Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak for Your Nail Fungus

Apple cider vinegar has become one of the most popular at-home remedies for toenail fungus due to its antifungal properties [1]. Vinegar has shown to slow the growth of most fungus. There are many ways to use apple cider vinegar (ACV) on your feet and one of the most popular uses is a foot soak.

This article, will cover the uses of ACV, the benefits, how to properly use it, and more.

CAUTION: If you have diabetes you should avoid all treatments listed below. People with diabetes should have their healthcare team treat any foot issues they have.

How to Prepare the Foot Soak

One of the best ways to maximize the results is to thoroughly wash your feet and trim your toenails prior to the soak. This will allow the vinegar to reach the fungal spores and eliminate the problem from the source. Once you have done this you can begin preparing the soak.

To properly use apple cider vinegar for nail fungus, add one cup of apple cider vinegar and two cups of warm water into a water basin. Soak your feet in the water basin for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to pat dry your feet thoroughly to prevent fungal infections coming back. Perform this soak twice a day for a month or until the fungal infection subsides.

QUICK TIP:  For this soak, you will want to use unfiltered and contains something called “the mother” which is a colony of beneficial bacteria. If you can handle the taste, you can also drink a cup full of apple cider vinegar with water to hit the fungus from all angles.

This brand contains the “mother”

Out of all the things, one of the most important is to ensure that your feet are completely dry after finishing this foot soak because fungus loves moist environments.

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How Long to See Results?

Similar to other toenail fungus treatments, the answer to this question is dependent on the severity of the fungal infection. The sooner you start treating it the sooner you will get rid of it.

Remember that your toenail fungus did not happen overnight, therefore, it won’t go away overnight. In order to see real results means that your toenail is going to have to grow out a new healthy nail. This can take months.

However, if you managed to catch the fungus infection when it just started you could possibly see results as quickly as a few weeks.

It can be frustrating living with toenail fungus but using ACV as we mention in this article can have you comfortable going barefoot at the beach in no time.

Applying ACV Directly

The apple cider vinegar that I use at home.

Not only can apple cider vinegar be used in a soak but it can also be applied directly on to your nails. If you don’t necessarily have the time for a soak then this could be a great alternative.

All you have to do is just pour a little ACV into the cap and then use a Q-tip to apply the ACV directly to the affected nail and let it dry.

The precautions with this method have to do with the fact that vinegar is an acidic solution. So if you have sensitive skin you should not use this method without diluting the vinegar first before application. People with sensitive skin may encounter slight irritation of the skin if applying it directly to the nail.


Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

Both baking soda and apple cider vinegar are great ways to get rid of fungus on your nails and using them in unison with each other makes them even more powerful. Studies show that baking soda help prevents fungal growth in 79% of the specimens tested [2].

This is due to the fact that baking soda is great for absorbing moisture and has antiseptic properties. Couple this with the powerful abilities of apple cider vinegar and you have a solution that can knock the socks off of fungus.

Reasons to pair baking soda with apple cider vinegar is because baking soda can assist with the odor caused by fungal infections as well as help with discolored nails.

How to Use

  1. Perform the apple cider vinegar foot soak by following the aforementioned steps (steps listed above).
  2. Dry your feet and pay special attention to the nails.
  3. Create a thick paste with baking soda and water. (Thick enough to stick and stay on the affected nails).
  4. Let the paste stay on your nails for 15-25 minutes.
  5. Rinse away paste and dry feet completely again.
  6. Repeat twice a day.

Following this process can more effectively expedite the fungal removal process from your nails. The apple cider vinegar will work by killing the fungus and the baking soda will help prevent any further spreading.

Why Use Apple Cider Vinegar?

Vinegar is a diluted form of acetic acid that boasts powerful benefits and harmless. Typically used to cook and clean – but also to treat our tired, fungus-ridden feet.

According to a study, apple cider vinegar shows a fungicidal effect [3]

For Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the toes and feet. The toes appear red and irritated and the skin may begin to peel. Athlete’s foot often will be associated with a burn and itch.

For mild forms of this condition, a vinegar soak may work well. As mentioned above, apple cider vinegar is a fungicide which means it will kill the fungus causing your athlete’s foot.

If the symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, you should seek medical attention. If you noticed increased dryness or peeling, you may need to decrease the frequency of the soaks.

For Foot Odor

Apple cider vinegar can also disinfect your feet. Vinegar can help eradicate or reduce foot odor by getting rid of the bacteria that cause the smell.

When treating foot odor, it is also important to consider lifestyle choices. Invest in breathable shoes and be sure to wear breathable cotton socks.

Tips for foot odor

  • Wear breathable shoes
  • Go barefoot at home
  • Wear breathable cotton or wool socks
  • Use foot powder
  • Disinfect old shoes with a disinfectant spray

For Callus

The acid content within apple cider vinegar can soften the hardened skin of a callus. Soak your feet as mentioned above by mixing apple cider vinegar with water with a 1:2 ratio. You may be able to peel a layer or two off of the callus once you have removed your feet from the soak. Be patient and do not move too much skin because it could cause an infection.

White Vinegar vs. Apple Cider Vinegar – The Differences

There is a lot of differences and its not just the names and the colors. Both are great for curing fungus but there are stark differences between the two.

White vinegar also is known as distilled or spirit vinegar is clear. Standard white vinegar contains roughly 4-7% acetic acid and 93-96% water. White vinegar is made from the fermentation of grain alcohol and contains antimicrobial properties which make it useful against fungi.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV), in contrast, is a brown color and typically has something called “the mother”. “The mother” is basically a colony of beneficial bacteria that are best utilized when ingested internally. ACV typically has 5-6% acetic acid and 94-95% water. It is made by crushing apples, extracting the liquid, and then going through a two-step fermentation process. Apple cider vinegar has more nutritional value than standard white vinegar due to the “mother” and the fact that it is derived from apples.

Summary

Apple cider vinegar is a great inexpensive way to treat a variety of different ailments including toenail fungus. Not only can it be used externally but also can be ingested internally for maximum health benefits.