What is the best product for toenail fungus?
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Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:56 am

Tea Tree Oil applied twice a day. Remember to file down the nail every now and then, so the oil doesn't just sit on the thickened nail.

I know it sounds crazy, but sandpaper is the cheapest option to do that, since you have to throw the nail file away after every use anyway. Just don't file too hard, or the nail will get too thin and start hurting.

Oh, and don't let the dropper of the TTO bottle touch the nail plate, or the fungus will contaminate the bottle and it might spread later to the new, healthy growth of the nail. That's the same reason you shouldn't use the same file (or a piece of sandpaper) while buffing your nails.

It takes time, but eventually the fungus should clear up.

free skin care · Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:41 am

apple cider vinegar is supposed to help with the toenail fungus. I have also read that Vicks vaporub helps when applied on the toenails nightly. It takes months to get rid of the fungus, so whatever you choose you would have to do nightly for at least 3 months.

free skin care · Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:00 am

I'm prone to nail infections, and my dermatologist made me soak my nails in white vinegar/water solution (2 parts vinegar to 1 part water) twice a day.

Keep your nails DRY, and short. No nail polish until the infection clears. (I hated that part) It does take time, but it really does work.

Works on hands, and feet.

free skin care · Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:24 am

I know this sounds crazy but Aborbine Jr liquid also works.

free skin care · Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:32 am

I'll chime in that all the suggestions work IF COMBINED.
Soak warm water with white vinigar twice a day. Sand down thickened nail every now and then-don't wear nail through.
Tea Tree oil has been proven as effective as prescription anti fungials-twice a day or MORE.
Absorbine jr? Do they still make it? It was originaly formulated back in the 1800's to treat horses....

free skin care · Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:53 pm

We always had a bottle of Absorbine Jr growing up in my house! Remember in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", the answer to every problem was "spray it with some Windex"? Well, in my house it was "put a little Absorbine Jr on it"! Mosquito bites, athlete's foot, toe fungus...

And yes, they still make it, and it can be found in most drugstores in the U.S. I actually like the smell, but am embarrassed about other people smelling it...so I prefer to go the tea tree route or plain old over-the-counter fungal cream, like Lamisil. Either of these treatments twice a day worked when I was treating my mom's feet.

free skin care · Fri Apr 24, 2009 7:59 pm

I vote for Oil of Oregano. I got toenail fungus after a salon pedicure. A course of medication got rid of it initially (nasty potential side-effects), but I now use OoO at the first hint of any trouble. It helps to keep the nail short enough so the oil can get to where it can do its work. Maybe it's just me but I find that once I've had fungus in a particular nail, it doesn't take much to have it come back in the same place.

free skin care · Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:54 pm

pinky1 wrote:

I vote for Oil of Oregano. I got toenail fungus after a salon pedicure. A course of medication got rid of it initially (nasty potential side-effects), but I now use OoO at the first hint of any trouble. It helps to keep the nail short enough so the oil can get to where it can do its work. Maybe it's just me but I find that once I've had fungus in a particular nail, it doesn't take much to have it come back in the same place.

Ditto...I just read a whole book on Oil Of Oregano last night. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and an antiseptic. What more could a girl want? Very Happy

You do need to use a certain type...it has to be wild oregano, preferably the P73 type. Even Perricone touted it in one of his books. Shock

I can look up the recommended treatment plan and send you some product links if you want....I am using it for Candida.

free skin care · Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:38 am

Believe it or not, but try

VICKS VAPOR RUB

This stuff really works. My sister's doctor had her use it and it got rid of the fungus.

free skin care · Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:28 pm

Believe it or not, colostrum supplements and cutting the toenails waaaaaaaaay back finally got rid of the fungus I'd had for 20 years.

free skin care · Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:22 am

Bira wrote:

bethany wrote:

pinky1 wrote:

I vote for Oil of Oregano. I got toenail fungus after a salon pedicure. A course of medication got rid of it initially (nasty potential side-effects), but I now use OoO at the first hint of any trouble. It helps to keep the nail short enough so the oil can get to where it can do its work. Maybe it's just me but I find that once I've had fungus in a particular nail, it doesn't take much to have it come back in the same place.

Ditto...I just read a whole book on Oil Of Oregano last night. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and an antiseptic. What more could a girl want? Very Happy

You do need to use a certain type...it has to be wild oregano, preferably the P73 type. Even Perricone touted it in one of his books. Shock

I can look up the recommended treatment plan and send you some product links if you want....I am using it for Candida.

Me, too. Would like the treatment plan. TIA!

What exactly is P73?

