toenail fungus..

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Apr 25, 2005

Apart from the Rx med, whatever it is called, I think the treatment is Vicks vaporub, twice a day to the affected nail. It takes several weeks, but as you have to use the Rx med for several months, I guess you need patience.

I don't know why it would work, but I have heard that it does.

Montessori Mommy · Apr 25, 2005

I heard that soaking your toe in Listerine is an at-home remedy. It worked for me! I had a doctor look at it soon after and he said it looked like it clear it up.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Apr 25, 2005

Essence of thyme oil is a remedy I have heard of (stinks to high heaven, need to be applied consistently, and takes as long to work as any other topical thing.) Need to keep nipping at the nail as it grows to remove the fungus.

Lamisil is the pill. Very expensive 12 week course for toe fungus. Generally requires LFT's at start and 6 weeks and NO alcohol. Provider may want to document a postive fungal culture before starting on med. Toenail will still need to grow out, which takes several months.

Ideal is prevention - keep those tootsies aired out!

mattsmom81 · Apr 25, 2005

I always thought Nystatin powder was more useful for topical yeast, in skin folds, etc... but it worked on my feet too. Washing and drying well (with a blow dryer) in addition have worked...so far I'm cutting the yucchy nail off and the new nail looks healthy. :)

2ndCareerRN · Apr 25, 2005

A method I have heard of is using the liquid from the inside of a Vit E capsule. Puncturing the cap and squeezing it on daily for a long time. Whatever method is used, the key is doing it consistently, and for at least 3-6 months.

bob

CCL"Babe", BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2005

Tea Tree Oil applied daily - best if done twice a day.

kyti · Apr 26, 2005

the lamisil curred my husband. It did take almost 9 months for the old nails to grow out, but now he has the most beautiful feet!

camay1221_RN · Apr 26, 2005

I heard that soaking your toe in Listerine is an at-home remedy. It worked for me! I had a doctor look at it soon after and he said it looked like it clear it up.

How often and for how long did you do the Listerine soaks?

summerdaze · Jan 15, 2006

I would like to know too

Bipley · Jan 15, 2006

Apart from the Rx med, whatever it is called, I think the treatment is Vicks vaporub, twice a day to the affected nail. It takes several weeks, but as you have to use the Rx med for several months, I guess you need patience.
I don't know why it would work, but I have heard that it does.

Old wives tale. If you use Vicks or Listerine the fungus will grow out. If you use nothing the fungus will grow out. Now, that's the black toenail (or fingernail) type. If the person has mycotic nails (thick and yellow, ugh) then it takes something oral such as Lamisil. For fingernails it is six weeks, for toenails it is 12 weeks. The fungus is at the bottom of the nail bed and Vicks or Listerine just isn't going to reach it. Besides, those two items don't kill fungus anyway. Listerine will kill bacteria.

I've heard nothing positive about the "paint on" Rx either, but don't know anything for sure either way.

Fiona59 · Jan 15, 2006

Lamisil -- brings back bad memories. Clay coloured stool, painful abdomen, all the side effects. Two years later, I have a thick, yellow toenail. Only one!

GP said fungus, Podiatrist said no, did the toenail clippings to the lab (he said I have the toenails of an 80 yr old)