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.
Epsom Salt, Colloidal Silver
Posted by Frank Knows (Usa) on 08/11/2013
★★★★★
I'm shocked that no person has recommended epsom salt for Nail Fungus. Soak your feet as directed every other day for 3-5 days, also colloidal silver. One drop on each nail. Take a break in between treatments, one day , Don't treat each nail if not needed, just the infected one with colloidal and the ES should take care of the rest.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Tassi (Calif.) on 09/22/2014
★☆☆☆☆
I bought an expensive pure wild oregano oil oreganoworld very strong smell, 87.6% min. carvacrol, and it did nothing but SPREAD the fungus from 2 fingernails to all five nails on the same hand. I was also putting it in capsules and taking it internally. I eat no sugar & min. carbs, wear flipflops only, keep all nails dry as possible, also tried remedies: Vicks; ACV; baking soda, borax, iodine (internal & external, all 3); coconut oil; colloidal silver; garlic (burned heck out of toe); GSE ("max strength"); Listerine; Olive leaf extract (internal), I am allergic to rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil and neem oil. I have candida and nothing has worked on that -- food grade H2O2 when reaching treatment dose levels made my ankles swell (edema began so I had to quit H2O2 as edema kept getting worse), I tried niacin and my knees swelled up and became unstable. The candida has me under control, it seems. Cannot drink ACV or I get oral herpes outbreak.
What DOES kind of work for the nail funguses is hydrogen peroxide soaks and dipping or dripping it on multiple times a day. If I get the dose right it keeps the fungus sort of under control, at least the nails do not get maximally weird, although the fingernails are eaten away, & need to be clipped halfway down the nailbed, which is quite painful. I always bleach the clipper in between each nail.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 09/23/2014
I would try Manuka Honey that has at least a MKO rating of at least 400 on nail fungus. That is therapeutic dose. MKO rating measures the amount of active ingredient. Even hospitals use it. Castor oil is something else. I would buy the hand held $20 infrared (infrarex ST-302) on amazon to help it absorb quickly. Your case is interesting because you tried so many things. Have you ever tested to see what kind of fungus it is.
Sunlight
Posted by Feethurt (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 07/04/2013
★★★★☆
I've had a persistent problem with Toenail Fungus that made my nails get thick and turn inward like claws. I had read an article in Dr. Mercola's website that had a paragraph in it saying to expose feet to sunlight. I was living in the SF Bay Area (cool and foggy) so it wasn't practical but now I've moved to a climate that is more sunny (Albuquerque) and I started wearing sandals in April. My toenails aren't so curved in any more and they don't hurt so much when I trim them.
This is the link to his article. Scroll down to the paragraph titled "Using Sunlight to Treat Chronic Toenail Fungus Infections"
Oxine AH
Posted by Christina (Winnemucca, Nevada) on 06/06/2013
Very interesting!! I'm going to look into it.
Oxine AH
Posted by Trudyg (Waynesboro, Va, Usa) on 06/06/2013
I just made a comment under the jock itch comment, gave a link to the page listing what Oxine it kills. Google it. http://www.prohealthmicrobials.com/Oxine103S.jpg
Vinegar
Posted by Clare (Shotteswell, Oxfordshire, England) on 05/07/2013
★★★★☆
Vinegar: This really works and I am amazed. I have tried expensive fungus treatments and they have also worked, but at a cost. Now thanks to Earth Clinic I have found a treatment that works for a cost of pence. I can see a good sized band of new nail on every toe. I bought myself a dropper bottle for easy application. I didn't want to write a review until I was really sure vinegar worked, but as nearly half of my big toenails are clear in colour instead of brown I feel I can add my review. I am not the best at doing it twice a day as recommended, but always do it at least once a day.
Listerine
Posted by Andrea C (Cardiff, Wales) on 04/15/2013
Listerine has got 'TRICLOSAN' in it. Go Google Triclosan.
