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, donât 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 itâs causing irritation or a rashsome people are allergic to tea tree oil.
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.
Tea Tree Oil Garlic And Calendula Flowers
The allicin present in garlic possesses strong antimicrobial properties which are effective in dealing with fungus. Calendula flowers also contain antifungal properties. This combination is effective in treating moderate to severe nail fungus infection.
- Heat 3 tablespoon of olive oil on low flame.
- Add 4 garlic cloves and 10 shredded calendula leaves.
- Let it simmer for 7 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, strain, and let it stand aside overnight.
- In the morning, stir in 1 tablespoon of vitamin E cream or oil and 3 teaspoons of tea tree oil.
- Mix well and apply enough amounts of the mixture on infected nails.
- Repeat the process 3 times in a day.
Note: Store the remaining mixture in an airtight container for daily use.
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Treating The Underlying Cause
Speaking of natural treatments, how about a truly natural treatment? One potential reason for the poor long-term benefits of any therapy is that it may be treating only a manifestation of underlying disease, such as generalized immune suppression or peripheral micro- or macrovascular disease. Maybe fungal nail infections are just a manifestation of poor peripheral blood circulation that would normally allow your bodys natural defenses to keep the fungus from taking root in the first place. Evidently, there was a non-English language study of 400 patients that looked at the relationship between blood circulation of the skin and the development of fungus diseasethat was the titleand found a greater than 50% reduction in blood flow in patients with compared with patients without these disorders. So, If fungal nail infections are just a symptom of an underlying process, then treatment aimed at eradication of a pathogen may be unrealistic. No wonder it just grows right back. A more appropriate goal, then, may be to just give up and live with it. But wait! If its a circulation problem, why not try to instead improve the circulation?
Weve known since the 1950s that you can effectively switch peripheral artery circulation on and off, like a light switch, within days by switching people between a low-fat plant-based diet and the more conventional diet that contributed to the problem in the first place.
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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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Findings From Lab Studies
A 2013 laboratory study found that tea tree oil is effective in treating the fungus Trichophyton rubrum. This particular fungus commonly affects the toenails and can cause athletes foot.
The study showed that tea tree oil was significantly more effective at inhibiting the growth of T. rubrum than a placebo.
However, the researchers experimented using lab-grown T. rubrum cultures and human nail clippings. It is not clear whether tea tree oil would have the same effects on infected nail tissue in humans.
The researchers also administered the tea tree oil in a nanosuspension. A contains small particles of a drug suspended in water, which makes the drug easier to absorb. It is not clear whether widely available forms of tea tree oil would have the same effects on nail fungus.
Here Are The Instructions To Make A Tea Tree Oil Solution For Nail Fungus Treatment:
You will need to apply it twice daily, morning and night.
- Combine 10 drops of tea tree essential oil with one ounce of carrier oil in an amber glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to mix.
- Swab the nail with the mixture, thoroughly coating the affected area and surrounding skin. The antifungal properties in tea tree oil will penetrate deep into your nails to kill the fungus at its source.
- After two weeks of treatment, you should notice a dramatic improvement in your nails appearance.
- After three weeks, the problem should be almost completely eradicated. You can keep applying the oil for one or two more weeks to ensure it does not return.
As you can see from these instructions, tea tree oil is easy and cheap to get and incredibly inexpensive when made at home instead of spending your hard-earned money on expensive treatments.
It is quick and easy to mix up a batch of this nail fungus treatment, so you have no reason not to try it if you are suffering from this problem.
Most frequently, Aske Questions.
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Tea Tree Oil And Mustard Oil
Mustard oil contains strong anti-microbial properties which help to kill the fungus causing infection. This process is effective for treating mild to moderate nail fungus infections.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of mustard oil and 3 drops of tea tree oil.
- Apply the mixture on the toe or finger nails and allow to dry completely.
- Repeat the process once or twice in a day.
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 .
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Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus
Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.
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Prepare Nails Before Applying Tea Tree Oil
Before you use a product with Tea Tree oil as an ingredient on your nails, it is important to first prepare your nails. Imagine trying to shampoo your hair without first having to wash it it would not work, and neither will using Tea Tree oil on your nails
Step 1. Trim the areas of your nail which are affected by nail fungus.
