Herbal Nail Soak Questions

Nail Removal?

2008-08-13T12:33:00.002-05:00

Hello Jim, (I) Found you website to be very interesting and enjoyed the Q&A and customers comments.
I too, have nail fungus and went to the doctor with it about 5 years ago. He prescribed some very expensive meds, (my cost $250 after insurance) and I seen no results. My toe sometimes ache or throbs like a toothache, do you think your product will help? I've read alot of info that the best way is just to have the toenail removed and get over it. Lots of info and kind of confusing as to what to do.
Thanks for your help. Diana/Clarksville, AR

Hi Diana,
Please, please, do not let a doctor remove your nail! It simply does not work. It makes no more sense to remove a nail that has nail fungus, than it would to remove an arm because it had a broken bone. It’s an old, antiquated idea that a few doctors still hold to. Many of our customers have had that done, only to find the nail grew back, with the nail fungus still there, plus the scarring to the nail and toe from having the nail removed. Don’t even consider it, please.

Yes, my formula works. I’ve convinced a lot of doctors and pharmacists after they see the results of their patients.

If you follow the directions and do exactly what I say in them, it will work. It’s not fast...it has taken years to develop the fungus, and it won’t go away in weeks. You will likely need to soak once or twice daily (3-5 minutes each) for 4-6 months to be rid of it. BUT, you will have your nail, it will be free of fungus, and for most people, it does not come back.

Most people begin to see results in about 5-6 weeks once they begin soaking daily.
Thanks for asking!
Jim Long

Don't Go Digging!

2008-07-18T23:38:00.003-05:00

Men seem more prone to this than women. They've used Nail Soak for a few weeks, or a couple of months, they get impatient and start trimming the nails back deep into the quick. They also think they should dig under the nail to "get the old gunk out and let the Soak do it's work."

Don't do that! You are actually harming the tender tissue under the nail that is trying to grow back, clear of the fungus. Digging, and trimming back "close" does more harm than good. That new growth can be easily destroyed by the trimming and digging and the remaining fungus will easily go back into the new tissue under the nails, letting the fungus grow back again.

Resist that urge to dig and trim; let Nail Soak do its job and just be patient. It really will work if you leave it alone.

Odd Questions We Receive

2008-04-25T13:35:00.003-05:00

Question:
"Dear Long Creek Herbs, You told me to get 1 quart of cheap apple cider vinegar then U said to take out 4 cups and mix it with the herbs. What should I do with the rest of the vinegar?"

Answer: There are only 4 cups in a quart, so if you have vinegar left over, you didn't use up the 4 cups. Measure again, please. One quart equals 4 cups.

Question: "My feet and nails turned black after the first soak. Is this normal and should I quit soaking?"

Answer: The instructions say to heat the vinegar to almost boiling in a "non-corrosive, non-aluminum pan." If your feet and nails turned black after the first soak, you used a cast iron pan, which the instructions also say not to use. Throw it out and start over, please. Non-corrosive pans include: glass and stainless steel, but not aluminum, copper or cast iron.

Question: I've been using Nail Soak for 3 weeks and don't see any results. Should I just give up?

Answer:
No, don't give up. The instructions say you should just begin to see results in about 5-6 weeks. For some it takes a bit longer to start seeing results, but giving up too soon will insure the formula won't work. Give it a chance to work. It took years to develop your nail fungus and it's not going to be taken care of in just 3 weeks. Be patient, it will work, but keep up the soaking.

Will Nail Soak help psoriasis?

2008-01-13T10:39:00.000-06:00

Probably not, although we have had a couple of customers who tried it said they thought they might have seen a bit of relief. There is no indication that it would help psoriasis.

According to the People's Pharmacy, "About 50% of people with skin symptoms of psoriasis also have abnormal fingernails, especially nail thickening or small indentations, called pitting."

Why haven't I seen results?

2008-01-01T15:07:00.000-06:00

"Dear LC Herbs,
I've been using your product for 4 weeks and haven't seen any results. What should I do? I've had nail fungus for 20 years." Bob C., Alabama

Dear Bob,
As it says in our directions in the box, most people will begin to see results in 5-6 weeks of soaking, depending on how fast your nails grow. You said you've had nail fungus for 20 years, so it will take awhile to get rid of the fungus. Be patient and give your nails a chance to heal and don't give up. Ours is not a quick remedy, but our product really will work if you give it time. Your nails may grow slowly, so I urge you to keep soaking every day for 3-5 minutes, even twice daily if you have the time. I feel certain you will see results very soon. Please let us know and thanks for writing.
Jim

Can 2 people soak in the same solution?

2008-01-01T15:01:00.000-06:00

"Dear Jim,
My husband I and I both have nail fungus. Could we start with one box of Nail Soak and both soak in the same plastic shoe box? Thanks!" Doris. G.

