Sorry, but rather than just give you a like, I have to give you a ROFLMAO!
Toenail fungus
- Thread starter Henro
- Start date
true. there is not a lot of retail value in doing a study with something that has been around longer than any of us have, is readily accessible, and is dirt cheap. Medical studies are generally done in support of new compounds.
There are several home remedies that can be beneficial but ANY treatment needs to be coupled with good foot care or the fungus comes back or never really goes away.
I always wonder if that also includes throwing all your shoes and boots away?
I think it pretty much does recommend throwing away all shoes and boots...but I have not...we will see how things go. BUT so far so good.
ALSO I am not sure if I mentioned it, but I did apply bleach to the toenails for a couple months before giving up, and I only gave up because I did not realize that whatever is there has to remain until it moves out and is cut off, or maybe ground off with a rotary tool or whatever.
The way I look at it is one step at a time...will keep my shoes and boots for a while and see what happens...
Thinking about it, before throwing shoes and boots away, I would probably saturate them with bleach a couple times first, and see what happened. Over the long term.
Edit: I am NOT interested in appearance! Just that those toenails on the smaller toes were getting thick and pointing upwards enough that pressure was applied to the toes, and the toes hurt when wearing normal shoes.
THAT issue is no longer there...happy camper here...
the bleach thing is called dakin solution from 1916. are you using it straight or diluting . because a little bleach go's a long ways!
Dakin's solution is a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite (0.4% to 0.5%) and other stabilizing ingredients, traditionally used as an antiseptic, e.g. to cleanse wounds in order to prevent infection.[1] The preparation was for a time called also Carrel–Dakin solution or Carrel–Dakin fluid
jyoutz
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In my case, right or wrong (probably wrong) I applied the bleach to the toe nails full strength (probably a 5.5% solution) with a Q tip.
A different option was to soak the feet in a diluted bleach solution, but I elected not to do that. Actually I think I did try that, but found it to be a PITA. I WOULD NOT soak my feet in full strength bleach, for sure.
But I figured if I carefully applied the bleach directly to the nails it would be OK. I never felt any irritation of the skin surrounding the toe nails. Fast and easy.
Not claiming my results were perfect, but SO MUCH better not having toe nails on the smaller toes that were thick enough to cause pain and soreness due to shoes pushing down on them.
Again, I should say that after doing this for a couple months, in the evening, I kind of gave up because I was not seeing immediate results. AND I stopped applying the bleach.
But gradually the toe nails grew out, and were clipped off, and the new stuff that was pushing the old stuff forward, was much more normal and flat. I think it took about a year before the old stuff was gone.
So if anybody reads this thread in the future, be aware that results are NOT immediate, and time is your friend.
Actually, as a side note, I did address this issue with my PCP, as far as the problem I was having with the toenails. (Before discovering the bleach possibility). I was willing to have the toenails surgically removed and mentioned this to her. But she was nearly my age and pretty experienced and basically said, that might not be wise, toe nails are there for a reason...
The pedicurist my Mom uses recommended Vicks Vaporub applied to the toes after washing, drying and using an emory board to "rough up" the nail surface. Then put on socks for the night and in the morning dry your toes before putting clean socks on
Henro, like you said, the process is a long term affair and you have to be dedicated and regular in doing it to see results. She also said it is not guaranteed to work
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I just began this so don't hold your breath waiting to hear the results
Henro, like you said, the process is a long term affair and you have to be dedicated and regular in doing it to see results. She also said it is not guaranteed to work
.I just began this so don't hold your breath waiting to hear the results
not typically- spraying with antifungal spray and letting them dry helps. Washing helps (if the shoes can tolerate it). The big problem is that fungus likes dark, warm environments which most shoes/boots provide. using a peet dryer is a good way to completely dry out your shoes. Not using cotton socks helps too. Changing the insole can make a difference. Fungus spores are ubiquitous, however, and you will not eradicate them, you are merely seeking to change the environment in your shoes and on your feet so that the spores do not use us to germinate.
I used prescribed meds, JUBLIA to be specific. Toenail fungus is not just on the surface of the toenail, it lives below it, in the skin as well. Unless your remedy can penetrate down under the toenail itself, you won't wipe it out.
I had a bad case back in 2003 (foreign tropical travel), and had to take pills for 3 months to wipe that one out.
I had a bad case back in 2003 (foreign tropical travel), and had to take pills for 3 months to wipe that one out.
Way back when I thought people in their 70's were very very old, Wifey and I were in a restaurant trying to enjoy dinner when a table of "seasoned citizens" next to us decided to have an extended and detailed discussion on the topic of all their foot problems. Reading about the subject here isn't so bad.
We're now in our 70's, and don't feel like old people yet. Our hearing hasn't worsened to the point that we need to speak loudly enough to be heard two tables away and also haven't felt the need to discuss anything that oozes, bleeds or otherwise discharges that may be unpleasant for fellow diners.
We're now in our 70's, and don't feel like old people yet. Our hearing hasn't worsened to the point that we need to speak loudly enough to be heard two tables away and also haven't felt the need to discuss anything that oozes, bleeds or otherwise discharges that may be unpleasant for fellow diners.
Toenail issues are often signs of underlying health issues.
Dad had toe fungus and toe nail probs for years. Found out Diabetes can cause it as can many other things. He's diabetic and never knew it. As long as he's treated, and keeps the nails trimmed off, he has no problem with them now. No more toe probs. Hes disabled/military and the VA takes care of the toes now since he can't do it himself. The diabetes is taking it's toll, loss of feeling in the toes/feet now.
