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    Toenail Fungus Treatment: Natural and Holistic

    Most Recent Posts on this Page

    03/23/2013: Eridani from Rochester, Ny: "Maybe you should try spraying the shoes you wear with the h2o2/acv solution or buying a lotrim spray and use that for your shoes ..."
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    [YEA]  05/27/2012: Michelle from Smithfield, Queensland: "Hi everyone! Just have to firstly give a huge thumbs up for this site & all the contributors. Have been utilising the advice from here for years, & recommended it so many times to people I should be receiving commissions! Lol. Now, back to business:-..."
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    DISCLAIMER
    Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

    POPULAR REMEDIES:

    Apple Cider Vinegar28 YEAS
    Distilled Vinegar18 YEAS
    Ted's Remedies15 YEAS
    Tea Tree Oil12 YEAS
    Hydrogen Peroxide10 YEAS
    Listerine9 YEAS
    Oregano Oil9 YEAS
    Lemongrass Essential Oil8 YEAS
    Vicks7 YEAS
    Garlic7 YEAS
    Iodine6 YEAS

    Tea Tree Oil
    Ratings:
    12
    		 YEA
    1
    		 NAY
    1
    		 BETTER BUT NOT CURED
    1
    		 SIDE EFFECT

    [YEA]  12/31/2011: Fifi from Gold Coast, Australia: "Hi all, I had a fungal nail infection in both my big toenails. It was there for awhile and I was worried about it spreading further. I asked my doc about using something from the pharmacy but he said it was all a waste of money. So I decided to try tea tree oil.

    Morning and night, after showering, I scrubbed the oil into and around ALL of my toes. I would tip the oil on from a dropper bottle and made sure I also got it up under the nail. I scrubbed with a toothbrush. I did this for about 3 months and the fungas has completely gone. My nails were yellow/patchy and flaky. Now they are nomal! No more hiding them away!"


    [YEA]  11/12/2011: Xina from Sydney, Australia: "My remedy for nail fungus is 100% pure tea tree oil. That's it, that's all that is needed.

    Prior to using tea tree oil, I did some research online to find out the best commercial products to use and found many mention of Loceryl and the like, but I found it was too costly for my taste. So I researched online again for "natural" remedies and came across tea tree oil. It just so happens that I had some on hand, so I decided to use it one night. The 1st week, just by running my finger over the top of my big toe, I felt a big difference as my big toe previously contained ridges and was not smooth. I clipped my nails very short, and applied more tea tree oil very other day, and in the 2nd week, the nail fungus was 80% gone. Now, I am in my 3rd week, and the nail fungus is completely gone.

    So, please don't shell out your $50 for no commercial product, just get 100% tea tree oil and you will be set. It is good for a host of remedies including dandruff, lice, fungus, etc. Due to its anti-bacterial elements.

    Just wanted to share my experience."


    [YEA]  03/08/2011: Elizabeth from Adrian, Michigan Usa: "I have had a fungal infection in my right thumbnail that has been recurrant for over two years. Absolutely nothing topical nor oral worked to clear it up, and it was at the point of my nail being almost completely detached. Trimming all the way down as some suggest did nothing to help.

    I have been applying neat Tea Tree Oil 4 times a day to the exposed nail bed and surrounding area (I have had no adverse effects from using it neat). After it is absorbed, I have applied Vapor Cough Suppressant (I used the name brand) in a thick layer and left uncovered. The smell is not pleasant, but after a week I have, for the first time in two years, NEW HEALTHY GROWTH!!! There are two tiny black spots under the nail, but the new growth is definitely attached to the nail bed, and there is a noticeable ridge where it is growing in normally at the base as opposed to slightly thickened. The cuticle which was destroyed is beginning to regenerate."


    [YEA]  12/22/2010: Mary from Gloucester, Ma : "Tea Tree Oil is very effective for nail fungus. I was surfing in Costa Rica and one of the perks was a free pedicure, well from that pedicure I developed a nasty case of nail fungus. When I returned to The States my doctor said he could prescribe a medicine but the side effect was liver failure. I said I'll pass. He said try using Tea Tree Oil but you have to use is religiously. I rubbed it into the nail bed after every shower and it cleared right up. Best part, no side effects."


