Nail Fungus
Natural Remedies

Natural Remedies for Nail Fungus: Home Treatments

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.

Ted's Remedies

21 User Reviews
5 star (14) 
  67%
4 star (3) 
  14%
1 star (4) 
  19%

Posted by Andrew (Long Beach, CA) on 02/01/2006
★★★★★

I have taken Teds advice. What I'm now finding is I have a clear nail at the base around the the sides and on the top. To a certain degree, I was also able to clean under the nail, but unfortunately pushed some of the yellow further down my nail. I know it's not a good thing had hoping the extra concentration of clorox will help. The top part of the nail looks clear and lighter with some thin streaks while the middle has a yell strip through the center that go diagonally the to upper corners (top) of the nails.

The top of my nail is about a 1/16" cut back too far, but the toenail is of normal thickness. The nail itself however, because it is far back is high off the nail bed. It is also high enough out so I can slip a thin brush with Tea tree oil in. In about one or weeks my nail should grow long enough to where I will cut it at full length. My hope is I can have more of the bottom part of the nail grow clearer. My feeling is, if the entire part of the nail that touches the skin clear is beginning to clear up, it maybe a good sign the rest of the nail will eventually follow. I will keep trying Teds methods and accept any suggestions he provides.


Topical Acidophilus

1 User Review
4 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Steve (Lebanon, Pa Usa) on 03/26/2011

Your site is so helpful. I thought I would share this tip I stumbled upon after suffering for some years. Take acidophillus pills and grind them in the coffee grinder and apply with water to make a paste to fungal infested areas. Works like a charm and safe too although the dust does work loose from the skin. These are tough to cure and many applications may be necessary but be confident relief is on its way!

Replied by Ginger
(Champaign, Illinois, Usa)
05/19/2013
★★★★☆

I also stumbled upon this cure. I had been taking a triple probiotics capsule every day to fight the fungal infection from the inside out. One day I broke open a capsule and brushed the contents directly on my infected nails. It worked! I have been doing it every day for a few weeks and my nails haven't looked this good in 2 years. I had tried dozens of treatments, including going to a podiatrist, and nothing else worked.


Urine Therapy

6 User Reviews
5 star (5) 
  83%
1 star (1) 
  17%

Posted by Linda B. (Oregon) on 02/11/2022
★★★★★

Have you ever heard of using urine? My husband had toenail fungus so bad he literally had no nails on both big toes! I heard about using urine and finally talked him into peeing into a shallow pan and soaking his feet for a few minutes. I could only get him to do it once as he thought I was crazy but after a few months, his nails started to grow back to normal! I still can't believe it worked after only one quick treatment.

PS, it's free😍


Urine Therapy
Posted by Richard B. (Oregon) on 03/10/2016
★★★★★

This may sound bad but it works on fungus between toes. Soak your feet in your fresh urine for about 20 minutes, wash feet. Fresh urine would be urine from that day. Cured mine within a few days. Investigate urine therapy


Urine Therapy
Posted by Darlene (Otto, Nc, Usa) on 10/14/2011
★★★★★

A relative of mine was a midwife, and had home remedies for many ailments. When a baby was brought in with thrush, she would take it down to the barn and work what we thought was some kind of strange magic; and the baby would get better. She would never let anyone go with her to the barn except the baby. When she was very old... before she died, she revealed to us some of her remedies, and the reason why she could not let anyone go with her to the barn...

She said: Thrush (that causes white tongue) is usually a sign of too much fungus in the body; she would take the baby to the barn, and let it urinate in it's diaper, then take the urinated diaper and rub it in the baby's mouth, and if the baby had cradle cap she would rub the urinated diaper all over its head. Most people would have freaked out; if they had known this; so she kept it secret. She was practicing urine therapy; and it seemed to work good for thrush.

I have found that making your own tooth powder (baking soda, sea salt, borax, few drops of peppermint oil, wet toothbrush with H202 and dip in mixture) and after brushing, sloshing mouth with glycerin works wonders on a white tongue. The tongue turns nice and pink, and the mouth feels really fresh. You can also sip on a little glycerin throughout the day for a fresh clean feeling

Ultimately, though... To get rid of the root cause, and keep it gone... you will have to address the fungus problem.


