Toenail Fungus TreatmentsNail Fungus Home Remedies - Do They Actually Work?
The oral prescription treatments for onychomycosis (nail fungus or toenail fungus) are associated with several and potentially severe side effects (Liver Damage). As a result many people turn to natural, alternative, home remedies to treat their onychomycosis. Do any of these remedies work? If so, which ones? Are they safe?
There are a number of home remedies that have been tried over the years to treat onychomycosis and fungal nail infections. The problem with all of them and even with topical prescription medicines is that the remedy is not always able to penetrate the nail to the site of the infection. This keeps many home remedies from being very effective on onychomycosis. Also, there are no clinical trials that have looked at the various home remedies in the treatment of nail fungus. On the other hand, there is very little risk associated with the popular home remedies and most are inexpensive. Also there is some anecdotal evidence that they could work for some people.
Just as with prescription onychomycosis treatments, if the nail bed and lunula are affected, topical, over-the-counter, home remedies will not be effective. An oral medication is required and, currently, these medications are only available with a prescription.
One of the popular, inexpensive treatments that has been tried is to soak fingernails or toenails in Listerine. Listerine contains ethanol, thymol, eucalyptol, and benzoic acid. Listerine is known to kill bacteria and has recently been shown to have antifungal properties. In fact, this treatment was potent against Candida infections which cause one of the four main types of onychomycosis. Therefore, Listerine could theoretically eradicate a nail fungus infection if it could penetrate to the site of the fungus.
No clinical trials have been performed looking at Listerine and onychomycosis but proponents of the treatment suggest soaking fingernails or toenails in Listerine for 10 minutes each night. Listerine’s ability to kill dermatophytes is less impressive and less well known. Since most onychomycoses are caused by dermatophytes, Listerine may not be universally effective.
Another onychomycosis along these same lines is vinegar. Vinegar, also known as acetic acid, can potentially destroy the dermatophytes that cause onychomycosis. The process is the same for Listerine—people that would like to try this remedy should soak their fingers or toes in one part vinegar and two parts water for 20 minutes per day. Treatment should be continued until symptoms resolve or the skin around the nail becomes irritated. There is no advantage to using apple cider vinegar versus other vinegar types since they all contain acetic acid primarily. Also, over-the-counter preparations that contain acetic acid as their primary ingredient are not more or less special than plain vinegar.
One of the more promising home remedies for onychomycosis is Vicks VapoRub. Again, there are no clinical trials supporting this treatment, however physicians have witnessed improvements in some people using this ointment. Why might this home remedy work where others fail? In the case of Vicks VapoRub it is as much about the carrier as it is about the active ingredient. The oils and petroleum jelly in Vicks can dissolve and soften the nail when used repeatedly over time. This allows the active ingredients like menthol to penetrate the nail and fight the fungal infection.
The only really way to use Vicks VapoRub is topically; the precise “dose” and duration of therapy is anyone’s guess. Many people apply it to their affected toenails or fingernails at night and wear a sock or glove to keep the Vicks VapoRub next to the nail. Unfortunately this also tends to hold moisture next to the nail and moisture promotes fungus growth. If you are going to use Vicks VapoRub and a sock or glove, make sure the covering is 100 % cotton and “breathes” to prevent moisture accumulation.
One natural product that has fairly impressive antifungal activity is tea tree oil or Melaleuca alternifolia. When used in vitro (meaning in a dish), tea tree oil was able to kill or inhibit all of the major causes of onychomycosis including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Candida species. There have been two clinical trials of tea tree oil on onychomycosis one showing a 20% cure rate and the other showing a 0% cure rate. Apparently 100% tea tree oil needs to be used to see an effect. While cure was only achieved in a fraction of patients (or none) nail appearance improved in many more.
Interestingly tea tree oil was very effective in treating tinea pedis, a superficial fungal infection of the foot. In this case the topical agent can easily reach the offending fungus.
One topical treatment that contains Tea Tree Oil is Zetaclear.
Another herbal preparation that has some antifungal activity is Camellia sinensis or green tea extract. In a dish, this herb was able to kill Candida glabrata. It is affect on dermatophytes is unknown and there have been no clinical trials to determine if it has an effect on patients with onychomycosis.
References
Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV. In vitro activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil against dermatophytes and other filamentous fungi. J Antimicrob Chemother 2002;50:195-199.
Hart R, Bell-Syer SE, Crawford F, Torgerson DJ, Young P, Russell I. Systematic review of topical treatments for fungal infections of the skin and nails of the feet. BMJ 1999;319:79-82.
Turchetti B, Pinelli P, Buzzini P et al. In vitro antimycotic activity of some plant extracts towards yeast and yeast-like strains. Phytother Res 2005;19:44-49.
