60 User Reviews
★★★★★
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!!!
(Los Angeles, Ca)
07/02/2012
Your fungal situation appears to be almost identical to my severe case, which has been ongoing for a few years now. I will definitely try this remedy out and see how well it works for me. Thank you for the idea... I will keep my fingers crossed.
(Formerly Of Lyons, Ny)
09/02/2012
It has been almost a year since using the ACV and it has not come back!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
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.
(Woodstock, Ga)
03/08/2016
I have not started yet, but certainly need to do something. I am over 70 and have had nail fungus for more than 30 years ... many of the nails are thick enough that the toes hurt from pressure by the shoes on the nail, and it is really hard to cut them even with the largest clipper I can find. The description says, however, that the fungus likes alkaline and the ACV lowers the pH of the nail and skin. But then it says that taken internally, it alkalinizes. Now how would it do both? Is something else going on?
(Kansas)
06/19/2016
I know it's been years since you posted about your toes. I would like to talk/email to you with questions if possible. You mentioned several things, that I am having the same circumstances and would just like to hear more from you about your experience with the apple cider vinegar. Jennifer
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★☆
I had purchased the Dr Jarvis Book "Folk Medicine and Arthritis" and started the ACV and Honey(and one drop of Iodine every other day) and within a few days, my arthritis is improved by 85% and my lower back has been pain free for the first time in over a year.
And, my allergies seem so much improved too. Not completely, but so much better.
I am so pleased
(Laguna Woods, California)
06/11/2017
Five years ago I developed severe toxic mold poisoning from black mold in my home. I have read everywhere that vinegar is bad for mold sufferers because mold toxins thrive in that environment and vinegar is derived from a mold-like process. Does anyone know about this? Perhaps unfiltered ACV is safe. I have three toenails with fungus that drug store topicals could not get rid of. Been doing the pure ACV soke for almost two weeks but only for ten minutes once a day from a Japanese fungus code. I'll follow the 30mins X2 remedy from now on or/and bandage on a cotton ball for the night. Any ideas for me? Thank you very much Great site. Carmen
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(New York)
04/09/2011
Can Debbie from Melbourne please explain exactly what she did with the vinegar and soda. Did you soak it or make like a compress you placed on it? THANKS
(Melbourne, Australia)
04/10/2011
Maddy, for the nail fungus all I did was drink the apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons) morning and night with 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda (bicarb soda). I put nothing on my toe at all. The Apple Cider Vinegar will kill off the fungus inside the body including the toenails.
It will take about 3 months for it to be completely gone because new nail has to grow in. The new nail will be fungus free. I just kept cutting the old nail off as it grew.
(Rockledge, Florida Usa)
04/16/2011
Debbie, did you mix the apple cider vinegar with the baking soda or taken separatly?
(Ny, Usa)
04/28/2011
Thanks for your reply. How was your stomach from doing this for so long? I hear that too much vinegar can be damaging? I appreciate you taking the time to reply
Maddy
(New York, Ny, Usa)
06/06/2011
hello Debbie from Melbourne, Australia!
are you still taking your remedy or did it cure your fungus completely and are not taking it anymore? Just to clarify, you combined the vinegar and baking soda together and drank it in the morning and night? Thanks!
(Melbourne, Australia)
06/06/2011
Hi Mari, no I am not really taking it anymore and the fungus has never come back. I do occasionally take some ACV but I now just take the ACV with some honey in water rather than the baking soda though because the baking soda neutralises the stomach acid which affects your digestion.
(Melbourne, Australia)
06/06/2011
Yes I took the ACV both in the morning and night. I put nothing on my toes, just drank it and the toe fungus disappeared. You could see the new nail growing in clear - a slow process.
(Raleigh, North Carolina)
06/07/2011
Hello Debbie from Melbourne. Did you mix two tablespoons of ACV with water? Or did you just dump two tablespoons of ACV in an empty glass along with the baking soda and drink it without water?
(Santa Fe, Nm)
07/09/2011
quickly, is it an eighth or a fourth of the soda? two separate comments each have a different amount.
