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HomeFactsIs Vicks Vaporub Good For Toenail Fungus

Is Vicks Vaporub Good For Toenail Fungus

Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus

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

Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.

Destroy The Fungi In Your Shoes Or Risk Getting Reinfected

One of the most important aspects of treating your nail fungus is disinfecting your shoes, sheets, and other surfaces.

Unfortunately, If you have placed your infected nails into a pair of shoes, there are now fungal spores living in those shoes.

This means that even if you successfully treat your fungal nails, you will most likely reinfect yourself unless you destroy the fungi in your shoes.

Fortunately, there are a number of great solutions on the market. Although there are many different antifungal sprays and powders, our top recommendation is utilizing an LTE system.

Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer is a fantastic option that kills 99.9% of bacteria in your shoes. Simply place the ultraviolet bulbs in your shoes, and the system will automatically get to work destroying the fungi in quick 15 minute intervals.

The bulbs each last up to 8000 hours and are easy to replace, so you can finally get rid of your nail fungus and prevent reinfections.

What Foods Kill Toenail Fungus

Changes to your diet may actually be very helpful to eliminate the fungus thats causing the problem. Eating foods that increase the amount of healthy bacteria are an example of this. Fermented vegetables, dairy with probiotics, fiber, protein, and good fats are healthy foods that accomplish that task.

Read Also: What Is Black Fungus Infection

How Can I Soften My Toenails

Soak your feet in warm water for at least 10 minutes to soften your nails, and then use a towel to thoroughly dry your feet and toenails. Using a nail clipper, make small cuts to avoid splintering the nail and cut straight across. To lessen the chance of the nail becoming ingrown, dont round off the corners.

Where Do You Feel The Pain From A Torn Meniscus

Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus (Does It Work?) in 2020 ...

In a typical moderate tear, you feel pain at the side or in the center of the knee, depending on where the tear is. Often, you are still able to walk. Swelling usually increases gradually over 2 to 3 days and may make the knee feel stiff and limit bending. There is often sharp pain when twisting or squatting.

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Read Also: How To Get Foot Fungus Out Of Shoes

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.

Foods For Fighting Inflammation Arthritis And Joint Pain

In the United States, 54 million people are living with arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For those with arthritis, one in four will experience severe joint pain. That joint pain and stiffness often affects quality of life by limiting your ability to do the things you love.

When you suffer from arthritis, your body is in what is known as an inflammatory state. In this state, the old adage you are what you eat is quite true: some foods may trigger more inflammation while others can help reduce it.

If youre suffering from aching joints due to inflammation, changes to your diet can help.

Also Check: Can Blueberries Cause Stomach Pain

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Whats The Connection Between Vicks Vaporub And Toenail Fungus

Youâre probably familiar with the strong smell of this over-the-counter topical cough suppressant by Procter & Gamble. Giving Vicks VapoRub its infamous smell is camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol.

The connection between toenail fungus and VapoRub comes down to the two active ingredients: camphor, eucalyptus oil. These ingredients have been seen to have antifungal properties.

While their intended use is to soothe a cough when applied to the chest, there are some that swear itâs strong enough to kill toenail fungus.

Toenail fungus can be caused by a few different strains of fungi. Can VapoRub act as a catch-all and kill all toenail fungus?

Letâs find out.

Is Vicks Vaporub Suitable For Pregnant Women

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

In 2009, a statement was issued by doctors at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine warning people that Vicks salve should not be used on children under the age of two years old.

It was discovered that the strength of the VapoRub could promote mucus production and cause an inflammation of the airways.

Pregnant women are told to steer clear of over-the-counter medicines on account of the danger of impacting the placenta and creating an unsafe environment for the fetus.

There are two schools of thought. Non-medical groups claim the active ingredient, Camphor contained in the salve can pose a danger to unborn babies. However, there is no clinical evidence to support these claims.

Camphor can cause a miscarriage when ingested on its own. You would also need to consume a significant amount, more than the trace that would be left on your fingertips after applying the salve to your toes.

The other ingredients of Vicks VapoRub are also unlikely to cause any damage to your unborn baby. While it is safe to use the ointment while pregnant, if you do have any concerns, always make sure you give your hands a thorough wash before eating.

Also, if you have children under the age of two, dont leave the bottle out where your child can reach it. And flush any tissues or cotton buds you may use to apply the ointment down the toilet rather than putting them in a bin. You never know what kids are getting up to behind your back.

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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.

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!

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How Does Vicks Work On Nail Fungus

While the points mentioned above already make a good case for Vicks Vaporub, theres one more thing to this remedy that makes it all the more worth looking into. Its formula is the very thing that compels experts to consider the validity of the users claims of its effectiveness.

How does Vicks Vapor rub work on nail fungus, you might be wondering? Most experts attribute its success to the menthol and eucalyptus oil contained in this product.

These two are primarily known for their cooling and soothing effects, providing relief to the discomfort that comes with coughs, colds, and some cases of skin irritation.

They also contain antifungal properties, so its easy to see why it can possibly work on nail fungal infections.

Some experts, on the other hand, say that the thymol oil in Vicks Vaporub makes it a potent product against nail fungus. One study shows that thymol oil is effective in eradicating Candida, a species that is a popular cause of nail fungus. According to the study, thymol oil disrupts the cell membranes and metabolism of the said microorganism which then leads them to death.

