If you have onychomycosis, you may be avoiding wearing flip-flops or sandals. This unsightly and somewhat embarrassing condition is very common, and also very difficult to treat. Surprisingly, your home medicine cabinet may contain a cure. Some tout Vicks VapoRub as the source of stopping their toenail fungus. However, keep in mind that a nail infection should be properly diagnosed by your doctor before trying any type of treatment.
Features
The key to using Vicks VapoRub as a solution to toenail fungus is persistence. Nails grow slowly, and you can't cure the part that is already infected. Instead, apply Vicks to the tissue surrounding the nail twice a day. Make sure to do this every day as this fungus is particularly aggressive and requires a constant assault for any potential cure to have any effect.
Time Frame
Anecdotal reports suggest that Vicks VapoRub can be effective in as little as a few weeks. But this is likely for small infections that are just starting. Larger infections that include the entire nail will take longer, perhaps as long as six months, notes Jane Kelley, a nurse who specializes in foot care.
Warning
The Mayo Clinic notes that the effectiveness of Vicks VapoRub for this use hasn't been proven by any scientifically controlled study. While anecdotal reports abound, be cautious about using the product this way without first seeing your doctor. In addition, some anecdotal reports note that the toes first darken before healthy nail growth occurs, which might make a bad situation initially worse for some sufferers.
Use Vicks VapoRub externally. Do not swallow it or put it inside your nose. It contains camphor, which can be toxic.
Theories/Speculation
Vicks VapoRub includes a number of essential oils, many of which have proven antibacterial and antifungal properties. Eucalyptus oil, in particular, is often noted as having potential antifungal properties, though it is not yet scientifically proven. In addition, Vicks VapoRub includes cedarleaf and nutmeg oils, which may aid in its potential effectiveness in treating toenail fungus.
Significance
Because toenail fungus is hard to treat, it's useful to consider a simple home remedy. Vicks VapoRub is relatively inexpensive, easy to use and easy to find. In addition, it won't require lab visits to check your liver function, as required with some prescriptions for toenail fungus.
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