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.
Distilled Vinegar
Posted by Nina (Houston, TX) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★
I have fought toenail fungus for over 30 years. I have tried Lamisil, Vicks, hydrogen peroxide and now, distilled vinegar for the past 11 months and I have finally won the battle. I diluted the vinegar, half & half with water, and sprayed it on my toenails twice daily. I have also been cleaning under the nails at least once a week. IT WORKS!
OTC
Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, CA) on 03/17/2008
★★★★★
I've been working on my toenails since December 2005. I've tried numerous remedies, probably 10-20. And for the first time ever, I see pink growth peaking out of the base of my two big toenails. I am doing 2 antifungals twice a day. Every morning and evening, I am applying Fungoid Tincture and then Tineacide. I try to also apply Clotrimazole 2% during the day sometime, but it's not always possible. I started the Clotrimazole 2% on Sept. 18th, Tineacide on Dec. 14th and Fungoid Tincture on Jan. 20th. Then around Feb. 28th or so, I discovered the PINK! So, I am guessing that it's from the application of the FT, since I believe that it takes about a month to see visible growth. I only hope that it continues to grow and that this new pink nail will be resistant to the fungus at the free edge. I don't work for any of these companies. I just wanted to pass along this tip to anyone who has stubborn toenail fungus, like my 35 year old toenail.
OTC
Posted by Ebonyblu (Arlington, Va, Usa) on 08/22/2011
★★★★★
Unbelievably, I found an over the counter product that WORKS. I have had nail fungus for about 10 years because I have to wear compression stockings, which caused sweating of my feet, and eventually toenail fungus. I initially tried an OTC that turned my infected nails brown and did not cure my fungus. I wish I had never used it.
Years later, I found this website in 2006, and tried Ted's remedy. My nails were growing clear of fungus about half way, and then one nail reverted when the season changed. So it cured one nail, and I started over with the second nail. Somehow, everytime the nail would start to grow out it would revert again.
So then I took a chance on an OTC product named Keractil, by a new company. I actually thought it wouldn't work, but at least I'd give something else a trie after the past two years of failure. I received that product which looked like it came from a small mom and pop shop, but said what the heck. The worst it could do is not work. So I put it on and two weeks later I saw fungus free nail begin to grow. I still followed Ted's remedy with a weekly foot soak of Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide. During the other days and nights I used Keractil. This product is a lifesaver. Almost 4 months later, I am 95% fungus free of the nail. I also learned that this product is used by members of the military because they wear combat boots and thick socks year round. This product is no gimmick, and I am not trying to endorse it. I really want to share a remedy that works well in addition to Ted's remedy. One last thing is to recommend biosil supplements - which speed the growth of hair and nails. Not everyone's nails grow quickly.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Bern (Albany, Ny) on 08/11/2011
★☆☆☆☆
Tried using oregano for a persistent toenail fungus in the large toe. Applied oregano oil diligently twice per day for 9 months and noticed no difference.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Angie (Quesnel, B.c., Canada) on 08/16/2011
Nail fungus can be cleared up with a combination of tea tree oil and pure lemon juice. Also take probiotic supplements.
Oregano Oil
Posted by My2cents (Rock Hill, Sc, Usa) on 02/13/2013
one big factor in toenail fungus is getting the oil of oregano directly on the fungus itself. I have been putting a single drop on top of the nail and watching as it slowly travels around the cuticle and under the nail. Also, you may want to treat your shoes as well. Lysol may help this. If you just keep reinfecting with contaminated shoes, no remedy will ever help. I plan to wait one more month before I post my results with the OOR for mine.
Hydrogen Peroxide, White Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Don (Lakeland, FL) on 03/01/2008
★★★★★
I shoved a wood splinter under my finger nail and ended up with a fungus under the nail. After finding this web site, I started the peroxide/white vinegar/ tea oil treatment. I cut the old finger nail way nearly down to the cuticle; soaked my finger in hydrogen peroxide, then white vinegar and then applied tea tree oil/vaseline (50-50%). I did this for about 3 months and then went to just soaking with white vinegar morning and evening. This worked and the finger nail is well and nearly grown out completely and looks great. It takes time for this cure to work, but it sure does work!!
Baking Soda
Posted by Myke (Colorado Springs, CO) on 04/13/2009
I have a question about the baking powder treatment. I've read on another site, to only take baking powder for 3 weeks or it will change the ph or alkalinity (I can't remember which), of your body to much and cause other problems. Hopefully the original poster will respond. How often and how long have you been drinking the Baking Powder water mixture? Also confused about the ACV treatment. It seems some people drink it as well as applying topically? Is it safe to drink ACV, and how much per day?
EC: Note: Remedy is baking soda, not baking powder ...
Vicks
Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, CA) on 01/21/2008
To Robert, Thank you for sharing your research with us. It is fascinating! I no doubt transferred my toenail fungus to my face and I also have Rosacea--do you? I did read somewhere recently that the oils are the best remedies and it certainly sounds like they are, judging from your research. Regarding your recipe, I do have a question. With coconut oil being a solid, how do I mix it with the other liquid oils? Thanks again for sharing! I am hopeful to see the line of demarcation, too!