I broke (shattered) the right big toe when I was young. The nail grew back but it is odd. I don't have any trouble with toe fungus or jam though because (mainly) I take care of the feets.
In the military they tell you to take care of your feet! When I worked at the kubota dealer, we actually moved from a small building to a much larger one, so the shop became about Wait til you get GOUT. You will want to cut your big toe off!30x bigger, which meant a LOT more walking. Doctor and I conversed about it once and he said try a pedometer, so I did. Averaged between 22,000 and 30,000 steps a day from 0800 to 1800 5 days a week. 4 times a day I'd go into the bathroom and wash the feet. I never had any issue, other than the boss thought I was wasting time. BUT I was also the highest producing, most efficient shop tech in the chain of 12 stores on a consistent basis. Point being, take care of your feet! You don't realize how important they are until you have a problem with them. Foot pain was my nemesis for years...so I can speak from experience.
Dad had toe fungus and toe nail probs for years. Found out Diabetes can cause it as can many other things. He's diabetic and never knew it. As long as he's treated, and keeps the nails trimmed off, he has no problem with them now. No more toe probs. Hes disabled/military and the VA takes care of the toes now since he can't do it himself. The diabetes is taking it's toll, loss of feeling in the toes/feet now.
I broke (shattered) the right big toe when I was young. The nail grew back but it is odd. I don't have any trouble with toe fungus or jam though because (mainly) I take care of the feets.
In the military they tell you to take care of your feet! When I worked at the kubota dealer, we actually moved from a small building to a much larger one, so the shop became about Wait til you get GOUT. You will want to cut your big toe off!30x bigger, which meant a LOT more walking. Doctor and I conversed about it once and he said try a pedometer, so I did. Averaged between 22,000 and 30,000 steps a day from 0800 to 1800 5 days a week. 4 times a day I'd go into the bathroom and wash the feet. I never had any issue, other than the boss thought I was wasting time. BUT I was also the highest producing, most efficient shop tech in the chain of 12 stores on a consistent basis. Point being, take care of your feet! You don't realize how important they are until you have a problem with them. Foot pain was my nemesis for years...so I can speak from experience.
Daren Todd
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Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
I dose my shoes and boots with copious amounts of lysol and let them air out for a few days.
At $200 for a pair of work boots, and $130 for a pair of decent sneakers that I can walk in, that would add up pretty quickly.
Yeah that was what I was thinking. Not to mention custom made orthotics. I have seen boot dryers that might help.
Daren Todd
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Lifetime Member
Equipment
Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
I've actually been eyeballing the boot dryers. Would be handy adter walking the dog when it's rainy.
I don't have custom orthotics, but do have high arches. I'm extremely picky on work boots since I'm in them for 12 plus hrs a day. Gotta have a good arch support or I'm shuffling around at the end of the day like a 90yo.
For sneakers, I get "Brooks" after a recommendation from my doctor. They are between $130 and $150 but comfortable and helped with tedonitus in my feet.
I've tried a few OTC products, none made a difference. What did work was a good soapy scrubbing every day. It took a few months but it faded away.
It got as bad as it did (really not that bad though, but you could see it) due to ignoring it for years.
Lt. Dan said "Take care of your feet!"
It got as bad as it did (really not that bad though, but you could see it) due to ignoring it for years.
Lt. Dan said "Take care of your feet!"
Since we are still talking...
We have a large bath shower area, in the home we built with our own hands, which is about 8x10 feet in area, or a bit larger (total bath size probably about 9x12). It is a Japanese style bath, so there is a floor drain, and you soak in clean water after washing off outside the bath tub.
We do not use the bath as much as we used to, but the shower does not require any doors to keep splashing water away from anything.
I usually like to sit on the floor and wash off, even when showering, when we are not using the bath to soak in. When using the bath, we just take water out of the bath with a kind of bowl, to wash off with.
So anyway, a couple days ago, I am sitting on the floor and washing off under the shower, and while washing my toes, what do I find? A toenail off a small toe has come loose and there is a nicer one there that was there underneath it.
Not sure if there is a message here. But it sure is a movement in the right direction and may encourage me to start the bleach routine for a month or two again, just in case, although to date I am pretty happy with the unexpected results.
I say "unexpected results" because I did not realize whatever is done will likely take six months or a year to show results. Other than surgical removal.
We have a large bath shower area, in the home we built with our own hands, which is about 8x10 feet in area, or a bit larger (total bath size probably about 9x12). It is a Japanese style bath, so there is a floor drain, and you soak in clean water after washing off outside the bath tub.
We do not use the bath as much as we used to, but the shower does not require any doors to keep splashing water away from anything.
I usually like to sit on the floor and wash off, even when showering, when we are not using the bath to soak in. When using the bath, we just take water out of the bath with a kind of bowl, to wash off with.
So anyway, a couple days ago, I am sitting on the floor and washing off under the shower, and while washing my toes, what do I find? A toenail off a small toe has come loose and there is a nicer one there that was there underneath it.
Not sure if there is a message here. But it sure is a movement in the right direction and may encourage me to start the bleach routine for a month or two again, just in case, although to date I am pretty happy with the unexpected results.
I say "unexpected results" because I did not realize whatever is done will likely take six months or a year to show results. Other than surgical removal.
Have you ever considered laser treatment for toenail fungus? I also use a laser to correct spelling errors in others' posts when quoting them.