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Eradicate Toenail Fungus For Good w/ Povidone-Iodine & DMSO

5.5KViews Modified: Jun 2, 2026 · Published: Mar 17, 2026
By Jacqueline 20 Comments

Eradicate Toenail Fungus For Good w/ Povidone-Iodine & DMSO
(Image source) These are NOT my toenails!

I recently made a 2-ingredient topical application for a small fungal spot on my left big toenail that appeared out of nowhere. It worked FAST and the infected spot was eradicated in 2 months of casual (not persistent) use. It has been proven to work on resistant fungus like the case seen above.

(Below, I share (1.) the study (which reports the application being a “cure”) and (2.) the recipe I used topically.)

Toenail fungus, medically referred to as onychomycosis, is more than just a cosmetic problem. It often becomes an embarrassing and persistent issue, causing thickened, discolored, and brittle nails. It becomes very tough and stubborn if left untreated for long. 

It can spread to other nails or even to the skin if untreated. There are countless remedies on the market, some of which have harmful ingredients (like polysorbate 20 or 80). Side-effects like organ toxicity and skin irritation are common in many of the drugs for treating toenail fungus. 

If you have a toenail fungus, it tends to take much longer to treat than, say, a skin fungus like ringworm.  The difficulty with toenail fungus is that the fungus is living inside and underneath the nail itself, so just slathering on an OTC antifungal cream is not likely to penetrate all the way through. (source)

One safer solution that has been gaining popularity is topical povidone-iodine mixed with DMSO.

What Is DMSO?

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is a natural unadulterated byproduct of wood pulp and is a colorless, odorless liquid that has been used in a variety of medical treatments since the 1960s.

I’ve written about DMSO before for 1. spinal and brain injuries and 2. COPD and asthma in more depth here and here.

These are 2 DMSO products I’ve purchased: Clinical Grade 100% DMSO and WoldoHealth 99.9% DMSO.

Initially, DMSO gained popularity for its ability to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote remarkable healing. 

Its most notable feature for this application, however, is its ability to penetrate the skin (and toenails) and carry other substances with it. This means that when applied topically, DMSO can help deliver other medications directly to the affected area, including natural anti-fungal agents. 

In the case of toenail fungus, DMSO has been used as a means to help iodine or a natural oil such as tea tree oil reach deeper layers of the nail and skin, where the infection typically resides.

Why OTC Toenail Fungus Remedies Seldom Work

Antifungal resistance often develops during the usual extended (6-9 month) of OTC toenail treatment regimens. This is complicated by the inability of most topical agents to effectively penetrate the toenail to the deeper infected tissues. It leads to chronic reinfection, even during continuous treatment, so there are extremely low success rates of most onychomycosis therapies.

A Treatment You Can Do at Home that Works & DOES NOT Cause Fungal Resistance

Eradicate Toenail Fungus w/ Iodine & DMSO For Good
(Study & Image source)
Eradicate Toenail Fungus For Good w/ Iodine & DMSO
(image source)

The Benefits of Topical Therapy with Povidone-Iodine & DMSO

Since DMSO has so much value as a pharmaceutical vehicle, a large volume of scientific literature exists on DMSO being used in combination with natural DMSO combination therapies. (This highlights the absurdity of our medical bureaucracy, who states, alone, DMSO is “dangerous and unproven” but when combined with other patentable agents “safe and effective”). (source)

A topical mixture of Povidone-iodine (Betadine 10%) and DMSO does NOT have potential side-effects or interactions with other drugs. It works by penetrating the nail bed to where the fungus is growing.

If you read my DMSO post here, you saw that I referenced Amandha Vollmer’s book Healing with DMSO.

Eradicate Toenail Fungus For Good w/ Iodine & DMSO

To Clarify Amanda’s Recipe:

The Antifungal Toenail Recipe:

• 1 – 100 mL glass dropper bottle (slightly smaller than a 4 ounce -120 ml – dropper bottle)

• 1 mL 10% povidone-iodine = 20 drops or just 0.20 U.S. teaspoons (see mL to drops calculator)

• 44 mL 99.9% pharma grade DMSO = 880 drops or just shy of 9 teaspoons (see mL to teaspoon calculator)

• 55 mL distilled water = just over 11 teaspoons or 1100 drops

Mix up your dropper bottle and apply sufficient number of drops to the infected nail(s) topically 2-3 times a day and to other areas that may be infected. Rub in. Leave open to the air as much as possible.

