Have you ever tried to get rid of toenail fungus? This infection is not particularly dangerous, but it is unsightly and it can be inconvenient. Fungus-infected toenails are often thick and hard to trim. Readers have shared a lot of different home remedies that they have found helpful for alleviating toenail fungus. Some like to apply castor oil while others smear Vicks VapoRub on their ugly nails. One reader is enthusiastic about resorcinol for treating this fungus.
Resorcinol for Toenail Fungus:
Q. Years ago, I heard on your show that resorcinol is antifungal and that it is an ingredient in Vagisil anti-itch cream. When I rubbed Vagisil on my toenail fungus, it worked as well as Vicks VapoRub. My toenails look better than they do with Vicks. I do have to keep applying it to my toenails or the fungus would return.
A. Resorcinol is an old compound that has both antifungal and antibacterial activity. It is used in Vagisil Original Strength, a product promoted for relieving genital itch.
Research on Resorcinol:
Resorcinol is not usually used to treat nail fungus. However, investigators found that two resorcinol derivatives are active against common skin and nail pathogens (Molecules, Sep. 30, 2016). Fungi that infect the nails and skin are evolving and developing resistance to the most common medications used to treat them (Mycopathologia, Feb. 2017). For example, Italian researchers have found that many such organisms are resistant to the common antifungal drug fluconazole (Mycopathologia, Aug. 2019). Consequently, people should be delighted to have remedies that work, such as resorcinol.
Even though Vagisil is an unusual remedy for nail fungus, we are glad to hear that it is working for you.
