The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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 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 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
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by R Moore (Cincinnati, OH)
★★★★★
I had fungal toe for years, could not take the huge green pill, so tried ACV and have been free of the fungus for 10 years. I stopped taking ACV and within a week the fungus was back, so now I take a shot in the morning and at night.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jeff (Mnassas, VA)
★★★★★
Soak each foot in at least a 50/50 water/acv solution for 2 to 3 days, for 30 minutes each and you will rid your feet of any fungus/ athlete's foot and soften and exfoliate your skin to boot. Much harder to get at the nail fungus though.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan S (Mclean, Va) on 01/08/2018
For curing fungal toenails, should the apple cider vinegar be the active form (with the "mother" bacteria) or should it be dead vinegar with no live bacteria?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nizar (Toronto, Canada) on 10/15/2017
Thanks for your reply, Joseph. I have just started dipping my feet in ACV, because I have fungus in both feet. But, how often should I drain the old ACV and replace it with new.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Linda (Ohio) on 11/06/2017
★★☆☆☆
Same here Penny, I've been doing this for about a month. I see results immediately, but as the day wears on they're back to the same black toenails.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Waldo (GO) on 08/20/2023
Oh no... This was hard to read. To anyone reading this; DO NOT ADD BAKING SODA!
Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. That's what makes it work here, because the fungus you're trying to treat is high alkaline (the opposite of acidic).
Baking soda however, is highly alkaline. It's a base. Which is a fancy way of saying that it neutralizes acids. In fact, scientists use it in labs for this purpose.
Put simply, by adding baking soda to your soak you were disabling the only thing that was helping you to kill the fungus. The acidic AVC.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Victor (Singapore) on 08/25/2017
Very good idea indeed, I will be trying this method on my thumb. Thanks you for your sharing.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Louisnic (Thailand) on 06/18/2018
I have had foot fungi for 25 years. Tried so so much and exhausted. Treating it 3 times a day. Nothing has worked. Now I'm consuming borax topically and ingesting it. We'll see Fungis is still growing on my toenails and I have to keep clipping it. I am to a point I think it will never go away.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tinkabella (New York City) on 11/13/2017
Is it normal to feel pain after the first soak in vinegar?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Polly (Ma) on 07/07/2016
Try mixing a Tbsp of ACV with V8 juice and a dash of Worcestershire sauce, tastes great, almost like a virgin Bloody Mary.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kaye (Pelahatchie Ms) on 08/24/2016
Can the vinegar mixture be reused for the 2nd soaking each day or should it always be fresh vinegar?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bill (Spalding. U.k) on 05/30/2017
1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 teaspoon of honey warm water and enjoy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nizar (Toronto) on 07/26/2017
Hello Suzy:
Can you please tell us how you drank it please? with warm water etc?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Maria (Middlesex) on 01/19/2017
So you didn't dilute it in water? I just wondered whether it is still okay and effective to take it not diluted. Thanks!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Floridagirl (Sunny, Fl) on 04/21/2013
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar for nail fungus. It worked for me! :)
Background:
I think I had an injury to my thumb nail that caused the nail to lift a little, and well that's when I got nail fungus. It started in the corner and at first was just kind of a dark spot, and then the following couple of days started turning into a white-yellow half circle and was growing. When I would touch the nail or skin around it, it was tender. I thought maybe it was an infection, but it sounded more like a fungus.
Remedy I used:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
Vapor rub
Antibiotic ointment
What I did:
Clipped my nail back a little just in the affected corner. Just enough to show a little bit of the underlying skin. I did this to relieve a little pressure, because the skin was a little inflamed and was hurting. Also, I thought it would be easier for the medicines to reach the area.
I mixed a cap full of apple cider vinegar & peroxide together. Dipped a q-tip in the mixture and rubbed it on, around, and under the affected area. It will fizz a little, but it does not hurt. You will get some pain relief with in a short time, if your fingernail was hurting before!
I rubbed this mixture on my finger nail 3 times a day.
