ACV for Toenail Fungus: Effective Natural Treatment

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Marilyn (Buena Park, CA) on 12/21/2008
★★★★★

Vinegar soaks (two hours) for nail fungus : I tried soaking my toenails in vinegar and water 50:50 for fifteen minutes at a time after a shower and nothing seemed to be happening. One day while sitting at my computer I decided to soak then rather than take time to soak when I was ready for bed. Two hours went by before I remembered I was soaking my feet, and they were all "pruny". I did it for two hours again two more times in that week, but not on consecutive days, and never again. It has now been about three months, and I now have about 1/8 inch of normal nail growing in. If fifteen minute soaks aren't working, try two-hour soaks! I only did it those three days. Who knows? It may take only one two-hour soak! I don't think the kind of vinegar matters. It's the acid in vinegar that destroys the fungus and all store vinegar is about the same.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tonya (Sc) on 02/12/2017

2 tablespoons by mouth? Or soak in water? Thanks so much!

EC: Internally with water.

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tammy (Va) on 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 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 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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Golfer/fisherman (Aiken, Sc) on 10/20/2011
★★★★★

After trying many otc products for nail fungus with no success, I came across several articles about using vinegar, sometimes with other additives, to cure their nail fungus. After having tried many other things and seeing several people had tried this with success, I decided to give it a try.

I bought a plastic shoe box, put undiluted white vinegar in it and soaked my foot twice a day for about 3 weeks. (I only change the vinegar solution every few weeks and keep a lid on the plastic box when not being used. ) The vinegar was a bit too strong and started creating a few sores on the top and sides of a few toes. Wanting to continue, I put a salve on those spots while soaking my foot and that cleared up that problem.

After about 3 weeks, I decided to dilute the vinegar, about half white vinegar and half water. That was much more gentle on my foot and no longer have my skin get irritated by the vinegar. I also started soaking my foot only once a day for about 30 minutes each day. I have now been doing this for a little over 3 months. (During this time, I also kept clipping my toenails back as far as I could to expose as much of the fungus under the nails as possible. ) Three of my little toes that had fungus now have been cured and the nails are slowly growing back with no signs of fungus. My big toe is also responding, but because of the size of the nail, is taking much longer to grow out and get rid of the remaining fungus under the nail, but it too seems to be responding. The nail growing from the base seems to be free and clear of any fungus. Hopefully in a few more months, my big toenail will be totally free from the fungus.

I don't know if this works for everyone, but it seems to have worked for me.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, Ga) on 09/22/2010
★★★★☆

I think (big sigh of relief) I am finally able to report a good remedy combination for clearing nail fungus after trying many different treatments the past couple of years.

Ingredients:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Borax
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hot water

I add 1-2 tablespoons of borax to hot water, wait until it dissolves, then add equal parts of organic apple cider vinegar, water and 3% drug store peroxide (I eyeball this, might be about 1/4 cup of each). Note: it's very important that you find a dish that allows you to soak as much of the top part of the foot as possible. I soak in this concoction for 30 to 45 minutes every day (sometimes more, sometimes less)... I do take a 1 or 2 day break from time to time.

Glad to report that the nail growing in on the big toe looks perfect! I am not touching it this time! (Filing the nail down really set me back last spring)

To Bill from the Philippines... I tried your formula (borax, hydrogen peroxide and milk of magnesia in June when you mentioned it here on EC). After 1 week, the fungus turned from yellow to white, and slowly started to clear from the nail. Then one day the top of my big toe, just below the nail, started to itch like crazy, like poison ivy (but more likely athlete's foot). I must have scratched it in the middle of the night because the next morning it was raw and oozing (yuck)... Shortly after that the fungus returned to the base of my nail. I tried your formula again for another few weeks and didn't seem to be getting very far. I am theorizing that unless you apply these anti-fungal remedies to as much of the foot (and in between the toes) as possible, it is very difficult to get rid of the fungus. Fingers crossed. My nails are growing out so fast (thanks to a daily glass of homemade milk kefir and a partial raw food diet) I think my nails might be clear by December. Will report back with y'all again then.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Julie (New Jersey) on 06/23/2020

Bill, regarding you and your girlfriend having issues with the air conditioner.