Vicks
Posted by Robert (Naples, Florida) on 01/22/2008
Coconut Oil melts at 80 degrees F. If it's solid, just run the container under warm water. The essential oils, when added, lower the melting point to below room temperature.
Regarding Rosacea, the following information may be helpful from internet research: "The Rosacea diagnosis includes a range of inflammatory events in facial skin. The range is so broad that it is reasonable to ask if Rosacea is too fuzzy a term that can apply to diverse immune-mediated events in the skin with different causes.... Seborrhea is a related condition that involves the hair-bearing skin of the scalp and face, all expressions of infection with the fungus, pityriasis ovale. Seborrhea can involve the central forehead, skin under the eyebrows and beard and may contribute to or be confused with Rosacea."
Hope this helps.
Vicks
Posted by @nnie (Durban, South Africa) on 01/09/2010
Olalla ~ You're an awesome mine of usefull information Robert! THANKS!
Ellen ~ I found that a GOOD AntiDandruff Shampoo diluted with approx. 12 parts of water & put into a liquid soap dispenser, works brilliantly for Rosacea.
I wash my face with this solution each morning in the shower. (Not the cheap supermarket shampoo, but a decent Pharmaceutical one.) A good AntiDandruff shampoo can also be applied neat to those white fungal blotches/spots on the skin. Apply to the actual 'spot', leave on for about 5mins & then rinse off & pat dry with a paper towel. You may have to repeat this about 3x (once a day for 3 days or so!) GOOD LUCK!
Vicks
Posted by Nikki (Georgia) on 09/12/2017
Beautiful... I totally agree!!!
Vicks
Posted by Don (Lakeland, FL) on 01/13/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Vicks on finernail fungus. About a year ago I shoved a wooden splinter up my left index finger, about 1/2 way down. It never healed and my wife thought I had a fungus under it. I read that Vicks would cure this. Here's what I did, which didn't work!! I bought finger cots, put Vicks in it and rolled it onto the index finger every night for the last couple of months. It didn't change anything with respect to the nail growth or fungus removal. I'm going to try your vinegar/hydro peroxide treatment. I clipped my nail 1/2 way down, getting rid of most all of the fungus part of the nail.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, CA) on 01/06/2008
To Robert: Were you successful in fully eradicating the toenail fungus? Btw, it was Michigan State University's patent, not University of Michigan. I did look it up and skimmed the Doctorese. I was familiar with the Meijer's Chest rub study. Thanks for providing this information!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, CA) on 01/21/2008
To Robert, Thank you for sharing your research with us. It is fascinating! I no doubt transferred my toenail fungus to my face and I also have Rosacea--do you? I did read somewhere recently that the oils are the best remedies and it certainly sounds like they are, judging from your research. Regarding your recipe, I do have a question. With coconut oil being a solid, how do I mix it with the other liquid oils? Thanks again for sharing! I am hopeful to see the line of demarcation, too!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Robert (Naples, Florida) on 01/22/2008
Coconut Oil melts at 80 degrees F. If it's solid, just run the container under warm water. The essential oils, when added, lower the melting point to below room temperature.
Regarding Rosacea, the following information may be helpful from internet research: "The Rosacea diagnosis includes a range of inflammatory events in facial skin. The range is so broad that it is reasonable to ask if Rosacea' is too fuzzy a term that can apply to diverse immune-mediated events in the skin with different causes.... Seborrhea is a related condition that involves the hair-bearing skin of the scalp and face, all expressions of infection with the fungus, pityriasis ovale. Seborrhea can involve the central forehead, skin under the eyebrows and beard and may contribute to or be confused with Rosacea."
Hope this helps.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Charles (Hillsdale, New York) on 12/12/2007
★★★★★
Remedy Update on previous posts It is now about a year since last post. Have continued to wear sandals and keep feet very clean, and I cut nails way back. Not using anything else at this point Toenail fungus is not visible even when I look closely!
Listerine
Posted by Sally (Annapolis, MD) on 11/22/2007
★★★★★
I've had severe toe fungus for 20 or more years. I got a bottle of Listerine (it had been mentioned on your site when I looked at it a few months back) and thought what the heck, I'll try it. I got makeup remover pads (not the cotton balls) and soak it in Listerine in the morning, positioned it over my big toe (the worse one) and keep it in place while I put my sock on. In just 3-4 weeks about the bottom 1/3 - 1/2 of the nail is clear I'm going to start using it on all of my nails on that foot. In the spirit of adventure, I'm going to try something else - peroxide or bleach on the left foot. My husband has used Penlac for years and periodically they have had to remove his nail.
