Years ago, I used to get my toes and nails done every two weeks like clock work. I got a fungus under both my large toes and used an oil my sister (a cosmetologist) gave me. Shortly afterwards, a bunch of stories about the uncleanliness of these nails shops hit the airwaves and not only have I never risked going for a pedicure again but I also ripped off the acrylics that I really didn't need to begin with. There is no quick cure, even with the oil my sister encouraged me to use, it took several years for the fungus to completely clear and for my nails to return to normal. I don't remember what it was, tea oil maybe.

Toe nails grow very slowly so any treatment takes time. DH was able to fix his with a twice daily application of vinegar to the nail, nail bed and under the nail. The idea is to make an acid environment that is inhospitable to fungus. To that end, go barefoot or sandals and loose fitting shoes as often as possible...the warm, dark, damp toe box of an enclosed (esp non leather) shoe is perfect for fungus.

Have you ever tried Vicks vaporub on your toenail? It supposedly works. When I listen to the side effects of some of the toenail fungus prescriptions on their tv ads, I think, well, I'd rather have tonail fungus.

I just got rid of toe fungus by using Fungi-Nail. I got it at either CVS or Walgreens. It is a pen you brush on top and underneath and around the nail. Luckily mine was on the upper half of my toenail so when I could tell it was pretty much gone I just cut my nail off super short and it seems to have worked. I was so embarrassed but asked my Dr. about it a couple of months ago and he suggested a topical solution before trying the pill they have for it. I didn't even realize it was a toe fungus when I asked Dr. because my toe wasn't green-it was just kinda spongy underneath my toenail and my toenail was growing raised-up on the top. Hard to explain. It was the toe next to my big toe. My feet have always been one of my best assets (I know, weird) and I am so relieved it worked.

I use a rx topical lacquer, Ciclopirox, which is applied daily. It works but takes forever. I have a friend who had good results from Lamisil but the side effects have also kept me from trying it. I'll stick with the lacquer because the nail is almost grown out. Even then I'll continue using it for awhile just to make sure the fungus is gone (at one time I thought it was gone but turned out it still lurked in the nail and I had to start all over again.) Lukiirish, maybe it was tea tree oil? I tried that but it didn't work for me.

There are laser treatments now which supposedly work very well. I had it for a long time. I took sporonox (which is like lamisil) for it which helped, but it came back. Within the last few years it seems to have cleared on its own. If it comes back, I am definitely looking into the laser treatment.

My daughter had it as a child and we tried the vicks and some other over the counter thing - neither worked. Hers did eventually go away on its own as well.

I know this sounds silly, but if I ever get a toenail fungus, I am going to sue Vick's vapor rub faithfully every day from the first sighting until it is long gone and then some. DH got that info somewhere and tried it, but stopped it too soon and it came back. Then the Vick's wasn't enough. He went through many topicals, OTC and RX, and finally would up using a foot powder plus taking an oral med that needed bloodwork done. I don't want to go that route, but apparently, if it gets going and becomes resistant, that may be necessary.

I suffered from it for years on a big toe that had been broken. I tried everything with unsuccessful results, including a course of Lamisil. What cleared it right up was Taxotere. Unfortunately, that is a chemotherapy that was used to treat my cancer. I must say it was a nice side effect, though, to have pretty toenails again.

In the TV ad for the newest one, I think Jublia?, it has fine print stating it takes something like 48 weeks of treatment to work. So maybe it's too early to give up on it? Double check the literature that came in the package. I noticed that during the ad and laughed, although it's no laughing matter to those with the problem, because it seemed so ridiculous. I'm sorry you have this issue.

Fun2bhere, that is really looking on the bright side! Good for you.

I got it from a very expensive salon pedicure :-( I was furious.

I had to take an oral anti-fungal for one week every month for a year. It was prescribed by the dermatologist, and it cleared it up. What a miserable thing it is. Good luck!

Once I thought I had toe nail fungus. Turns out it was bruising from having sneakers with poor arch support and doing a lot of walking. It looked like fungus and at first the doctor was fooled too. Just saying, so make sure it is actually fungus before trying to self treat. I spent money on remedies for nothing.

