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Original poster

Fungal toe nail

107 replies

connie26 · 17/02/2023 10:35

Has anyone successfully cleared fungal toe nails without medication? I've tried everything but it seems nothing works. The tablets made me very such so had to stop those. Currently, I'm filing them as much as possible and dabbing with Miltons on a daily basis. My next thought I'd to have them removed or at least my big toe nail which is a complete mess!

OP posts:
flowerycurtain · 17/02/2023 10:53

I use Emtrix. Had it badly in most toenails and it's cleared up all but two stubborn ones. I've been using it for 5 months

AnnaMagnani · 17/02/2023 12:39

No. Spent approx 10 years filing it and doing tea tree oil, nail lacquer and all sorts.

Gave up and got the medication and it was gone.

The podiatrist suggested laser if it came back (it didn't), so if you can't manage the tablets it would be worth finding someone who does the laser.

mauvish · 17/02/2023 12:45

Has it been properly diagnosed? Some other nail problems can mimic fungal infections and obvs, antifungal treatments will only work if it is a fungus.

Christmascracker0 · 17/02/2023 12:45

If medication is needed for fungal toenails is it best to go to the GP, a chiropodist or a podiatrist? (Sorry to jump on on your thread op!)

KillingMeDeftly · 17/02/2023 12:57

Have you tried honey? My dad tried that when he had a similar infection on his toenail and it cleared up. I can't guarantee it will work for you but it might be worth a try!

mauvish · 17/02/2023 13:04

Christmascracker0 · 17/02/2023 12:45

If medication is needed for fungal toenails is it best to go to the GP, a chiropodist or a podiatrist? (Sorry to jump on on your thread op!)

The stuff that often works best is oral medication, only available on prescription. The lacquer that you can buy tends not to penetrate deeply enough into the nail to get rid of the fungus, especially if it's been there quite some time.

You need to take the medication daily for several months (usually around 6 months) to treat fungal infection in toenails. It has some quite nasty possible side effects.

KangarooKenny · 17/02/2023 13:09

I keep seeing Vicks vapo rub suggested as a cure

Oldandcobwebby · 17/02/2023 13:10

Trying with Nailner brush-on liquid since early January. It's my second toe, so not a big area. It certainly looks a LOT better, but it will be months before it grows out.

MissConductUS · 17/02/2023 13:11

Oil of oregano cured mine but it took a couple of months. My GP recommended it.

Calling · 17/02/2023 13:13

Tea tree oil.

ihavespoken · 17/02/2023 13:17

@KangarooKenny I just came on to say Vicks! I am trying this for the same problem and it seems to be working - also v cheap so worth a try

WoofWoofBeachLife · 17/02/2023 13:41

My DH is trying tea tree and it is slowly reducing the infection in that his nails aren't as thick with the infection. It's months of perseverance though. Unfortunately he's given it to me and mine improves then comes back with a vengeance. It's horrible. I will try oil of oregano actually. Did you use this neat? I'll look at Emtix I'm sure I've had this though.

WeCome1 · 17/02/2023 13:43

I got rid of mine with tea tree mixed with almond oil applied with a brush twice a day. I filed off as much as I could. After about three months it was almost gone.

drinkingcream · 17/02/2023 16:50

I keep hearing Vicks...tried it but didn't do anything. I think it may be better to visits GP

mikado1 · 17/02/2023 17:05

I have used all the other stuff at this stage, currently trying vicks but I'm after a foot set with clippers (pliers!!)and the electric file that the podiatrist uses..at least I could maintain them at their best with that... it's a total PITA.

Wanderingowl · 17/02/2023 17:07

I'm another one who had it for a decade (all my toes after the first few years) and eventually went for the medication. Maybe I would have been able to clear it up without it if I'd been more committed but it just seemed insurmountable.

The terbinafine definitely made me mildly depressed and I put on weight. Both because I didn't enjoy exercise much while I was on it and because I think I was retaining fat.I also became quite bloated while I was on it.

Salzburggirl · 17/02/2023 17:11

Well mine fell off after swimming in a radioactive lake in Hungary for 3 hours. The 2 fungal nails just peeled clean off when I was relaxing in a bath the next day.....

And I'd had them for years and tried everything.

WoofWoofBeachLife · 17/02/2023 17:19

WeCome1 · 17/02/2023 13:43

I got rid of mine with tea tree mixed with almond oil applied with a brush twice a day. I filed off as much as I could. After about three months it was almost gone.

Going to try this.

WombatChocolate · 17/02/2023 17:29

Depends how bad it is. If it’s a couple of nails and they are partly discoloured, the various things you rub in, natural or from pharmacy might work.

If all your nails are v thick and fully discoloured, perhaps with a sort of crumbly inner which is foul smelling, it is quite likely only the medication will work.

If I remember rightly, there are 2 main types of nail fungus. One responds to terbinafine and the other to another similar, but different tablet.

Do you have any other fungal or skin conditions? People who have regular thrush, athletes foot,other fungal infections usually find the tablets sort out all those problems.

Oblomov23 · 17/02/2023 17:32

No. I can't even get rid of mine even with GP tablets and also GP medicine to filing nails and painting on nail varnish type medication. Hate it!

Rainbow1901 · 17/02/2023 17:36

MissConductUS · 17/02/2023 13:11

Oil of oregano cured mine but it took a couple of months. My GP recommended it.

This worked really well - but it takes time. As in waiting for the whole nail to eventually grow out - but it does work!!

RhubarbAndMustard · 17/02/2023 17:39

They only thing that has worked for me is Canespro. It basically removes the infected part of the nail. I had it quite bad affecting half of my toe nail vertically. I took off as much of the nail as I could and then use Daktarin cream every day on it. It's now growing up clear from the bottom so sincerely hoping I've cracked it

Shunkleisshiny · 17/02/2023 17:40

My DH was prescribed tablets for a fungal toenail, it got rid of the problem, but unbelievably his hair started to grow back on his bald head!!! Not masses, but noticeable, when he told the doctor, the g.p. said some of the ingredients in the medication are also in Regaine.

Original poster
connie26 · 17/02/2023 18:28

Thank you for all your replies. It's good to hear of some success stories. My big toe is such a mess and gets sore as the nail is so crumbly now. I'll keep persevering though!

OP posts:
Cranarc · 17/02/2023 18:28

None of the OTC treatments worked for me. I was not prepared to take the tablets. Daily tea tree oil has worked.