Distilled Vinegar
Posted by Margo (New York, New York) on 08/28/2007
★★★★★
I hurt my big toe nail when I was 12, then it got infected. I am 30 now and for the past 18 years I removed my bit toe nail 3 times, I used a lot of different creams and took limisil twice (each time 3 months) During last five years, my second big toe got infected , then two other nails. I became desperate. So this summer I did the search online and found that white vinegar can cure the fungus. I start to follow the suggested procedure: twice a day put couple of drops on the matrix of the toe. Right away I started to note the results. First my small toes and now after 18 years I finally start to see clear nail near the matrix! Hope this information will help others. Also, please note I've read that only white 5% vinegar is good for this procedure, apple cider vinegar doesn't help.
Neem Oil
Posted by Otti (Tampa, Florida) on 08/06/2007
★★★★★
I discovered an awesome natural remedy for any yeast infections and fungus - neem tree see oil. It even works on plants, not just my boyfriend's toe nail fungus. However, the seed oil smells worse than garlic but it is so very strong and powerful. Mixing it with an essential oil can help with that smell. Other neem tree extracts can cure viral infections as well and can be taken orally. I have used the seed oil on my cold sore (mixed with carmex because of the smell) and it stopped the herpes outbreak immediately.
Garlic
Posted by Sharon (Chicago, Illinois, USA) on 07/06/2007
★★★★★
To treat my tonenail fungus, I followed J. Riley from Honolulu's advice to first trim back all the dead nail with a cuticle trimmer. Then I applied fresh garlic (I read recently that it has antifungal qualities). I chopped the garlic finely and added a little coarse salt to help grind it into a paste. Sensation is returning and all the skin appears to be tightening up and becoming healthy. The chopped garlic keeps well covered in the refrigerator and I apply it once or twice daily when I can walk around barefoot for an hour or two.
Fresh Air
Posted by Bob (San Franciso, CA) on 05/06/2007
★★★★★
Guaranteed Cure: I used air to cure my fungus. I just didnt wear shoes for a whole year (even in business meetings!) and sure enough it worked!
Iodine
Posted by Laurie (East MeadowN, New York) on 04/25/2007
★★★★★
decolorized iodine has cured a fungus I Had under my nails. It works wonders, but it is very hard to find
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Posted by Danette (San Jose, California) on 04/23/2007
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
4/22/07 Maddi, I have been applying the lemongrass oil on my toe nail fungus for about a week now. Yes, it did change color over night, not quite black (mostly brown). When will I see a completely clear nail? I am assuming the nail with fungus has to grown out and be cut off. Is this correct? The nail at the base is white with a tinge of yellow. Any suggestions?
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Posted by Suzanne (San Jose, CA) on 04/21/2007
★★★★★
I used lemongrass oil for my toenail fungus. Obviously works but what do I do now? Do I apply daily? Is it better to use at night or is it ok to apply then wear shoes? Any help from successful users would be really appreciated.
Manuka Oil
Posted by Ann (Middlesbrough, UK) on 04/07/2007
★★★★★
On 9/19/2006, I wrote about my use of Manuka Oil. As 6 months have passed, I thought I should update you with my progress. I have fungus on 2 toenails, the large toenail and the middle one but both are affected differently. The large toenail was separated from the nail bed from about a third across. I would cut the hollow part off but it would always grow back in the same way. The middle nail was thick and yellow on one side. I could not cut the affected part off so would file it flat. That was basically how I dealt with it. I have been using tea tree oil and manuka oil on alternate days. Instead of using an eyedropper, I cut off the cotton buds on a Q tip resulting in a narrow plastic straw and use this as a dropper. I am pleased to report some success. The big toe nail has grown properly and is no longer separated from the nail bed. It may be a coincidence but when I ran over my foot with an airline trolley, I bruised the big toe nail quite badly but only the hollow part filled up with blood. When the bruised part grew out it was no longer separated. (I do not suggest that you hammer your nails. That would be silly.) I have not been so successful with the other nail. I had been consistently filing it down with an emery board and applying manuka oil. I know that it is a long process but find it difficult to see how progress can be recognised within a few days. I stopped filing the nail but continued with the application every day. The nail grew but grew back thickened and yellow. I am now using coconut oil, tea tree oil and manuka oil and every now and again I put a few drops of surgical spirit on it. This is war! I think that I have not made much progress with this nail because I have been wearing boots and shoes for the past 6 months. For the next 6 months, I intend to wear open toed sandals until the Autumn kicks in. I hope to update you then, meanwhile I think I shall get some lemongrass oil. It must be very satisfying to see the fungus turn black, yeah! turn black and die you fungus!
Cornmeal
Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, California) on 03/26/2007
★★★★☆
To Allen regarding Cornmeal: For several months last summer, I used the same cornmeal treatment. I made progress and got lazy. I probably used it about 10 times. 7-10 days apart. Now I am doing it once again. I started a month ago and have used it 3 times. My toenails never fell off. You used it only 3 times??? I have a 35 year old infection. I do know it works, it's just keeping up with the weekly soaks-- it takes so much time!