These are the very reasons why experts are giving Vicks a chance when it comes to treating nail fungus. It shows great potential in getting the job done but more research is required to be certain.

Vagisil For Nail Fungus

13 Myths Uncovered About Vicks Vaporub Uses (With images ...

Jim P. offers a different optiona vaginal anti-itch product:

On a radio show years ago, Joe or Terry mentioned that resorcinol was an anti-fungal. This is the active ingredient in Vagisil .

So I tried it on my toenail fungus. The results were equal to Vicks VapoRub , but the nail surface was smoother and more normal-looking. All I do is rub Vagisil into the affected nails and nail bed once a day after my shower. 30 seconds once a day is all it takes, and theres no odor or greasy residue.

Note you wont clear up existing fungus you have to wait for new nail growth to see the difference.

Resorcinol has been around for more than 150 years. It has been used topically as an antiseptic and to treat a variety of skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema and acne. Not surprisingly, it has antifungal activity, which might account for why it could be useful against nail fungus.

Also Check: How To Cure Skin Fungus

What Experts Say About The Vicks Toenail Fungus Myth

If theres one thing that a lot of experts cant refute about the use of Vicks Vaporub for toenail fungus, however, is that theres evidence that it can help with the condition. This is a good thing but doctors and scientists have a few reservations that prevent them from recommending it as a treatment to their patients.

For one, there are very limited studies about the topic. The most cited study of on the matter involves a very small sample size and conditions that are varying in severity and types of infection. This means that the 18 subjects that participated in the study, the types of fungi that caused their infections and the severity of their conditions are different. These make their positive result still hard to quantify.

In this regard, experts cant directly answer the question, does Vicks vapor rub work on nail fungus? definitively just yet. However, theyre also not telling you not to try using Vicks on your feet for fungus. Since this product is formulated to be safe for topical use, chances are, applying it on the affected area wont hurt you.

What Kills Nail Fungus Fast

These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. Options include terbinafine and itraconazole . These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part. You typically take this type of drug for six to 12 weeks.

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How To Cure Nail Fungus At Home

The Right Method And Treatment Works

Symptoms: The prolonged discoloration and darkening of nails.

Causes: In the vast majority of cases, black toenails are an early sign of Onychomycosis, commonly known as: Nail Fungus. The prevalence of onychomycosis is very common with 6-8% of the adult population suffering an unsightly fungal infection of the nails.

Treatment: Nail Fungus will continue to become worse and more difficult to treat the longer it is left to grow and spread. Treatment of Nail Fungus can be a long and frustrating process when incorrect or incomplete treatment methods are used. Ensure that whatever treatment is used contains an active anti-fungal ingredient along with nail penetrating essential oils. Most treatment formulas fail to reach the nail bed where the Nail Fungus lives and grows.

Global Nail Fungus Executive Team:

Sandy Getzky – Executive Coordinator

Sandy is an experienced manager of medical research operations and authority content creation.

Pat B. – Head of Research

Pat holds a PhD in Natural Health and has been a Registered Nurse for 35 years.

Diana Arevalo – Contributor and Research Coordinator

Diana is a registered Nutritionist-Dietitian. Graduated with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Gary Smith – Medical Presenter

Gary is a professional medical presenter with over 35 years in this industry.

Tell Your Story

Global Nail Fungus Executive Team:

Sandy Getzky – Executive CoordinatorPat B. – Head of ResearchGary Smith – Medical Presenter

Vicks Vaporub And Its Ingredients

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

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 made of 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 generations to generations in every household. It can also be used to treat ear infections, athletes foot, and hemorrhoids.

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Is There Any Real Proof That It Works

Let’s get right to the point here… is there any proof that this stuff actually works? Because I’m sure a lot of people reading this have wasted a lot of time, patience and money trying things that simply turn out to be complete duds.

Does it really work?

Well… when it comes to the effectiveness of VICK’s specifically dealing with nail fungus, there unfortunately isn’t much research out there. That said, there is some…

A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine in 2011 took a look at the effects of VICKS on 18 patients who were suffering from onychomycosis over a period of 48 weeks .

The results were measured in 3 ways. They measured its effectiveness as a cure both mycologically and clinically, as well as on a personal assessment by the patients themselves.

The results: 15 of the 18 patients, or a whopping 83%, showed positive effects. And… 5 of the patients, or 27.8%, had been cured based on mycological and clinical results after the 48 weeks were up. 10 patients, or 55.6%, had infections that cleared up partially and only 3 had no change.

All in all… pretty good results.

Lack of proof?

As stated, there really isn’t much information and research out there specifically on VICKS VapoRub’s effectiveness when it comes to this.

The study mentioned above definitely proves some effectiveness and has some positives, however there has been some criticism as to the way this study was conducted, which might make it carry a little less weight.

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.

Also Check: How To Clear Toenail Fungus Fast

Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus

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Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is a common nail condition affecting millions of people in the United States. Fungal nail infections can develop on the nail from various organisms such as molds, yeasts, and fungi. This usually occurs after these organisms come into contact with a cracked nail or skin surrounding the nail as the opening provides a portal of entry for these organisms.

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