So Can Vicks Vaporub Kill Toenail Fungus
While the study concluded positively, stating âVicks VapoRub seems to have a positive clinical effect in the treatment onychomycosisâ itâs clear it only works for some.
Since most toenail infections are caused by T. rubrum, itâs not likely Vicks VapoRub can help kill your infection. However, if your infection is yeast-based or due to T. mentagrophytes it might help.
One clear limitation to this study is the lack of patient follow-up after product use stops. Considering nail fungus infections easily and quickly reoccur after treatment, itâs quite difficult to consider it a âcureâ if it reoccurs.
How Well Does Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus Treatment
From times past, many people have successfully used Vicks VapoRub to treat toenail fungus while other people were not successful in using the treatment for their toenail fungus.
This is not alarming as some pretty costly over the counter prescription also does not work for everyone in treating toenail fungus. Also, when you consider that many people do take antifungal medicine for months without a positive change, it is not alarming. Even though they could get relief for a couple of months, the infection might return after a while
This point to the fact that toenail fungus comes in varieties. Another cause also might be the variables present in the carriers body such as the level of immune system and hygiene. Also, we suspect that these fungi pathogens come are many.
It might be surprising to know that some people also walk barefoot in the shower or gym. These sets of people, yet, do not get nail fungus while others will have a thick, ugly, yellowish-brown nail that might be difficult to clip.
This has puzzled researchers, and there are two speculations. Whether the immune system plays a vital role in helping against the toenail fungus, or there are different kinds of fungi.
The good news is that many people have successfully used Vicks VapoRub to treat toenail fungus. It, however, does not work for others. As a result, we cannot base its effectiveness on the success story of a couple of people.
Healing Rough Skin On Your Heels
Dermatologists recommend petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, especially when used on damp skin, because it keeps moisture from evaporating.
That may explain why some people have found Vicks VapoRub helpful for healing rough skin on the feet and heels.
But more research is needed to support the anecdotal claims about its usefulness as a treatment for dry, calloused skin on the feet.
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Staying One Step Ahead Of Toenail Fungus
An established fungal infection is hard to eradicate, but you can stop its spread and improve your toenails appearance.
Toenail fungus isnt a pressing health problem. Yet a fungal infection can ruin the appearance of your nails and cause pain as it lifts the nail away from the nail bed. And fungal infections are notoriously difficult to get rid of. You may want to consider fungal toenail a condition to be managed rather than cured, says Dr. James P. Ioli, chief of the podiatry service at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Womens Hospital.
When To See A Doctor About Toenail Fungus
If you are experiencing persistent toenail fungus or pain is present, you may need to see a specialist. A dermatologist or podiatrist may be able to assess your symptoms and send a small sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a laboratory to be analyzed as there are various types of fungi and yeasts that cause onychomycosis. Knowing the specific cause of your foot fungus can help identify what route to take to treat your condition.
Nail changes can also be caused by underlying conditions, like psoriasis and diabetes, so its important to seek professional medical advice if your condition persists or worsens. Bacterial and fungal infection of skin in diabetes patients often result in hospital admissions, and in severe cases, can result in amputations. If you are at a higher risk for infection, you should skip home remedies and seek professional medical treatment.
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Home Remedies For Fungal Toenail Infections
Many people have described success with treating fungal infections with natural ingredients such as white vinegar, cinnamon oil, and/or tea tree oil .
Perhaps the most popular home remedy for fungal toenail infections is Vicks VapoRub. As with any home remedy, the key to success seems to be persistence. Twice daily treatment, morning and night, is necessary for continued success.
One advantage of self-treating with natural ingredients is the comparatively low cost. Vicks VapoRub may be the most economical treatment available for long-term usage in controlling fungal toenail infections.
But certainly, the cost is not the most important consideration. One attractive aspect of Vicks treatment is the absence of side effects and/or potentially dangerous complications.
Does Vicks Vaporub Really Cure Toenail Fungus
A longstanding rumor among those who suffer from fungus-ridden feet contends that over-the-counter Vicks VapoRub has a hidden podiatric power: it allegedly cures toenail fungus.
A 2009 piece from the New York Times backed up the unwittingly miraculous cure, citing one study that noted how one of the ointments active ingredients, thymol, had unforeseen anti-fungal qualities. Herbal medicine enthusiasts probably relished the scientific validation, because thymol is a chemical compound found in the oil of the common household herb thyme.
