Fungal toenail cure for stubborn case - not the tablets!

[chr1stmastree]

For various reasons I can't use the tablets which they prescribe and can cause liver issues. Are there ANY over the counter things which actually work?? I've tried some to no avail. This toenail has been like this in and off for nearly a decade! I also have to go swimming each week with my young child for their lesson which probably isn't helping!

Please, any real life remedies which actually worked?? Anyone ever had this for years and years and finally got rid?

I've used Canesten thrush cream which has worked pretty well (although it always seems to come back as soon as I paint my toenails).

I'm going to try this!

@chr1stmastree ive had it for nearly 5 years in my left foot. Big toe, and two smallest and it’s awful. Stoped wearing sandals, hide my feet at home etc.

nhs just gave me tablets which I can no longer take and did nothing - and then they shrugged. Even the nhs chiropodist shrugged.

one day whilst avoiding a jazz festival in my local town I happened upon a private and welcoming looking chiropodist. I paid £45 for my consultation and first visit. He gave me a bit of a file down and look over and gave me a tiny spray I’ve seen on shelves for years.

Lamisil 1% spray. I spray it on daily (1 pump for each toe - 2 smallest just needed one together) and I saw a difference within 8 weeks with the new growth on big toe. Nearly 5 months later it’s all cured and nearly fully grown back (I had cut away quite a bit of the nail).

I also have an electric filing tool I use just on those toes and every month I gently file down the infected areas to thin them (they got really thick).

im still working on the smaller toe but it’s not as obvious as the big toe was.

im so glad I paid for that 1 visit it was worth every penny. I now have it set up on a subscribe and save auto delivery with Amazon every 6-8 weeks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lamisil-2855500-1-Spray-15ml/dp/B001DQD3A4

I forgot to say that I used the miaroma one and it worked for me.

Lamisil and Lacuna for me

(Sounds like an 80's pop combo)

I had two big toenails crumbling and black, one little toe, and one toe next to a big toe. The worse were the big toenails. It had spread and I was scared it would get all 10. Did this daily for a year, plus still do it once a week. Have to commit long term.

60ml (2 capfuls) of 3% hydrogen peroxide in enough water to cover toes (not 6% - too strong). Soak for 30 minutes every day. Separate flannel and towel for feet only. Pain in the arse, but did the trick. And expensive. It killed the fungus. The toe next to the big toe is where it started - it got damaged in hiking boots. I took it upon myself to file it and that was when it spread to the other toes. That is still damaged (a bit deformed but the nail looks clear) and I suspect the fungal infection is hiding beneath it waiting to emerge. I miss nail Polish on my toes but I hear it comes back if you use nail polish.

Always wear socks with shoes or wear open toes if possible. Especially in summer. If I have to wear foot in a shoe without socks and toes covered up, I spray shoes afterwards with Scholl fungal shoe spray and don't wear the shoes the next day.

I cut toe nails with separate scissors from my fingernails.

I did try the tabletas and they made no difference at all - this Excilor stuff was what sorted mine! Only thing that worked and I think I tried everything!

Yeah I used Curanail. The one where you file the nail down and apply a coating once a week. Mine were really thick and stubborn. I did it for two winters in a row and they're pretty much normal now.

... but it does still come back a little bit. I just have to keep on at it every now and then.

Tried a few other paint on ones, they're all crap Curanail definitely works, but you must be absolutely regimented about it. And you cannot wear varnish over the top.

At my doctor's suggestion, oil of oregano applied daily with a cotton bud. It took a few months, but it worked a treat.

Tea tree oil and patience

I've suffered with this for years, tried OTC products without success, been to GP, been prescribed Terbinafine (plus blood tests to go with it!). But I've found that's no miracle cure either; only a marginal improvement after a year or so of taking it. Might as well have a go with tea-tree oil, thanks for the tips. I also buy a sterilising powder I use for home-brewing; it's called VWP, might try that too.

Curanail worked for me, but I was absolutely by the book with it. Filed and applied every Monday. Took 11 months to grow out entirely. I don’t understand how people can say it’s gone in three treatments - the nail is damaged and you have to wait for it to grow out don’t you? Mine was almost down to the quick but not quite.

I’ve been using nailner from boots. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it completely but the nail itself has improved vastly and is a lot less painful.

Ooh I’m going to try this -I have the limes already

hi op. I just cured mine, it took about 6 months. It started due to me walking a lot int he summer. Every day i scrubbed the foot and nail with soap and water. I put on clean socks and exposed my nail to the air as much as possible. I kept it very short and filed down every week. I did this religiously. It grew out and is now fine after about 6 months. The nail tends to come away from the nail bed which can make it easier to be really ruthless with cutting the nail short and filing etc. do not let it get sweaty or covered.

you are not the only person who has had success with this method. I have read about this before.

Honestly it just sounds like if you use a corrosive product religiously, whatever it is, it'll work!

Does it work well for its intended use (hair removal) too?

Emtrix, works better than anything

Following for ideas. I've already tried the tablets and Vicks without success.

I've secretly wondered about either bleach or mould killer. Where does the fungus come from?

Re the Lumea, do you just aim it at the nail and zap?

Thsnk you @TheCatterall that sounds great! I had a look and the ingredients include terbinafine, which is what's in the tablets they prescribe. The tablets can affect your liver but I presume spraying it directly into the toe does not carry that risk! I'm going to give this a try.

My question is, can I ever really cure it all the time I'm going swimming once a week? I have to take my 3 year old to a lesson and the changing facilities are minimal, plus I have a lively preschool child running around. No showers available and I'm unlikely to have time to throughly dry my feet afterwards.

@chr1stmastree i swim weekly - presume we all shower etc. the water and chlorine does not encourage the growth. If anything it softens the nail. I always apply the spray after any showers - as in my women logic the nail being softer means the spray will seep in deeper?? Who knows but sounds feasible in my head. Regardless - I don’t feel the swimming etc impeded my recovery time. The spray is my miracle magic and I stand behind it 💯!