Adrienne (Arlington, Ma) on 07/27/2011:

After getting a new doctor, I discovered that I had had athletes' foot for years. It took the form of small blisters and dry skin - that I couldn't figure out because it didn't itch and didn't respond to over-the-counter medications. The doctor told me that because I had had it so long, I probably would need to take Lamasil orally. Since like others here, I already take other medications that affect my liver, I was not at all happy to hear that.

Thank goodness for apple cider vinegar! I began soaking my feet in 1/2 ACV and water twice a day for 15 -25 minutes, it was easy while checking email. I used a tupperware container big enough not to easily slosh out and that both feet would fit in. Changed the solution once a week. Changed towels under the bin every other day, used new towels each day to dry my feet. Used a waterproof nail file to remove excess calluses and reduce thick nails. I washed and treated nail file with Lysol each day, sprayed the shower once a week (not good to do it more apparently). New towels in bath every other day in the beginning. Applied antifungal cream to my feet if I needed to wear shoes, changed socks at least once a day, sometimes twice if my feet sweated a lot.

Sprayed the heck out of my shoes, removed the inserts and sprayed them as well with an antifungal spray and left them out in the sun to dry. If you have old shoes that can't be sprayed, or you feel they're iffy, get rid of them. This is an important point that I don't see people mentioning here - you don't want to undo your hard work. I reinfected myself briefly because I grabbed an old pair of gardening shoes one day, and sweated in them without socks.

It took me about 4-5 weeks from the initial start of soaking to be fungus free. Yellowed skin and nails from cider stains gradually disappeared over a week or two. Lemon juice and/or a little scrubbing with a pumice stone can help speed its departure.

My mother and sister have nail fungus, and I recently told them about ACV - they're trying it too. Will post back in several weeks about their results.

Janice (Richmond Bc, Canada) on 04/01/2011:

I have been drinking ACV with honey for 8 days and have noticed my new toenail growing in normally as the affected nail fungus grows out. It's just a wee small growth so far, but definitely can see the difference. I was surprised to see this today as I have also tried various natural topical treatments without much success. Plus, the toenail was so much easier to trim... softer nail, although my fingernails are strong and growing fast and the ridges are minimizing as well.

I had purchased the Dr Jarvis Book "Folk Medicine and Arthritis" and started the ACV and Honey(and one drop of Iodine every other day) and within a few days, my arthritis is improved by 85% and my lower back has been pain free for the first time in over a year.

And, my allergies seem so much improved too. Not completely, but so much better.

I am so pleased

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Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 03/25/2011:

I had toe nail fungus under my big toe for about six years. In the past I had taken tablets for six months but it didn't clear it up. It was also starting to affect my other big toe. After taking the apple cider vinegar for about three months (with bicarb soda) (2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar with 1/4 tsp bicarb) the toe nail fungus is now totally gone. It took three months but you could see it clearing as the nail grew.

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Irishbandit (Melbourne, Australia) on 01/26/2011:

Just wanted to let you know how I'm getting on with the ACV. Some nails seem to have improved, others I'm not sure (big toes). I've decided that I will keep going for at least 4 months no matter what (been doing it for 2 months so far). I've uploaded two more photos to Flickr, taken this morning www.flickr.com/photos/31174923@N06/?saved=1

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Jean (Charlotte, Sc) on 11/15/2010:

I began using ACV on my toenails back in June 2010. I have four toenails on my left foot that have been infected since 2002. I poured straight ACV into a small plastic tub and would soak my foot at least once a day (sometimes twice) for 10-20 minutes. I didn't mind the discoloration. Not like anyone was seeing my toenails anyhow. I first started noticing a difference about six weeks later. I could see the base of one of the nails was looking thinner. Unfortunately I took some time off from doing this because I had a baby. But I hadn't even realized that my pinky toenail is completely healed as of November 2010! I honestly didn't think it would work because that particular nail was so thick. But I am shocked and thrilled to say that ACV really worked! I wish I would have known this eight years ago! I could have saved a lot of money instead of trying all those over the counter creams. I'm now looking forward to possibly wearing sandals again next summer!

