Mythbusting: Does Tea Tree Oil Really Cure Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is not a pleasant condition to experience. Once you have it, it can be hard to get rid of. If you’re especially prone to wearing tight shoes, hosiery, and having damp feet due to being an athlete, the condition only grows worse.
Older people and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to get toenail fungus. If you have symptoms, you’re probably here to cure toenail fungus. Keep reading to find out how to get rid of toenail fungus and if using tea tree oil for toenail fungus is effective.
What Research Reveals About This Product Which Is Promoted As A Cure For Athletes Foot Toenail Fungus And Acne
Searching for a quick fix for a case of acne, athletes foot, or toenail fungus might lead you to products that contain tea tree oila liquid that is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree. Tea tree oil can also be found in over-the-counter items that promise to freshen breath and remove dental plaque. But does it work? Here’s what our experts say tea tree oil canand can’tdo for these conditions.
How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus With Tea Tree Oil
Nail fungus is genuinely a difficult situation to deal with. Also known as Onychomycosis, nail fungus is a widespread problem among many people and is often caused by the trapping of moisture in warm conditions where the fungus thrives in. Some people are more prone to attracting fungus as habitual actions like swimming, followed by sweating, may often lead to the growth of fungus.
A nail fungal infection will most probably begin as a white or yellow-colored spot beneath the tip of your finger or toenail. It is said to occur when fungi infect one or more of your nails. This may lead to the decolorization and thickening of nails, which can be a painful problem. In extreme cases, this may even affect a persons ability to use his feet or hands.
Leaving them untreated may lead to the cracking, splitting, and even complete loss of the toenail. But it is curable and can be treated easily at home without spending a lot of money. Many natural home remedies are capable of curing this, and tea tree oil is one among them.
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Yes Tea Tree Oil Has Antifungal Properties
Tea tree oil is an essential oil made from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree. This oil is also known as melaleuca oil.
Tea tree oil is famous for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties which is why itâs used in many home remedies.
The main antimicrobial component of tea tree oil is terpinen-4-ol. The most commercially available tea tree oil is 35% terpinen-4-ol.
This is why tea tree oil is thought to be beneficial at killing the fungus that causes toenail fungus. But, is this oil strong enough to squelch stubborn nail fungus or athleteâs foot?
Letâs consult some research.
Oregano Oil And Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus:
Oregano oil has fungicidal properties which makes it an effective remedy to get rid of nail fungus.
Ingredients:
- 30 drops of Oregano oil
- 30 drops of tea tree oil
- Cotton ball
- Take a bowl add 30 drops of each oil
- Mix them well
- Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture of both the oils on the infected nail
Repetitions: Repeat the process once a day.
Best Time to apply: Before rest.
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Should You Try Tea Tree Oil
It might be worth trying tea tree oil for athletes foot, toenail fungus, or acne. But skip tea tree oil products marketed to combat bad breath, tooth plaque, and gum disease. In fact, says Krant, don’t use tea tree oil for any oral conditions it may be unsafe to eat or drink. And if you use it on your skin, stop the treatment immediately if you notice that it’s causing irritation or a rashsome people are allergic to tea tree oil.
Tea Tree Oil And Baking Soda
Baking soda contains fungistatic properties which kills the fungus causing infection. It also balances the pH levels which creates an inhospitable environment for fungus to thrive.
- Combine 3 drops each of tea tree oil, basil oil, and sage oil.
- Add 2 teaspoons each of baking soda and arrowroot powder into it.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly until combined well.
- Apply the mixture on the infected finger or toenails and wear socks.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and remove socks.
- Rinse with cool water, and towel dry.
- Repeat the process once in a day until the infection clears.
Read Also: How To Eliminate Nail Fungus
Whats Tea Tree Oil Made Of
What did I hear you say? Well, let me wipe my face before I answer that for you. The oil from the melaleuca tree is made up of five essential elements or chemical of which Terpinen4-ol happens to be the most essential for skin.
That is to say in every drop of tea tree oil theyre five active chemicals in it. They are Cineole, Pinene, Terpinen4-ol, Cymene, and Terpinene.
Tea Tree Oil And Vicks
Vicks contains three main ingredients â menthol, camphor and eucalyptus. They are effective in combating infection caused by fungus, mold and bacteria.
- Gently massage diluted tea tree oil on the clean infected nail.
- Let it dry for few minutes.
- Gently rub the Vicks vaporub on that affected nail.
