Nail fungus leaves your nails brittle and discolored, which is unpleasant, unhealthy, and, if anyone notices, also really embarrassing. If left untreated, nail fungus can lead to cracking, splitting and even total loss of nails.
Nearly 3 million Americans suffer from nail fungus —Spending a lot of time in warm and moist environments, keeping the feet covered for extended periods of time, and even injuries are the main
causes of nail fungus. What's worse: people with diabetes, athletes foot, weak immune systems, and smoking habits are even more prone to it.
Commercial treatments like oral anti-fungal pills, creams, medicated nail polish and removers don’t always provide results or relief. So, it is better to depend on natural solutions to treat nail fungus like coconut oil and apple cider vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar? Really?
Should You Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Toenail Fungus?
Fungus thrives in damp, alkaline (high pH) environments, and because Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is acidic, it can balance the pH level around a fungal nail infection. ACV also contains anti-fungal and antibacterial properties which fight off nail infections and prevent their recurrence.
This video will give you a better idea how vinegar, particularly ACV, cures nail fungus
Toenail fungus is more common than fingernail fungus. This is because weak blood circulation makes our immune systems take longer to detect and fight the infections in the feet. On top of that, prolonged exposure of feet to moist and dark environments like inside a cast or a wet boots, shoes, or gloves support fungi growth.
Use apple cider vinegar for foot fungus and say goodbye to that nasty fungal infection.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Cure Nail Fungus
Apple cider vinegar is completely safe and has many benefits for both kids and adults. The following methods for using apple cider vinegar cure and prevent nail fungus without any side effects.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Direct Application
3. Consuming Apple Cider Vinegar
4. Apple Cider Vinegar with Rice Flour
5. Apple Cider Vinegar with Baking Soda
6. Apple Cider Vinegar with Epsom Salt
7. Apple Cider Vinegar with Listerine
8. Apple Cider Vinegar with Borax
9. Apple Cider Vinegar with Copper Sulfate
10. Apple Cider Vinegar Antibiotic Ointment
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
- Take a bowl enough to soak your feet or fingers.
- Combine equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water. Make sure the solution is enough to submerge your toes or fingers.
- Soak for 30 minutes and pat dry with a soft towel.
- Let the feet or fingers air dry completely to get rid of any leftover moisture.
- Massage the toes for a few minutes with a mixture of tea tree oil and any other carrier oil.
- Repeat the process not more than 4 times a day.
- For best results, use warm and cold water alternatively for soaking.
Things to Remember
- For effective vinegar treatment, trim your nails and file down the top surface to make it as thin as possible before soaking. This helps the vinegar to penetrate below the nail and work effectively.
- Never soak in the same solution twice: It is not advisable to use the same solution for multiple soaking. Once you have soaked, the water gets contaminated. Soaking in contaminated water doesn’t yield any results and might even slow down the healing process.
2. Direct Application of Apple Cider Vinegar for Nail Fungus
This process can be used after soaking or anytime in a day. When ACV is undiluted, it provides more effective results. So try not to dilute ACV for toenail fungus, but if you can't stand direct ACV application, you can dilute it with few drops of water.
- Pour few drops of apple cider vinegar directly on the infected nail.
- Let it dry completely.
- Repeat the application at least 2 times a day.
3. Consuming Apple Cider Vinegar
Drinking diluted apple cider vinegar for nail fungus strengthens your immune system which helps in fighting off the infection from inside.
- Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into 16oz of water.
- Drink the solution throughout the day.
- You can refrigerate the solution and drink a glass of it whenever you want.
Note: If you can't stand the taste of apple cider vinegar then you can add 1 teaspoon of manuka honey for added taste.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar with Rice Flour
- Combine 2 – 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and enough rice flour (coarsely ground) to make a paste.
- Apply the paste on the infected nail and gently scrub to exfoliate accumulated dead skin.
- After scrubbing for few minutes, leave the application for another few minutes.
- Rinse off with water and dry the nail thoroughly.
- Repeat the process regularly.
- Optional: You can apply anti-fungal ointment.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar with Baking Soda
- Mix 1 cup apple cider vinegar with 1 cup water.
- Soak the infected nail(s) in the mixture for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Remove from the solution and pat dry thoroughly.
- Now, Mix several tablespoons of baking soda into enough water to soak the nails.
- After drying the nail thoroughly, soak your nails in diluted baking soda.
- After 15 – 20 minutes, remove and pat dry thoroughly using a paper towel.
- Repeat this process 2 times in a day.
- Note: Apple cider vinegar will kill fungus and baking soda will inhibit future fungal growth.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar with Epsom Salt
Epsom salt gently exfoliates the skin and nail which helps the healing properties of apple cider vinegar to work more effectively and quickly.
- Combine 1/3 cup each of apple cider vinegar and Epsom salt and 2 cups of hot water.
- Stir well and soak your toes or fingers for 30 minutes.
- Repeat the process 1 – 2 times daily.
Note: The longer your soak, the better results you achieve.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar with Listerine
This process can be used daily for light to moderate symptoms like white spots on the nails and slight discoloration. It should be used 2 times a day for moderate symptoms like thickening of the nail, swelling of the surrounding skin, pain and dark discoloration.
- Fill a basin by adding equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and Listerine.
- Stir well and soak the nails for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Remove the nail(s) from the soak.
