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.
Listerine
Posted by Ingrid (Ft Lauderdale, FL) on 12/13/2008
★★★★★
I had a toe fungus on my big toe. Went to the foot doctor who had me on an antibiotic for 6 months with no results. I then spent 6 months using tree tea oil 2Xs per day, again no result. Finally soaked a cotton ball 2xS per day for 10 minutes with original Listerine--3 days later NO MORE FUNGUS! ALL GONE!!
Listerine
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 08/27/2016
Dear Karen,
My guess is that this could take a while to heal. I would try soaking once or twice a day for a month for 20 minutes and see if there is any improvement. If there is, continue on. It could take 6 months.
A solution that is 1/2 vinegar (white distilled) and 1/2 water is also good for fungus. Or a gallon of water with 1/4 cup borax as a soak.
You could also try putting a mixture of castor oil and coconut oil (1/2 and 1/2) on his callouses and covering them with socks at night. Castor oil and coconut oil are healing and softening. This would also protect the sheets.
~Mama to Many~
Baking Soda
Posted by Elsa (Corpus Christi, Texas) on 12/08/2016
Thank you. I'm going to try it myself and I'll have my mother try it. She's a cancer (non-curable according to western medicine) carrier. I'll be ever so grateful for your insight if the cancer dies.
Cut the Nail Down
Posted by J. Riley (Honolulu, Hawaii) on 04/30/2007
★★★★★
I had nail fungus on most of my nails-over half of them. I had a problem years ago with only the thumb nail. This time it was really bad-I'd had artificial nails and I neglected them. When they were removed, my nails were absolutely gone-paper thin with fungus. After removal this continued to spread lower and lower. Over half of my nails had extensive fungus--apparent by the unattached white colored nails. Some were almost unattached all the way down to the "moon". From my other incident years ago I learned there is NO cure other than to cut away COMPLETELY ANY and ALL nail that isn't attached (debriding). I messed around with a thumbnail for over 2 years. Attended a doctor who game me Rx and told me to keep my nail dry-nearly impossible. Finally I got fed up and cut down the thumbnail all the way as far as I could. Knowing this, this time I cut back my nails completly all the way down as far as possible. This involved over half of most of them. Kind of hard on the eyes, but why screw around with all these liver damaging drugs, and soaking, and failures. Amazing! I marked the calendar: by the time 4 weeks had passed all of my nails had reached the point of where the natural quick is--except the 2 thumbnails-they're alot slower! It's been 6 weeks since I trimmed them all the way back. I did have to invest in some special clippers-"cuticle trimmers". Otherwise it would have been impossible to get rid of all the "white"with regular nail clippers. The clippers are about $14.00. Much better than Dr. bills, Rx's soaks, salves; Also much better than fooling around for weeks, months, and years. Generally for me, the smaller the nail, the faster the recovery. I would like to thank the manicurist on this site for her imput. She has been a manicurist for 19 years and her advice includes using clear iodine on your nails. This, she says makes the nails grow fast. I have a slow thyroid so the iodine thing is very intesting to me. The best part aobut ths whole thing is: Not only did my nails fill back in quickly, but now they are the strongest I've ever seen them! Almost every night I put the clear ("blanco") iodine on them. I'm not a doctor, but I would NEVER take any prescription drug that would damage the liver. That to me is unconsiousable. I am not a doctor and cannot advise others. All I wish to do is share how quickly this worked for me and how strong my nails are now! I'm very grateful!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Towanda (Philadelphia, PA) on 02/27/2007
★★★★★
My toenails were turning brown and was very dry to the point that the nail was lifting and chipping all over. It was disgusting. The doctor put me on Lamisil which had to be taken for up to two years and even then, you weren't guaranteed results. I stopped taking the Lamisil after about 6 months because I saw no results, and it could have possibly damaged my liver. I decided to try Peroxide. For the past month, after showering, I pour HP on my toes and let it dry. I then put Tea Tree Oil on my toenails. My nails are absolutely beautiful now. The brown is practically gone, the nail itself is healthy and smooth.
Iodine
Posted by Jan (Northern, Virginia Usa) on 08/15/2011
Ammonia added to iodine will make an explosive. I would not recommend that.