- Leave the application for few minutes and wipe it off thoroughly.
- Repeat the process once in a day.
Note: It may cause slight irritation but it will eventually clear the infection.
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How To Use Tea Tree Oil To Treat Fungal Nail Infection
Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection which can affect one or more toenails or fingernails, causing thick, brittle and disfigured nails. Available prescription treatments pose the risk of side effects, making home remedies — such as topical tea tree oil — popular alternatives. Derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, tea tree oil has antifungal properties, yet there is a lack of evidence this essential oil is an effective nail fungus treatment. Ideal treatment protocol is also not known, so common application steps mirror those used in the research studies.
How To Prepare Your Nails
Nail treatments for fungus work to target the fungus on and around the toenail. Preparing your nails for an application is the best way to ensure fast results and a speedy recovery. The goal is to allow the oil to coat and penetrate the entire nail, so the fungal nail must be clean and free of any dead nail tissue or nail polish. Carefully follow these steps to prepare for your nail fungus treatment :
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How Do You Use Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus
According to a study in 1994, tea tree oil was found to be as effective as clotrimazole, a popular ingredient in more than 80% of antifungal creams, in treating toenail fungus.
Using tea tree oil on your toenails to get rid of fungus is as easy as applying body oil/lotion after having a bath. To use tea tree oil on your feet
- Wash your feet and towel dry with a clean towel
- Using a nail file, shave off bits of the affected toenail
- Apply 4 6 drops of tea tree oil on your toenails and massage in for a few minutes.
- Leave your feet aired i.e do not wear any coverings until after the oil has fully soaked into your feet.
- You should then repeat the application up to two times every day.
- If you develop some skin irritation early on, you can dilute your tea tree oil with carrier oils like coconut, olive, or sunflower oil.
Prepare Your Nails Before Applying Tea Tree Oil
Before applying tea tree oil, one must have to make specific preparations on nails to get the best out of tea tree oil.
Step 1: Remove all dead nails using a nail clipper. Make sure you get rid of all the dead nails even if it may consume more time. But on the process, try to avoid cutting off your skin.
Step 2: File down all the infected nails with a coarse nail filer. File away as many dead nails as possible. It is more beneficial to file each nail with a medium grade or fine grade filers.
Step 3: Clean your fingernails or toenails with soap or lotion along with water to get rid of dust and dirt.
Once this is done, you can apply the oil onto your nails, and this is how it is done!
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Bonus: Balance Your Bacteria
The best care for fungal overgrowths starts with balancing your gut flora. Make sure youre consuming plenty of fermented foods rich in good bacteria, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and raw kefir, while also getting in foods that feed your good bacteria, like Jerusalem artichokes and green bananas.
You might also want to look into supplementing with a good probiotic, or even going a little further by supplementing with natural antifungals like garlic and olive leaf extract.
Athlete or not, athletes foot can be a tiresome annoyance. Using some of these tips, along with improving your microflora, will go a long way in beating back this pesky fungus.
Are There Any Side Effects
As long as you test tea tree oil on your skin ahead of time, you shouldnt experience any side effects. Many cosmetic products have started to use tea tree oil as an ingredient. Combining this essential oil with others increases the risk of side effects. Be aware of the extra ingredients, and how they might affect your skin.
The most common side effect associated with tea tree oil is skin irritation. This is usually due to an allergy to the oil itself. Otherwise, 100% tea tree oil on its own is a very safe option to use for toenail fungus.
Keep the following tips in mind as extra safety precautions:
- Never swallow/ingest tea tree oil. It is safest and most effective when applied to the skin.
- Keep oil away from small children, unless approved by a doctor.
- Dont use it in your eyes or ears.
- Keep the bottle capped. If its not stored in the right way, it could go rancid.
- Consult with your doctor before using tea tree oil if you are pregnant or nursing.
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When To See A Doctor About Toenail Fungus
If you are experiencing persistent toenail fungus or pain is present, you may need to see a specialist. A dermatologist or podiatrist may be able to assess your symptoms and send a small sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a laboratory to be analyzed as there are various types of fungi and yeasts that cause onychomycosis. Knowing the specific cause of your foot fungus can help identify what route to take to treat your condition.
Nail changes can also be caused by underlying conditions, like psoriasis and diabetes, so its important to seek professional medical advice if your condition persists or worsens. Bacterial and fungal infection of skin in diabetes patients often result in hospital admissions, and in severe cases, can result in amputations. If you are at a higher risk for infection, you should skip home remedies and seek professional medical treatment.