(I know others who have added a few drops of antiparasitic ivermectin 1% liquid to the mix (used for injecting cattle) and found under the name Durvet at Tractor Supply. It makes the above recipe thicker and the 3 together are even more powerful. Read more about ivermectin (paste and liquid) use in the post Dirt Road Discussions Ivermectin Horse Paste Protocol by Request.)

Iodine Boosts Immune System

Iodine’s antifungal and antimicrobial properties make it an effective treatment agent against a range of fungal species.

Iodine is a critical mineral that maintains a healthy immune system through systemic therapies with almost no side-effects. Healthy immunity can resist numerous infections, including fungal distribution. (Btw, many consistently used iodine (Lugol’s 2% drops) during the height of Covid by adding a drop or 2 to the medicine cup when nebulizing diluted hydrogen peroxide and it was extremely effective! Read more at the end of this post.)

In addition, it is much cheaper compared to prescription drugs.

In case you are thinking of using iodine to cure your toenail fungus, here are some useful tips:

• Choose the appropriate topical iodine solutions for fungal infections. I use 10% povidone-iodine for topical application. Never oral.

• Before application, make sure that you clean and dry your feet properly to enable penetration of the nail bed by iodine this enables efficient delivery.

• Rub on a little amount directly on the infected nails and around the toe twice a day. 

• Remember that nail fungus is not something that clears up in one or two weeks; it will take time, perhaps 3-4 months.

    Showers & Surfaces Disinfecant Recipe To Prevent Reinfection

    A 2-ingredient homemade disinfectant spray applied to shower floors several times a week consistently can halt spread of toenail fungus and athlete’s foot – and it’s not harmful to humans.

    For an alcohol-based recipe, add these to a spray bottle:

    • 16 ounces of 120 proof vodka or rubbing alcohol

    • and add 12-36 drops thyme essential oil

    Note: On average, Plant Therapy thyme essential oil has about 40% thymol. We need to use ~12 drops of essential oil per 16 ounces of vodka or rubbing alcohol base. It’s best to get the thyme thymol chemotype, but thyme linalool can also work. Since the linalool variety has much less thymol you’ll need to triple (3x) the amount used in the recipe. (source)

    Wellness Mama writes: “Alcohol is one of the most popular disinfectants used for hand sanitizers and hard surfaces. Many homemade products, though, don’t have enough alcohol to work well. According to the CDC 60-90% alcohol is necessary to make a disinfectant that works. If we start off with 60% alcohol and then dilute it with water… we just killed the efficacy of the cleaner. She continues: “The average vodka is 80 proof, or 40% alcohol. Even if we use it straight up that’s well below the recommended 60%. If you opt for vodka it needs to be at least 120 proof. And Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is available at pharmacies and most grocery stores. It’s cheaper than vodka and ranges from about 70-90% alcohol so it fits the bill for a homemade disinfectant spray.” (source)

      Are there any contraindications when using iodine therapy for toenail fungus?

      Yes, individuals who are allergic to iodine or have thyroid issues should consult with a medical professional before using.

      “Lack of iodine is widespread in the U.S. today.” For many years iodine was added to bread so that each slice contained 150 micrograms (mcg), the RDA for iodine. In 1960 the average American got about 1 milligram—1 milligram (mg) equals 1000 micrograms—of iodine daily, mostly from bakery products. This amount of iodine was enough to decrease thyroid absorption of radioactive iodine present in the atmosphere, reducing the rate of thyroid and other cancers. The breast cancer rate at that time was one in 20. Now it is one in seven and rising by ~1% each year. In the ’60s, the food industry decided to remove iodine from baked goods and replace it with bromine.” ~Dr. James Howenstine (source)

      “Most people have no idea how important iodine really is. Yet 96% of people tested are deficient —leaving the thyroid, breasts, ovaries, and prostate vulnerable to disease.” ~Dr. Mark Sircus, “Healing With Iodine: Your Missing Link To Better Health“

      Click these links to find more safe and effective homemade remedies and protocols that work. ~Jacqueline

      ***For the Full Spike Protein Protocol to protect from transmission from the “V” and to help those who took the “V”, go here.

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      Medical Disclaimer: I am no longer a practicing medical professional, and I am not doctor. I am a mother. I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use. Using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is intended to treat or prevent disease. Consult your own doctor.

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