I was in a Walgreens today in the footcare aisle. I’ve had yucky toes from a nail fungus for a long while so I was checking out the latest products to rid myself of the yuck. I found NonyX Nail Gel. It claims to get rid of built-up nail keratin, which has been a yucky side effect of the yucky fungus. I was interested.
I noticed that NonyX was by far the most expensive product on the shelf at $25. “Hmm, “I thought,” it must be powerful stuff if it costs that much.” I almost walked out with a bottle. But since I’m such a comparison shopper, I decided to do a little homework first…
Ingredients: Water, ethanoic acid, xanthan gum, fragrance.
Hmm.. What is “ethanoic acid”? A google search says it’s just another name for acetic acid… the main active ingredient in vinegar!
They are selling 4 oz bottles of vinegar for $25. What a country!
I’ve started my toes on $2/gallon vinegar treatments. I’ll tell you in a month how it went.
April 2nd, 2006 at 5:25 am
Good call on checking the ingredients! There is a prescription oral med, but my Dr says it can cause kidney damage, is $$$ and the health Ins companies won’t cover it.
April 2nd, 2006 at 3:31 pm
There are a couple prescription meds for the fungus part. I’ve taken several of them over the last several years. I’m getting a prescription for my second round of Lamisil, one of the drugs might cause liver (not kidney) damage on Tuesday. The vinegar/Nonyx treatment has no hope of beating the fungus but if it helps get the dead keratin out from under my nails, it will help make me look marvelous and it might help somewhat in flushing the fungus out from under my nails.
April 2nd, 2006 at 3:36 pm
Wouldn’t the infection not being in the nail bed allow the nails to eventually grow out nice and healthy?
April 7th, 2006 at 7:06 am
I was doing some reasearch myself, and found these comments. I thank you for putting the definition to it here, it saved me the small trip of having to look it up. I would like to say as well, it’s not that the prescription drug MAY cause damage to the liver and kidneys. It is WHEN and HOW MUCH damage it will cause. It starts causing damage the minute you take it. Vinegar would be a much safer way of doing things. Give youself a footbath/soak with the vinager, then try some tea tree, camphor, eucaliptus, or menthol oils. This MAY work even better without the side effects!
April 7th, 2006 at 9:11 am
My Doctor actually refused to prescribe it for me. She said that the risk was too high…When she said no, I agreed. She is pretty saavy…I am not sure that I will easily find a health care practitioner in SF to replace her.
April 7th, 2006 at 10:17 am
>it’s not that the prescription drug MAY cause damage to the liver and
>kidneys. It is WHEN and HOW MUCH
That is incorrect. Approximately 1% of users have liver problems related to taking Lamisil. (Product information)
I assume you’re talking about those treatments to get at the fungus. I’ve tried several prescription topicals. Some of which worked quite well except they couldn’t get at the fungus living in the nail bed. Topicals won’t work for me. The only effective treatments I’ve heard of are:
1-ripping out the nail and treating topically. The nail likely won’t grow back. Yuck.
2- oral medication. If you know of a less dangerous oral medicine, I’d love to hear about it.
I haven’t started my keratin-removing vinegar treatments yet. I haven’t made it to the store to stock up on gauze pads and band-aids. I’ll tell everyone how it goes..
April 7th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
>It is WHEN and HOW MUCH…
(Don’t take this as me jumping down your throat… I really do want to have a discussion. I am just cutting to the chase here)
If you want to argue that the drug causes damage… and that all drugs cause damage whether we realize it or not, I could reply with…
You say, “Go with all natural”. I say, “Hemlock is all natural too”
You say, “The pharmaceutical companies are evil.” I say, “Tell me that when you have a serious life threatening illness and opt for a less effective, non-pharm remedy.”
You say, “Drug companies are just in it for the money”. I say, “Yeah and so is the tea tree oil company.”
You say, “The drug hasn’t been studied enough.” I say, “I read the clearly stated warnings, recognize the risk and am willing to take the risk.”
You say, “But there might be unknown side effects.” I say, “I recognize the risk and note that I personally had side effects that no one told me I might have using tea tree oil.”