Perhaps owing to the insignificance of toenail fungus in light of other, more pressing health matters, the intrigue around this alleged cure still stands. And the question obviously remains: does it actually work?
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Dr Gott: Here’s The Rub On Using Vicks For Nail Fungus
- DR. PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association
Dear Dr. Gott: I am an avid reader of your column, primarily because you present so many remedies that do not advocate drugs for ordinary problems.
I am particularly interested in solving the problem of toenail fungus, and see that people have said that Vicks will help. Could you tell me exactly where you put the Vicks — on top of the nail, or under? Would it make any difference if the nail had polish? I imagine many women would like to know if nail polish interferes with the action of the Vicks. I usually keep my toenails polished so that the fungus is not apparent.
Dear Reader: Apply Vicks VapoRub to the nail, cuticle and surrounding tissue twice daily, rubbed in well, after having trimmed the infected nail as extensively as possible to reduce the “biomass” of the fun gus. You need not apply the Vicks under the nail, because there will, literally, be no “under the nail ” you have restricted that as much as possible.
Once you see normal nail growing out , continue to remove or trim infected nails, and apply the Vicks twice daily.
Although significant positive ef fects may take a year or more to appear , be patient. Keep telling yourself that 1) You have had nail fungus for years, so it may take years of therapy to cure it and 2) Vicks is so inexpensive that what have you got to lose?
Nonetheless, VapoRub does, unquestionably, in many people, provide a reasonable option for nail fungus that is safe and inexpensive.
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What Are The Side Effects To Use Vicks Vaporub
Most users report no side effects when utilizing Vicks Vaporub as a nail fungus treatment. Some users may experience a mild warming sensation, but that is about it.
This is a far cry from some of the terrifying possibilities of prescription drugs, which can have severe side effects such as organ failure and even death.
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Toenail Fungus: Symptoms And Causes
If one or more of your nails are infected with fungus, you may have nail fungus.
Nail fungus can infect fingernails, although it affects toenails more frequently.
Various fungal species cause fungal nail infections . The most common cause is dermatophyte, a type of fungus. Yeast and molds can also infect the nails, causing infection.
People of any age can acquire a fungus nail infection, but it is more common among the elderly. The nail might become brittle and dry as it gets older. Fungi can infiltrate through the breaks in the nails as a result of this. Other factors, such as poor blood circulation in the feet and a weaker immune system, could also be involved. Athletes feet can cause toenail fungal infection, which can spread from one nail to the next. However, contracting an infection from someone else is uncommon.
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How Did I Get Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus usually enters the nail bed when there has been an injury to the area, such as a crack or a split.
Once the fungus enters, the warm, dark environment that it finds in shoes and socks allow it to grow and spread. The fungus starts by growing under the nail bed, making it very difficult to reach with any sort of medication.
The standard treatment usually involves prescription medication or partial or full removal of the toenail.
The fungus first appears as a black spot on the toenail. This spot can start to grow and your nail can start changing color as it progresses.
If you let it go, your nail may thicken, change color further, and even produce a foul odor . It is best to deal with the early signs before it turns into something really serious.
One of the main causes of toenail fungus is poor hygiene, and the chances of getting toenail fungus increase with age men being more likely to get it over women.
This could be due to many factors, but most likely because men typically dont take care of their foot/nail hygiene as much as women do.
Why Does It Work A Look At The Ingredients
In order to answer the question of why does VICKS work?… we first need to take a look at the ingredients it contains.
It has some proof of working, so what it is exactly that makes it effective?
The ingredients included in the normal VICKS VapoRub include the following:
Active Ingredients
- Used commonly for pain relief, anti-irritant, against coughs, and yes… even as an antifungal.
- Reduces pain and swelling and increases blood flow when applied topically.
- 2014 study published in the journal Biological Research shows it does indeed have antifungal activity, although not particularly when dealing with toenail fungus. It has been shown to inhibit growth of fungi better than other essential oils.
Inactive Ingredients
- Turpentine oil
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How Often Should I Apply Vicks Vaporub To My Infected Nails
If possible, we recommend utilizing the Vicks Vaporub formula twice a day once in the morning and once at night.
Everybodys skin and nails react differently to the formula and have different levels of sensitivity.
If twice a day proves to be too extensive and causes any sort of adverse reaction, consider cutting it down to once a day.
Does Vicks Vapor Rub Cure Toenail Fungus
It has been rumored that curing toenail fungus is as easy as going to your kitchen pantry or bathroom medicine cabinet. Vinegar and Vicks Vapor Rub are two products that are supposed to cure toenail fungus.
