Nail Fungus
Health Benefits

ACV for Toenail Fungus: Effective Natural Treatment

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.

62 User Reviews

5 star (52) 
  84%
4 star (8) 
  13%
2 star (2) 
  3%

Posted by Kate (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) on 06/21/2009

My mother 82, has used ACV/H2O for arthritis since her 30's for joint pain (from Dr. Jarvis's book). She has always sworn by it. From watching her, I now have tried it for joint pain - with success!

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!

Replied by Kate
(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!

Replied by Kate
(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.

Replied by Kate
(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

Replied by Vreed27
(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
Posted by Angela (Te Kauwhata, New Zealand) on 05/06/2009
★★★★★

Having suffered with a horrible, unsightly, fungus ridden big toenail for many years I was delighted to find this site which offered natural remedies to cure the problem. I had previously taken lamisal tablets to rid the problem. This left me with an upset stomach. After weeks of taking the medication I couldn't bare the side effects of it any longer and stopped taking it. The fungus quickly appeared again. After all that I have found Apple Cidar Vinegar was the answer. I mixed around 1/4 cup of ACV with enough water to place my big toe in. I soaked the toe morning and night in this mixture. I then applied Lamisal cream under the toenail. I also heeded someone elses advice not to put nail polish on the toe as it allows the fungus a lovely dark environment to thrive in. To cut a long story short, my perserverance paid off and I am thrilled to say that my big toenail is now completely fungus free. Thank you ACV and Earth Clinic!

Replied by Fancy
(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.

Replied by Pete
(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.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nat (Huntsville, AL) on 04/30/2009
★★★★★

Vinegar can and does work wonders on mild to moderate toenail fungus. I used ordinary Heinz white vinegar and experienced amazing results after just a week. I'm sure ACV would provide equal or better results. After 2-3 weeks of treatment, the fungus was just about totally knocked out and I haven't had any problems since.

Of course, the studies probably don't support this - but why would they? Who has anything to gain from cures that involve a $3.00 bottle of vinegar?

EC: Nat, how long did you soak your nails for?

Replied by Nat
(Huntsville, AL)
05/01/2009

Not long. I just covered the nail with a generous amount of vinegar and then allowed it to air-dry. I did this 1-2 times per day for a few weeks, until the thickness and discoloration were almost totally gone. After just a few days, I was able to remove large amounts of flaky whitish matter from under the nail - presumably the dead fungus. I continued applying the vinegar and removing the foreign matter until I was satisfied with the results. I still apply vinegar once a week or so for maintenance, and have had no further trouble with the nail.

I had been considering getting Lamasil or Penlac before trying this, but figured I might as well give it a try first - and I'm very glad I did. More severe cases may not respond as well, but I'd say it's worth a shot.

EC: Thanks very much for updating us!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rin (London, UK) on 04/05/2009
★★★★★

I have been using ACV on my toenail fungus for just one week and the results are amazing. I have had this on my big toe for a very long time and nothing would shift it, nothing that is until I started using ACV. This what I do every night..

Soak a cotton wool ball in ACV
Place it over my toe and stick down with a plaster
leave it on over night
Remove in the morning and shower
In just one week ACV has nearly removed all of the black part of my toenail, it just went soft and fell off. I know i will have to wait for the new nail to grow back but im thrilled to bits


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Suzann (Titusville, New Jersey) on 03/16/2009
★★★★★

Hi, I am following up with my results as promised on the Earth Clinic website. I wrote on 2/19 that I was going to start treating my "large" toe - with ACV. Well, it has been almost four weeks. I am happy to say, my four small toes are close to being totally cleared up and my large toe (my main concern) has lost the large, crusty, black striped nail and a new toenail bed is under! I was thrilled to see this! My nail fell off and on my toebed was new pink toenail. Now, I will see if my toenail grows back clear and healthy once again. Hope this helps and encourages you to use Apple Cider Vinegar on your "fungus infected toes!" It works!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bill (St. Louis, MO, USA) on 02/02/2009
★★★★★

My lady friend developed a severe case of some type of yeast or fungus overgrowth. It began as a red area under one breast, and soon spread to both breasts, upper chest, stomach and groin area. I suspect a recent injection of steroids (to relieve poison ivy) to be the cause, but that is only speculation. This rash was severe. She was Dr. prescribed a cream and then a powder-- with little effect. I recommended the Apple Cider Vinegar Cure, along with making sure the affected area stayed clean and dry. We applied (again, use only), organic, unfiltered, non-pasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar. She applied the ACV directly to the affected area. It is important to note that applying the ACV to a severe rash is Very Painful! I suggest that if you cannot tolerate the pain, you might start with a diluted (50%?) mixture until some of the "rawness" disappears. RESULTS: 100 Percent CURE! Absolutely amazing. She continued the application for about two weeks, with results beginning immediately. Her skin dried completely, the rash and finally the redness disappeared. Thank You Earthclinic, Thank You Ted!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sam (Scipio, IN) on 11/18/2008
★★★★★

After reading about using apple cider vinegar to cure toenail fungus, I decided to give it a try. Not being a patient person, & wanting it GONE ASAP, I applied ACV relentlessly. I dabbed it on morning & night, as well as soaked a cotton ball with ACV, placed it on the nail, & wrapped a strip of tape around it to keep it on the fungus during the day. Sometimes I wore old socks & poured the ACV directly on the socks over the affected toes. The pressure of my shoes kept the vinegary sock in contact with the fungus all the time. Let me just say this - ACV works! In less than a month, I have a healthy pink toenail.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shelly ( Iowa, Iowa) on 10/26/2008
★★★★★

I found this website when looking for cures for my daugher's warts, she has several on her hand. We taped small pieces of banana peel to each wart every night and two are gone, two are getting much smaller, so I'm positive they will disappear. I can't remember how long it has taken, but I would guess at least 1 month. We would forget several nights too.

