Toe Fungus - How to Treat?

Updated on April 21, 2011
S.S. asks from New York, NY
18 answers

Has any one had a fungus on their toes? My podiatrist is recommending taking Lamisil, an anti-fungal drug for 2-3 months but I don't love the idea of taking a medication that could cause harm to my liver, especially since we don't know that it will cure hte fungus. Have any of you tried anti-fungal creams or polishes and found them to be effective?
Thanks,
S.

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A.B.

answers from New York on

My daughter gets fungus on her toes, and it clears up when we use the otc cream Lotrimin AF twice a day (we use the generic version). It comes back eventually after we stop the treatment, but this does clear it.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I had a bit on one of my toes. All of the otc treatments say it is not for on the tonail so I don't understand the point. I used tea tree oil I ordered from Drugstore.com. It has a little alcohol in it but it worked so I really don't care that it is not 100% totally tea tree oil. I have also heard soaking in original Listerine is a great way to fight nail fungus or even athlete's foot.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi S.,

High grade tea tree oil is an antifungal. It will absorb deep into the tissue so saturating it or holding a rag wet saturated with it will absorb even through the toenail. My husband has had a problem like this in the past and it took a few weeks but it cleared up nicely.

God bless,

M.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.F.

answers from St. Louis on

Here's a little trick some nursing homes use and it works most of the time. Listerine the gold kind soak your toes in it every night, allow the toe nail to grow out and then trim it continue doing this for a week to a month after the toe looks normal. Also since the weather is warming up sit outside with your toes in the sun (but don't forget sunscreen on your feet) and keep your feet covered until clear don't go barefoot in public. Your feet are more likely to get it again if not fully cleared up.

2 moms found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

I tried the lamisil and it did not work. So I wouldn't take the risk.

1 mom found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Modesto on

Seriously, my mom had bad fungus under both of her big toe nails and we were religious with the VIcks, and I would scrape out under her nail what I could and kept her nails cut short and now the fungus is gone. Took about 4 months. But the vicks on before you go to bed... and any other time during the day that you can get away with it.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have heard (no personal experience) that Vicks VapoRub works on toenail fungus (is that what you mean?). Heck, might be worth a try for around $5-6.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from New York on

I took Lamisil, it did work. It did not harm my liver. One thing is you cant be in the sun for long periods of time with that medicine.

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K.S.

answers from Denver on

I haven't, but I have seen and heard a lot lately about a laser treatment for toe fungus, maybe check into that? Maybe look on webmd and then check with your primary care doc or a dermatologist? I hate the risks of the medication, too. My sister took a course of it and was fine, but if there's an alternative I would definitely do that! Good luck...

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D.A.

answers from New York on

I want to second the Vick's option. My husband had toe fungus and religiously put it on this toes before covering them in socks and going to bed. It took a few months (the toe nails had to grow out) but now his toes look great. He is still using it a couple of times a week, while we figure out what the 'maintenance plan' should be.

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K.M.

answers from Houston on

Are you talking about the horrible, thick, hard "under the toe nail" fungus? If so, the only thing that worked for us is Fungi-Cure. We tried all the home remedies and were hesitant to try anything taken internally due to other medical conditions.

Fungi-Cure began to work fairly quickly. It's one that you brush on, and put under the nail with the little brush (like a nail polish brush). You'll have to stick with it for awhile, and follow all the directions you've already been given regarding fresh shoes, clean socks, etc.

C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

Thanks for asking this. I also have this problem and I HATE it. Nothing seems to work though. I will try the Vicks now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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L.K.

answers from Chicago on

They say Vicks on your feet at night with socks works . People write in to Dr. Gott all the time about it.

D.D.

answers from New York on

I'll second the use of fungi-cure. I tried the natural method of tea tree oil and it was smelly and didn't do much of anything. When I switched over to fungi-cure I could see improvement within a couple weeks. The new nail growth portion was coming in looking healthy.

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

My son had a problem with athlete's foot several summers ago. When he took a shower, I would stop up the tub and let a couple of inches of water collect then pour about a 1/3 cup of bleach into the bottom of the tub. This worked amazingly well and his feet were clear in just a few days. He then used Tinactin cream between his toes and Tinactin spray inside his shoes to ensure that it stayed gone.

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C.C.

answers from New York on

I also used the Lamisil and it worked for me. I had tried the tea tree oil before that, but obviously didn't work for me. It's been 10 years now and it hasn't come back. It's a relief to have it gone and I don't regret the decision to use Lamisil in the least.

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

hello, try athlete's foot spray.. and too.. spray your shoes as well.. BUT keep in mind.. what podiatrists NEVER seem to tell people is that fungus.. although may manifest in the toenails..... there could also be other issues going on in your body.. like diet for example... fungus is just the outward sign of something else going on internally.. no no, doesn't need to be something drastic like cancer ... but could be signs of too much yeast in your system.. and things like sugar can make is much much worse. it's worth looking into.. there are many articles on the net.. I like Dr. Mercola he tends to have articles on his site in regards to just about everything.. many alternative docs (which mercola is mainstream doctor) but likes to use natural remedies.. will tell you.. when you have a fungus infection or many other ailments.. there is usually more to it than meets the eye..
check him out.... I think you ll find his website useful ( I have no affiliation)

best of luck to you

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J.B.

answers from Louisville on

Try this product:

http://www.piggypaste.com/

I know of a lot of people who say it works!

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