Listerine
Posted by Andre (Petaluma, Ca) on 07/21/2013
I used a Swedish mouthwash called Vademecum with great success. I applied it on the nail twice a day for a month and it completely disappeared? I ordered it online through Amazon.com. I had tried all prescription medications before with no results. Nice to know that Listerine works too.
Listerine
Posted by Lajaun (Seattle, Wa) on 03/24/2014
How much Listerine did you use.
Listerine
Posted by Dolores (New Jersey) on 06/30/2014
Listerine is also great for dandruff...I have used this remedy for dandruff in the past (about 15 years ago) when the only Listerine available was when it was sold in the brown bag like cover. Tingles but worth the try.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Lesley (Nanaimo, Bc, Canada) on 02/28/2013
Fungus under Toenails... I was reading a number of messages about the use of food grade hydrogen peroxide. My question is, would this be a good external as well as internal treatment for the fungus? What solution for the external? Thanks.
Black Cumin
Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 11/01/2012
Where would I buy this in nova scotia, Canada?
Black Cumin
Posted by Ed2010 (Oakville, Canada) on 11/01/2012
What he or she refers is Nigella Sativa -The other name is Kalonji- you can easily get it in Indian Grocery Store, Pakistani, Afghanistan stores. Kalonji Oil is also available in these stores.
Black Cumin
Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 11/01/2012
sorry... My fault for not being clear, I appreciate your comment reply... But I was hoping someone from nova scotia would reply, that maybe they had found it here.
Black Cumin
Posted by Longbow_Texas (San Antonio, TX) on 09/23/2022
For toenail fungus, how much, how often, and for how long each time, for how many days?
Sugar-Free Diet
Posted by Alaskan (Palmer, Alaska) on 09/25/2012
Thank you for this information. I have been battling toe nail fungus for years. I have used Tea Tree Oil to keep it under control. But, I have always known that sugar is not a good thing for me. I am willing to cut it out and see if it clears this up!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kate (Pegram, Tennessee, Usa) on 09/22/2012
I am new to Earthclinic... I sent TED and email but have not received any answer as of yet.
I have never dealt with toenail fungus until June 22, 2012. I have checked both with comments here at Earth Clinic and all over the web looking for someone who has experienced a severe fungal toenail that is detaching from the nail bed... I have been to two podiatrists. The second one cut down the loose part of the fungal nail and told me to keep using my routine which has been apple cider vinegar. He said removing the nail was not a good idea because I don't have great circulation in my foot and there's a big possibilility that the toe would not heal and would get gangrenous.
So I have done as he said... I am to visit his office every two months.
I noticed the fungus growing out from under the base of what's left of the old nail as well as on the left side of nail. It seemed loose so I pulled the fungus away which detached the old toenail from the bottom. I already had space behind the old toenail where the fungus had died (I guess). I noticed liguid white discharge on my skin where podiatrist had trimmed toenail.... And also under my now almost detached toenail. I very carefully scooped it out and off with a sterilized toenail clipper (the file part) I was afraid to use anything else for fear of bacterial infection.
Now the area is still filled but the white discharge has turned brown. The fungus has attached my skin so severely that I do not put vinegar on everyday. I do soak my foot in plain water for about 20 mins, then dry thoroughly. I wear opened toe slides constantly so toes get plenty of air. I cover my bad toes with a thin sterilized, clean cotton handkerchief material. I don't want any bacteria to get into my toe.
So far before going to podiatrist, I have used Vick's, hydrogen peroxide and water, and vinegar from the grocery store. I read about DMSO, pharmacy grade . I am going to mix it with 50 % distilled water and apply it to toenail area after I have applied coconut oil. I don't think my skin can take anything stronger right now. My skin is still red, some swelling, sore and very, very tender... I could not wear shoes with toes in if I had to.
My question... after my nail was cut a clear water discharge came out from behind my nail, then after a week or so and vinegar soak the clear went to a white milky looking discharge which has now turned brown and seems to be serving as a scab of sorts, it's brown so I assume that it's fungus growing still.
