Skip These 5 Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus isn’t the prettiest thing to look at. But it’s also nothing to be ashamed of. It’s extremely common, especially as we get older.

While these infections can be stubborn, they’re treatable. But the “how” might not be as simple as the internet makes it seem. Truth is, home remedies are rarely up to the task.

We asked family medicine physician Josue Limage, MD, about five common home remedies for toenail fungus. Dr. Limage discusses the limitations of these options — and shares some better ones.

Do home remedies for toenail fungus work?

Time for some radical honesty: The best remedies for toenail fungus aren’t sitting in your pantry. They’re at the pharmacy.

Both prescription and over-the-counter options are more likely to clear your infection than a home remedy is. Popular DIY fixes have little science behind them. And they take a long time to work, if they work at all.

To top it off, toenail fungus is contagious. You can spread it to other areas of your body. Other people can catch it from you. And it has a nasty habit of coming back, no matter how you treat it.

“Even if your nail clears up after treatment with prescription medication, fungal infections in the nails have a tendency to recur, especially if you tend to get these types of infections,” reports Dr. Limage.

If you use home remedies or even over-the-counter treatments, the likelihood of the fungus coming back is even higher.

If you aren’t sure whether or not it’s safe to treat your toenail fungus at home, Dr. Limage recommends speaking to a healthcare provider or starting with over-the-counter fungal treatments instead.

Toenail fungus myths to stop believing

A quick internet search will yield a long list of home remedies for toenail fungus. It includes everything from propolis extract to ozonized sunflower oil.

But let’s be real: Most of the items on those lists aren’t just lying around your home. And if you have to go out shopping for a toenail fungus remedy, it makes more sense to get an over-the-counter treatment that’s backed by solid scientific evidence. Or — better yet — see a provider.

Common home remedies include:

• Menthol products: Menthol does have antifungal properties, but that doesn’t mean you should slather menthol ointments or mouthwashes on your toes.
• Apple cider vinegar (ACV): This tasty condiment has antimicrobial properties that make it a go-to additive for foot soaks. But there’s no conclusive scientific evidence that it kills toenail fungus. Apple cider vinegar can also cause chemical burns.
• Baking soda: If your feet tend to sweat, applying baking soda may help keep them drier. But it can also dry out your feet too much, leaving them irritated and more prone to infection.
• Essential oils: Although you might see a few essential oils listed as ingredients on over-the-counter antifungals, there’s not enough evidence to claim that they’re effective at treating toenail fungus. They can also cause allergic reactions — and in some cases, may be toxic to kids and pets.
• Garlic: Maybe you’ve heard that garlic can have fungicidal properties. But don’t get your hopes up. You’ll probably kill a vampire with the stuff before you kill a fungal infection.

Who shouldn’t try DIY remedies

Toenail fungus isn’t usually painful or dangerous. So, some people try to experiment with home remedies and over-the-counter products for a few months before getting proper medical treatment. Dr. Limage recommends skipping the DIY treatments altogether, regardless of how healthy you are.

But certain people have a greater risk of serious complications from toenail fungus, including a bacterial infection called cellulitis. If you’re one of them, going the home remedy approach could be dangerous. See your provider if you have symptoms of toenail fungus and:

• Are living with diabetes
• Have circulation problems like peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Are immunocompromised
• Have nerve issues (peripheral neuropathy) that affect your feet

When to see a doctor

Many cases of toenail fungus don’t require a trip to the doctor’s office. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat them.

“The greatest danger of not treating toenail fungus is that it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the hands and groin,” Dr. Limage explains. In rare cases, a fungal infection of your toenail can cause serious damage or complications, like a foot ulcer or a bacterial infection.

Toenail fungus isn’t a condition most people lose sleep over. But it’s still important to pay close attention to your symptoms. Make an appointment with a provider if:

• You aren’t getting the results you want through home remedies or over-the-counter options.
• The infection is getting worse or spreading.
• Your toenails start to hurt.
• The skin around your toes is swelling, turning red, bleeding, oozing pus or hot to the touch.
• It hurts to walk.

You should also alert a provider if you’re noticing significant changes to the shape, color or texture of your toenail.

“It’s important to be aware that there are other diseases that can cause nail changes,” Dr. Limage says. “For example, we see things like squamous cell skin cancers in the nail beds and even melanomas, which have a brownish or blackish discoloration.”

According to Dr. Limage, the best treatment for fungal nail infections is a prescription medication that you take every day for two to three months. Topical antifungals are a good backup option. Depending on your circumstances, you may even be a candidate for laser or phototherapy.