ACV for Toenail Fungus: Effective Natural Treatment

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!

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.

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.

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 Floridagirl (Sunny, Fl) on 04/21/2013
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar for nail fungus. It worked for me! :)

Background:
I think I had an injury to my thumb nail that caused the nail to lift a little, and well that's when I got nail fungus. It started in the corner and at first was just kind of a dark spot, and then the following couple of days started turning into a white-yellow half circle and was growing. When I would touch the nail or skin around it, it was tender. I thought maybe it was an infection, but it sounded more like a fungus.

Remedy I used:

Apple Cider Vinegar
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
Vapor rub
Antibiotic ointment

What I did:
Clipped my nail back a little just in the affected corner. Just enough to show a little bit of the underlying skin. I did this to relieve a little pressure, because the skin was a little inflamed and was hurting. Also, I thought it would be easier for the medicines to reach the area.

I mixed a cap full of apple cider vinegar & peroxide together. Dipped a q-tip in the mixture and rubbed it on, around, and under the affected area. It will fizz a little, but it does not hurt. You will get some pain relief with in a short time, if your fingernail was hurting before!

I rubbed this mixture on my finger nail 3 times a day.

During the day time, I would rub some antibiotic ointment on the area with NO bandaid. Of course, I had to re-apply frequently when my hands would get wet. At night I put Vick's vapor rub AND a bandaid on my thumb. I made sure the bandaid was not too tight, but also that it would not fall off.

I did all of this for 4 days.

On day two, I noticed that it seemed to start going away (shrinking), and by day 4 it looked like it was completely gone. Just keep applying everything until it is completely gone. I'm so happy it worked!!

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.

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!

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 :)

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mia (Lyons, Ny) on 10/30/2011
★★★★★

After reading posts on Earth Clinic I decided to try the ACV remedy for a big toe-toe nail that had thickened, had about 1/2 of the toe nail separate/lifted from the nail bed and which had been curling inward badly for a period of about nine years. I decided to become aggressive in fighting it because I saw it start in the big toe on my other foot as well. I figured if I didn't stop it now all my toes would be affected so I began an aggressive fight after reading several posts.

I first took off all nail polish. I kept this toe polished at all times because it was hideous; but after reading that the fungus likes it dark I realized I didn't get this problem until I began to regularly polish my toes. Next I filed the entire surface of the nail as thin as possible without filing right down to the nail bed. Next, I cut away the nail from the area on the toenail that was separated/lifted from the nail bed. The, I bathed it every night before bed with ACV and let it dry on my nail. I did this for about two weeks and, after growing out for several weeks almost two months, now my nail is finally almost completely grown out and normal looking.

THANK YOU ALL!!! THIS PLACE ROCKS!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Adrienne (Arlington, Ma) on 07/27/2011
★★★★★

I too find it very disturbing that physicians dismiss fungal infections or something as simple as ACV to treat it. Ignored fungal infections long term can permanently disfigure your nails, get into your blood and be terribly hard to treat, and of course infect others.

After getting a new doctor, I discovered that I had had athletes' foot for years. It took the form of small blisters and dry skin - that I couldn't figure out because it didn't itch and didn't respond to over-the-counter medications. The doctor told me that because I had had it so long, I probably would need to take Lamasil orally. Since like others here, I already take other medications that affect my liver, I was not at all happy to hear that.

Thank goodness for apple cider vinegar! I began soaking my feet in 1/2 ACV and water twice a day for 15 -25 minutes, it was easy while checking email. I used a tupperware container big enough not to easily slosh out and that both feet would fit in. Changed the solution once a week. Changed towels under the bin every other day, used new towels each day to dry my feet. Used a waterproof nail file to remove excess calluses and reduce thick nails. I washed and treated nail file with Lysol each day, sprayed the shower once a week (not good to do it more apparently). New towels in bath every other day in the beginning. Applied antifungal cream to my feet if I needed to wear shoes, changed socks at least once a day, sometimes twice if my feet sweated a lot.

Sprayed the heck out of my shoes, removed the inserts and sprayed them as well with an antifungal spray and left them out in the sun to dry. If you have old shoes that can't be sprayed, or you feel they're iffy, get rid of them. This is an important point that I don't see people mentioning here - you don't want to undo your hard work. I reinfected myself briefly because I grabbed an old pair of gardening shoes one day, and sweated in them without socks.

It took me about 4-5 weeks from the initial start of soaking to be fungus free. Yellowed skin and nails from cider stains gradually disappeared over a week or two. Lemon juice and/or a little scrubbing with a pumice stone can help speed its departure.

My mother and sister have nail fungus, and I recently told them about ACV - they're trying it too. Will post back in several weeks about their results.