Natural Nail Fungus Treatments: Effective Home Remedies

Coconut Oil or Shea Butter

Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 07/28/2009
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I recently made a discovery that made me think my nail fungus had improved by 80% overnight! I'd been rubbing clove oil on one of my big toe nails for a couple of weeks. Then one night I decided to add coconut oil an hour after applying the clove oil. The next morning it looked as though the fungus had all but disappeared. I was thrilled! But, ha ha, it was temporary. As soon as your feet get wet, the nail returns to its previous state. I switched to shea butter (100%, cheap) because it lasts even longer than the coconut oil (from shower to shower). Not sure how effective this will be for black-ish nail fungus as mine is a lovely white & yellowish swirl.

So for everyone who is currently wearing open-toed sandals this summer, you might want to try rubbing coconut or shea butter to your infected nails. It's a helpful tool while we battle this pain-in-the-you-know-what condition.

Bleach, Tea Tree, Vicks

Posted by jenn4875 (Houston, Texas) on 07/06/2009
★★★★☆

My husband has had toenail fungus for about 6yrs. I started looking up home remedies and heard about tea tree oil, bleach, vics, vinegar, and so on. We tried them individually with ok results. One night we decided to try a combination to see what happens. We put a drop of bleach followed by a drop of tree oil then vics. We covered the feet with socks and he slept with it on. He said it burned some, but not too bad. I have to say, we have gotten the best results by doing this. Every day the area we put it on has turned an orange color and is now soft and comes right off. I have experimented some to see if it's just the bleach and vics or tree oil and vics and so on, but nothing gives results like the combination of the 3. I am recently seeing sights using ACV and I think I'm going to try that too. It seems people are having very good results with that as well. I'll post again in a couple weeks with my results. We have been using this treatment for about a month so far. Good luck with whatever treatment you use.

Bleach, Tea Tree, Vicks

Posted by Julia (Mauritius) on 12/19/2017

What is ACV

EC: ACV - Apple Cider Vinegar

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Kate (Minneapolis, MN) on 06/24/2009
★★★★☆

Does anybody know about the effectiveness of grapefruit seed extract for nail fungus? I have used it for a couple of years. It did seem to slow the fungus but not get rid of it. Now I apply it during the day after soaking my toes in ACV (see my previous post).

Cornmeal

Posted by rcw8888 (Santa Monica, CA) on 06/12/2009
★★★★☆

having some success, for toenail fungus, soaking an hour in cornmeal and warm water. Exact directions are:

line bottom of flat plastic pan with cornmeal one inch and add 1 inch warm water for one half hour, then add enuf warm water to cover your toenails and put your feet in for one hour. Do this once a week. Results in about a year.

Faster, comprehensive solutions will involve eating totally alkaline. Am also trying MMS topically plus DMSO with questionable results. Tried MMS internally 15 drops, 3x per day for 2 weeks as prescribed and have overal improvement in health but uncertain it affected toenails just yet.

Richard

Cornmeal

Posted by Steve S (Portland OR) on 10/20/2021

To the OP or the broader community:

1 — What does MMS stand for?

2 — What is “eating totally alkaline “?

Baking Soda and Maple Syrup

Posted by Janice (Coloma, Mi) on 05/24/2009

I just tried making a batch of this. I didn't have a real small pot and figured 4 tsp is really not very much so I tried to make it in a metal measuring cup (1/2 cup). I couldn't cook it the five minutes because it foamed up so high I had to take it off the burner. What a hoot! Next time I'll try it in the full cup or buy a really small pot. It's in the freezer now. Hopefully it will come out o.k.

EC: Please let us know if it cures nail fungus.. very curious!

Baking Soda and Maple Syrup

Posted by Rena (Mineral Bluff, Georgia) on 05/30/2009
★☆☆☆☆

Hi Whisper From Timmins,

I did this recipe to the T for 5 days and still did not notice a difference, and by no means cured. Did your nail fungus get cured after 3 days or did you just notice a difference? At this point I have to give your remedy a big nay. I also remember Janice from Coloma was doing this recipe as well, I would like to hear back from her on this as well, Peace, Rena.

