ACV for Toenail Fungus: Effective Natural Treatment

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Posted by Tom (Philly) on 12/30/2016
★★★★☆

I am currently soaking my toe nail fungus in apple cider vinegar, one cup of vinegar uncut. The fungus appear to be growing out with the nail. It's been about two months now. The nail fungus polish from the doctor didn't work.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by G (Vancouver) on 04/09/2016
★★★★★

I have had both toes progressively getting worse with fungus for the years since 1998-2015. one nail fell off after swimming and banging it on some rocks while on vacation in 2005 -(very painful). As you may understand, sandals or bare feet have progressively gotten to a point of "NO" over these years.

Since mid January 2016, I have been dabbing cider vinegar on both toes EVERY morning shower or not... it is early April and I have cut the nails down short 3 times over that period. I am here to say that the results are finally VERY evident, and my nails have almost grown back to normal! I have only "Soaked" my toes about 3 times over the 3 months, as I found it difficult to do and I am not a patient fellow...

After trying laser treatment and being reluctant to take a 6 month dose of medication... I see the light at the end of the Cider Vinegar Treatment.... I am not sure if it will "CURE" - but I am confident that I can easily control it and as my nail continues to grow out, it looks almost completely normal.

Good luck to you all and be diligent each morning or night! Apply cider vinegar!

Replied by Beth
(Ontario, Canada)
05/01/2016

I have toe nail fungus on two toes on both feet...went to doctor and she suggested I try something called Footlogix. It is a spray that you get from a Podiatrist...kind of expensive for the size of the spray. When the spray is half way done it won't spray anymore...so money wasted there. So for months now I have tried using Tea Tree oil, but it so discolors my nails, makes them brittle and very yellow and quite sore too! I have lost one nail and it doesn't seem to be healing...so found this site and think I will try applying AVC on my nails twice a day...I have a small container of Pure Emu Oil, was wondering if it may work...I also try to soak my feet say once a week in 1 cup AVC and 1 cup warm water...I have read several people saying you have to get rid of this fungus from the inside out...I gag at the thought of drinking AVC, I have tried it and it is very hard to get down, but if that will help...today, May 1,2016 I will start to drink 2 TBSP in 32 oz of water once a day and see if I can choke it down and see if that helps. I also suffer from Reflux so I am sure drinking the AVC will help with that too! I will keep you posted.

Any other suggestions would be very grateful.

Replied by Timh
(Ky)
05/01/2016
2043 posts

B: You'r making a good start but need fine-tuning a bit. First, as for footbaths, the ACV I would replace with unscented Bleach maybe once a week, and do one big spoon of Borax daily. As for ACV orally, you can buy ACV tablets at health food stores, so no more bad taste or irritation.

As for topical treatment replace the Oregano with Garlic Oil and do daily for a couple weeks then rotate to Pure Grain Alcohol (180 proof) and either Tea Tree or Eucalyptus Oil. The ratio of each you may determine at a tolerable level, maybe start w/ 50/50 in an small glass bottle and dab on with cotton swab for 2 wks then back to the Garlic.

When sleeping, keep that foot free of covers as to keep moisture down and fresh air around. A small fan on that foot would help. Speaking of air, be sure to keep your house filters clean or replaced and consider additional air purification as fungus cannot grow in a clean or well oxygenated environment.

Replied by Frances
(Cabarlah, Qld.)
05/03/2016

I have soaked feet in warm water with half a cup of borax diluted for 15-20 min. for at least 5 days.

Replied by Polly
(Ma)
07/07/2016

Try mixing a Tbsp of ACV with V8 juice and a dash of Worcestershire sauce, tastes great, almost like a virgin Bloody Mary.

Replied by Kellison
(Oregon)
07/12/2016

Try organic Apple Cider Vinegar (usually in organic or health section of grocery stores). It is VERY much easier to drink than Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar.

Replied by Sharon
(Pa)
07/21/2016

I started out with athletes foot and it progressed to my large toenail. I used a cream to clear up the athletes foot but the toenail fungus is not so easy to get rid of. I started soaking my foot in ACV but would miss days here and there. So, I ordered finger cots in an extra large size (Amazon) and I put one on my toe before bedtime and add ACV to it every night and sleep with it on. My nail is growing out fine but it takes a long time--like a year--of doing the procedure.

