Is this urea cream that you use Flexitol? What is it exactly and where do you buy it?

How severe was your infection, on a scale of 1 to 10? And what is now? Congrats!

I use Flexitol Heel Balm but it's only 25% urea. It works great for heels. I buy it at WalMart. I'd be interested in knowing more about the 40% urea too :)

Luv--I think someone, maybe this poster (?) wrote about that previously. I googled it and found it. Topix Urix 40% urea cream.

I was so discouraged because the fungus has retaken almost half of one of my little toes... But then I found some pictures I had taken a while ago. Comparing the two, I think that my other big toe (the gross white one) is actually improving. I hadn't thought it was until I looked at the pictures.

The Tineacide Foot and Shoe spray got here, and I'm going to use it on my toes and shoes three times a week. I'll hold for another week or so, then maybe buy the cream. It was "unseasonably warm" here in the pacific northwest and everyone broke out the strappy sandals and flip-flops. I keep my favorite pair that I bought a long time ago next to all my treatments to encourage me not to miss a day. :)

The 40% you csn buy w/o prescription is sold on skincarerx.com. It is 29.99 for 8 oz and is sold by Topix as Urix 40%

My infection was on all 10 toes with deformaties that made wearing shoes difficult. The infection is long-standing (30+ years)

I also had ingrown toenails on both great toes. I cut them short and filed down the ridges to help penetration.

On clean feet, I apply the Urix first and massage it in. Then I apply the lamisil ensuring that I cover the toenails and surrounding area completely. I then use a q-tip to apply the tea tree oil. I allow it to absorb for 20 minutes and then wipe off excess (in the am - I leave it alone in the evening) Twice per week, I slather on the urix cream and cover my feet with plastic wrap and leave it on for 2 -3 hours and then gently buff the nails with a fine emory board to remove any keratin debris. I use a "ped egg" to reduce calloused areas and a rough towel to massage my feet and toes.

I am using the lamisil on my nails because it cleared the few scaley patches on my skin in only a few days. That leads me to believe it will actively work on the nail fungus as well. The urea cream is to hydrate my severely dry feet - as well as reduce the callused areas which, like the toes are caused by a buildup of keritin and dry dead skin. I have also cut out all sugar and artifically sweetened drinks in favor of water, coffee and tea. I do drink 100% unsweetened juice.

Hi vperson :) Does the urea cream ever make your feet sore? Last time I used it, several months ago, I got to that point where I stopped using because my feet were sore on soles/heels. At the time I thought it was the daily straight vinegar soaks responsible for irritation. I stopped using the urea cream just in case & reduced vinegar soaks to 2x a week & changed to vinegar drops 2x day straight to toenail but use MN2% cream on feet to prevent fungus. This past week or so I've been using the urea cream at night only on soles/heels, since they are slightly callus or thick feeling. Last night I did vinegar/water soak & find myself having sore soles/heels after. Any thoughts? Is it the cream or the vinegar? Maybe I can't use them together? Do you ever have soreness like that from the urea cream?

Does the urea cream ever make your feet sore?

Initially the cream made my feet sting a bit particularly over the really callused areas. That abated over time and now it is not problematic at all. The urea acts to break down the "horny" layer of the skin to exfoliate and assist in new skin production. (Kind of like microdermabrasion) I do like the Urix product more than the Flexitrol product as it is a lighter lotion type as opposed to a heavy cream. You could also try a lower concentration available on many skin care sites on the web.

My heels and the callused areas were never cracked even though they were very dry. I have used the 40% cream on my face where I burned it using a depilitory w/o any discomfort (it quickly removed the dead skin) and I apply it a few times a week on my elbows which are also very dry - also without any discomfort. I suspect that it is the keratin busting action that causes the slight stinging action over thickened and callused skin. Hope this helps.