Iodine
Posted by Sachsesenior (Sachse, Tx, USA) on 08/27/2012
Liquid drugstore Iodine and grocery store clear ammonia are harmless when added together. Clear Iodine sold in drugstores is Ammonium Iodide, Potassium Iodide, and 45% alcohol. The fireworks compound referred to is made with products only available from chem-lab suppliers.
Adding ammonia to chlorine bleach is very dangerous as it releases chlorine gas which is very poisonous and regularly sends housewifes to emergency rooms.
I have tried white vinegar without luck and tea tree also without results. Now trying de-colored Iodine I got at a Walmart. Iodine is a potent bio-cide and would work if it can be delivered to the source of the fungus infection which is under the nail - that is why it is so hard to treat with topical solutions, the nail is hard to penetrate with any liquid.
Alkalize
Posted by Carol (Cambridge, Mn) on 07/14/2011
I have struggled with toenail fungus, but have suspected an underlying candida problem. I also would like to know how to check PH balance. Any other diet tips would be welcome, as well.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Posted by AJ (Los Angeles, CA) on 01/09/2007
★★★★★
I have tried three application of lemongrass oil and I am making WONDERFUL progress. I have had serious to moderate toe nail infections for the past 3 years. Nothing I have tried has worked until now. I have applied lemongrass oil to all infected nails. The infected portion of each nail turn black within 24 hours of application. New nail that is healthy looking is just peeking in from the base and I am I very excited. I think this remedy with an essential oil will work for some. Also, the oil smells great!
Vicks
Posted by Becky (San Diego, CA) on 11/15/2006
My Dr. (at a very well know medical organization), he asked that I not tell anyone that he told me to try this instead of the prescription he could have given. Apparently the prescription stuff takes just as long to work approx. 3mos and cost a lot more and has bad side effects on other organs in your body. The Vicks Vapor Rub every night before bed rubbed on toes, covered with socks and WOW! What a find... Renewed my faith in my Doctor as well.
EC: We have long suspected that many of these emails are from the manufacturer (or their PR firm). We post them here for your reading enjoyment.
Vicks
Posted by Mazza (Wellington, New Zealand) on 05/19/2012
I too have had great success with Vicks (and a cheaper version). My toe nails are growing normally from the nail bed and I have been able to remove the thick "horns" at the top of my nails and hope in a couple of months to show my nails again after wearing shoes and socks for years. I read that fungus loves dark, and therefore painting toe nails is a no-no.
I enjoy this site and have used it to clear many a problem but I do take exception to the EC comment that these comments are from the Vicks manufacturer and are just posted for our enjoyment. I do not work for the company or own shares - I just have used a product that works.
Iodine
Posted by Lenny (WV, US) on 01/18/2015
Are you serious? You whacked your nails with a hammer. Made me laugh.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Julie (River Grove, IL) on 05/02/2006
★★★★★
I am very happy to pass this on to anyone who has this condition because you will absolutely get rid of your discolored/thickened toenails with no side effects! I know because my nails are clear and beautiful again. Apply oil of oregano to your nails with a Q-tip in the morning and evening. You can buy oil of oregano at any health food store. Do this and your unsightly toenails will be a thing of the past. Do this for approximately 6 or 7 months, so your new clear toenails will grow in and that's it! I followed this advice and my nails are completely clear and normal.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Nancy (Westport CT) on 07/06/2005
★★★★★
I have fungus on one big toe and nothing worked . One day I decided to put peroxide let it sit dry then pour alcohol on it and it is cured and has grown back and I no longer get ingrown toenail . I had cut it as short as possible to get the peroxide etc in there.
General Feedback
Posted by Mary (Apple Valley) on 02/19/2025
Hi. I have toenail fungus and my doctor said that it is systemic and can't be treated topically. So all your remedies supposedly don't actually cure it, just temporarily alleviate the symptoms. I read here that olive leaf extract worked. But do the topical ones actually work as well. I know the medical establishment doesn't credit anything but what it sells.