- Using a toothbrush, gently scrub the nails and surrounding skin.
- Dry the nail(s) completely.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar, Borax, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Hot Water
- Add 2 tablespoons of Borax to hot water and let it dissolve.
- Now, add 1/4 cup each of apple cider vinegar, water and hydrogen peroxide (3%).
- Stir well and soak the nail(s) for 30 – 45 minutes.
- Remove from the solution, rinse off with water and pat dry thoroughly.
- Repeat the process daily until the infection is cleared.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar with Copper Sulfate
Copper sulfate contains antiseptic and anti-fungal properties which fight off the fungus on the nails.
- Combine 40ml apple cider vinegar and 20gms of copper sulfate.
- Mix well and pour the mixture into 1-liter spray bottle and fill it with water.
- Spray the solution on the affected nail(s).
- Let it dry completely.
- Repeat the process regularly.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar, Peroxide, Vicks and Antibiotic Ointment
- Clip the nail back a little in the affected area just enough to show a little bit of underlying skin.
- Combine 1 cap full of apple cider vinegar and peroxide.
- Dip a q-tip in the mixture and rub it on the affected area.
- Note: It may fizz a little bit but it reduces in few minutes.
- Repeat the application 3 times a day.
- During the daytime, rub some antibiotic ointment on your nail fungus.
- Reapply whenever your nails would get wet.
- At night, apply Vicks vapor rub and secure it with a Band-Aid. Make sure the band aid is not too tight.
- Repeat this process daily. You will see the results in few days.
Tips and Precautions:
- Use organic, unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar that contains the Mother element for the most effective results.
- If the application of ACV or soaking in ACV is causing any unbearable irritation, try diluting it with some water.
- Apple cider vinegar can wear away the enamel so it is advised to drink it using a straw.
- Including ACV in your daily diet also helps to treat and prevent nail fungus.
- Sometimes the nail may fall off while using the remedies. If your nail falls out during ACV treatment, continue the application of ACV until a new nail grows out completely. This usually takes up to 2 months.
- Whenever you visit a salon for pedicure or manicure, make sure the staff uses only sterilized tools. Tools like emery boards, nail clippers can spread the nail fungus.
- Trim the infected nail regularly.
- Never use same towels to pat dry the affected nail. It is better to use paper towels.
- Wash your feet whenever come back from public places like locker rooms, showers, spas and swimming pools.
- It is better to use flip flops instead of shoes until the nail fungus is completely gone.
- Before wearing socks, make sure to apply some antifungal powder.
- Avoid sharing socks or shoes and wearing tight footwear.
- People with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease or any other systemic disease that restricts blood flow to feet should take some caution while attempting to kill the fungus.
- Avoid putting nail polish and artificial fingers as they create a moist environment which encourages fungus growth.
- Reduce sugar intake as it encourages fungus growth.
- If the above remedies don’t work then please consult a doctor.
Have you tried ACV for treating nail fungus? Do you know any other methods that work to cure nail fungus? Have you tried using lavender oil to treat nail fungus?
Share your experiences, suggestions, and queries in the comments.
Hi everyone, this is Rajee!
I live the beautiful city of Baltimore, where my husband works.
I’m from India. I have been visiting India on and off for past few years and my mom was an inspiration for me to start this site. She has a wealth of knowledge on home remedies for a large number of health problems, and we grew up in an environment where frequent visits to the doctor just wasn’t logistically or financially feasible.
Despite this, she managed to raise a family of healthy kids, and my goal here at Home Remedies for Life is to pass on some of her knowledge of natural remedies.
I mistakenly bought a large bottle of non-organic, filtered, pasteurized, non-mother ACV from one of the major grocery brands. I know you say it will not have benefits without the mother but If I add it to an ACV containing mother will it support the further growth of the mother?
I have been using the water & apple cider vinegar solution, also removes callouses, a plies. My question is does the solution effect nail polish finish? Don’t want to wreak the new manicure!
Once the solution is used it should be discarded and use a fresh batch each time. Yak, who wants to use it a second time? I cannot imagine doctors using a solution a second time, OMG.
I have been suffering from toenail fungus for over 4 years. it started on my big toe on my left foot and now it has spread to the other toes on the same foot (luckily the other foot is fine). I am embarrassed to use sandals etc. Out of despair I bought this very very expensive product called Zeta Clear which now i think it’s just a scam because I have been using it for a month and I don’t see any results. I am a big believer of home remedies but this fungus is driving me so mad that I just thought I would give this ZC a go. My question is. Could I use any of your suggested remedies using ACV and then apply the Zeta Clear? I would very much appreciate any guidance as I would like to know if I can invest my time in soaking/applying ACV every day.Many thanks in advance.
I have the start of white fungus on my big toe and small toe of one foot. Can I soak my whole foot or should I try and only treat my big and little toe?
Question: May 5, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Instead of apple cider vinegar, does regular vinegar work?
Answer:
Yes, regular vinegar is also helpful in treating the nail fungus. It contains anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties which fight off the infection and restore the skin’s pH.
Question: March 29, 2017 at 1:06 am
Does it have to be ACV with the Mother to be effective?
Answer:
Yes, for effective results it has to be ACV with mother element in it.
There are 2 different answers so I am a little confused. I did go ahead & order the special type of vinegar today.