P73 is a specific type of wild oregano used to create a branded Oil of Oregano (OoO) that was used in some clinical tests at Georgetown. There are lots of studies at the link below. I tried another brand in the past and saw virtually no benefit, so this time I am using the stuff used in the studies.
http://www.p-73.com/research.asp

BTW, Perricone talked about P73 in his 7 Secrets book, and mentioned that OoO can be helpful for all kinds of flu viruses as well...hopefully this means that I am protected from the Swine Flu outbreak! Shock

The book I read was The Cure Is in the Cupboard: How to Use Oregano for Better Health by Dr. Cass Ingram. I'll paraphrase his comments below.
http://www.amazon.com/Cure-Cupboard-Oregano-Better-Revised/dp/0911119744

- He talked about an epidemic of nail fungus in the US, and said that it was very difficult to cure. However, Oil of Oregano can eradicate it, and will not cause toxicity or liver damage like Rx drugs, nor does fungus become immune to it.

- The primary way it works on nails is through topical application because it can penetrate deeply and destroy the fungus within the root of the nail bed.

- Internal consumption may be necessary if you have other fungal symptoms (like yeast infections, psoriasis, eczema, etc.) or if it keeps reoccurring.

Treatment Protocol:

- Rub OoO liberally into involved nails as often as possible.

- Take 2 or 3 drops under the tongue twice daily AND/OR take a few drops internally in milk, juice, or water.

- Take 3 OregaMax capsules 2x daily. (this is the powdered version of wild oregano, plus it has garlic, onion, and minerals)

- Reduce sugars in your diet

Beth's findings after LOTS of reading on all types of fungus:

- Topical OoO is good for first time nail infections...the only negative is that you smell like Oregano when you apply it. Sadly, I am beginning to get used to it. Embarassed

- If it happens again, you may have a systemic fungal infection and will require internal treatment (as well as continuing the topical approach)

- OoO capsules are the easiest way to take it (no fire in your mouth or oregano taste), but they primarily treat just the intestines/colon. However, this step is critical to ensure a high concentration of OoO there, since the intestines/colon usually have the highest population of the little buggers

- Taking the drops under your tongue facilitates getting the OoO into your blood stream, which is necessary for systemic infections. After holding there as long as possible (which is not very long!) you can then wash it down it for additional treatment benefit.

- OoO must be diluted with olive oil, or it is WAY too strong and will burn the crap out of your skin. The P73 version I am using from North American Herb & Spice Co is already diluted at the proper ratio.

- OoO is not a short-term treatment...it will take some time to work (as in several months or longer) Here is a paragraph from a reseller confirming that:

Quote:

It can take 9 months for your big toenail to completely grow out from nail bed to the end of your big toe. Nail fungus is one of the most challenging forms of fungi to combat. It is recommended that Oreganol P73 be used diluted in a carrier oil topically, and Oregamax be taken orally very very consistently over that 9 month time period.

Since fungus and yeast live on sugars (carbs) in our system, it is also very helpful and will speed recovery to eliminate white sugar, white bread, white rice, pasta, white potatoes, and too many sweet fruits, fruit juices and root vegetables (which are high in sugar and starch content) while on a treatment plan for nail fungus. Carbohydrates and sugars literally feed the fungus, so a diet approach and a topical/oral treatment plan for toenail fungus treatment is necessary for complete success.
http://www.oreganol-p73.com/cure-toenail-fungus.html

Where I buy mine: Iherb.com
http://www.iherb.com/Oreganol-P73

This site also has great prices:
http://www.taoofherbs.com/categories/449/OreganolP73.htm

Editing to add: This link has a great overview of nail fungus, including the recommendation to mix OoO with emu oil for even deeper penetration.
http://www.taoofherbs.com/articles/92/NailFungusYellowNail.htm

Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:45 am

Hello, I have used DR G Clear Nail which helps to kill fungi, bacteria and viruses. The results is good, thou it will still some time to recover.

free skin care · Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:34 am

I can tell you from experience that none of those nail lacquer like products work. I tried several of them, including prescription types and they did nothing for me. I also tried the tea tree oil, oil or oregano, and vinegar treatments without any luck. After 5 years I gave up and got a prescription for oral Lamasil pills and the fungus was completely gone within 8 months. Just be sure if you do use it to get your blood tests done as it can be pretty harsh on your system. I was lucky not to have any side effects.

I think the effectiveness of treatments depends on the degree of infection and the area of infection. Mine was the entire nail and the nail was growing in like that from under the skin. Perhaps if it's just a corner or 'side' of the nail treatment will be more effective.

free skin care · Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:43 am

Bira wrote:

Thank you everyone for such a great advice. I'm ready to try everything. The combination sounds really good to me. I thought it was a bruise, but now I changed my mind since the black color never went away. The strange thing is it doesn't itch. I did not realize toenail fungus can be brown/black color. The one I saw before was whitish/yellowish.

Does anyone know how to prevent it from occurring again once I got rid of this one?

A black spot, or tiny black spots are bacterial infections. That's what I had. (you are right that fungus infections are usually yellow)

After I did the vinegar soaks (10-20 minutes, twice daily) for about 2 months, it went away and didn't come back. Smile

Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:07 am

Bira, you have a black spot? How long has it been there? The reason I'm asking is because my oldest & dearest friend had one...it turned out to be skin cancer under her big toe nail. She's fine now but who knows what could have happened if she didn't just happen to mention it to her doctor (about getting that speck of dirt out).
Be safe!
Summer

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