Pau d’arco trees endangered, benefits questionable

November 23, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I saw on a discussion site that you no longer recommend pau d’arco as a cure for athlete’s foot. Well, I have to tell you that years ago when nothing else worked, I used this for my son. Finally, his feet were cured. I used it again when he had eczema and it again worked when nothing else did. I have no idea why it would work on eczema, except maybe the oils in the bark did the trick.

Fast forward ten years, the same young man is now in combat in Afghanistan. First, it is so hot that their boots are soaked every day, then it is freezing all the time. After eight months he came home on a visit and his feet and hands looked like they’d been through their own war. The creams and oils and lotions that we had sent just didn’t help. So once again I went back to the old standby, pau d’arco. At the time that he headed back to war his feet weren’t completely healed, [Read more...]

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Vicks for nail fungus

August 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: What was the recommendation for toenail fungus — Vaseline or Vicks VapoRub?

DEAR READER: Vicks VapoRub. However, generic or store brands (mentholated chest rub) work just as well. Simply trim the nails back as far as possible (without causing pain) and rub the product into the skin all around the nail. Some readers have had success using a product called Miranel as well. This is less messy because it is simply “painted” onto the nail. Other options include white vinegar and Pau D’Arco tea soaks.
[Read more...]

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Is it the camphor that helps?

April 20, 2011 By

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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Nail fungus may not be the real problem

March 17, 2011 By

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.

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A review of home remedies

March 8, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you referred to two possible cures for toenail fungus other than menthol salve. One was an over-the-counter product, and the other was a soaking agent. Could you please relate what these two potential cures are?

DEAR READER: The article to which you are probably referring can be found on my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com/nail-fungus-home-remedies.
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Lysol for fungus

February 3, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am looking for plain Lysol. I can’t find it anywhere. My mother used it to control fungus, ringworm and other contagious skin outbreaks. Where is it available?

DEAR READER: Lysol sells and distributes disinfectant sprays, wipes, no-touch hand soap, all-purpose cleaners, mildew remover, kitchen, bath and toilet-bowl cleaners, but nowhere did I find plain Lysol. Upon calling the company, they indicated they discontinued the original “scent” in January 2010. They have a 12-ounce concentrate, but it is not intended for use on the body; nor is any of their other products. So I guess you will have to improvise. Sorry!

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Nail fungus home remedies

January 14, 2011 By

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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Winter toenail fungus

December 18, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I often have a problem with toenail fungus in the summertime, but it’s understandable because I spend a lot of time at our town pool and in the locker room afterward so I can change out of my bathing suit. This I have learned to accept.

I live in the upper northwest section of the country, and I have the start of another fungal infection. This is the first time this has happened during the winter, and I am totally confused as to why. Our pool is closed until warm weather returns, and I’m in my home, which I thought was safe from the problem. I was wrong. Can you shed some light on this annoying problem?

DEAR READER: You’re not the first person with this complaint. We tend to forget that damp, cold weather can also trigger just such an infection. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

December 16, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Regarding your menthol rubs, name brand or generic, I submit the following information. The efficacy appears to be dependent on whether or not the product contains thymol. The ingredient has been moved to the “inactive” list on the panel, so you have to look carefully for it. And, they do not list a percentage.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for the information. Those individuals with nail fungus now know what ingredient to look for. I do know Miranel, Vicks and Wal-Mart’s methol rub contain thymol. Miranel’s active ingredient is miconazole nitrate that penetrates the nail to get to the site of the fungal infection. Vicks lists camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol. And, you’re right. The thymol is listed as an inactive ingredient. Good pickup!

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Daily Column

October 17, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have an unsightly nail fungus. I’ve heard that Vicks VapoRub will cure it. Is that true and if so, how much and how often should I use it?

DEAR READER:
According to my readers, Vicks or a comparable mentholatum rub does work. Simply rub the product over the top around the sides of the nail twice daily.

Other products include Miranel, an anti-fungal that contains miconazole nitrate to penetrate the nail faster, tea tree oil, and vinegar poured over the affected nails. Check with your local pharmacist for his or her suggestions.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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