Baking Soda
Posted by Leanne (Australia ) on 03/12/2022
Try spraying with tea tree oil.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Posted by John B (Pahoa, HI 96778) on 10/21/2021
★★★★★
I used lemongrass oil after beginning a probiotic a month earlier. The lemongrass oil killed the fungus and infected nails. I used it until it irritated the surrounding skin. Two months after taking the probiotics I can see new healthy nail growth at the cuticle, the old dead nails are like scabs. I expect the combination is the answer as I had an appendectomy in 1970 and the fungal symptoms started in the mid 1990's.
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Richard T. (Columbus, Georgia) on 01/04/2019
★★★★★
I pour a little rubbing alcohol, the cheap stuff you buy for a dollar a bottle also called isopropenal, on my toe nails after I shower. It works well for me. The alcohol soakes into the nail and the fungus.
How to Self-Test for Internal Fungus
Posted by Holly (Millersville) on 11/07/2017
ORH,
Sorry to be clueless here...but even if the jar is sterile and closed, the air within the jar could have spores, bacteria, etc. Kind of like when you preserve food by canning. Using just sterile jars won't work. You have to process via heat to create a vacuum and kill all pathogens first.
Thanks for your help. Holly
Garlic
Posted by Carmel (Uk) on 01/17/2016
★★★★★
Had a very badly fungus nail, very horrible and thick, difficult to cut.
Smear garlic juice on it every day or so and it will grow up perfectly fine. Worked for me anyway.
Gentian Violet
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 12/08/2015
★★★★★
6 year battle with toe nail fungus is finally over! After trying numerous OTC products with no success. Probably because of my lack of daily applications. I finally found a product that worked with only applications once every 3 weeks or so. And it only took 18 months. Starting out my big toe was solid black. Yuk! Now it looks normal again. I'm sure it would have worked faster if I applied it more often but its hard when your busy all the time.
Gentian violet is an antiseptic dye used to treat fungal infections of the skin (e.g., ringworm, athlete's foot). It also has weak antibacterial effects and may be used on minor cuts and scrapes to prevent infection. It will stain our toe nail (and everything else it contacts with...) but that is the working power behind it.
Apply with a Q-tip, allow to dye, put a sock on if you don't want your bed sheet with a purple streek on them from sleeping on them. Give it time, it does work.
Bleach
Posted by Timh (KY) on 08/03/2014 2041 posts
@Js: The b- vitamin biotin is very good for hair & nails. Coconut Oil taken orally will help prevent reinfection.
Oregano Oil
Posted by CC (Collierville, Tn./USA) on 07/18/2013
All anyone needs for any kind of fungus, is Wild Oregano. You can purchase it at a health store. It kills the fungus! It comes in dropper, capsule, or oil gel cap forms. It will kill any yeast type infections (fungus), and other forms of infection, too. It works by taking it internally, and for a nail fungus, apply to area, as well. I have used it on my animals, also. For over a year, my dog could not get rid of yeast in her ears. Nothing from the doctor worked. I gave her two oil gel caps, twice a day. In three days, it was gone. I gave it to her for another week, just to be sure, like you would take an antibiotic. Do the same for human consumption. Remember... All yeast/fungus related ailments!
Listerine
Posted by Ava (Toronto, On) on 02/05/2015
Listerine products are Triclosan free. http://www.listerine.ca/tips-and-practices/our-heritage
Garlic
Posted by Brad (Albuquerque, Nm) on 10/14/2012
★★★★★
Yeah. Garlic will do the trick for nail fungus. Spreading it on your fingernails will also give your nails a nice gloss. Garlic will clear up fungus.
Essiac Tea Soaks
Posted by Wayseeker (Modesto, Ca/ Usa) on 09/27/2012
★★★★★
Had horrible fungus on toes and hands, resolved readily by soaking in half and half solution of Essiac tea and hot water, for 20 minutes. I also drank 1oz of the Essiac and 1oz of boiling water as a tea, holding it in mouth awhile each sip, for 3x a day on an empty stomach.
This worked when nothing else came close! And fast! I would continue for a month, then only as a preventative needed now and again.
I also scrubbed face of toenails down lightly with soft side of emory board to allow the tea to soak in, and thoroughly removed debri both on and under nails.
