How Does Vinegar Help Toenail Fungus?

Why Vinegar Helps

Technically, vinegar doesn't help the toenail fungus--it kills it. The reason it works to kill it, though, is that the fungus that you have on your toe has changed the pH value of your skin. It's more alkaline than it was before. The vinegar acts as an acid and relieves the itching and pain, then stops the fungus from growing and spreading. Eventually, through repeated use, it will kill the fungus that was living there as the "host" (your toes) are no longer hospitable.

Types of Vinegar

You can use several different types of vinegar to help solve your toe fungus problem. Depending on your personal preferences, you could use white, apple cider, malt, wine, raisin, coconut, beer, honey or rice vinegar. The type doesn't matter as much as the vinegar itself. Many people prefer apple cider vinegar as the scent is more pleasing than some alternatives, and it can be used for other vinegar-based cures.

How to Use Vinegar

There are two ways you can use the vinegar. If you've chosen apple cider vinegar, you can drink it. Two tablespoons in the morning and another two at night. If you prefer not to drink it--or if you just want to use plain white vinegar--soak your toes in a solution of 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent water for about 30 minutes every day until the fungus is completely gone. If you've chosen to soak your toes, make sure to dry them off immediately after removing them from the bath--moisture helps fungus grow. There should be no side effects.