Urine Therapy
Posted by Kevin (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 07/05/2006
★★★★★

I tried every remedy on the internet i could find. I read about urine therapy on the same and tried it immediately. After two months of drinking 3 cups every morning of my own urine you should see the brand new fungus free toenails that have grown in, absolutely free. I hope this message gets sent to other sufferers because it is the best cure that does work almost immediately, I believe I started seeing results within the first 3 days. Just look up urine therapy on google if you are still skeptical. Thank you.

Replied by Veronica
(San Antonio, USA)
05/23/2008
★★★★★

Urine therapy worked for me on toe nail fungus, but I did not drink it. A friend who works in the medical field told me that urine is actually sterile and has the ability to kill off some bacteria, fungus and other things. I saved some of my urine (that was fun) and dabbed it on my big toe where the fungus was. I think I did it 2 or 3 times in as many days. It was weird, but it cleared up in about 5 days. I had been battling the stupid fungus for 6 months. I never saw a sign of it again. Go figure.

Replied by Rollo
(Silicon Valley, CA)
08/05/2008

Please don't drink your urine. It is a waste product that your body is trying to get rid of. It is full of toxins. However, it is sterile, and can definitely be applied externally. The easiest way is to urinate on your nails in the shower.

EC: Read much more about Urine Therapy here: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/urine_therapy.html

Replied by Tassi
(Ca)
12/26/2014
★☆☆☆☆

I tried Urine therapy and got zip. Yes, internal plus soaked in it, feet, hands, body, whatever, washed head and hair with it for a couple of weeks. Did nothing for the fungus. Well, maybe it slowed it down a little bit, the soaking part, but surely no cure, and what a mess. Wet things do not seem to really help -- but neither does anything. See my previous NAY under Oregano oil for a list of useless remedies (for me at least). Since then besides urine I have tried: Urea 40% (a moisturizer, it helped a little but has lots of chemical additives and my toes started to ache and be red and sore so I quit); bee propolis (I thought this was working as a topical, but it actually made it worse -- and the internal that I took gave me a big cold sore.); Everclear (a very strong alcohol, as a topical, but not strong enough to do much for my fingernail fungus); Pythium oligandrum aka "cannibal fungus, " from Czechoslovakia (it seemed to be working on one hand but when I tried it on the other it made the original fungus worse -- I have not totally given up on maybe trying it on my feet, but am discouraged and wary); Topical hydrogen peroxide isn't even working like it used to. That is it so far. Oh yeah, diatomaceous earth, internal -- I have been taking it 1 T twice a day for almost 60 days and fungus is only getting worse, nails are not even growing any faster like they say DE will do.

Replied by Becky
(New York, Ny)
12/26/2014

Hi Tassi,

I am with you on all these remedies! They have been NAY NAY NAY all the way for the past 5 years. I've tried oregano oil (made it spread), laser (the filing part before they applied the laser spread the fungus to 3 more toes.. grrrrr), weekly bleach soaks (does keep it under control), apple cider vinegar (zip, nada) and tea tree oil (made it look worse). I am currently trying the borax protocol as I think that is the only thing that will actually work but it's going to take months. Only on my first week, but plan to do 5 days on, 2 days off for at least six months. Look into that. Would be great to have someone else in the same boat trying the protocol. Good luck!

Replied by Tassi
(Berkeley, Ca)
12/27/2014

Hi Becky, when you say the "borax protocol" do you mean the internal, take say 1/8 tsp in a quart of water over the day? Or is there some soaking involved in what you plan?

Replied by Becky
(New York, Ny)
12/28/2014

Hi Tassi,

Yes, the internal borax protocol. 1/8 teaspoon in a liter (not a quart) of water a day. A few years ago I tried soaking in peroxide and borax, but it didn't do much. Join me! Side effects of headache and slight brain fog on the first day of the borax protocol, nothing after that.


UV Light

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Veronicac (Texas, USA) on 07/18/2015
★★★★★

Two years ago, at the start of summer, the big toe of my left foot became red, swollen and began throbbing. It was so painful, and I had no idea what the deal was. Then I noticed the toenail was getting yellow, crusty and thick. About a week later the two next to it began doing the same thing. Along with the ugly, disfigured nails came the horrible throbbing pain.

