Natural Remedies for Nail Fungus & Thickened Nails

Iodine

Posted by Brenda (Bear, DE) on 01/18/2006
★★★★★

Iodine is excellent for toenail fungus, ringworm, fever blisters, moles and skin tags, hangnails, etc. Just a few drops on a q-tip is all it takes. Use daily until the "boo-boo" is gone.

Chlorine Dioxide MMS

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 06/26/2026
★★★★★

Use of Chlorine Dioxide “MMS” for the Treatment of Onychomycosis (Nail Fungus)

Source (2006): https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2006088790A2/en

Abstract

A method for treating nail fungus by soaking the infected nail(s) in a dilute solution of chlorine dioxide in water.

It has been discovered that an effective way to treat fungal nail infection comes from applying chlorine dioxide topically, so that it penetrates the nailplate and inactivates pathogens residing in the nailbed— for example, by dissolving chlorine dioxide gas in water, permitting the patient to soak the infected fungal infected nail in the solution for a period of time and for a series of successive treatments to improve the aesthetic appearance of the nail, destroy the fungal infection and to promote healthy nail growth.

Therefore, in a first aspect the present invention is a method treating nail fungus comprising the steps of: preparing a solution of chlorine dioxide in water, and soaking the infected nail or nails in the chlorine dioxide solution for a period of at least 45 minutes, once a day for a minimum of three days.

In another aspect of the present invention the method incorporates soaking the affected nail(s) along with the entire foot, in order to destroy pathogens thereon and help prevent reinfection of the nail by pathogens residing elsewhere on the foot.

In another aspect of the present invention the method incorporates protecting the solution of chlorine dioxide and water from ambient light during the treatment to prevent premature destruction of the chlorine dioxide by photolysis. In another aspect the present invention comprises using a solution of chlorine dioxide in water containing a minimum of 80 parts per million chlorine dioxide as the treating agent.

Chlorine dioxide gas, dissolved in neutral-pH solution at ambient temperature, in a concentration of approximately 80-100 parts-per-million, was administered to several patients suffering from toenail fungus. The chlorine dioxide solution was administered as a "foot soak", under low-light conditions. Treatments were for up to 1 hour/day for up to 7 days. In each case significant improvement in nail appearance was visible early in the protocol or treatment process. New nails reportedly grew in normally within several months, with little to no evidence of the original infection.

Cedarwood Oil, Goat Milk

Posted by Darlenr (Cleveland OH) on 09/10/2025
★★★★★

After years of unsuccessful faithful daily application of commercial fungus products and a podiatrist's “solution” of cutting his toenail out, a goat milk cream with Cedarwood essential oil was tried. The goat mama who makes it said it was necessary to have those two in combination—GOAT MILK & good quality therapeutic (not just aromatic for the “perfume”) CEDARWOOD essential oil. We were amazed!!! In only one week of daily application, the fungus was finally gone and his nail looked normal, healthy and beautiful!

Application Hints

Posted by Alex (Thessaloniki) on 12/19/2023
★★★★★

For better results and penetration of every active ingredient you use, a Scholl product suggests filing the infected nail first. Their plan is to file the nail once per week (with a new or disinfected file) but apply the active ingredient every day. Repeat this for four weeks. Then in the second stage of protection just aply once per week until the new nail is developed and no discoloration exists.

Heat

Posted by Linda (Minnesota) on 11/30/2023
★★★★★

Thank you, Frank. I saw a Youtube video in which a guy had a fingernail fungus and he used a cigarette lighter on the nail for several days. He did not recommend it because he didn't want his video to be taken down (and he expressed that on the video). After about a week of holding the flame of the lighter a few inches away from, but directly toward the nail, his fungus disappeared and the new nail grew out perfectly. I was amazed to see that. Here's that video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2s-lXWmLkI

DIY Hand Sanitizer

Posted by Redj (Cuba) on 06/20/2020
★★★★★

This cure is based on a scientific study with good results (DOI: 10.7547/87507315-89-3-124) and made into DIY home remedy.

The study used a solution of 0.1% Benzalkonium chloride which is a common ingredient in non-alcohol based hand sanitizer. At 0.1% there is no risk of skin irritation unless you are allergic.

The other ingredient was allantoin which is a mild keratolytic and surfactant. This can be replaced with a crushed up aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), dissolved in approximately 100ml of solution. Mild body soap may also be added in a small amount however this isn't necessary but it may help.

The study applied the treatment to the infected nail and the base of the nail twice daily over 10 months.

RECIPE

• Benzalkonium chloride 0.1% (Non-alcohol based hand sanitizer or a concentrate diluted appropriately)

• 1 crushed aspirin, dissolved in 100ml of solution (optional, dilute further or omit if you experience a skin reaction)

• A small amount of gentle soap or bodywash (optional, omit if you experience a skin reaction)

METHOD

Cut away all excess infected nail with separate nail scissors or clippers so that you don't spread the infection to other nails.