    [SIDE EFFECTS]  07/14/2010: Beki from Woodbridge, Uk: "Is there a natural cure for contact dermatitis from using neat tea tree oil to treat fungal toenails. Although I think it was working on the fungus, I now have weeping, red, broken skin around my toenails. I've never had a problem with tea tree oil before. Its very unsightly and stopping me from trying anything else until its healed. Please help."


    [YEA]  02/26/2010: Junia from Dallas, Tx: "I had a fungal infection on one of my large toenails and first tried a commercial product you paint on. After a month of use it did nothing and the fungus got worse. Then I read about tea tree oil and started applying that. It has taken many months - more than 4 or 5 and I didn't do it every single day - many times I forgot. But I can finally say that the teatree oil is working. Some of the affected nail flaked off and the rest of it is growing out with healthy nail bed in its place. You just have to be patient - it will take a long time - for me - because I forgot so much to apply it, it was close to a year."


    [NAY]  06/11/2009: Russell from San Francisco, CA: "Nail Fungus - I tried Tea Tree oil religiously for about 4 or 5 months -- very disappointing -- no effect at all! Plus new studies show that even small amounts have feminizing effects on men."


    [BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  03/07/2009: Robert from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: "I've been fighting a fungus between my little toe for years. I've spent a fortune on all the over the counter creams and also my doctor has prescribed a few things, to no avail. I read somewhere about 2 months ago to use Tea Tree oil. I've been applying the oil for 6 weeks now and have had no itching since the first application and the fungus has cleared up remarkedly. There is still remnants of scarring and discolorization in the area and I really think the fungus is still there but I'm going to continue this treatment. Any suggestions as to what else to do would be appreciated."


    [YEA]  01/28/2008: Jeff from Bedford, Virginia: "I had the toe condition that you see on TV in which the nail dries and seems to die and becomes unattached to the nail bed. The prescription medicine has side effects of harming the liver so I looked for something non-toxic. I read about Tea Tree Oil and ordered some from a well know mail order vitimen supplier. I used a cotton swab and worked the oil under the nail and coated the entire outer nail. Within two weeks the decay had stopped and I could see the nail bed attached to the new growth. I'll continue until the nail completely is replaced and that should take about 8 months (my nails grow slowly) This stuff is great!"


    [YEA]  01/01/2007: Anonymous : "I am trying Vics Vapor Rub and 100% Tea Tree oil, I do believe the fungus is on its way out as the fungus under the nail is turning Black. What I do is apply the tea tree oil first rub it in and try and get it down the back of the nail, then I rub a good amount of vics vapor rub all over the nail bed. I also filled my infected toe nail in both directions Across and down, allowing the mixture to absorb in quicker I only file once a week so not to make my nail sore. I apply this twice per day once in the Morning and again before bed time. I cover my toe nail up with a cotton wool cosmetic pad and surgical tape to keep it in place while I am sleeping."


    [YEA]  07/17/2006: Crystal from VA: "I have hard rough skin around fingernails causing them to become brittle; discomforting in daily tasks like typing and basic tasks involving fingers and hands. My nail fungus problem began on my right big toe. I thought it was an in-grown nail. A whole summer I sat out in the sunlight picking at it with a file and tweezers and finally saw a podiatrist. She told me it was fungus and that the only cure was Lamisil. I of course could not fathom the health risks and financial costs the drug involves. I have a strong faith and am Spiritual, therefore I knew there must be some natural remedy for this problem. I asked around and someone said tea tree oil. For the next few weeks I noticed the problem worsening in my other toes, and more recently has started to grow in my fingers.

    In my retail job I waited on a customer who happens to own our local health food store. I asked her, and she also said tea tree oil. My next day off, I went straight to her store and purchased a bottle of Thursday Plantation brand of nail fungus therapy with tea tree oil. I started the treatment on my fingers only and noticed immediately that the discomfort had disappeared. The next day the dead skin was peeling off to reveal my fresh healthy skin underneath. I am on day 4 now and my fingers and nails are starting to look and feel like MINE again! When they are back to normal I'll start the real test on my big toe, on which the nail is almost gone! When speaking to the owner of the store at which I made my purchase, she said the remedy works as long as the treatment is administered diligently! So, if you purchase this product, please stick to your regime! To your healthy and happy fingertips, toes and nails! (: ~Crystal"


    [YEA]  Kristy from Chicago, IL: "I managed to get rid of a fungal nail infection on one toe completely using Jason Tea Tree Oil from Australia ($9.95/bottle). I used it 3 times a day and now the nail is completely fixed. I had the fungal infection on this nail for about 5-6 years. I have two other nails that are infected but it is proving to be more difficult to get rid of. I would definitely give the tea tree oil a try. I am now going to try Vicks vapour rub on the other nails."

