ACV for Toenail Fungus: Effective Natural Treatment

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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!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Moi (V Ville, Ca) on 12/19/2009
★★★★★

I had a very bad nail fungus for 23 or so years. I practically had no healthy nail left on my big toe. It was very ugly and was just a crumbly mess. I tried a lot of otc meds (before I got wise), none worked. Also tried a lot of natural cures, vicks, h2o2 etc, and none of them did anything to help. I had pretty much resigned myself to funky toe for life, when I decided to give it one last go with White Vinegar, just the ordinary cheap as chips stuff.
After my shower I would soak a cotton ball with vinegar and put it on my nail with a plaster over it. Nothing else. Did it for 2 or so months. Total cure. My nail (and my partner cannot believe it) is normal again, as in I do not hide it anymore and am rather proud of the little fellow now. I have nice feet and am really happy at last to have nice healthy feet.

One thing, the vinegar does smell a bit early in the day, but for me it was worth it. Every now and again I do a vinegar day just to keep the fungus away.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Susan (Holland, Pa) on 12/18/2009

I am planning to try Apple Cider Vinegar to treat my toenail fungus that has been a problem for years. I have tried, over the counter and prescription medication and nothing has worked for me. I do have a question. Do I reuse the ACV I soak my toes in or should I use a fresh batch every time I soak? Thanks for the feedback.

Replied by Phil
(Dearing, Ga)
12/19/2009

Hi Deirdre and Susan. I would just like to let the two of you know that I have read that Grapefruit Seed Complex in liquid form can be used to treat nail fungus. This is a liquid and can be used for cleaning vegetables also. Tooth and gum infections if added to tooth paste. You can request a FREE catalog from herbalhealer.com and it tells what all it can be used for.

I HAVE NOT used this product. But this is what it states, That it can be put directly under the toes to help toe nail fungus. Some people also add 2 drops daily to glass of juice. It seems as this is a Fungus fighter internally and externally.

Hope this helps.

Replied by Phil
(Dearing, Ga)
12/19/2009

Hi Deidre. It's me again, I should tell you that this particular Grapefruit Seed Extract is said to be very potent and should always be DILUTED WHEN PUT ON SKIN! It DOES NOT, however give the dilution ratio, but does say one dropper full for a BATH...So I guess, it does need to be diluted. I am just not sure to the ratio. Maybe there is info on the kind you have as to dilution.

But then again, maybe it is speaking only for putting on the skin to be diluted. Because it says " It can be applied directly under toes to help toenail fungus."

Oh I feel so bad now, because I can't tell you for sure and I have the catalog. Sorry.

Ok I have found this in another part and it says " This is used for external wound that are not healing well.You must dilute this. 10 drops per cup of warm water-wash area four times a day." I know this still doesn't answer, if you dilute to go under toes or not.

Maybe you should start with diluted, first and see how that goes...I will post again if I find anything else out. I haven't tried google on this, so I will try that.

Replied by Phil
(Dearing, Ga)
12/19/2009

This is interesting Deirdre and Susan. Lots of information here.
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/health/toenailfungus.html

All kinds of reports from people, who used different methods.

Replied by Tricia
(Ireland)
12/19/2009
84 posts

Susan from holland - this won't work for you cos yours is a fungus and has to be treated differently but it should work for deirdre cos hers is a dye problem.

I get discolored fingernails from some chemicals I use at work. It is usually only 1 fingernail when the latex gloves I use break.

1. Light dye-leave a slice of lemon on it for about 5 mins daily.

2. Heavy dye-3% h2o2 painted on with a q-tip above and underneath the fingernail.This usually works for nail polish staining too.

3. Iodine-break open a vitamin c capsule and dilute with water, stick finger in glass. This solution will take iodine out of clothes and off countertops too.

So far, because I get to attack it immediately, I rarely have to do any of the first two for longer than 4/5 days and the vitamin c only once so I don't know if there are any long term effects i.e. weakening of the nails.
It would be very rare tho' for the dye to get below the nail onto the bed as they are tightly bound to each other.
If the acv dye is still on your skin, Deirdre, I can't see there being a problem with a little H2O2 in a footbath if Ted recommends it directly on the face overnight for rosacea.