Baking Soda and Maple Syrup

Posted by Linda (Clinton, Iowa) on 06/04/2009

Hi, I just wanted to know do you think this treatment would also work for candida?

Baking Soda and Maple Syrup

Posted by Sim (Portland, OR) on 06/09/2009

I wonder if blackstrap molasses would work as well as maple syrup as a trojan horse for the baking soda? For one thing, it is way cheaper than maple syrup (anyone notice how the price almost doubled last year when there was a supposed poor yield, but have not come back down at all??), but also this method of heating and allowing to cool and harden and then cutting off a piece in solid form might make the taking of BSM on a daily basis easier for those of us who really have a hard time taking the stuff in liquid form.

Is there any reason why the BSM might prove a less effective trojan horse in which to conceal the baking soda than the maple syrup?

Would the nutrients in the BSM be adversely affected by bringing the BSM to a boil in the manner described?

Thanks!

Sim

Baking Soda and Maple Syrup

Posted by Whisper (Timmins, Ontario Canada) on 05/21/2009
★★★★★

Fungus and Cancer:

I've used baking soda and maple syrup to cure fungus that I had on my big toe. In a matter of 3 days of taking one batch of this every day I saw the difference.

What I did, in a small pot I put 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 3 tsp of maple syrup I heated it up on medium (setting at 5) then reduced to 3 to allow it to boil for 5 minutes in all. Do not try to double the recipe otherwise you take away the effectiveness. Before it cools down too much I transfer onto a sandwich bag (not sure if this is wise, but that's what I've used so far) and I've put it in the freezer for about 3 to 4 minutes to let it cool and once cooled it comes off the plastic very easily, now don't let it sit in freezer too long otherwise it'll get real hard. Check it often and when it comes off then its ready to make into small pieces, I find its like making toffee, I twist it so that it looks equal lengthtwise and then take the scissors and cut into small sizes, once that is done I then take half of what I've cut and swallow them down with water. Some have eaten it straight from the pot I can't handle the taste and it seems to work just as well.

I learned this at another site and was wanting to share it since I've gained so much more from this site. APPARENTLY, HEATING it is VERY important. the molecules of the salts and sugars must be bonded by heat. THE FUNGUS OR CANCER loves the sugars of the syrup but then the attached sodium bicarbonate is A LETHAL TROJAN HORSE. I didn't use this for cancer but this information was given along with the fungus.

Iodine

Posted by Dm (Parker, Co) on 12/30/2011

For the dyshidrosis skin infection - I fought this for almost a year thinking it was just eczema... In the end what took care of it, in about a week's time, was Absorbine Jr and Tinactin. Great combo for dyshidrosis

Vicks

Posted by AL (DALLAS, TX, USA) on 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.

Vicks

Posted by Christina (Battle Mountain, Nevada) on 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!!

Vicks

Posted by Elizabeth (Shelby, Nc) on 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.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sally (Toronto, ON) on 04/19/2009

My BF who has been neglecting the toe nail fungus for a couple of years has finally come to the realization that it's not only affecting his toes but possibly his health as well. I read all the posts of others' experiences then went to the natural health store. After a lengthy discussion with the store assistant (who had experienced a mild case of toe nail fungus herself), I bought the following based on her recommendation and the posts I read. My BF started the treatment yesterday:

Probiotics - 1 capsule 2 x/day with meals to re-balance the body's intestinal flora
silica gel - 1 Tbsp per day to strengthen the new nails to come (BF has v. brittle, thin nails)
ACV - sipping approx 2 tsp in 1 lg glass water 3x per day

I have also told BF he needs to cut out the sugars, acidic foods as much as possible. Our diet is pretty healthy, but with the fungus, I think it wouldn't hurt to be more mindful.
----------
Soak feet 2x per day (morning and night) in hot water bath for 10 mins and wash w/ natural anti-bacterial soap. Dry feet and apply cotton pad soaked w/ 50/50 ACV & hydrogen peroxide. Remove after 15 mins. and apply iodine drops and then neem oil (I was told it's stronger than tea tree). We're going to change the procedure in the evening and tape a cotton soaked pad w/ the 50/50 ACV & hydrogen peroxide on the toes overnight.