    Replies
    [YEA]  05/27/2012: Michelle from Smithfield, Queensland replies: "Hi everyone! Just have to firstly give a huge thumbs up for this site & all the contributors. Have been utilising the advice from here for years, & recommended it so many times to people I should be receiving commissions! Lol. Now, back to business:- I have had fungal infections pertaining to toe nails on both feet for over 20 years. Podiatrists have recommended many products over that time, none of them worked, & all were expensive. The last podiatrist that I visited, after telling him of my previous experiences told me "off the record", to cure my infections - 1. Stop using nailpolish 2. Apply pure Tea Tree oil every day, or as many times as I remembered! He actually told me that over-the- counter remedies don't work, however, the pure tea-tree oil will stop the fungus in its tracks, it was just going to take time. I've been applying it (with a dropper) at least once a day (ok, maybe every two! ). In less than 2 weeks, I could start to see new, healthy growth starting to appear. Not wanting to get too excited (remember, I've had this problem for over 20 years & why I didn't refer back to this site in the first place -I have no idea why! ), however, I kept applying the oil, watching & waiting. Now, nearly a month later, I can see the visible difference between the infected toenail, & the healthy nail. The podiatrist told me it was a slow process, & took perseverance & patience, & could take up to 8 months to see proper results. In a fraction of that time, & for a fraction of the price of the specialists recommended lotions & potions, I actually have real results. Highly recommended cheap alternative - TEA TREE OIL"



    Tea Tree, Lavender, Rosemary Oils
    Ratings:
    1
    		 YEA

    [YEA]  03/17/2007: "Lynn from Danby, VT writes: "Perfect cure for toe fungus, and it rids your shoes and sox of any crud as well. A third of each of these:
    tea tree oil
    lavender oil
    red rosemary oil

    Cotton ball dab all over. Pull on sox and shoes..and, voila! It's gone in a shake. Also smells wonderful. I used to put a dab in all of our trash brown bags when we were selling our house. Everyone asked what smelled so wonderful!"



    Ted's Remedies

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    Ted's Remedies for Nail Fungus

    Ted from Bangkok, Thailand: "This is where I have most of my experience as this is one of the athlete's most common problems. Even nail manicurists have problems getting rid of this. The fastest way to get rid of toenail fungus or fingernail is vinegar mixed with a 3% hydrogen peroxide. The mixture 50/50. Keep adding it with a dropper or soak until there is no fizzing (if it is severe) and when there is minimum discoloration. Some people will feel as slight pinch after awhile.

    This is then followed by getting your hands soaked in a Clorox bleach (in U.S. you use Clorox, in Thailand we used Haiter). A strong concentration is 1 cap per 1/2 glass of water, stir and soak. And leave your finger with fungus for about 1/2 minute. If severe fungus then try 1 cap Clorox to 4 caps water. Again leave for about 1/2 minute. Chlorine will be absorbed through the fingernails during that time.

    Rinse in water and dry it and follow this with a 50/50 mix of vaseline and tea tree oil. Put in on the fingernail and put on Band-Aid (in Thailand we use tensoplast) and leave it on for a whole day and repeat the vinegar and H2O2 again, followed by this 50/50 mix of vaseline and tea tree oil again. Doing this for at least 3-4 days. And it should be all gone. Actually it should be gone in 2 days if the required maintenance of reinfection remains. Please remember that Band-Aid is not absolutely required depending on circumstances. It just helps you save time in preventing the reapplication throughout the whole day. I much prefer, especially for the fingernails, to reapply it for a whole week to keep that tea tree oil -vaseline throughout the day. In case of a toenail, especially if you use tennis shoes or shoes that prevent air circulation or no sunlight, then it Band-Aid and vaseline-tea tree application maybe necessary.

