Toenail Fungus Prescription Medications
Sometimes prescription medications are needed to treat a toenail infection that just wont go away with natural remedies or over-the-counter medication in a few months. In this case, prescription-strength antifungal medication can eradicate stubborn onychomycosis.
Topical medications often are effective in treating mild to moderate toenail fungus. Topical solutions may include medicated nail polishes or liquid medications. Loprox , Penlac , Kerydin , and Jublia are among the top prescription drugs for toenail fungus.
Oral medications can come in capsules, tablets, or liquid. Some common prescriptions are Diflucan , Lamisil , Onmel , and Sporanox .
Why Do We Use Tea Tree Oil For Nail Fungus
Tea tree oil has extensive applications for beauty and health. It is an inexpensive essential oil that has antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal properties. The antibiotic properties of the oil fight against ailments such as burns, skin infections and skin disorders such as eczema.
The antifungal properties of the oil cure fungal infections on the nails and improve the health and appearance of the nails.
Precautions To Take For Preventing Or Treating Nail Fungus
- Maintain short and clean nails as it helps to prevent bacteria getting clogged up under the nails. Use a manicure kit to maintain clean nails.
- Make sure to wear shoes or sandals in public places like swimming pool, gym, and others. As nail fungus is contagious, it can easily spread in these places.
- Prefer wearing sandals instead of shoes if it is not necessary. Shoes create a warm and dark environment which can lead to fungal growth.
- Make sure to wear ventilated socks which restrict moisture buildup and promote air circulation.
- Wear preventive gloves while cleaning clothes or washing dishes. It helps to avoid any further complications and also keeps your hands dry.
- If nail fungus persists even after trying home remedies for more than 8 weeks then consults a podiatrist.
- Instead of normal nail polishes, it is better to use medicated ones.
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How Long Does It Take To Recover
You need to be consistent with the treatment in order to see results. It usually takes a few months for the nail to heal completely. Healing time depends on how severe the infection is and how quickly your body responds to the treatment.
The fungal infection is cured when youve grown an entirely new nail thats free from infection.
You can continue the tea tree oil treatment after the nail has healed to ensure that the nail fungus doesnt return.
Its important that you use a high-quality tea tree oil for best results. Here are some things to look for when buying tea tree oil:
- The oil needs to be 100 percent pure.
- Buy an organic oil, if possible.
- Look for a tea tree oil that has a 10 to 40 percent concentration of terpinen. This is one of the main antiseptic and antifungal components of tea tree oil.
You can buy tea tree oil online or at a local health store. Always buy from a brand that you trust. The supplier should be able to answer any questions you have about their product.
Research your brands and manufacturers. Essential oils can have issues with purity, contamination, and strength. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration doesnt regulate essential oils, so its important to purchase from a supplier you trust.
How To Apply Tea Tree Oil On Nails
Before using them, make sure the oil is thoroughly diluted.
It is essential to repeat the application of tea tree oil to nail at least twice a day. Repeat the filing procedure once or twice a week for the best results.
Sometimes even following the steps mentioned above on a routine basis will not guarantee the complete removal of infections.
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Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication
One of the many benefits of using a homeopathic remedy is that there are little to no adverse side effects. Topical treatments often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially burn or blister the skin. Oral medications for treating onychomycosis can cause liver or gastrointestinal damage. Be sure to read your medications list of potential side effects. Consult your pharmacist, physician, or specialist if you are concerned about side effects of prescription drugs.
How To Prepare Your Nails Before Using Tea Tree Oil
Doing some prep work before you use tea tree oil on your nails can help the oil reach deeper into your skin and nails and offer better results. If your nails are too thick or long, the nail bed will not absorb the oil properly.
Heres how you can prepare your nails for tea tree oil treatments:
After prepping your nails, the next step is to apply the tea tree oil to them. Read the next section for further steps.
