Natural Remedies for Nail Fungus: Home Treatments

Zinc Oxide

Posted by Maria (Silver Spring, Maryland) on 08/06/2011
★★★★★

Zinc Oxide for nail fungus

I have been fighting toenail fungus for over 50 years, and of course tried everything. The most promising was oil of oregano, which worked well provided my feet were not exposed to the hot sun (walking in the street). As soon as that happened all the gains I had made vanished and had to start over again. Then I discovered zinc oxide and it cured my nail fungus: my big toenails are now clear after 8 months of consistently using zinc oxide every day. This is what I have done: every morning at the end of my shower I use Zinc Oxide shampoo to wash my feet. Then I dry my feet and nails very well with a paper towel (not a cloth towel) and dispose of the paper towel. Then I clean the nails with a pointed tooth pic (one for every infected nail) and then I dry the nails again with a cotton ball. After that I dry the feet with a hair dryier. Then I apply a zinc oxide cream (found in diaper rash ointment) and rub my feet together to make it penetrate. At night I apply more ointment and also dash zinc oxide powder (also used for babies diaper rash) on my toenals. (I use the cream and powder all day if I am wearing socks). The cream and powder keep the feet dry at all times and no fungus can survive. I suspect that the oregano oil may work in the summer if used in combination with the zinc oxide approach.

Alcohol, GFSE, Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Mountaingirl (Asheville, Nc) on 09/25/2009
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

This is my post from several years ago.

05/30/2006: Melissa from Asheville, NC: "I developed toenail fungus while working in Athens, GA about 6 years ago. I would work 12 hours a day in the same shoes for over a year and used regular dress socks. The summers are very moist and humid and perfect conditions for toenail fungus. It is on both "pinky" toes but started developing on other nails though not as bad. 2 years ago it seemed to get worse and I kept my toenails manicured and polished to hide the nails. I believe, as others do, this made things even worse though my feet did look a lot prettier. This year, I got tired of trying to hide my nails and decided to try a natural remedy (Grateful Body Fungal Rx). It contains a day and night formula in convenient tubes so I could carry them with me and use discreetly. They recommend each to use at least 1x per day for at least 6 weeks. I've been using for several months and noticed a little improvement but not much. I found this site and started throwing everything I had at this issue (I figured if I didn't do it now, I'd live with it forever). My grandmother had both large toenails removed and I did not want the same to happen. My pinky toenails seemed like they were almost fused to the nail bed. They are very thick and yellow and starting to look deformed though still attached to my nail bed. I started this regimen last week and I am seeing good results. The nail seems no longer fused to the nail bed. and I can actually push the cuticle back (impossible before). The nails seem to be growing in cleaner, no ridges, normal thickness and no red streaks through the nail (as in the infected part). I am so psyched but trying no to get too hopeful. This is what I've been doing in morning AND evening, everyday: I keep a clean toothbrush for scrubbing my nails. I use a natural bar soap and scrub my nails (I use the sink because it's easier for me) with warm water. dry. I then keep a little bottle of pre mixed 3% H2O2 and ACV (5% acidity) 1/2 and 1/2 under the sink and pour this over all my toe nails (over toilet). I let this sit while I brush teeth (different toothbrush ;), wash face etc. I may add more and let sit again for a little while. I don't get much fizzing...sometimes more than others. Sometimes I get a little "pinched" feeling, but not usually. rinse. dry. I also keep a little bottle (old tincture bottle with dropper) with 25% clorox and water mixed. I then add this to nails and let sit 30 seconds or so on each foot. rinse. dry. I follow with Red Tyme oil (night) or Fungal Rx in the morning. I may add the night formula again if I go to bed late. Some people are sensitive to Red Thyme. I have very thick, oily skin and it does not bother me to use it neat. I wear sandals to work (never did before) and apply Fungal Rx several times a day while at my desk. Like I said, this really seems to be working and I am very hopeful. Once cleared up, I plan to buy more Fungal Rx and use daily for a year or so. I don't want this to come back. Also, I'll work on internal Candida... I know it runs in my family and I need to knock it out too. Thanks to this site and all the comments/feedback!!! I'll write back later in a few months to let you know if results continued."