(Independence, Missouri)
01/06/2013
I have had toenail fungus for at least 30 years. It started in one big toe and the spread to the other. Now it has attacked 5 toes and 5 fingernails. I've tried a number of things, including TTO for several weeks, with no noticeable improvement. I would love to be able to drink the ACV and water mixture morning and night, but am afraid of how it will affect my digestive system and here's why:
Several years ago, someone convinced me to drink white vinegar. I only drank a tablespoonful, but it immediately caused serious stomach pain. As the pain worsened, I started vomiting and the vomiting would continue until I threw up bile and then blood. This developed into a terrible health problem that doctors couldn't diagnose or treat effectively. I've had two major GI surgeries and been in the hospital more times than I can count. I now take two prescription medications to keep these episodes from reoccurring.
Is there anything I could add to the ACV that would make it less irritating to my stomach? Is ACV with the mother less acidic than plain white vinegar? I've also heard it can cure sinus infections and several other illnesses, so I would really love to be able to take it. I can usually eat salad dressing and pickled foods, which makes me wonder what keeps the vinegar they contain from causing the same problems. Would including the ACV in my diet work the same as drinking it with water?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
(Louisville, Ky)
02/19/2013
Raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar is what you want. It is a different product entirly from white distilled vinegar. Yes, you can dilute it in water, use it for your salad dressing with olive oil or organic coconut oil and some oregano and basil or however you wish to take it. It does not affect the stomach the way you would think. It actually rids the body of ulcers. Just start slowly if you are concerned use 1/2 tsp instead of 2 Tblsps and see how you do on that. That is what I would do if it were me.
(Denver, Co, U.s.a.)
04/15/2013
To Carol who wrote of serious physical problems after ingesting white vinegar; white vinegar is made from coal tar and is in no way similar to raw apple cider vinegar.
(California)
07/21/2016
You mix the vinegar and soda with a glass of water.
Apple Cider Vinegar
So, since the end of November I have been doing the following:
1. Filing the surface of my nails every three to four days so that the nail is a thin as possible so the vinegar can penetrate the nail bed. I always use a fresh emery board to do this. You can buy long ones and cut them up into smaller pieces with a scissors.
2. Soaking my feet once a day for half an hour in a 50/50 mixture of organic ACV and water. I only use organic ACV which still has "the mother" in it (says it on the bottle). I've read that you should do this twice a day but I have a life! It's hard enough finding time to do it once!
3. I re-use the ACV/water mixture for a week, then mix another batch.
4. I cover my entire foot and my nails every day in Lamisil cream.
5. I blow dry my feet after soaking them in vinegar.
6. I either use a fresh towel every time I dry my feet, or I use paper towel. I never use the same towel twice as you can catch fungus from yourself by using a towel that has touched infected nails.
7. I put bleach on the floor of our shower every so often to kill germs.
8. I cut off any yellow and crumbly parts of the nails. This makes such a difference if you are planning to go out in public, as you will see from the photos I've attached. In the November ones, all the yellow fungus bits are still attached and my toes look awful. They're still awful, but with a lot of the yellow cut away, people really don't notice (though of course I do! )
9. I've been wearing open toe shoes every day - it's summer here right now. This is easier for ladies than for men - I got some really cute peep toe shoes - my awful big toe and the toe next to it are slightly visible but the shoes are so great, no-one notices because they are too busy looking at the shoes. I think there has been a slight improvement, but toenails grow so slowly, I guess I won't really know for at least another month or two. But, I will keep you all posted 'cos I know that if you're like me, you're just dying to know if any of the home remedies really work and it's so hard to find photos of anyone who has been cured, apart from the ones printed by companies trying to sell their products and it's hard ot know if they're real.