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Whats In Tea Tree Oil
If youre a beauty freak like my girlfriend, then you must have read or learned about the benefits loaded in tea tree oil and how it has helped many persons solved various problems.
Well, thats by the wayside. Knowing its usefulness without getting to know what it is made up of is like trying to move a car with no engine.
Now let me ask
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Is Oregano Oil Good For Nail Fungus
Oregano oil contains antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiseptic, analgesic and antifungal properties which make it an amazing remedy to remove the nail fungus.
The compound carvacrol is the main reason behind the fungicidal properties of oregano oil.
When taken internally, it can fight off the candida virus within the body.
How Can You Maximize The Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil
Apart from the oil application, you can follow a few tips that can help improve the condition of your toenails and resolve the fungal infection faster.
- Trim your nails regularly. It will prevent the underlying healthy nail from getting infected and allow the oil to penetrate the nail bed better.
- Always wash your nails clean with soap and water. Remember to pat your nails and the skin around them dry to prevent any moisture from entering the nail bed.
- Use footwear in public places such as washrooms, locker rooms, and pools to prevent spreading it to others.
- Opt for footwear that has ample space for your toes. A narrow toebox will cramp your toes together and apply pressure on your toenails. The repetitive trauma can make them susceptible to fungal growth. Choose sandals instead. Alternately, you can apply an antifungal spray to the inside of your shoes to prevent fungal growth.
- If you must wear socks, invest in ones made of natural fibers as they absorb moisture and sweat, unlike their synthetic counterparts. Change and wash your socks regularly.
- Always sterilize your nail tools such as nail clippers, nail file, etc. Avoid sharing them with others as they can spread toenail fungus.
- Lastly, check your nails regularly for any change in color, pain, or irritation. If you notice any such changes, get treatment immediately to prevent the fungal infection from spreading further.
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For Every 4 To 5 Drops Of Tea Tree Oil Add 12 Drops Of A Carrier Oil
Look for an oil that has a 10- to 40-percent concentration of terpinen, which is the main antiseptic component of tea tree oil.
Before applying tea tree oil for toenail fungus you must have to make certain preparations on nails so as to get the best out of tea tree oil.
Step 1 : Make sure you get rid of all the dead nails with a nail clipper. Start by sterilizing your nail clipper, by soaking it in rubbing alcohol or a 10 percent bleach solution for 10 minutes.
Step 2 : File away any bits of dead toenails at the corners. If needed, use a medium or fine nail filer to smooth any jagged or rough areas. The more the skin is exposed to the tea tree oil for toenail fungus treatment, the better the chances of inhibiting fungal growth.
Step 3 : Gently scrub and wash infected nails with soap and warm water to remove dust and dirt.
Step 4 : Use a cotton swab to apply a few to several drops of the diluted tea tree oil to the affected nail, and allow to air dry.
Step 5 : Apply thoroughly, so the oil penetrates the affected nail as much as possible, pressing it gently but firmly so that the liquid comes out.
Step 6: Gently scrub the affected nails with the help of a toothbrush, so as to make sure the oil reaches deep into the nails.
Repeat the steps on how to dilute tea tree oil for toenail fungus 2 to 3 times per day. To improve the odds this tea tree oil treatment will work, be prepared to apply the oil at least twice daily for several months.
How To Know If You Have Been Cured For Nail Fungus
How to know if you have been cured for toenail fungus? If you are like most people, you probably have been told at some point that you have nail fungus and youve been given some prescription medications to take care of it. The reason that you have been told you have nail fungus is because that is the most common symptom that people experience when they have it. So what really happens if you get to the bottom of how to know if you have been cured for nail fungus?
When we think about nail fungus, we think about it as a disgusting problem. The reality of the situation is that toenail fungus is not that disgusting. If you have a toenail fungus, then you dont have to worry about it being disgusting because youre probably going to feel some embarrassment. What happens when you come down with a toenail fungus, is that your skin under your nail grows into a hardened state. This is where you have the potential for fungal infections to happen and it is not pretty.
So the question becomes, how to know if you have been cured for a toenail fungus? The answer in most cases is that there is not a sure way of telling if you have been cured or not. You can go to your doctor and find out, but even then, there is not a guarantee that you will have nail growth come back. However, if you do have a sign of a fungus infection, then you can go find out if you have been cured for a toenail fungus before taking medication that might further damage your nails.
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