Replied by April
(Riggins, Idaho)
08/03/2016

Hi! Did you use apple cider vinegar that was organic or distilled? Please let me know, I am very encouraged by your report, but I'd like to know what kind of vinegar you used!

Thanks very much!

Replied by George
(Louisiana)
08/12/2016
★★★★★

I filed my toe nail all the way down to the skin and used ACV soaked for 30min in morning and at night also added bit peroxide to it. And wala no more foot fungus you will notice results in a week or 2 at least for me it did.

Replied by Kaye
(Pelahatchie Ms)
08/24/2016

Can the vinegar mixture be reused for the 2nd soaking each day or should it always be fresh vinegar?

Replied by Bob
(Missouri)
12/17/2016

Try 1 packet of Stevia, 1 TSP of ACV, 4oz Iced Tea - it tastes like tart apple juice.

Replied by Bill
(Spalding. U.k)
05/30/2017

1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 teaspoon of honey warm water and enjoy.

Replied by Penelope
(Australia)
06/26/2017

Try adding a tsp of ACV to a glass of sparkling mineral water. It is a very pleasant way to drink it and you will be able to work your way up to a tbl spoon fairly quickly.

Replied by Deborah
(Michigan)
08/10/2017

Thank you for your post and for your encouragement. I have tried soaking my toes for the fungus but I only do that for a couple days and then I just don't as I am not very patient either for that kind of thing. Just applying the apple cider vinegar will be easy to do. I have tried a baking soda paste applied to the toenail and the toe and let it sit on there for a little bit and then rinse it off. That has helped but it feels like there's still has to be something else to do. So thank you for your encouragement to just apply the ACV. Good luck with yours :)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Monique (North Carolina) on 10/29/2015
★★★★☆

As soon as I quit using the Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) the toenail fungus would come back. It did work on one of my toes on one foot but then I got it on 2 other toes on my other foot............it didn't cure them like the other. I swabbed the ACV on the toenail once in the morning and once at night and put a bandaide over the toenail with more ACV put on the covering center part of the bandaide.

However, I came down with MRSA, over a month ago, and bought some Manuka Honey from my healthfood store that came from New Zealand. I put it on my 2 tonails just like the ACV but only once in the morning. No staining of my tonail color and it's healing them and no STINK .....I HATE THE SMELL OF ACV!

Replied by Suzy
(Indiana)
10/29/2015

When I started drinking a shot of apple cider vinegar once in the morning and once at night for a different health problem my toenail fungus went away. I had tried everything, even ACV, applying it on the fungus nothing worked.

Replied by Nizar
(Toronto)
07/26/2017

Hello Suzy:

Can you please tell us how you drank it please? with warm water etc?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Frances (Anaheim, Ca) on 10/04/2014
★★★★★

Finally decided to rid the fungus from both my baby toes. UGLY! I filed the tops down and then soaked them daily in ACV, mouth wash, and hot water for 30 minutes daily. About half a cup each. I also drink a coffee cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons of organic ACV and one tablespoon of lemon juice every morning before anything else. Yes it's gross but I do it. Not only is my fungus clearing up (nail was even split) but I've lost about 5lbs. Its been about six months now. I'm going to also add tea tree oil. Thank you for this website and for all of your suggestions.

Replied by Mare
(Enumclaw, Wa)
09/01/2015

I have had toenail fungus on my big toes for years. A friend of mine highly recommended organic unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. She said she dabbed it on with a cotton ball twice a day and it was gone in a few weeks. I have been reading up on the benefits of this and one of the things that was stressed the most as far as getting rid of the fungus is that you have to treat it from the inside as well as outside. This means that for the fungus not to come back you should drink the diluted ACV daily, as well as soaking your feet in it.