The problem with these home remedies is that there is no recommended treatment regimen for either product. There also have not been any clinical studies confirming that either treatment is effective. The Mayo Clinic mentions both treatments, but emphasizes that there is no clinical evidence supporting either claim.
A podiatrist can diagnose your condition as onychomycosis and provide scientifically-based treatment that is right for you.
There are three types of treatment for onychomycosis:
- Topical Medications
- Oral Medications
- Laser Treatment
All of these treatments penetrate the nail bed at the source of nail infection. The problem with vinegar baths or applying Vicks Vapor Rub is that they dont penetrate the nail bed and get to the source of the fungal infection.
If you want the best treatment options available for killing fungus, call our office at 816-943-1111. Dr. Mark Green has been treating conditions of the foot and ankle for over nineteen years.
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The Research On Vicks Vaporub For Nail Fungus:
As for Vicks VapoRub, there actually have been a few studies showing benefit against nail fungus. In one, people with AIDS had their nail fungus treated with Vicks. The conclusion: safe and effective .
Previously, a pilot study had shown results in 15 out of 18 people using Vicks VapoRub on the nails daily for 48 weeks . Even before that, a study of some of the essential oils in Vicks VapoRub showed that they are active against five different species of fungus that infect nail tissue . Camphor, menthol, thymol and oil of eucalyptus are effective against these organisms. Moreover, fungi rarely develop resistance to them .
What Does Onychomycosis Look Like
Onychomycosislookas
. Keeping this in consideration, what does fingernail fungus look like?
Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. If your condition is mild and not bothering you, you may not need treatment.
Likewise, what is the best treatment for onychomycosis? The most commonly used oral drugs for treatment of onychomycosis is griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole and ketoconazole. The disadvantages of oral antifungal agents are, they require a longer treatment period and they have more side effects, e.g. terbinafine .
Likewise, can onychomycosis go away on its own?
Fungal infections of the toenails â also known as onychomycosis â dont go away on their own, and if left untreated, the fungus will spread and can eventually destroy the nail.
What does toenail fungus look like in the early stages?
An early stage fungal toenail infection will show up with white lines or spots evident on the surface of the nail. The nails will become thick, more yellow, and brittle.
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Can Vicks Vaporub Help Treat Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungal infections are known as onychomycosis in medical terminology. These infections are particularly challenging to cure for two main reasons.
First, there are many different types of fungus that cause the malady, so choosing the most effective treatment can be elusive. Second, immune systems vary from person to person. The responses to a particular treatment will not be the same for everyone.
Natural home remedies have been added to the pharmaceutical options with some degree of success. Vicks VapoRub is a popular treatment that contains substances known for their anti-fungal qualities. But is this treatment really safe and effective?
Apply Vicks Vaporub To Your Nails
Apply the formula directly to the nails, nail bed, and skin surrounding it. We recommend using a cotton ball or q-tip.
Please do not use your hands you do not want to expose your fingernails to the infection and risk contaminating your hands or fingernails.
Wait upwards of 30 minutes and then wash off and dry nails completely.
If you experience a mild burning sensation, stop treatment immediately and consult your doctor.
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Foot Fungus Clean Version
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Clean Socks And Shoes
Regularly changing your socks and shoes can also cut down on the growth of unwanted foot fungus. Both socks and athletic shoes can also be washed in hot water to rid the growth of yeasts and fungi that may be growing on the fabric. Some shoes can be machine dried. Drying shoes in the sun is another option when cleaning footwear.
Adding a half-cup of baking soda or one cup of vinegar to the washing machine can help eliminate bacteria or fungus on socks or shoes.
Boots and other footwear that are not machine washable could be wiped out with a vinegar and water solution or sprayed with an over-the-counter antifungal spray. Medicated powders are also helpful in treating shoes for foot fungus.
Allowing the feet to breathe by taking off shoes and socks when possible can prevent fungal growth. Protect your feet by wearing breathable footwear and clean socks. Antimicrobial socks and shoes made from bamboo, copper, or specialty fabrics are also available. They can help reduce unwanted bacteria and yeast from growing in your footwear.
A proactive approach to keeping your feet clean and dry can prevent the spread of toenail fungus. You can wash or soak feet with warm soapy water or a foot bath using everyday household items. Soaking your feet in an all-natural, homeopathic concoction can be beneficial in reducing or eliminating toenail fungus.
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