My mom has a finger (not toe) nail fungal issue. A few weeks ago, she cut one of her fingers and apparently it got infected. The top portion of her finger is slightly red and swollen. The nail is flaking.
I convinced her to go to the doctor, who confirmed the fungal infection. That's the good news.
The bad news is that he prescribed oral Lamisil. He wants her to take it for several months. This concerns me. Why? Because it can potentially have severe side-effects.
The doctor told my mom that the pill is the only way to truly get rid of the problem. He said topical agents wouldn't really help.
I know there are many anecdotal remedies out there. But, I'm trying to find a viable alternative that I actually might be able to convince my mom to try.
So, with that in mind, I'm trying to find something that is:
1. effective in a reasonable amount of time - months, not years.
2. that won't require any major dietary or lifestyle changes
3. that isn't too disruptive to her life
My mom is in her 70's. She already jumps through a lot of hoops, that I've asked her to (diet wise, supplements, exercise, etc.). I don't want to put her through anything that's too demanding.
The main concern I have with Dr. Stoll's method is that it sometimes takes a long time. I've found posts, on his bulletin board, where people had to use it for years.
The problem that I have with this one is that I don't know if it would address the skin part of the infection.
I was thinking perhaps of trying some type of topical or topicals and perhaps asking her to take a high-potency probiotic? Or maybe a natural antifungal, a probiotic and a topical? I think I might be able to encourage her to try this ... if it's likely to be effective.
Would colloidal silver, orally and/or topically be an option? In that instance, at least it wouldn't smell or taste bad. I know that factors into my mom's psychology.
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Well Im supposing that you cant get mom to pee on her finger can ya??? When dad was here, he did alot of missing the spot when it came time to empty his bladder, and I actually noticed that it helped his toenail fungus...
If that wont work, I have used vicks vapor rub and if I would have kept applying it on a consistent basis, it would have worked good and fast but after two days, I would forget to put it on..... oil of oregeno on the fungus works, eucalyptus oil works, but I would think your best bet would be iodine, because if she paints her finger with the iodine it will kill the fungus and any infection from the cut. and it seems to work really really fast... I use iodine for spot healing alot!!! On the grandbabies eczema, on bad bug bites, on fever blisters.. any type of sore, I just dab a bit of iodine, and it seems to kill all the bad guys... Collodial silver internally and topically would also work, but it seems to work slower in my opinion.
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I read the other day somewhere that the original Listerine Mouthwash, the yellow one, heals nail fungus. Wrap the nail with a cotton ball saturated with it and leave it overnight a few nights and the fungus is supposed to be gone.
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I have a few ideas that I'll present to my mom. I'll see what's she's willing to do.
Then, I'll report back on what she tries and how it works out for her. Maybe it'll be useful information for others to know as well. It seems like nail fungus is quite common and rather difficult to safely get rid of.
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Harry, I hesitated to post this.. because, like you said, nail fungus is so hard to get rid of.. it is hard to find something "guaranteed".
but, I got these instructions (which I have not tried) from a friend whose advice I trust.. so, I will pass it on. Maybe you can get something from it. it is for toenail fungus:
Quote:
She might try these, rotating them every 7 days or so:
1. Tea tree, Rosemary and Oregano (all 3 at once) essential oils with DMSO
2. Colloidial Silver (must be a good strong one such as Nutrasilver) with DMSO
3. Liquid Grapefruit Seed Extract with DMSO
4. Manuka Oil or Manuka Oil Cream with DMSO
The essential oils need to be pure, therapeutic grade oils.
She doesn't have to use the DMSO but it's recommended because it carries the substance into the skin and nails. (I thought it was interesting that a recent HSI alert said that people are buying habanero sauce and mixing it with DMSO and applying it to joints and getting relief this way, for their arthritis, better than the capsaicin cream.)
She should put them on as many times a day as possible, but at least twice. Keep the feet dry, change socks often and wash them in bleach. Clean the inside of shoes with alcohol. Once or twice a week, soak feet in a solution of water, bleach and Epsom Salts.
It takes continuous daily effort for months, maybe a year, and she has to be prepared to do this.
...
Different things work for different people, too. Sometimes you have to try all the different anti-fungals to see. These I listed are strong and effective for most people. For me, any time I have a health issue, goldenseal usually seems to work really well. I don't know why this is, whereas for someone else, something else might work almost universally for them.
I realize this is not feasible in your situation.. but I thought the DMSO information was interesting and might help.
This happens when I'm on a health quest that I tend to proselytize what I'm doing. Maybe is has to do with the need of a support network.
Well, my latest path is building a healthy, productive liver. Mine has obviously been sluggish since I was very young. After working with an herbalist, and receiving the first installment of his liver tonic, I have a new life. Amazing after only 2 weeks.
Anyway, I've learned how really amazing the liver is, if it is producing good quality and quantity of bile. Bile is an antiseptic (like iodine and MMS).
Nail fungus:
Have you heard of Andreas Moritz? https://ener-chi.com/ I have a lot of respect in him. He says of nail fungus.