You say, “But what about unknown long term health effects of damaging your liver?” I say, “I realize that I am putting some faith in the FDA and the drug company here but know that they probably wouldn’t cause such effects out of malice and I would have some recourse (IE lawsuit) since I wasn’t warned of those potential consequences.”
April 7th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
I agree…no drugs are ever studied enough. Topicals don’t get rid of nail bed infections. And natural, well, my example is usually arsenic (same point). My Dr suggests restrictions for other reasons…avoid most drugs & eat dark, leafy greens. Salad probably won’t help nail bed infections. Personally, the greens are a bit of a hardship.. Woman can live on chocolate alone. I am proof!
Chocolate must help, Lee. I would try it. Three times the amount of theobromine as green tea (your mileage may vary)
May 5th, 2006 at 1:48 am
I started with vinegar in earnest 2 days ago.
I dipped a a small bit of a cotton ball in vinegar and then taped it onto my toe with 2 pieces of clear tape such that the vinegar can’t escape. (I originally used a bandaid but the cotton would dry up after 3 hours)
After about a day changing it twice a day, I noticed the nail looked as though it had lifted from the bed a bit; under the nail, the keratin was soft. (hey, it worked!) I was able to trim my nail and pull out a lot of keratin.
I’m going to let my toe rest for a day or two. It started feeling weird and yucky with my toe taped in an acid bath, mild as the acid is. But I’ll try again and see how much better I can get the toe looking and feeling.
Yes, the vinegar works well to loosen keratin and temporarily soften a toenail for far less than a $25 product from the pharmacy.
Cost: $1 for 1000 q-tips, $1.75 300 cotton balls, $1.19 1/2 gallon vinegar. And at the end of this, I’ll have enough supplies for another 500 treatments.
October 18th, 2006 at 9:18 am
The fact that lamisil is liver toxic is a given, no matter how much you take the liver damage happens. But heh, we are born with 3x’s the liver we really need so go ahead and kill off parts of it and you’ll still have some left.
The cost of the nonyx is due to the research into a vehicle that is stable in a bottle, sticks to the nail, doesn’t dry out, liability insurance, taxes, shipping, manufacturing; as is the cost of most of the items we buy, along with some profit for the company.
The nonyx costs $25, you don’t need to mix, bandaid, takes 30 seconds max to apply to all toes.
Vinegar $1.19, bandaids $5, cotton balls $2, $? time and energy to dilute and moisten cotton balls. ~$10 , I’ll give $15 for the convenience factor over the 3 months duration of a bottle ~$5.00/month.
If you drink, take tylenol, like grapefruits/citrus, I would avoid the potential for lamisil damage to my liver.
Hey if you were the only taking lamisil then fine, but there are several thousands of patients on this stuff. 1% gets affected noticibly, but there are those that the long term effect is cumulative with all the other damage/toxins in their life.
October 20th, 2006 at 9:35 am
>The cost of the nonyx is due to the research into a vehicle that is stable in a bottle
Eh. It sits next to many products that cost 1/4 as much that promise the same thing. And since it’s a topical (and doesn’t promise to kill off the fungus), it can’t be much better than the competition.
>Vinegar $1.19, bandaids $5, cotton balls $2
I already had everything in the house but the cotton balls.
October 20th, 2006 at 9:53 am
Here’s what’s up with my toes..
I used a full course of Lamasil. The course ended on about 9-1-06. It appears that all of my toes are growing out without fungus :-). Though it’ll be several more months before my big toe grows out to look normal.
I believe that the vinegar treatments helped in the short and long run. Some of my nails were growing up at a 45 degree angle with the nail bed, I did the following several times: I soaked a tiny-tiny bit of cotton ball in vinegar, set the ball on top of my toe and then sealed it in with scotch tape. I let this sit for about 2 hours. It was sometimes uncomfortable in the same way that having wet socks is uncomfortable. Then I’d remove the tape and find that I could trim my nails to a respectable length and height easily.