Click Here For Highest Rated Nail Fungus Treatments
1. Zetaclear - www.Zetaclear.com
2. Funginix - www.Funginix.com
3. Nail Rx - www.nativeremedies.com
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what does really work.
Thank you for the information about home remedies. I was surprised that mild bleach solution was not mentioned. I have have a foot nail infection and have had good success with using a mild bleach solution when taking a shower.
Dave,
We will research mild bleaching to see what effect this home remedy has on treating Onychomycosis.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I’ve been on the same road as dave. I’ve used Clorox bleach
mixed in about about 2 gallons of water for foot baths for a while
now. It has really done a job on fungus and about any other foot
problem i have had. I’ve never measured the amount of Clorox
exactly though. Usually i mix it strong enough so that a 30 to
40 minute foot bath is all i can stand. It will sure itch! Your
feet will come out looking rosy and as soft as new borns. If you
use a rough wash-rag or a foot scrubber all the loose foot scale
will come off (No need for a foot file).I’ve also noticed that if
you add some Ajax with bleach alternative Ruby red grapefruit
they will be exceptionally soft. If you can’t keep your feet in
there for 30 min you’ve mixed it to strong. (Sounds
sincerely
BWB
Actually, fungal diseases are not curable. We may only treat them, but we have no control of their re appearance. This is due to the extensive branching and networking within the fungal cell walls.
I have had this nail fungus problem in my big toe nail for years. I’m 17
and as far as I can remember I have had this since i was maybe 10 or 9.
the fungus is only on the left side of my toe nail and its been there for
years, I do not know why it has not spread to the rest of the nail or to
other nails. That part of the nail with the fungus is expanded and it does
not hurt only when it gets hit hard like when I kick something.
I really want to get this thing out so I can have a healthy foot and I
also thing i have athlete’s foot. My other foot the left one is very
healthy, there is no fungus and my skin is soft and not hard at all unlike
my other foot.
Well i just felt like sharing this story with you guys. Hopefully i get
this thing out soon, i will try bleach i have seen this treatment work for
people and I’ll see the results.
I have also heard that soaking the affected areas using a brew of Pau D’Oro tea is also helpful for curing nail fungal problems.
What about hydrogen peroxide?
I have toenail fungus for years, but it is only on my left foot on. It didn’t spread on the rest of my toenails, I will try all, starting with the the bleach, and soon you guys will hear from me, thank you.
send me more information.
Just started the bleach treatments and will report back. I too am curious as to effectiveness of Hydrogen Peroxide.
I’ve heard if you brush your toenails with Ajax or Comet it should help with nail infections.
I have tried every one of these (including the Hydrogen Peroxide). None of them work. It’s best to keep filing down the nail. Try to keep the nail exposed after applying Vicks Petroleum Jelly. I’m tempted to try the laser treatment but it’s awfully expensive ($1,000.00) for one toe!
i also have some kind of fungus…my question is…do the toenails ever go back to looking normal and healthy with just using listerine or some other home remedy treatment? or will my nails stay ugly like this forever?
Acid and wild oregano oil worked for me. Finding the right acid is kinda tricky; vinegar was too weak, hydrochloric acid was too strong. Pepsi, Coco-cola (phosphoric acid) might be just right, don’t know yet, still experimenting. It softens the bone. But a Mongolian study found 80 percent success when mixing tea-tree oil together with a Broad Spectrum topical medicine to deliver the “punch”. I bought some Re-Clear AF ANTIMICROBIAL, not antifungal, at Walmart and Walgreens, which contains Benzalkonium Chloride. Colloidal Silver Salve might work in there as well, not sure yet. Tea-tree, wild oregano, and olive leaf oil extract all work to penetrate the nail. Mix them together with the nail topical ointment to deliver a fateful blow where it counts. I’ve noticed that when I’m working my hands in a base such as latex paint or concrete/tile/stucco, the fungus goes wild and out of control. Acids seem to kill it, bases seem to aggrivate it.
Hydrogen peroxide worked for me
i have fungus in 3 fingers of my right foot.i had this for 1 year now and i don`t like it .im going to try the bleach remedy to see if it works on me.
uhhhm??? Someone mentioned laser treatment!!!I have NEVER heard about it? Has anyone dones and can share their results??? even though they mentioned it is awfully expensive ($1,000) for one toe…I would definitely go for it after YEARS of suffering too.Several doctor treatments. My own Dr. will NOT prescribe me any more treatments because of the liver danger!I am reading about home remedies but….it seems so FOREVER!!!
Vinegar definitely worked for me. No need to soak in it for 20 minutes, though, just putting drops on the infected nail cuticle and rubbing it in does the trick.