Using a separate file, file back the nail on all surfaces well often. Ideally this should be repeated at least twice a week or more for best results.

Apply solution to infected nails once in the morning and once in the evening, ensuring that you cover underneath the nail where possible and where the base of the nail joins your finger or toe. Ensure that you apply the solution after showering and drying yourself for best results.

Continue until the infected nail has been removed and only uninfected nail remains.

DISCUSSION

This is a safe method of long-term treatment of nail fungus which has good results in controlled study environments.

Hand sanitizer can be applied regularly to the skin and left to dry and has very low risk of causing irritation.

I have personally been applying this solution regularly for about a month and a half and I can see a clear diagonal line of new, uninfected nail emerging from the base of my infected toe. I have often applied the solution more often than twice a day with no ill effects.

If you are a busy person or you have a disability which makes this sort of treatment regime difficult you can try applying the solution to a cotton ball or similar and attaching this to your infected nail using tape or a band-aid. The benefit of this is that you can re-wet the bandage for reapplication of the treatment, and as the solution remains in contact with the infected nail for a longer period this should result in a higher success rate. Ensure that you pay close attention to ensure that you are not causing irritation with the prolonged skin contact from this method.

10-Undecylenic Acid

Posted by Laura T. (Catonsville, MD) on 01/19/2019
★★★★★

10 Undecyclinic Acid for Nail Fungus: We used 1 in am and 1 pm on empty stomach and it cleared up my husband's toe nail fungus that he had been trying to get rid of for years!

10-Undecylenic Acid

Posted by E. (Bklyn, NY) on 01/24/2019
★★★★☆

Hi, How can I find out more about using the undecyclinic acid on empty stomach for toe nail fungus?? Thank you.

10-Undecylenic Acid

Posted by Alicia (USA) on 02/15/2019

Hi Laura. How much please? Thx!

How to Self-Test for Internal Fungus

Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile , Tn) on 11/06/2017

HOLLY,,,,,,, you seal the sterile jar, so only your saliva is involved. That's the way my doctor does it.

======ORH======

Baking Soda

Posted by Deborah (Michigan) on 08/10/2017
★★★★★

I have suffered from toenail fungus on a toe that got injured, years back, and I have erratically tried the medication from the drugstore, and a doctor prescribed some for me that can damage your liver, et cetera. I will not take anything like that that hurts my liver, so I had to find alternative ways to do it. For a while I soaked my feet in warm water and dish soap to soften the nails and then I purchased one of the battery operated nail files and filed the diseased nail down. Eventually I got rid of most of the unsightly nail, and change my socks twice a day. It was amazing how much the filing took care of it, and then air was able to get it the rest of the nail bed and the healthier nails. I have noticed that is a little tiny bit in the one corner that I don't want to encourage to go on so I purchased a heavy duty nail file and keep it filed down, and now I put a paste of baking soda on it and let it sit on it. It looks better! So I'm pretty excited about that. I'm thinking I'll also try the apple cider vinegar. Thank you for your great article I've been looking for this help for a long time. It's encouraging to know I'm not alone in this.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Kitchenwitch (New York) on 06/12/2017
★★★★★

I've been reading this forum and using the curse to no avail. I realized that under my sink I now had tea tree oil, vicks, oregano oil, lugol's iodine, white iodine and coconut oil. I figured maybe if one didn't help I would bombard my nails until I used everything under my sink. I started with filing the nail down and whenever I got out of the shower I put a drop of iodine on the nail bed. Sure it turned my nail and ugly brown but I was tired of twenty yeas of fungus on each of my pinkie toenails. For the next three months, whenever I walked into the bathroom I applied and alternated between cures basting my nails up to five times a day. I also took a nail brush and used some coal tar dried scalp shampoo taking up space in my shower. Before I put on socks I applied either one of the several oils or vicks and changed my socks daily. Shock and Awe worked. I am fungus free for the first time. These natural solutions work but maybe you just haven't found the right combination.

Borax

Posted by Valdoria (Jacksonville, Fl) on 04/12/2017
★★★★★

I have been using borax in water 5 days on/2 days off - for about 3 weeks... I feel rather tired which I attribute to possible detox.

However, my skin looks better and I can tell my feet appear to be shedding a bit of old fungal skin which is nice. I take 1/8 tsp in water a day and usually make a match tea with it in the morning. I sometimes will take a hot bath with 1 cup of epsom salt and 1 tblsp of borax and it does make my skin feel good, yet a bit dry... it does seem to be helping with healing.