Thank you for taking time to answer. That helps me a lot as I was unsure whether to continue with it. I'm thrilled that it's helping me & I don't have cracking but I do have thicker skin there. I will resume tonight & maybe avoid vinegar soaks while using the Flexitol. I'd love to have soft soles/heels again & I feel I need to do this. I'm scared of what might happen if I don't get back to normal. I read of the moccasin type of athlete's foot & it scares me if that were to occur. Often one has to take oral antifungal once it develops. I always thought all athlete's feet were the same type so I never thought I had anything to worry about until I learned there are different varieties. I do have a real time with the callus buildup on heels & soles, so I must take heed. I just want to cure everything & not risk further development. I don't mind to do preventative applications but I just want rid of this forever.

vperson, I would say that the lamisil/urea/ttoil you are using is similar to the fungoid tincure--the exception is that the antifungal is lamisil instead of undecylenic (I'm sure I spelled that wrong!) acid. The urea is probably helping the lamisil penetrate. After reading all 90+ pages I am coming to the conclusion that topical treatments will only work with a penetrating agent. And the urea seems to be in the over the counter products that many posters have success with. I'm wondering if this is similar to the crushed lamisil another poster is having success with.

If you don't mind, could you explain what you mean by mechanical debridement? Is that simply using an nail file and filing? Or are you filing with something else? Also, are you using 25% urea or th 40% you mentioned?

The products I use for toenails that contain urea are Tineacide cream & Flexitol antifungal liquid, which both contain active ingredient of undecylenic acid. Miranel, containing active ingredient of MN2%, also has urea included. The Fungoid Tincture, active ingredient MN2%, however does not contain urea. Other ingredients in various products, such as grape seed extract, etc, also can enhance penetration.

I use the 40% twice daily. And you are correct - in order to get an antifungal to penetrate to the nail bed - you must use something to assist that action. I started using the urix because it helps to reduce the incidence of ingrown toenails.

The mechanical debridement includes filing, and gently massaging with a rough towel (an old one washed w/o fabric softener is great)as well as using a pumice stone or other light abrasive on/around the nail and callused parts of the feet. This reduces the bulk of the nail, the food supply for the fungus and enhances the ability of the fungacide to penetrate to the nail bed. If you have a history of diabetes or periferal vascular disease or neuropathy, you should check with your doctor before you debride your feet as you can have serious complications.

I chose the lamisil because it was highly effective on the skin part of the infection and an educated guess is the same fungus is causing the nail infection. A few years ago, I tried the oral lamisil and it was working - however I had to go off due to liver enzyme changes after a few weeks. The topical will not cause that problem so it was the med I chose first.

As a child, I had the moccasin type of infection complicated by a secondary bacterial infection. I used to swim in lakes and was always "dinging" my feet. It is very hard to clear up and is likely the cause of the nail fungus I have had most of my adult life.

I believe that stress plays a part in fungal flare ups as well.

Stress reduces immunity. I went on ebay and found Topix Urix in a spray! That sounds intriguing. What do you think of that?

Anyone tried this natrual antifungal?

I just started it today on my tootsies and toes. I'll post any benefits I might get from it. :)

Tx: degruccide, filing and now massage w/little VCO

I did try it, but I ate it instead of applying it topically. Let me know how it works, I still have some left!

The spray that was on ebay had a starting bid of 99 cents...

I first started using it on my skin about a week ago on a rash and it is clearing it up very nicely, I am super impressed that it is helping so much as this rash on my chest and arms was driving me crazy (caused by sun/meds reaction). Even hubby was impressed at how well it's worked and my skin is soft too, I may have to bathe in this stuff haha. Anyway I decided to read up on it some more and found the antifungal properties very interesting. It's relatively cheap considering the amount you get, I got mine at the health food store for around 11.00 and it is a 12oz jar. It is a little greasy at first but soaks in nicely on your skin. And the smell is a faint smell of coconut. I like it.

How did you put the picture of your roses up?

Re the VCO--I like the smell of it, better the taste of straight vco.

I'm sending Tennessee prayers for your son.

Your posts are very informing. Good luck.