- Removing as much fungus-y nail as possible may help with healing (though I’m sure that the oral Lamasil is what did most of the work there)
- The nails tended to grow straighter (and not upwards) immediately after vinegar treatments because the keratin that was pushing them upward had been removed.
- They immediately looked a bit less yucky because discolored and oddly shaped nail was removed.
- There was less of a feeling of pressure on my toe nails. Before treatments, I could feel that the keratin under the nail was pushing the nail upward. It’s a yucky feeling.
On the matter of liver damage… I’ve asked doctors and been told that the liver is a most amazing organ. If it isn’t destroyed, when the toxin is removed, it regrows. This is how one can give a child a liver transplant from an adult; the child gets just 1/3 of the liver and it regrows in the child’s belly. (the details are obviously more complex, but not too much). If an alcoholic stops drinking (before it’s too late), their liver will recover. Etc…
January 4th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
What’s the status on your vinegar treatment? I don’t have nail fungus, but would like to treat the thickening keratin under my toenails.
January 6th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
As I had written, the vinegar was good to fight the keratin. The Lamasil has continued to work. My small toes have entirely grown in cleanly. My big right toe is still growing in. It doesn’t look infected but it’s not perfect looking. If I used nail polish, you’d be hard pressed to tell there’s anything wrong with it.
February 19th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Interested in whether Lee diluted the vinegar or used it straight from the bottle. I assume it was white vinegar - not balsamic! Did the vinegar sting or burn the skin with repeated use? Do your feet smell like vinegar in between applications? In one article I read (Wikepedia- ethanoic acid/acetic acid) it says that acetic acid is able to discourage the growth of fungi. Maybe all the soaking really does prevent the growth or maybe even kill or stunt the growth of the fungus in the nail. Lastly, why do yo think Nonyx nail gel says that thinned nails from acrylic nail use should not be treated with their product? Maybe because it detaches them! Any experience out there?
February 20th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
>diluted the vinegar or used it straight from the bottle
Straight white vinegar.
>Did the vinegar sting
No, it didn’t sting with repeated use; my toe got wrinkly from soaking for 1-3 hours at a time under the bandage. That would clear up just as quick as it would if you soaked in the tub.
>Do your feet smell like vinegar in between applications
Sometimes very slightly. But washing my feet would make that go away completely.
>Maybe all the soaking really does prevent the growth or maybe even kill or
>stunt the growth of the fungus in the nail
Umm, yeah. that’s the idea.
>why do yo think Nonyx nail gel says that thinned nails from acrylic nail use
>should not be treated with their product
I dunno, sorry.
Best of luck with your toes, Don! Come back and tell me how it goes.
March 11th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I would suggest sticking with the vinegar applications. I used Lamasil about three years ago at a cost of around $500 and it cleared up my toe nails perfectly…for about six months. Then back came the fungus. Last thing I want to do is blow off $500 on a yearly basis while risking liver damage. Either vinegar or Nonyx and cleaning out the keratin build-up keeps the nails acceptable looking if used regularly.
May 13th, 2007 at 6:15 am
Ive been using the vinegar mixed with listerine in a small tub and i soak my feet in it(this will also kill athletes foot). Then I put tee tree oil and menthol on them before bed wrapped with cotten and tape. I have been doing this for four months and all of my nails are back to normal except my big toenail. I didnt try the Lamisil because i didnt want to risk the liver damage. But if $25.00 is all it costs its worth a try even if it only helps a little bit. Also before i started this treatment I clipped my nail as far down as i could to get rid of as much of the fungus as possible.
June 12th, 2007 at 9:48 am
My MD, who I trust completely, also refused to prescribne Lamisil as too dangerous for the liver. I can live with crappy toenails but not without a liver!
July 29th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
My dad had one toe nail that was yellow, thick and horrible looking. His doctor told him to put vick salve on it. It began to grow out with a nice, thin pink nail. I saw it. Why would doctors recommend something that could damage your liver when something this simple could work.
