Nail fungus can be a source of embarrassment, preventing you you from wearing sandals or showing your feet. If you have been diagnosed with onychomycosis, prescription drugs are available to help cure your condition. However, these drugs are hard on your liver and require blood work on a regular basis. Anecdotal evidence suggests that cider vinegar, a standard pantry item in many homes, may be able to cure your fungus issues because of its antimicrobial properties. The Mayo Clinic notes that no studies yet prove the effectiveness of cider vinegar as a nail fungus cure.
Soaking
The Mayo Clinic suggests that soaking your feet in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water for 15 minutes every day may be effective. Make sure to rinse your feet thoroughly and dry them completely before putting on shoes and socks. If the solution causes skin irritation, either add more water to make the solution less acidic or use the soak every second or third day.
Topical Application
If soaking your feet requires too much time, use cider vinegar topically. Apply it to the base of the nail, as well as the other nails surrounding the infected one. Nail fungus is very aggressive, so treating the surrounding nails will help prevent its spread.
Put a small amount of vinegar in a cup. Dip a cotton swab in the vinegar, and paint it around the infected toe. Discard the swab and grab a fresh swab to treat each other nail to avoid passing on the infection.
Internal Use
Apple cider vinegar is purported to have many health benefits, including aiding digestion and helping your internal organs function. Drinking apple cider vinegar may, according to anecdotal reports, aid in ridding you of nail fungus.
The theory is that vinegar helps rid your body of an overabundance of yeast, which may be the cause of your susceptibility to nail fungus. Drink 2 tsp. of cider vinegar in an 8-oz. glass of water every day to combat the fungus.
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