ACV for Toenail Fungus: Effective Natural Treatment

103 User Reviews

5 star (89)		86%
4 star (11)		11%
2 star (2)		2%
1 star (1)		1%

Write a review

Posted by Renee (Bergen Co., Nj) on 04/12/2013
★★★★★

White Vinegar for Toenail Fungus: Apply white vinegar liberally using a cottonball after every shower or anytime your feet get wet. My husband also applied it at bedtime and again in the morning. Allow it to dry thoroughly (hair dryer is good). Continue for several months until the whole nail has grown out. Otherwise, it will probably come back. He also applied Vaporub on the first night, which had a quick effect, turning it black, but he didn't want to keep using a petroleum product for months.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Ken (Kearns, Ut) on 03/17/2013
★★★★★

After many years, this finally did the trick.

I cut off as much of the bad nail as I could, even parts of the top of the nail. (This would be especially easy after a good bath or shower, or after soaking the foot for 20 minutes or so. )

Then each night, before I retired for the night, I taped a cotton ball to the top of my toe with scotch tape. I taped all around the toe so it wouldn't fall off. Then I soaked it with white vinegar. I slipped a sandwich baggie over the toe, then slipped a sock over the foot to keep the baggie on the toe. I did this for about a week. After about that time my toe was a little irritated (but not until that long), so I didn't do it for a week or so. Then I did it again for about a week.

I started noticing a difference after 2 or 3 weeks. Sure enough, that did the trick, and it was a lot easier than soaking my foot for 20 minutes. Not only that, I had tried soaking it before, but it was hard to keep up the routine.

I think part of the trick was to cut back as much as possible. Then, the overnight soaking killed the problem. It took a long time for the nail to finish growing out, but my toe is 100% normal now! Ah, finally! I just thought I ought to forward hope and a solution to the suffering.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Elaine (Sterling, Va) on 01/13/2013
★★★★★

I had a small opaque white discoloration on one corner of one big toe that had been visible for several months. I was worried that it was the beginning of a fungus infection. After finding this site, I soaked a cotton ball in red wine vinegar (didn't have apple cider vinegar), and taped it to my toe overnight.

I was absolutely stunned the next morning to see that the discoloration was completely gone.

Maybe what I had wasn't a fungus, or maybe this is an amazing cure. Whatever, I'm extremely happy!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Marc (Owings Mills, Maryland) on 09/18/2012
★★★★★

I had a severe toe nail fungus on my two big toes plus a couple of others. I tried everything but nothing worked. Then I heard about the 2 dollar remedy five years ago which was distilled vinegar. I soaked a q tip in the distilled vinegar and applied it to the nails twice a day morning and night. It took about a year but 100% gone. Safe, effective, and inexpensive.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Leen (Pottsville, Pa, Usa) on 08/24/2012
★★★★★

My husband has a severe case of toenail fungus from being in the Army and wearing combat boots in the field years ago. I read about using vinegar and he gave it a try since nothing worked including doctor prescribed meds. Its been one month and we see a big difference. Pink, clean nails are 1/4 to 1/2 grown in. He did clip and file his nails tp prep them. We read you can use regular white vinegar, doesnt have to be apple cider vinegar. The white does not discolor the nail!! He soaks feet in tub of vinegar twice a day for ten minutes and changes it once every 7-10 days. Cured athletes foot immediately. Definitely worth a try.

Replied by Rex
(Brookfield)
10/14/2013

Was it just the vinegar that you used?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Sara (Wadsworth, Oh) on 06/15/2012
★★★★★

I used apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil and my toe is now, finally, perfect again! Took a LONG time for it to grow out, but worth the effort.

The key to my success was SOAKING a small piece of a cotton ball and using white medical tape to tape it in place on my toe. At first I used the ACV, but then switched to Tea Tree Oil w/ lavender. The smell is strong, but I think the TTO did a better job. I put this on in the above manner twice a day for about 2 months. After a while, I stopped doing it as I finally saw the affected part growing up and out (before, the ugly part didn't move when I just brushed the ACV & TTO on it. SOAKING was the key for me. Felt good to KILL that damn fungus...haha!

