So, has anyone here treated toenail fungus successfully? If so, how? I've tried *natural* remedies over and over for 5 years now without any longterm success. It would *seem* like the fungus was gone, and then a few months later...ugly toenail again. I ripped my large toenail off when I was pregnant with dd#1 and somehow that triggered it.

Anyways, I got a prescription for Lamisil and doc said I need to be on it for 3-6 months. I've read things online about how even a treatment course like this possibly not working in the long term.

I have tried everything...including the oral Lamisil...It didn't work for me. I was on it for a year. It is tough on the liver. It was outragously expensive and very difficult to get insurance to cover it. Hope you have better luck with it.

I will subscribe to this thread though in case someone has a remedy that works...

My doctor advised against the medication, because of the expense and potential side effects. My toenails look "ok," but the nail is weakened by the fungus, so I have to be careful when clipping, or too much of the nail will come off.

It's yucky, but my doctor said the treatment is more harmful than the fungus.

I have one friend who had luck with using Vicks Vapor Rub on her toenails and another friend who nothing worked, so she had surgery to remove the nail.

I don't have toenail fungus, but remember finding information on this when looking up info on chronic yeast infections, and was finding info on athletes foot and how it ties into yeast.

Here is one link that involves vinegar: wwwDOTaskwaltstollmdDOTcom/fungus.html

If I remember right, from when I was doing research on yeast, there is a possible link between some toenail fungi and an overgrowth of yeast in the body, and I think I read that the yeast elimination diet may be able to help toenail infections. I am not totally sure on this...just thinking back to when I did the research a good six months ago. It may be worth looking into.

My bf took oral meds for his. It helped... and it's nearly all grown out now. Now for maintenance he uses a medicated foot powder and when I give him pedicures (sshhh! He'll kill me if I ever told anyone) bi-weekly and use tea tree oil. It's a natural anti fungal, so far so good.

I took lamisil for 3 months and it worked. It continues to work long after you stop taking the pill, and your nails will need time to grow back healthy. My dr. told me it's a slow process. It's been a little over a year, and my toenails are almost completely grown out and healthy looking. My insurance covered the generic lamisil (the same stuff as name brand) and it was CHEAP!!! Your fingernails will also get healthier and thicker too.
As for the liver stuff, I was pretty worried, but they did tests on me before, during, and after to make sure I was healthy enough.
I hope that helps!
edit: By the way, some home remedies may fix the appearance of the nail, but that doesn't mean you have cured the underlying fungal infection.
Good luck! I know how icky those are

Interesting. I'll look into this.

I am also on the generic. $20 for a 3 month supply online. I'm hoping it works as well as you describe! So far I have no reactions, but I haven't had liver enzymes tested yet.

Thought I'd find this thread from last year and see if there was anyone else who had input. I realize now that I didn't look farther into the yeast elimination diet, and will now.

I did a 4 months course of Lamisil followed by an varied schedule for another 2 months of on the first 10 days of the month. The fungus was growing out beautifully, but almost as soon as I stopped taking it it stopped growing out and started growing "up" again. I really wanted pretty toes this summer for flip-flop weather! No such luck.

2 days ago I actually cut off as much of my big toenails as I could (the unattached parts) and filed them down thin and am starting another 6 month round of Lamisil coupled with Penlac topical solution/lacquer. The Penlac will be at least a 48 week course. If this doesn't work, then I guess I will give up. None of the "natural" or home-based remedies I tried over the 5 years before I tried Lamisil worked either.

Hey Nori - sorry I missed this thread last year. I had a pretty hellacious case of toenail fungus (mainly on my 2 big toes, but it also spread to my other toes, pinkies were unaffected).

I did topical spreads (a two cream combo suggested by a dermatologist) twice a day. I had completely wrecked toenails for over 2 years. It took forever for my toenails to grow back, but everything is pretty normal now except for my left big toenail. It's still discolored and it WONT GROW at all (luckily, it is ALMOST as long as a real toenail, no one would notice it but me).

I used to get out of the shower and stuff my wet feet into fluffy bedroom slippers, Im pretty sure that's how I spread it to my other toes (and other foot!).

I will NEVER wear anyone's shoes or socks EVER! Toenail fungus is the worst.

You might try oil of oregano. It helps with yeast and fungus. I used to have frequent yeast infections and I take the pills and it's gone. I haven't had one in a long time. You can get it at a heath food store.

I was going to talk about yeasty beasties too. I agree you need a systemic approach. Try probiotics with a yeast cleanse diet. The die off might make you really uncomfortable but if you push through it--you will get to feeling a lot better.

I love tea tree oil. During the summer my son lives in wet shoes...always trying to get in water with his shoes on. never wears socks...so athletes foot fungus becomes a real problem--toe nail fungus is just foot fungus migrated to the toe nails. after a shower...when my skin is nice and open to it..I slather in between my toes with tea tree oil and do my whole foot. It's also very invigorating.

toe nail fungus is just an outward sign of a systemic problem.

My mom had toenail fugus for years. A little over a year ago she finally did the oral lamisil. So far, it's still gone!