July 29th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Very interesting. I’ll look into trying it. Thanks.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I have using Nonyx for a few years and it does work. However, it won’t work all by itself if the fungus you have is systemic (spread inside you) When I first used it, it didn’t do anything so I stopped. Then a month after I had been taking some OregaMax capsules I decided to give it another shot. It suddenly started to clear up the nails with daily improvements. (This also proved I had an internal fungal infection)
If you really want results with your nails using Nonyx then use it like this:
1. Nonyx on top of the nail (2x day)
2. Tea Tree Oil dipped on a q-tip allowed to soak under the nail (2x day).
3. Take an anti-fungal herb such as OregaMax, Candibactin-AR, or grapeseed extract. (3x daily)
4. Drink lots of water.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
FYI, I found Nonyx at Target for $15.95; am interested in the vinegar and tea tree oil information. So far the Nonyx has been helpful.
October 12th, 2007 at 5:38 am
I’ve been putting vinegar on a cotton ball and covering it on my big toe with a band-aid for a while now. The fungal infection seems to be kept at bay… no new discoloration. But it will take a long time to tell if it’s getting at the infection under the nail. I’ll keep you in formed on this blog.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I just started using Nonyx nail gel. I want to thank you for all the information. I will try to get some of the antifungal herbs. I will keep you posted on what happens.
January 15th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I stumbled across Nonyx nail gel last week at Wal-Mart and at 19.95, I figured that I’d give it a try. After a week of use (1-2 times a day), I have seen no improvements but the directions indicate that it will be 3 - 4 weeks before any improvements can be seen.
As Nancy said, many thanks to those that have provided feedback on this issue. For now, I’ll be the test subject that is only using the Nonyx, with no other herbs or medications. I’ll update this post in the coming weeks with the progress and confirm whether or not Nonyx works by itself.
My condition is a bit strange as the fungus appears to enjoy my middle and pinky toes (same toes on each foot). So we’ll see how the Nonyx performs.
One other thing… Pete was right on point about the Lamisil tablets. They work perfectly, but after a while the fungus returns. Considering the cost of lamisil tablets, the risk of liver damage, and the fact that results are only temporary, I would NOT recommend using Lamisil tables at all.
Til next time, take care.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Everyone has a lot of information. I thought i would add my 2 cents worth. The nail thickening is suppose to be a fungus that can be from athlete’s foot or vice versa.
My understanding is if you have one, treat as if you have both. Tea Tree oil has helped me, I followed what someone else tried: Soaked (feet not just nails)in vinegar, dry, file the nails (topically not just the ends)and then apply Tea Tree oil on the toenails. Some of my nails have started to grow back out straight were they seemed to be nubs before.
My niece works for a foot Dr. she said patients have recommended the Vicks, although they don’t. I have heard of the Listerine, vinegar, Tea tree oil, Vicks, and the different types of internal fungus killers. These are all alternative to expensive solutions and going to the Dr. for RX. I would also like to mention that yellowing of the nails can be symptom of a more serious nature as circulatory problems, diabetes and so forth. I personally plan to have those checked by my M.D. as I continue my soaking, filing, and medicinal applications.
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Where do you buy the Tea Tree Oil?
Thanks
May 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Nonyx Nail Gel Works. Simple as that. All 10 toenails have had fungus for over 20 years. Over that time I have tried everything. Nothing worked until Nonyx. It has been two weeks, using as directed twice a day and I am shocked as to how they look already. Still a ways to go… But the new growth is clear of the fungus.This is a miracle gel. Sincerley Diane
May 9th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Diane, please come back in 6 months and tell me/us if it cleared up the infection completely. I’d love to know.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
As a kid, we used to put the “pulley bone” from a turkey in vinegar. After it set for a while, it would turn into a rubber like consistency. Then as it dried out, it would harden again. The vinegar does the same thing to your nails, letting you get at the keratin better without tearing your nails out. Yay. :)
May 28th, 2008 at 5:14 am
I just read every single post and want to thank every one that cares enough to share their thoughts on this horrible condition and possible remedies. My doctors say I have a systemic infection because they have tried for ‘nigh on 15 years to treat this condition and nothing works. One cure that I have been unable to try is the “pill” prescription because of severe stomach reactions to ingested anti-biotics and other medications. Recently I gave up hope when my doctor (he used to treat ballet dancers in San Francisco) said that if I did not want to remove the nails, I would just have to live with the condition because he did not believe in Penlac (my most recent prescription) and truthfully the Penlac just barely keeps things in check. I was astonished because he just cannot know how awful it feels when that tingling goes through the worst toes and you want to just rip the toes off your feet, never mind looking at your toe as the flesh darkens and takes over the toe. Well I am about to try Nonyx (I am too lazy to try that whole vinegar soak stuff - I have too much to do in the evening). One thing that made a little difference for me was to soak my feet in an ionizing bath (a couple of times a week) - however I am now going to wipe my toes with a Listerine/water cotton ball before applying the Nonyx. Keep you posted monthly.
