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HomeFactsCan Vicks Help Toenail Fungus

Can Vicks Help Toenail Fungus

What Did The New York Times Article Say

The Right Way To Use Vicks Vaporub for Toenail Fungus – Toenail Fungus Cure

Researchers have been studying the effects of the herb, thyme, on curing toenail fungusa condition that, while not normally harmful, eats up an expectedly large portion of Americans medical bills every year. Over-the-counter medications for eliminating nail fungus are plagued with drawbacks: Theyre expensive, dont have great results, and have a whole slew of side effects. Heres what The New York Times had to say in 2009 about the research surrounding the use of herbal remedies such as thyme to treat dermatophytesa common type of fungi that humans contract from contact with other humans, animals, and soil.

In one study, scientists tested the antifungal effects of the ingredients in a generic medicated chest rub. Of the seven ingredients, thymol was among the most effective at inhibiting the growth of dermatophytes that cause nail fungus. Other studies in animals have also shown thymol oil to be effective against dermatophytes. And studies have also shown that thymol oil destroys another cause of nail fungus, Candida, by disrupting its cell membranes and metabolism.

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What Real Users Are Saying

There is a lot of talk about using VICKS for toenail fungus and a lot of people recommending it online, HOWEVER, there is a lack of information coming from people who have actually used it to treat such.

Most of the information I have found comes from sources saying things like “it can be used for this”, “it has been used for that”, and things like this.

It would be nice to see some more good evidence of it working, but at the same time, the lack of good evidence doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work.

I was able to find a small number of reviews on Amazon. Of course there weren’t many because most people’s reviews talk about other things since treating toenail fungus isn’t the reason most people buy it.

*If you do have your own success story with VICKS VapoRub be sure to leave it in the comment section below for others to see!

Vicks Vaporub And Its Ingredients

Vicks VapoRub is a household ointment, and it is commonly designed for cough and cold suppression. But some studies show that some of the ingredients can help treat toenail fungus.

Vicks ingredients are camphor, menthol, cedar leaf oil, some nutmeg oils, turpentine oil, eucalyptus oil, and petrolatum. And these oils are believed to be the best of the best in treating nail fungus.

Also, it has been passed on from generation to generation in every household. It can also be used to treat ear infections, athletes foot, and hemorrhoids.

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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.

  • Thickened
  • Discoloration ranging from whitish to yellow-brown
  • Brittle, crumbly, or ragged is a term used to describe something brittle,
  • The shape has been distorted
  • A dark tint that results from dirt accumulating under your nail.
  • Having a slightly unpleasant odor
  • 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.

    How Well Does Vicks Vaporub Work

    Vicks Vaporub contains antimicrobial, anti

    A. Over the years we have heard from many people who have had success with Vicks VapoRub in the treatment of nail fungus. You will read some of their stories below. Others tell us this remedy is totally worthless.

    That is not surprising. Many people report failure with pricey prescription anti-fungal products too. Some people spend quite a bit of money on oral antifungal medicine and take it for many months, only to have the fungus return after a temporary cure.

    It seems as if nail fungus is surprisingly variable. This may be due both to the range of fungal pathogens that can affect nails and to differences among the hosts immune systems. Some people never get nail fungus even though they walk barefoot in the garden, in the shower or at a locker room. Others find all their toenails are thick, yellowish-brown and misshapen. Not only do they look ugly, but they are hard to clip. One treatment may work for awhile, but the fungus seems to come back relentlessly.

    We often wonder whether there are different fungi at work or if the relationship between the immune system and the fungi have something to do with this problem.

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    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.
  • Eucalyptus oil
  • Commonly used for coughs, clearing the chest, as a disinfectant, helping control blood sugar, joint pain, against infections and more.
  • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • 2015 study in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research took 22 participants with toenail fungus and tested the application of eucalyptus oil. The results were that 86% saw superficial nail fungus clear up within 4 months and those with subungual and proximal subungual onychomycosis also saw decent results.
  • Menthol
  • Used to reduce inflammation, sooth cuts/burns, for respiratory problems, etc
  • Cool soothing properties that give a very relieving feeling.
  • Shown to inhibit fungal growth, as stated in Journal de Mycologie Medicale.
  • Inactive Ingredients

    • Turpentine oil

    Laboratory Studies And Results

    The active ingredients found in Vicks VapoRub were all clinically tested to see how they can be used to prevent and stop the spread of fungal infections. The results were quite promising as camphor, eucalyptus oil, menthol and thymol all exhibited the ability to help suppress fungal infections. Of course, these are all tested within the confines of a controlled laboratory environment and human cases are vastly different and will have unforeseen factors that might affect end results. However, the fact that Vicks VapoRub seems to be a viable alternative fungal infection treatment is great news on its own.