    The problem about this fungus problem is not the problem of getting rid of them. That's easy, H2O2 and Vinegar reacts into a very powerful peracetic which is reactive against fungus followed this by Clorox! And the second problem I solved is how to get an anti-fungal staying on the fingernail long enough to destroy them, which is vaseline and tea tree oil. The BIG problem is the fungus that exists in socks, shoes and moisture which makes fingernails or toe nail vulnerable to another fungus reinfection. Use clorox bleaches for socks and change socks EVERY DAY. During the working hour, if possible avoid tennis shoes or shoes which prevent ventilation. For fingernails, avoid getting the hands wet especially dishwashing. To avoid it either wash dishes with a waterproof clean plastic or rubber gloves or use a dishwashing machine. Avoid getting the hands except when necessary. If the hand is wet, then you must apply pure tea tree oil (no more bandaids after 2-3 days every time it does get wet.

    Finally those who have fingernail fungus, avoid using any nail polish as most colored nail polish covers up the fingernail, causing or encouraging fungus growth. Fungus DOES NOT like sunlight. Getting your hands expose of fungus to the sunlight is helpful. In countries where weather is cold, people often use dark gloves, however they are often not laundered. Try to get gloves laundered once a day, if possible using clorox bleach or other bleaches such as sodium percarbonate (better than chlorine bleaches and safer) or the old standby of sodium perborate.

    I have recommended this variation to many people and it works every time. Unfortunately, most who came to me are usually too late and the fungus was so severe, they lost nearly all their toenails or fingernails. It is therefore necessary that you do it before it gets any worse.

    To leave in closing, people who have fungus infection long enough may have blood stream with possible fungus infection. For those who who are familiar with peroxide therapy, I suggest you research the subject as a potential therapy to get rid of low level fungus in the blood. This will prevent fungus from getting widespread. I remember reading somewhere that before a person gets cancer, they also have a fungus problem.

    Also fungus problem of fingernail is also evidence that your body is also deficient in some other minerals. When you are deficient you are also very susceptible to fingernail/toenail fungus infection.

    A possible sign of this is if people whose fingernails are brittle most easily get fungus in toenail or fingernail as there are tiny cracks in your nails allowing the nasty fungus to hide.

    You can test the brittleness of fingernails quite easily! An ordinary fingernail if you cut up your fingernail and bend is 90 degrees, a normal fingernail will not break completely. My fingernail is better than normal, it will bend even all the way and still will not break. When it does get brittle, it might mean your body is silicon deficient, magnesium deficient and very likely that your body blood serum is high in calcium. Too much calcium is a common problem. Another overlooked problem is places where water is fluorinated it tends to cause your fingernail and bones to become brittle as well as your fingernails - so avoid fluoridated water. Fingernails are a good indicator for future events when you get old or whether you will have osteoporosis. As long as your fingernails remain flexible, it is a good sign that the bones are not brittle.

    You can supplement them with silicon or magnesium. The details of supplementation is beyond the topic of this email. Also, people who have brittle fingernails do not get complete protein supplementation or have poor source of proteins. Proteins keep fingernails tough and resistant as well as your bones - not calcium. Calcium is like a chalk you write on the blackboard, but what makes them so difficult to break and resistant to fungus due to lack of brittleness is the protein. Foods rich in hyaluronic acid are also important.

    However, you need to follow the mentioned regimen which will best get rid of fingernail fungus. Get your hands/feet dry as quickly as possible. It is a common practice after washing or bathing to just let them dry by themselves. This is a mistake. Use alcohol or wipe them clean dry after getting wet is extremely important as fungus loves water and moisture. Keep carpets and rugs free of fungus by using hydrogen peroxide during the cleaning of them and this will prevent reinfection. Use well ventilated shoes such as sandals if it is toe nail problem. Avoid gloves if it is a fingernail problem. Avoid hand dishwashing if it is at all possible.

    In Thailand, fungus is a difficult problem to get rid of since the source water usually comes from the use of illegal well water instead of from public utilities."


    03/21/2012: George from Mississauga, Ontario: "I am unclear on how to apply Ted's Remedies for toe nails only. I have very bad fungus that has taken the left protion of my large to nail and it is not growing. I have stopped it with Vicks but it still seems to be there and the nail is not growing (maybe it will take a while)

    Back to your remedy, do I also use the clorox bleach the vasaline and tree oil on my foot as you state for finger nails?"



           
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