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
Posted by Maryann (Groton, CT) on 04/07/2007
★★★★★
Ted's nail fungus treatment worked within 3 days! My large toenail developed a thick and yellowed nail about a year ago. I ignored it until recently I noticed the nail was lifting off just about down to the base of the nail. I was horrified! I quickly went on line and found this site and immediately started Ted's treatment. I cut the nail all the way down as far as I could, ridding the nail of the black fungus. Just a few small dots remained. After just 3 days of the treatment, they disappeared. I continue to daily put on a mixture of tea tree oil, lavender, and red thyme to stave off future attempts of fungus regrowth. I'm ecstatic to know and see my new healthy nail appearing at the base. Thank you for this site!
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Rebecca (Victoria, BC, Canada) on 03/15/2007
★★★★★
I had a severe fungal infection under my big toenail. My doctor prescribed antibiotics that I would need to take for a year (lamisil?); this drug had a risk of serious side effects and also required completely giving up drinking alcohol for a year! Before taking the antibiotic, I decided to try just applying rubbing alcohol (50% alcohol readily available and cheap at any pharmacy) twice a day.
I put the alcohol in an eye-dropper and was careful to get as much under the nail as possible; I also cleaned out dead skin if necessary. I did this twice a day, and also at any time when my feet got wet. I saw progress very soon, and the fungus was completely clear in 6 months. I did not lose the nail as had been predicted. I did not change my diet, stop drinking, or take any special supplements - just the external rubbing alcohol directly on/under the infected toenail.
Worth a try for a month; if you are diligent you will see progress and this has to be the cheapest, easiest way to handle the problem.
Iodine
Posted by Lee (Garland, Texas) on 12/26/2008
Amonia added to iodine will decolor it. It will also remove iodine stains from surfaces etc.
Iodine
Posted by Jan (Northern, Virginia Usa) on 08/15/2011
Ammonia added to iodine will make an explosive. I would not recommend that.
Iodine
Posted by Sachsesenior (Sachse, Tx, USA) on 08/27/2012
Liquid drugstore Iodine and grocery store clear ammonia are harmless when added together. Clear Iodine sold in drugstores is Ammonium Iodide, Potassium Iodide, and 45% alcohol. The fireworks compound referred to is made with products only available from chem-lab suppliers.
Adding ammonia to chlorine bleach is very dangerous as it releases chlorine gas which is very poisonous and regularly sends housewifes to emergency rooms.
I have tried white vinegar without luck and tea tree also without results. Now trying de-colored Iodine I got at a Walmart. Iodine is a potent bio-cide and would work if it can be delivered to the source of the fungus infection which is under the nail - that is why it is so hard to treat with topical solutions, the nail is hard to penetrate with any liquid.
Alkalize
Posted by John (Perth, Australia) on 02/08/2007
★★★★★
I think that alkalizing had the biggest affect on curing my nail fungus. I undertook a number of means to alkalize. That included virgin coconut oil, olive leaf extract, alkalized water, alkaline foods, zeolite, heavy metal detox, etc. I also found that wearing a poultice of zeolite powder and cayenne pepper also has good healing properties. I would often soak my feed in zeolite and acidic water. And after I put my socks on, I would soak some coconut oil and essential oils into the sock just above the nail. But I think the ultimate cause is being too acidic (I had candida too). I have now raised my pH to over 7.0 - up from less than 5.0 a few months ago. My ORP has changed from -ve 20 mV to close to -ve 200 mV. From what I have read, fungus can't exist in an alkaline body.
Alkalize
Posted by Rula (Los Angeles, California) on 06/01/2008
Hi John, I was wondering how you found out about your ph level and how to measure it, keep it in check, so forth. I have nail fungus on my big toe and am prone to candida as well. I've been trying a variety of cures for this and would like to be fungus free! Thanks, Rula
Garlic
Posted by GG (Houston, TX) on 01/14/2007
★★★★★
I've cured toenail fungus with pure garlic oil, also i take it internally to kill fungus inside which the fungus does start inside plus it has so many other cures, But also I want to note that toenail and foot fungus is from your bath tub and getting pedicures and wearing items that are used, it is contagious! Just wanted to share... thanx guys love the website.
Vicks
Posted by Mazza (Wellington, New Zealand) on 05/19/2012
I too have had great success with Vicks (and a cheaper version). My toe nails are growing normally from the nail bed and I have been able to remove the thick "horns" at the top of my nails and hope in a couple of months to show my nails again after wearing shoes and socks for years. I read that fungus loves dark, and therefore painting toe nails is a no-no.
