Wednesday, April 17, 2024
HomeNewsHow To Use Tea Tree Oil To Treat Toenail Fungus

How To Use Tea Tree Oil To Treat Toenail Fungus

Tea Tree Oil And Apple Cider Vinegar

Using Tea Tree Oil to Cure Toenail Fungus

Apple cider vinegar balances the pH levels which creates an inhospitable environment for fungus to thrive. Its antifungal properties kill the fungus while its acidic nature prevents it from spreading.

  • Fill a bowl with warm water and add cup of apple cider vinegar.
  • Soak finger or toenails for up to 40 minutes and towel dry.
  • Using a cotton ball, apply diluted tea tree oil on the infected tooth and leave it to dry completely.
  • Repeat the process 2 times in a day

Alternative Method: Combine apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil. Apply on the affected nail with cotton ball or Q-tip.

How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus

Tea tree oil is gotten from the Australian tea tree. It is an essential oil loaded with therapeutic benefits. It contains antiseptic and antifungal properties which makes it a viable treatment option for toenail fungus. Generally, consistent use of tea tree oil will deliver the goods for your toenail. Similarly, products that use it as the active ingredient are said to be effective in toenail fungus treatment.

Apple Cider Vinegar And Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus:

Apple cider vinegar dis- comforts the fungus and it doesnt allow it to enter the nail due to the presence of anti fungal properties.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of Apple cider vinegar
  • Cotton ball
  • Fill the bowl with water and a cup of Apple cider vinegar
  • Soak finger for 40 min. And towel dry
  • Using cotton ball apply tea tree oil on the affected nail
  • Leave it to dry completely

Repetitions: Repeat it twice a day.

Best Time to apply: Morning and before bed.

Read Also: Is Bleach Good For Nail Fungus

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:

  • Pour a few drops of the oil onto the affected nail. Or, soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply to the toenails. Press enough so that the solution comes out and can get into the nail.
  • Scrub the affected nails and surrounding skin with a nail brush or toothbrush. This will ensure that the oil can penetrate the area. Always wash this brush after using, and only use it for this purpose.
  • Let your feet dry off on their own. You can also soak your feet in a tea tree oil solution after applying it. Use 4-5 drops of tea tree oil in water. Or, use a tea tree oil-based system. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to dry off your feet completely afterward.
  • Repeat the application process two times each day. Repeat the clipping/filing process at least once a week, or as needed.
  • Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication

    Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus: A Remedy That Actually Works

    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.

    Also Check: Does Lotrimin Work On Toenail Fungus

    Whats The Catch In All Of This

    There are a thousand and one problems that can be solved with almost every tree or plants around us. Those tree or plants are not just there for fancy. They do have a purpose to serve.

    So it is with Melaleuca alternifolia . We never knew how blessed we were and how close we are to our problem not until the medicine man came through.

    I know you will be asking questions like whats even in the tree that other trees dont have. Well, Keep reading to know whats in this tree

    Also Check: Can Tea Tree Oil Be Used For Toenail Fungus

    Is Tea Tree Oil The Best Treatment For Toenail Fungus

    With so many antifungal treatments, it can be hard to determine which one works the best. If youre looking for something natural and effective, tea tree oil is a proven option. The fact that its trusted by so many people speaks for itself.

    Plus, tea tree oil is easy to use and apply daily. It is also less expensive than many popular antifungal treatments. Finally, you can use it for other skin irritation issues, such as cold sores, acne, and skin tags. The antifungal properties oil are strong enough to get rid of toenail fungus fast. Thats why many over-the-counter products include tea tree oil as a primary ingredient.

    Looking for a product that utilizes the healing powers of tea tree? If so, we recommend that you use the Purely Northwest Toenail Fungus System. It is three treatments in one, and its getting excellent results for even the most stubborn cases.

    If youve never used tea tree oil as a treatment before, use the tips above to know what you should be looking for. Once you have the right oil and know how to apply it, you can fight back against toenail fungus the natural way.

    You May Like: What Doctor Do I See For Foot Fungus

    When Should You Consider Visiting A Doctor For Toenail Fungus

    If it is a mild fungal infection, tea tree oil can arrest the fungal growth and heal it completely. If the treatment is not improving the infection and your nails and surrounding skin become inflamed and painful, consult your doctor immediately.