During the day time, I would rub some antibiotic ointment on the area with NO bandaid. Of course, I had to re-apply frequently when my hands would get wet. At night I put Vick's vapor rub AND a bandaid on my thumb. I made sure the bandaid was not too tight, but also that it would not fall off.
I did all of this for 4 days.
On day two, I noticed that it seemed to start going away (shrinking), and by day 4 it looked like it was completely gone. Just keep applying everything until it is completely gone. I'm so happy it worked!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by RB (Somewhere in Europe) on 02/23/2022 100 posts
"I rubbed this mixture on my finger nail 3 times a day."
Comment for everybody:
Please notice Floridagirl applied peroxide to a fingernail. Toenails are a whole different ball game. Many years ago I applied peroxide to a toenail. An ugly, thick nail came off painlessly. However, walking became a pain for many months. Toenails are a lot more sensitive than fingernails.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Constance (Jacksonville, Fl) on 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 Gigi (Los Angeles, Ca) on 07/02/2012
Your fungal situation appears to be almost identical to my severe case, which has been ongoing for a few years now. I will definitely try this remedy out and see how well it works for me. Thank you for the idea... I will keep my fingers crossed.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Carmen (Laguna Woods, California) on 06/11/2017
Five years ago I developed severe toxic mold poisoning from black mold in my home. I have read everywhere that vinegar is bad for mold sufferers because mold toxins thrive in that environment and vinegar is derived from a mold-like process. Does anyone know about this? Perhaps unfiltered ACV is safe. I have three toenails with fungus that drug store topicals could not get rid of. Been doing the pure ACV soke for almost two weeks but only for ten minutes once a day from a Japanese fungus code. I'll follow the 30mins X2 remedy from now on or/and bandage on a cotton ball for the night. Any ideas for me? Thank you very much Great site. Carmen
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susie (Melbourne Australia ) on 08/12/2017
I am reading your post in August 2017!! Dd your nails improve completely Debbie? I have severe fungus in 8 nails and am about to start your regimen of ACV. I need to know that it works because nothing else I have tried does and I have spent years on this rollercoaster without success.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jean (Charlotte, Sc) on 01/10/2011
I wanted to update and say that I'm still soaking my nails in ACV. I also drink about one tablespoon of ACV every day. Half of the big toenail came off the other day. I forgot to mention before that on the days that I don't have time to soak I take a capsule of Oregano Oil, stick it with a pin and put some on each nail. It even took away the pain (within minutes) of what was begining to be an ingrown toenail. It discolored my socks, but as I said before, I'd rather have healthy nails than white socks. My nails are still slightly discolored and I'm totally fine with that.
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 Carmen (Laguna Woods, California) on 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 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
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nat (Huntsville, AL) on 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 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)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by 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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by 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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Harrier (Long Beach, CA) on 12/10/2007
★★★★★
The website where this was original quoted from is
http://askwaltstollmd.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html
Dr Stoll doesn't mind people using his methods and letting others know. I had bad toenails and used that approach and it all cleared up. Using the two drops at the base allows the white distilled vinegar to absorb through the nail and change the PH under the nail. By using only two drops you also prevent excess moisture from remaining under the nail. You need to apply twice a day 12 hours a part. In about six weeks, you should begin to see a thin clear nail at the base. After 6 months, your nail should grow out. Once the nail grows out, you should continue applying for about three more months. The major mistake people make is forgetting to remain consistant and missing a treatment or applying to much. For that reason cotton schwabs are also recommended. One dunk for each foot. This treatment does take a while and is 100% effective if you do it corretly and have virtually no expense. For some it has taken two and a half years, most cases are cured between 9 months and a year. Once your nail is infected, Dr Stoll feels you must grow healthy nail to push out the bad nail. Another recommendation is to drink two Tablespoons of ACV with apple juice or water twice a day. This helps treat fungus. Remember white distilled vinegar on the outside and Apple Cider Vinegar orally. Not the other way around.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sue (New York) on 02/06/2011
To: 09/17/2007: Suzie from Huntington Beach, CA - You don't say if you did the ACV daily soak - or whether you took it orally. Which was it? And what was your formula either way? You were clear with the coconut oil, which I am grateful for! Great story!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lady22599 (Columbus, Ga) on 08/31/2011
Just wanted to chime in with a regimen I started last week. I've had fungus on both big toes for sometime but it got worse recently because I've been painting my nails every week and we had a bad heatwave this summer. I had some medicated shampoo left over from a bout of Seborrheic Dermatitis. It contains an anti-fungal called Ketoconazole. The prescription strength is 2% but you can buy a 1% over the counter at most drug stores. I wash my feet with that every morning and night. After washing and drying thoroughly I use a q-tip to apply a generic brand of Monistat 7 cream to both toe nails concentrating on the base and sides (think U shape). I can already see a difference in the skin surrounding my nail. It had taken on a dark color like I was bruised but now it's pink again. After reading the great success some have had with ACV soaks I plan to add those to my regimen this weekend (just in the evenings). I took pictures of my toes when I started so I can chart the change and will keep you guys updated.
