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.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Alice M. (Williston, Vermont) on 06/19/2023
★★★★★
Coconut Oil for Toenail and Foot Fungus
I've had calloused skin around my toenails for many months and saw a dermatologist and my primary care doctor (twice), and it was at the second visit with my primary care doctor that she said I had athlete's foot. I had no itching or flaking of skin...just thick skin around several toes and some redness. I used terbinafine as prescribed for several weeks, and the redness cleared up, but the calloused skin did not. Eventually, the fungus spread to four toes, and after treating those four toes with prescription nail polish for six months, the fungus spread to all toenails! Very frustrating!
I decided to try soaking in ACV (apple cider vinegar) 20-30 minutes, twice daily for several weeks, and that helped soften and loosen the calloused skin, but did not affect the toenail fungus. I then tried soaking my feet in 50/50 ACV and hydrogen peroxide 20-30 minutes, twice daily, for two weeks, and I was seeing improvement in my toenails, but I had to stop because of chemical burns on my skin. I then prayed earnestly for help, and praise God I received it! I sat in the sun and sprayed hydrogen peroxide on my toes and let it dry (5 mins or less to dry), then sprayed again and let it dry. I continued doing this for 45 minutes or so, and noticed small areas of my toenails were changing from yellow to pink in color. I did this for three consecutive days, with some improvement each day. However, I decided to try coconut oil because I needed to wear socks and shoes and had read on this website that coconut oil could be applied to the toes and covered with socks. For the past 8 days I've done the following:
- wash feet with liquid soap and scrub around toenails with a dedicated toothbrush wearing disposable gloves to protect fingernails
- dry feet and toenails thoroughly using paper towels
- apply coconut oil liberally to toes, rubbing it around toenails and all over foot, top and bottom, because I still have calloused heels. I put on clean cotton socks and shoes. I do this in the morning and again mid-afternoon (changing socks) if possible. I repeat at night and wear clean socks to bed.
- wash athletic shoes in washing machine and dry in the sun - every 4 to 6 weeks. Spray with disinfectant after each wearing & dry overnight. I have been using Lysol spray but have ordered isopropyl alcohol spray on Amazon for future use.
- spray sandals with hydrogen peroxide after each wearing and dry in the sun or overnight
The fungus has diminished very quickly, and I estimate it is reduced by 70%. Just amazing! This has been very encouraging, and I hope this helps others. I really appreciate this website and folks' willingness to take the time to share their success stories. Praise to God!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Julie (Hollywood, FL ) on 06/09/2021
★★★★★
Coconut oil for foot fungus:
After washing and drying your feet, apply liberally, 2 to 3 times a day, with a pair if cotton socks. You will see definite results in less than 10 days. The infected area will start to feel hard and the dead skin will eventually peel off.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Pat (New York, New York) on 05/23/2017
★★★★★
I tried over the counter and prescription remedies to cure my toe nail fungus. I read about coconut oil as a remedy and tried it. I applied organic coconut oil to all of my toe nails twice a day; bed time and in the morning. I covered my toes with socks so as not to stain my sheets. Within weeks I saw a difference in the color of my nails. Within a few months I could see new healthy nail growth. As my nails grew the discoloration disappeared. In less than 5-6 months I now have clear healthy toenails. No other product worked so well. I continue to apply coconut oil to my toes and feet as a preventative.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Ray (Atlanta, Ga) on 01/13/2017
★★★★★
I've hand a nail fungus in 6 of my fingernails for the past 15 years and realized a few months ago that the nail on one of my big toes had become infected. Over the years I have tried so many different remedies to no effect. Finally after an internet search back in Dec 2016 I found out about coconut oil as a cure and decided to try it. To my amazement, it is working as much of the fungus is gone. To say that I am happy is a complete understatement.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kais (Escondido, California) on 10/18/2016
★★★★★
Initially I was skeptical that coconut oil can cure toe fungus. For thirty years my left big toe was infected with fungus. The nail was very thick and painful to cut. I started putting coconut oil on my infected toe about six months ago. I applied the oil at least twice daily. About a month ago, the old nail started to die and a clear nail was growing. I started cutting the old nail with no pain and now the old nail is almost gone. I am waiting for the remaining old nail to separate from the new nail. Coconut oil does work for the treatment of toe fungus. I am continuing the treatment by applying oil two to three times daily. I highly recommend this treatment. By the way the treatment worked on the large toe. I have two small toes with fungus and I am trying to treat them with coconut oil. I hope I can succeed with the small toes.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kristbjörg (Reykjavik, Iceland) on 10/15/2016
★★★★★
I have had toenail fungus for 28-30 years. I have tried so many things to get rid of the fungus. Using tee tree oil 2-3 times a day for many months I could see it affected the fungus, it got dry hard and still more yellow but still stuck to the nailbed. Apple cider vinegar and baking soda, chlorine. Soaking my feet for 30 min every night in vinegar and salt or vinegar and baking soda. Too times I have taken terbinafine for many months at a time. This fungus medication is bad for you and each time the fungus was back in 2-3 months. Name it I think I have tried it all.
