Nail Fungus Remedies Kick Up Controversy

Something about home remedies stirs strong emotions. Not long ago, we heard from a podiatrist who was very unhappy with us. “Home remedies hardly ever work,” he wrote. “The unproven treatments you mention are little more than urban legends. Don’t make me waste my time with patients dispelling the myths that Vicks VapoRub, dilute vinegar soaks or Vitamin E oil can get rid of nail fungus.” He recommended that people take FDA-approved prescription drugs like Lamisil or Sporanox instead.
It might have been his tone more than his message, but we certainly have heard from readers who beg to disagree with the doctor. One person who had success treating nail fungus with vinegar soaks expressed this opinion: “If a treatment is relatively harmless, as this is, and there’s even a chance it can work, I believe doctors should encourage alternative methods instead of high-priced medicines laden with potential side effects.”
A pharmacist weighed in: “I would like to point out some facts about the FDA-approved drugs the podiatrist prefers (Lamisil, Penlac, Sporanox). Does this doctor know that Penlac’s success rate for a complete cure, according to the manufacturer’s prescribing information, is only 5.5 to 8.5 percent AFTER 48 WEEKS? When using Sporanox, the percentage of overall success rises to a dizzying 35 percent.
“Also, does he know the costs of these medications? One pulse-pak of Sporanox costs $255.99. This is a 14-day supply. The manufacturer recommends taking the medication for 12 weeks, bringing the patient cost, without insurance, to $1535.94! No wonder people are looking for alternatives to these medications.”
Here is the latest entry in this argument: “I assumed toenail fungus was a fact of life. It had spread to five or six toenails by the time I saw a dermatologist. The prescribed treatment was costly and, after it began, the dermatologist told me the odds of re-infection after treatment are about 50 percent.
“A week later I had a nightmare reaction to the pills. I was in remote Finland, of all places, and developed hives and severe itching. I guessed it was the medication but I worried I would lose the efficacy of the expensive pills if I stopped.
“After 24 hours of non-stop, non-sleep itching I got a call through to the doctor and was told to stop taking the pills. That cured the itching, but ended the nail fungus cure.
“Then I decided to try the vinegar treatment. I applied a drop of distilled white vinegar to my toenails with a Q-Tip each time I got out of the shower. As the nails grew out, the fungus was completely gone.
“The cost: under $2.00 over nine months
“Side Effects: none”
Many people would not have the patience this reader did, to daub his toenails day in and day out for nine months. But many others like him prefer to spend less money and risk fewer side effects treating a condition that does not seriously threaten their health.
We discuss our favorite home remedies in our Guides to Nail Care and Home Remedies. Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. HR-311, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.