(Melbourne, Australia)
01/26/2011
★★★★☆
Just wanted to let you know how I'm getting on with the ACV. Some nails seem to have improved, others I'm not sure (big toes). I've decided that I will keep going for at least 4 months no matter what (been doing it for 2 months so far). I've uploaded two more photos to Flickr, taken this morning www.flickr.com/photos/31174923@N06/?saved=1
(Chicago , Il, Usa)
06/26/2011
Hello I looked at your pictures it looks like your nails are starting to grow out I just had a quick question I have the exact same problem on one of my toe nails, I've always used nail polish to cover it up and let my nail grow out to hide it. My nail grows and looks normal unless you pay full attention you cant notice its there but not attached. So did you at any point cut your nail or did you simply file it down?
(Melbourne Australia)
08/12/2017
I am reading your post in August 2017!! Dd your nails improve completely Debbie? I have severe fungus in 8 nails and am about to start your regimen of ACV. I need to know that it works because nothing else I have tried does and I have spent years on this rollercoaster without success.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Charlotte, Sc)
01/10/2011
I wanted to update and say that I'm still soaking my nails in ACV. I also drink about one tablespoon of ACV every day. Half of the big toenail came off the other day. I forgot to mention before that on the days that I don't have time to soak I take a capsule of Oregano Oil, stick it with a pin and put some on each nail. It even took away the pain (within minutes) of what was begining to be an ingrown toenail. It discolored my socks, but as I said before, I'd rather have healthy nails than white socks. My nails are still slightly discolored and I'm totally fine with that.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Began soaking in ACV, and literally, withing 3 days the big toe nail showed receeding "white." As of tonight, 3 weeks from start of soaking, my big toe nail has a 96% healthy appearance, and the other toe nails dramatic improvement ( ie. decreasing "white" nails ).
I will continue this soaking process, learned from postings here, and report back. Tonight I want to tell my results, and to note a friend mentioning that having a nail scraping tested helps to determine exactly what is the cause / source of the fungus.
Apple Cider Vinegar
(Dearing, Ga)
12/19/2009
Hi Deirdre and Susan. I would just like to let the two of you know that I have read that Grapefruit Seed Complex in liquid form can be used to treat nail fungus. This is a liquid and can be used for cleaning vegetables also. Tooth and gum infections if added to tooth paste. You can request a FREE catalog from herbalhealer.com and it tells what all it can be used for.
I HAVE NOT used this product. But this is what it states, That it can be put directly under the toes to help toe nail fungus. Some people also add 2 drops daily to glass of juice. It seems as this is a Fungus fighter internally and externally.
Hope this helps.
(Dearing, Ga)
12/19/2009
Hi Deidre. It's me again, I should tell you that this particular Grapefruit Seed Extract is said to be very potent and should always be DILUTED WHEN PUT ON SKIN! It DOES NOT, however give the dilution ratio, but does say one dropper full for a BATH...So I guess, it does need to be diluted. I am just not sure to the ratio. Maybe there is info on the kind you have as to dilution.
But then again, maybe it is speaking only for putting on the skin to be diluted. Because it says " It can be applied directly under toes to help toenail fungus."
Oh I feel so bad now, because I can't tell you for sure and I have the catalog. Sorry.
Ok I have found this in another part and it says " This is used for external wound that are not healing well.You must dilute this. 10 drops per cup of warm water-wash area four times a day." I know this still doesn't answer, if you dilute to go under toes or not.
Maybe you should start with diluted, first and see how that goes...I will post again if I find anything else out. I haven't tried google on this, so I will try that.
(Dearing, Ga)
12/19/2009
This is interesting Deirdre and Susan. Lots of information here.
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/health/toenailfungus.html
All kinds of reports from people, who used different methods.
Susan from holland - this won't work for you cos yours is a fungus and has to be treated differently but it should work for deirdre cos hers is a dye problem.
I get discolored fingernails from some chemicals I use at work. It is usually only 1 fingernail when the latex gloves I use break.
1. Light dye-leave a slice of lemon on it for about 5 mins daily.
2. Heavy dye-3% h2o2 painted on with a q-tip above and underneath the fingernail.This usually works for nail polish staining too.
3. Iodine-break open a vitamin c capsule and dilute with water, stick finger in glass. This solution will take iodine out of clothes and off countertops too.