I had not heard anything about coconut oil regarding toenail fungus but I had heard about that it had some effect on fungus and I had used coconut oil in my scalp for some years because of dandruff and that seemed to be the only thing that worked.
I thought I had discovered something totally new with the coconut oil ;) that people did not know about. Why had nobody told me about this?
I started my treatment by cutting my nails as short as I could, all parts that were loose, then I took a new toothbrush (soft and dense type), brushed coconut oil over the nail and nailbed, every morning and evening. I think it was only about a week that I could see differense; the thick part under my nail was diminishing. Now its 5-6 months since I started with the coconut oil and my nails are without fungus plus they are smooth!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Reneemaried (New York) on 09/22/2016
★★★★★
A couple days I have been using coconut oil on my toes and I already see a big difference! I have had it for 2 years and tried every rememdy on the planet. I started wanting to fix it after it started spreading to my other toes. Even tried laser removal and that did nothing! I had one toe that was completely yellow and the nail was coming apart from my toe, its almost completely reattached! It was starting to get soft and fall off, now it's starting to get hard and lighter! My other toes that weren't so bad are also are turning back to normal! I am so excited I don't have to be so paranoid about my feet! I have been putting cocounut oil on my toes twice a day morning and night. I also just bought supplements to take so I can speed up the process! Definitely recommend!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Korah (Dayton, Oh) on 08/07/2016
★★★★★
Thank so much for this post on coconut oil!! I used to polish my toe nails all the time, mostly because of the yellow discoloration. I decided to go au natural, remove the polish and get rid of the yellow staining once and for all. I ran across this post thread and I gotta tell you, I am a believer! I've been using organic virgin coconut oil (unrefined) on my toe nails for two days and wow what an improvement! The yellow has faded by about 50 percent. The best part is that it is good for you (unless you're allergic to coconut, then maybe avoid it). I gotta say, I'm impressed. Thank you so much for writing this post.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Vali (Philippines) on 07/26/2016
★★★★★
This is very true, I am just applying coconut oil for only three days now but the improvement is so unbelievable. Thanks to all the info I've from the net.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Calvin (Mississippi) on 04/29/2016
★★★★★
Toes were black now are clearing. 1 month of coconut on toes.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kat (Los Angeles, Ca) on 01/20/2016
★★★★★
I have been ingesting coconut oil for 4 months and to my surprise my nails no longer have a fungus, are no longer thick, yellow or split. I am shocked how they have grown back as pink, thin and straight as my nails on my fingers! I did not have to rub coconut oil on my feet or nails directly, rather I simply ingested a 1-2 tablespoons 3x a week for the last 4 months. Now that I am a firm believer in the miracle of coconut oil I am going to start using it on my feet as well just to stay moisturized and help keep any fungal or bacterial infections away!
