[YEA]  03/25/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia: "I had toe nail fungus under my big toe for about six years. In the past I had taken tablets for six months but it didn't clear it up. It was also starting to affect my other big toe. After taking the apple cider vinegar for about three months (with bicarb soda) (2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar with 1/4 tsp bicarb) the toe nail fungus is now totally gone. It took three months but you could see it clearing as the nail grew."

04/09/2011: Maddy from New York replies: "Can Debbie from Melbourne please explain exactly what she did with the vinegar and soda. Did you soak it or make like a compress you placed on it? THANKS"

04/10/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Maddy, for the nail fungus all I did was drink the apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons) morning and night with 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda (bicarb soda). I put nothing on my toe at all. The Apple Cider Vinegar will kill off the fungus inside the body including the toenails.

It will take about 3 months for it to be completely gone because new nail has to grow in. The new nail will be fungus free. I just kept cutting the old nail off as it grew."

04/16/2011: Suzanne from Rockledge, Florida Usa replies: "Debbie, did you mix the apple cider vinegar with the baking soda or taken separatly?"

04/28/2011: Maddy from Ny, Usa replies: "Thanks for your reply. How was your stomach from doing this for so long? I hear that too much vinegar can be damaging? I appreciate you taking the time to reply

Maddy"

06/06/2011: Mari from New York, Ny, Usa replies: "hello Debbie from Melbourne, Australia!

are you still taking your remedy or did it cure your fungus completely and are not taking it anymore? Just to clarify, you combined the vinegar and baking soda together and drank it in the morning and night? Thanks!"

06/06/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Hi Mari, no I am not really taking it anymore and the fungus has never come back. I do occasionally take some ACV but I now just take the ACV with some honey in water rather than the baking soda though because the baking soda neutralises the stomach acid which affects your digestion."

06/06/2011: Debbie from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Yes I took the ACV both in the morning and night. I put nothing on my toes, just drank it and the toe fungus disappeared. You could see the new nail growing in clear - a slow process."

06/07/2011: Dave from Raleigh, North Carolina replies: "Hello Debbie from Melbourne. Did you mix two tablespoons of ACV with water? Or did you just dump two tablespoons of ACV in an empty glass along with the baking soda and drink it without water?"

07/09/2011: Ellis from Santa Fe, Nm replies: "quickly, is it an eighth or a fourth of the soda? two separate comments each have a different amount."

09/16/2011: Kristy from Holden Beach, Nc replies: "People, do not DRINK ACV with baking soda or you'll most likely have larger problems than just a nail.

You don't even need the baking soda----just pour a bit of Apple Cider Vinegar into a cup, dip a clean Q-tip into the ACV and dab it directly on the nail at the base (where the nail is growing from), if desired you may rub over entire nail and dab underneath the nail a bit. As the new nail grows and you clip off the old nail, you will see improvements and hopefully the nail will clear up completely once a complete new nail has formed. The length of time it takes will depend on how fast your nails grow.

But once again, don't drink the ACV mixed with anything. For example: just go to your kitchen sink and pour in a bit of baking soda, now pour ACV over top and watch it boil (cleans the pipes) well, that is exactly what it is going to do to your stomach!!

Just dab the ACV directly on to the nail with a Q-tip and best wishes!!"

01/06/2013: Carol from Independence, Missouri replies: "I have had toenail fungus for at least 30 years. It started in one big toe and the spread to the other. Now it has attacked 5 toes and 5 fingernails. I've tried a number of things, including TTO for several weeks, with no noticeable improvement. I would love to be able to drink the ACV and water mixture morning and night, but am afraid of how it will affect my digestive system and here's why:

Several years ago, someone convinced me to drink white vinegar. I only drank a tablespoonful, but it immediately caused serious stomach pain. As the pain worsened, I started vomiting and the vomiting would continue until I threw up bile and then blood. This developed into a terrible health problem that doctors couldn't diagnose or treat effectively. I've had two major GI surgeries and been in the hospital more times than I can count. I now take two prescription medications to keep these episodes from reoccurring.

Is there anything I could add to the ACV that would make it less irritating to my stomach? Is ACV with the mother less acidic than plain white vinegar? I've also heard it can cure sinus infections and several other illnesses, so I would really love to be able to take it. I can usually eat salad dressing and pickled foods, which makes me wonder what keeps the vinegar they contain from causing the same problems. Would including the ACV in my diet work the same as drinking it with water?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated."

02/19/2013: Outtolearn from Louisville, Ky replies: "Raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar is what you want. It is a different product entirly from white distilled vinegar. Yes, you can dilute it in water, use it for your salad dressing with olive oil or organic coconut oil and some oregano and basil or however you wish to take it. It does not affect the stomach the way you would think. It actually rids the body of ulcers. Just start slowly if you are concerned use 1/2 tsp instead of 2 Tblsps and see how you do on that. That is what I would do if it were me."

04/15/2013: Marshaka777 from Denver, Co, U.s.a. replies: "To Carol who wrote of serious physical problems after ingesting white vinegar; white vinegar is made from coal tar and is in no way similar to raw apple cider vinegar."

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  01/26/2011: Irishbandit from Melbourne, Australia replies: "Just wanted to let you know how I'm getting on with the ACV. Some nails seem to have improved, others I'm not sure (big toes). I've decided that I will keep going for at least 4 months no matter what (been doing it for 2 months so far). I've uploaded two more photos to Flickr, taken this morning www.flickr.com/photos/31174923@N06/?saved=1"

06/26/2011: Chicagogirl from Chicago , Il, Usa replies: "Hello I looked at your pictures it looks like your nails are starting to grow out I just had a quick question I have the exact same problem on one of my toe nails, I've always used nail polish to cover it up and let my nail grow out to hide it. My nail grows and looks normal unless you pay full attention you cant notice its there but not attached. So did you at any point cut your nail or did you simply file it down?"

01/10/2011: Jean from Charlotte, Sc replies: "I wanted to update and say that I'm still soaking my nails in ACV. I also drink about one tablespoon of ACV every day. Half of the big toenail came off the other day. I forgot to mention before that on the days that I don't have time to soak I take a capsule of Oregano Oil, stick it with a pin and put some on each nail. It even took away the pain (within minutes) of what was begining to be an ingrown toenail. It discolored my socks, but as I said before, I'd rather have healthy nails than white socks. My nails are still slightly discolored and I'm totally fine with that."

12/18/2009: Deirdre from Atlanta, GA replies: "I reused the acv a few times.

WARNING -- apple cider vinegar can dye your normal toenails a very ugly color if:

1) you don't dilute the acv with water
2) soak your toes too long
and
3) use cheap ACV from the grocery store

My toes are still discolored from doing the above 3 months ago!!

Deirdre"

12/19/2009: Phil from Dearing, Ga replies: "Hi Deirdre and Susan. I would just like to let the two of you know that I have read that Grapefruit Seed Complex in liquid form can be used to treat nail fungus. This is a liquid and can be used for cleaning vegetables also. Tooth and gum infections if added to tooth paste. You can request a FREE catalog from herbalhealer.com and it tells what all it can be used for.

I HAVE NOT used this product. But this is what it states, That it can be put directly under the toes to help toe nail fungus. Some people also add 2 drops daily to glass of juice. It seems as this is a Fungus fighter internally and externally.

Hope this helps."

12/19/2009: Phil from Dearing, Ga replies: "Hi Deidre. It's me again, I should tell you that this particular Grapefruit Seed Extract is said to be very potent and should always be DILUTED WHEN PUT ON SKIN! It DOES NOT, however give the dilution ratio, but does say one dropper full for a BATH...So I guess, it does need to be diluted. I am just not sure to the ratio. Maybe there is info on the kind you have as to dilution.

But then again, maybe it is speaking only for putting on the skin to be diluted. Because it says " It can be applied directly under toes to help toenail fungus."

Oh I feel so bad now, because I can't tell you for sure and I have the catalog. Sorry.

Ok I have found this in another part and it says " This is used for external wound that are not healing well.You must dilute this. 10 drops per cup of warm water-wash area four times a day." I know this still doesn't answer, if you dilute to go under toes or not.

Maybe you should start with diluted, first and see how that goes...I will post again if I find anything else out. I haven't tried google on this, so I will try that."