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How Does Tea Tree Oil Kill Bacteria
TTO contains 5 essential compounds, namely Cineole, Pinene, Terpinen4-ol, Cymene, and Terpinene. The presence of these compounds, especially Terpinen4-ol, has been proven to be effective in eliminating bacterias, fungal and viruses by manipulating the body system towards producing more white blood cells.
Applying Tea Tree Oil To Your Nails
Before you apply 100% tea tree oil anywhere on your body, its best to do a test. Some people have sensitive skin. While its a safe oil, its properties can prove too strong for some when its used on its own. If you have done a patch test and experienced no reaction, you should be safe.
If you experience minor irritation or want to be safe, create a solution with the tea tree oil. You can still enjoy its benefits by diluting it with a carrier oil. Olive oil and jojoba oil are great neutral carriers. They will also help to add moisture to your nails and the surrounding skin.
Once you have made a solution of tea tree oil, follow these steps:
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Tea Tree Oil And Oregano Oil
The carvocrol compound present in oregano oil possesses potent fungicidal properties which makes it an effective remedy to combat nail fungus.
- Melt 3 tablespoons of organic coconut oil.
- Add 30 drops each of tea tree oil and oregano oil.
- Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture on the infected finger or toenail.
- Leave it to dry completely without rinsing off.
- Repeat the process once in a day until infection clears.
Tea Tree Oil And Garlic For Toenail Fungus:
The allicin present in garlic gives out strong antimicrobial properties which are effective in dealing fungus.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp of olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp of vitamin E
- 3 tbsp of tea tree oil
Preparation Time: 15 minutes minutes.
Process:
- Heat olive oil on low flame
- Add garlic cloves and let it simmer for 7 min.
- Remove heat and let it stand aside overnight
- In the morning put vitamin E and tea tree oil in it
- Mix well and apply it on infected nails
Repetitions: Repeat the process 3 times in a day.
Best Time to apply: At leisure.
Fungus is easy to catch, but If left untreated it can cause serious issues soon. Taking action at the right time is important for your health to remain good. Nails though a small part of the body, cannot be ignored. Look for symptoms at an early stage and use Tea tree oil at a regular basis to avoid further damage and restore the health of your nails in time.
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How Long Will It Take To Recover
You will have to use tea tree oil on your toenail fungus regularly before you see any visible results. The total duration of the tea tree oil treatment depends on the severity of the infection. It can take anywhere between weeks to months for your nails to completely heal. So, you need to be patient and keep applying the oil regularly.
Often, after the nail has recovered, you may regrow a healthy nail that is free of any signs of fungal infection. However, experts recommend continuing the use of tea tree oil even after healing to ensure the fungus does not come back.
What Tea Tree Oil Treatments Can Prevent Nail Fungus
There are a number of ways that tea tree oil for nail fungus can be used. The most direct way is to dilute tea tree oil and use it directly on nails for two months. The process can be slow, but in time you will see a drastic improvement.
We have listed all ways to use tea tree oil for nail fungus below for your convenience. We recommend choosing any one of them and try it regularly.
Note: As our toe nails grow very slowly, it takes at least a month to completely cure the infection. So, try the process regularly with some patience.
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Tea Tree Oil And Olive Oil
As per few studies, olive oil contains hydroxytyrosol, an antioxidant which is effective in killing the fungus, yeast and molds associated with toenail or fingernail fungus. Olive oil also helps to speed up healing process of skin surrounding the affected nail.
- Mix equal quantities of tea tree oil and olive oil.
- Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture on nails and allow to dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat the process regularly.
Note: You can use olive leaf extract oil or ozonated olive oil instead of virgin olive oil.
Alternative: You can use lavender oil instead of olive oil and follow the same process. Lavender oil possess antiseptic properties and volatile compounds that fight against the fungus.
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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Tea Tree Oil And Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains antifungal properties which help to combat fungus causing the infection. It also helps to speed up the healing process.
- Mix 1 part of freshly extracted aloe vera gel and 3 parts of tea tree oil.
- Apply the mixture on the infected finger or toenail.
- Gently massage for few minutes and leave it to dry completely.
- Repeat the process once in a day.