May 28th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Lena, I certainly hope you (and I) find a solid cure. My vinegar treatment has certainly been keeping it in check. It’s still too soon to tell if it’s curing it.
May 28th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Hi, I’ve just read all the posts. Very helpful. I started Lamisal 2 months ago and use Nonyx 2x a day. How long for both fingernails and toenails to grow out? I notice clear nail beds growing out albeit slowly. Hoping to have decent nails for son’s wedding in San Diego in Sept. Any hope? The humiliating this is tho I’m glad to know the reason I couldn’t dig the awful stuff from under my nails and why my toenails looked decrepit. Thank goodness for that little monster getting under nails on the commercials as the lightbulb finally went off over my head. Later…..
May 28th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Becky, my fingernails grew out in a few months…2-3 if I recall. My toenails… well, they’ve never grown out. They grow much slower so it will be something like 4-12 months.
It’s probably a good idea to use both Lamisal and Nonyx (or whatever you dare try) at the same time. If you can knock out those little monsters….!
June 11th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I’ve been soaking my fungus toes for 3 months now, once a week for one hour, in…Listeren mouth wash, which kills everything. The keratin build up acts like a sponge and just sucks up the mouth wash and it slowly kills the fungus in the nail bed. One more month and it will be gone. I’ve had it for over 10 years. A couple of times during the week I’ll give each affected nail pure tea tree oil drops, which really dries the keratin out and also kills the fungus. Try it and over time you will see improvement.
June 13th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Bob, I’d love if you came back to this site in 3 months with news that the fungus was completely gone. :-)
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:16 am
Hello all,
I just started the NonyX Today so I’ll keep you all posted. I wanted to let you all know….and it could just be me but everytime I use the Tea Tree oil I get an inflammatory reaction to the nail bed. It does help the clearing of the nail very well but the inflammation is slightly painful. So just an FYI, but like I say it could just be me having an allergic reation. Also it seems to be the general consensus, my Doctor also refused to give me the oral treatment stating that if he would not let his son or daughter take it then his patients shouldent either.
I will also try the soaking, something new you all just taught me.
To the next of 22 years of treatments that have not worked! Let this be the one…
Daniel
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Excuse my Engl, is my second language.
I got a bottle of Nonyx Nail Gel…something like $25 at Wallgreens. It’s been something like 10 days since I start using it and it works.
Before I aplly the gel I put my feet for five minutes in warm water mixed with backing soda and brush the nails. After that I dry them and aplly the gel, twice a day as prescribed. I trim the nails and the yucky stuff like twice a week and the small nails infected start healing… I will let you know what will be the result after 3 more weeks.
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:41 am
Lee - Yes, I agree with you that things are now in check.
Well it’s been just over a month and my feet are doing very well. I say “feet” because I discovered that even the toes that looked good began to look GREAT with the treatment. My normally critical mother, father have made positive comments and I am no longer ashamed to show the “tootsie rolls.”
Here’s the modification to all your advices that I tried. First of all I just cannot stand Listerine so I bought the Walmart Tartar Protection Mouthwash and just pour the stuff (it’s so cheap) over the toes after showering twice a day (Hey, it did say it kills germs for extended protection) -so why not use it on my feet. I then apply the Nonyx and really try to settle it on the dark affected areas. I try to get at least 15 minutes of drying time before I put on clothes and leave the house. Here’s the upshot of all this -
1. The darkened skin surrounding the bad toes has lightened considerably - Wow!
2. The cuticles are still growing out on to the nail but are no longer looking like rubber and they flake off easily (like white flakes of sick stuff when I nudge it with my manicure tool. The skin underneath and the nails look like they are glowing.
