Toe Fungus

Faye Fox

Faye Fox

Well-known member
I have been battling toe fungus for years. Years ago, when my toes were red and swollen, I visited Dr. Hal. No relation to SOC Hal, although they did share a female foot fetish. Doc Hal had me soaking my feet in very warm water laced with Epson salt. Before soaking, I had to put on antibacterial soap like you use before surgery. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then soak. I was successful in drawing out some gooey translucent fluid that was rather icky. I keep them treated with antifungal and while not ideal, they looked good enough that the pedicurist didn't make faces of disgust.

Now the problem is back despite treatment with anti-fungal, so back to the foot doc. I have tried all kinds of natural treatments, to no avail.
 
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Sorry about your foot problem, Faye. I don't have toenail fungus but I know it is common and difficult to get rid of. Do your feet appear infected, or is the skin red and warm to the touch? I don't believe toenail fungus is serious enough to ever require amputating, but some podiatrists will remove the nails.

I like to watch a youtube channel called the Meticulous Manicurist; the woman that runs the channel is a nail tech and she has successfully treated a lot of toenail issues. Her videos are also good for napping since there is the sound of water in the background that lulls me!! Check out her videos and search for "fungus". She shows how to care for the nails and sells a product specifically for nail fungus. (The product is also available from Amazon.) https://www.youtube.com/@meticulousmanicurist
 
I will check it out since I have a month before seeing the doc. He gave me a powerful antifungal before that worked in 6 weeks, but it is prescription and that prescription is years old. My pedicurist also has credentials in natural podiatry and thinks I have an arthritis condition that can turn fungal rather rapidly. I only wear shoes for walking, otherwise it is USA made socks that are designed for diabetics, with SAS sandals. My feet breathe well with this combo, so I don't know what is going on lately. I don't have diabetes.

I tell you, when I get one thing resolved and no doctor appointments for 6 months, then something else springs up to kick my keister and try to take me down. I keep jumping up and punching back, but it is getting more difficult.
 
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It's important to keep polish off the nails and use a treatment product that can penetrate them. The fungus usually lives under the nail and is difficult to treat. Seems like I have read that there is a new prescription medicine for nail fungus but I haven't paid much attention.
 
Beth Gallagher said:
It's important to keep polish off the nails and use a treatment product that can penetrate them. The fungus usually lives under the nail and is difficult to treat. Seems like I have read that there is a new prescription medicine for nail fungus but I haven't paid much attention.
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Yes, I don't use nail polish and haven't for years. The one I have that is supposed to be penetrating, didn't do anything after 2 months use. Best results are cleaning with alcohol and then covering with a light antifungal creme. I think the doc will determine how much is arthritis and how much is fungal. I still can't believe I forgot that appointment. I even had up a big note and walked past it several times.
 
I was struck by a genius idea while out walking this morning.

On arrival home, I dipped the toes of each foot, in white vinegar for several seconds. Then after placing them on a towel, applied baking soda. They are now fizzing and this treatment doesn't hurt. Will it help? I have no clue. It does stink and is messy. Remember, before you judge, that Archimedes didn't achieve greatness without bad odors and big messes. :sneaky:
 
Faye Fox said:
I was struck by a genius idea while out walking this morning.

On arrival home, I dipped the toes of each foot, in white vinegar for several seconds. Then after placing them on a towel, applied baking soda. They are now fizzing and this treatment doesn't hurt. Will it help? I have no clue. It does stink and is messy. Remember, before you judge, that Archimedes didn't achieve greatness without bad odors and big messes. :sneaky:
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Vinegar is good for killing mold, which is kind of a fungi, so perhaps it will also help the toe fungus. I wondered about bleach, because I remember putting that on the frog of a horses hoof when they had thrush, and the bleach killed that.
Once we had a dog that got some kind of a mange that would not go away with anything the vet gave us. My farrier said to mix lard , sulfur powder and a few drops of carbolic acid and make it into a paste, it killed what ever was on that dog’s ears.
So, sometimes, the old-fashioned remedies seem to work as good or better than the new medications do. Good luck with the toes, Faye.
 
You can pick up a toe fungus just about anywhere. Pills are generally heavy duty and can cause liver damage. A podiatrist will insist on regular blood testing. Just pull up any and read the “do not” list. Topicals come in leave on and a weekly removal of what looks like nail polish.

Are you sure it is a fungus or could you have damaged nail beds?
 
Faye Fox said:
I was struck by a genius idea while out walking this morning.

On arrival home, I dipped the toes of each foot, in white vinegar for several seconds. Then after placing them on a towel, applied baking soda. They are now fizzing and this treatment doesn't hurt. Will it help? I have no clue. It does stink and is messy. Remember, before you judge, that Archimedes didn't achieve greatness without bad odors and big messes. :sneaky:
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I have two 'go to's'. Crushed up garlic and grapefruit seed extract. ( Individually) 4 drops gse in a cup of water first to just try it.