Replied by Constance
(Jacksonville, Fl)
07/14/2017

My Husband has toe nail fungus. I started doing some research and what I found out about how it can cause all kinds' of things throughout a person's body. Freaked me out. I immediately starting putting Lemon "moons" on both his left and right large toes. I have Tea Tree Oil & Apple Cider Vinegar. Would this be a better option for a sooner cure?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tammy (London, Uk) on 05/31/2012
★★★★★

I have had left big toe nail fungus for over 20 years and not keen on surgery I soldiered on. While browsing through the posts I cam across the ACV with the 'mother' and hydrogen peroxide (I had 6% in the house diluted it to 3%). Soaked the toe for three days while trimming and filing afterwards. 3/4 of this very thick unsightly nail just amazingly painlessly came off after all these years. I am mighty ecstatic cant stop looking at my, emerging new nail will continue to soak and file until the whole nail is pink and healthy.

Thank you All for the very helpful contributions, there make a big and cheap difference in enhancing we stay health and keep up the good work. I feel blessed since the day I stumbled on to this site.

Replied by Jc
(Columbus, Ga, Us)
07/23/2013

How long did you soak your toe nails each day, for them three days.

Replied by RB
(Somewhere in Europe)
02/23/2022
96 posts

Question for everybody: How long do you have to soak, before this thick unsightly toenail comes ovf painlessly?

What is it that I'm doing wrong?

I soak the nail in a 3% white vinegar for up to 6 hours per day, but the thick unsightly part of the nail remains hard as a rock. Neither my nail scissors nor my nail file is, or seems to be, any help.

Any advice?

zalmus
(Israel)
09/25/2023

My guess it has to be ACV, not white vinegar. Although many comments relate to White Vinegar too. Also Hydrogen Peroxide 3%.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Grace (Alma, Michigan) on 05/28/2012
★★★★★

I started using distilled vinegar from the grocery store but switched to raw vinegar from our local health food store. The raw vinegar is WAY stronger tasting and has the mother in it. I feel so much better taking ACV everyday. Not only is my nail fungus clearing but ( I hope this isnt TMI LOL ) I am supposed to take an iron supplement and was unable to without a stool softener and I dont need the stool softener anymore. I also work 12 hours shifts in a nursing home and my feet and legs dont ache like they did at the end of the day. This stuff is amazing, Im hooked for life :)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Grace (Alma, Michigan) on 05/16/2012
★★★★★

I read a lot of things about apple cider vinegar healing toenail fungus on line. Some of my toenails had fungus and looked really nasty. After only one month of drinking ACV , 2 table spoons in a 32 oz bottle of water daily my toes are a whole lot better, I actually cut the nails with regular toenail clippers. I am pleasantly amazed at how much nicer my feet look after such a short time. I can see where the nail has grown out at the base it looks normal. I will just keep cutting that fungus out until it is all gone and keep on drinking that ACV! I also saw a Dr on tv say to rub mentholatum rub on the nails and I have been doing that too. Whatever I am doing it is working and I am so happy. Looking forward to wearing sandals again this summer :)

Replied by Grace
(Alma, Michigan)
05/24/2012

I wanted to give an up date to my post. My feet look marvelous. I had fungus in all my toe nails. Some really bad and some just starting. It has been over a month that I have been drinking Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in water and putting the vinegar directly on the nail. Only 2 nails look bad at this time. I can see new nail growing in and is about at the half way point now. I will continue to use the Apple Cider Vinegar daily until the fungus is gone and then probably only once or twice a week after that for maintaince. I have cut the nails short and keep them trimmed, the fungus is getting easier and easier to cut away. My nails are no longer thick and dark and the skin around the nail is no longer red and itchy. This is amazing. Thank you so much.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dakotacabn (Laguna Hills, Ca, Usa) on 04/19/2012
★★★★☆