My challenge - Cannot pick out the dark Keratin debris (as recommended by Nonyx) down at the cuticle base now that the nail is growing back (healthy looking) closer to the top of the toes, I have no access.
Now don’t imagine for a minute that I’m anywhere near cured. The Big Toe on my right foot is very resistant in the inner cuticle area and still looks dark, but it is not blood red anymore or all over dark on the nail. I doubt that this will be gone in just three months but I am realistically hoping that 9 months might do the trick. Let’s see. Talk to you next month!
July 8th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hi Lena and Lus and everyone,
After a few months of doing the vinegar treatment (part of a cotton ball soaked in vinegar placed on my large toe with a band-aid put over that) things are looking very good. Again it is still hard to tell if the infection is gone but it seems to be growing out well. It just takes so long for the nail to grow. For a while I would do the vinegar treatment once every other day or every three days. sometimes I would go to sleep with it on and sometimes I would leave it on during the day. I went through two boxes of band-aids… that’s 120 applications or so.
Daniel, yes, after a while I started getting an allergic reaction to tea tree oil as well. :-(
Thank you all for your comments :-)
July 13th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I have been treating my nails with Nonyx for about one month. A few days ago I have broken out in blotches on my trunk, arms, legs, and back. I am not taking any drugs. Could this be a reaction to nonyx? I don’t know if I should stop treatment or not.
If it is only a form of vinager I can’t see that it is the problem.
Any suggestions.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:32 am
It’s been a month since I start using Nonyx. The nails looks good , very healthy , but the keratin doesn’t go away as fast as I wish, much slower process.
Overall after a month and 30% of the product gone, following the instructions, I will say that I see anywhere between 8-12% improving of my general condtitions. I will do the treatment another month to see what would happen…I hope I will see more results.
Lee, I read your vinegar and sounds like it has the same effect as Nonyx, even better. I think I will switch to vinegar after a month to see what will happen. And like you said, Nonyx is based on vinegar, acctually smells like vinegar a little bit.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:25 am
OK, so I could not wait another week to get back to all of you. Anyway, today, 28th July is the end of the 2nd month using Nonyx gel. I noticed that several of you are saying that you are only doing your treatments (all types) once a day. I beg to differ and urge you to do your treatments with Nonyx or vinegar twice a day as that is key to getting the results that I am getting. I do that because I remember the podiatrist telling me that the reason Penlac (applied nail varnish medicine) worked at all is that it remained on the toe and liquid medicines did not. So, it is important to do the twice daily treatments that Nonyx gel mentions. My percentage of improvement is huge, almost 65% better looking after years and years of suffering and fighting this. The big news as of today is that the left cuticle point on my right big toe (the big problem area) looks clear and the clarity moves up about 1/4 inch high. Right now the black core infection area has moved up to the middle of the toe on the left hand side. This is phenomenal because it means that I have penetrated the deepest point of infection (the left corner) and I continue to experience flaking cuticle on all toes where I have feared infection. To avoid dry skin around the base of the toes I rub my toes with olive oil before taking showers and that has helped a great deal and does not get in the way of treatment.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I started using gel July 29th will post again in 2 weeks with results.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:42 am
I tried pure vinegar twice a day for six months and it did NOTHING.
Fungus is NOT the ONLY cause of thick toenails. Old age is another cause.
My Podiatrist suggested I try Nonyx, which I am now doing.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Tony, I’m only 40 years old and first it was my big toe and then maybe lasy year it went second big toe.I can tell you that I am very hopefull with Nonyx.In just a few days I have noticed how much whiter
they look.I will keep my fingers crossed.I also tried vinegar and tea tree oil and vicks rub.They all stink and I did not see a difference.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:42 am
For everyone posting here, please remember that it takes months to years for toe nails to grow out completely. Seeing improvement over 4 weeks is very encouraging but it’s only a start.