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    Clinical Trials Using Vicks Vaporub

    Recent laboratory studies that were published in 2011 had further pushed the effectiveness of Vicks VapoRub in treating certain cases of toenail fungal infections into the lime light. The study had 18 participants and lasted for at least 50 weeks. Over the course of the studies, each participant was instructed to use Vicks VapoRub daily and apply it over affected areas. After which 5 of 18 participants stated that their fungal infection was eliminated while 10 stated that they experienced improvements.

    These studies showed that Vicks VapoRub might be effective when used against specific types of fungal infections. Doctors are still trying to determine which type of fungus can be treated using Vicks VapoRub.

    Treatment of fungal toenail infections can be quite a handful as other medications can be expensive while over the counter treatments may not be as effective. Vicks VapoRub on the other hand seems to offer a good balance in both as it appears to be effective and affordable at the same time without having and side effects. It is important that you contact your doctor as soon as possible if you find yourself developing symptoms of toenail fungal infections. Vicks is an alternative treatment that you can try out alongside the medication that your doctor prescribed to you.

    Does Vicks Vaporub Really Work

    Why You SHOULD NOT use Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus. (Here’s What I’ve Learned.)

    Nobody has been able to prove that Vicks VapoRub is an effective treatment for toenail fungus. Although research has been conducted, testing has been limited, albeit positive.

    Due to the lack of clinical evidence, the Food and Drug Administration have not added Vicks VapoRub to their approved list of treatments for fungal infections. At present, anecdotal evidence is the most we have to go on.

    Medicines that are approved by the FDA are not exactly the best treatments either. Lamisil is the most successful drug for treating onychomycosis but still has less than a 50% cure rate. In a 12-week study, only 38% of patients reported improvements. This increased to 49% after 18 weeks.

    The danger with Lamisil, however, is that patients can have serious side effects. Furthermore, FDA-approved prescription medicines can interfere with other commonly used medications, such as antibiotics. They also have to be taken over an extended period of time.

    Medical professionals acknowledge that fungal infections are notoriously difficult to treat. Typical healing times take over a year, and anything up to 18 months to completely disappear. Furthermore, there is also a possibility the fungal infection will return once you stop treatment.

    Therefore, religiously rubbing Vicks to your toes could prove as effective as any other treatment but without the side effects.

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    What Are Vicks Vaporub Side Effects

    There is no report of any side effects when using Vicks VapoRub for treating toenail fungus. Some users may experience a mild warm sensation and some irritation, but nothing serious. In contrast, there are many over the counter medications, which can have severe side effects such as liver damage, fatigue, skin rashes and even death.

    How Does Vicks Vapor Rub Work

    • Vicks Vapor Rub contains the ingredients Camphor , Thymol , and Menthol , which have all been shown to all fight against toenail fungus in some research studies.
    • A Spanish study states that Vicks Vapor rub is very effective.
    • The Mayo Clinic admits that while many people vouch for this treatment method, it is difficult to prove that Vicks Vapor Rub has a great deal of effectiveness.
    • Anecdotal from our standpoint is that it can definitely kill fungus if used correctly!

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    Vicks Vapor Has Three Main Active Ingredients:

    How To Use Vicks Vapor Rub Cure Toenail Fungus
    • Camphor a topical anesthetic
    • Menthol just like camphor, it exhibits anesthetic effects when applied to the skin
    • Eucalyptus oil antibacterial and antifungal effects

    Besides the three active ingredients mentioned above, Vicks Vapor also contains other ingredients including thymol, an extract from the thyme plant which was used for thousands of years to treat a number of conditions and infections. Thymol is known for its ability to wipe out fungi and bacteria.

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    Treatment Options For Nail Fungus

    Interviewer:

    Interviewer:

    Dr. Hull:

    Most of my conversation is usually discussing medical therapy, so things that are available by prescription only. And those come in two main forms, which are topical antifungal medications, and then oral antifungal medications. There are other surgical or procedural options, so you can remove nails as well. And then theres starting to be more interest in technologies like lasers for nail fungus.