Since there seems to be no real cure... I am desperately wanting to just eliminate the tender soreness and swelling. I hope this DMSO if used properly does not make my toe worse. I had blood work done. The fungal infection is not in my bloodstream... The podiatrist side it was a skin fungal infection. For now he did not want to remove nail as I said... For fear it will not heal. I do not have diabetes. I control blood sugar with my diet.
Does anyone have any comments?? I am worried, my mother lost her leg from a caregiver cutting a toenail too short.... so I know how easily this can become life threatening. All comments or help appreciated.
Thanks, Kate
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jay Mango (Germantown, Ohio, USA) on 09/23/2012
tea tree oil will kill toenail fungus you can buy it at walmart for pretty reasonable or at a health food store. Good luck
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kate (Raleigh, Nc, United States) on 09/23/2012 6 posts
Kate: If the tea tree oil remedy that was offered by Jay doesn't work, you may want to try a borax solution. I dissolve one teaspoon of borax in 3oz of hot tap water and pour it into a 3oz spray bottle that I purchased from [a] Beauty Supply [shop]. I spray my feet with this borax solution and rub it in. So far, it seems to help the small patch of athlete's foot fungus on my left foot. It may help your toenail fungus. I've been doing this for about ten days as of 09/23/12. I think it takes a while to completely heal. You may want to read the entries for the borax remedy on EarthClinic. Good luck. Your condition sounds very distressing.
Emu Oil
Posted by Sean (Portland, Or) on 09/07/2012
★★★★★
Put pure emu oil on your nails for a month. Tougher cases may take longer. My fungus was cured. Hope yours responds in the same way.
NAET
Posted by Selena (Port Coquitlam, Bc, Canada) on 07/11/2012
★★★★★
I had a case of very stubborn toe nail fungus, nothing would work. I had it for about 10 years. I found an NAET practitioner and she cleared the systemic fungus with acupressure on the spine -- one treatment and my nails grew out pink and beautiful!
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Cjizzle (Raleigh, Nc) on 05/25/2012
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Hi Guys. I would definitely not use Clorox on my bare hands. Clorox is unsafe to use on bare skin or to inhale. I would try monistat or the Vicks and ACV method before Clorox. I posted a link for you all to see the very adverse affects Clorox can have. Everybody be safe!
http://www.ehow.com/about_6602332_dangers-breathing-clorox_.html
Castor Oil
Posted by Wolfgang (New York) on 08/07/2017
I have had nail fungus on three toes on my left foot for years. I know this happened because of poor hygiene.
It basically only hurt on the big toe. Keeping pressure off of the foot in a shoe helped but was not a solution.
I read about clorox to help this so I brushed every day and certainly there was soon less pain. My feet felt clean. It still has not gone away but now I see that Castor oil helps a lot.
I think both are good. Tee tree oil did not work for me also too expensive.
Sunlight
Posted by Jwmci (Boulder, Co) on 04/06/2012
★★★★★
My son has been running barefoot for various reasons. An interesting sidelight is that his toenail fungus disappeared, leading him to believe that sunlight is the key. It would be interesting to try an artificial sun light.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by George (Mississauga, Ontario) on 03/21/2012
I am unclear on how to apply Ted's Remedies for toe nails only. I have very bad fungus that has taken the left protion of my large to nail and it is not growing. I have stopped it with Vicks but it still seems to be there and the nail is not growing (maybe it will take a while)
Back to your remedy, do I also use the clorox bleach the vasaline and tree oil on my foot as you state for finger nails?
