You don't need to take expensive prescriptions with numerous side effects to cure your toenail fungus. Summer's over now so its a great time to start on this if you have this embarrasing problem. In January of this year I read an article about curing the fungus by yourself in my local newspaper, written by a doctor. I am now seeing pretty pink nail growth on my big toes (where I had funky thick yellow nails) so I wanted to share this. This dr. wrote that he tells his patients to use either Vics VapoRub or vinegar, they both work. Apply directly to the affected toenails twice a day. You must be persistent about it and apply 2x daily - it will take about 6 months because the new toenail needs time to grow. Seems to take forever but its worth it. Ditch the toenail polish for a while too cause it holds in moisture the fungus loves.

Here is a forum I found where someone named Dr. Stoll talks about the fungus and lots of questions, answers and testimonials about this. Check it out, its a much cheaper way to go and it works !!!

http://askwaltstollmd.com/archives/toe.html

I got rid of mine by cutting the toenail to open up the end and then painting the end of it with that paint-on nail fungus medication. The fungus makes your toenail porous like a sponge, but the paint-on stuff does no good painted on the top surface of the nail. You have to cut the nail, take the stuff, put the brush full of liquid on the END of the toenail, and just keep doing that till it won't absorb any more of the stuff each time you apply it. Keep doing it as the nail grows out----cutting it to expose the porous part, then soaking it with the paint-on liquid stuff.

Years ago I had tried the brush on stuff, didn't work - but I didn't cut open my nail, couldn't do it. I think I'd rather take the prescription, ouch!!! No pain with the vinegar/Vics method ... just takes a bit for the new nail to grow. I just looked at them again this morning ... they are becoming beautiful and the part that's growing out is hidiously ugly in comparison! I just can't believe it is so simple ... no side effects either. Its good to know there are home remedies available, seems this fungus likes to grow back. Glad I'm not the only fungus amongus ...

I'll fess up...this is great news, the prescriptions sound scary and expensive. Who wants to take a drug because of icky toenails? Not this girl. So my feet will smell like vinegar:) nobody will care...

THanks I was wondering what to do and hate perscription drugs

No, I just trimmed the end off, which opens it up. I didn't cut down into the nail painfully.

I love being part of the PTO family, there's nothing I can find support for...anything from relationship support to fungal infection support!

Question: My 12y/o son has battled toenail and fingernail fungus for years. He has been to dermatologists, who sucessfully have treated him with medication. But the last Dr's visit, we found out, through bloodwork, that the Lamisil medication he was prescribed, has caused his liver values to elevate, like seen in people with hepatitis! :( I would love to try your fungal remedy but was wondering if the stage of the fungal infection is important for this treatment to be effective? He has had the infection for years and is embarassed by the cosmetic problems it causes!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!:D

Peace....See, that is why I value this site! All kinds of information.....in addition to the tons of support. Will try and will check out the web page. Thank you, much! Blessings...

toi_ama, sorry I misunderstood your post.

coolchick, I'm no dr. so I'm not sure. You can look thru the link posted above to see if there has been discussion of your question, or pose your question to Dr. Stoll (he's the foot dr. in the same link) if you want. As far as I know there are no side effects to this process though and I can't imagine your 12 year old's feet being that much worse. I will look around and see if I can find anything in the meantime. I can't imagine a little vinegar would hurt though.

One thing I wanted to say is that when I first read about this, back in January, I did a search to try to find out more info. Every search I tried for this (forget exactly what my search was, something like: foot fungus vasoline. I remember getting frustrated cause what I got in return were advertisements and links for Lamisil - that's when I knew there had to be something to it!

Best of luck to everyone - please try this, it works!!! If you do you can work on it over the winter and have beautiful toe nails by next summer!!!

Cinderella I hope the Vapo Rub works b/c I feel ridiculous smelling like this and I'm not even sick. I'm not sure if I have the fungus, but they are a little yellow, probably too much nail polish. wish me luck

Coolchik- I hope your physician is just as concerned about the elevated liver enzymes. It's a sign that the liver is working over time and prolonged elevations may lead to bigger problems. I'm not a doctor, but I wouldn't risk it. Many meds can cause this, too much Tylenol can do this and lead to liver damage. And if the Lamisil hasn't worked I'd definitely try something else. Or maybe it was working, but...

I have fingernail fungus currently on 3 of my fingers. Its unsightly and embarasing. I just started taking lamisil. Would doing this vicks and vinegar in addition help? My doctor said that fingernails grow faster than toe nails so it should hopefully clear up faster. Also, I recently came down with a cold, is it ok to take decongestants or tylenol while on lamasil? What are the directions for applying the vinegar?Thanks for you help and advice.

The doctor at the nursing home my grandmother is in also says to use the vicks. It's a lot less expenisive than the lamisil.

I'll speak from experience and from a medical background (not being pretentious). I had a hockey injury a few years ago where I got my toe sliced open. It had healed completely but the nail became infected, because let's face it, feet aren't the cleanest...especially mine because I walk around barefoot. Anywho....

I was placed on Lamisil, it failed during the first six months. After a year there were no results, so they did it again. This is dangerous because it's a terrible drug to take and get tested for, because sometimes they miss some blood work. I eventually made my way from my MD to a Dermatologist. He put me on something called PenLac which worked wonders. It's like a nail polish that you put on your toes twice a day. At the end of the week you take it all off with nail polish remover and start again. Do this for a few weeks and you're all set!!

...just my two cents...

Oh WOW this thread is awesome!! Both of my big toes have infections in them, and I have been fighting this for almost two years now. These infections have made my nails so painful,that I actually dread winter because I have to wear closed shoes. Wearing boots and shoes, puts pressure on the nails and it's downright painful to wear them. At least in summer, I can wear open toed shoes, and not have the pain. Cutting them is even worse, I just cannnot handle the pain. I have thought several times about consulting a foot doctor, in hopes they might remove the actual nails. They are so thick and brittle, I can't see any other way to get rid of them, since it's becoming an issue to wear shoes anymore *sigh*.

I will try the vapo rub/vinegar remedy, I am willing to try anything to end this. I'm getting desperate now...

Thanks....

Regards,
Tana *Love Me?* *Love My Goat*