    Also, if you are developing an allergic reaction to the essential oil, discontinue its use immediately. If the reaction persists or becomes worse, visit your doctor.

    Toenail Fungus Can Be Difficult To Cure

    Tea Tree Oil for Nail Fungus: How to Use It?
    • Harsh conventional treatments wonât cure toenail fungus over half of the time.
    • There are 3 primary causes: dermatophytic fungi, Candida, and non-dermatophytic molds.
    • Most toenail fungus is caused by dermatophytic fungi.
    • Molds can be responsible for both toenail and fingernail fungus.
    • 1 out of 3 diabetics have toenail fungus.
    • Fungus and molds love damp places keep feet dry, change socks often.

    Donât Miss: How Do I Treat Foot Fungus

    Also Check: Can Nail Fungus Grow Out

    Benefits Of Antifungal Essential Oils

    Essential oils have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and fungicidal properties. Some can even stimulate new cell growth. These properties work together to form a potent treatment for fungal infections on your skin. These conditions include:

    • Ringworm. This is a contagious, itchy skin condition that can be caused by several kinds of fungus. Sometimes ringworm can be found on the scalp.
    • Athletes foot. This is a type of ringworm that is found on the feet. Athletes foot earns its name because its common in people who spend a lot of time in damp, warm socks after athletic activity.
    • Tinea versicolor. This fungal infection causes small discolored patches to show up on your skin. The fungus can be found on anyones skin, and discoloration only happens when the fungus overgrows. Oily skin or hormonal changes can be risk factors for tinea versicolor.
    • Toenail fungus. Also known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus affects up to 20 percent of the population. This type of fungi can be stubborn and hard to get rid of. Toenail fungus causes nails to become yellowed or otherwise discolored, with streaks or spots appearing in the nail.
    • Jock itch. This is caused by fungus that can be spread from person to person. The fungus grows in warm areas of your body where sweat collects under your clothes, like your genitals and buttocks.

    Dont apply powerful essential oils directly to your skin without diluting with a carrier oil.

    Tea Tree Oil And Dmso

    DMSO is a natural solvent which helps the tea tree oil to penetrate deeply under the nail and kill the fungus. This process may not be effective for people with severe fungal infection.

    • Mix 1 part of DMSO and 9 parts of tea tree oil.
    • Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture on the nails.
    • Cover with bandage and leave it on for few minutes.
    • Remove bandage, rinse with cool water, and towel dry.
    • Repeat the process daily.

    You May Like: How Long To Treat Nail Fungus

    What Are The Effects Of Tea Tree Oil On Nail Fungus

    Visible results are obtained only when tea tree oil is used consistently for a couple of months at least. Topical application of natural diluted tea tree oil for 6 months, twice a day can cure the fungal infection and stop a recurrence, leaving your nails healthy and clean.

    Apart from treating nail infections, tea tree oil is helpful for a variety of other skin and hair benefits. If tea tree oil is your favourite too, you must know about these several benefits and popular recipes that use tea tree oil.

    Also Read:

    How To Prepare Nails Before Applying Tea Tree Oil

    Tea tree oil fungal nail treatment. The 7 Best Toenail ...

    Before you use tea tree oil on your nails, it is important to prepare the nails so that the oil can effectively treat the nail fungus. If the nails are not prepared properly, the oil will not get absorbed into the nail bed for its intended effect.

    Things You Will Need

    • Fine, medium and coarse nail files
    • Cotton swabs

    Method

  • Trim all the edge area of the nail that is heavily affected by the fungus. It is important to remove as much of the infected nail as possible so that the infection does not spread to the healthy parts of the nail.
  • Since it is not easy to cut areas of the nail infected by the fungus sometimes, if there are any areas left, file them down. Use a nail file for this and remove the remaining areas by filing them away. This is done so that as much of the nail infection is removed before treating it with the tea tree oil.
  • After cutting and filing away most of the infected areas of the nail, you need to wash away any of the infection debris that may be left behind. Even if it is not visible to the naked eye, it is still important to not skip this step. To do this, wash the nails with water and a shower gel that is skin-friendly and pH balanced.
  • Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Finger Fungus Fast

    Tea Tree Oil Vs Common Drugs

    So, given all the problems with a lot of the prescription antifungals, there has been a renewed interest in natural remedies. Well, if tea tree oil can affect athletes foot and dandruff fungus, what about nail fungus?