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Me (Fremont, Ca) on 11/13/2010:

I have had varying degrees of athlete's foot for the last 20 years. More recently toenail fungus has also developed. Having had success using ACV to remove moles I tried it topically for my foot issues. Treatment was as follows: Nightly wetting of my feet with ACV in a bowl. I only did this for two three nights for about 20 minutes and reduced the itching, burning and pealing dramatically. It has returned since then and has each time been alleviated with the same treatment. I have never been consistent enough to do it every night for six or seven days in a row which I believe would completely eliminate it. The ACV has also positively affected the toenail fungus in stopping the yellowing, curling and peeling. I believe with more commitment to ACV treatment mine could be completely healed.

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Tony (Mammoth Lakes, California) on 04/13/2010:

Many thanks to this site, and the individual posts - especially apple cider vinegar & emphasis on soaking. Both are working extremely well these last 2 - 3 weeks. My big toe nail had turned "white" with thickening of the nail, over some three years. Also, the other nails began to "whiten." I tried two over the counter brands, little to no progress.

Began soaking in ACV, and literally, withing 3 days the big toe nail showed receeding "white." As of tonight, 3 weeks from start of soaking, my big toe nail has a 96% healthy appearance, and the other toe nails dramatic improvement ( ie. decreasing "white" nails ).

I will continue this soaking process, learned from postings here, and report back. Tonight I want to tell my results, and to note a friend mentioning that having a nail scraping tested helps to determine exactly what is the cause / source of the fungus.

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Kate (Minneapolis, Mn) on 03/21/2010:

This is a check-in on my ACV toenail fungus cure. I am still soaking my toes twice daily in ACV and it is working! It's taken longer than I thought it would but it definitely works! I started with nine badly affected toenails. Six were completely normal after four months. The last three are slow but definitely getting better. I have no idea why three are taking so much longer. They were among the worst but other bad ones cleared up quicker. I started using ACV last June 2009. I guess it may take a year. It takes a little discipline and patience. But compared to the 23 years I've had it, a year seems quick! ACV works, it's amazing. Thank you so much Earth Clinic!!

p.s. to Phil and to Deirdre at E.C.: I used Grapefruit Seed Extract for a year before starting ACV. I painted it with a fine brush on each toenail morning and night. I started out using it diluted because of the burning you referred to. But soon I applied it carefully full strength and it didn't bother my skin. However this remedy did nothing to change my nails. Maybe it helped to slow it a little from getting worse, but it did not diminish the fungus already there. ACV is the only thing I have tried in 22 years that has made any and a total difference.

Thanks, Kate - Mpls, MN

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John (Dallas, Georgia, Usa) on 10/13/2009:

I started the straight organic ACV soak for my athletes foot (moccasin type) and toenail fungus after trying everything that is sold over the counter as well as one of the liver type pills to get rid of the fungus. Nothing worked. I had this foot fungus for at least 10 years, and I thought I was doomed to have this for the rest of my life until I found the EC website and decided to try soaking my feet in the organic ACV. I used it twice a day for three weeks and my atheletes foot has disappeared and I can see the new clear/white toenail growing in behind the thick/yellow one. Incredible stuff!

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Enaks (New Rochelle, Ny) on 09/15/2009:

I tried many different home remedies and prescription meds. Nothing worked. Then I came across Dr. Walt Stoll website and his vinegar treatment. Basically two drops of vinegar at the base of each toenail, twice a day. YOU MUST BE PATIENT. This cure takes a long time to work as it protects the NEW nail growth from getting the fungus. The fungus you already have on your nails must GROW out. So this treatment takes a long time and you must not miss an application. I have done this vinegar treatment twice a day since the end of Oct 2008 and it works. I am so happy and I have nice nails again! Don't get discouraged, it's a slow process. It takes about 30 seconds for each treatment, twice a day, for a total of one minute a day. Before that I was soaking my feet in mouthwash, used vapor rub, tea tree oil, prescription meds, light therapy, etc. I was walking around worried that someone would smell my vapor rub on my feet. ugh! I want to spread the word that vinegar works!! I applied mine after my shower, sat on the floor, dried my feet, used eyedropper and dripped vinegar on cotton swab to swish the vinegar around on the nail. Just a couple of drops each nail, then let them air dry. I also used some cheap foot powder to keep my feet dry for the day. In the evening I used the vinegar again, but not powder. My nails are CLEAR after 11 months, the time flies, and after a few months you will begin to see the new growth. I've been wearing flip-flops the past few months! I hope you all try it.