I enjoy this site and have used it to clear many a problem but I do take exception to the EC comment that these comments are from the Vicks manufacturer and are just posted for our enjoyment. I do not work for the company or own shares - I just have used a product that works.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Dave (Colonia, NJ) on 11/12/2006
★★★★★
olive leaf extract and an antifungal diet cures toenail fungus. Starve the fungi! Cut the carbs and sugars. check out knowthecause.com -- much of our health problems are caused by fungus.
Iodine
Posted by Lenny (WV, US) on 01/18/2015
Are you serious? You whacked your nails with a hammer. Made me laugh.
Iodine
Posted by Patricia (Durban, SA) on 03/28/2015
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Believe me I've thought of doing the same thing!! This really had me laughing out loud, thanks for that, needed a good giggle! I'm now using peroxide 10 and Aragan Secret nail oil, I'll let you know how it goes in time to come :)
Apple Cider Vinegar, Anti-Yeast Cream
Posted by Gris (Houston, Texas) on 06/27/2008
★★★★★
I have heard that Monistat works very well. It is a highly recommended treatment by nail salons. It worked for me and my father. However, it needs to be applied on a daily basis (I did it twice a day) and continue to cut the nail and file the top layer so that the medication can penetrate to the inside of the nail. Hope it works for you.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Anti-Yeast Cream
Posted by Bettertoknow (New York, Ny) on 09/10/2012
gris from Houston, The thing you are describing can be a non-fungus problem at all! Please go test your toenails at a fungus lab! I had the same problem and was self-curing against fungus for many years - it disappeared but re-appeared next year, every year mostly in summer... But after I did a test (twice, to confirm it wasn't any type of fungus) the doctor said it's a condition often developing in women wearing tight and high heeled shoes - due to lack of blood circulation. In extreme situations they even amputate the toes (almost same problem as diabetic patients develop). So don't waste your time self-curing, do the test first!!!
Iodine, ACV, H2O2
Posted by Ryan (Sidney, Ohio) on 06/04/2006
★★★★★
Yellow Toe Fungi" has many names and affects different people different ways. One of the more common forms of the fungi is, "hermaphrodite" (careful, a simple misuse of Google(R) yields very "different" results). Whatever the name of the parasite, it will generally fall under the category of, "dermatophytes". These creatures are indigenous to dark, warm & moist areas - which is why the foot is a lovely place for these critters.
The "cure" depends greatly on the person and WHERE the critters are located. Because the dermatophytes have to work "under cover" or under the nail - the further back they can get the safer they are. Some infections may be close to the tip and others may be back at the root. This is usually determined by how long the infection has existed.
There are 2 top-level treatment options for an infected person - internal & external. The external option is generally safer but takes longer to cure or possibly renders no result if the infection is not reachable externally. We can take advantage of osmosis in these cases though. The internal option often yields a higher success rate but generally isn't as good for the body. The reason being is that the chemicals/solutions/items that you ingest for the nail fungi aren't so great for the rest of the body - primarily the liver. I usually recommend an external option before resorting to an internal option.
EXTERNAL OPTIONS:
1.) Twice a day (or every bathing session) rigorously was the toes/fingers with soap and water(stop if cracking or drying of the skin occurs). We do this to help keep any new infections away cause these infectious critters don't need any help.
2.) Spend time outdoors in the sun barefoot. You don't have to walk or anything, just let your feet/hands be exposed to the sun. We do this because these infectious critters HATE the light.
3.) Twice a day submerge your toes/fingers in a 50/50 Apple Cider Vinegar & Hydrogen Peroxide solution for 30-45 minutes. After done soaking let your fingers/toes AIR DRY in the sun preferably. We do this because the vinegar helps to normalize PH and the Hydrogen Peroxide helps oxygenate the affected area. Infections HATE alkaline & oxygen rich environments.
4.) Twice a day apply to dry fingers/toes DECOLORIZED iodine, completely covering the "free edge", cuticle, top area of nail & sides of the nail bed. We do this to better assist the normalization of body PH. Use iodine after consulting a licensed medical doctor as some individuals are allergic (which is a whole other topic).
5.) Before bed time each night, apply a "Vapor Rub" in liberal portions to all the areas mentioned in step 4. The Vapor Rub doesn't HAVE to be the Vicks(R) brand. You can go generic here. The MAIN ingredient your looking for in whatever you use is "eucalyptus oil". After application cover with a sock (even if it's the hand) to prevent smearing and removal.