So far, because I get to attack it immediately, I rarely have to do any of the first two for longer than 4/5 days and the vitamin c only once so I don't know if there are any long term effects i.e. weakening of the nails.
It would be very rare tho' for the dye to get below the nail onto the bed as they are tightly bound to each other.
If the acv dye is still on your skin, Deirdre, I can't see there being a problem with a little H2O2 in a footbath if Ted recommends it directly on the face overnight for rosacea.
(Holland, Pa)
12/20/2009
thanks to all of you for your input so far. I'm soaking in acv as i write. :) Its only day 3 so of course no results yet. Another few questions. I have been using tea tress oil as well for many years but this has done zero. Should I consider a different type oil such as grapefruit oil or coconut oil? I am confused about which oil to use. Do I apply this at night prior to bed or use it during the day? I do use powder to keep my feet dry as possible during the day and walk around in flip flops around the house. My feet of course are FREEZING in the flip flops:(
Thanks in advance for all of you!
(Atlanta, GA)
12/18/2009
I reused the acv a few times.
WARNING -- apple cider vinegar can dye your normal toenails a very ugly color if:
1) you don't dilute the acv with water
2) soak your toes too long
and
3) use cheap ACV from the grocery store
My toes are still discolored from doing the above 3 months ago!!
Deirdre
(Atlanta, GA)
12/19/2009
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Laguna Woods, California)
06/11/2017
Is it an absolute to use the unfiltered apple cider vinegar for soaking? It's $19 per gallon. But as I have read here I can reuse a few times.. hopefully. Thanks much, Carmen
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★☆
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Stanhope, NJ)
07/03/2009
Did you use straight, undiluted ACV? Did you soak the foot in the ACV, or did you apply it directly to the nails and leaving it on? rinsing? once a day? more often? My disabled son has terrible toenails. I've been hopping around with different treatments because I'm confused about which is the best way. Your success sounds encouraging. I'd like to try your method consistently for a while to see if we can get this under control. More details would be helpful. Thank you for your help.
Apple Cider Vinegar
However I'm emailing about toenail fungus. I have pretty severe fungus in nine toenails. (One little pinky toe is beautifully normal for some reason.) Since my early 20's I've had a tendency to athletes foot. It started in my toenails when I was pregnant. My son is now 22 so that's how long I've had this 'blight' in my toenails starting with just one and very slowly spreading to others over time. The athletes foot also never disappears. Have tried every over the counter product w/ no results. Have always stayed away from the prescription oral stuff. Over the years I kept it from bothering me by daily application of olive oil or jojaba oil after showering (rubbed into skin after toes are well dried). I keep my nails meticulously clean and as trimmed as possible. Summers are not fun for obvious reasons cited by others.
A week ago I did an online search about it as I occasionally have over the years, and this time I was immediately struck by your website! Five days ago I started soaking my feet in ACV. I'm stepping it up from once to twice a day: am and pm. I'm using 1 part ACV to 2 parts H20. I use regular ACV and put in a couple of TBSP of raw ACV to save on cost. I soak my toes for at least a half hour. Will continue this experiment and let you know how it goes! Regardless, I think this is an excellent website - Thanks!
(Minneapolis, Minnesota)
07/28/2009
★★★★☆
Check back:
I wrote in on June 21'09 after starting ACV soaks for my toenail fungus. I have now been diligently soaking my feet twice a day for six weeks. (See my previous post 6/21/09 for ACV/H2O amounts.) After a month I nearly lost hope because I couldn't see any real difference. Then I looked closer when trimming my nails. It was looking slightly different. With renewed hope - like others I'm in this for the fight - I kept up the soaks (my feet are in the bucket as I type this). My toenails are definitely changing, I can hardly believe it. It's happening v e r y s l o w l y. They look like they are starting to grow out normally at the base. The nasty debris/buildup is also diminishing though not entirely gone. No nails falling off however like others report. I am poised to begin Ted's remedies (got all the stuff) which was my next plan if I didn't see any change. Now I'm just continuing the vinegar soaks so I can watch the experiment further. For those of you asking about soaking vs. just applying ACV on the nails: I tried that a couple of years ago. YOU HAVE TO SOAK! I do it minimum 1/2 hr twice a day. I have had a severe case for 22 years! The soaking seems to get the solution into the nail and nail bed which is where the nasty bug is residing. Just applying the solution topically isn't enough; it dries before it can penetrate. I'm not yet done but this is amazing!! I will report back in a few weeks again!
