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.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Towanda (Philadelphia, PA) on 02/27/2007
★★★★★
My toenails were turning brown and was very dry to the point that the nail was lifting and chipping all over. It was disgusting. The doctor put me on Lamisil which had to be taken for up to two years and even then, you weren't guaranteed results. I stopped taking the Lamisil after about 6 months because I saw no results, and it could have possibly damaged my liver. I decided to try Peroxide. For the past month, after showering, I pour HP on my toes and let it dry. I then put Tea Tree Oil on my toenails. My nails are absolutely beautiful now. The brown is practically gone, the nail itself is healthy and smooth.
Alkalize
Posted by Carol (Cambridge, Mn) on 07/14/2011
I have struggled with toenail fungus, but have suspected an underlying candida problem. I also would like to know how to check PH balance. Any other diet tips would be welcome, as well.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Posted by AJ (Los Angeles, CA) on 01/09/2007
★★★★★
I have tried three application of lemongrass oil and I am making WONDERFUL progress. I have had serious to moderate toe nail infections for the past 3 years. Nothing I have tried has worked until now. I have applied lemongrass oil to all infected nails. The infected portion of each nail turn black within 24 hours of application. New nail that is healthy looking is just peeking in from the base and I am I very excited. I think this remedy with an essential oil will work for some. Also, the oil smells great!
Vicks
Posted by Becky (San Diego, CA) on 11/15/2006
My Dr. (at a very well know medical organization), he asked that I not tell anyone that he told me to try this instead of the prescription he could have given. Apparently the prescription stuff takes just as long to work approx. 3mos and cost a lot more and has bad side effects on other organs in your body. The Vicks Vapor Rub every night before bed rubbed on toes, covered with socks and WOW! What a find... Renewed my faith in my Doctor as well.
EC: We have long suspected that many of these emails are from the manufacturer (or their PR firm). We post them here for your reading enjoyment.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Anti-Yeast Cream
Posted by Lady22599 (Columbus, Ga) on 08/31/2011
Just wanted to chime in with a regimen I started last week. I've had fungus on both big toes for sometime but it got worse recently because I've been painting my nails every week and we had a bad heatwave this summer. I had some medicated shampoo left over from a bout of Seborrheic Dermatitis. It contains an anti-fungal called Ketoconazole. The prescription strength is 2% but you can buy a 1% over the counter at most drug stores. I wash my feet with that every morning and night. After washing and drying thoroughly I use a q-tip to apply a generic brand of Monistat 7 cream to both toe nails concentrating on the base and sides (think U shape). I can already see a difference in the skin surrounding my nail. It had taken on a dark color like I was bruised but now it's pink again. After reading the great success some have had with ACV soaks I plan to add those to my regimen this weekend (just in the evenings). I took pictures of my toes when I started so I can chart the change and will keep you guys updated.
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.
Iodine
Posted by Brenda (Bear, DE) on 01/18/2006
★★★★★
Iodine is excellent for toenail fungus, ringworm, fever blisters, moles and skin tags, hangnails, etc. Just a few drops on a q-tip is all it takes. Use daily until the "boo-boo" is gone.
White Vinegar
Posted by Bev (Texas) on 07/23/2025
★★★★★
My husband had an extreme case of toenail fungus on both feet and all toes involved. After months of various fungal creams prescribed and across the counter, mouth wash, vicks salve...........the thing that started clearing it up was soaking his toes in white vinegar every night for about 30 minutes. We are down to 30 minutes a few nights a week now and they have improved 90%.
Iodine
Posted by GrassTwig (Geneva) on 04/17/2025
★★★★★
I have had toe nail fungus on one toe nail and it kept coming back every few years after healing.
I have tried other remedies, but Iodine drops was the quickest cure, one month cure. I used Nascent Iodine, it is discolored. I'm from Europe and found it at piping rock shop in United States and purchased it there (I'm not affiliated to this merchant).
First cut the toe nail completely up to the root of the nail. Then use a scrubbing pad, kitchen type for example, and scrub any fungus or dead skin on the toe. Then apply one drop of nascent iodine. Let it there for a few seconds, them apply some coconut oil on the toe.
From then on, every day after shower, scrub again, apply iodine drop and after drying, apply some coconut oil. Avoid too much sugar when healing. Good luck with healing toenail fungus.