Dear Doris,
Yes, you could both use the same solution, but I don't recommend it. There is enough in one box for about 2 months of use. If both of you use the same solution, you will use it up in half the time, well before either of you will begin to show improvement. I'd suggest you both have your own plastic shoe storage box, and your own 4 cups of liquid. Or, if you really want to use the same box to soak, start with 2 packages of Nail Soak and mix it up with 8 cups of liquid. That way you will have enough to last for the 2 months, long enough to know that it's working for you.
Jim

Don't Dig Under the Nails

2007-09-10T17:29:00.000-05:00

One of the ways you can reverse the progress you've made with Nail Soak, is by digging under the nail. Sometimes people get impatient after a few weeks of soaking every day and think that if they just dug out the gunk from underneath the nail, it would allow more Nail Soak to get under it.

Don't do it. The new tissue underneath the nail, where the fungus has receded, is very fragile. When you dig, you loosen the nail a bit, pulling the tissue loose. That allows the fungus to go back downward into that soft tissue.

Be patient, don't trim your nails back too close, and don't dig under the nails. When you are seeing results and the fungus is going away and your nails are growing out clear of fungus, don't be tempted to "speed it up" by digging.

Ok to mix in cast iron?

2007-07-29T11:21:00.001-05:00

No, please don't!
The Nail Soak instructions call for mixing the formula and vinegar in a non-corrosive or other non-aluminum pan. Occasionally we'll have someone think that it's all right to mix it in cast iron and after they do, complain that the mixture turned their feet or hands dark.

Cast iron reacts with vinegar and turns the vinegar dark, and in turn, turns skin dark, as well. Please do not use aluminum nor cast iron to mix the vinegar + formula in. Use stainless steel, glass or non-stick coated pans for mixing and heating the vinegar solution. Mixing it in cast iron won't hurt you, but it will definitely turn your skin much darker on the area that's being soaked.

Does it work on cracking heel?

2007-07-28T19:08:00.000-05:00

The fungus that causes cracking heel and related athlete's foot, is easily remedied by Nail Soak. In fact, that's how I happen to create the formula more than 16 years ago, to cure my own cracking heel problem.

You will ususally see results with cracking heel in 2-3 weeks. My cracking heel problem never came back. Here's what one of our customers said, volunteering her testimonial:

"I have had cracking, dry and crusty heels for years and years and have tried almost all the fungus treatments and creams and moisturizers and you name it on the market to no avail - and not even knowing if I had a fungus or not. My doctor said "excessively dry, just calluses, use Dr. Scholl's callous file after soaking and moisturize." Didn't work.

I was surfing the web and ran across your Nail Fungus Soak and thought "what can it hurt to try it? I've tried everything else." In one month's time, it is like the calluses on my heels have "melted away," and the cracks are almost gone -- and I had cracks that were bleeding (the vinegar did sting a little). It is amazing!! I have never had anything work on my calluses like this.

I didn't see any testimonials about dry, cracked heels and decided I needed to tell you about my experience in case there is someone else out there who has had the same problem.

Thanks for a great product"....Sue F., Ohio

Back to the Nail Soak page

2007-06-29T12:55:00.000-05:00

http://www.longcreekherbs.com/soak.shtml

What if my nails turn brown?

2007-06-29T12:52:00.000-05:00

The slight darkening of the nails is from the carmel coloring in the apple cider vinegar. Some brands have almost no coloring, while others, like Heinz, have a lot. The darkening isn't harmful.

Back to the Nail Soak page: http://www.longcreekherbs.com/soak.shtml

What if my feet stay damp all the time?

2007-06-29T12:21:00.000-05:00

Often construction workers and farmers, those who wear heavy work boots, have the problem of their feet staying damp. This almost insures they will have nail fungus, athlete's foot, etc.

We recommend 4 things that will help.

1-Have an extra pair of boots or shoes and trade off every day so that the other pair has a chance to dry out.

2-Soak every day, 3 minutes (twice daily would be even better, but at the least, once daily) with Nail Fungus Soak.

3-Every morning, after soaking and patting dry, dust your feet with any kind of medicated power, such as Gold Bond or similar, to help keep the feet dry.

4-Go barefoot at every opportunity. At night, after you get home, at lunch time, whenever it is possible, get your feet out of the hot, humid boots.

Will your product work on common jock itch?

2007-06-29T12:16:00.000-05:00

Yes. It is, however, a bit harder to apply, but you will see results in about 10 days to 2 weeks. To use it for this purpose, mix Nail Soak according to directions in the box. Then daily (twice each day is even better), soak a washcloth in the Nail Soak liquid, wring it partially out and apply the very wet washcloth to the affected area. Leave it in place for 5 minutes. Pat dry afterward but don't wash off the area for at least an hour if possible. Keep the area dry by applying something like Gold Bond medicated powder or similar drying power during the day.