Anyway, I'm going to start my treatment this week (both inside and out) and I'll post back in a month or so to let you know how it works!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Bernadette (New South Wales, Australia) on 03/17/2014
★★★★★

For 6 weeks I have been soaking both my feet twice a day in apple cider vinegar for 2 big toes which have yellowed and thickened. In the evening I apply tea tree oil combined with lavender oil to both toes and I have had 5mm new growth in this time which is pink, healthy and showing no signs of fungus. During the day in between soaks, I spray all my toes with white vinegar and dry them in the sun for a few minutes. I am thrilled with the new growth and can't wait for the yellow nails to grow out.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Suzy (Fort Wayne In) on 01/18/2014
★★★★★

I started taking apple cider vinegar, a shot glass day and night, and cut my infected toe nails back whenever they started to grow. Within a few months my nails had grown out new and beautiful. I believe it is necessary to fight the problem from the inside out. This is the only thing that worked and I tried them all.

Replied by Maria
(Middlesex)
01/19/2017

So you didn't dilute it in water? I just wondered whether it is still okay and effective to take it not diluted. Thanks!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mom (Naples, Florida) on 01/18/2014
★★★★★

Many years ago, I developed a very bad toe nail fungus - only in my big toe! . After seeing several doctors, who recommended antibiotics, a $100, bottle of nail polish, and disgusted pedicurists....... I began researching this for myself. Here is the bottom line:

Apple Cider Vinegar!

Fungus does not like or live in acid.

So, ACV can be used for this. Toes, fingers, anywhere there is a fungus.

Also, the worse the fungus is, the more times a day you should apply it. Soak in it, if need be. It can't hurt.

If you cut your nails, and accidentally cut through the skin, then apply equal amounts of ACV and topical, first aid, Hydrogen Peroxide. The HP is a topical for infections. That is all you need to do on a daily basis. You will see an improvement within a week. Be vigilant. It will pay off!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by John (Los Angeles, Ca) on 11/09/2013
★★★★★

Great success with apple cider vigegar soak for finger fungus! I infected a fingernail two years ago. The fungus was not extensive, but the green and black fungus was alarming! I found this website and tried the ACV soak, every day for thirty minutes. It improved pretty quickly. After a year of daily soaking, the nail looked pretty good - no green or black fungus - maybe just a touch cloudy - nothing anybody notices. It's a good, strong nail. Now, I just soak the nail once a week and all is well. I don't think it is cured - though it may be. I think that the once a week ACV soak keeps the fungus under control. Many, many thanks for this website!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Elaine (Sterling, Va) on 01/13/2013
★★★★★

I had a small opaque white discoloration on one corner of one big toe that had been visible for several months. I was worried that it was the beginning of a fungus infection. After finding this site, I soaked a cotton ball in red wine vinegar (didn't have apple cider vinegar), and taped it to my toe overnight.

I was absolutely stunned the next morning to see that the discoloration was completely gone.

Maybe what I had wasn't a fungus, or maybe this is an amazing cure. Whatever, I'm extremely happy!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Leen (Pottsville, Pa, Usa) on 08/24/2012
★★★★★

My husband has a severe case of toenail fungus from being in the Army and wearing combat boots in the field years ago. I read about using vinegar and he gave it a try since nothing worked including doctor prescribed meds. Its been one month and we see a big difference. Pink, clean nails are 1/4 to 1/2 grown in. He did clip and file his nails tp prep them. We read you can use regular white vinegar, doesnt have to be apple cider vinegar. The white does not discolor the nail!! He soaks feet in tub of vinegar twice a day for ten minutes and changes it once every 7-10 days. Cured athletes foot immediately. Definitely worth a try.

Replied by Rex
(Brookfield)
10/14/2013

Was it just the vinegar that you used?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Sara (Wadsworth, Oh) on 06/15/2012
★★★★★

I used apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil and my toe is now, finally, perfect again! Took a LONG time for it to grow out, but worth the effort.

The key to my success was SOAKING a small piece of a cotton ball and using white medical tape to tape it in place on my toe. At first I used the ACV, but then switched to Tea Tree Oil w/ lavender. The smell is strong, but I think the TTO did a better job. I put this on in the above manner twice a day for about 2 months. After a while, I stopped doing it as I finally saw the affected part growing up and out (before, the ugly part didn't move when I just brushed the ACV & TTO on it. SOAKING was the key for me. Felt good to KILL that damn fungus...haha!