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Thankful (Gurnee, Illinois) on 09/11/2009:

I am in awe of the power of something as simple as apple cider vinegar. Two years ago I dropped a hairdryer on my right big toe. Apparently this was enough to cause an interruption in the nail bed where fungi developed. It started deceptively slowly with just a thin white strip on the side of the nail that was barely noticeable. My podiatrist didn't seem particularly concerned about it, so neither was I. Besides, I typically wear nail polish and didn't have to look at it. However, at the beginning of this week I took my nail polish off and all the sudden I was the creature from the black lagoon! Ewwwwwwwww!!!!!! Approximately 80% of my nail was funkified with yellow and white globules, bumpy, thick and just gross. I have never suffered with anything like this in my life so I was freaked out big time. I knew there is absolutely no way I could take another prescription like lamisil because I take so many drugs for other more serious conditions. My poor liver is stressed as it is so I went to the internet in desperate need of help from the homeopathic community. Thank God for websites like this one! I soaked my infected toe in full strength apple cider vinegar for 3 days equaling 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night. I saturated a piece of toilet paper with the ACV and just laid in on the nail while I watched tv. In just six treatments the infected part of my toenail fell off this afternoon with no pain whatsoever. Under the nail was the grossest wet sawdust-like substance I have ever seen. I can hardly believe the ACV worked so quickly to eradicate the ick. If someone would have told me that it would work this quickly I never would have believed it after everything I have read. At this point, my plan going forward is to use a spray bottle to apply the ACV after I shower and then apply tea tree oil for a fungus killing antiseptic while also using an over the counter fungal care you paint on before bed. I know it will take months for the nail to grow back, but I feel hopeful that I can put this behind me. At least now I can see a healthy pink nail bed which I absolutely will NOT be covering with nail polish. Any additional suggestions in how to proceed would be much appreciated. A big thanks to everyone for posting and sharing.

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Kate (Minneapolis, Minnesota) on 07/28/2009:

Check back:

I wrote in on June 21'09 after starting ACV soaks for my toenail fungus. I have now been diligently soaking my feet twice a day for six weeks. (See my previous post 6/21/09 for ACV/H2O amounts.) After a month I nearly lost hope because I couldn't see any real difference. Then I looked closer when trimming my nails. It was looking slightly different. With renewed hope - like others I'm in this for the fight - I kept up the soaks (my feet are in the bucket as I type this). My toenails are definitely changing, I can hardly believe it. It's happening v e r y s l o w l y. They look like they are starting to grow out normally at the base. The nasty debris/buildup is also diminishing though not entirely gone. No nails falling off however like others report. I am poised to begin Ted's remedies (got all the stuff) which was my next plan if I didn't see any change. Now I'm just continuing the vinegar soaks so I can watch the experiment further. For those of you asking about soaking vs. just applying ACV on the nails: I tried that a couple of years ago. YOU HAVE TO SOAK! I do it minimum 1/2 hr twice a day. I have had a severe case for 22 years! The soaking seems to get the solution into the nail and nail bed which is where the nasty bug is residing. Just applying the solution topically isn't enough; it dries before it can penetrate. I'm not yet done but this is amazing!! I will report back in a few weeks again!