    Well, there was this study of a combination of the antifungal drug in Lotrimin cream with tea tree oil that seemed pretty effectivecompared to nothing. But, what about compared to each other? Well, there was one head-to-head study comparing tea tree oil with a common antifungal drug a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Twice-daily application of either the drug or pure tea tree oil on the nail for 6 months. Debridement was performed every few months, where some of the fungal mass is debulked, scraped, or ground off.

    And, after six months, the drug only wiped the fungus out completely in about one in 10 cases, but looked better, with partial or full resolution of the appearance, in the majority of patients, either from the doctors assessment or the patients. And, the tea tree oil did just as well.

    The two preparations were comparable in efficacy of cure, clinical assessment, and subjective improvementeven their cost was comparable. So, or patients desiring a natural treatment for , topical tea tree oil is a reasonable alternative to prescription or over-the-counter antifungals.

    Is Tea Tree Oil Safe For Use On Nail Fungus

    Generally speaking, tea tree oil is safe for external use. However, you should never consume this essential oil.

    Tea tree oil can cause skin irritation and allergic reaction in some people, resulting in redness, inflammation, and itchiness. Hence, it is recommended to perform a patch test, even if you use small amounts of tea tree oil for nail fungus.

    To safely use this essential oil, mix a few drops with a carrier oil like almond oil or coconut oil and apply it to your skin or nails. Avoid using it directly without diluting it on your nails or skin, as it is quite potent.

    To conduct a patch test, apply a few drops of the oil mixture to your forearm. If you develop any redness or irritation, discontinue its use immediately. If not, you can continue using it. But first, you should prep your nails for the treatment. Find out how to do that in the next section.

    Recommended Reading: What Are Symptoms Of Fungus In The Body

    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.

    Tea Tree Oil And Baking Soda

    How to Prevent Toenail Fungus with Tea Tree Oil–

    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.

    Also Check: How Do You Get Toenail Fungus

    Side Effects Of Tea Tree Oil

    Due to its numerous medicinal values, tea tree oil has found itself an active ingredient of many cosmetic products ranging from soaps, lotions to skin or foot care products. But still, it is essential to be aware of the possible risks that come along with the over usage of tea tree oil.

    One of the most common side effects that are associated with tea tree oil is skin irritation. It may lead to redness, itchiness, or inflammation in some extreme cases. So it is always better to test the oil before applying. Some people are allergic to the components present in tea tree oil. Hence their body will react. For pregnant ladies, it is always recommended to consult a doctor before using any oils.

    3 Popular Tea Tree Oil Products, According to Reviews and Rating:

    As a matter of advice, we would like to make this clear that no matter how powerful an oil might seem to be, before applying them, always make sure you perform an allergy test with that oil. Nail fungal infection is a severe problem that needs to be dealt with care and patience.

    Meanwhile, we would love to hear your experiences, if you had ever used tea tree oil for fungal infections. Or if you have any other possible remedial treatment method for fungal infections, please feel free to share it with us.

    Free Your Foot How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Foot Fungus

    Foot fungus not the prettiest of issues, but nonetheless a very real and common concern that affects millions of people worldwide. As our feet and toes emerge from their fall and winter hibernation, its time to step into something sandy, something strappy, and something opened toed but are your feet really ready for this?

    Before we discuss treatments for nail fungus, its important to understand what nail fungus is and how it is identified.

    Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is usually caused by moisture being trapped in warm conditions, where fungi thrives. Unfortunately, some people develop fungus through swimming and other activities involving consistent dampness, sweating or prolonged moisture in the foot area the ideal environment for growth of fungus. A fungal infection occurs when the fungi infect one or more of your nails leading to the discoloration and thickening of nails. Leaving this condition untreated can result in the cracking, splitting, and even the complete loss of ones nail.

    Why Tea Tree Oil?

    There are many natural remedies for treating nail fungus and on the top of that list is tea tree oil! Tea tree oil is rich in natural elements that are used to treat various skin problems due to the oils antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Tea tree is especially effective in treating nail fungus and other skin ailments because the oil acts as an antibiotic. In other words, being able to inhibit the growth of and destroy microorganisms.

    Recommended Reading: Will Soaking Your Feet In Listerine Kill Toenail Fungus

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular