The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Iodine
Posted by Jay (Rockland County, NY) on 08/24/2006
★★★★★
Iodine Tincture (2.3% solution cured 'Toenail Fungus. I whacked my infected toenails using a large hammer. In about two weeks the nails fell off and I applied iodine. When my new nails grew back, I had no more fungus.
Niacinamide
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 06/19/2006 391 posts
It has been known in academic circles for sometime that vitamin B3 in the form of niacinamide (non-flushing) is relatively toxic to yeast. A scientist found several years ago and concluded (wrongly) that taking vitamin B3 niacinamide will shorten your life span or longevity, through suppressing the SIR2 silencing gene, which is responsible for longevity.
As a result of this little misinformation, people stopped taking niacinamide and candida and yeast infections skyrocketed. Now the reason for the mistake was relatively simple, the scientist was apparently doing a study on longevity on yeast cells. Apparently in higher animals, fruit flies included, the effect of adding niacinamide resulted in longer life of 15%, as well as human embryo cells.
Therefore, if you have candida, yeast infection, or possibly even a UTI (urinary tract infection), taking niacinamide between 100-500 mg/day could solve this mystery that doctors have a hard time suppressing. In fact, you can expand this idea into applying the use of niacinamide NOT NIACIN, as a means of controlling fungus, since fungus is a relatively close cousin of the yeast also.
This is interesting, since in medicine the two most hardest organism to kill is actually fungus and yeast. It is almost a death sentence if you have this and getting rid of it may mean endless nightmare. Who knows, perhaps dissolving niacinamide with vinegar will be helpful in relieving your toe nail fungus infections.
Therefore a possibility exists from the point of view of biological terrain, candida, yeast and fungus infection is a form of niacinamide deficiency.
Iodine
Posted by Jedidah (Spring, TX) on 07/22/2008
I purchased decolorized iodine. It is clear out of the bottle but when it comes in contact with the skin it turns orange red immediately. It doesn't wash off and stays that way for days or weeks. I find that strange since the red colored iodine washes off very easily. Using it with Peroxide soaks and my skin around the nail is very dry and cracking and a little red. I'm going to keep using peroxide and not sure what else. There are so many ideas and opinions. In six weeks I have a trip to a lake resort area. Ikes!!!!!!!!!
EC: Not the colorless brand of iodine we use! It stays clear on the skin unless we've used peroxide first, in which case it does dye the skin orange for a while...
Potatoes
Posted by Beverly (Elkhart)
★★★★★
right now we are using crushed up raw potatoes inside a gauze and put this on the infected toes each night. this pulls out the infection. and afterwards peroxide the next morning with a cotton ball to pull out any more infection. we have been doing this every nite now for two weeks and they are healing. Thanks.
Cedarwood Oil, Goat Milk
Posted by Toria (USA) on 09/12/2025
Is there a company or website where we can purchase the goat milk and cedarwood essential oil cream?
Iodine
Posted by RB (Somewhere in Europe) on 07/31/2022 98 posts
★☆☆☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I suggest you guys use the "Colorless Iodine". Further, watch out for the "100% Natural Iodine", and "Lugol's Iodine", too, because the latter two will stain your nails. Further, watch out for fungus-infected big toenails, too, because if your nails gets stained, they will remain stained for many years to come, because the nail growth rate of fungus-infected big toenails is so slow that it is unbelievable.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Gavin (Ireland ) on 07/27/2025
Does the peroxide need to be diluted before soaking the toenails? Cheers
How to Self-Test for Internal Fungus
Posted by Holly (Millersville ) on 11/06/2017
Mightn't a non sterile and wet from saliva q tip grow mold just from the air? Like a shower curtain? Or leftovers in the fridge?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kristina (Evergreen, Co) on 05/19/2016
★★★★★
I've had toenail fungus for years but was slow on the uptake. At first my last two nails on each foot grew in deformed and separated from the nailbed, growing upward. Eventually my big toenails grew in ribbed and discolored. They also began to separate from the nailbed and developed white patches. I also developed my first Ingrown nail. After a lot of research I began using tea tree oil along with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and ACV. Two months in my nails are growing in clear and smooth!
Here's the regimen that works for me: (I keep the nails trimmed very short. I clean my tools regularly as well. ) In my morning shower I scrub my nails with a designated toothbrush and Dr. Bronners peppermint oil soap. Before I step out of the tub, I spray my toes with hydrogen peroxide. ( It comes in spray bottles at my local drug store)
Next, I swab my nails with alcohol on a cotton ball, then with ACV on a cotton ball, then I paint my nails and cuticles with a qtip and tea tree oil. I follow the same regimen at night. From other posts I've learned I've got to keep this up long after it appears the fungus is gone. I use this regimen because it's easy, cheap and I can sustain it over time. And it's working! It took only a few days for the white patches to disappear and of course the whole nail needs to grow in to see results.
I also have begun drinking lemon water to alkalize. Don't know which is helping the most but I suspect it's the tea tree oil given that's what I use the most of. These items are inexpensive and I'm grateful I didn't try medication as my friend did. Her fungus has cleared up but she's concerned about liver problems.
As an added bonus... My feet are always clean and I feel I am nurturing myself every time I take care of them.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sbs3915 (Louisiana) on 03/28/2016
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Hi, I've had toenail fungus for the last six years. It bothers me aesthetically, but also causes concern that I have fungus in the rest of my body causing aflatoxins.
I've tried Listerine, Vicks, Potassium Iodide, Oregano Oil, and pretty much every other common OTC "cure" including methylene blue topically and orally.
The only time my nails mostly healed I was drinking a gallon of milk a day and heavily supplementing zinc. This led to other problems such as IBS and lower libido so I stopped that regimen.
The other sensitive "cause" is once I start supplementing selenomethionine or even eating more Brazil nuts, the nails start getting more yellow and brittle.
Just looking for any other advice? Or does anyone have luck with internal pharmaceutical antifungals?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Suzy (Indiana) on 03/29/2016
I sure understand your frustration with toe nail fungus. I suffered from it for years. Raised, discolored thick and painful nails that nothing would fix until I started taking apple cider vinegar daily, a decent size shot in water in the morning and another at night. I did it for weight loss and my nails grew out beautiful. I wasn't expecting it and I wasn't taking the ACV for that reason. I had no idea it would clear up the fungus but it makes sense when you think about it. I kept the bad part of my nails cut short because they hurt if I hit my toe on something. When I realized they were growing out clean and pink, I kept them well trimmed as They grew out new. They reattached to the nail bed. I can't tell you how happy I am with this. It's the absolute only thing that worked. They are still as pretty as can be. Thank God. I hope you give it a try and stick with it. They take awhile to grow. Trash your old shoes too.
UV Light
Posted by John (California) on 03/25/2016
I have been thinking about this idea for sometime now. I'm glad someone did it before I order the lights.
UV Light
Posted by Claudia Yeager (West Virginia) on 08/11/2017
Where do you get or order the nail lights? Thanks.
Azoxystrobin Fungicide
Posted by Catherine (Oregon, US) on 09/29/2014
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Hey there!
I've written before but no one got back to me. I hope I have better luck this time.
Been taking the Borax but it's not working anymore and I need a new anti-fungal as this seems to be main prob.
I'm trying to find Azoxystrobin without added chemicals but have not been able to locate any by web searching. It was mentioned by some ppl on your site but I could only find some huge $500 gal sources and again not sure if there were other ingredients with it.
Can you help me with this or at least respond this time?
Thank you!
Azoxystrobin Fungicide
Posted by Timh (KY) on 09/30/2014 2041 posts
Catherine: It would be good if you provided a little more detail on what you have tried that didn't work. Anyway, there really isn't any short answers and magic bullets when it comes to fungal infections simply because most times, especially w/ Candida, it's only a manifestation of an underlying immune problem which is sometimes greatly helped by detoxing and a parasite cleanse.
Here is a link to the E.C. Candida page for your perusal https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/candida.html
Have you read Bill's Killing So Sweetly book advertised here on E.C.??
Azoxystrobin Fungicide
Posted by Prioris (Fl, US) on 09/30/2014
Bleach
Posted by Vera (Ireland ) on 08/14/2017
I have fungus since I was in my teens now in my four toes. I have tried tablets and lamisil which this cream spread the fungus to all my toe nails by using it ...if I was to bleach my feet what bleach would I use here in Ireland plz
Oregano Oil
Posted by Tassi (Calif.) on 09/22/2014
★☆☆☆☆
I bought an expensive pure wild oregano oil oreganoworld very strong smell, 87.6% min. carvacrol, and it did nothing but SPREAD the fungus from 2 fingernails to all five nails on the same hand. I was also putting it in capsules and taking it internally. I eat no sugar & min. carbs, wear flipflops only, keep all nails dry as possible, also tried remedies: Vicks; ACV; baking soda, borax, iodine (internal & external, all 3); coconut oil; colloidal silver; garlic (burned heck out of toe); GSE ("max strength"); Listerine; Olive leaf extract (internal), I am allergic to rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil and neem oil. I have candida and nothing has worked on that -- food grade H2O2 when reaching treatment dose levels made my ankles swell (edema began so I had to quit H2O2 as edema kept getting worse), I tried niacin and my knees swelled up and became unstable. The candida has me under control, it seems. Cannot drink ACV or I get oral herpes outbreak.
What DOES kind of work for the nail funguses is hydrogen peroxide soaks and dipping or dripping it on multiple times a day. If I get the dose right it keeps the fungus sort of under control, at least the nails do not get maximally weird, although the fingernails are eaten away, & need to be clipped halfway down the nailbed, which is quite painful. I always bleach the clipper in between each nail.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 09/23/2014
I would try Manuka Honey that has at least a MKO rating of at least 400 on nail fungus. That is therapeutic dose. MKO rating measures the amount of active ingredient. Even hospitals use it. Castor oil is something else. I would buy the hand held $20 infrared (infrarex ST-302) on amazon to help it absorb quickly. Your case is interesting because you tried so many things. Have you ever tested to see what kind of fungus it is.
Sunlight
Posted by Feethurt (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 07/04/2013
★★★★☆
I've had a persistent problem with Toenail Fungus that made my nails get thick and turn inward like claws. I had read an article in Dr. Mercola's website that had a paragraph in it saying to expose feet to sunlight. I was living in the SF Bay Area (cool and foggy) so it wasn't practical but now I've moved to a climate that is more sunny (Albuquerque) and I started wearing sandals in April. My toenails aren't so curved in any more and they don't hurt so much when I trim them.
This is the link to his article. Scroll down to the paragraph titled "Using Sunlight to Treat Chronic Toenail Fungus Infections"
Oxine AH
Posted by Christina (Winnemucca, Nevada) on 06/06/2013
Very interesting!! I'm going to look into it.
Oxine AH
Posted by Trudyg (Waynesboro, Va, Usa) on 06/06/2013
I just made a comment under the jock itch comment, gave a link to the page listing what Oxine it kills. Google it. http://www.prohealthmicrobials.com/Oxine103S.jpg
Listerine
Posted by Andrea C (Cardiff, Wales) on 04/15/2013
Listerine has got 'TRICLOSAN' in it. Go Google Triclosan.
Listerine
Posted by Lajaun (Seattle, Wa) on 03/24/2014
How much Listerine did you use.
Listerine
Posted by Dolores (New Jersey) on 06/30/2014
Listerine is also great for dandruff...I have used this remedy for dandruff in the past (about 15 years ago) when the only Listerine available was when it was sold in the brown bag like cover. Tingles but worth the try.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lesley (Nanaimo, Bc, Canada) on 02/28/2013
Fungus under Toenails... I was reading a number of messages about the use of food grade hydrogen peroxide. My question is, would this be a good external as well as internal treatment for the fungus? What solution for the external? Thanks.
Black Cumin
Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 11/01/2012
Where would I buy this in nova scotia, Canada?
Black Cumin
Posted by Ed2010 (Oakville, Canada) on 11/01/2012
What he or she refers is Nigella Sativa -The other name is Kalonji- you can easily get it in Indian Grocery Store, Pakistani, Afghanistan stores. Kalonji Oil is also available in these stores.
Black Cumin
Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 11/01/2012
sorry... My fault for not being clear, I appreciate your comment reply... But I was hoping someone from nova scotia would reply, that maybe they had found it here.
Black Cumin
Posted by Longbow_Texas (San Antonio, TX) on 09/23/2022
For toenail fungus, how much, how often, and for how long each time, for how many days?
Sugar-Free Diet
Posted by Alaskan (Palmer, Alaska) on 09/25/2012
Thank you for this information. I have been battling toe nail fungus for years. I have used Tea Tree Oil to keep it under control. But, I have always known that sugar is not a good thing for me. I am willing to cut it out and see if it clears this up!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kate (Pegram, Tennessee, Usa) on 09/22/2012
I am new to Earthclinic... I sent TED and email but have not received any answer as of yet.
I have never dealt with toenail fungus until June 22, 2012. I have checked both with comments here at Earth Clinic and all over the web looking for someone who has experienced a severe fungal toenail that is detaching from the nail bed... I have been to two podiatrists. The second one cut down the loose part of the fungal nail and told me to keep using my routine which has been apple cider vinegar. He said removing the nail was not a good idea because I don't have great circulation in my foot and there's a big possibilility that the toe would not heal and would get gangrenous.
So I have done as he said... I am to visit his office every two months.
I noticed the fungus growing out from under the base of what's left of the old nail as well as on the left side of nail. It seemed loose so I pulled the fungus away which detached the old toenail from the bottom. I already had space behind the old toenail where the fungus had died (I guess). I noticed liguid white discharge on my skin where podiatrist had trimmed toenail.... And also under my now almost detached toenail. I very carefully scooped it out and off with a sterilized toenail clipper (the file part) I was afraid to use anything else for fear of bacterial infection.
Now the area is still filled but the white discharge has turned brown. The fungus has attached my skin so severely that I do not put vinegar on everyday. I do soak my foot in plain water for about 20 mins, then dry thoroughly. I wear opened toe slides constantly so toes get plenty of air. I cover my bad toes with a thin sterilized, clean cotton handkerchief material. I don't want any bacteria to get into my toe.