Also, I found the rememdy of ACV for toe fungus and have soaked my foot every nite for about 1 or 1-1/2 months. The toenail isn't completely grown out yet, but this new growth is looking very clear, so I think that worked and it will grow out clean.

Thank you for cheap and easy remedies.

Replied by Ringlette
(Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
10/18/2009

I'm writing in response to your post regarding warts. I do a great deal of travelling, and I somehow contracted a wart on the top of my big toe. For a year and a half, I tried everything that was offered from the pharmacy, including a home burning kit, but nothing worked. The wart would get smaller, but it wouldn't go away. Finally, I tried oregano oil. Twice a day I put a few drops on the wart and put a bandaid over it - the wart was completely and permanently gone in approximately one week. I tried the oregano oil for toenail fungus, and, unfortunately, have not had the same success. Please note, not all oregano oils are created equal - this is one product you get what you pay for. Some are diluted with olive oil and are not as good quality. Anyways, hopefully you get the results, you need with the banana peel treatment. If not, perhaps you might consider this alternative


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Walt (Buena Park, CA) on 08/09/2008
★★★★★

Nail Fungus: At the Veterans Hospital they told me to use Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, mixed with one part water. Not beliving it I tried it anyway and wala it worked. However I mixed it to one part each with Hydrogen Peroxide. The pills my private doctor gave me did'nt work.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Solomon (Ottawa, Canada) on 06/05/2008
★★★★★

I got nail fungus two three years ago. more than a year I used penilac which does not help me anything. I bought "No more nail fungus" online but help little. I read online about apple cider vingar, it was unbelivable with in 15 days I saw white nail is growing and black staf coming out form my nail. (i had sever nail fungus) now I am happy with the result. solomon


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Linda (Clyde, Texas) on 02/07/2008
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I've used ACV for many problems including fungal infections. When my son came back from Iraq he had a horrible case of athletes foot. I used 1 cup ACV and distilled water as a foot soak and the infection cleared up completely. He only needed to do the foot soak 1 night. Also, I developed that horrible toenail fungus like my mother had...thick yellow nails with a flaky exudate underneath...I started soaking my toenails in ACV straight from the bottle. After a 10 minute soak, I would use a q-tip and get the ACV up under the nail. Within a week, I had healthy growth of my nails. Now they are completely normal. The prescription for this was $600 which I couldn't afford. The ACV was $3.95 and I only had to use a shot glass of it every night for a week to clear up the problem. Once new growth was healthy, I stopped the toe soaks and have not had to use it again.

I've used ACV to get rid of ringworm too. It works as quickly as black walnut hull extract. Just dab it on with a cotton ball, and BLOW as it burns. It may burn, but it works.

Finally, I worked in Iraq for a year and developed a horrible fungus in my sinuses and had to have emergency surgery. The fungus would always come back and I finally cleared the infection by using ACV in my nasal irrigator every day. I put 1 mL of ACV in a WaterPik bowl, with warm water. It burned and made my eyes water, but I could BREATHE! Anytime I have symptoms of that fungal infection, I immediately start using ACV in my nasal wash. Anytime I have the slightest symptom of cold or sore throat, I use a shot glass of plain ACV and the symptoms are gone with 1 dose. Now my BP is getting high, so I know what to do...I never should have gotten off of it. This is a great site by the way. For beauty, I've used a water/ACV mixture to tighten pores and to eliminate dulling from shampoo. My dogs get 1 mL of ACV in their drinking water every day and NEVER have fleas or ticks. I don't have to purchase expensive flea remedies. Just a little ACV will do it, but you have to be consistent with it.

Replied by Carlji
(Davis, Ca)
07/24/2011

I have just started using Apple cider vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide to soak my feet. No idea whether it will cure the toenail fungus, but the irritation between my toes is gone. My feet feel cool and dry during the day, not clammy. (I am wearing sandals with socks. If I were wearing shoes in this heat, my feet might feel worse). Additionally, after a two minute soak, I can further trim my mis-shapen toenails. This makes using the vinegar/peroxide soak worth it to me, whatever long run effect it does or does not have on my toe nail fungus. Let you know about that in a couple of months.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jim (Gainesville, FL) on 08/23/2007
★★★★★

I had a fingernail fungus develop on every finger on one hand, and didn't want to take prescription meds. A doctor friend of mine advised that soaking the nails in ACV every day would eventually kill the fungus. He said it would take time but be patient. I started soaking my fingernails for 15 minutes every day a year ago. All of my nails have SLOWLY grown out healthy except the tip of one nail is almost healed. It has been a slow process, but it works - with no meds!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Trac (Ireland and Dubai) on 10/31/2006
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar with water 50-50 soaked my feet as per advice on this board for about 10-20 min. at night. and if I had time in the day on the weekends I would do it twice. It cured nail fungus the fastest time ever and completely !!! This works but you must do it everyday and you will see a difference.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by R Moore (Cincinnati, OH)
★★★★★

I had fungal toe for years, could not take the huge green pill, so tried ACV and have been free of the fungus for 10 years. I stopped taking ACV and within a week the fungus was back, so now I take a shot in the morning and at night.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jeff (Mnassas, VA)
★★★★★

Soak each foot in at least a 50/50 water/acv solution for 2 to 3 days, for 30 minutes each and you will rid your feet of any fungus/ athlete's foot and soften and exfoliate your skin to boot. Much harder to get at the nail fungus though.



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