There was no pinching or fizzing the first night the ACV/hydrogen peroxide was applied as a few people mentioned in their posts.

The ACV used was not _____'s but an unpasteurized, unfiltered one from a local Ontario apple orchard.

Will report back on the results in a week.

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Lisa (Boston, MA) on 04/17/2009
★☆☆☆☆

I've been trying Ted's remedy for fingernail fungus for over a week and the fungus is still spreading on that nail. If this is going to work, how soon should I see progress? Any other suggestions? Should I clip away the detached fingernail?

Thanks,
Lisa

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Diana (London, Uk) on 10/14/2009

how to avoid touching the skin???!!!!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Vicky Lindsay (Naples, Fl) on 10/30/2024

Someone mentioned food grade peroxide for nail fungus. It comes in different strengths. Which one is recommended please?

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?

Vicks

Posted by Nancy (Sunnyvale, Ca) on 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..

Vicks

Posted by Ascha4 (Springfield, Il) on 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.

Vicks

Posted by Bee (Lima) on 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.

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Janedoe (Concord, Nh) on 05/16/2010

It has been over a year that I have been fungus free! This is the best site ever!

Listerine

Posted by Nancy (Farmington, Michigan ) on 07/13/2024

How does one disinfect a toothbrush and nail file? In what solution? And how long do you keep the toothbrush and file in the solution?

Lemongrass Essential Oil

Posted by Carolyn (Northwest, OH) on 11/14/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

There seems to be a lot of confusion about using Lemongrass oil for nail fungus. I too decided to try it last summer. I had never used essential oils before and was ignorant about proper dilutions. I applied the oil straight out of the bottle to all my nails on both fingers and toes. I applied it twice a day for less than a month. Then I started to have a reaction: I got a very bad rash and had degloving of my fingertips. I was very discouraged because I saw my nails growing out healthy. I stopped that treatment and am now using a diluted blend of different oils (will report back if this new blend works--so far so good).

However, if you wish to try Lemongrass oil, here is how to Properly Dilute the Essential Oil:

Pick a carrier oil such as coconut or grapeseed oil. Measure out one ounce (30 mL) of your carrier oil and add 12 drops only of the essential oil. This will make a 2% dilution.

Never apply undiluted essential oils to the skin until you are sure you will not have a reaction. For nail fungus, it is common to continue applying the oil treatment until the nail is completely grown out: up to a year. So be sure you are not allergic to the oil before you commit to using it!

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.

Listerine

Posted by Karen (Maryland Hts, Mo) on 08/27/2016

How many days do is the Listerine soak needed to cure athletes foot fungus? How many times a day did you soak? What about the type of fungus that causes the really thick, cracked heels that hurt very badly? My husband has this problem and his terribly rough feet wear holes in our fitted bed sheets. I have to replace or repair the sheets every 6 months or less. His heel callouses are about 1-1&1/2" thick. Please advise.

Distilled Vinegar

Posted by Russell (Wickenburg, Arizona) on 03/08/2010

I read a review about using vinegar a person would use the vinegar then put a plaster over it. What is the plaster?

EC: A bandaid or... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaster#In_medicine

Distilled Vinegar

Posted by Denise (Rockford, Il) on 07/07/2017

A plaster is a 'Band-Aid in The UK.

Distilled Vinegar

Posted by Nina (Houston, TX) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★

I have fought toenail fungus for over 30 years. I have tried Lamisil, Vicks, hydrogen peroxide and now, distilled vinegar for the past 11 months and I have finally won the battle. I diluted the vinegar, half & half with water, and sprayed it on my toenails twice daily. I have also been cleaning under the nails at least once a week. IT WORKS!