 
Good news there will be no amputation. Before I comment on the fungal, I want to say that although he didn't remember me, he complimented me on my feet being healthy and was impressed how well my high arches were holding up and that my circulation and bones all looked good for my age. He also complemented me on my choice of fine footwear, my SAS sandals.

He did note that he could see some new nail coming in, but slower than he likes. I was put on some oral med and required a blood test for liver enzymes, since this drug has to be monitored for elevating liver enzymes. He feels that the fungal situation must be killed out internally. That sounds good to me, since the idea of a fungus growing inside me is rather Orwellian.

It was a bit unnerving that I had to sign several forms, one being about being late or ditching appointments. They allow, one such as myself, that has missed an appointment, three strikes before banishment from their facility. I ask the gal if I had one demerit and she said, I made her laugh, so she didn't mark it down. My record was exemplary.

Another form was about the use of bad language in their office and any form of harassment. She explained that was about people in pain and when the doc caused them more pain, testing joint movement and such, would yell out some very ugly words of a profane nature. They prefer a patient limit it to, ouch. I inquired if ouweee was ok. She said yes.
 
Faye Fox said:
Good news there will be no amputation. Before I comment on the fungal, I want to say that although he didn't remember me, he complimented me on my feet being healthy and was impressed how well my high arches were holding up and that my circulation and bones all looked good for my age. He also complemented me on my choice of fine footwear, my SAS sandals.

He did note that he could see some new nail coming in, but slower than he likes. I was put on some oral med and required a blood test for liver enzymes, since this drug has to be monitored for elevating liver enzymes. He feels that the fungal situation must be killed out internally. That sounds good to me, since the idea of a fungus growing inside me is rather Orwellian.

It was a bit unnerving that I had to sign several forms, one being about being late or ditching appointments. They allow, one such as myself, that has missed an appointment, three strikes before banishment from their facility. I ask the gal if I had one demerit and she said, I made her laugh, so she didn't mark it down. My record was exemplary.

Another form was about the use of bad language in their office and any form of harassment. She explained that was about people in pain and when the doc caused them more pain, testing joint movement and such, would yell out some very ugly words of a profane nature. They prefer a patient limit it to, ouch. I inquired if ouweee was ok. She said yes.
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I am sorry, but when they use the phrase 'for a person of my age' I am inclined to suprpess the desire to throw a right hook.
 
Faye Fox said:
I have been battling toe fungus for years. Years ago, when my toes were red and swollen, I visited Dr. Hal. No relation to SOC Hal, although they did share a female foot fetish. Doc Hal had me soaking my feet in very warm water laced with Epson salt. Before soaking, I had to put on antibacterial soap like you use before surgery. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then soak. I was successful in drawing out some gooey translucent fluid that was rather icky. I keep them treated with antifungal and while not ideal, they looked good enough that the pedicurist didn't make faces of disgust.

Now the problem is back despite treatment with anti-fungal, so back to the foot doc. I have tried all kinds of natural treatments, to no avail.
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Soaking in hot salt water would be my first treatment Faye. Maybe clean with vinegar then soak
Hope it heals soon.
 
Marie Mallory said:
Soaking in hot salt water would be my first treatment Faye. Maybe clean with vinegar then soak
Hope it heals soon.
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I have been soaking in hot Epson's salts water, until it gets cold, after letting an anti bacterial soap soak into them for 10 minutes. Then treat with antifungal cream twice daily. This ritual has been going on for years during fungal attacks. The reason my toes are so susceptible, is they have been frost bit a few times. No arthritis was found by the doc.
 
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Mary Stetler said:
I think we are the same age-ish. I have plenty of 'conditions'. I can't actually throw a right hook. I can barely throw a flake of hay over a tall fence.
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Is a flake the same as a chip? :sneaky:

Here is a bale that was made when the baler malfunctioned and made 2 bales into one. It is double size 16 feet long. It weighs 3000 lbs and is alfalfa. Not sure I could lift a chip of it , let alone throw a chip over a tall fence. I took this photo on one of my walks last fall. Since the rancher uses equipment and had no way to handle this bale, he put it by the road so 4 H kids could come and get it chip by chip. Market price for 2 bales was $675. Nice gift for 4 H kids.

3395-fe0cff7f6289fd10eec3c1cea9887ba8.jpg
 
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Day one of the Ninety Day War on foot nail fungus has begun. I already feel the fungus getting an ass kicking, but I won't be taking names because I can't pronounce them, or spell them. :cautious:
 
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