White vinegar as treatment for onychomycosis

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Here's a one off case presentation of a patient who I have seen a couple of times so far this year and I was curious as to whether anyone has any concrete information.

Sixty-three year old male patient with no significant medical history presented with a 10 year + case of onychomycosis of the R hallux. I had my initial consult with him early Feb 2012.

He reported that he had trialled Loceryl topical religiously for 10-12 months a few years back with no success. Following a positive KOH test he took two courses of oral terbinafine which also provided no success. "Out of desperation" (his words) he took to the internet to try and find an option and has since been applying undiluted white vinegar to clean, dry feet twice a day for approx 3-4/12 and reports significant improvement. Far and beyond that of anything else he has trailled.

I saw him againg today, 1/12 after the initial consult and the new nail coming through at the proximal nail plate looks unaffected except for about 20% of the nail on the tibial border. He reports that for the last 10 years no unaffected nail has ben produced.

I will be following up with him in approx 8/52 to reduce the affected tissue and out of my own curiosity! I was hoping that someone out there might have some decent scientific research as to why vinegar works, or even a plausable theory, as all I've been able to find is hearsay on blogs.

Thanks all, Leigh

 

The trouble with such anecdotal evidence is that the apparent resolution might be due to any number of factors. In fairness, surgical spirit has long been used to treat tinea pedis but penetrating a nail is a different matter entirely. It might be worth looking on the site he obtained the information to see if there are any references over and above 'it worked for my sister/brother/dad/mom.'

All the best

Bill

 

Hi Leigh,

Some claim that vinegar can make conditions difficult for dermatophytes to thrive by altering the pH of the nail apparatus. Similar principles to this device; Excilor

Cheers,
Bel

 

... funnily enough I've had a Pt. with a similar history. The only thing I could find was Cider vinegar foot soaks, but as they recommended 50/50 dilution it was turned down by the Pt. on cost. Perhaps we're approaching this from the wrong angle, we're scientists (BSc.) maybe we should do the research? Cider is a foodstuff surely ethical approval is not necessary? TAKE PHOTO's! I've also got a micro' report confirming my suspicions. Regards LL.

 

I'd be interested in hearing more. So far, all of the evidence seems to be purely anectdotal.

For an overview, see Vinegar as a Home Remedy for Toenail Fungus.

 

... like I said, WE should do the case studies and find out! Maybe some learned bod on here can speed things up & tell us whether we need ethical approval? It would be difficult to do a double-blind trial due to the smell, but a Pt. with two infected nails could treat one & not the other... Take scrapings & photo's.

 

Thank you for posting what may be a very useful treatment. Bugger the research!
No scientific treatments work reliably, or cheaply. Vinegar won't do any damage, so let's try it.
Less is more ..

 

Are you aware that vinegar is mainly a mixture of acetic acid and water? Acetic acid is corrosive to skin and can cause skin burns.

Yeah, sometimes less is more :bash:

 

Yes I am aware that vinegar is an acid.
I eat it on my chips.
White vinegar will not corrode feet.

 

Vinegar

It may not 'corrode feet' but as an irritant, and with prolonged use, it could induce a contact dermatitis. Your assertion that it could do no harm is unfounded at best.

 

You're right. I hadn't thought it through.

 

Primum, facere nihil.

That is one reason why we don't 'bugger the research' and why the respected posters on this site try to follow scientific principles. Much less easy than relying on anecdotal evidence since it involves study and blinded trials etc., but if we are to be the recognised experts on treatment of the feet, then that's what it takes.

Bill Liggins

 

I stand entirely and humbly corrected.

 

Although, strangely enough, one of the best and most natural cures for dermatitis and eczema has been scientifically proved to be White vinegar.

 

Could you supply the references please?

Many thanks

Bill Liggins

 

Please please please can you find out exactly what vinegar he is using? Brand etc?

I have tried vinegar before but think I used the wrong type.

I would be eternally grateful

 

At my work, the senior podiatrist has been telling pts with onychomychosis to spray white vinegar - 50/50 on the effected areas.. I think for the last year or so and the results seem pretty good.. seems then nail is growing through with no infection at the base anymore.. will keep you up to date..
I would love to do a trial on this.. but think I am too inexperienced!!!

 

Get a pharmacey preperation of 3-5% Acetic Acid if you want to trial vinegar on mycotic nails, just my 2c