Vicks for fungal toenail infection - question for those who've used it.

[MommaMaxine]

My partner has had a toenail fungal infection for years (more than 10).

He totally ignored it at first (which he has now realised was a very bad idea). His nails are pretty grim now - yellow, thick, lumpy, and brittle.

Over the last few years he's tried all sorts of remedies - tea tree oil, over the counter topicals and even an oral medication from the GP. He's currently using a combination of treatments. It is slowly improving.

Up until the last few weeks, my toenails have been fine. However, I've started noticing that a few of my nails are slightly yellowing and I'm worried that this might be the start of an infection.

I've read that Vicks vaporub is very effective. I've bought some. What I want to know is - do you need to file nails down before application?

I'm worried that filing my nails down (and removing the top layer of the nail) might make them more susceptible to getting infected. Considering I live with my partner, share a bed and bathroom etc, I want my nails protected.

Can anyone whose had success using Vicks offer some advice?

I suggested my dad use it on his toe nail.

He just put it on directly. No filing. It was miraculous! Within a week I think knit looked so much better.

Watching with interest. I’ve had it on a little toenail for years, tried all the medicated treatments like Nailner and Scholl to no avail, but I think it’s starting on another nail which is getting thicker and ridged.

I did try tiger balm for a while, does Vicks have any other magic ingredients?

@MommaMaxine

I'm sure you know that it's highly contagious

Vicks or other home treatments may be successful though

The active ingredient in Vicks that is anti fungal is the eucalyptus oil in it.
It is no better than tea tree oil.

I wouldn’t be doing these home remedies since the strain of fungus your partner has and you may have caught is resistant to them. You would be repeating his mistake.

I would ask the doctor for a course of antifungals and I would ensure my partner practices good hygiene and that all bedding/towels are not shared and washed on a hot wash with oxygen based bleach.

Used Vicks for months and it did nothing. The only thing that worked was flucanazole, It was a while ago but I think weekly for several weeks.

I used neat tea tree oil, it wasn’t a bad case and it worked.

Thanks for your replies.

I'll keep using the Vicks for a couple of weeks (with no filing initially).

If it doesn't work, I'll go to see my GP.

Recently went to see a podiatrist, the toenails are thick and yellow/brown. The podiatrist said only a course of medication from the GP will stop it. They also said it is extremely strong and can cause liver problems so must be taken with caution. Even said that some GPs are extremely reluctant to prescribe it. I have started the course which (according to the podiatrist) can take up to a year in some cases. It’s amazing how strong/resilient fungal toenail is.

I would be wary of the tablet solution, my adult DS took it and the blood test results were not good. Ended up having his liver scanned and an enlarged spleen. All resolved now - but back to tea tree.

I used tea tree oil with olive oil (50/50) on a horrible nail. It took 6 months of using daily and airing the nail often. I also Cut right back on sugar. The nail is now completely healed

My nails look better from using Vicks (enough I can paint over them!) But it hasn't removed the fungal infection per se. I have bad athletes foot too and vicks helps ease that as well!