A few weeks ago we posted this message from a podiatrist who hated home remedies:
Q. I am a Podiatrist, and I would like to comment on toenail fungus and treatment. When you write, “Home remedies don’t always work,” you imply that sometimes they do work. This is untrue. Home remedies rarely work.
There are real, doctor-prescribed, FDA-approved, clinically tested medications to treat toenail fungus. These include topical Penlac (ciclopirox) or oral Lamisil (terbinafine) or Sporanox (itraconazole). I have successfully treated hundreds of patients with these drugs.
The unproven treatments you mentioned are little more than urban legends. In 23 years in practice I have never seen even one patient who has responded favorably to Vicks VapoRub, dilute vinegar soaks or Vitamin E oil. Don’t make me waste time dispelling these myths.
The response was overwhelming. Here are just a handful of the messages we received:
I am a veterinarian practicing for 21 years. I am offended, dismayed and embarrassed by this doctor’s remarks. There’s more than one way to skin a cat….pun intended! D.H.
I wanted to throw in my 2 cents – At my doctor’s suggestion, I tried not one, but FOUR courses of Lamisil – 4 months at a time, over $100 per month – to no avail. I realize that I took a huge chance with my overall health to get rid of the toenail fungus. I had begun receiving your website about that time. I was very depressed about the unsightly fungus, when I read of people’s experience with Tea Tree oil. I used it diligently, started to see the difference after about 2 weeks. That was years ago. I now use the oil as “maintenance” – every so often, I use it morning and night for maybe 2 weeks, to make sure it never comes back. So far, so good!
And don’t get me started about raisins soaked in gin – this is a miracle, especially coming from the world’s biggest skeptic! I have NO PAIN in my hands anymore! Who would have thought? M. E. A.
That podiatrists smug attitude and lack of insight is infuriating. “Home remedies” DO work — and often better than the costly, side-effect-laden Rx meds that Big Pharma throws at us. Shame, shame, shame on him! Cindy B.
My husband and daughter used Listerine for toenail fungus…And guess what…IT WORKED…C.M.S.
Doctors DON’T see their patients WHEN THE HOME REMEDIES WORK! Plain as day.
I experienced having ailments for which the doctor gave me an antibiotic. I decided not to take it and work with changing my diet. Two months later I am still doing wonderful. I found that I when I eliminated wheat I was cured and didn’t need the medicine or expensive tests to tell me by problem.
And for that I paid nothing and am healthier because I didn’t take antibiotics when I didn’t need them. B. G.
I must respond to the letter from the podiatrist who wrote to say that home remedies for toenail fungus are unproven urban legends and never work. Have him call me.
A few years back my nurse practitioner confirmed that one of my toenails was infected with fungus. She listed options such as live with it or have the nail removed. Instead, I began soaking the infected nail in a vinegar/water solution and afterwards applied Vicks VapoRub. Eventually the nail grew back good as new.
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.
If you would like to learn more about our favorite home remedies you may wish to consider our book from National Geographic, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies. It has hundreds of remedies for common conditions, from allergies and arthritis to gas and gout. What better holiday gift than practical, low-cost, low-risk approaches for good health.
If you would like to read more angry responses to the podiatrist, click here and scan down to comments:
