The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Just a few months from now, we’ll finally be in sandal weather, whether your toes are ready or not. But if a particularly persistent and unsightly toenail fungus is giving you some trepidation, here is one powerful $19 treatment that reviewers call a “surprisingly effective solution,” which worked when nothing else would. And dermatologists explain why.
Easily accessible at Amazon, The Foot Cure toenail fungus treatment promises to address fungus, but also nail psoriasis and overall nail damage. It’s a naturally powered solution that many have found successfully restores thickened, discolored and flaking nail beds.
It’s provided hope when “I didn’t believe there was for decades,” according to one reviewer. “I’ve waited years to find something this effective,” says another, while one user swears they’re “fungus free in less than 2 weeks!”
If you’re experiencing similar feelings of despair, board-certified dermatologist and skin care brand founder, Dr. Brooke Jeffy, said that nail fungus is a common and especially stubborn condition to treat because nails are hard and not porous, making it difficult for topical medications to penetrate the nail to treat the infection.
“Also because the nails grow slowly, treatment needs to occur over a long period of time to have any change of eradicating the infection making compliance with treatment tricky,” Jeffy said.
Board-certifed dermatologist and owner of Sage Dermatology and Mohs surgery clinic in Utah, Dr. Angela Brimhall, explained that this Foot Cure formula contains 25% undecylenic acid, “a compound that has anti-fungal properties that disrupt the cell membranes of fungi, inhibiting their growth and reproduction.”
The treatment is also enhanced with oregano oil and tea tree oil, a combination that Brimhall said creates a synergistic effect that can enhance treatment efficacy.
“Oregano oil is known for its potent antimicrobial properties [and] contains carvacrol and thymol, which can further help combat fungal infections by disrupting fungal cell membranes and exhibiting antifungal activity,” she said, adding that tea tree oil is renowned for its antiseptic and antifungal properties.
To use, Brimhall says to wash and dry the nail and surrounding skin thoroughly before applying the treatment using the brush-on applicator. Repeat this process twice daily and avoid covering the area after application for maximum penetration.
You’ll know it’s working if you see a band of fresh nail forming at the base, but, for optimal results, Brimhall stresses that consistency is key and it may take up to a year to see an entirely new nail clear of damage.
“Preventive measures play a crucial role in maintaining nail health and avoiding fungal infections,” Brimhall said. “Work to keep nails dry by thoroughly drying your nails after swimming, bathing or showering to reduce moisture buildup.”
She also reminds us that it’s always a good idea to seek guidance from a medical professional if symptoms persist because there could be some underlying conditions that might need to be addressed.
The passionate endorsements of Foot Cure users can speak for themselves up ahead, but if you’re ready to tackle your annoying foot fungus sooner rather than later, grab a bottle for yourself today.
“I purchased this product nearly seven months ago, and now that I’ve used it consistently, I can confidently give an honest, experience based review. This treatment genuinely works but consistency is key. I used it once a day, every single day, and began noticing real, visible improvements around the six-week mark.
The results were better than I expected. Whatever fungus I was dealing with is completely gone, and my nail has regained its natural color. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see my toe look normal again, so the transformation has been impressive.
The oil itself is on the thinner side, so just be mindful when applying because it can run a bit. It does have a scent, but it isn’t overpowering or unpleasant.
Overall, this has been a surprisingly effective solution that delivered exactly what I hoped for.” — Very Demure
“I have had toe fungus for over 20 years (big toe on right foot and now both big toes). One foot doctor recommended tea tree oil which I tried a long time ago but it never proved to be effective. One of the issues is just how long it takes for any of the solutions to work and inevitably I find I either run out of product or I forget to apply it for several days . I have tried many different products as well as home remedies but nothing seemed to touch it.
[…] I started looking for a product that had more of this active ingredient and came across this product by Foot Cure. […]
I had an idea. I would buy a toe bandage and use it to keep the liquid treatment in place over my big toe. Unfortunately the bandage was too tight and I had to give it up. Then I thought about applying the treatment to the toe and also putting some of the product on the outside of my sock over the big toe. This proved to be very effective in keeping the product in contact with the toe.
After one week the toe fungus was almost gone so I plan to keep using this approach until the fungus is eliminated completely. This approach does consume the product faster but Ive waited years to find something this effective so if it takes a couple of months I’m onboard.
[…] I can see a difference but from experience I know it takes time and one has to be vigilant - clean your teeth and paint your toe nails right after. Do it again when you next see your toes. Nail fungus is very aggressive. If you miss a day it will continue to creep down your toenail. I believe this product could take 6 months (perhaps 3 to 4 bottles) of constant application to totally clear up the fungus but it’s the best product I’ve found so far.” — Pughimag (This review has been edited for length. Read the full review.)