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Suzann (Titusville, NJ) on 07/02/2009:

I learned about ACV curing fungus through this website. I was desparate to try anything since I wasn't given a prescription of sorts for the fungus by my doctor. My three toes, especially big toes, were humiliating ugly and down right embarassing. Since February I have put on ACV in the morning and at night. Voila! My big toe lost it's nail and now a new nail without fungus is there. My other toe completely cleared up. My third toe is 90% better. So...I am a true believe in ACV. I hope someone can use my success story to help "ugly" feet and horrible toes. Now I can wear sandals again!! Suzann

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Angela (Te Kauwhata, New Zealand) on 05/06/2009:

Having suffered with a horrible, unsightly, fungus ridden big toenail for many years I was delighted to find this site which offered natural remedies to cure the problem. I had previously taken lamisal tablets to rid the problem. This left me with an upset stomach. After weeks of taking the medication I couldn't bare the side effects of it any longer and stopped taking it. The fungus quickly appeared again. After all that I have found Apple Cidar Vinegar was the answer. I mixed around 1/4 cup of ACV with enough water to place my big toe in. I soaked the toe morning and night in this mixture. I then applied Lamisal cream under the toenail. I also heeded someone elses advice not to put nail polish on the toe as it allows the fungus a lovely dark environment to thrive in. To cut a long story short, my perserverance paid off and I am thrilled to say that my big toenail is now completely fungus free. Thank you ACV and Earth Clinic!

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Nat (Huntsville, AL) on 04/30/2009:

Vinegar can and does work wonders on mild to moderate toenail fungus. I used ordinary Heinz white vinegar and experienced amazing results after just a week. I'm sure ACV would provide equal or better results. After 2-3 weeks of treatment, the fungus was just about totally knocked out and I haven't had any problems since.

Of course, the studies probably don't support this - but why would they? Who has anything to gain from cures that involve a $3.00 bottle of vinegar?

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EC: Nat, how long did you soak your nails for?

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Rin (London, UK) on 04/05/2009:

I have been using ACV on my toenail fungus for just one week and the results are amazing. I have had this on my big toe for a very long time and nothing would shift it, nothing that is until I started using ACV. This what I do every night..

Soak a cotton wool ball in ACV
Place it over my toe and stick down with a plaster
leave it on over night
Remove in the morning and shower
In just one week ACV has nearly removed all of the black part of my toenail, it just went soft and fell off. I know i will have to wait for the new nail to grow back but im thrilled to bits

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Suzann (Titusville, New Jersey) on 03/16/2009:

Hi, I am following up with my results as promised on the Earth Clinic website. I wrote on 2/19 that I was going to start treating my "large" toe - with ACV. Well, it has been almost four weeks. I am happy to say, my four small toes are close to being totally cleared up and my large toe (my main concern) has lost the large, crusty, black striped nail and a new toenail bed is under! I was thrilled to see this! My nail fell off and on my toebed was new pink toenail. Now, I will see if my toenail grows back clear and healthy once again. Hope this helps and encourages you to use Apple Cider Vinegar on your "fungus infected toes!" It works!

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Bill (St. Louis, MO, USA) on 02/02/2009:

My lady friend developed a severe case of some type of yeast or fungus overgrowth. It began as a red area under one breast, and soon spread to both breasts, upper chest, stomach and groin area. I suspect a recent injection of steroids (to relieve poison ivy) to be the cause, but that is only speculation. This rash was severe. She was Dr. prescribed a cream and then a powder-- with little effect. I recommended the Apple Cider Vinegar Cure, along with making sure the affected area stayed clean and dry. We applied (again, use only), organic, unfiltered, non-pasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar. She applied the ACV directly to the affected area. It is important to note that applying the ACV to a severe rash is Very Painful! I suggest that if you cannot tolerate the pain, you might start with a diluted (50%?) mixture until some of the "rawness" disappears. RESULTS: 100 Percent CURE! Absolutely amazing. She continued the application for about two weeks, with results beginning immediately. Her skin dried completely, the rash and finally the redness disappeared. Thank You Earthclinic, Thank You Ted!

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Sam (Scipio, IN) on 11/18/2008:

After reading about using apple cider vinegar to cure toenail fungus, I decided to give it a try. Not being a patient person, & wanting it GONE ASAP, I applied ACV relentlessly. I dabbed it on morning & night, as well as soaked a cotton ball with ACV, placed it on the nail, & wrapped a strip of tape around it to keep it on the fungus during the day. Sometimes I wore old socks & poured the ACV directly on the socks over the affected toes. The pressure of my shoes kept the vinegary sock in contact with the fungus all the time. Let me just say this - ACV works! In less than a month, I have a healthy pink toenail.