It’s been several months since I started vinegar treatment and I still can’t give a thumbs-up or down on whether it works. The nail grows that slowly.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Hi, everyone. Nonyx really works… but, first, some history. I used Nonyx for two years and didn’t have much success with it. I hated looking at my nails (not being reminded of the problem kept me happier), so I treated them with Nonyx once a week. Of course, that did nothing except keep the problem from getting worse. A few months ago, with the bottle running low and wanting to know if I should re-order, I switched to once-daily applications. That, too, did nothing. A month ago, I finally committed myself to the twice-daily applications that the bottle instructs and have now seen fantastic results. So, as Lena said, twice-daily application is crucial. You’re just wasting your money, otherwise.
I don’t use any other treatments… nothing oral and nothing else topical. Nonyx is the only thing that I use. Here’s what I do: twice a day, I pull the cuticle back on each toe and apply Nonyx there. I think that it’s important to pull the cuticle back because you need to get the gel as close as possible to where the nail grows out. Also, on the big toes, I pull the skin away from the sides of the nails in order to apply gel in the corners and under the sides. Finally, I put a little bit on the rest of each toe’s nail, just in case, though I don’t think that it does much; again, the most important thing is to apply it along and under the cuticle so that new nail grows in clean.
After all of that, I don’t put on socks for 15 minutes (because the label says to). Usually, I put gel on in the morning and evening, just before going into the bathroom. By the time that I get out, time’s up and I put my socks on.
As I said, I’m having great success. Every nail is clear at the cuticle. It’s just a matter of time and consistent application before the yellowed areas move all the way to the tip and get trimmed. One nail is almost there. Other nails are a bit more stubborn and slower. For those stubborn and slower nails, I try to apply Nonyx three times per day, just to increase odds in my favor. Afterall, if you apply when you wake up and when you go to bed, that’s only 8 hours apart, leaving 16 hours between applications on the other side, so a quick application before dinner cuts that down.
I haven’t tried vinegar or Listerne, but Nonyx, to me, is easily worth $25. It really does work… and bottle lasts a really long time. Just make sure that you use it at least twice per day (per the instructions), and pull your cuticles back when you apply the gel there (per my own recommendation). Good luck.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
WOW, thank you everybody for all the good info.
Very helpful.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I just went to the doc last week to be put on the Lamisal, haven’t started yet, did have ??? for my doc about the liver and he stated that he personally hasn’t seen anyone getting liver damage, both PA and foot doc recommends. I am going to give the vingar a try also,foot doc said the more you can remove (keratin) it will help even more. Thanks Lee for all your input.
August 15th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I was on lamisil a few years ago and it cleared the fungus from my big toes. But guess what?, the fungus is back. I went back to my doctor and He refused to put me back on lamisil. I’ve been using Nonyx for two weeks and it’s unbelievable! I can already see some results.. I can imagine how it will look in 2 months.
What I do is soak my feet in hot water with epson salt, then file the nail down ( to ease the gel penetrating) but be careful not to file your nail down too much as it will hurt,, I apply the gel twice a day. I’ll keep you posted on my results!!
August 16th, 2008 at 3:47 am
I agree with you Toby.I have both big toe nails that are thick.Not discolored like some say but just thick and hard to cut.I have been using the gel since the end o July and I swear they look 50% better.I will keep using the gel it is worth the $ to me.I will keep you posted also.
August 17th, 2008 at 6:07 am
I tried the Nonyx gel before it came out in the stores found it on line, and it did work just didn’t clear all of, maybe taking the lamisal and doing the gel or the vinagar that Lee suggested will help remove it for good. I just started taking the pills on Friday and hope they help. I will keep everyone posted, tired of the ugly big toes……….Thanks all for your input…..It does help
August 17th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Janice,I’m getting both my knees replaced in 2 months and I hope I can keep my feet coveed in the hosptal.I have only used about 1 month and they do look better.I really dont know if I have a fungus
mine are not discolored only thick.But do know theyare not thin and pretty.I wuld love to go with girlfriends and get a pedicure but would be too imbarressed.Debbie ps I’m only 40
August 18th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Debbie, from what the foot doc told me it is fungus, guess I will go out and buy some more of the nonyx gel and start using it again, I did the cotton ball and vinagar last night what a pain in the butt that was, had the whole house smelling. I know what you mean on the pedicure, we are big boaters and I hate it when people stare at my feet, I am hoping the lamasil and nonyx gel will work. keep me inform please……..
