Nail Fungus - My Home Remedies

Home Remedies for Nail Fungus

WARNING: This home remedies site is intended to be archival in nature. The natural remedies here are submitted by numerous people from around the world, and we have no way to test or verify every remedy. As such these home remedies should be used for academic purposes only. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

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Nail Fungus Home Remedies:

Submitted by I'd rather not see a doctor. at 2008-09-20 13:26:33
For nail fungus, I tried everything, and as a last ditch effort, I took that little tube of anti-itch cream that comes with yeast infection treatments, and rubbed a small amount into and around the nail. It showed improvement by the next morning. Of course it has taken a while to grow out but it has stopped becoming infected, and I have only healthy nail growth. I used it in the morning after my shower, and at night before bed. If I was at home I would use it as often as I could.
rating: 9 (7 votes)

Submitted by Finally at 2008-07-16 23:06:35
Unbelievable that this works. Have tried many, many other home remedy alternatives. But I tried Jojoba oil on a whim and it actually clrared it up. It noticeably worked around the dges within the first week of applying it twice a day. I decided to file the top surface of the nail a bit and then the entire nail was better after another week or two. Well worth a try if nothing else has worked. Spread the word and good luck!
rating: 8 (2 votes)

Submitted by Dr Ben Lynch at 2007-10-31 01:06:48
The basic premise behind this odd sounding natural toenail fungus treatment is to soften nails with beer, create an acidic environment with vinegar which is beneficial to good bacteria and deadly to fungus and then penetrate nails with specific beneficial bacteria to help kill and prevent further recurrences.

Essential Ingredients:
# Acidophilus Sachets containing a specific strain of 125 billion organisms. You find these at HealthE Goods or email ben AT healthegoods DOT com (to prevent spam)

# Guiness Stout beer or any other dark beer (Guiness is the one proven to work).

# White Vinegar

# Basin big enough for your feet or hands

# Time

# Persistence and Consistency

Natural Toenail Fungus Treatment Procedure:
# In tub, pour 1 liter of room temperature beer into a basin

# Add 1/2 a sachet which is 60 billion acidophilus and other strains.

# Add 1 liter of White Vingear

# Soak clean feet in the solution for 30 minutes before bed or when best for you.

# On removing your feet or fingernails from the basin, file the nails down with a pumice stone or file

# After each 3rd day, toss out the entire solution mixture and remake using the formula: 1 liter of white vinegar, 1 liter of dark beer and the remaining half of one sachet. This keeps the solution's ingredients in active live form. If too old, it will not work.

# Repeat for 30 days every day. Do not skip a day for best results.

# Do twice a day for faster results

What to look for:
As fungus gets killed by this natural toenail fungus treatment, you will notice new nail growth from the nail base coming in clear. This is a good sign. Some people see clearing at the base within one week and some people see clearing at the base in one month. It all depends on how fast your nails grow and how often you soak them.

Make sure you do this toenail fungus treatment daily. Make it a routine. Watch some TV, read a book or wash the dishes for 30 minutes.

If you know your nails grow slowly, then consider MSM or Silicea 6x cell salts as they have shown to increase nail growth.

This anti-fungal protocol is an excellent way to help prevent liver damage via Lamisil.

I estimated the total cost of this procedure to be about $200.00 That is very inexpensive compared to Lamisil - and much healthier to your liver.

Even if you drink a couple Guiness Stout while you do the soak - it may still be safer than Lamisil on your liver. :)

I have had over 42,000 people read this information and a decent percentage email me. It is great to hear that this treatment is working well.

I had one elderly woman with longterm fungal toenails report excellent results.

She also had an unexpected benefit: her plantar warts fell out from the bottom of her feet allowing her to walk comfortably for the first time in years.

Give it a shot - it is safe, effective, inexpensive. Yes it takes some work, but popping a liver toxic Lamisil pill for 3 months daily also takes work - especially repairing the damaged liver. You only get one liver.

An immunology professor, Dr Sheryl Berman, PhD, did a study on about 35 different acidophilus companies and found that only one had the actual amount of live bacteria it claimed in the container - some of the companies stated 1 billion live bacteria per capsule and contained...none. The sachets that I provide claim 125 billion per sachet and at manufacturing have 170 billion.

Choosing a different dark beer that is less expensive may hinder your success. I have not had reports of other effective dark beers so I am not sure. You can give it a shot but you are only saving a few bucks while investing 30 days of soaking. That is pennies per day extra. Worth the risk? If you have time, it would be good to know if the others worked...if they do, let me know :)

You may find the Acidophilus Sachets at HealthE Goods - along with the MSM and Silicea cell salt.