(Minneapolis, Mn, Usa)
09/22/2009
Well it's time for another check-in, this time it's been two months. In brief the ACV is working! This is truly remarkable. It's like getting the best birthday or Christmas present I could ever have hoped for. Just remembering it sometimes during the day brings a good feeling. Here's where it's at: I've continued with twice daily soaks for 1/2 hour or more. If it's occasionally less time then I make up for it later. Improvement has continued gradually in the way described in my previous post. It is not entirely gone. Of nine nails affected, three appear totally cleared up and six are greatly improved. Two of the six, the big toenails, are nearly clear but it takes them longer to fully grow out because they have farther to grow! From the base to two thirds out they appear close to normal looking. In my case, my nails seem to improve first at the base where they grow out and gradually they continue growing out clean. Four stubborn ones still have some signs of the fungus but they too are changing. The ones that had it the worst are taking the longest. I'm so thrilled already that I don't worry much about sandals anymore - even though the nails don't look great, I know they're on their way! Actually they may never look quite the same. I read in Ted's posts that once the nail has become separated from the nail bed, it never grows back in that place and I'm finding that to be true. But for me it's a small price to pay, a scar I guess. Meanwhile I'm not completely out of the woods yet. I figure maybe it'll be six months total. I'm psyched! Will check back.
(Minneapolis, Mn)
03/21/2010
★★★★★
This is a check-in on my ACV toenail fungus cure. I am still soaking my toes twice daily in ACV and it is working! It's taken longer than I thought it would but it definitely works! I started with nine badly affected toenails. Six were completely normal after four months. The last three are slow but definitely getting better. I have no idea why three are taking so much longer. They were among the worst but other bad ones cleared up quicker. I started using ACV last June 2009. I guess it may take a year. It takes a little discipline and patience. But compared to the 23 years I've had it, a year seems quick! ACV works, it's amazing. Thank you so much Earth Clinic!!
p.s. to Phil and to Deirdre at E.C.: I used Grapefruit Seed Extract for a year before starting ACV. I painted it with a fine brush on each toenail morning and night. I started out using it diluted because of the burning you referred to. But soon I applied it carefully full strength and it didn't bother my skin. However this remedy did nothing to change my nails. Maybe it helped to slow it a little from getting worse, but it did not diminish the fungus already there. ACV is the only thing I have tried in 22 years that has made any and a total difference.
Thanks, Kate - Mpls, MN
(Seattle, Wa)
07/28/2012
Hi Kate, You might want to consider adding some FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and taking it internally mixed with some kind of juice or water. It has great reviews to helping grow hair/nails. Might help your toenails grow out even faster!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Fresno, CA)
05/21/2009
Wow, Im so glad this remedy worked for you.I have had toe nail fungus for 8 yrs now and have not worn sandals since i was 17! Im a girl and lets face it my summer dresses arent going to look good with tennis shoes.=) My podiatrist prescribed me the generic brand for lamisil and it has not worked! its been a month and yet nothing. Im also a mommy and would love to go to the beach and finally walk on the sand barefooted with my kids. So im going to try this tomorrow i just dont know where to buy ACV? Someone mentioned on the website about a certain brand and also organic ACV we have a Whole Foods store would it be there? If you have any suggestions or advice please throw them my way. Thanks in advance.
(Fort Collins, Colorado)
11/05/2011
You can buy regular ACV in the grocery store next to the white vinegar. Organic vinegar will be available at Whole Foods, but probably expensive there. Try to find a less expensive organic food store. We have sunflower and sprouts here in Colorado.
http://www.sunflowermarkets.com/Default.aspx
http://sprouts.com/home.php
Hope that helps.