    Interviewer:

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    Vicks Vaporub And Toenail Fungus

    Toenail fungal infection is a nail condition that is affecting millions of people around the world. It can affect people of all ages but is more common with adults and the elderly as their immune system is considerably lower. In fact, more than 50% of cases concerning toenail fungus are people over the age of 70. Toenail fungus or onychomycosis is a hassle to treat and has a habit of returning every once in a while which is quite a nuisance. Fortunately, recent studies have shown a connection between treating toenail fungal infection and the product Vicks VapoRub.

    Home Remedies To Tackle Toenail Fungus

    How To Treat Toenail Fungus With VICKS VAPORUB – Toenail Fungus Cure

    The problem with home remedies is that there is nothing stopping people from promoting a treatment for something that not only doesnt work but can actually be harmful.

    Bleach for toenail fungus, case in point!

    That having been said, although not clinically proven, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence from people who have used home remedies for treating toenail fungus with apparent success. The following are the top three home remedies for killing toenail fungus that are safe to use, and might actually work for you.

    Vicks VapoRub was invented more than a century ago as a treatment for pneumonia and croup. The crazy thing is that the same ingredients that have made it a medicine cabinet staple ever since, for easing coughs, colds and chest congestion, also all have antifungal properties.

    Vicks VapoRub contains camphor , thymol , and menthol .

    Vicks is also one of the few home remedies out there for which there was an actual clinical study performed that showed that it did indeed show positive results against toenail fungus for some people.

    Now what you need to realize is that the study included only 18 people and of those 18, with daily use, after 48 weeks, completely cured only 5. This is a success rate of just over 30%.

    The premise behind this home remedy as a cure for nail fungus is that vinegar is acidic, which gives it antifungal and antibacterial properties. It slows down the growth of some types of fungus and may even get rid of it entirely.

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    Are All Petroleum Jelly Products Safe

    Though we cant comment on each Petroleum Jelly brands, we can say that the oldest ones are highly recommended. These brands have been researched well.

    Since Vaseline is the number one petroleum jelly brand, it is the best in skin healing.

    Vaseline is the safest as stated by many studies and research experts. Also, Vaseline is inexpensive yet the most effective petroleum jelly used as a treatment for Toenail Fungus.

    Some Of Its Other Uses Include:

    • Insect repellent
    • Promotes the healing process of bruises
    • Alleviates an earache

    Vicks Vapor also proves to be effective for persons with fungal infections, particularly those affecting their toenails. In fact, this is one of the most commonly recommended remedies for nail fungus, but its natural to be skeptical and wonder whether it really works because fungal infections are incredibly stubborn.

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    Who Suffers From Toenail Fungus

    • Do you sweat a lot?
    • Do you use a public pool or take communal showers at the gym?
    • Do you regularly go to a nail salon to get a manicure or pedicure?
    • Do you suffer from diabetes, malnutrition, a weak immune system, or have you smoked for a long time?

    Unfortunately, if you answered yes to any of these questions, you are more likely to contract toenail fungus.

    Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus Treatment

    Vicks For Toenail Fungus Review

    Nail fungus is a frequent ailment that appears as a white or yellow spot under your fingernail or toenails tip. As the condition continues, nail fungus can cause your nail to thicken, and crumble at the edge. It is possible that multiple nails will be affected at the same time.

    If your problem is mild and does not concern you, you may not need therapy. If your nail fungus is bothering you and has thickened your nails, self-care and medications may assist. Even if treatment is effective, nail fungus frequently returns.

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    Does Vicks Vaporub Cure Toenail Fungus

    One of the home remedies that is popular, especially appearing regularly in the Houston Chronicle‘s health column, is the use of Vicks Vaporub to cure toenail fungus. In fact it is so convincingly popular that I’ve had patients discontinue the use of prescribed anti-fungal treatments, with scientific studies proving that they are effective, in favor of using this product. Does Vicks Vaporub cure toenail fungus? The answer is no.

    Why does this myth persist? Vicks does have some effect on the toenails. Applying Vicks Vaporub to the toenails will soften and lighten their color. This gives the impression of treating the fungus. In truth, Vicks may have some anti-fungal properties, but it is unable to effectively penetrate the toenail to treat the fungus. This is a problem with many topical anti-fungal treatments.

    Tanglewood Foot Specialists use Formula 3 as our topical anti-fungal of choice. We have seen this medication provide better results than any other topical anti-fungal medication. In addition, the company stands behind its product with a money-back guarantee. Formula 3 is available at our Houston podiatry office.

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