Bleach

Posted by Timh (Ky) on 08/14/2017 2041 posts

Try using Povidone Iodine 10% from local market or drugstore/pharmacy. You can apply directly or add to a warm water foot-bath.

You will also need to do an internal Candida Cleanse which may also include other cleanses like heavy metal, parasite, gallbladder, and colon, as fungal infections are most times opportunistic meaning you have chronic immune suppression.

Check out Bill's book Killing So Sweetly here on E.C.

Bee Pollen

Posted by Tiffany (Philadelphia, Pa) on 05/02/2013
★★★★★

I started taking bee pollen for allergies and noticed that my toenail fungus cleared up! I take one teaspoon of local granules a day after a meal. It does help with seasonal allergies as well. It works best for allergies when combined with quercetin. I noticed nail fungus clearance after a month of use. Thank you Earth Clinic for allowing us to share this type of information.

Listerine

Posted by Nichole (Washington, DC) on 02/02/2013
★★★★★

On both of my feet, the second toe from the big toe were discolored, as well as the other three small toes on my left foot, and two of the other toes on my right foot. This has been very distressing! I tried tea tree oil by itself with no results. After seeing that some people had used hydrogen peroxide, I planned to get that. Since I was desperate to start immediately, I used my generic whitening mouthwash listerine, which has hydrogen peroxide as its second ingredient, because I already had that. I used a cotton ball and applied it liberally on all of my toes taking care to get as much as possible below the cuticle and under the toe nail. Then I applied tea tree oil. I did this twice a day (morning at night) and followed up with vicks vapo rub at night before putting on socks. I am one week into my routine and three of my darkest nails have gone from black to 95% normal! They are pink. I am so happy. I will continue until I have totally nice and fungus free toes. I also cut off as much of the dark toe nail as I can each night or every other night as well as any surrounding flaking skin that needed to go.

Listerine

Posted by Beth (Kirkland, Wa) on 03/24/2012
★★★★★

I've had fungus on 5 of my toenails for over 20 years. It started with injuries to my nails from running many miles and then subsequent infection. The affected nails were yellow and at least 5 times as thick as normal nails and deformed in shape. I would have to file the surfaces with a very abrasive file to get the nail thin enough to be able to hide with nail polish.

I did not want to subject my body to long treatments of meds that might harm my liver, so I decided to use Listerine at night and Vicks during the day. Be aware that this treatment can take a couple of months, but it does work!! Be patient. I had an especially stubborn fungus. The first thing I did was file nails down as thin as possible without pain, as to remove as much damaged nail as possible. Every other night before bed I would put band aids around toes with the "non-sticky/white" part facing/touching the nail. I then used a syringe to squirt some Listerine inside the bandage - this way nails would be "soaking" all night. During the treatment time remember to keep nails extra short and filed thin so that there is not as much bio burden for Listerine to work through. In the am, take bandages off and let nails dry a bit before putting a dab of Vicks Vapor Rub on the toenails - no band aids, just socks. I did this every other day for about two months. Fungus is gone and I have normal pink flat nails again!!

Vicks

Posted by Terry (Dayton, Ohio) on 11/04/2011
★★★★★

I had a nail fungus since 1971 and I was reading this page and found the salve. Vicks salve and yellow root. It's gone, all gone now. But I did something different. I cut a lot of strips of plastic bags out so they would be handy. Then when I would put the salve one my toe nail I'd wrap it with the plastic strip so it holds it on the nail and don't soak in the sock. Change it every morning. You can feel it working. Tingling. I tell all my friends about this page.

Garlic

Posted by Dinks (Sydney, Nsw, Australia) on 11/12/2009
★★★★★

I have Fungus on my 5 toes, it originally started on my big toe. A Chinese Medicine Man told me to use Garlic and Boiling Water.

So I minced garlic put boiling water to it, and let it cool down so as not to burn myself (but try to have it as hot as you can handle it) and leave toes in until the water cools right down. Have been doing this everyday and I am seeing results, I can see the pink of my toe nails and moon, the fungus itself is growing up and vanishing.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Cheryl (Manteca, California) on 02/11/2009
★★★★★

Oil of Oregano cure for fungus rash: Oil of Oregano (Oreganoworld.com has the undiluted, pure oil for $19 oz-I bought this one-very inexpensive) cured what seemed to be fungus-possibly Candida type rash. I suffered with the rash for 14 months, no prescription creams, powders or otc creams helped me. I was at my wits end-the dermatologist took a biopsy-said it was 'like athletes foot/fungus type rash' and prescribed Lamisil pills and cream for 2 months-this did not work. I heard about Oil of Oregano from a radio talk show-Coast to Coast-and, gave it a try. It worked in 3 days-I took it internally and mixed it with extra virgin coconut oil on the skin-it went away. Amazing miracle to me.