6.) You'll need to reduce or eliminate your intake of acidic based refreshments (soda, soft drinks or pop). These type of refreshments support an acidic body PH which can decrease blood circulation (a key element to the healing process). If nothing else, your liver will thank you.
7.) Don't trim your nails too close to the nail bed(wait until AFTER you have reduced the current infection to start this practice). It's not unhygienic to have a small amount of nail overhang and it makes it harder for NEW infections to enter. The total healing time depends on the type/amount/length of infection & whether you take preventative measures to ward off a relapse. Generally speaking you should see some type of an improvement within 7 days if you follow the above instructions.
INTERNAL OPTIONS: Internal options are generally pharmaceutical options but there are some homeopathic internal options.
1.) Ingesting Apple Cider Vinegar is said to have positive effects with toe fungi. I recommend doing your own research on ACV gestation because I have never taken it internally myself and I'm not sure about quantities or dosing.
2.) Ingesting 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda every 3-4 days for 1 month. I personally have never tried this but I do know that taking baking soda in the amount/interval shown above will have wondrous affects on the body's PH balance (it brings acidic PH to alkaline and Vice a Versa). With an alkaline body PH the body is in the best possible position to fight off ALL foreign bodies and parasites.
I would strongly recommend attempting the External options I have listed first. *It is important to note that I AM NOT a licensed medical doctor and that my statements here HAVE NOT been reviewed by ANY licensed medical doctor from ANY country. My statements here are intended for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and I am not telling you to apply or undergo any medical treatments / procedures / applications.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Julie (River Grove, IL) on 05/02/2006
★★★★★
I am very happy to pass this on to anyone who has this condition because you will absolutely get rid of your discolored/thickened toenails with no side effects! I know because my nails are clear and beautiful again. Apply oil of oregano to your nails with a Q-tip in the morning and evening. You can buy oil of oregano at any health food store. Do this and your unsightly toenails will be a thing of the past. Do this for approximately 6 or 7 months, so your new clear toenails will grow in and that's it! I followed this advice and my nails are completely clear and normal.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Nancy (Westport CT) on 07/06/2005
★★★★★
I have fungus on one big toe and nothing worked . One day I decided to put peroxide let it sit dry then pour alcohol on it and it is cured and has grown back and I no longer get ingrown toenail . I had cut it as short as possible to get the peroxide etc in there.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Daisy (Elk Grove Vlg. IL)
★★★★★
My BIG toes are victims of injuries from "new" shopping carts 2 summers ago. I was wearing sandals both times. Our visiting podiatrist said that due these injuries I may have a nail fungus. But, my nails are NOT yellow. They were only bruised and the "mother cells"/half-moon seem to be helping them to grow to the "free edge." The podiatrist removed the loose nails and now the left toe "new nail" has nearly reached the "free edge." The right toe was re-injured accidentally and only has grown 1/2 way to the "free edge." My Dr. said the remedy he had in mind would be unaffordable for me. I have resorted to "peroxide" treatments and my toenails look like they are healing.
Peroxide seems to help the "mother cells" grow a new nail. I apply it once every day with a cotton ball saturated with the peroxide. Naturally it dries it out, but I do see some growth on the nail. Time will tell and I will keep in touch with the results.
I don't know if it because I have a 9 1/2 shoe size that my wonderful grand kids keep stepping/jumping on the "trying to heal" big toes of mine ..........or what. But, it certainly slows it down.
Also, my primary Dr. didn't know how to cure a "root type" ....which could be a cyst on a node on my ring finger. I used a prescribed ointment called HYDROCORTISONE CREAM USP 2.5% strength. The sac became irritated again. I use this "lightly" as directed about 3 times per day with the results that it has cured the irritation although I can still see the dried up tiny sac. The cream I use is comparable to the "off the shelf" hydrocortisone cream USP but, it has a stronger effect on the affected area.
Hope this feedback helps and you can pass it on. These are only my ways of curing and rather experimental.
How to Self-Test for Internal Fungus
Posted by Holly (Millersville) on 11/07/2017
ORH,
Sorry to be clueless here...but even if the jar is sterile and closed, the air within the jar could have spores, bacteria, etc. Kind of like when you preserve food by canning. Using just sterile jars won't work. You have to process via heat to create a vacuum and kill all pathogens first.