12/19/2009: Phil from Dearing, Ga replies: "This is interesting Deirdre and Susan. Lots of information here.
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/health/toenailfungus.html

All kinds of reports from people, who used different methods."

12/19/2009: Tricia from Ireland replies: "Susan from holland - this won't work for you cos yours is a fungus and has to be treated differently but it should work for deirdre cos hers is a dye problem.

I get discolored fingernails from some chemicals I use at work. It is usually only 1 fingernail when the latex gloves I use break.

1. Light dye-leave a slice of lemon on it for about 5 mins daily.

2. Heavy dye-3% h2o2 painted on with a q-tip above and underneath the fingernail.This usually works for nail polish staining too.

3. Iodine-break open a vitamin c capsule and dilute with water, stick finger in glass. This solution will take iodine out of clothes and off countertops too.

So far, because I get to attack it immediately, I rarely have to do any of the first two for longer than 4/5 days and the vitamin c only once so I don't know if there are any long term effects i.e. weakening of the nails.
It would be very rare tho' for the dye to get below the nail onto the bed as they are tightly bound to each other.
If the acv dye is still on your skin, Deirdre, I can't see there being a problem with a little H2O2 in a footbath if Ted recommends it directly on the face overnight for rosacea."

12/19/2009: Deirdre from Atlanta, GA replies: "Thanks so much, Tricia! I will give it whirl. I used your nail file for cracked heels remedy to get the dye off my feet a few days after my ACV disaster and that was very helpful. But I never got it off my toe nails.

For those who missed it, here is my embarrassing foot soaking account on the apple cider vinegar page: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acvinegar2.html#SOAK"

12/20/2009: Susan from Holland, Pa replies: "thanks to all of you for your input so far. I'm soaking in acv as i write. :) Its only day 3 so of course no results yet. Another few questions. I have been using tea tress oil as well for many years but this has done zero. Should I consider a different type oil such as grapefruit oil or coconut oil? I am confused about which oil to use. Do I apply this at night prior to bed or use it during the day? I do use powder to keep my feet dry as possible during the day and walk around in flip flops around the house. My feet of course are FREEZING in the flip flops:(
Thanks in advance for all of you!"

07/03/2009: Lon from Stanhope, NJ replies: "Did you use straight, undiluted ACV? Did you soak the foot in the ACV, or did you apply it directly to the nails and leaving it on? rinsing? once a day? more often? My disabled son has terrible toenails. I've been hopping around with different treatments because I'm confused about which is the best way. Your success sounds encouraging. I'd like to try your method consistently for a while to see if we can get this under control. More details would be helpful. Thank you for your help."

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  07/28/2009: Kate from Minneapolis, Minnesota replies: "Check back:

I wrote in on June 21'09 after starting ACV soaks for my toenail fungus. I have now been diligently soaking my feet twice a day for six weeks. (See my previous post 6/21/09 for ACV/H2O amounts.) After a month I nearly lost hope because I couldn't see any real difference. Then I looked closer when trimming my nails. It was looking slightly different. With renewed hope - like others I'm in this for the fight - I kept up the soaks (my feet are in the bucket as I type this). My toenails are definitely changing, I can hardly believe it. It's happening v e r y s l o w l y. They look like they are starting to grow out normally at the base. The nasty debris/buildup is also diminishing though not entirely gone. No nails falling off however like others report. I am poised to begin Ted's remedies (got all the stuff) which was my next plan if I didn't see any change. Now I'm just continuing the vinegar soaks so I can watch the experiment further. For those of you asking about soaking vs. just applying ACV on the nails: I tried that a couple of years ago. YOU HAVE TO SOAK! I do it minimum 1/2 hr twice a day. I have had a severe case for 22 years! The soaking seems to get the solution into the nail and nail bed which is where the nasty bug is residing. Just applying the solution topically isn't enough; it dries before it can penetrate. I'm not yet done but this is amazing!! I will report back in a few weeks again!"