Replied by Susan
(Holland, Pa)
12/20/2009

thanks to all of you for your input so far. I'm soaking in acv as i write. :) Its only day 3 so of course no results yet. Another few questions. I have been using tea tress oil as well for many years but this has done zero. Should I consider a different type oil such as grapefruit oil or coconut oil? I am confused about which oil to use. Do I apply this at night prior to bed or use it during the day? I do use powder to keep my feet dry as possible during the day and walk around in flip flops around the house. My feet of course are FREEZING in the flip flops:(
Thanks in advance for all of you!

Replied by Deirdre
(Atlanta, GA)
12/18/2009

I reused the acv a few times.

WARNING -- apple cider vinegar can dye your normal toenails a very ugly color if:

1) you don't dilute the acv with water
2) soak your toes too long
and
3) use cheap ACV from the grocery store

My toes are still discolored from doing the above 3 months ago!!

Deirdre

Replied by Deirdre
(Atlanta, GA)
12/19/2009

Thanks so much, Tricia! I will give it whirl. I used your nail file for cracked heels remedy to get the dye off my feet a few days after my ACV disaster and that was very helpful. But I never got it off my toe nails.

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!

Replied by Carmen
(Laguna Woods, California)
06/11/2017

Is it an absolute to use the unfiltered apple cider vinegar for soaking? It's $19 per gallon. But as I have read here I can reuse a few times.. hopefully. Thanks much, Carmen

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Enaks (New Rochelle, Ny) on 09/15/2009
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Thankful (Gurnee, Illinois) on 09/11/2009
★★★★☆

Editor's Choice

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Gissel (West Palm Beach, Florida) on 07/15/2009
★★★★★

Distilled vinegar works, I had a toe nail fungus for over 10 years on my big toes, I started to spray pure distilled vinegar into my toe nails every day twice a day for 3 months and I also cleaned underneath my toe nail with the vinegar. today my nails are clear and beautiful. just be patient it will work. Make sure you do it in the morning before you wear your shoes and before you go to sleep, it is very important to have your feet clean

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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

Replied by Lon
(Stanhope, NJ)
07/03/2009

Did you use straight, undiluted ACV? Did you soak the foot in the ACV, or did you apply it directly to the nails and leaving it on? rinsing? once a day? more often? My disabled son has terrible toenails. I've been hopping around with different treatments because I'm confused about which is the best way. Your success sounds encouraging. I'd like to try your method consistently for a while to see if we can get this under control. More details would be helpful. Thank you for your help.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Kate (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) on 06/21/2009

My mother 82, has used ACV/H2O for arthritis since her 30's for joint pain (from Dr. Jarvis's book). She has always sworn by it. From watching her, I now have tried it for joint pain - with success!

However I'm emailing about toenail fungus. I have pretty severe fungus in nine toenails. (One little pinky toe is beautifully normal for some reason.) Since my early 20's I've had a tendency to athletes foot. It started in my toenails when I was pregnant. My son is now 22 so that's how long I've had this 'blight' in my toenails starting with just one and very slowly spreading to others over time. The athletes foot also never disappears. Have tried every over the counter product w/ no results. Have always stayed away from the prescription oral stuff. Over the years I kept it from bothering me by daily application of olive oil or jojaba oil after showering (rubbed into skin after toes are well dried). I keep my nails meticulously clean and as trimmed as possible. Summers are not fun for obvious reasons cited by others.

A week ago I did an online search about it as I occasionally have over the years, and this time I was immediately struck by your website! Five days ago I started soaking my feet in ACV. I'm stepping it up from once to twice a day: am and pm. I'm using 1 part ACV to 2 parts H20. I use regular ACV and put in a couple of TBSP of raw ACV to save on cost. I soak my toes for at least a half hour. Will continue this experiment and let you know how it goes! Regardless, I think this is an excellent website - Thanks!