Should you have questions, please comment. I'm here to answer them and help your nails recover!
Enjoy healthy nails once again! It's summer - put on those sandals!

Dr Ben, ND

rating: 7 (10 votes)

Submitted by LG at 2007-06-11 17:37:16
One's own urine is the best, most efficient treatment for fungus. I had fungus on both big toes. After trying OTC treatments and tea tree oil with emu oil the fungus continued to spread and threatened the nail matrix. I started wearing polish to hide my nails! (I never wear polish!).
I read about urine treatment and figured it couldn't hurt. It worked fast. The fungus stopped spreading after one soaking. Within a month the affected nails were lifting so I pulled them off. I then soaked the fresh under-nail skin in my urine. Both nails have grown back healthy and pink.
Save your money and stop the fungus with your own rememdy.
rating: 6 (33 votes)

Submitted at 2011-05-03 07:22:15
I was told to use Vick's Vapor Rub daily on the nails. I could tell a differance in a few days. It took a long time to completely go away and grow out, but it did wonders!
rating: 6 (9 votes)

Submitted at 2011-04-02 19:40:19
My 94 year old mother in law has toenail fungus in all ten toenails. It has been going on for years. First, I use an emery board on the tops of all the nails then I soak her feet in ACV and hot water, dry her feet and then apply tea tree oil to all the nails and around them. If her nails need to be trimmed, I do it after the hot foot bath. Most importantly, all of her socks have been replaced with Ecosox, they are made of bamboo fiber and they wick the moisture away from her feet. She no longer uses any socks with acrylic fiber. She wears her socks to bed at night so I had to find something that wouldn't promote any further fungus. Moisture always promotes fungus. After 2 months, one large toenail fell completely off (with a beautiful new nail growing in). Four out of ten have no fungus and all the other nails are improving dramatically. I can see the new, clean nails coming in from the base of the nail bed. We soak her feet every other day. On the off days, I apply tea tree oil directly to the nails and around them. I am happy with her progress and so is she. No drugs, no poisonous products. Remember, your skin absorbs everything it comes in contact with so be careful using any harmful chemicals.
rating: 6 (11 votes)

Submitted at 2007-01-14 23:14:28
An RN told me to use rubbing alcohol to destroy the membrane around the fungus and then soak in bleach. I had a fungus on my fingernail and followed her advice. I also used a product called Fung Off. You can get it at Sally's Beauty Supply. Do the alcohol, bleach then Fung Off in that order as many times as you can every day. Mine cleared up in less than two weeks.
rating: 6 (29 votes)

Submitted by patthom at 2010-10-07 15:29:23
I'm amazed at the appearance of my toenails now. I've had nail fungus, discoloration, thickening of the nails for nigh on 20 years. Refusing to take any oral meds, I was on Penlac for one year and it did nothing except deplete the wallet. July of this year I began the suggested one part vinegar (cheap white) and one part water. I save the mix and reuse for quite a while. I've soaked my toes for 30-50 minutes daily excepting while on holiday (and only at that time using nail polish). A bit over three months and my nails are clear--can be cut easily. Such a simple remedy accomplished while reading a book daily. Wow! It really works!
rating: 6 (6 votes)

Submitted at 2008-05-19 11:59:20
For toenail or fingernail fungus, apply tea tree oil with a Q-tip at least twice a day (I do it after showering and before bed). Make sure not to re-use the same part of the Q-tip after you touch it to your fungal nail. I do all of my nails, although I only have fungus on one, to prevent the spread. After the tea tree oil I rub in some Vick's vapo-rub and leave it on. My nail is improving drastically!! This works because tea tree oil, menthol, and camphor (found in Vick's) are all natural anti-fungals. However, you must continue the treatment until the fungal nail is completely grown out and for a while after it grows out to be sure that the fungus is completely gone.

If you must wear shoes, change your socks as often as possible to keep the feet clean and dry - fungus loves moisture!! I go barefoot or in sandals as often as possible as well.
rating: 6 (22 votes)

Submitted by Roni at 2008-02-27 12:47:37
I had a fungus on my thumb nail for years. I tried everything.
What finally worked was soaking it in Listerine mouth wash. It was gone in a couple of weeks, and has never returned!
rating: 6 (5 votes)

Submitted by C Jones at 2012-02-29 10:55:43
I have been using the Vics vaporub remedy for the last 4 months on big toenail fungal infection. It has prevented spread but not completely removed. Still impressed!

Just browsing pharmacies today, came across Canesten solution (1% clotrimazole) recommended for nail infections.

Well I have some of their thrush cream and it's 2% clotrimazole!

