No scientific evidence that toothpaste can cure foot or toenail fungus

By: Rahul Adhikari
July 13 2023

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Context

A viral video on TikTok claims that a mixture of toothpaste, salt, and coconut oil can cure foot and toenail fungus. The video begins with a narrator stating, "Dermatologists don’t want you to know this.” 

In the video, the narrator mixes toothpaste, salt, and coconut oil in a bowl. The narrator advises applying the mixture to the toenails and feet three times a week, assuring viewers that the fungus will begin to disappear.

Home remedy videos are popular on social media, attracting widespread attention with their alternative approaches to addressing a range of health problems, often using readily available ingredients. 

However, the claim is false. Doctors have clarified toothpaste does not have any antifungal properties that can cure foot and toenail fungus. 

In Fact

According to an article on the website Medical News Today, reviewed by Dr. Deborah Weatherspoon, home remedies people generally try such as baking soda, garlic, and menthol products are generally ineffective for treating toenail fungal infections. Although some remedies may temporarily suppress milder infections, they are unlikely to provide a complete cure.

Logically Facts did not find any medical reports or studies that prove that toothpaste can be effective against foot fungus. Blog posts providing solutions and home remedies, including toothpaste, for foot and toenail fungus are not reliable sources of medical information and these claims are not backed by scientific evidence. 

Dr. Sirisha Singh, a consultant dermatologist at SCI International Hospital in Delhi, told Logically Facts that there is no scientific evidence supporting the claim that toothpaste or the mixture described in the video can cure toenail and foot fungus. She said, “When we give medication to patients with toenail and foot fungus, it takes 9-12 months for the fungus to get cured. It takes time, this toothpaste mixture can’t cure the fungus. Also, toothpaste doesn’t have any antifungal ingredients. Toothpaste contains chlorine, which proves ineffective in treating foot fungus.” 

Dr. Somodyuti Chandra, a dermatologist at Wizderm Speciality Skin And Hair Clinic in Kolkata, West Bengal, told Logically Facts, "No, this statement is completely false. It is far from being true. Toothpaste or a mixture of toothpaste cannot cure foot and toenail fungus. Toothpaste contains fluoride, which helps to whiten teeth, but it does not have any antifungal ingredients. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Some people also believe that toothpaste can cure burns and cracks on the foot, but in reality, toothpaste can worsen problems in such cases."

Dr. Kunal Kumar Paul, a consultant dermatologist at AIIMS Kalyani, also refuted the statement that toothpaste possesses antifungal properties. He said that there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of toothpaste for curing toenail fungus. 

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fungal nail infections typically require several months to a year to be effectively cured. These infections rarely resolve on their own, and the most effective treatment usually involves prescription antifungal pills taken orally. In severe cases, a healthcare professional may opt to remove the affected nail entirely.

The Verdict

The viral video suggesting that a mixture of toothpaste, salt, and coconut oil can cure foot and toenail fungus is misleading and lacks scientific evidence. Medical experts refute the claim and state that toothpaste does not possess antifungal properties. Therefore, we have marked this claim as false.