I tried: bleach soaks, vinegar soaks, 4 OTC medicines, prescription penlac (that one helped one toe), peroxide, mouthwash, urine (pure desperation), powders, yeast infection medication, tea tree oil, rubbing alcohol, epsom salts and vicks vapor rub. The middle toe of the three got better. The fungus on the other two laughed and made my toes throb with pain to show me who was boss.

Then I read about laser treatment, but the cost was ridiculous and many people complained it didn't work. So, understanding light was what I really needed, I ordered 36 watt, UV nail light off Amazon for less than $30-the kind salons use to dry finger nail polish. When it arrived I filed my nails down with emery boards as much as possible. Two of the nails were already 3/4 gone. Every day while I was on the computer I put my foot in the nail light for 10 min. - 45 min. I didn't really have a schedule, just daily, whenever I remembered. Also, every time I bathed, I made sure to clip/dig out as much of the crumbly nail as I could.

Within a week the throbbing was gone. A month later my big toe is pink and half grown out, with no fungus, the toe that was getting better is pink and just a tad short, and the other toe is about 1/3 grown out, and also has no sign of fungus. And didn't even bother using any kind remedy after the first two weeks. The only drawback is my left foot has a nice tan, while my right is kind of pale. Now I make sure both feet take a turn under the nail light. Also, I go barefoot or wear sandals as much as possible to expose my feet to as much light as possible.

Replied by John
(California)
03/25/2016

I have been thinking about this idea for sometime now. I'm glad someone did it before I order the lights.

Replied by Claudia Yeager
(West Virginia)
08/11/2017

Where do you get or order the nail lights? Thanks.


Vicks

12 User Reviews
5 star (9) 
  75%
1 star (3) 
  25%

Posted by Suzy (Hemel, Hempstead ) on 01/02/2018
★★★★★

My daughter had nail fungus on her toes. The doctors said they don't describe it on prescription anymore for children so it was nearly £20 for a small tiny bottle that would last a month and would need more each month for 7/8 months Dr said.

I came on here and choose to give Vicks a go and within a couple of weeks of putting Vicks on each day it has totally cleared up, so a big saving. thank you :)


Vicks
Posted by Gman (Alabama) on 03/28/2017 6 posts
★★★★★

I've tried many things for nail fungus and my toenails just kept getting thicker and didn't seem to be getting better. But just a couple of weeks of the vapor rub showed definite improvement. I think I will finally cure my toenail problem and finally enjoy healthy toes with no ugly fungus.


Vicks
Posted by Terry (Dayton, Ohio) on 11/04/2011
★★★★★

I had a nail fungus since 1971 and I was reading this page and found the salve. Vicks salve and yellow root. It's gone, all gone now. But I did something different. I cut a lot of strips of plastic bags out so they would be handy. Then when I would put the salve one my toe nail I'd wrap it with the plastic strip so it holds it on the nail and don't soak in the sock. Change it every morning. You can feel it working. Tingling. I tell all my friends about this page.

Replied by Timbo2
(Huntsville, Al)
02/05/2012
★★★★★

I had the toenail and finger nail fungus for almost 3 years. Both thumb nails and and both big toes. I tried the vinegar and bleach and several other treatments with no success. Finally went to the Dr for lamisil pills and it initially seemed to be working but a month after stopping the pills the fungus began spreading in the nails. So it was back to my own remedy. Now Both thumbs are completely normal/grown out and It's been over 2 months with no signs that it's returning. I don't recommend what I did, but it seems to have worked for me.