I never had toenail fungus until I started going to the nail salon. I quite going last year to the salon. I have been doing my own nails. I cut them really short and I cut off as much as the fungus as I could. I have been spraying ACV on my nails 2 times a day. They are so much better. I can now put on nail polish and I keep spraying my toe nails daily. I feel you never really get rid of the fungus, but you just keep it under control with the ACV. I went to the DR, he said they give you the fungus and then they sell you something to get rid of it. He also said they use the same water in the spas as they don't disinfect it after every customer and they also use the same polish so the fungus goes from person to person.

Replied by Tammy
(Va)
10/07/2017

I've had nail fungus off and on my whole life. Most reputable nail salons clean between customers and use sterilized tools. My feet sweat badly and being in shoes all day keeps them moist which causes the fungus. I was also in the Army when I was young and long hours in leather boots was the worst.

I think the vinegar soak is a great alternative to wasting money at the doctors office. I get my nails done regularly at a salon and don't blame them for my fungus. It's long hours in shoes at work.

I just need to be more motivated and soak my feet more.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Pat (Naperville, Il) on 04/15/2012
★★★★★

I have used distilled white vinegar to eliminate toenail fungus. I soak the toenail in undiluted white vinegar for about 20 minutes almost every day. The fungus stops growing and once the affected toenail grows out, you again have a totally healthy nail. I read that ACV will discolor the toenail but this did not happen with the distilled white vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Chiangmaisue (Chiang Mai, Thailand) on 03/08/2012
★★★★★

I wanted to share something that has worked great for my toenail fungus. I tried many remedies that helped but just didn't seem to be making a real dent in the problem. Then I read of one lady who after years of fighting the same problem, used a solution of distilled white vinegar and borax 10 minutes a day. I tried it and I am amazed at the results. I put about 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar in a narrow rectangular plastic food storage-type container, then put about 1-2 T borax into it. I heated the mixture up so it was quite warm, laid the container on a rolled small towel at an angle so that the liquid was gathered at the bottom and would cover my toes when I placed my foot in it. I soaked my toes in it 1-2 times a day, for anywhere from 10-20 minutes. For me, this solution brought the fastest and most dramatic results. I will continue using it for awhile to be sure the fungus is taken care of. I also have done other things to help, like keeping my toes aired out, dry, used a topical antifungal solution at night, etc. I also gently filed the nail surface a couple of times to help the solution soak in.

I don't think there is a need for exact measurements of the vinegar and borax - just as long as you have a good solution of both ingredients. The lady of whom I read used a plastic tray and put enough vinegar in it to cover her feet, and used 2 t. Of borax, and she got great results. I hope this will help someone out there.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Daryl (Tok, Ak.) on 02/06/2012
★★★★★

I've been useing white vinegar and water and it works great. Mix it 1cup of vinegar to 4 cups of water you can triple that or what ever it takes to cover the infected area, Soak for half hour once a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Michael (Corpus Christi, Tx.) on 01/06/2012
★★★★★

For toenail fungus, it helps if you have a foot bath. Put in four cups room temperature beer. 60 billions of acidophilus. Four cups warm white vinegar. Soak your feet in this (Or fingers if fingernails have fungus. ) for minimum thirty minutes each evening. Dry throughly with clean towel. Use hair dryer set on low to complete drying. Soaking your nails like this will also soften them so they are easier to cut. Put antifungal powder in socks or gloves to wear to bed. Three nights got rid of mine.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 12/14/2011
★★★★★

I had a bad fungus in one big toe and it was starting in my other big toe. All I did was drink ACV with bicarb soda each day (twice a day). In 3 months the nail with the fungus gradually grew out and I just kept cutting the bad nail off. I put nothing on the nail. It had been there for over 5 years and I had taken something in the past which did not work.