I have one on my big toe. I tried the pills then quit because of the scary side effects. I used Fungi-Nail then stopped for some reason. Lazy.

Two weeks ago I stubbed my little toe and it became infected on the same foot where the fungus is. The doctor told me to use OTC fungus cream for athlete's foor, twice daily. She said to file the surface of the nail along with keeping the nail as short as possible, so the nail will absorb the cream better.

The filing of the nail sounds like a great idea. I just bought the cream so I plan to get started soon.

Mine is from wearing houseshoes all the time and my feet getting sweaty in them. I wash the shoes often and have many spares. I don't have good luck with my toe's. I broke the other big toe in two places a while back. :)

Whatever course you chose, you have to be really diligent and stick with it to knock the fungus out. Otherwise, you develop a resistant fungus and have to keep trying something else. That's what happened with my DH -- he got lazy when it started showing any improvement or he got tired of doing it and that led him to having to do the scary (and more expensive) oral meds (and blood work). He didn't have any problems with them and they worked, but we'd both have been happier if he hadn't had to go that route. Stay with whatever you try and know it is for weeks or months at a time.

Reading about filing the nail reminded me that once I began dong this, the lacquer seemed to become more effective. Once a week I remove the old lacquer, take a coarse emory board and sand the plane of the nail, then apply a coat of lacquer.

I had it on two of my toes (for years), no idea where I got it as I don't get pedicures. But long story short, I tried all kinds of home remedies, then did some potent prescription but don't remember the name. Had to get my liver checked after taking it for 3 months, with zilch improvement.

One day was searching the web in desperation and came across this. I don't recall how long I used it, not as long as they said, maybe 4-6 weeks? And I wasn't faithful on the twice a day thing either, though was for the most part. It works. Flat out works. All gone and hasn't come back. Try it!

p.s. Don't be embarrassed! It's not like you went out looking to get a toe fungus. ;)

Beth, that is interesting. I had to click over and read about your method and the ingredients. I've never had a nail fungus and I hope I don't. I've seen a few and it can be pretty nasty. I don't really like having my feet covered and the feel of sweaty feet is just yucky to me. My feet need to breathe! LOL I have my toenails painted just about 100% of the time - year-round. Something to remember if you get pedicures is to take your own instruments and do not let the salon use a pumice stone on you. Pumice is porous and can hold bacteria. Be careful about how they handle your cuticles also and how they cut the toe nail. Sharp corners can pierce the skin and not only lead to ingrown nails but allow bacteria to enter. I would hate taking the oral meds - the side effects are just not good. I'd also hate having a fungus, so would be doing something to get rid of it. Your solution sounds like a good one Beth! Best of luck to those of you dealing with this.

tinam, toe fungus is THE reason I won't get pedicures. Well that and I don't want to pay for them. lol I "would" do it for special occasions, but I have heard too many horror stories (not just about fungus either). However, you can get it other ways, as I did. How I got it I have no idea. But this stuff was truly a God send. And the crazy thing is, in an internet search on cures, it was like 5 or 6 pages back!

Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide or tea tree oil once a day until the fungus goes away, a foot bath with baking soda and warm water will also work(also good for stinky feet). Vinegar and alcohol have no effect on fungus, they kill bacteria and virus' though.

Fungi do not like high pH, sodium and carbonates. That's why baking soda(sodium bicarbonate),washing soda(sodium carbonate), Borax(sodium borate) and bleach(sodium hypoclorate) are effective. Baking soda is the only one that is safe on skin, the others are for cleaning inanimate objects.

Vinegar will kill 80% of bacteria and virus', table vinegar(5% acetic acid) is generally safe to apply on skin.

70% alcohol will kill 95% of bacteria and virus', safe on skin.

Hydrogen peroxide will kill anything in high enough concentrations including human tissue, 3% is safe on skin.

Of course high heat kills any living organism but we can only tolerate so much, medications are the only surefire way to keep fungi under control.