Will it work on cracking heel or athlete's foot?

2007-06-29T12:15:00.001-05:00

Yes! Nail Soak will work on those conditions much faster than on nail fungus. You will often see results in about 10 days of daily soaking on cracking heel or athlete's foot.

How do I know if I have nail fungus?

2007-06-29T12:12:00.000-05:00

Nail fungus can be blackened nails, or yellow, thick nails that slowly detach from the nail bed. It is often accompanied by athlete's foot, or cracking heel, or by peeling and cracking between the fingers or toes. Nail Soak treats all of those fungal problems when you soak daily and you should begin to see results on the skin fungus problems within about 2 weeks.

What's in Nail Fungus Soak?

2007-06-29T12:09:00.000-05:00

Our formula contains carefully balanced amounts of shavegrass (Equisteum sp.), along with Mentha spicata, Eucalyptus and Lavendula sp. There is no tea tree herb or oil, no fillers and no chemicals or preservatives. The herbs work in combination with the vinegar solution.

Does Nail Soak also have tea tree oil in it?

2007-06-29T12:07:00.000-05:00

No. Tea tree herb isn't very effective in treating fungal problems and we do not use it in our formula. Additionally, many people are allergic to tea tree oil or herb.

Should I mix other things with the Nail Soak?

2007-06-29T12:03:00.000-05:00

We've had questions from customers who have asked about adding bleach to the vinegar-formula mixture, or other ingredients. We strongly recommend you never add anything else to the Nail Soak and vinegar mixture. Let the formula do its work.

If you were to add things to the mixture beyond the vinegar and Nail Soak herbs, it negates your guarantee completely. We guarantee our formula to work, provided you use only our ingredients and follow our proven directions.

What is Spilanthes-Usnea Tincture?

2007-06-29T11:58:00.000-05:00

Spilanthes-Usnea Tincture (pronounced "sp- lan- thus use-nee-a") is an herbal tincture manufactured by the Herbpharm in Oregon. They list the tincture as beneficial in cases of blood-borne and internal fungal problems, including warts, nail fungus, vaginal yeast infection and others. It is made of two antifungal herbs: spilanthes and usnea, and is taken internally.

Our recommendation, if you choose to use this tincture, is that you soak once daily (morning or evening) in Nail Fungus Soak. At the other end of the day, put one drop of Spilanthes-Usnea Tincture on each affected nail, AND drink 30 drops of the Spilanthes-Usnea Tincture in a glass of water or apple juice. (The instructions on the bottle suggest a larger daily dose, but our experience has been that 30 drops once a day is sufficient). There is enough in a bottle for a 10 day supply, used this way. Complete directions come with the Tincture.

Does Nail Soak work for people with AIDs?

2007-06-29T11:56:00.001-05:00

Yes. Even for people with compromised immune systems, Nail Soak will work, although it may work more slowly. Twice daily soaking is recommended if possible, rather than the once daily soak for people with stronger immune systems.

Is Nail Soak safe for people with diabetes?

2007-06-29T11:52:00.000-05:00

Yes, because you are using this topically, we know of no harmful effects. If you have an open wound, the vinegar may sting, so use your judgement about whether to use it or not. Often people with advanced diabetes heal more slowly, so it may take longer to heal up nail fungus, but it does work for those with this illness.

Is Nail Soak safe for nursing mothers?

2007-06-29T11:50:00.000-05:00

Since you are using this topically, there should be no harmful effects to using Nail Soak, either while pregnant or while nursing. If in doubt, check with your physician.

Should I use Nail Soak as well as Spilanthes tincture?

2007-06-29T11:47:00.000-05:00

We recommend you use the Nail Fungus Soak first, simply because most people's fungal problems respond to the Nail Soak by itself.
However, for people who may have a variety of fungal problems, or an especially tough case, the addition of the Spilanthes-Usnea tincture can be helpful.

Apply topically instead of soaking?

2007-06-29T11:43:00.000-05:00

Applying Nail Soak topically isn't as effective as soaking. The soaking part is important because it soaks under and around the nails, in areas where just applying topically won't reach. You'll speed up the results considerably if you'll soak according to the instructions, rather than applying it with a cloth. Please soak - it really does make a difference.

If you must miss a day, or are traveling, applying it topically is better than not using it at all, but it is best to soak.

How often do I use Nail Soak?

2007-06-29T11:41:00.000-05:00

You will get the best results by soaking every day for 3-5 minutes. It's not critical if you miss a day now and then, but if possible, use the Nail Soak every day.