OTC

Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, CA) on 03/17/2008
★★★★★

I've been working on my toenails since December 2005. I've tried numerous remedies, probably 10-20. And for the first time ever, I see pink growth peaking out of the base of my two big toenails. I am doing 2 antifungals twice a day. Every morning and evening, I am applying Fungoid Tincture and then Tineacide. I try to also apply Clotrimazole 2% during the day sometime, but it's not always possible. I started the Clotrimazole 2% on Sept. 18th, Tineacide on Dec. 14th and Fungoid Tincture on Jan. 20th. Then around Feb. 28th or so, I discovered the PINK! So, I am guessing that it's from the application of the FT, since I believe that it takes about a month to see visible growth. I only hope that it continues to grow and that this new pink nail will be resistant to the fungus at the free edge. I don't work for any of these companies. I just wanted to pass along this tip to anyone who has stubborn toenail fungus, like my 35 year old toenail.

OTC

Posted by Ebonyblu (Arlington, Va, Usa) on 08/22/2011
★★★★★

Unbelievably, I found an over the counter product that WORKS. I have had nail fungus for about 10 years because I have to wear compression stockings, which caused sweating of my feet, and eventually toenail fungus. I initially tried an OTC that turned my infected nails brown and did not cure my fungus. I wish I had never used it.

Years later, I found this website in 2006, and tried Ted's remedy. My nails were growing clear of fungus about half way, and then one nail reverted when the season changed. So it cured one nail, and I started over with the second nail. Somehow, everytime the nail would start to grow out it would revert again.

So then I took a chance on an OTC product named Keractil, by a new company. I actually thought it wouldn't work, but at least I'd give something else a trie after the past two years of failure. I received that product which looked like it came from a small mom and pop shop, but said what the heck. The worst it could do is not work. So I put it on and two weeks later I saw fungus free nail begin to grow. I still followed Ted's remedy with a weekly foot soak of Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide. During the other days and nights I used Keractil. This product is a lifesaver. Almost 4 months later, I am 95% fungus free of the nail. I also learned that this product is used by members of the military because they wear combat boots and thick socks year round. This product is no gimmick, and I am not trying to endorse it. I really want to share a remedy that works well in addition to Ted's remedy. One last thing is to recommend biosil supplements - which speed the growth of hair and nails. Not everyone's nails grow quickly.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Bern (Albany, Ny) on 08/11/2011
★☆☆☆☆

Tried using oregano for a persistent toenail fungus in the large toe. Applied oregano oil diligently twice per day for 9 months and noticed no difference.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Angie (Quesnel, B.c., Canada) on 08/16/2011

Nail fungus can be cleared up with a combination of tea tree oil and pure lemon juice. Also take probiotic supplements.

Oregano Oil

Posted by My2cents (Rock Hill, Sc, Usa) on 02/13/2013

one big factor in toenail fungus is getting the oil of oregano directly on the fungus itself. I have been putting a single drop on top of the nail and watching as it slowly travels around the cuticle and under the nail. Also, you may want to treat your shoes as well. Lysol may help this. If you just keep reinfecting with contaminated shoes, no remedy will ever help. I plan to wait one more month before I post my results with the OOR for mine.

Hydrogen Peroxide, White Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Don (Lakeland, FL) on 03/01/2008
★★★★★

I shoved a wood splinter under my finger nail and ended up with a fungus under the nail. After finding this web site, I started the peroxide/white vinegar/ tea oil treatment. I cut the old finger nail way nearly down to the cuticle; soaked my finger in hydrogen peroxide, then white vinegar and then applied tea tree oil/vaseline (50-50%). I did this for about 3 months and then went to just soaking with white vinegar morning and evening. This worked and the finger nail is well and nearly grown out completely and looks great. It takes time for this cure to work, but it sure does work!!

Baking Soda

Posted by Myke (Colorado Springs, CO) on 04/13/2009

I have a question about the baking powder treatment. I've read on another site, to only take baking powder for 3 weeks or it will change the ph or alkalinity (I can't remember which), of your body to much and cause other problems. Hopefully the original poster will respond. How often and how long have you been drinking the Baking Powder water mixture? Also confused about the ACV treatment. It seems some people drink it as well as applying topically? Is it safe to drink ACV, and how much per day?