Distilled Vinegar
Posted by Daryl (Tok, Ak.) on 02/06/2012
★★★★★
I've been useing white vinegar and water and it works great. Mix it 1cup of vinegar to 4 cups of water you can triple that or what ever it takes to cover the infected area, Soak for half hour once a day.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lisa (Jacksonville, Fl) on 01/29/2012
Thank you for this post; I have enjoyed reading. I have struggled with candida for the past (nearly) 3 years. After 18 months on a diet free of yeast, sugar, cheese, white flour and fruit, I have made a tremendous recovery. I suffered from taking antifungals - 4 months of colitis. You are right -we invest in so much junk, but not our health!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Stephanie (Hari Hari, New Zealand) on 02/04/2012
Hi, I used straight/neat good quality tea tree oil and massaged affected nails over 3 days. Nails now growing normal again and no recurrence or spread to other nails.
Beer, Acidophilus, Vinegar
Posted by Michael (Corpus Christi, Tx.) on 01/06/2012
★★★★★
For toenail fungus, it helps if you have a foot bath. Put in four cups room temperature beer. 60 billions of acidophilus. Four cups warm white vinegar. Soak your feet in this (Or fingers if fingernails have fungus. ) for minimum thirty minutes each evening. Dry throughly with clean towel. Use hair dryer set on low to complete drying. Soaking your nails like this will also soften them so they are easier to cut. Put antifungal powder in socks or gloves to wear to bed. Three nights got rid of mine.
Beer, Acidophilus, Vinegar
Posted by Ahlam (Abu Dhabi, UAE) on 07/15/2013
Can I use the soaking mixture of vinegar and water again?
Iodine
Posted by Sarah (vancouver ) on 03/04/2021
I am also based in Vancouver and have been struggling with nail fungus. How are your nails doing in 2020? Did you ever manage to find colourless iodine here in Vancouver? What has helped you most?? I appreciate your help. I'm in desperate need of it.
Iodine
Posted by Kris (Nyc) on 10/03/2021
Hey Sarah,
did you ever find something that helped?
Olive Leaf, Tea Tree and Coconut Oils
Posted by Kathy (Prattville, Alabama) on 12/15/2011
★★★★★
I have had nail fungus on my hands for 20 years. The docs said the yellowish brown hard nails were from smoking. Recently since finding this site, I began taking 250mg of olive leaf capsules 2times a day. Also I have been using a mix of coconut oil and 20% tea tree oil after showering 3times a week and daily on hands and feet. My original intent was not for the nails- but imagine my shock when my nails became white again. I don't know which worked best but I'm not complaining. Both can be bought at walmart quite cheap and hope it will work for you-took about 3weeks. Tea tree oil is slightly drying and it must be used with another oil since it is so strong but coconut oil by itself will make your skin very soft.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Naheed (Claremont, Ca, U.s.a) on 12/10/2011
Hi Ted, I have been having toe and nail fungus for the past 8 years. I always used nail polish to hide them. Until recently I found this great website regarding how to cure nail fungus by home remedy. I have few questions before I start the remedy.
1-Can I mix pure white vinegar with hydrogen proxide for using on my nails?
2- Is the amount used for both equal and since my nail fungus is quite bad, how strong should I use peroxide.
3-In terms of using on my toes and fingernails, can I just use cotton ball to soak it with and put on my nails for 20 minutes or so every day. I also want to use tea tree oil the same way before bed every night. Do you think this will get rid of my fungus after couple of months? Thank you in advance.
Foot Fungus
Posted by Stan (Huntsville, Texas United States Of America) on 11/30/2011
The main situation with foot fungus infections is that foot fungus is the number one fungus infection worldwide. It is not an overstatement to say that foot fungus health care is a multiBILLION dollar industry. The healthcare industry shuns/refuses to culture the feet to identify the fungus exact species in many cases due to fear of having the fungi growing in their work environment. Scientists through electron microscope studies have verified that many of these fungi end up inside the cell wall of the human host feet so that vinegar or many other chemicals used will at first work but later on the intracellular fungi will grow again to remind the person that he/she still has the infection. The literature historically has stated that the person gets reinfected eg. from walking barefoot on community shower floors when in fact the "intracellular fungi" simply re-emerged from the intracellular sites.