“This stuff is amazing and worked within a week and a half!
First and foremost, I should share that I have never had toenail fungus before and probably only had it for a month or so. One day I just looked down at my feet and noticed that about 1/3 of my right big toe nail was whitish colored and it wasn’t leftover nail polish like I thought it was for a few weeks. Upon googling and further inspection I realized it was the beginnings of nail fungus. The nail was super whitish on the left side and about three times as thick as it should have been. I bought this stuff immediately and followed the directions: file the nail, apply twice daily, file the nail again every two days while continuing to apply the treatment twice daily. A little over a week later as I was filing, the whole top of the left half of my toenail where the fungus was broke off leaving a very thin layer of healthy nail underneath. I have continued to apply the treatment once daily for a week just in case there is anything leftover and will do so for another week, but otherwise, I’m fungus free in less than 2 weeks!!” — Crystal
Looking for more foot care? HuffPost Shopping’s Griff Wynne asked podiatrists how to make walking a little more comfortable. Here’s what they said.
A pair of arch support orthotic inserts
Michael J. Trepal, professor of surgical sciences at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, previously spoke to HuffPost about the best products for dealing with plantar fasciitis and said that arch support inserts might be worth trying to make walking more comfortable.
These highly-rated insoles use a high arch and deep heel cup to offer support and maintain correct foot positioning so that the heel is better protected from impact. The inserts are available in both men's and women's sizing.
Seamless wool, nylon or polyester socks
When it comes to foot care, you want to think about socks almost as much as you think about shoes. "Socks are very important as well," said New York City-based podiatrist Dr. Gary Evans. "Can your foot benefit from a thicker, more cushioned sock? A thinner sock for better shoe fit?"
If you're overwhelmed with sock options (believe me, there are many), Evans suggests trying a moisture-wicking sock, which can help prevent blisters, and "socks that are seamless, which means less pressure into and around the toes," he said.
Dr. Michelle Castiello, a podiatrist at Scarsdale Medical Group, an affiliate of White Plains Hospital, said that for walking or exercising, you want to stay away from cotton. "Choose moisture-wicking socks made from fabrics like merino wool, nylon and polyester," she said via email. "Cotton socks can trap moisture against your skin."
These unisex seamless polyester blend athletic socks have a 4.4 rating on Amazon from 3,379 reviews. They come in 12 colors in packs of three, and have a pull-on tab for accessibility as well as a padded instep and cushion in the heel. They're lightweight and moisture-wicking and run from S-XL. Consult the size chart to ensure the best fit.
A four-pack of seamless arch-support socks
Another seam-free sock option we found based off of Castiello's guidance are these from the popular sock and undergarment brand, Bombas, Lightweight and perfect for everyday wear, these ultra-breathable socks have a seam-free toe that won't irritate or rub awkwardly while you walk. There's also a micro-band around the arch of the foot for a light compressive support and they are available in three sizes and a number of different colors.
A heavy-duty emollient
You may be used to putting lotion on your feet after a shower or before bed, but Castiello recommends giving your piggies a little product before hitting the streets.
"Moisturize your feet before a long walk," she said. "Apply creams or ointments to areas that are at risk for blisters, such as bunions and hammertoes."
Per Castiello, having moisturized feet can help prevent blisters, cracking, corns and calluses while you work out.
One possible option is O'Keeffe's Healthy Feet foot cream, an unscented and non-greasy lotion intended to keep your feet from cracking or drying out.
Castiello recommends putting a thin layer of Vaseline on the back of your heels to prevent blisters or discomfort.
A soap or foot wash to ward off fungus
When you come in from a walk, you may automatically head to the shower to get the sweat off. But even if you don't fully bathe, Castiello recommends giving your feet a foot scrub after every walk.
"After exercise, take off your socks and shoes as soon as possible, [and] wash and dry your feet well, especially between the toes, to avoid fungus," she said.
This Daily Defense foot wash contains tea tree oil and Epsom salts to help clean and deodorize your feet.
Pure Epsom salts
If you're dealing with foot pain, McEneaney recommends doing regular foot soaks. "I like Epson salts, so when people have muscle joint aches, some warm and salt soaks can be soothing and can help them feel better," he said. "[You want to] avoid products with any perfumes or dyes."
McEneaney pointed out that some foot pain may be caused by overuse. If you're just starting to go on walks or are trying to go on longer walks, resting and soaking your feet is an important part of getting (and staying) in shape.
"People’s feet are used to taking a certain amount of pressure over time, and that's something that can build up over time," he said. "But if you start walking more than usual or you are doing different types of activities — [such as] walking more inclines — [that] can lead to overuse-type injuries."
This five-pound bag of pure Epsom salt is made in the USA. It has a 4.8-star Amazon rating from 7,158 5-star reviews.
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