I took my dremel tool with a sanding wheel and ground off all of the infected nails down to the nail bed. Cleaned it with alcohol, wiped dry, and applied lamisil gel twice a day for six weeks. Each week I would grind off any new nail growth to ensure I kept the infected area exposed. On some occasions I had to grind off more nail because it looked to be spreading. I also wore "finger cots" when showering and tried to keep my nails water/moisture free. This leaves the finger bed/nail area very dry and flakey looking. After this 6 week treatment, I started the vicks vapor rub treatment (off brand) by applying a hefty amount at bed time and covering it with a bandaid. I did this for 2 months. As I said, my thumbs are completely grown out and normal now. My big toes only got the vicks treatment; right is completely cleared and left is still growing out so until it has completly grown out I honestly can't say. Some people claim to see immediate improvement or it worked after 2 weeks... etc. Don't believe it. It will cause a transparent efffect on the nails and make them "look" better but until the nail is completely grown out/connected to the nail bed the fungus is still under there. Most say to do the treatment every night without a missing a single night for 2 months, I say do it until the nail is grown out and looks normal, and that can take 12 to 18 months for toe nails. For me it was about 6 months but my fungus only went about half way back on my toenails to start with. Bottom line, I think the vicks will work for most people but not all, and, you have to be deligent. I did not miss a night, no matter what. If we went away for the weekend I took my vicks with me. If I was sick, I still applied the vicks. I'm very OCD when it comes to these types of things and you need to be to get rid of the fungus. Good luck.

Replied by Timbo2
(Huntsville, Al)
03/04/2012

Just an update, still clear, no signs of fungus. Left toe nail looks normal but still not completely grown out. Probably another 3 to 5 months before I can actually claim victory for that toe nail. Good luck!

Replied by Dean
(Seattle, Wa)
12/10/2012

LOVE the fact that you checked back in!! I too, use a dremel. So funny. (How many more of us are out there?) Never tried the Vicks. I'll try tonight. I'm so impatient. I always give up if something doesn't start working within the first few days.


Vicks
Posted by Jerry (Cleveland, Texas) on 07/25/2011

I started out using bleach in an effort to cure the fungus under my thumb finger nail about 6 months ago. I had very little results if any. Then, I got a list via my email for home cures and it listed VICKS as a cure for fungus under the nails.

I've been using it now for about a week, and my nail looks much better. I purchased some of those "finger ballons or condoms" at the pharmacy and put that on after applying the vicks. This keeps the vicks in place, and the finger dry.


Vicks
Posted by Sam (Toledo, Ohio) on 04/19/2009
★★★★★

My wife has had a toe nail fungus for over 40 years. She has tried several nail solution cures purchased over the internet including the prescription penlac. None of them worked.

Finally I accessed your web site and tried almost all the remedies you have posted including Ted's remedy, tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, full strength bleach painted on carefully, viniger soaks, etc. Along the way I noticed several observations: All of the above work to some extent because they provide a hostile enviroment for yeast and fungus and initially kill or appear to kill it. They also however kill the skin cells and all irritate the area under the nail and even inflame it after prolonged use and the fungus loves the weakened cells. Most also have water in them which the fungus and yeast love! Finally we settled on a cure which is neither acidic nor basic, which is not an irritant, and which has no water in it and which is on your list of cures and the fungus is gone on one foot and almost completely gone on the other, and the nails are clear and white. Vick's! Vicks! and more Vicks!

Sam's cure: Gob it on each toe at night and cover with a thin cotton half sock or footie. Before showering gob it on, dry and gob more on cover with a clean cotton sock. If time permits gob on during the day and change socks. Stop taking baths, shower only unless you can keep your foot out of the water and keep it gobbed with vicks. The idea is to keep water away from the toe nail and the vick's works the best. The camphor and lack of water will kill it and allow the toe nail to heal. It will take several months but it does work and it works the best. After 40 years it will finally be gone!

Replied by AL
(DALLAS, TX, USA)
04/21/2009

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, NAIL IS DEAD TISSUE. IF YOU WANT TO GET TO THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM, IT MUST DONE INTERNALLY. PILLS BY PRESCRIPTION FROM YOUR DR. VICKS MIGHT KILL THE PRESENT NAIL BUT THE FUNGUS IS STILL IN YOUR SYSTEM. AGAIN, THIS IS MY OPINION.

Replied by Christina
(Battle Mountain, Nevada)
03/31/2012
★★★★★

I had been trying multiple remedies but I only seemed to be keeping the fungus at bay rather than actually killing it completly. Then I added vicks to my other remedies and slowly stopped all other remedies except for the vicks and my two infected nails are doing great. Also I had the fungus for almost 6 years on one nail and about 18 months on the other. I read somewhere that it is the thymol that makes it so effective, don't know if its true. Good luck everyone!!