Thanks for your help. Holly
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Sue (New Jersey) on 09/24/2017
★★★★★
I've used milk of magnesia (dry COMPLETELY) for skin fungal infections. Desitin works too.
Bleach
Posted by Erika (Hawaii) on 09/18/2017
My history with fungus started 6+ years ago. The infection was acute and was on the nails on both big toes. I went to a podiatrist who removed what remained of both nails and told me to use vinegar at home. At the time I was in a residential treatment facility and had no access to vinegar for the 3 months. Now the new growth about mid-way was reinvented and for the next 5 years was this tug of war with the infection. I used vinegar soaks every night for a month with hardly any improvement. I even used straight the distilled vinegar and no success. I was using bleach soaks with moderate success and stopped after the third try. Well, guess what? It seemed like the fungus built up an immunity to bleach and came back with a vengeance! That pic is what it looks like now. I am going to try the bleach but won't stop it until I know for sure it's been eradicated. I ordered colloidial silver with a high ppm number to use that am/pm. I will update my progress ( hopefully ) and include pics. Wish me luck!
Coconut Oil and Crushed Garlic
Posted by Jimc160 (Cardiff) on 03/24/2017
★★★★★
Have noticed a significant improvement over the last few weeks from using coconut oil and a crushed garlic clove mixed together, this was recommended to me by a friend who used the same treatment successfully on nail fungus.
Bleach
Posted by Ruralady (Illinois) on 11/23/2024 61 posts
I tried everything to cure my toe nail fungus. I finally found a tea tree oil on Amazon which states it also cures nail fungus. I had tried TTO b/f but this one seemed to work better. I got my toenail back.
White Vinegar
Posted by Joy (Greer, Sc) on 05/14/2016
★★★★★
I, too, have had success with vinegar for toenail fungus, even after previously battling a very advanced case for 10 years, although I still have it in one stubborn toenail. I used white vinegar. It was recommended to me to spray it on twice a day, which I think is the fastest and easiest thing to do. I used a 2 oz sprayer found in the travel toiletries section. Wasn't told to soak, but it occurred to me just a few weeks ago that maybe I should soak and saturate that nail, and it is now much improved. Hasn't come back in the other nails, either. Am so happy about this safe, easy and inexpensive treatment.
Gentian Violet
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 12/08/2015
★★★★★
6 year battle with toe nail fungus is finally over! After trying numerous OTC products with no success. Probably because of my lack of daily applications. I finally found a product that worked with only applications once every 3 weeks or so. And it only took 18 months. Starting out my big toe was solid black. Yuk! Now it looks normal again. I'm sure it would have worked faster if I applied it more often but its hard when your busy all the time.
Gentian violet is an antiseptic dye used to treat fungal infections of the skin (e.g., ringworm, athlete's foot). It also has weak antibacterial effects and may be used on minor cuts and scrapes to prevent infection. It will stain our toe nail (and everything else it contacts with...) but that is the working power behind it.
Apply with a Q-tip, allow to dye, put a sock on if you don't want your bed sheet with a purple streek on them from sleeping on them. Give it time, it does work.
Ozonated Olive Oil
Posted by Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 05/10/2015
Hi Tassi, what you describe makes me think you may have had a cancer that inflamed and then was dismantled, leaving a space under your skin. I say this because I have used vitamin c on my skin cancers and experienced the swelling and then tissue loss as the cancer tissue is removed. It left a definite divot at the time.
The good thing is that the tissue loss in your face will likely fill back in over time.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Posted by Cc (Slc, Utah ) on 02/01/2015
★☆☆☆☆
Two years ago I tried Lemongrass oil on my toe nail fungus and all it did was to make my nail color go black. It never worked. I had a black nail for months also the nail was curved due to the amount of fungus under the nail.
I finally got it to clear up by using Iodine and Castor Oil applied to the nail and over time the new nail grew in clear and the problem has not come back.
Bleach
Posted by Js (New York, Ny) on 08/03/2014
I am following up to my post in June. I am continuing to soak my foot with a bleach solution for nail fungus twice a week. 2 of the infected nails are clear (yahoo!!! ). The big toe which was the worst of the lot, looks a lot better and has grown out halfway mostly clear. The issue is that the big toe nail is very weakened from fungus, so it looks like it can get reinfected very easily. Does anyone have a supplement recommendation to strengthen nails that have been infected with nail fungus? That seems to be what is needed to prevent reinfection. Thanks!
