what does really work.

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 also heard that soaking the affected areas using a brew of Pau D’Oro tea is also helpful for curing nail fungal problems.

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.

Just started the bleach treatments and will report back. I too am curious as to effectiveness of Hydrogen Peroxide.

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!

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

Pamela,
Where did you find the laser treatment at?
Was it a specific national clinic or podiatrist, etc.?
Thanks for the info,
Tom

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?

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?????

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.

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 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.

For about 3 wks I have soaked my toes in hydrogen peroxide for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes twice a day and can report back that all the yellowish color is

I’ve heard that Cornmeal soaks will help. Old time agriculture and vet treatment for fungal problems. About 1/2″ of cornmeal in container to fit feet (like bath basins in hospitals), cold water to cver, let cornmeal soak about an hour, add (Warm/hot) water to enough to cover feet, then soak for 20-60 minutes. (read, take care of mail etc). Do weekly or as able. Those with Diabetes should not soak feet. (May not feel problems) And be aware that nails can take 9 months to a year to grow out.

Something not mentioned in this article that I thought I would
share. Apple Cider Vinegar actually changes the pH balance of the
foot,this creates an environment that the fungus can not survive
in. Think of a human surviving in an environment without oxygen.
Same thing.

Spores can and will survive waiting for the right conditions to
exist however, so this pH balance will have to be maintained or
the fungus will once again come to life. Like eggs waiting to
hatch.

Well I could tell you that clorox does work to cure toe nail fungusi had fungus on my left toe and I asked my friends who work in a hair and nail salon I asked them how do I get rid of toe nail fungus and they all told me to soak my feet in clorox with water and since i.’ve did that I haven’t had any fungus on my nail and is all cleared now .you have to start by clipping the hard yellow fungus nail away then clean out your nail then soak it in some warm water with a little bit of clorox for 30 minutes then take your feet out and dry them if you can’t stand the smell of the clorox wash your feet with soap and water except your toe or toes.you have to do this twice a day once in the morning and once before bedtime and remember as your nail grows keep cleaning it and clipping the hard and yellow nail out and all that white dead skin that accumulates under the nail in a couple of weeks your fungus will be gone for good and got this advice from profesinal people who work in the hair and nail industry.I thank them for that advice now I could wear sandals as before I wouldn’t dare with the toe nail fungus.

Attention wp (#30) A black nail can be the symptom of a very serious condition and needs immediate dermatological help. I have assisted an MD for 8 years and have seen this happen. Please follow through!

I wish I have gotten onto vinegar baths WAY sooner. I let my big toe get worse and worse, just covered it with nail polish until it was just hollow with fungus underneath, and then turned black with bacterial infection. Then I tried a holistic remedy that included oregano extracts and a lot of other agents that dried it out a lot and now it has cracked in half down the middle. Finally I read up and discovered most chat rooms promote vinegar. I have been soaking my foot twice a day for about a month, and the three affected nails are (slowly)growing in smooth and pink. But the big toe has just a fraction of a nail right now – with the two sides of the old nail flapping over it like shutters. I am keeping it there, and tape it closed with a band-aid during the day just to protect the nail bed. My advice: soak with vinegar, forget the rest.

Hey everybody, in case you don’t know, you can scrape away all the gunk under the affected nail, and get rid of that gunk. I’m just now looking up home remedies (don’t want liver damage) but I think the fact that my affected nails don’t have a build-up of gunk will help the remedies take hold.

I just wanted to share, that you might want to use a fingernail clipper’s little nail file to dig under the nail and dig out the gunk. It doesn’t hurt, the fungus has already separated the nail from the nail bed. But get that gunk out of there so the remedy can work better… hopefully!

I’ve had toenail fungus for 25 years. My wife asked her Dr. to prescribe oral Lamisil but an assistant mentioned he was doing a study on Vicks Vapor Rub. She took the Lamisil and I decided to try Vicks. She totally cleared up in 3 months and so did I! I got complacent and stopped Vicks after 6 months and the fungus returned in 6 weeks. Hers did not return. So Vicks it requires a lifetime commitment. I apply twice a day. First wash feet very well. Then exfoliate any dead skin from under and around the nails, where possible. Apply Vicks under the nail where possible and slather on top of nails. Whenever possible go barefoot, but the Vicks can leave grease stains, so be careful. Don’t stop for a day. Be committed and scientific about the process and I’m sure some of you will have the same results.

I am currently using Tea Tree Oil and have been for about 2 months. I see a small improvement. I use it twice a day (once in the AM and once in PM). Every week, I clip and clean under my toenail so that the oil will be absorbed better. I plan on continuing for months or until I am satisfied with the results.

I have had difficulty with my feet and toenails since taking swimming for fitness
in college…for over four years now. I have been working on educating myself and
am certainly open to experimentation with topical, safe methods. Lately, with good
hygiene, I have seen improvement using Anti Fungal over-the-counter topical
which is a combination of tolnaftate and tea tree oil. I also believe, to
counteract the re-occurrence of fungal growth once my nails are trimmed, it helps to briefly
cover or soak my toenails in 3% hydrogen peroxide solution . I find it strange that I have not
found any information about using this to help control toenail fungus.

well i got a pedicure like 7 months now….and a few weeks after that
i notice that my right toe was starting to get yellow and now its worse
i notice its getting black now-_- … i’m freaking out …. someone please i need
some advice…. I’m going to try what Venice did hopefully it helps me..

I used a magnifying glass and concentrated the sunlight around all of my toenails for about 30 seconds. I did this about three times within an hour for two days. It has been a week and I am seeing the black area in one of my toenails beginning to vanish. I also used a over the counter anti-fungal liquid to ensure that I do not contract it again from my shoes or socks. I am going to hit my nails with the magnifying glass about once a week (permitting I have sunlight). I suggest that people get a smaller magnifying glass rather than a large one. I bought one that was about four inches by 3 inches and the focal point of the sun light was too large and too intense. I was thankful the magnifying glass had a smaller bifocal section, about one inch in diameter, that I used. I also want to add that I did use the larger glass on my nails, but I did not focus it to the point where it burned. I focused the light to a point where I felt heat but did not burn me.

When it comes to toenail fungus, natural treatments are the most ideal remedies to use
because they are safer compared to treatments that are teeming with chemicals. Essential
oils such as tea tree, lemon, and thyme contain natural antifungal properties that fight
off the main cause of fungal infection. Echinacea can help increase the immunity of a
person against fungus, while garlic does likewise as well as having direct antifungal
effect. For busy people who cannot concoct their own natural home remedies, settling for
a natural otc remedy is the most ideal way to go (my mom is currently using zetaclear), as it can be purchased over the counter and it contains natural antifungal ingredients, making it safe to use.

Been dealing w/ an infection in my two big toe nails for years now. . . I can’t remember the last time I wore flip-flops or sandals of any type. About 4 yrs ago, my toe nail was crushed / ripped off in a warehouse / pallet jack accident. Now the infection is really bad – my toe nail is only held on by the cuticle. It’s starting to turn black, is too thick to cut w/ any regular clippers and all sorts of disformed (growing sideways). Anyways, I finally busted out a pair of “snips” from the tool box and started clippin away, got it down as far aa possible w/out experiencing too much pain. I’m starting a vinegar regiment twice a day and applying straight tea tree oil afterwards. I saved this page under favs and will report back w/ updates soon.

I’m confused whith so many home remedies out in this page, I will like for a really doctor to let me know if age have anything to do with this problem, is’t harder to get ratable or is’t the same. And which one is the best. I got fungus and it’s not as bad as others peddle say (I’m taking about my own nail)on my right toe nail about 2 months agoe in a spa really take your on tools!! Please help me it’s staring to look yellow and black. I will try the vicks n the vinegar with a garlic tablet that’s really good from Hearbalife. I will let you know if it works, but Dr, if you know something better let me know.
Than you

I’ve been soaking my fingernails in diluted bleach almost every night for several months, and I am beginning to see positive results. My nails are much clearer, but I can see the fungus is still there when viewed under strong sun light. It sounds like this is a life long committment, which is better than having funky looking nails. I tried Vicks but it stains what ever it touches. I use a 50/50 mix of Listerine and vinegar when the bleach mix starts to irritate my skin. I also apply the Listerine/vinegar or alternatively tea tree oil to my nails during the day time and before bed.

My nail is completely off…it grew back again but not stuck to the nail bed like it should so I took it out again . All I see is cuticles and a very thin layer on the nail bed… Does any one knows what it means ? IS IT FUNGUS ?

IT ALL STARTED ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO W/SHARP PAIN IN THE MIDDLE. NAIL STARTED COMING OF FROM BOTTOM PART (WHERE CUTICLE IS) UP ..IF THAT WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH I HIT MY NAIL WHEN CARRYING THE COMPUTER DESK IT WAS METAL … NOW I’M TO THE POINT WHERE I’VE DESCRIBED UP THERE.. 2 TIME TAKING NAIL OFF AND WHEN IT DOES GROW BACK… IT WONT GROW IN THE NAIL BED.. AND TODAY IS MYTHIRD TIME . TOOK IT OFF AND NOW BACK AGAIN WITH THE VERY THIN LAYER AND IT LOOKS SO UGLY….I’LL TRY IODINE THOUGH

I have tried the cornmeal soak – it worked for me.

I’m 33 and have had toenail fungus since I was 10 years old and
nothing that I have tried has worked until I’ve tried Peroxide and
crushed garlic. I’ve seen a noticeable difference in my right big
toenail. Before I started it my big toenail was completely creased
and overlapping and only 2 weeks after my nail has went back to
having no ridges and at the base of the nail it is completely clear.

Try….. Campho Phenique It mayb slow but it seems to be working!! at last!

I started noticing nail fungus in two toes on the left foot four years ago. After using Lamisil off and on for two years, I saw an ad for laser treatment by a podiatrist I decided to try it out. It sounded promising. The podiatrist treated all my toes several times, then changed laser equipment with the same result: little or no change in appearence. All this cost $1,000, which now seems expensive for no real result.

I mentioned this to an advanced nurse practitioner a couple weeks ago, who advised I try Vicks. The jury is still out on that remedy, but so far Vicks has done more good than the high priced treatment. I am convinced I have to find the right formula combination to get at the problem. I theorize the body will heal itself given the correct topical catalyst. It just may be different for each person.

I continue to see positive results from a daily 15 minute soak in diluted bleach (strong enough to feel slippery, but not so strong that it burns), and an occasional soak in 50/50 vinegar/listerine for 20 minutes when the bleach dries my skin. I also place a small saucer of the vinegar/listerine solution at strategically placed locations in the house and at work, which I often dip my nails into for a couple seconds just to keep them in an acidic environment. I’ve been doing this for almost a year and my nails are much better, but still not fully cured. I can now allow people to see my nails without being embarassed by the yellow, crumbly mess I once had. Completely worth the time and effort…..

I am soaking my thumb nail as I type using listerine. It works wonders on my gums so worth a try. Will keep you posted on results.

I have this on my toe and it is very painfull.just try to cut ny nail and put peroxide on my nail with a qtip hope this help.don;t want to go to the doc and pay 60.oo to tell the about my toe and what they give won’t work

I’ve got fungus on my big toe. It cracked off about half way down the nail about 6 months ago and I thought it would be gone. Wore only sandals and got direct sunlight as often as possible. Then winter came along. No more sandals and applied polish. when I removed polish for several days I noticed ITS BACK. Yuck. I am trying oregano oil applied daily to the nails and also internally in capsules with 510 mg. Oregano oil. I’m taking 1- 3 per day. I have heard that the fungal infections can be systemic so I hope it helps. I am also treating all my nails with a magnifying glass in the sun. I am giving this a try before I do the laser. There is a risk of burning yourself but mostly your reflexes will prevent this. I treat the area of skin below the nail as well because the fungus seems to have grown there too, under the skin. I am doing this daily as long as it is sunny out. I also wear polarized sunglasses while doing this because the concentrated pinpoint of light is very bright. Making sure to cover the entire nail and sides of nail to the point of feeling a hot sensation.

Plain vinegar applied with an eye dropper like cleareyes. file top of nail as much as possible then apply several times a day. Got mine while a survival instructor running around the woods in maine all the time. Now its almost gone and it’s only been a few months. I figured what the heh, couldnt hurt to try and wont cost much at all and now it is almost gone.

Success story
I had fungus under both big toes for 6 years.
I had all the proprietary treatments and the potentially liver damaging tablets with no success. Then one of the doctors that I had not seen before in my surgery suggested I try applying Canesten thrush cream just wiped under the nail and then put a smear of tea tree oil in the surface of the nail. Well unbelievably the white fungas went black in one day. I continued to apply this treatment twice a day morning and night for about 3 weeks and by then it was clear that it was dead. My nails have now grown out and look normal again. I think the canesten may work on its own but I just did what I was told. The doctor had said that other patients had found it cured them too.

I have fungus in all 10 of my toenails. I had also the ringworm in the sole feet and sides. Soaking in diluted bleach (about 10-fold) for only 3 minutes, NOT MORE, helped to get rid of the infection in the skin area, but the nail infection was not removed. This process took about 5 months, almost daily soaking, or 4-5 days per week. You need to rinse your feet extensively after bleach. Bleach is corrosive: DANGER!
I will try the vinegar (actually, acetic acid at 1%) method for toenails, putting a cotton soaked with acetic acid in the toenails for 5-10 minutes, then I will apply Tea tree oil, and will see what happens. Seems that higher concentration of acetic acid could damage your toes, so be very careful.

I have had this fungus in both my big toe nails for many years. I had the laser removal done twice & it did not work for me. I have very thick nails on both toes. I will try the vicks & see if it works.
Thanks for all of the remedies.

Well I am a 41 year old woman and over the years especially when I started running, my toenails started to yellow, blacken and thicken. I assumed that it was a toenail fungus but everyone assured me that this was normal because I was running. Then I noticed that my fingernails were also affected. Both my toenails and fingernails were bedded all the way back to the very back of my nail bed (like I had no nail). I had to do something, but I was not willing to take the perscription lamosil because it was so hard on my body.

I have done alot of research on line and tried all of the remedies, like tea tree oil, viniger and many other options. They ALL did not work. I then came upon the CLOROX remedy. I thought, there is no way that this could work. But when I really thought about it I realized that no fungus likes CLOROX, especially in my bathrooms. So I tried it.

Mind you, I was very aggressive about getting rid of this fungus (and I am not very sesitive skin wise) so instead of using a capful of bleach I used a 50/50 method.*********THIS IS NOT RECOMENDED IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN*********** It was very itchy but by feet never looked so good. I did this probably twice a week for month and it totally worked. I also in the beginning used a cotton swab with straight CLOROX on the nail bed that were most affected twice a day as well.

I have told all of my running friends and family about this and they are also really happy with the results.

The funny thing is that this remedy will also get rid of rough skin on your feet and hands.

In any case, I thought I would write this blog to save you from the time and misery I spent looking for something that would work!

Let me know if you have any questions….

I have had toenail fungus for years and tried many things to no avail; I am now on to something though and I think I will recover; I wanted to share what seems to be working for me. First of all buy a pair of shoes that fit; get a wide if necessary or double wide; if you can walk fast in your shoes they don’t fit you right; they are too tight; I ended up with the Cameron by Nunn Bush at Kohl’s; it has a true round toe; no moc toe; I did not need a wide fit in this shoe due to design; buy a size bigger if necessary; wear flip flops after work and whenever possible; go out to the garage in the winter with your flip flops on once in a while. Avoid running, I dance occasionally only because I cannot refuse my wife, but it is not the best for the nails. You can do the treadmill but again only with flip flops, don’t lace up with socks, and don’t listen to your wife about safety. When you shower close the drain so your nails get daily moisture to keep them soft; but keep the bathroom door(s) open with the exhaust fan on to keep any kind of humidity away. Twice a day apply Lamisil cream on the nails and anti fungal spray on the under side of feet and soles; there is a generic at Walmart for the Lamisil ingredient at less than half the cost. The second you apply the Lamisil you will feel the therapeutic penetration. Do not listen to those that tell you that the Lamisil cream is not for nails; it works. Best of luck my friends

I started treating my toenail fungal infection 6 months ago. My two big toes were both badly infected and I had another toe which was worse. I use Scholl’s nail fungal treatment for six months and It has completely cleared up my two big toes but made no difference to the other one. In addition, I’ve notived over the past 2 months 2 other toes have become infected. ANYWAY, I’ve started using teatree oil in the last three weeks. I apply pure teatree oil every evening and tea tree ointment every morning. So far the “new” infections are looking better but I guess itwilll be a while before i see any change in the establoshed infection. I am filing this nail every few days before I add the teatree oil. I’ll keep you posted on the progress – It’s great to read I am not on my own with this wretched stuff!!

I am not an MD, but I have lived long enough to know a few things pretty well. I would be cautious about using too strong a bleach solution to soak feet in. Bleach is a strong poison that can soak into the skin and destroy nerves. Too strong a solution can cause feet to become permanently numb, such as balls of feet behind the big toe and over the calcanius (heel.) It may cause protracted tingling in the feet. I would begin with just one or two tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water. Never use a solution strong enough to coat the feet with bleach and make them feel slippery or cause a burning sensation. There may be people that are immune to bleach toxicity and this would not apply to them. I have a friend that is immune to hydrochloric acid, but I am not. Therefore, I don’t object when he reaches into a vat of acid without rubber gloves, but I don’t do it myself.

Soaking your toe nails to listerine is something new for me. Do you think it is worth a try?