09/22/2009: Kate from Minneapolis, Mn, Usa replies: "Well it's time for another check-in, this time it's been two months. In brief the ACV is working! This is truly remarkable. It's like getting the best birthday or Christmas present I could ever have hoped for. Just remembering it sometimes during the day brings a good feeling. Here's where it's at: I've continued with twice daily soaks for 1/2 hour or more. If it's occasionally less time then I make up for it later. Improvement has continued gradually in the way described in my previous post. It is not entirely gone. Of nine nails affected, three appear totally cleared up and six are greatly improved. Two of the six, the big toenails, are nearly clear but it takes them longer to fully grow out because they have farther to grow! From the base to two thirds out they appear close to normal looking. In my case, my nails seem to improve first at the base where they grow out and gradually they continue growing out clean. Four stubborn ones still have some signs of the fungus but they too are changing. The ones that had it the worst are taking the longest. I'm so thrilled already that I don't worry much about sandals anymore - even though the nails don't look great, I know they're on their way! Actually they may never look quite the same. I read in Ted's posts that once the nail has become separated from the nail bed, it never grows back in that place and I'm finding that to be true. But for me it's a small price to pay, a scar I guess. Meanwhile I'm not completely out of the woods yet. I figure maybe it'll be six months total. I'm psyched! Will check back."

03/21/2010: Kate from Minneapolis, Mn replies: "This is a check-in on my ACV toenail fungus cure. I am still soaking my toes twice daily in ACV and it is working! It's taken longer than I thought it would but it definitely works! I started with nine badly affected toenails. Six were completely normal after four months. The last three are slow but definitely getting better. I have no idea why three are taking so much longer. They were among the worst but other bad ones cleared up quicker. I started using ACV last June 2009. I guess it may take a year. It takes a little discipline and patience. But compared to the 23 years I've had it, a year seems quick! ACV works, it's amazing. Thank you so much Earth Clinic!!

p.s. to Phil and to Deirdre at E.C.: I used Grapefruit Seed Extract for a year before starting ACV. I painted it with a fine brush on each toenail morning and night. I started out using it diluted because of the burning you referred to. But soon I applied it carefully full strength and it didn't bother my skin. However this remedy did nothing to change my nails. Maybe it helped to slow it a little from getting worse, but it did not diminish the fungus already there. ACV is the only thing I have tried in 22 years that has made any and a total difference.

Thanks, Kate - Mpls, MN"

07/28/2012: Vreed27 from Seattle, Wa replies: "Hi Kate, You might want to consider adding some FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and taking it internally mixed with some kind of juice or water. It has great reviews to helping grow hair/nails. Might help your toenails grow out even faster!"

05/21/2009: Fancy from Fresno, CA replies: "Wow, Im so glad this remedy worked for you.I have had toe nail fungus for 8 yrs now and have not worn sandals since i was 17! Im a girl and lets face it my summer dresses arent going to look good with tennis shoes.=) My podiatrist prescribed me the generic brand for lamisil and it has not worked! its been a month and yet nothing. Im also a mommy and would love to go to the beach and finally walk on the sand barefooted with my kids. So im going to try this tomorrow i just dont know where to buy ACV? Someone mentioned on the website about a certain brand and also organic ACV we have a Whole Foods store would it be there? If you have any suggestions or advice please throw them my way. Thanks in advance."

11/05/2011: Pete from Fort Collins, Colorado replies: "You can buy regular ACV in the grocery store next to the white vinegar. Organic vinegar will be available at Whole Foods, but probably expensive there. Try to find a less expensive organic food store. We have sunflower and sprouts here in Colorado.

http://www.sunflowermarkets.com/Default.aspx
http://sprouts.com/home.php

Hope that helps."

[YEA]  04/05/2009: Rin from London, UK replies: "I have been using ACV on my toenail fungus for just one week and the results are amazing. I have had this on my big toe for a very long time and nothing would shift it, nothing that is until I started using ACV. This what I do every night..

Soak a cotton wool ball in ACV
Place it over my toe and stick down with a plaster
leave it on over night
Remove in the morning and shower
In just one week ACV has nearly removed all of the black part of my toenail, it just went soft and fell off. I know i will have to wait for the new nail to grow back but im thrilled to bits"

[YEA]  04/30/2009: Nat from Huntsville, AL replies: "Vinegar can and does work wonders on mild to moderate toenail fungus. I used ordinary Heinz white vinegar and experienced amazing results after just a week. I'm sure ACV would provide equal or better results. After 2-3 weeks of treatment, the fungus was just about totally knocked out and I haven't had any problems since.

