I tilt the container up with a rolled towel since there is so little water. It does take a while to grow out the healthy nail but it works. My pinkie nail and one toenail had almost detached and one toenail had “rolled” into a u-shape. All of that has been returned to normal condition.
Marianne
Fl
I had in thumbnails (don’t know how) and read of ways on net but not until I added use of a nail brush did I start to win battle!
Nail clear, healthy now and use nail brush few times a day.
Helen
UK
Marianne, I too have it on my finger nails and I don’t go to a nail salon or use nail varnish. What did you use on the nails apart from the nail brush? Unlike toe nails, it’s difficult to put things on finger nails and keep it on….
Julia
Orlando fl
You can also cure nail fungus with clear iodine. My nail tech recommended this and it’s painless and quick. Walmart carries this behind the pharmacy counter. You have to ask for it. I applied liberally to affected nail and nails next to it first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Gone in less than a week. (Fingernails, I don’t know if toenails take longer)
Helena
Singapore
I did have fungus in my system some years back as indicated by my toe nails. What I did was to apply tea-tree oil on the affected parts, put a piece of sliced raw garlic over the area and bandage with sticky tape. In no time (6 months) the nail was OK again.
Glo
North Carolina
I meant to state that one or two nights I used Vicks and then one or two nights used the Listerine. Still did the tissue and foil with socks with each product.
Glo
North Carolina
In 2010 I visited a ‘clean’ looking nail salon for a pedicue. Nearly 3 months later I had on toe nail with fungus.
Thankful for my weekly People’s Pharmacy newsletter because I started an almost nightly treatment using Vick’s Vapor Rub and regular (gold color) Listerine. After my nightly bath, took toilet tissue and folded it in triple layer, then soaked it with the Listerine. I wrapped it around the middle infected toe. I then took a strip of aluminum foil and molded it around the tissue toe so it would keep moist during my sleep. Finally I placed socks on my feet to secure the wrap.
It took about 6 months of doing this to completely eradicate all evidence of the nail fungus. It has never returned. I have only gone for a professional pedicure 1 time since then and made sure to tell them I did not want any fungus!
Alternating different remedies was to make sure the ‘cure’ would have a higher chance–it worked!
SIDENOTE: Sleeping with socks has afforded me a better night’s sleep so I still do it. Placing foot cream on the heels has given me a softer and prettier look so there is not the need to go get a pedicure. Painting the toes myself has saved me lots of cash. Plus not painting the toes during the winter gives my toes a break since red polish turns the nails a yellow color as well.
Judith Ronat M. D.
Kfar Saba, Israel
I believe that different treatments work for different people because there are a number of different fungi which can cause this phenomenon, and possibly it’s the different fungi which respond to the various treatments.
I believe there is no quick fix: trial and error where each trial is usually several months!
Bruce B
British Columbia
Judith your are correct. And some of the alleged fungus attacks are viral, as in wart virus which get started in the nail instead of on the skin. Also, I am not clear that the infection is “under” the nail. The pathogens seem to thrive in the material of the nail itself, and migrate back toward the lunella. I have successfully use hydrogen peroxide on a dampened nail, and I remove every fragment of nail whatsoever which will peel away.