4 At-Home Fixes for Toenail Fungus, Ranked by How Long They Actually Stay On
Anything you put on a toenail has to get down under it. That takes time, so we ranked them by how much time each one gets.
Straight up: we make VELCURA patches, so we're not neutral. That's why we've put the downsides of ours in as well, and said when to skip all of this and see your GP.
If you've got a thick, yellow toenail and no idea where it came from, you're not the only one. And it isn't going away on its own. It keeps spreading and getting thicker.
The fungus lives under the nail plate. And the nail is tough. It's built to keep things out.
So whatever you use has to stay on long enough to soak down. Then you have to keep it up for at least four months, because a toenail only grows about a millimetre a month.
That's why we ranked these on two things: how long each one stays on the nail, and how easy it is to keep going.
The overnight patch from the video came top. It's sealed on for hours every night, and it takes no effort. Its downside is the same as anything that works on a toenail: it takes months.
Overnight fungal nail patch (VELCURA)
Each patch has a medical-grade adhesive that seals it on for hours overnight.
So the active ingredients get the time to soak right down to the root of the infection. Not a coat that dries on top and sits there.
All you do is put one on before bed, and peel it off in the morning.
Good
- Sealed on for hours, every night
- Takes no effort: no filing, no brushes
- Thin enough to wear under a sock
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Not so good
- It isn't quick. Nothing clears a nail in a month, so plan on at least four months
- One patch per nail, so several nails use up packs faster
- Not for bad infections. See the GP box below
90-day money-back guarantee
Paint-on lacquers and pens
These are the treatments from the chemist that most people try first.
They dry on top of the nail, like varnish. Most need you to file the nail first, then paint it once or twice a week, for months.
The trouble is they can't easily soak through the nail plate to the fungus sat underneath. So a lot of people paint week after week, see nothing change, and give up.
Good
- No prescription
- No mess once it's dry
Not so good
- Dries on top of the nail
- Filing and painting, week after week
- Easy to give up on before it's had a chance
Antifungal creams
Creams are made for skin, like athlete's foot between the toes. On skin they can work well.
On a toenail, a cream rubs off on your sock within minutes. So it never gets time to soak through the nail.
Good
- Cheap, and in every chemist
- Good for athlete's foot on the skin
Not so good
- Rubs off in minutes
- Greasy, and has to go on every day
Home remedies: tea tree oil, Vicks, vinegar soaks
Everyone's tried one. They're in the cupboard and they cost next to nothing.
But a soak lasts a few minutes and a dab of oil wipes off. There's very little to show they get through a toenail.
Good
- Cheap
- Already in the house
Not so good
- Minutes, not hours
- Smelly
- Little evidence they reach under the nail
When to skip all of this and see your GP
If it's bad, painful, spreading to the skin or on lots of nails, or you're diabetic or have a weak immune system, see your GP.
For bad infections, tablets from the GP are the strongest option. They take months too, they can have side effects, and they aren't right for everyone. Your GP will decide.
Side by side
| Patch | Paint-on | Cream | Home | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On the nail | All night | Dries on top | Minutes | Minutes |
| Effort | One before bed | File and paint | Rub in | Soak or dab |
| Mess | None | Low | Greasy | Smelly |
| Money back | 90 days | Varies | Varies | No |
What to expect from #1
Nothing clears a nail in a month, whatever the box promised. A toenail only grows about a millimetre a month. So you need something easy enough to keep up with for at least four months.
After a couple of weeks, many people notice clear nail coming through at the base. Then it carries on improving across about four months, until the nail's grown out healthy, just in time for next summer.
Why people who've tried the rest switch to #1
It's not that they didn't try hard enough. The other fixes just never stayed on long enough, or were too much faff to keep up.
Now they're the ones in the pool, not sat out with their trainers on.
It's looking a lot better than anything else I have used
Nd H., verified buyerI have used the plasters on both big toes for 18 days, the base of the nail is returning to normal, I'm satisfied with the results so far.
Andrew S., verified buyerSo easy to use and beginning to work now. I can see a difference after ten days use.
David G., verified buyerNow is the best time to start
Your feet are back in boots. The fungus hasn't gone anywhere.
So you've probably pushed it on to next year. Most people do.
But that's exactly why now's the best time to start, while your feet are covered up anyway. So next summer, you're the one walking straight into the pool.
Enough for the whole four months
4 months' supply for the price of 2. That covers the at least four months it takes the new nail to grow through, so you don't run out halfway.
90-day money-back guarantee
90-day money-back guarantee
Use them every night. If it hasn't worked after 90 days, you get your money back. No risk, and no reason to put it off.
Questions people ask
How do I use them?
Clean and dry the nail, put one patch on before bed, and peel it off in the morning. That's it.
Will it stay on all night?
That's what it's made for. The medical-grade adhesive seals it on for hours overnight, and it's thin enough to sit under a sock.
How long before I see a difference?
Many people see clear nail coming through at the base after a couple of weeks. But a toenail only grows about a millimetre a month, so it takes months to grow out. Best results come in four to six months. Results vary.
Can I do more than one nail?
Yes. Use one patch on each nail that needs it.
Is it a subscription?
No. You pay once, and that's it.
What if it doesn't work for me?
You're covered by the 90-day money-back guarantee. If it hasn't worked after 90 days, email us and you get your money back.
Should anyone check with a doctor first?
Yes. If you're diabetic, have poor circulation or a weak immune system, or the nail is painful, red or spreading to the skin, see your GP or a pharmacist first.
The one that stays on long enough
Sealed on all night, one before bed, and 90 days to see the difference.
Claim Buy 2, Get 2 Free4 months' supply for the price of 2 · 90-day money-back guarantee
VELCURA Fungal Nail Patches are an at-home nail care product. This page is general information, not medical advice. Results vary from person to person, and a toenail takes months to grow out. If you're diabetic, have poor circulation or a weak immune system, or the nail is painful, red, swollen or spreading to the skin, see your GP or a pharmacist.
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