I found when I first moved to my apartment that if I'd been using the A/C, then there was maybe a week or two where it was cool enough to not use it, when I'd return to it I got massive headaches. I could barely detect a smell in the air that is only there when the A/C is running. I inspected it to find that when I took off the front cover, a (nonremovable) tray at the bottom of the unit collects an inch or so of water.

To make a long story short, it was growing mold, even if the tray had time to dry before I turned it on again. My solution was to purchase bottles of colloidal silver online that are intended for treating hot tub water in place of chlorine or bromine. I only have to put in maybe a dropper full, and this purifies that tray so that the when the A/C is on again, it's not filling my apartment with mold spores.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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?

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

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Allyson (Colorado Springs) on 02/27/2020
★★★★★

I cannot stand the smell of ACV, plain old white vinegar works just as well, I would spray it on the 3 toes 2x a day, waited til the entire toenail bed grew out, no more toenail fungus, rah! Just put the white vinegar in a glass bottle so no plastic uglies leach into the vinegar. It really, really works!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Gina (Nj) on 07/30/2017

Hey Penny! Have you tried drinking ACV a few times a day?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Will (Baltimore) on 09/17/2017

Put ACV in a spray bottle; spray your feet when you get a chance. In the morning soak your feet for 10 minuter in pure ACV, Organic.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Beth (Ontario, Canada) on 05/01/2016

I have toe nail fungus on two toes on both feet...went to doctor and she suggested I try something called Footlogix. It is a spray that you get from a Podiatrist...kind of expensive for the size of the spray. When the spray is half way done it won't spray anymore...so money wasted there. So for months now I have tried using Tea Tree oil, but it so discolors my nails, makes them brittle and very yellow and quite sore too! I have lost one nail and it doesn't seem to be healing...so found this site and think I will try applying AVC on my nails twice a day...I have a small container of Pure Emu Oil, was wondering if it may work...I also try to soak my feet say once a week in 1 cup AVC and 1 cup warm water...I have read several people saying you have to get rid of this fungus from the inside out...I gag at the thought of drinking AVC, I have tried it and it is very hard to get down, but if that will help...today, May 1,2016 I will start to drink 2 TBSP in 32 oz of water once a day and see if I can choke it down and see if that helps. I also suffer from Reflux so I am sure drinking the AVC will help with that too! I will keep you posted.

Any other suggestions would be very grateful.

Apple Cider Vinegar

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

Thank you for your post and for your encouragement. I have tried soaking my toes for the fungus but I only do that for a couple days and then I just don't as I am not very patient either for that kind of thing. Just applying the apple cider vinegar will be easy to do. I have tried a baking soda paste applied to the toenail and the toe and let it sit on there for a little bit and then rinse it off. That has helped but it feels like there's still has to be something else to do. So thank you for your encouragement to just apply the ACV. Good luck with yours :)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mary Moore (Memphis, Tn) on 02/02/2011

If people feet are not getting better they need to change there shoes. PEROXIDE AND VINEGAR ARE SOME OF THE BEST ANTISEPTICS. THE VINEGARS SOFTENS THE TOENAILS SO U CAN CUT THEM. THE VICKS SAS WILL STOP THE WORST FUNGUS ON YOUR FEET AND TOES AND CUT THE TOENAILS SHORT. PROBABLY NEED TO TAKE SOMETHING BY MOUTH IF THE FUNGUS HAVE GOTTEN UNDER THE TOENAIL. THE ACID LEVEL IS PROBABLY TO HIGH.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Rachel (Sydney, Australia) on 11/13/2010
★★★★☆

I've had 2 dodgy toenails, one for about 10 years and one for about 2 years. After reading all the testimonials, I started soaking my feet in the cheapest generic supermarket white vinegar. I don't even know if it's distilled, but I assume it must be. I've also alternated between putting tea tree oil and generic chest rub ointment on both nails twice a day. After six weeks, the nail with the 10-year fungus now looks like a normal pink nail and the nail with the 2-year fungus still looks dodgy.