Acidophilus is a mixture of bacteria that is commonly available in sachet form. The idea behind an Acidophilus beer soaking is that the beer softens the nails and acidophilus creates an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of fungus.
White vinegar is sometimes also added to the soak. The treatment may not be effective and is only recommended for mild infections or for the purposes of prevention.
Application
Prepare a solution of dark beer (I litre), an acidophilus supplement sachet and white vinegar (1/2 liter) in a container or tub, mix well and leave for approximately 20 minutes.
Feet are soaked in this solution for 1/2 hour, ideally before bedtime and then dried thoroughly. Some recommend a soaking three times a day. It makes sense to assume a lengthy treatment time of at least 6 months.
Pros and cons of how a beer soak works to treat nail fungus infections
Pros:
- Home remedy using in-expensive ingredients.
- Natural solution, unlikely to have side-effects.
Cons:
- May not be effective.
- Time consuming treatment that needs to be continued for a long period of time.
- There may be a burning sensation during the soak.
Obtaining the ingredients for an acidophilus beer soak
- Beer and vinegar are common home staples and are both widely available and can be obtained from pharmacies, health food shops and online. For more information on purchasing Acidophilus, have a look at our Acidophilus supplement article on quality factors to look for.
- A beer soak treatment is a relatively in-expensive treatment.