August 19th, 2008 at 2:25 am
Janice,do you wear toenail polish?I stopped wearing it and also think this helps.I go to the beach alot and hate for anyone to look at my feet.I always am jealous when I see a woman with pretty red toenails.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Debbie, No I do not, seems it don’t stay on, Last night I soaked cotton balls in vinagar like Lee suggest, we will see if that helps, I am like you, we are in Florida and we are on the boat every weekend and I hate it when stare at my feet, i keep the buried in the sand.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I live in florida too.Where are you?I’m near Ocala.I do the same keep them buried.I go to the beach with really good friends I really dont care when I’m around them.I did the vinegarthing and tea tree oil.But this gel is much easier and I think soaks in better.I’m gonna go file them now.haha
August 19th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Wow, just found this site and read every comment. I have fungus under both big toes. Had it for years (first the right foot, then the left) Hate going bearfoot because of the embarrassment of them.
I am going to take some of your advice and try the vinegar treatment. I will keep you posted. And Lee, thanks for this blog! it’s not a subject that anyone of us likes to talk about, but its nice to know we’re not alone.
Peace,
J.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Debbie, I live in Pensacola, went out and bought the gel today, it did work before, so between the meds and gel I hope I get rid these ugly toes once and for all. Hey Junior, good look to you but if you get tired of the vinagar, try the nonyx gel, pricey but works. keep on blogging everyone.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:11 am
I filed mine down yesterday.I swear they look so much better after only 1 month.I hope by my surgery I wont be so imbarressed.Have a good day.Debbie
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Excellent discussion!
Let me suggest that you can safely use lamisil if you get a “compounding pharmacist” to make up a solution with DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) which you swab onto the infected nails daily. The DMSO acts as a vehicle to carry the lamisil through tissue - live or dead - without getting any measurable amount into the bloodstream (and thus, the liver.)DMSO is one of the few chemical compounds which easily penetrate the skin; used in moderation it has no record of systemic damage.
This worked for me, although it took a year to kill the fungus . . and I’m left with dead keratin debris under several toenails, so now on to a treatment which softens that crud . . and vinegar should to the trick, based on the experience of many who write here.
Thanks again!
August 30th, 2008 at 9:45 am
use the nonyx it is in a thick formula, of course it is vinegar but you dont have to soak your feet in vinegar this works so much easier , the thickener keeps it under your nails and it works, so it is worth the 25 dollars , 20.56 at walmart
August 30th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Even more progress with Nonyx. Three month update - folks! Still making progress. The little buggers are being killed - woo hoo! My right big-toe is still battling with them, but I have no shame about showing these toes to anyone anymore. I know the “dark” days are well on their way behind me. What is even more amazing about the Nonyx is that even problems like the dark edges of my toes that doctors said that “all black people or those of color get when they age” is receding. So what kind of nonsense have these doctors been feeding me all these years? In fact, my little toenails which had been black for years (as the doctors say - due to ballet which squashed my toes) have lightened considerably. My toes all have a healthy almost pearlescent gleam that brings joy to my heart.
HAS ANYONE TRIED MY TRICK OF MASSAGING THE TOES WITH OLIVE OIL BEFORE TAKING A SHOWER TO EASE THE DRY FLAKING SKIN ISSUE?
August 30th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Note to Janice - After all you have read here, why are you putting yourself through the trials of the Lamisil? Why take the chance of liver damage etc….All you have to do is commit to a twice a day application of Nonyx to get the results I’m getting?
Note to Debbie - Don’t forget to take your Nonyx to hospital with you and good luck on your surgery!