"Certainly, fungus on large toe indicates liver bile duct congestion and subsequent spleen congestion (you can read about the connection between these two organs in The Amazing Liver Cleanse, ener-chi.com)."
# Validated by 276 clinical trials and research studies.
# Endorsed by over 200,000 healthcare professionals.
# Approximately 2 billion tablets and 13 million syrup bottles of Liv-52 are sold every year worldwide.
Thanks for sharing your success and the possible connection between liver and spleen health and nail fungus.
I don't think this is the cause, in my mom's case however. It appears that a knife cut on her finger (while peeling some vegetables) was the direct entry point for the fungal invaders.
If you're up for it, maybe you can start another thread that shares about your newfound success. I'd be interested in knowing more about your herbalist and the liver tonic that (s)he formulated for you.
I think it'll reach more people if it's not buried in this topic.
Also, thanks for the tip about Liv.52. I've seen it around but haven't researched it much. This is a good opportunity for me to do so.
Continued success with your wellness program.
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Last edited by Harry Hirsute; 08-07-2008 at 08:33 PM.
Scorpiotiger is absolutely correct about rotating antifungals because fungus can and will become immune eventually. I know someone who cured his toe nail fungus using a paste made of baking soda and water. Make the paste as thick as you can and put it on the nail with a band aid. I make a paste using capsaicin, baking soda, olive leaf extrat, iodine, garlic oil, turmeric and grapefruit seed extract and a couple drops of Bragg's apple cider vinegar. Works great when my son gets a boil. There are so many natural antifungals to choose from. All of them will work IMO, but I also like the idea of adding DMSO to the mix. Let us know what your mom chooses and how it works! Good luck!
Update. So, it appears that my mom plans on using the oral Lamisil. Her infection is getting more severe and she doesn't want to take the chance of it getting any worse.
This leads us to a dilemma.
Lamisil is tough on the liver. So much so that it is recommend that periodic liver tests be performed.
At first, I thought it might be a good idea for my mom to use some liver supporting supplements (like milk thistle). But, then I recalled that milk thistle can lower "liver enzyme" readings (acquired through blood tests).
The problem is this: If the milk thistle does lower her liver enzymes, it may be "covering up" a negative effect that the medication is actually producing. In other words, the blood test results may be misleading.
I'm definitely going to encourage my mom to use a probiotic, which should only be beneficial. But, I'm torn about the milk thistle issue.
Does anyone here have any thoughts on this?
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Please Harry! Run to your moms house and take that Lamisil away!
I know 2 people with chronic "undefined" liver disease after the use of Lamisil.
Because the point of origin and entry is due to a wound I would not suspect a weak liver to any great extent but supporting the liver in an infection that the body cannot resolve on its own is sensible and at her age a congested liver to some degree is not unreasonable to consider.
I am bringing this from another forum run by a naturopathic doctor and he and people there have sworn by this formula for a foot soak. I have not used it so can't say personally. You can read the many posts on it here:
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject: Acidophilus Beer Soak: A Method for Nail Fungus
The basic premise behind this odd sounding natural toenail fungus treatment is to soften the nail with the beer, create an acidic environment with vinegar which is beneficial to good bacteria and deadly to fungus and then penetrate the nails with beneficial bacteria to help kill and prevent further recurrences.
Guiness Stout beer or any other dark beer (Guiness is the one proven to work).
White Vinegar
Basin big enough for your feet or hands
Time
Persistence and Consistency
Optional Ingredients:
Pure MSM: as it may help encourage faster and healthier nail growth
Silicea Cell Salt: as it also may help encourage faster nail growth
Natural Toenail Fungus Treatment Procedure:
In tub, pour 1 liter of room temperature beer into a basin
Add 60 billion acidophilis which is half of one sachet.
Add 1 liter of White Vingear
Soak clean feet in the solution for 30 minutes before bed or when best for you.
On removing your feet or fingernails from the basin, file the nails down with a pumice stone or file
After each 3rd day, toss out the entire solution mixture and remake using the formula: 1 liter of white vinegar, 1 liter of dark beer and the remaining half of one sachet. This keeps the solution's ingredients in active live form. If too old, it will not work.
Repeat for 30 days every day. Do not skip a day for best results.
Do twice a day for faster results
What to look for:
As fungus gets killed by this natural toenail fungus treatment, you will notice new nail growth from the nail base coming in clear. This is a good sign. Some people see clearing at the base within one week and some people see clearing at the base in one month. It all depends on how fast your nails grow and how often you soak them.
It will take about 3 months or more for the infected nails to completely grow out. As long as you keep seeing the nail base come in clean and grow out cleanly, you are on the right track.
Make sure you do this toenail fungus treatment daily. Make it a routine. Watch some TV, read a book or wash the dishes for 30 minutes. Do not skip a day. If you do, it may take a bit longer than a month but keep at it.
If you know your nails grow slowly, then consider purchasing some MSM or Silicea 6x cell salts as they have shown to increase nail growth.
This anti-fungus protocol is an excellent way to help prevent liver damage via Lamisil.