So, remedy - thrush cream on your toes!
rating: 6 (5 votes)

Submitted by Larry at 2011-04-30 03:24:27
I used a magnifying glass and concentrated the sunlight around all of my toenails for about 30 seconds. I did this about three times within an hour for two days. It has been a week and I am seeing the black area in one of my toenails beginning to vanish. I also used a over the counter anti-fungal liquid to ensure that I do not contract it again from my shoes or socks. I am going to hit my nails with the magnifying glass about once a week (permitting I have sunlight). I suggest that people get a smaller magnifying glass rather than a large one. I bought one that was about four inches by 3 inches and the focal point of the sun light was too large and too intense. I was thankful the magnifying glass had a smaller bifocal section, about one inch in diameter, that I used. I also want to add that I did use the larger glass on my nails, but I did not focus it to the point where it burned. I focused the light to a point where I felt heat but did not burn me.
rating: 5 (12 votes)

Submitted by ali at 2011-06-11 19:38:39
hi i read these remedies and really was not too convinced but i went to the store bought apple cider vinegar and compound w that night i put the compound w on the nails i had 2 that were so thick i could not cut them with clippers and they had been like this for 20 plus years well the next night i noticed that a piece of the nail was coming off (flaking)so i got the emery board a wide one and filed it down well imagine my surprise i have 2 completely normal nails now after 2 applications do yourself a favor and try it it cost less than 10.00 and i can finally wear sandals thank you so much to who ever printed this tip
rating: 5 (11 votes)

Submitted at 2007-04-27 10:24:09
Keep your nails clipped back as far as you can without causing pain, and rub Vicks Vaporub into the nail and the skin around the nail two times daily. You may have to continue this for several weeks or months before noticing improvement.
rating: 5 (14 votes)

Submitted at 2011-11-27 20:43:40
RAPIGEL

That's it, thats all you need, 1 product.
Rapigel is a Horse & dog linament, but has all the ingredients and no fuss.
Wash your feet morning and night and afterwards just rub into roughened nail bed and all over feet. It helps keep them dry as well. You can buy this product from any Pet and Produce store, but it is an Australian product, but also safe to use on us as well. Because it's a gel it dries quickly but absorbs into the nail, so no soaking. This has worked for me and I have had toenail fungus on both of my big toes for over 15 yrs years. Try it it's the same as using all the other combinations of products and cheaper in the long run.
rating: 5 (7 votes)

Submitted by Assaf CK at 2012-03-31 17:24:51
Rubbing Alcohol
---------------

I used rubbing alcohol - that is, a 70% alcohol solution in water - on my toenails for about 3 months now, morning and evening, and at this point, slightly more than half of my big toe's nail is clear. That said, the clear nail still has something a little imperfect about it. I believe that after a year or two of this, the nails would be completely healthy. The alcohol is easy to use, and evaporates relatively quickly. I bought a dropper and the alcohol at a pharmacy. I dripped a few drops, waited for it to dry and then dripped once more. Thus, morning and evening, as mentioned. Once a week I brushed the nails with a rigid brush. As for the price, the rubbing alcohol costs about 2 dollars for 100cc bottle which lasts about a week. So, this seems to work.
rating: 5 (7 votes)

Submitted at 2007-05-02 14:25:01
Rubbing lavender essential oil on your nails will clear it up. Tea tree oil also works.
rating: 5 (4 votes)

Submitted by jeannie at 2009-03-17 19:58:39
Trim all of the white back from your nails. If they are thickened, file the surface down closely as well. Then soak daily in apple cider vinegar (undiluted) for at least 20 minutes followed by hydrogen peroxide for the same amount of time. Yes - it's a long time and if you can take more time that will work even better. But find a time when you're going to watch a tv show or sit at your computer and give that time to doing this as well. Once it appears to be gone continue to do this several days a week. If this is on toenails, wear open toe sandals, get some sun on your feet, don't eat sugar. It will completely clear up without crazy expensive drugs that destroy your liver.
rating: 5 (10 votes)

Submitted by Susan at 2011-06-15 18:26:23
My 87-year-old mother had terrible nail fungus and nothing seemed to get rid of it. The homecare place she is staying at couldn't help her either because she wouldn't let them go near her...she's only comfortable around members of her family and people she knows.

