How to Cure Toenail Fungus with Vicks Vaporub
Toenail fungus won't kill you, and it's seldom painful or uncomfortable. For most people, the worst thing about toenail fungus is that it's ugly and makes them very self-conscious. In more severe cases, it can work its way under the nail and cause the toenail to separate from the nail bed.
My daughter hid her feet for years because of a toenail fungus that made her toenail thick, flaky, white and ugly. The dermatologist we consulted didn't want to use the systemic oral medication that's usually prescribed for toenail fungus because of possible side effects. Instead, she recommended that we use Vicks Vaporub. It took a while, but here's how we cured her toenail fungus with Vicks menthol rub.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Before bedtime, soak your feet in warm water for at least twenty minutes. You can skip this step if you don't have time to fit it into your daily routine, but it's helpful for softening your skin and toenails.
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2
Dry your feet with a clean towel. The "clean" is important. It's very easy to re-infect your toenails. Make sure that you wash any towels and socks that come in contact with your fungus toe in hot water and bleach.
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3
Use an emery board or diamond file lightly over the surface of the nail affected with toenail fungus. You can also gently clean under the nail with an orange stick wrapped in sterile cotton and dipped in hydrogen peroxide. This will thin the nail and make it easier for the Vicks to penetrate.
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4
Apply Vaporub directly to the toenail, the cuticle and the underside of the nail. You can also apply it to the bottom of the toe and the soles of your feet. Vaporub contains menthol, eucalyptus and camphor, all of which inhibit the growth of fungus. There are other inert ingredients that may also have an affect on the growth of toenail fungus.
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5
Put on a clean pair of white cotton socks. The biggest reason to do this is to keep the Vicks from staining your sheets.
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6
Be patient. This is not a quick fix, but then, there are no quick fixes for toenail fungus. It could be months before you see results - it was nearly 8 months before my daughter's toenail was completely cleared up.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you can't do this every night, even a few nights a week will make a difference. The most important thing is to be patient.
See a doctor first to be sure that you're dealing with a toenail fungus.
Do not use Vaporub on children under 2 years old at all.
Do not use this cure on children under 12 unless you talk to a doctor.
Proctor & Gamble, who make Vicks, state that Vicks Vaporub has not been approved for treating toenail fungus by the FDA and they have not tested it, so they do not recommend using Vicks for the treatment of toenail fungus.
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- Photo Credit http://www.vicks.com
