A Listerine foot soak can help soften and exfoliate dry, cracked skin due to its alcohol and mild acids, leaving feet smoother, but there's no strong scientific evidence it cures persistent foot fungus; it acts more as a temporary soothing antiseptic, with dermatologists recommending more proven treatments like urea creams or specific antifungal products for actual infections, while some find vinegar soaks more effective or less irritating.
“The menthol in Listerine soaks may be soothing,” she says. “But aside from that, [it] has no real benefits.” If you're looking to treat dry and cracked skin on your feet, she suggests applying urea cream and using a pumice stone to soften the skin instead.
Listerine Mouth Wash
Create your foot soak and make sure you leave your feet in it for at least 30 minutes a day. Use 30-50ml of Listerine and add two cups of warm to hot water, then relax and enjoy.
Although largely anecdotal, there are a few at-home remedies have helped some patients to manage their toenail fungus. These include soaking your feet in a solution of apple cider vinegar or Listerine antiseptic mouthwash. Generally, one part vinegar or Listerine to one part water is a good ratio for a foot soak.
Toenail fungus is tough to kill permanently, but the most effective treatments are prescription oral antifungal drugs (like terbinafine), followed by strong topical antifungals, often used together, while laser therapy and sometimes nail removal (surgery) are options for persistent cases, though home remedies rarely provide a complete cure and professional help is key for lasting success.
Topical treatment with Vicks VapoRub: The combination of camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol, the three main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub, is believed to stop the growth of certain fungi. Follow the same application process as for tea tree oil. Numerous readers swear by this.
Podiatrists recommend a multi-pronged approach for toenail fungus, often starting with prescription oral antifungals (like terbinafine) for moderate to severe cases due to their high success rates, though requiring liver monitoring. They also use topical antifungal lacquers, often combined with professional nail debridement (thinning) for better penetration, alongside laser therapy (PACT) and strict foot hygiene (drying, airing shoes, antifungal sprays) to prevent recurrence, as single treatments often fail.
“Each evening, patients go to a bathroom or other place with a vinegar-resistant floor, don old cotton socks, pour a few spoons of plain or apple-cider vinegar and a few spoons of water over the toes, and sit and read for 10-15 minutes. They then doff the socks, apply topical antifungals, and go to bed.
If you want to try this remedy, apply a bit of Vicks Vaporub to your affected toenails daily. It can still take several weeks to a couple of months for results to appear.
Dry Thoroughly: After soaking, dry the nails completely to prevent any residual moisture, which can promote further fungal growth. Apply Directly (Optional): Some people choose to apply undiluted apple cider vinegar directly to the affected nails using a cotton ball, leaving it on for a few minutes before rinsing.
Although the fungus affects the appearance of the nails, it actually lives on the layer directly beneath the toenail. That's why it's so difficult to treat. Your nails are made up of keratin, a tough, fibrous protein. The same hard shell that protects your toes is giving shelter to the fungus.
Soaks using warm water and apple cider vinegar (1:1 ratio) or Epsom salt may help reduce fungal growth. Limit soaks to 15–20 minutes daily.
Epsom salts are the classic staple of a foot soak, aid to help with everything from arthritis to plain old swollen feet. The salts break down into magnesium and sulfate in water, and some believe that these minerals can be soaked in through the skin for the body's benefit.
The essential oils in Listerine are natural antifungals, so may treat mild to moderate cases of toenail fungus and athlete's foot. There is no harm in trying Listerine, but if symptoms do not go away, it is safer to consult a doctor.
An ill-advised barefoot romp around the pool deck or even a pedicure gone wrong may be all the fungi need to gain access to the space underneath a toenail. Once there, the fungi set about their task of “mining” your nail for nutrients—and leaving it discolored, thickened, misshapen, and more.
Vicks contains ingredients like menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil. These ingredients may offer mild antimicrobial benefits, but they aren't strong enough to treat a fungal infection that lives deep beneath the nail surface.
One small study found that pure tea tree oil helped a small amount of people who used it to treat toenail fungus. But other studies on using lower amounts of tea tree oil haven't found it helps treat toenail fungus. Tea tree oil may work well when used with other antifungal medicines.
The Best Treatments to Kill Toenail Fungus Instantly
Oral Antifungals (like Terbinafine or Itraconazole) – These work from the inside out, attacking the infection at its source. Topical Antifungal Solutions – Prescription-strength treatments penetrate the nail for faster and more effective results than OTC options.
It's also important to note that socks can retain fungal spores even after washing. So if you've had athlete's foot, wearing the same pair again – even if it looks clean – could trigger reinfection. The safest approach is to wear fresh socks daily and allow your shoes to dry out completely between wears.
What is the strongest natural antifungal? Many natural remedies boast antifungal properties, but tea tree oil often takes the crown as the most potent. Its effectiveness against a broad spectrum of fungi makes it a popular choice for treating various skin infections.
Keratin granules are areas of damage to the top layers of the nail. They show up as small, chalky white spots or rough patches and happen when nail polish, especially if left on too long, dries out and weakens the surface of the nail.
Your health care provider may prescribe antifungal drugs that you take by mouth (orally) or apply to the nail.