I read a few reviews about Fungusil and another treatment called Zerofungus. Has anyone tried these and can you please tell me which one worked for them. Thanks.
rating: 5 (13 votes)

Submitted by Janeen at 2012-04-09 23:21:20
I Have had toenail fungus for 20 years on my big toe. The nail was lifted almost all the way, but still attached. I then read about the Listerine solution and since I already some for my gums, I thought why not? I might add I got the generic and I got the antiseptec blue color. However, I didn't like the idea of soaking my foot so I got an eye-dropper and daily put four or five droppers full under the nail until it ran out and into the sides of the nail. My nail was already green and thick and I could see the blue line under the nail so I knew it was reaching where I wanted it to go. After a couple of weeks I could see new pink nail coming up. It's now been several months and my nail is seventy-five percent pink and normal. I won't use nail polish untl it is totally cured. The hardest part of this procedure is lifting my leg up onto the sink. It takes all of one minute once a day and I am very excited to finally have a clear toenail in sight. I never filed the thick nail and used just one nail file for that toe so as not to contaminate the other nails. The end is in sight. Hope this works for others.
rating: 5 (10 votes)

Submitted by Janet at 2008-06-11 15:06:55
I purchased raw apple cider vinegar from whole foods market and i have been using everyday. I have made it very strong with vinegar stronger than what is suggested. I have seen a major improvement in my brown toenails in one week. I also have been using an antifungal medicine as well. I also have been cutting out the brown spots every time my nail gets longer enough. I use tee trea oil also just mixing up the treatment. It has worked.
rating: 4 (7 votes)

Submitted by PinkGirl_Alltime at 2007-03-03 19:34:03
Okay this is a really good remedy I did it and they were whiter after I did it, I swear! Fisrt you take lemon juice and soak your toenails in it for 5 minutes don't wash them!!!!! Then brush your toenails with toothpaste. After that wash they with warm water. Dry your feet and wait 3 minutes and get a nail file and buff the top of your nails real good. Put your toes in in water and dry them off and last put on 2 coats of clear growing nail polish.
rating: 4 (11 votes)

Submitted at 2011-11-12 06:32:56
My remedy for nail fungus is 100% pure tea tree oil. That's it, that's all that is needed.

Prior to using tea tree oil, I did some research online to find out the best commercial products to use and found many mention of Loceryl and the like, but I found it was too costly for my taste. So I researched online again for 'natural' remedies and came across tea tree oil. It just so happens that I had some on hand, so I decided to use it one night. The 1st week, just by running my finger over the top of my big toe, I felt a big difference as my big toe previously contained ridges and was not smooth. I clipped my nails very short, and applied more tea tree oil very other day, and in the 2nd week, the nail fungus was 80% gone. Now, I am in my 3rd week, and the nail fungus is completely gone.

So, please don't shell out your $50 for no commercial products, but instead get yourself a bottle of 100% tea tree oil for less than $20 and you will be set. It is good for a host of remedies including dandruff, lice, fungus, etc. due to its anti-bacterial elements.

Now, I am a very happy camper.
rating: 4 (11 votes)

Submitted at 2011-08-25 17:14:35
Tea Tree Oil plus DMSO

you can order both online or get them at a health store. mix equal parts in a small container. several times a day, or whenever you think about it, shake the container to mix, and use a Qtip to apply to the top and the skin around the affected nail. I usually remembered before i went to bed and when i washed my hands after using the restroom.

this remedy helped me clear up severe finger nail fungus that i acquired by being a bartender and having my hands in water for 25 hours a week. with regular use, it took about four months. if my nail looks like it is starting to separate again, i will just apply this solution for a week, and it usually goes back to normal.

*before i tried this, i had tried lamisil pills, peroxide, garlic, vick's vapor rub, and various over the counter remedies.
rating: 4 (7 votes)

Submitted by Cure for Nail Fungus at 2010-04-08 14:22:31
I've tried most of the home remedies for nail fungus in this forum. After about 8 years, I still had nail fungus. The only thing that cured my nail fungus was a new product called Fungiban (fungiban.com). After about two months, the nail fungus was just about gone and I kept using it until my healthy nails grew out fungus free. Any solution doesn't do any good if the solution can not completely penetrate the nail.
Fungiban did it for me, finally!

Brad
rating: 4 (4 votes)

Submitted at 2010-06-06 07:35:56
I fought a big toe nail fungus for 15 years. It got to a stage where there was no nail left attached to the toe. I went to Dermatologists, Podiatrists and even took lamisil tablets with loceryl/cure a nail lotion for over 5 years, all to no avail. I considered having the nail removed completely. I then came accross the beer vinegar treatment which worked.

I reduced the amout by 1/3 so has to just cover my toe in a small bowl.

Acidophilus Sachets containing a specific strain of 125 billion organisms.

Guiness Stout beer or any other dark beer (Guiness is the one proven to work).

