Print this page
Email a friendCan Home Remedies Top Prescription Drugs?
Newspaper Columns, Editorial July 10, 2007
Most doctors dismiss home remedies as unscientific at best or harmful at worst. They have a hard time understanding why anyone would choose an unproven folk treatment over an FDA approved prescription drug.
Several years ago a furious podiatrist chastised us for writing about remedies for toenail fungus: “There are real, doctor-prescribed, FDA-approved, clinically tested medications to treat toenail fungus. These include topical Penlac or oral Lamisil or Sporanox. I have successfully treated hundreds of patients with these drugs.
“The unproven treatments you mentioned are little more than urban legends. In 23 years in practice I have never seen even one patient who has responded favorably to Vicks VapoRub or dilute vinegar soaks. Don’t make me waste time dispelling these myths.”
While the podiatrist is correct that there are prescription drugs for nail fungus, he didn’t mention that these drugs are often quite expensive. The oral medicines also have side effects.
Lamisil, for example, may cost as much as $1200 for a full course of treatment (12 weeks). Sporanox can run more than $1600. Both drugs can be toxic to the liver and require medical monitoring. They can also cause digestive upset, rash or headache.
Neither drug is foolproof against nail fungus. According to the manufacturer of Sporanox, the success rate is 35 percent. That’s hardly anything to shout about.
Is it any wonder that people consider a remedy like Vicks VapoRub? The familiar blue jar costs under $9 and lasts for months. It won’t work for everyone, but a small study at Michigan State University found that daily applications of Vicks VapoRub cleared nail fungus in 32 of 85 patients. That’s as good as Sporanox at less than 1 percent of the price.
Doctors trust the FDA approval process to produce safe and effective medications. But patients are losing faith in the feds. Vioxx for arthritis and Avandia for diabetes have both reinforced the fear that long-term side effects may not show up for years. Vioxx increased the risk for heart attacks and strokes, while Avandia boosted the odds for heart failure.
It should be clear by now that FDA approval does not guarantee safety. Doctors should not be upset if people can get relief from arthritis pain with home remedies. We have heard from hundreds of readers that golden raisins soaked in gin, plant pectin (Certo) dissolved in grape juice or the Indian spice turmeric can be an affordable alternative to pricey prescription pain relievers. For those who would like details on some of our favorite remedies, we offer our Guides to Unique Uses for Vicks, Alternative Treatments for Arthritis and Home Remedies.
Home remedies are never FDA approved. Nevertheless, readers of this column have often found relief from problems such as leg cramps, coughs, hiccups, dandruff, athlete’s foot, arthritis and nail fungus. If it might help, won’t hurt and is affordable, we love to share such folk wisdom
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2007 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
My podiatrist/surgeon examined my curled big toe nail, said it was from a fungus, and told me to use Vicks daily to keep the fungus in check. I did. I continue to use it because when I stop the trouble recurs. So maybe the Vicks didn't "cure" the problem, but it certainly controls it quite adequately. There's nothing easier than rubbing a little Vicks into my toenails every night. They no longer curl upward!
Posted by: Faye Sheppard | July 14, 2007 1:16 PM
A young disabled lady with toenail fungal infection came to the dentist's office where I currently work, for some dental procedure. Her mother then mentioned the condition of the toes and expressed her fears of the daughter losing the nails, and side effects of lamasil which the docter had suggested. I told her of the naturally-formulated product, Citrelox Spray. Luckily, we had a bottle in the office, which I gave to her. On her next visit, she thanked me profusely for saving her daughter from unnecessary pain and suffering.
Moye
Posted by: Moye Oye | July 14, 2007 7:12 PM
Interesting article. I had a bout with foliculitis, an inflamation of hair folicles. My dermatologist prescribed an antibiotic ointment that was messy and hard to use. I decided that if Listerine killed germs in a person's mouth, it might kill the germs on my skin. I tried it and the condition cleared up so dramatically that I use only Listerine when it recurrs. I have also used Listerine on my cat's dandruff and it keeps it at bay for several months before reapplying.
Posted by: Sandra R. | July 15, 2007 8:58 AM
I got a terrible case of toenail fungus from a manicure. I didn't want to use Lamisil because it was expensive and could cause liver problems. I decided on a treatment of Oil of Oregano and Tea Tree Oil, applying each one once a day, morning and before bed. The fungus cleared up within the first month!
Posted by: Julia Garza | July 17, 2007 8:10 PM
I too had an experience with toenail fungus and visited my podiatrist. He prescribed and I took a course of lamisil, having to have labs drawn during the treatment regimen to check my liver function.
To make a long story short-it didn't work. I gave it over a year, since they tell you it can take 6-9 month for the damaged nail to grow out. My doctor then wanted to biopsy and culture the nail before trying any other treatment plan.
I had heard about tea tree oil (about $5) and tried that, painting my toenails morning and night for three months.
It worked beautifully! I have not had a recurrence in several years. It's at least worth a try when you look at the cost difference.
Posted by: Juanita | September 2, 2007 5:46 PM