Replied by Kate
(Minneapolis, Minnesota)
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!

Replied by Kate
(Minneapolis, Mn, Usa)
09/22/2009

Well it's time for another check-in, this time it's been two months. In brief the ACV is working! This is truly remarkable. It's like getting the best birthday or Christmas present I could ever have hoped for. Just remembering it sometimes during the day brings a good feeling. Here's where it's at: I've continued with twice daily soaks for 1/2 hour or more. If it's occasionally less time then I make up for it later. Improvement has continued gradually in the way described in my previous post. It is not entirely gone. Of nine nails affected, three appear totally cleared up and six are greatly improved. Two of the six, the big toenails, are nearly clear but it takes them longer to fully grow out because they have farther to grow! From the base to two thirds out they appear close to normal looking. In my case, my nails seem to improve first at the base where they grow out and gradually they continue growing out clean. Four stubborn ones still have some signs of the fungus but they too are changing. The ones that had it the worst are taking the longest. I'm so thrilled already that I don't worry much about sandals anymore - even though the nails don't look great, I know they're on their way! Actually they may never look quite the same. I read in Ted's posts that once the nail has become separated from the nail bed, it never grows back in that place and I'm finding that to be true. But for me it's a small price to pay, a scar I guess. Meanwhile I'm not completely out of the woods yet. I figure maybe it'll be six months total. I'm psyched! Will check back.

Replied by Kate
(Minneapolis, Mn)
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

Replied by Vreed27
(Seattle, Wa)
07/28/2012

Hi Kate, You might want to consider adding some FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and taking it internally mixed with some kind of juice or water. It has great reviews to helping grow hair/nails. Might help your toenails grow out even faster!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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!

Replied by Fancy
(Fresno, CA)
05/21/2009

Wow, Im so glad this remedy worked for you.I have had toe nail fungus for 8 yrs now and have not worn sandals since i was 17! Im a girl and lets face it my summer dresses arent going to look good with tennis shoes.=) My podiatrist prescribed me the generic brand for lamisil and it has not worked! its been a month and yet nothing. Im also a mommy and would love to go to the beach and finally walk on the sand barefooted with my kids. So im going to try this tomorrow i just dont know where to buy ACV? Someone mentioned on the website about a certain brand and also organic ACV we have a Whole Foods store would it be there? If you have any suggestions or advice please throw them my way. Thanks in advance.

Replied by Pete
(Fort Collins, Colorado)
11/05/2011

You can buy regular ACV in the grocery store next to the white vinegar. Organic vinegar will be available at Whole Foods, but probably expensive there. Try to find a less expensive organic food store. We have sunflower and sprouts here in Colorado.

http://www.sunflowermarkets.com/Default.aspx
http://sprouts.com/home.php

Hope that helps.

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?

Replied by Nat
(Huntsville, AL)
05/01/2009

Not long. I just covered the nail with a generous amount of vinegar and then allowed it to air-dry. I did this 1-2 times per day for a few weeks, until the thickness and discoloration were almost totally gone. After just a few days, I was able to remove large amounts of flaky whitish matter from under the nail - presumably the dead fungus. I continued applying the vinegar and removing the foreign matter until I was satisfied with the results. I still apply vinegar once a week or so for maintenance, and have had no further trouble with the nail.

I had been considering getting Lamasil or Penlac before trying this, but figured I might as well give it a try first - and I'm very glad I did. More severe cases may not respond as well, but I'd say it's worth a shot.

EC: Thanks very much for updating us!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by 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!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dean (Jacksonville, Florida) on 03/12/2009
★★★★★

Odorless garlic orally, minimum high MG. once a day for a month.

Apply 'Camphophenique' oil (green bottle) after mixing= 1/3 apple cider vinegar to 2/3 Campho. Or same mixture using pure tea tree oil & ACV. apply to nail making sure there is a potential for it to soak under the edges. Discontinue any nail polish! Polishes seal the fungus in and make applications very difficult to penetrate needed areas.

Dean, (Retired Derm, Army Medical Dept)