General Feedback
Posted by Mary (Apple Valley) on 02/19/2025
Hi. I have toenail fungus and my doctor said that it is systemic and can't be treated topically. So all your remedies supposedly don't actually cure it, just temporarily alleviate the symptoms. I read here that olive leaf extract worked. But do the topical ones actually work as well. I know the medical establishment doesn't credit anything but what it sells.
Baking Soda
Posted by Leanne (Australia ) on 03/12/2022
Try spraying with tea tree oil.
Heat
Posted by Linda (Minnesota) on 11/30/2023
★★★★★
Thank you, Frank. I saw a Youtube video in which a guy had a fingernail fungus and he used a cigarette lighter on the nail for several days. He did not recommend it because he didn't want his video to be taken down (and he expressed that on the video). After about a week of holding the flame of the lighter a few inches away from, but directly toward the nail, his fungus disappeared and the new nail grew out perfectly. I was amazed to see that. Here's that video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2s-lXWmLkI
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Posted by John B (Pahoa, HI 96778) on 10/21/2021
★★★★★
I used lemongrass oil after beginning a probiotic a month earlier. The lemongrass oil killed the fungus and infected nails. I used it until it irritated the surrounding skin. Two months after taking the probiotics I can see new healthy nail growth at the cuticle, the old dead nails are like scabs. I expect the combination is the answer as I had an appendectomy in 1970 and the fungal symptoms started in the mid 1990's.
10-Undecylenic Acid
Posted by Laura T. (Catonsville, MD) on 01/19/2019
★★★★★
10 Undecyclinic Acid for Nail Fungus: We used 1 in am and 1 pm on empty stomach and it cleared up my husband's toe nail fungus that he had been trying to get rid of for years!
Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Richard T. (Columbus, Georgia) on 01/04/2019
★★★★★
I pour a little rubbing alcohol, the cheap stuff you buy for a dollar a bottle also called isopropenal, on my toe nails after I shower. It works well for me. The alcohol soakes into the nail and the fungus.
Ozonated Hemp Oil, Tamanu Drops
Posted by Smith (Los Angeles) on 03/18/2017
★★★★★
I have finally found a cure for toenail fungus. I have tried many, many things including oral pills, lasers, ACV soaks, garlic, etc.
I decided to try ozonated oils after reading about them on this site. I bought some ozonated hemp oil and watched my toes turn black. This was a good thing, as it killed the bacteria. I used a different toothbrush for each of the 4 toes affected, and used day and night. It took some time, and although I thought it was effective, I decided to add tamanu oil to the small container of ozonated oil. I mixed them together (half to half approx), and this has made all the difference. It's taken awhile, but they are finally clear. Well, the big toe that started it all, is almost done. There is still a tiny bit of black that needs to come to the top of the toe.
I am super excited that this worked, and wanted to share it. By the way, I'm using ozonated olive oil, but I don't think it really matters. I experimented with several and results were the same. And perhaps tamanu by itself might work. I didn't want to take the chance, since what I was using was working.
Good luck everyone, and I hope this helps someone.
Garlic
Posted by Carmel (Uk) on 01/17/2016
★★★★★
Had a very badly fungus nail, very horrible and thick, difficult to cut.
Smear garlic juice on it every day or so and it will grow up perfectly fine. Worked for me anyway.
Bleach
Posted by Timh (KY) on 08/03/2014 2042 posts
@Js: The b- vitamin biotin is very good for hair & nails. Coconut Oil taken orally will help prevent reinfection.
Oregano Oil
Posted by CC (Collierville, Tn./USA) on 07/18/2013
All anyone needs for any kind of fungus, is Wild Oregano. You can purchase it at a health store. It kills the fungus! It comes in dropper, capsule, or oil gel cap forms. It will kill any yeast type infections (fungus), and other forms of infection, too. It works by taking it internally, and for a nail fungus, apply to area, as well. I have used it on my animals, also. For over a year, my dog could not get rid of yeast in her ears. Nothing from the doctor worked. I gave her two oil gel caps, twice a day. In three days, it was gone. I gave it to her for another week, just to be sure, like you would take an antibiotic. Do the same for human consumption. Remember... All yeast/fungus related ailments!
Listerine
Posted by Ava (Toronto, On) on 02/05/2015
Listerine products are Triclosan free. http://www.listerine.ca/tips-and-practices/our-heritage
Garlic
Posted by Brad (Albuquerque, Nm) on 10/14/2012
★★★★★
Yeah. Garlic will do the trick for nail fungus. Spreading it on your fingernails will also give your nails a nice gloss. Garlic will clear up fungus.