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 Waldo (GO) on 08/20/2023
Either works, because it's the high acidity which makes it work. But living ACV with the mother culture (AKA healthy bacteria) will always be better.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Karina (Victorville ) on 07/30/2024
Maybe you can try blue light to get rid of the fungus? eBay sells a handheld blue light device for $200.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 05/01/2016 2041 posts
B: You'r making a good start but need fine-tuning a bit. First, as for footbaths, the ACV I would replace with unscented Bleach maybe once a week, and do one big spoon of Borax daily. As for ACV orally, you can buy ACV tablets at health food stores, so no more bad taste or irritation.
As for topical treatment replace the Oregano with Garlic Oil and do daily for a couple weeks then rotate to Pure Grain Alcohol (180 proof) and either Tea Tree or Eucalyptus Oil. The ratio of each you may determine at a tolerable level, maybe start w/ 50/50 in an small glass bottle and dab on with cotton swab for 2 wks then back to the Garlic.
When sleeping, keep that foot free of covers as to keep moisture down and fresh air around. A small fan on that foot would help. Speaking of air, be sure to keep your house filters clean or replaced and consider additional air purification as fungus cannot grow in a clean or well oxygenated environment.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Frances (Cabarlah, Qld.) on 05/03/2016
I have soaked feet in warm water with half a cup of borax diluted for 15-20 min. for at least 5 days.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kellison (Oregon) on 07/12/2016
Try organic Apple Cider Vinegar (usually in organic or health section of grocery stores). It is VERY much easier to drink than Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sharon (Pa) on 07/21/2016
I started out with athletes foot and it progressed to my large toenail. I used a cream to clear up the athletes foot but the toenail fungus is not so easy to get rid of. I started soaking my foot in ACV but would miss days here and there. So, I ordered finger cots in an extra large size (Amazon) and I put one on my toe before bedtime and add ACV to it every night and sleep with it on. My nail is growing out fine but it takes a long time--like a year--of doing the procedure.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by April (Riggins, Idaho ) on 08/03/2016
Hi! Did you use apple cider vinegar that was organic or distilled? Please let me know, I am very encouraged by your report, but I'd like to know what kind of vinegar you used!
Thanks very much!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bob (Missouri) on 12/17/2016
Try 1 packet of Stevia, 1 TSP of ACV, 4oz Iced Tea - it tastes like tart apple juice.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Penelope (Australia) on 06/26/2017
Try adding a tsp of ACV to a glass of sparkling mineral water. It is a very pleasant way to drink it and you will be able to work your way up to a tbl spoon fairly quickly.
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 Rex (Brookfield) on 10/14/2013
Was it just the vinegar that you used?
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 Jennifer (Kansas) on 06/19/2016
I know it's been years since you posted about your toes. I would like to talk/email to you with questions if possible. You mentioned several things, that I am having the same circumstances and would just like to hear more from you about your experience with the apple cider vinegar. Jennifer
