Vicks for Toenail Fungus: A Sure Way to Avoid Cold Feet!

Using Vicks for toenail fungus may be a sure fire way to avoid a case of "cold" feet but could this strange sounding home remedy really be effective at treating the stubborn bacteria that causes nail fungus?

Although it may sound strange to use a product that is intended to bring about relief from the common cold, including symptoms such as cough, congestion, and muscle aches and pains, there are numerous anecdotal accounts of people using Vicks VapoRub for treating onychomycosis, or nail fungus.

Using Vicks VapoRub for Toenail Fungus

The topical analgesic Vicks VapoRub features a combination of the ingredients camphor, menthol, thymol, the essential oil of eucalyptus, and petrolatum. The combining effect of its active and inactive ingredients is what is largely believed to have a healing effect on toenail fungus.

According to home remedies, to use Vicks VapoRub for toenail fungus the affected nails are to be generously coated with the product once or twice a day for anywhere from six to 16 months on average. Some recommend soaking the feet prior to using Vicks for toenail fungus in order to soften the nails and skin first.

The nails should be gently filed and the feet and toenails should be clean and dry before applying Vicks. Thinning the nails by filing is said to make it easier for the treatment to penetrate the infected and thickened toenails.

When applying Vicks, home remedies usually advise completely covering the nail, the cuticle area, and the underside of the nail as well as the bottoms of the feet if they are also infected with fungus. Wearing socks overnight is also recommended when using a fungus Vicks treatment.

The Popularity Behind Toenail Fungus Vicks Treatments

The Internet has become one of the very first places people look to when searching for answers to their health problems. Home remedies using a variety of ordinary products in different or unusual ways have become incredibly popular topics of discussion online. This is not only due to the initial convenience of resorting to home remedies or "all natural cures" but also because many are worried about the serious side effects that come along with some prescription medications, including those intended to treat toenail fungus.

Reports of toe fungus Vicks treatments are prevalent online as some swear by its effectiveness at treating toenail fungus. However, proponents of the treatment admit there is no scientific evidence proving that the topical treatment is effective when used in this manner but many still continue trying the remedy in hopes for success.

The Case Against Toe Fungus Vicks Treatments

The very first thing to keep in mind when it comes to using Vicks for toenail fungus is that Procter & Gamble, the manufacturer behind Vicks VapoRub, states that their product has not been approved for the treatment of nail fungus by the company itself or by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and do not recommend using it as such.

None of the ingredients in Vicks have been confirmed as a being an effective antifungal agent although they have been known to cause permanent damage to the nails and nail beds. Therefore, Vicks is not able to actually treat the root of the problem and may very likely cause irreversible damage in the process.

Although toenail fungus is not a life threatening or serious health condition, it can cause pain and discomfort and be rather difficult to treat, not to mention causing unsightly, discolored nails. While many prefer to avoid prescription drugs, instead of resorting to questionable home remedies, using over-the-counter products for nail fungus is another method of treatment to consider. Some OTC products can be quite effective when used in therapeutic dosages bringing about visible results but without serious side effects.

If you have been affected by toenail fungus your absolute best course of action is to explore all of your treatment options thoroughly before proceeding. Although Vicks for toenail fungus may be a popular home remedy at the moment, treating the root of the problem is always imperative when it comes to toenail fungus in order to save both time and money and also for experiencing real results.

To seriously address your nail fungus problem, read the "Nail Fungus Report". This 32 page pdf report has incredible value for nail fungus sufferers and can be downloaded for FREE at http://www.toenailfungustreatmentreview.com/nailfungusreport.html

Heather Stewart is the founder of Toenail Fungus Treatment Review, an independent organization devoted to empower consumers with the most accurate information on toenail fungus remedy options and alternative treatments. Read her review to weigh the pros and cons of each treatment and find the most suitable cure for you.