I wanted to follow up and tell you that I was never able to fully get progess against the toe nail fungus until recently. I was able to spend most of my summer outdoors (albeit a lot of time at the pool w/moisture!) but I wore sandals all summer and allowed my feet to get full sun a good portion of the day. I also did hydrogen peroxide/cider vinegar soaks about 1x per month. The BIG difference has come from using a old glass spray bottle filled with:

2 Tbs. alcohol
10 drops grapefruit seed extract
20 drops tea tree oil

I apply this 2x per day and after getting my feet wet. At one point, my nails got very brittle and I started an application of coconut oil every once in a while. My nails are growing back completely normal and seem to be growing faster so I am able to trim them more often. There is only about 1/4 inch of "yellowed" nail reamining...which I should be able to trim off in the next 2 months. I will continue this all winter and give any updates. Good luck, don't give up!

Bleach

Posted by Cottin (Philadelphia, Pa) on 08/21/2009
★★★★★

bleach for foot fungus......i used a cap full of bleach in a gallon of water in my foot spa. i have been suffering from a bad foot fungus, not on my toes but on the bottom of my feet in the middle portion. i soak one day and used a puma stone to get the hard skin off, WHAT AMAZING RESULTS IN ONE DAY.I SOAKED FOR 1/2 HR. IN THE BLEACH DILUTED IN WATER THEN RINSED OFF IN WARM WATER...... I DID IT THE NEXT DAY... OH MY I AM REALLY RELIEVED.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by John (Pahoa, HI 96778) on 05/20/2021 6 posts
★★★★★

I recently began treatment with hydrogen peroxide after having lived with chronic toenail fungus for over 20 years. I used 6% H202 to soak my feet for 20 minutes each night for a month. As the fungus was killed off the damaged part of the nail softened and peeled off painlessly. I switched to borax soaks, and the nails are thinner and clearing. I still soak on alternate days and apply Kerasal and now the nails are normal except for the length in only 2 months!

Castor Oil

Posted by Gman (Alabama) on 09/17/2018 6 posts
★★★★★

Castor Oil is the best thing to cure nail fungus. I've tried so many other cures and none of them worked. Castor Oil penetrates deep into the skin and is useful for skin problems, such as cysts. It's amazing to see all the useful problems it can be used for. It's oily but it cures.

Essential Oils

Posted by Marie (Manchester ) on 05/02/2018
★★★★★

I've suffered with it for years ive tried over the counter ointments from pharmacy none are that effective it takes for ever to get an improvement. I tried Oregano and Clove Oil Essential Oils they both kill fungal and viral bacteria. I also added Carrot Seed Essential Oil to encourage the skin to heal and reatach to new growth on toe nail. I used Coconut Oil as a carrier oil. I cut the nail right back to take away the home for fungus (I know you are meant to leave it at it can cause in growing toe nail in new growth).

I had instant relief from pain in my nails cause new growth happened rapidly. Now 3 months on, I have healthy pink toe nails and I'm not embarrassed to get out in public. New toe nail growth has attached to my toe for the first time in 10 years.

D3, K1 + K2

Posted by Steve (Nv) on 07/22/2017
★★★★★

Toenail fungus is usually a symptom of the body's inability to heal itself. Try taking 20,000 IU of vitamin D3 and K1/K2 supplement. It will raise your body's ability to fight off the fungus internally. There's a real problem in out country with people that are getting sick because of a lack of sunlight which creates D3 in body. If you don't get enough sunlight daily your body weakens and becomes more susceptible to all of the viruses, funguses, infections etc.

Bleach

Posted by Js (New York, Ny) on 06/14/2014
★★★★★

I am on my second month of soaking my toes in bleach and water to see if I can get rid of nail fungus on one of my feet. It seems to be working. FINALLY! I have tried every other nail fungus treatment on the planet, including laser treatment, to no avail.

I read about the bleach cure from someone on Earth Clinic. I have been using Chlorox bleach (regular, not the splashless one)... about 1/2 cup to a half gallon of hot water in a large plastic bucket (the kind you'd use for mopping the floor). I soak my foot for at least 1/2 hour, sometimes more, once or twice a week. I make sure to dry off my foot with a white towel and then hop to the bathroom to wash off any remaining bleach so I don't turn our carpets white!

If I fly, I make sure to do the bleach treatment on my foot the day before flying in each direction if possible.

Will update again in a few months, but so far, thumbs up on this cure.

Iodine

Posted by Quercus (Cucamonga, Ca) on 01/29/2013
★★★★★

My wife and I found that taking Lugols orally has resulted in clearing up both of our toe nail fungus problems. We try to take at least 5 mg /day.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Jane (Worcester, Massachsetts/usa) on 08/31/2010
★★★★★

About 10 mos. ago I developed a fungus in one of my large toenails. I never had that before so I didn't know what it was. My nail started turning yellowish brown in color and it spread across most of the nail. I was freaking out. I went to see a podiatrist who told me the bad news and told me this might never go away and could spread to my other nails! He sold me an expensive tube of cream. I saw him a few more times and he basically did nothing to help the problem. I applied the cream for 7 months and saw no improvement. I spent the summer trying to hide my feet and avoiding the beach and pools. I love wearing pretty sandals in the summer. The doctor told me not to try home remedies that I might read about because they don't work. But I didn't listen to him. I decided to try the apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide solution I read about. I mixed it half and half in a small bottle and started applying it on and under my toenail at least twice a day. I keep my toes exposed to the air as much as possible at home and only cover up when I go out. It's been less than a week and it's like a miracle! I noticed improvement the very next day! The fungus has stopped spreading and the new growth looks nice and healthy! Hopefully it continues that way and by next Spring I can wear pretty sandals again and end the embarrassment! So for those of you who are ready to give up.... There is hope! Maybe this will work for you!

Bleach

Posted by Eric (Houston) on 10/10/2006
★★★★★

Vics = nothing, but bleach toenail fungus if it could penetrate the nail (See below). I have fungus -- 3 toes on one foot, and two on another and I tried the vapor rub fairly diligently with no success for several months. I gave up and wasn't putting anything on it for a while then the big toe nail got bumped on a couch and came completely off, so I tried some bleach on all toes for several months. The big toe is about 80% grown in looking healthy, while the others nails don't look any better. I concluded that the bleach absolutely works, but doesn't penetrate the nails well. So I think the next step will be to file off as much of the other nails as I possibly can and see what that does

Castor Oil

Posted by Gman (Alabama) on 10/20/2018 6 posts
★★★★★

Castor oil is so easy to use and works better than anything I have ever used. Just apply it to your toenails and toes. It penetrates the skin and the nails.

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Angeles Barros (Bronx, Ny) on 06/19/2016
★★★★★

YEA!! I can't stop admiring my toes! :>) I want to report that I tried Ted's remedy for fungus on my toes and it worked!! I accepted that my pinkie toes were black but when it spread to the edges of my nails on big toes...it was war!! I followed the instructions: equal parts of ACV and Hydrogen Peroxide on cotton balls for half an hour, then followed with equal parts of Clorox and water (used Qtip), then poured generous amounts of Peppermint and Tea Tree oils. I don't remember when was the last time I saw my pinkie toe nail white but that's what happened within 2 weeks and the edges of my big toes are clear as well. My hubby is convinced and today began the treatment on his toe. Thanks and God bless!!

Macadamia Nut Oil

Posted by Tom (Livingston, Tx) on 05/22/2016 64 posts
★★★★★

Years ago, I had a lifelong fungal toenail, the left big toe. I started taking macadamia oil, two tablespoons after each meal.

Two months and two 16 oz bottles later, the toenail dropped off and grew in healthy over the next year.

I now take 1 tablespoon daily because Macadamia oil also takes the sting out of my candida pain, making the pain livable and hardly noticeable.

Macadamia oil has 18% palmitoleic acid, an antimicrobial.

I also began having intermittent numbness and tingling in my toes which went away sometime during the same 2 months of taking macadamia oil, causing my fungal toenail to drop off and regrow healthy and pink during the next year.

Iodine

Posted by Tg (Oklahoma, US) on 09/22/2014
★★★★★

The first time I experienced toenail fungus, years ago, I tried tea tree oil without success. I eventually saw a doctor who prescribed Lamisil pills for 24 weeks. That worked. The second time I had a fungus infected toenail, over 10 years later, I applied iodine. A single drop in the morning. Probably another at bedtime (I don't recall now). Iodine worked brilliantly! Without risking liver damage (i.e., Lamisil).