Replied by Elizabeth
(Shelby, Nc)
05/04/2012

I tried a product similar to Vicks called Raleigh Salve. It has been around my whole life, and I figured it would work the same as Vicks, and it does. I had a fungus on a small section of my big toe, and I started using it twice a day. Within one day I could see a difference in it. It looks like it is repairing my toe nail from the inside out. It almost looks completely normal. Thank you for the information.

Replied by Dianne
(Pennsylvania)
01/21/2018

The trouble with those pills, is that they are hard on the liver and can indeed cause liver damage. There are diet change suggestions on this site to help while using a non medical.remedy. I refuse to tale those pills, not worth the risk


Vicks
Posted by Beth (Memphis, TN) on 03/05/2009
★☆☆☆☆

I've read through the nail fungus posts and have heard previously about Vick's working; however, I've been using it for quite a while now on my nail (big toe toenail) (applied at night before bed, put on a sock), and nothing is happening. My problem is that the fungus is at the base of my nail. How do I get to it?? It seems that a large portion of the nail is dead and detatched from the skin towards the top of the nail, so I'm hoping whatever I apply will soak through that opening. I don't think it's working, though. Should I try and cut away what looks like the dead portion of the nail and go from there? Will anything soak through the nail to get to the base?

Replied by Nancy
(Sunnyvale, Ca)
08/07/2009

you just have to be patient..and u will see improvement..it sounds like you want to see it overnight..but it doesnt work that way..so just wait..

Replied by Ascha4
(Springfield, Il)
10/22/2009

What I did was grabbed a new, small makeup brush that had an angled edge, it was just one I had gotten in a free kit somewhere. I dabbed that in the vicks and then shoved it as far under my nail as I could get it, hoping to attack it at the base. I also rubbed the vicks all around the outside of my nail. I've already seen improvement. I also apply it before I get into the shower to keep the water out, then reapply it after the shower when everything is dry again. Hope that helps.

Replied by Bee
(Lima)
02/17/2013

Cut the corners off a plastic grocery bag, slather your toes in vicks, put a corner of the bag over your toes than a sock to hold in place.

Replied by Sasha
(Surrey, B.c. Canada)
03/31/2018

What I do is always cut off until I can't cut anymore... And scrape out as much of the crumbly fungus crap as possible. No matter WHAT remedy you do or don't do ALWAYS DO THAT!


Vicks
Posted by Mercy (Woodland Hills, Ca) on 10/28/2008
★★★★★

I recently just googled to see what I can do to get rid of some toe nail fungus. I was using bleach and some over the counter cream and it was working slowly. But I made the mistake of getting a pedicure nad painting my toes. Well it just ran wild. So I saw that using vapor rub worked. So I bought a generic brand at Walmart...same active ingredients and I started using it day and night. I would apply it and put socks on for bed and in the morning right after my shower. I already see the difference. I cannot believe it. My feet are also becoming real smooth. So I let my mom know because she has it real bad too and we are both seeing a lot of improvement. the nail seems to already starting to grow out smooth. I wish more people knew about this so they could stop wasting their time buying expensive creams and medication. I have already been using it for over a week and I am already seeing the difference. I will see at the end of the one tub I bought if I really see any changes. I will keep you posted.


Vicks
Posted by Brent (Pine City, Minnesota) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★

I have had toenail fungus for at least 15+ years on my big toe and the one next to it. I had heard that hydrogen peroxide would get rid of it. It did nothing for my toe fungus after using a bottle over a course of three months. I then heard from a couple friends that they cleared their fungus up with vicks vapor rub; so I tried it for two days and I can already see a dramatic improvement. You can get a generic brand also which is a lot cheaper. I bought a chest rub brand made by Target and I compared the active ingredients and percentages to Vicks and it was exactly the same mixture at a way cheaper price. It works great. I can't believe it took me so long to improve my toenails. I was always wearing socks with my sandals because I was so embarrassed of my fungus but not anymore.



NEXT 
Advertisement