Disclosure: I was a chemistry major in college and I work in the medical field.

isopropyl alcohol is listed as a fungicide:
Isopropyl alcohol in list of fungicides

And vinegar is effective as a mild mildewcide, mildew being a fungus.:

" One
test by Good Housekeeping's microbiologist found that 5% vinegar is 90%
effective against mold and 99.9% effective against bacteria,[57] though another study showed that vinegar is less effective than Clorox and Lysol against poliovirus.[58]
In modern times experts have advised against using vinegar as a
household disinfectant against human pathogens, as it is less effective
than chemical disinfectants.[27]

Vinegar is ideal for washing produce because it breaks down the wax
coating and kills bacteria and mold. The editors of Cook's Illustrated
found vinegar to be the most effective and safest way to wash fruits and
vegetables, beating antibacterial soap, water and just a scrub brush in
removing bacteria."[59]" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar

If I recall from my old biology class correctly, fungus & mold don't like acidic, dry, or salty environments, which is why old food preservation methods included pickling, drying, & salting.

In the last 15 years approx. getting pedicures, I've only had one toe fungus, and that was just recently. So, IMO, it is worth it being able to have pretty toes. I wear sandals as early and as long as I possibly can, like Tina. I don't have as many pedicures in the winter-as a matter of fact, I sort of give my toes a break a go au naturele (sp?) maybe a couple of months. I haven't heard any of the horror stories (except minor toe fungus)-but nothing tragic in all my family and friends that have them. As yucky and embarrassing as toe fungus is, I guess I play the odds.

I use lamisil cream from the drugstore and apply it directly to my toenail and the surrounding area. I figured that if the lamisil pill supposedly worked that maybe the cream would have some benefit. It has taken care of my problem but it takes forever and I apply it every single day when i get out of the shower. I still have some issues with the last quarter inch of my big toe but it looks much better.

I keep my toes unpolished in the winter but use this in the summer

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-s-Remedy-Enriched-Polish-Positive/dp/B003OFMZWO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430075649&sr=8-1&keywords=fungus+nail+polish.

On me, most polishes cause a flare up but this seems to keep things status quo.

Olliesmom, toe fungus isn't "minor." They are really hard to get rid of. For example, if you treat the toe 2xday, it can take a year for it to go away. The toenail with the fugus grows extremely slow.

Deee, I think you're on the way to healing! That's great! I may try the Lamisil cream.

Oakley, I know what toe fungus is, I've had it before. Mine wasn't painful, just ugly and plus it could be covered by nail polish and no one ever knew. It could be treated, no big deal applying something 2 xday for me. So, to me, that is minor. Maybe my tolerance level is greater than yours. My comment still stands as MY opinion.

Ollie, everything we write is our own opinion. How could you apply something to your nail for it to work while also wearing polish? It seems like nail polish would prevent the cream to get in the toenail.

Would you all click on this link that Dee posted above?

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-s-Remedy-Enriched-Polish-Positive/product-reviews/B003OFMZWO

After reading the reviews, I can't tell if this polish helps clear up fungus or not. I'll buy some if it does.

When you all talk about toe fungus , do you get a lot of dry white skin under your toes that have fungi, or is it just the top of nails that look bad.

I dropped a full shampoo bottle on my toes in shower about 5 years ago. 2 nails were all black and I thought that eventually they would heal ok. No, they never did and it then turned into a fungus. Podia trice tells me that majority of fungi start with an injury to the toe.

I have such a hard time keeping this dry build up of skin under nails in control.

Lyban, I had a dry, white spongy-type under at the upper half of my toe. I put the Fungi-Nail pen under and around the edges after cutting toenail really short. I even did it three times a day when I remembered. I just kept cutting nail off and it seems to be gone now. Ever so often I put some on when I think about it so it hopefully won't come back.

jklymus, that product uses Tea Tree oil, not sure what additional benefit the oils may or may not add. Straight Tea Tree oil has been effective for me. I'm glad to learn about the fungus getting stronger if one gets lax over time. Sounds like what happens with antibiotics.

Gramarows, this is an old thread resurrected by a spammer.