First, you need to remove the areas on your nails that are heavily affected by this fungus. That is if it can be easily removed. Think of this like trimming your nails. You should remove as much of your infected nail as is safely possible.
Step 2. File down remaining areas of your nail which are affected by nail fungus.
Once you have used clippers or nail scissors to remove areas of infected nail, you should now use a nail file to remove the last remaining areas which can be safely filed away. The aim is to remove as much of your nail infection as is possible before treating it with Tea Tree oil.
This helps any treatment you apply after to have maximum effect.
Step 3. Wash your nails thoroughly to remove affected nail fungus dust.
Now you are done the cutting and removing infected areas of your nail, it is time to wash away any debris. You might not be able to see it, but it is almost definitely still there. Wash carefully with tepid water and a skin friendly shower gel.
Step 4. Carefully dry your nails taking care not to irritate them by rubbing vigorously.
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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:
What Is Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that comes from the tea tree plant, and its involved in various types of home remedies. Its known for its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, used to treat everything from acne to dandruff. The oil has a camphor-like odor. Visually, it ranges from pale yellow to clear in color. It can be purchased in many drugstores without a prescription, so its great to have around the house as a treatment for nail fungus.
As an antifungal treatment, tea tree oil is comparable to clotrimazole, one of the medications used to treat toenail fungus. Thanks to its properties, it can kill and prevent the growth of infection-causing microorganisms in the toenail. It also has minimal side effects since it is a natural product, although it may cause irritation if you forget to dilute the oil before application.
With it being a natural and safe product, this oil is accessible, affordable, and it actually works to provide you with a cure for fungal nail infections, without the side effects of harsh chemicals.
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Gently Cleanse With Soap And Water
Cleansing removes any remaining debris that may be left over. It also kills bacteria that may interfere with the antibacterial properties of the oil breaking down the nail fungus. Clean in the area between the toes, and rinse off all traces of soap. Make sure your feet are completely dry after cleansing to stop even further fungal growth.
Gently Cleans With Soap And Water
Cleansing removes any remaining debris that may be leftover. It also kills bacteria that may interfere with the antibacterial properties of the oil breaking down the nail fungus. Clean in the area between the toes, and rinse off all traces of soap. Make sure your feet are completely dry after cleansing to stop even further fungal growth.
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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.
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Treatments For Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common type of nail infection. The resulting thick, discolored, or brittle toenails are enough to ruin the sandal season. If youre struggling with unsightly or painful toenails, seek relief from these at-home remedies, over-the-counter treatments, and prescription medications.
Symptoms That You Have Nail Fungus
When your finger or toenails look yellow, thickened, brittle and flaky, you very likely have nail fungus. A small amount of this fungus is not likely to cause you a problem however, if, given the opportunity to grow, youll begin to see a full-blown nail fungus infection.
At the root of a nail there will be an overgrowth of fungus. This happens when nail fungus is unable to grow naturally on your fingers or toenails.
Correcting its growth will help relieve side effect symptoms associated with this condition which are pain, itchiness and tender skin on the affected area.
As fungus decreases the side effects vanish with time. This, however, can take time and therefore you have to treat the affected area regularly. Basically, the affected areas of the nail will need to grow out and the sore, tender areas of skin will need to heal.
This is normal, and it means that you are resolving the root cause of your nail fungus for the long-term.
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How To Apply Tea Tree Oil On Your Nails
Tea tree oil is an extremely active and potent ingredient. Remember to dilute the tea tree oil in a suitable carrier oil such as coconut oil, argan oil, almond oil or jojoba oil in the ratio of 5-10% tea tree oil in the rest of carrier oil.
After preparing the nails, it is time to apply the oil treatment.
Method
Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
Risk factors | Diagnosis | Home remedies | Over-the-counter medicine | Prescription drugs | When to see a doctor
Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is a common nail condition affecting millions of people in the United States. Fungal nail infections can develop on the nail from various organisms such as molds, yeasts, and fungi. This usually occurs after these organisms come into contact with a cracked nail or skin surrounding the nail as the opening provides a portal of entry for these organisms.
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