To Treat Toenail Fungus
Research has shown that concentrated pure tea tree oil is an effective treatment for toenail fungus.
If applied for at least 3 months, it can permanently cure the worst toenail fungus you can ever think of.
Heres how to use tea tree oil for toenail fungus
Pro Tips:
Be careful while using it so that it doesnt touch your skin. The concentrated form of oil can cause skin irritation.
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How To Prevent Toenail Fungus
Preventing toenail fungus may not be at the top of your to-do list, but perhaps it should be. A healthy foot depends on good hygiene, so it is crucial to keep the toes clean and dry. Follow these six tips to prevent nail fungal infections.
- Short and Clean Nails You can make use of a manicure kit to brush up your nails. Keeping nails short and clean will prevent the bacteria from getting clogged under the nails.
- Use Preventive Gloves Wearing gloves while washing dishes or cleaning clothes will not only prevent you from getting in contact with the bacteria but also keeps your hand dry.
- Wear Ventilating Socks If you plan to sweat while wearing socks, it is better to avoid both cotton and woolen socks. This is where synthetic socks have an advantage, as they wont allow moisture to buildup and get clogged inside the socks.
- Wear Shoes in Public Places Make sure you always wear shoes or sandals at places shared by others like gym, stations, malls, etc.
- Personal Hygiene Last but not least, try to practice good hygiene. Allow maximum air to reach your nails. It can be achieved to a great extent by avoiding tight shoes that may create a sweat environment for your nails. It is always better to opt for open-toed shoes.
Tea Tree Oil For Acne
Tea tree oil, when properly diluted, may help mild to moderate acne, Krant says. Experts believe that the liquids acne-fighting power comes from its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Although more research needs to be done, existing studies are promising. A review of seven studies, including three double-blind trials, published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents in 2015, concluded that products containing at least 5 percent tea tree oil, applied twice daily for multiple weeks, is likely to reduce acne. The researchers also concluded that people experienced similar adverse reactions to tea tree oil as they did to other medicated acne treatments, such as dryness, stinging, and burning.
If tea tree oil alone isnt strong enough to clear up acne, combining it with other medications, such as benzoyl peroxide or retinoids may do the trick, Krant says. Retinoids add benefit by working to exfoliate and normalize cell development and turnover rates, she sayswhich tea tree oil does not appear to do. But keep in mind that using tea tree oil to treat acne can also cause rashes.
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How To Dilute Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a common problem which is difficult to deal with. Nail fungus does not look attractive. When your feet or hands become infected your nails become yellowed, thickened and brittle, it can be embarrassing and sometimes even painful. Knowing how to dilute tea tree oil for toenail fungus can give you relief. Tea tree oil has become a popular essential oil owing to the powerful anti-fungal it contains. Its a popular treatment for many conditions, including toenail fungus.
Toenail fungus is often caused by the trapping of moisture in warm conditions where the fungus thrives in. Leaving toenail fungus untreated may lead to the cracking, splitting and even complete loss of toenail. With dietary and lifestyle changes, supplements and certain essential oils, you can treat and eliminate the cause of toenail fungus. Getting rid of toenail fungus can take some patience and requires time to fully heal. Learning how to dilute tea tree oil for toenail fungus and getting rid of the underlying cause of nail fungus is the only thing that will keep the infection from coming back again.
Does Tea Tree Oil Clear Up Fungus Fast
When you use a treatment to fight back against toenail fungus, patience is a virtue. Start using a solution at the very first sign of an infection. Many people either dont notice the infection at first or wait too long before treating it.
A fungal infection doesnt become severe overnight. So, its impossible to think that a treatment will work in 24 hours. Unfortunately, even the most powerful antifungal treatments can take months to work. It depends on their potency, how your skin responds, and the severity of the infection.
Keep using the treatment for as long as necessary. Even if some symptoms have subsided, treat the infection for several extra weeks. Toenail fungus regrows and spreads if its not completely killed off. Because tea tree oil is natural and has few side effects, you can continue to use it until the fungus is gone.
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