If the formula is not strong enough, play with it. Perhaps add some more acidophilis to the mix or more vinegar or more beer. Play with the concentrations if necessary.
If you've any questions, I'm happy to answer them for you.
I estimated the total cost of this procedure to be about $200.00 That is very inexpensive compared to Lamisil - and much healthier to your liver.
Even if you drink a couple Guiness Stouts while you do the soak - it may still be safer than Lamisil on your liver.
I have had over 26,000 people read this information and a large percentage email me. It is great to hear that this treatment is working well. I had one elderly woman with longterm fungal toenails report excellent results. She also had an unexpected benefit: her plantar warts fell out from the bottom of her feet allowing her to walk comfortably for the first time in years! Her lettter is sitting two feet from me. I need to scan it and stick it on here.
If you're debating whether or not to do this soak, don't.
If you're wondering if it will work or not, give it a shot - it is safe, effective, inexpensive. Yes it takes some work, but popping a liver toxic Lamisil pill for 3 months daily also takes work - especially repairing the damaged liver. There have been 100's of people doing this procedure with great success. If you find yourself not having success with it, re-read the instructions and be persistent. It has too high of a success rate not to work for you as well.
The sachets and Guiness are the proven ingredients. You may try other cheaper dark beers and other acidophilus but I am weary of the results. Especially the bacteria as one of my professors did a study on about 35 different acidophilus companies and found that only one had the actual amount of live bacteria it claimed in the container - some of the companies stated 1 billion live bacteria per capsule and contained...none. The sachets that I provide claim 125 billion per sachet and at manufacturing have 170 billion.
Choosing a different dark beer that is less expensive may hinder your success. I have not had reports of other effective dark beers so I am not sure. You can give it a shot but you are only saving a few bucks while investing 30 days of soaking. That is pennies per day extra. Worth the risk? If you have time, it would be good to know if the others worked...if they do, let me know
Enjoy healthy nails once again! It's summer - put on those sandals!
Ben
Special Note: Fungus is due to either a weak immune system, trauma to the nail area, high refined carbohydrate diet or recent or long term use of antibiotics. That said, taking one sachet in a glass of water before dinner for 7 days helps restore healthy gut bacteria which likely has a direct impact on proper immune function, may help combat fungus internally and externally longterm and reduce refined carbohydrate and sugar cravings as the 'bad' bacteria which do crave sugar will be wiped out by the beneficial bacteria. So taking the sachets internally for one week, soaking for a few months, changing your diet, building your immune system and not bashing your nails will likely improve your fungus situation.
A mild headache may occur while taking the sachets internally. Taking many doses of about 500mg of vitamin C and a teaspoon of psyllium husk fiber with lots of water usually helps. The headache is usually due to the 'die-off' reaction from unhealthy bacteria being killed by the healthy probiotic found in the sachets.
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Here's the problem: I saw this infection almost two weeks ago. Since then, it's gotten worse. The infection appears to be spreading down her finger. It's painful, red and swollen (along with the nail being affected by the fungus).
I had put together a protocol for my mom but I'm just not sure if it's going to be enough. And, I'm concerned that the infection might continue to get worse.
My mom, apparently has been on the Lamisil, for the last several days. It seems like the infection is improving.
So, for the time-being, I asked her to go into the doctor's office this week and ask for a liver function test (she needs a physical anyway). Then, based on that, we can assess if her liver is being negatively impacted by the medication.
I just don't know if the natural methods (the soaking, topical remedies, etc.) would be enough to stop this infection (being as though it's spread down her finger). I'm concerned that it might get worse and the consequences might become more profound.
Here's the current plan on action: She plans of taking the Lamisil. I've asked her to take a biotin capsule daily (to encourage faster nail growth), a probiotic (to fight the fungal infection internally, to support her digestion and immune system and to counter some of the ill-effects of the medication) and to insist on having regular liver function tests. I've also informed her of any troublesome symptoms to look out for (that can be indications of medication side-effects).
If she stays on the medicine, do you think taking a liver supporting supplement would be advisable, Arrowwind?
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Here's the current plan on action: She plans of taking the Lamisil. I've asked her to take a biotin capsule daily (to encourage faster nail growth), a probiotic (to fight the fungal infection internally, to support her digestion and immune system and to counter some of the ill-effects of the medication) and to insist on having regular liver function tests. I've also informed her of any troublesome symptoms to look out for (that can be indications of medication side-effects).
- Harry
Good. Liver. Liver. Liver. The liver's job is to filter all the blood and help fight infections everywhere in the body. IMO, it is the primary organ of the immune system. You should do whatever you can to help protect and strengthen the liver. And I don't mean milk thistle which is over-rated. And I don't mean liver flushes; which won't help if the liver is already compromised and weakened. That liv.52 should really help. Otherwise, you could make your own tonic with something like dandelion root, oregon grape rood, rhubarb, barberry root, american mandrake root, burdock, cascara sagrada bark, and maybe fennel and caraway. You know? Liver nourishment. Get that quality and quantity bile and enzymes.
Fingernail Fungus
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