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Shelly ( Iowa, Iowa) on 10/26/2008:

I found this website when looking for cures for my daugher's warts, she has several on her hand. We taped small pieces of banana peel to each wart every night and two are gone, two are getting much smaller, so I'm positive they will disappear. I can't remember how long it has taken, but I would guess at least 1 month. We would forget several nights too.

Also, I found the rememdy of ACV for toe fungus and have soaked my foot every nite for about 1 or 1-1/2 months. The toenail isn't completely grown out yet, but this new growth is looking very clear, so I think that worked and it will grow out clean.

Thank you for cheap and easy remedies.

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Walt (Buena Park, CA) on 08/09/2008:

Nail Fungus: At the Veterans Hospital they told me to use Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, mixed with one part water. Not beliving it I tried it anyway and wala it worked. However I mixed it to one part each with Hydrogen Peroxide. The pills my private doctor gave me did'nt work.

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Solomon (Ottawa, Canada) on 06/05/2008:

I got nail fungus two three years ago. more than a year I used penilac which does not help me anything. I bought "No more nail fungus" online but help little. I read online about apple cider vingar, it was unbelivable with in 15 days I saw white nail is growing and black staf coming out form my nail. (i had sever nail fungus) now I am happy with the result. solomon

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Linda (Clyde, Texas) on 02/07/2008:

I've used ACV for many problems including fungal infections. When my son came back from Iraq he had a horrible case of athletes foot. I used 1 cup ACV and distilled water as a foot soak and the infection cleared up completely. He only needed to do the foot soak 1 night. Also, I developed that horrible toenail fungus like my mother had...thick yellow nails with a flaky exudate underneath...I started soaking my toenails in ACV straight from the bottle. After a 10 minute soak, I would use a q-tip and get the ACV up under the nail. Within a week, I had healthy growth of my nails. Now they are completely normal. The prescription for this was $600 which I couldn't afford. The ACV was $3.95 and I only had to use a shot glass of it every night for a week to clear up the problem. Once new growth was healthy, I stopped the toe soaks and have not had to use it again.

I've used ACV to get rid of ringworm too. It works as quickly as black walnut hull extract. Just dab it on with a cotton ball, and BLOW as it burns. It may burn, but it works.

Finally, I worked in Iraq for a year and developed a horrible fungus in my sinuses and had to have emergency surgery. The fungus would always come back and I finally cleared the infection by using ACV in my nasal irrigator every day. I put 1 mL of ACV in a WaterPik bowl, with warm water. It burned and made my eyes water, but I could BREATHE! Anytime I have symptoms of that fungal infection, I immediately start using ACV in my nasal wash. Anytime I have the slightest symptom of cold or sore throat, I use a shot glass of plain ACV and the symptoms are gone with 1 dose. Now my BP is getting high, so I know what to do...I never should have gotten off of it. This is a great site by the way. For beauty, I've used a water/ACV mixture to tighten pores and to eliminate dulling from shampoo. My dogs get 1 mL of ACV in their drinking water every day and NEVER have fleas or ticks. I don't have to purchase expensive flea remedies. Just a little ACV will do it, but you have to be consistent with it.

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Jim (Gainesville, FL) on 08/23/2007:

I had a fingernail fungus develop on every finger on one hand, and didn't want to take prescription meds. A doctor friend of mine advised that soaking the nails in ACV every day would eventually kill the fungus. He said it would take time but be patient. I started soaking my fingernails for 15 minutes every day a year ago. All of my nails have SLOWLY grown out healthy except the tip of one nail is almost healed. It has been a slow process, but it works - with no meds!

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Trac (Ireland and Dubai) on 10/31/2006:

Apple Cider Vinegar with water 50-50 soaked my feet as per advice on this board for about 10-20 min. at night. and if I had time in the day on the weekends I would do it twice. It cured nail fungus the fastest time ever and completely !!! This works but you must do it everyday and you will see a difference.

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