So far before going to podiatrist, I have used Vick's, hydrogen peroxide and water, and vinegar from the grocery store. I read about DMSO, pharmacy grade . I am going to mix it with 50 % distilled water and apply it to toenail area after I have applied coconut oil. I don't think my skin can take anything stronger right now. My skin is still red, some swelling, sore and very, very tender... I could not wear shoes with toes in if I had to.
My question... after my nail was cut a clear water discharge came out from behind my nail, then after a week or so and vinegar soak the clear went to a white milky looking discharge which has now turned brown and seems to be serving as a scab of sorts, it's brown so I assume that it's fungus growing still.
Since there seems to be no real cure... I am desperately wanting to just eliminate the tender soreness and swelling. I hope this DMSO if used properly does not make my toe worse. I had blood work done. The fungal infection is not in my bloodstream... The podiatrist side it was a skin fungal infection. For now he did not want to remove nail as I said... For fear it will not heal. I do not have diabetes. I control blood sugar with my diet.
Does anyone have any comments?? I am worried, my mother lost her leg from a caregiver cutting a toenail too short.... so I know how easily this can become life threatening. All comments or help appreciated.
Thanks, Kate
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jay Mango (Germantown, Ohio, USA) on 09/23/2012
tea tree oil will kill toenail fungus you can buy it at walmart for pretty reasonable or at a health food store. Good luck
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kate (Raleigh, Nc, United States) on 09/23/2012 6 posts
Kate: If the tea tree oil remedy that was offered by Jay doesn't work, you may want to try a borax solution. I dissolve one teaspoon of borax in 3oz of hot tap water and pour it into a 3oz spray bottle that I purchased from [a] Beauty Supply [shop]. I spray my feet with this borax solution and rub it in. So far, it seems to help the small patch of athlete's foot fungus on my left foot. It may help your toenail fungus. I've been doing this for about ten days as of 09/23/12. I think it takes a while to completely heal. You may want to read the entries for the borax remedy on EarthClinic. Good luck. Your condition sounds very distressing.
Emu Oil
Posted by Sean (Portland, Or) on 09/07/2012
★★★★★
Put pure emu oil on your nails for a month. Tougher cases may take longer. My fungus was cured. Hope yours responds in the same way.
NAET
Posted by Selena (Port Coquitlam, Bc, Canada) on 07/11/2012
★★★★★
I had a case of very stubborn toe nail fungus, nothing would work. I had it for about 10 years. I found an NAET practitioner and she cleared the systemic fungus with acupressure on the spine -- one treatment and my nails grew out pink and beautiful!
Sunlight
Posted by Jwmci (Boulder, Co) on 04/06/2012
★★★★★
My son has been running barefoot for various reasons. An interesting sidelight is that his toenail fungus disappeared, leading him to believe that sunlight is the key. It would be interesting to try an artificial sun light.
Iodine
Posted by Sarah (vancouver ) on 03/04/2021
I am also based in Vancouver and have been struggling with nail fungus. How are your nails doing in 2020? Did you ever manage to find colourless iodine here in Vancouver? What has helped you most?? I appreciate your help. I'm in desperate need of it.
Iodine
Posted by Kris (Nyc) on 10/03/2021
Hey Sarah,
did you ever find something that helped?
Shoe and Sock Tips
Posted by Not Fun Gus (St. Louis, Mo Usa) on 11/15/2011
How can I sterilize my good wool socks after wearing them with toe fungus? I know to first soak them in cold water to set size. Does anyone think a long soak in ACV would kill fungus? I don't want to get rid of them.
Shoe and Sock Tips
Posted by Louwrence (Rustenburg, North West South Africa) on 11/16/2011
Try soaking them in a solution of water & ammonia. Ammonia kills fungus. Borax also kills fungus. Hope you hare successful.
Vicks
Posted by Dean (Seattle, Wa) on 12/10/2012
LOVE the fact that you checked back in!! I too, use a dremel. So funny. (How many more of us are out there?) Never tried the Vicks. I'll try tonight. I'm so impatient. I always give up if something doesn't start working within the first few days.
Henna
Posted by Shelby (Evansville, In) on 08/31/2011
★★★★★
Henna is anti-fungal, thought I'd throw that out there.
I usually use it to dye my hair, but I've been reading up on it, and I'm going to try it on a persistent fungus near my eye. I usually just mix it with hot water and let it sit for an hour, then apply it wherever. Henna can smell pretty strong, but feels absolutely wonderful on your skin.
It has to sit and absorb for a few hours, so don't do it if you're in a hurry, and it can be a bit messy. Now I just need to figure out where to get those tiny little paint brushes to paint it on exactly.