Replied by Constance
(Jacksonville, Fl)
07/14/2017

My Husband has toe nail fungus. I started doing some research and what I found out about how it can cause all kinds' of things throughout a person's body. Freaked me out. I immediately starting putting Lemon "moons" on both his left and right large toes. I have Tea Tree Oil & Apple Cider Vinegar. Would this be a better option for a sooner cure?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Grace (Alma, Michigan) on 05/28/2012
★★★★★

I started using distilled vinegar from the grocery store but switched to raw vinegar from our local health food store. The raw vinegar is WAY stronger tasting and has the mother in it. I feel so much better taking ACV everyday. Not only is my nail fungus clearing but ( I hope this isnt TMI LOL ) I am supposed to take an iron supplement and was unable to without a stool softener and I dont need the stool softener anymore. I also work 12 hours shifts in a nursing home and my feet and legs dont ache like they did at the end of the day. This stuff is amazing, Im hooked for life :)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Grace (Alma, Michigan) on 05/16/2012
★★★★★

I read a lot of things about apple cider vinegar healing toenail fungus on line. Some of my toenails had fungus and looked really nasty. After only one month of drinking ACV , 2 table spoons in a 32 oz bottle of water daily my toes are a whole lot better, I actually cut the nails with regular toenail clippers. I am pleasantly amazed at how much nicer my feet look after such a short time. I can see where the nail has grown out at the base it looks normal. I will just keep cutting that fungus out until it is all gone and keep on drinking that ACV! I also saw a Dr on tv say to rub mentholatum rub on the nails and I have been doing that too. Whatever I am doing it is working and I am so happy. Looking forward to wearing sandals again this summer :)

Replied by Grace
(Alma, Michigan)
05/24/2012

I wanted to give an up date to my post. My feet look marvelous. I had fungus in all my toe nails. Some really bad and some just starting. It has been over a month that I have been drinking Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in water and putting the vinegar directly on the nail. Only 2 nails look bad at this time. I can see new nail growing in and is about at the half way point now. I will continue to use the Apple Cider Vinegar daily until the fungus is gone and then probably only once or twice a week after that for maintaince. I have cut the nails short and keep them trimmed, the fungus is getting easier and easier to cut away. My nails are no longer thick and dark and the skin around the nail is no longer red and itchy. This is amazing. Thank you so much.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dakotacabn (Laguna Hills, Ca, Usa) on 04/19/2012
★★★★☆

I never had toenail fungus until I started going to the nail salon. I quite going last year to the salon. I have been doing my own nails. I cut them really short and I cut off as much as the fungus as I could. I have been spraying ACV on my nails 2 times a day. They are so much better. I can now put on nail polish and I keep spraying my toe nails daily. I feel you never really get rid of the fungus, but you just keep it under control with the ACV. I went to the DR, he said they give you the fungus and then they sell you something to get rid of it. He also said they use the same water in the spas as they don't disinfect it after every customer and they also use the same polish so the fungus goes from person to person.

Replied by Tammy
(Va)
10/07/2017

I've had nail fungus off and on my whole life. Most reputable nail salons clean between customers and use sterilized tools. My feet sweat badly and being in shoes all day keeps them moist which causes the fungus. I was also in the Army when I was young and long hours in leather boots was the worst.

I think the vinegar soak is a great alternative to wasting money at the doctors office. I get my nails done regularly at a salon and don't blame them for my fungus. It's long hours in shoes at work.

I just need to be more motivated and soak my feet more.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Neil (Us) on 11/16/2011
★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar seems to stop toenail fungus when consumed internally.

I've had the same toenail fungus on my right big toe for a decade. I'd been drinking ACV in water as an appetite suppressant (which is also pretty effective), and recently while trimming my toenails I noticed that the big patch of discoloration is half of what it always was. I mean this thing hadn't changed at all in 10 years.

I drink about 2 tablespoons in 32 oz of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.