Of course, the studies probably don't support this - but why would they? Who has anything to gain from cures that involve a $3.00 bottle of vinegar?"

EC: Nat, how long did you soak your nails for?

05/01/2009: Nat from Huntsville, AL replies: "Not long. I just covered the nail with a generous amount of vinegar and then allowed it to air-dry. I did this 1-2 times per day for a few weeks, until the thickness and discoloration were almost totally gone. After just a few days, I was able to remove large amounts of flaky whitish matter from under the nail - presumably the dead fungus. I continued applying the vinegar and removing the foreign matter until I was satisfied with the results. I still apply vinegar once a week or so for maintenance, and have had no further trouble with the nail.

I had been considering getting Lamasil or Penlac before trying this, but figured I might as well give it a try first - and I'm very glad I did. More severe cases may not respond as well, but I'd say it's worth a shot."

EC: Thanks very much for updating us!

09/26/2010: Kathy from Hugo, Mn replies: "Why would such a naysayer enter an ignorant comment without trying himself? Fear. Western Meds would NEVER approve because they make NO money from a CURE without meds. I hope you try ACV for something and see for yourself it was an uneducated remark about home remedies and natural health period! I've witnessed countless cures for ACV and basic home remedies from my brilliant father-in-law and my own family! You are missing out to be such a "debbie downer" and doubtful. Sorry, but I felt the need to speak up!"

[YEA]  07/27/2011: Adrienne from Arlington, Ma replies: "I too find it very disturbing that physicians dismiss fungal infections or something as simple as ACV to treat it. Ignored fungal infections long term can permanently disfigure your nails, get into your blood and be terribly hard to treat, and of course infect others.

After getting a new doctor, I discovered that I had had athletes' foot for years. It took the form of small blisters and dry skin - that I couldn't figure out because it didn't itch and didn't respond to over-the-counter medications. The doctor told me that because I had had it so long, I probably would need to take Lamasil orally. Since like others here, I already take other medications that affect my liver, I was not at all happy to hear that.

Thank goodness for apple cider vinegar! I began soaking my feet in 1/2 ACV and water twice a day for 15 -25 minutes, it was easy while checking email. I used a tupperware container big enough not to easily slosh out and that both feet would fit in. Changed the solution once a week. Changed towels under the bin every other day, used new towels each day to dry my feet. Used a waterproof nail file to remove excess calluses and reduce thick nails. I washed and treated nail file with Lysol each day, sprayed the shower once a week (not good to do it more apparently). New towels in bath every other day in the beginning. Applied antifungal cream to my feet if I needed to wear shoes, changed socks at least once a day, sometimes twice if my feet sweated a lot.

Sprayed the heck out of my shoes, removed the inserts and sprayed them as well with an antifungal spray and left them out in the sun to dry. If you have old shoes that can't be sprayed, or you feel they're iffy, get rid of them. This is an important point that I don't see people mentioning here - you don't want to undo your hard work. I reinfected myself briefly because I grabbed an old pair of gardening shoes one day, and sweated in them without socks.

It took me about 4-5 weeks from the initial start of soaking to be fungus free. Yellowed skin and nails from cider stains gradually disappeared over a week or two. Lemon juice and/or a little scrubbing with a pumice stone can help speed its departure.

My mother and sister have nail fungus, and I recently told them about ACV - they're trying it too. Will post back in several weeks about their results."

[YEA]  03/16/2009: Suzann from Titusville, New Jersey replies: "Hi, I am following up with my results as promised on the Earth Clinic website. I wrote on 2/19 that I was going to start treating my "large" toe - with ACV. Well, it has been almost four weeks. I am happy to say, my four small toes are close to being totally cleared up and my large toe (my main concern) has lost the large, crusty, black striped nail and a new toenail bed is under! I was thrilled to see this! My nail fell off and on my toebed was new pink toenail. Now, I will see if my toenail grows back clear and healthy once again. Hope this helps and encourages you to use Apple Cider Vinegar on your "fungus infected toes!" It works!"