DEAR DR. GOTT: A columnist in my local paper claimed that you had endorsed Vicks VapoRub for treatment of nail fungus. She thought that the thymol found in the petroleum jelly was the answer. Several months ago, I tried Vicks on my minor case of nail fungus, with some success noted. My last experience with the smell of the vapors from this concoction was more than 30 years ago, when my children were young. I know the smell comes mostly from the eucalyptus oil; however, it brought back another, even older memory of when I was a child and my mother would put Campho-Phenique on a cold sore. Sure enough, camphor is one of the active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub. Much to my surprise, Campho-Phenique is still available at my drugstore in its pure form. Applied with a cotton swab, the camphor oil penetrated easily under and around the nail. Twice a day, and in very short order, my nail was clear. I would recommend using the active ingredient, camphor, full strength rather than dealing with the petroleum jelly. Is this safe?
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Is it the camphor that helps?
Nail fungus may not be the real problem
DEAR DR. GOTT: I have followed your advice about using Vicks to kill a toenail fungus I had for years. My problem is that the toenails on my big toes have lifted and they don’t want to return to normal. Any suggestions?
DEAR READER: Perhaps something other than a fungus is going on. Make an appointment with a podiatrist to determine whether the nails will fall off freely or need to be cut back, and whether a fungal infection persists or an unidentified issue remains.
Nail fungus home remedies
DEAR DR. GOTT: How do I get rid of nail fungus? Is there a home remedy? I have had it on my big toenail for years, following a pedicure, and it’s now on two of my fingernails.
DEAR READER: Home remedies include soaking the toes or fingers in warm water to make the nails softer and easier to cut. Trim the nails, and remove as much of the debris as possible. Apply a petrolatum/menthol salve around the top and under the tip of the nail twice daily. The process may take a month or more but is worth a try.
Apply decolorized iodine to affected dry nails twice daily. Again, this will take some time but offers another option.
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Store-brand chest rub vs. brand name
DEAR DR. GOTT: I consider Vicks VapoRub a wonder drug because I have used it successfully in many ways. However, I have found that store brand versions work just as well. I use Wal-Mart’s Equate medicated chest rub instead of Vicks VapoRub. It costs less and works just as well.
I have used it for nail fungus, athlete’s foot, jock itch, and various insect bites and stings. No medicine cabinet is complete without it. Thanks for recommending it in the first place.
DEAR READER: If the store brands work as well as Vicks, so much the better. Thank you for the tip.
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