White Vinegar

Basin big enough for your feet or hands

Time

Persistence and Consistency

Natural Toenail Fungus Treatment Procedure:

In tub, pour 1 liter of room temperature beer into a basin

Add 1/2 a sachet which is 60 billion acidophilus and other strains.

Add 1 liter of White vinegar

Soak clean feet in the solution for 30 minutes before bed or when best for you.

On removing your feet or fingernails from the basin, file the nails down with a pumice stone or file

After each 3rd day, toss out the entire solution mixture and remake using the formula: 1 liter of white vinegar, 1 liter of dark beer and the remaining half of one sachet. This keeps the solution's ingredients in active live form. If too old, it will not work.

Repeat for 30 days every day. Do not skip a day for best results.

rating: 4 (9 votes)

Submitted by Brent at 2011-08-02 10:41:40
My wife has worked for a foot doctor for several years and she has always told me, never use the prescriptions for nail fungus. As an aircraft mechanic, I knew that some fungus will grow in our fuel tanks, so I had to find something that would kill the fungus and not me. I took a seringe from my wisdom teeth experience, and filled it with 92% alcohol. Not the low percentage, so make sure it's above 90%. I would cut the nail back, put a file under the edge and lift it just enough to squirt the alcohol under it. I'm not going to say it went away in a month, but within 2 weeks, I started to see the new growth coming without the fungus. It took about 2 months and it was completely gone. I kept the treatment up for at least another month and I have had no other instances of it. I did it everymorning before work and every night before going to bed.
rating: 4 (5 votes)

Submitted at 2011-08-01 19:29:24
I looking for a remedy, not only have I had a toenail fungus I also have it in my fingers as well. This is my 3rd and last try with Lamisil! ( I took care of and watched my mother go through a liver transplant and do not want that for myself.) I started useing vicks vapor rub last night. guess I just wait and see what happen's from there. I want my pretty fingernails back!
rating: 4 (6 votes)

Submitted at 2010-10-10 07:28:24
Nonyx nail gel.
This stuff actually worked. I have to share.

First, let me make it clear. I have nothing to gain from mentioning this product other than a clear conscience. I am not connected in any way to the company that makes this product.

I'm back on this site because it was one of the few places of hope for someone looking for an alternative to super-expensive prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance. This costs $20-$30 for a bottle and it worked!

Recap of my saga
I had nail fungus for years. It was especially bad on my right big toe. It drove me crazy because I couldn't get rid of it. I had trimmed off the dead part of the nail just because I couldn't take the discomfort of a partially detached nail. It was disgusting. I never wore sandals and being on the beach was horrifying. I couldn't even really enjoy a massage.

After wasting way too much money on a prescription that didn't work and might, I turned to the internet like I do for so many other things.

This site was a big help in inspiring me to try something new. I started out my new regimen with a vinegar wash, application of tea tree oil and finished up with mentholatum rub, covered with white socks at night. I was determined so I tried the combo.

The regimen seemed to be barely helping. It was wearing me out after a couple months so I decided to go back to the store. I don't know what made me try this product. I'd tried others from the store before and they didn't do anything at all. So luck of the draw, this one worked.

I would feel guilty if I didn't share this, knowing there is so much frustration out there.
rating: 3 (13 votes)

Submitted by Anne at 2012-01-26 01:50:00
My dad has had this problem for quite a while. So far we have tried a mixture of half mouthwash and half vinegar and are applying it to the infected toenails. It sees to be working though very slowly (it been over a year). I am now also incorporating a foot soak of about two teaspoons of tea-tree oil(as it is a natural anti-fungal) and some hot water for about 15 minutes two to three times a week while skipping the mouthwash and vinegar for those days. I'll let you guys know how its working in a month.
rating: 3 (3 votes)

Submitted at 2007-12-08 11:56:37
After prescribed medications didn't work on my toenail over several years, it finally turned brownish black and was lifting up off the nail bed almost down to the moon. I was so disgusted that instead of using bleach, I sprayed Tilex under the nail, cleaned it out, then clipped the excess nail back. I did one treatment a week for 2 weeks. I saw immediate improvement and now that I'm using Vicks, the nail is growing back healthy and is just about completely re-attached to the nailbed! Whether it is the camphor or thymol not sure, but it seems to be working.
rating: 3 (5 votes)

Submitted at 2010-05-22 18:15:58
I have tried just about all the home remedies like Vicks vaporub, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, oregano oil, Listerine, tea tree oil, etc. but nothing worked. Then I looked at several products on the market but many were too expensive. I decided to try a product called Fungiban (www.fungiban.com). After a few months, I could see new clear nails growing from the base of my toes. This is a very good toenail fungus treatment and was the only thing that worked for me.
rating: 3 (9 votes)