Side note: When I feel a sore throat coming on I will swish around a teaspoon of coconut oil in my mouth twice a day for 5-10 minutes. Each time no sore throat has developed, and my husband who has the same symptoms doesn't believe in the treatment so has refused and gets a full blown sore throat and cold, while I have no other symptoms.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Migrog67 (Santa Monica, Ca) on 05/08/2015
★★★★★
I have had athletes foot for nearly 50 years and a fungus on my left big toe for more than 35 years. The nail of the toe was completely black and the skin underneath the nail was hardened. The nail grew, but could not connect to the nail bed. I've had the nail completely taken off by a podiatrist as I was told that was necesary to start a new growth. Over these many years, I have tried one remedy after another and was told the only sure cure might also damage my liver. I opted to just wear closed toe shoes for the rest of my life rather that risk death due to a damaged liver.
I began using coconut oil in my food and on my skin for health reasons about 3 years ago, but just this past week, I read that it was also beneficial for nail fungus and decided to give it a try. Lo and behold, after only three days of use - morning and night, I can't believe that the color has begun to come back to my nail! I was so surprised that I decided to take a picture of the nail so that I could show its progress and put it on YouTube. I wish I had taken a picture the first night because no one would believe what it looked like just 3 days ago. Obviously I have a long way to go. The hard calcification under the nail is still there, but for only three days use, I didn't really expect it to. I also didn't expect that the color would have begun to return either. What a blessing and pleasant surprise.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Kevin (Virginia, US) on 03/26/2015
★★★★★
Unrefined Organic Coconut oil completely cured my toenail fungus! I couldn't believe how well it worked and how easy it was. I had fungus on my right big toe for about 5 years and I tried everything I knew of to get rid of it. I had a little success with citricidal but it only improved the condition and didn't cure it.
My procedure was as follows: I first cleaned the affected area thoroughly with cuticle scissors, careful to remove absolutely every bit of affected nail and tissue that I could; I did this on a regular basis. In the mornings, I put a little dab of unrefined organic coconut oil on the affected area and covered it with a flexible fabric bandaid so that the area could breathe while keeping the oil in place. In the evenings, before bed, I rubbed a little oil into the affected area and did not apply a bandaid. I don't know how long it took to clear up but it wasn't very long, maybe a couple of weeks. Amazing!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Stienster (Europe) on 03/05/2014
★★★★★
Organic Coconut oil has cured my toenail fungus. I used it once daily on all toes and in between toes (started using it to stop athlethes foot fungus between toes). I no longer have calcified nails! They are now oddly straight- they were NEVER straight. No more deformed yellow ingrown nails and I no longer have any incidence of athletes foot fungus. It took two years for the nails to be noticably healed, and I will continue to use the oil daily after showering. I only swipe at my toes really- not doing any special massage or involved application procedure. I just make sure my oily fingers first contact all nails then go in between toes. Thats it! Persistance pays off in this case.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Caitlin (Austin Texas) on 01/10/2014
★★★★★
I can totally believe this! I had a toenail that I noticed had become detached and was hanging on only at the base. The area under the toenail was raw & uncomfortable.. I'd never had this happen before -- an entire toenail detaching! So I researched on-line and discovered that this could be caused by a fungus that occurs when thick layers of toenail polish are consistently used . The fungus thrives under the toenail particularly when enclosed by socks and shoes. Having read about Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) for foot fungus, I first took off the polish on both feet, thoroughly washed them and applied VCO to them. I did not take the dislodged toenail complete off, I simply put extra VCO under it and closed it. I then slept with socks on that night. Low and behold, when I checked it the next morning, the sem-unattached toenail had come off, but, a new toenail had already begun in its place" It was soft and pink and almost fully formed, looking, compared to the rest of my toes, like the toenail of a younger me. Now, I no longer wear thick nail polish on my nails now that I know that it can cause a fungus that can harm them. Live and Learn! CAT