I have fungus in four toes - two on each foot. Although the following
“remedy” doesn’t cure it (it comes back if I stop), I find that it helps
keep my toenails from getting severely infected. I combine half vinegar
and half peroxide and soak my feet for about ten to 15 minutes followed
by another soak in a solution of 3 parts water and one part bleach (again,
soaking for about 10 to 15 minutes). I do this once or twice a month. As
long as I keep this regime up, my toes look OK but I think the source of
fungus is still active.
I have had fungal problems for years. Vinegar finally worked for me
I soak as often and as long as I can. If I stop for an extended period
the black comes back. My nails are still thick and yellow though.
Haven’t figured out how to fix that yet. I will try filing them and
using a product I recently found in the pharmacy that says it gets the
yellow out.
Dr., has me on pill form of Lamisil along w/Vick’s Vapor Rub ~ after less than a month on these meds I can ‘finally’ cut certain toenails, and have added tea tree oil 2 the treatment ~ am optimistic ’bout the results ~ will include re: ‘common sense’ : bleach n/or peroxide if need be ~ why’d this hafta happen 2 me ~ dontcha all ask !!!
I will try the remedies cited (vinegar/Vicks), but I also have an appointment next week for laser procedure and the cost is $800 for all ten toes, which sounds somewhat reasonable, I guess. I want it zapped permanently versus a temporary topical solution that I must continue intermittently for the rest of my days!
I have fungus in 2 toe nails. then I soked the cotton rounds in clorox mixed with water, put this on the toe nail and over put the finger protector rubber covering. I dont need to soak my feet but the clorox do the job and let this for long time, But I know this treatment is for 6 or 7 months if I want good result.
Pamela,
Where did you find the laser treatment at?
Was it a specific national clinic or podiatrist, etc.?
Thanks for the info,
Tom
Bleach does not get rid of nail fungus. You are just bleaching the color so they may look better but you are not killing the fungus. Same thing with your tub. The fungus is still there. You just turned it white.
Just went to my dr. for toenail fungus, told him i was using hydrogen peroxide and vicks. he was mad! told me to stop, take my polish off and go to walgreens and get antifungal cream and rub it in twice a day while filing the nail to get to the infection. trying it now!! anyone had success w otc antifungal?
I had my toenail removed 18 years ago and the fungus stayed gone for 15 years. Then I got it again and I can’t find a podiatrist or anyone to remove the toenail again. I would be happy for it to be gone again for 15 years. I have been going to the podiatrist this time for 3 years with no success. I have taken Lamisil and used topical prescription medications. I have had no luck with any over the counter meds. I am beginning to try the home remedies to see how that goes. I am soaking in vinegar first.
my toe nail is also infectad with fungus… so guys plz help me tell
me which 1 bleach i can use 4 my toe nail?????
This has just happened to me-I saw where most of you are posting a yellow color, mine looks black, is this norma.? I started with vics tonight. Interest in knowing more about bleach. Thanks.
I’m definitely going to try the natural tea trea oil idea. I really don’t want to take prescription drugs unless I absolutely have to. Thank you.
My dr. prescribed Ciclopirox. Am trying it now. But, my toenails are very painful. Guess until results are in I’ll take advil. Does anyone know if I shouldn’t use nail polish during this process? I hate the way my toenails look. And, I totally agree about going to get a pedicure. A lot of the employees at nail salons won’t stop and will continue to spread the fungus to others through the use of polish. Have you ever seen them clean one of those brushes? I won’t even use one of the “clean” brushes on my fingernails as I doubt they have really been cleaned.
You shouldn’t be wearing polish if you have fungus. Your nails need to breath. I have been alternating hydrogen peroxide, 70% rubbing alcohol, and apple cider vinegar baths. So far I am having good results. I do this twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes.
I have used white (clear) iodine & it really works. Some drugustores do not carry but might order it for you but you can order it online.
I had some limited success using tea tree oil and Lotrimin topically.
First I removed the nail which had already detached from the bed due
to the infection. This was painless. Then I filed what was left down
as far as I could removing anything left.
When I thought I was down to ’skin’ I started the topical twice a day.
This worked on a thumbnail and in a couple of months time it looked like
new. I have tried this method since on other fingers and toes but have
not had any other success. I damaged the thumb again while working on
my car and re-infected it as a result of the trauma! Still trying.
When I was in rehab after hip surgery, they cut my toenails, and I didn’t want to
criticize the fact they went from one toe to the next after trimming the
big toe nail that had the terrible fungus. It didn’t take long for every
nail to show that fungus infection had started. That was 4 yrs ago and
I’ve battled it ever since…..until 2 weeks ago, when I rubbed Vicks
Vaporub under and over every nail. I am so pleased with the outcome.
They look sooooo much better now. They aren’t totally clear, but, it’s
improving everyday. Please try it and report your findings on here
in about two weeks. Good luck.