EC: Note: Remedy is baking soda, not baking powder ...

Vicks

Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, CA) on 01/21/2008

To Robert, Thank you for sharing your research with us. It is fascinating! I no doubt transferred my toenail fungus to my face and I also have Rosacea--do you? I did read somewhere recently that the oils are the best remedies and it certainly sounds like they are, judging from your research. Regarding your recipe, I do have a question. With coconut oil being a solid, how do I mix it with the other liquid oils? Thanks again for sharing! I am hopeful to see the line of demarcation, too!

Vicks

Posted by Robert (Naples, Florida) on 01/22/2008

Coconut Oil melts at 80 degrees F. If it's solid, just run the container under warm water. The essential oils, when added, lower the melting point to below room temperature.

Regarding Rosacea, the following information may be helpful from internet research: "The Rosacea diagnosis includes a range of inflammatory events in facial skin. The range is so broad that it is reasonable to ask if Rosacea is too fuzzy a term that can apply to diverse immune-mediated events in the skin with different causes.... Seborrhea is a related condition that involves the hair-bearing skin of the scalp and face, all expressions of infection with the fungus, pityriasis ovale. Seborrhea can involve the central forehead, skin under the eyebrows and beard and may contribute to or be confused with Rosacea."

Hope this helps.

Vicks

Posted by @nnie (Durban, South Africa) on 01/09/2010

Olalla ~ You're an awesome mine of usefull information Robert! THANKS!

Ellen ~ I found that a GOOD AntiDandruff Shampoo diluted with approx. 12 parts of water & put into a liquid soap dispenser, works brilliantly for Rosacea.

I wash my face with this solution each morning in the shower. (Not the cheap supermarket shampoo, but a decent Pharmaceutical one.) A good AntiDandruff shampoo can also be applied neat to those white fungal blotches/spots on the skin. Apply to the actual 'spot', leave on for about 5mins & then rinse off & pat dry with a paper towel. You may have to repeat this about 3x (once a day for 3 days or so!) GOOD LUCK!

Vicks

Posted by Nikki (Georgia) on 09/12/2017

Beautiful... I totally agree!!!

Vicks

Posted by Don (Lakeland, FL) on 01/13/2008
★☆☆☆☆

Vicks on finernail fungus. About a year ago I shoved a wooden splinter up my left index finger, about 1/2 way down. It never healed and my wife thought I had a fungus under it. I read that Vicks would cure this. Here's what I did, which didn't work!! I bought finger cots, put Vicks in it and rolled it onto the index finger every night for the last couple of months. It didn't change anything with respect to the nail growth or fungus removal. I'm going to try your vinegar/hydro peroxide treatment. I clipped my nail 1/2 way down, getting rid of most all of the fungus part of the nail.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, CA) on 01/06/2008

To Robert: Were you successful in fully eradicating the toenail fungus? Btw, it was Michigan State University's patent, not University of Michigan. I did look it up and skimmed the Doctorese. I was familiar with the Meijer's Chest rub study. Thanks for providing this information!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Ellen (Redwood Shores, CA) on 01/21/2008

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Robert (Naples, Florida) on 01/22/2008

Coconut Oil melts at 80 degrees F. If it's solid, just run the container under warm water. The essential oils, when added, lower the melting point to below room temperature.

Regarding Rosacea, the following information may be helpful from internet research: "The Rosacea diagnosis includes a range of inflammatory events in facial skin. The range is so broad that it is reasonable to ask if Rosacea' is too fuzzy a term that can apply to diverse immune-mediated events in the skin with different causes.... Seborrhea is a related condition that involves the hair-bearing skin of the scalp and face, all expressions of infection with the fungus, pityriasis ovale. Seborrhea can involve the central forehead, skin under the eyebrows and beard and may contribute to or be confused with Rosacea."

Hope this helps.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Charles (Hillsdale, New York) on 12/12/2007
★★★★★

Remedy Update on previous posts It is now about a year since last post. Have continued to wear sandals and keep feet very clean, and I cut nails way back. Not using anything else at this point Toenail fungus is not visible even when I look closely!