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:
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.
Can I Put Tea Tree Oil Directly On My Skin
Experts consider tea tree oil to be safe as a topical treatment, and you can apply it directly to the skin on a daily basis. When applied to the skin in its pure form, tea tree oil seldom causes irritation. But some people develop an allergic rash .
Likewise, Can you put tea tree oil on your skin without diluting? You should never apply any sort of essential oil directly to the skin without diluting it first in a suitable carrier oil. Tea tree oil has become very popular, and many people have started applying it directly to deal with acne and skin infections.
What is the strongest antifungal essential oil?
A 2017 study tested a variety of essential oils for anti-fungal activity and concluded that clove oil was the most effective at stopping the growth of a range of fungi, making it our top choice for rashes and other skin infections.
Which oil is best for fungal infection? Tea tree oil is naturally antifungal and antibacterial. Mix it with any carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil and dab over the infected area about three to four times a day. This is one of the most effective home remedies to treat fungal infections.
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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.
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 To Apply Tea Tree Oil To Fungal Nail: The Complete Guide
The first step to applying the oil is to ensure that the affected area are well prepared, followed by administering the oil. So how do novice like you go about the preparation? Heres a quick guide that is sure to walk you through.
You can do this by
You can do this by washing your nails with mild soap alongside with water after which the oil can be administered.
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Pro Tips:
Do this each time you want to apply the oil on your nails if youre keen at seeing results within a few months.
Now that youre done with the cleaning and dressing process, its now time to administer the oil
Tea Tree Oil To Treat Toenail Fungus: How To Use
Toe nail fungus is the most difficult situation to deal with. Toe nail fungus is caused when moisture gets trapped in warm conditions and fungus starts collecting over that place. Nail fungus problem starts with white or yellow spot beneath the tip of finger or toenail. we can say it as an infection if there are more spots like this on your other nail as well . It leads to discoloration of the nails also .
Tea tree oil is most useful because it has been used extensively for healing injuries in skin and their rich medicinal values makes them good enough in fighting against infections. Applying tea tree oil on a regular basis is said to cure fungal infections on nails.
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What To Look For
Tea tree oil is most commonly found as a pure essential oil. It is also an ingredient in creams, ointments, lotions, soaps, and shampoos.
As with any supplement, the NIH recommends that you check the Supplement Facts label on the product that you buy. This label will contain information about the concentration of the product and any ingredients that have been added.
In addition, the organization suggests that you look for a product that contains a seal of approval from a third party organization that provides quality testing. These organizations include U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International. A seal of approval from one of these organizations does not guarantee the product’s safety or effectiveness but it does provide assurance that the product was properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants.
Lastly, tea tree oil should not be confused with Chinese tea oil, cajeput oil, kanuka oil, manuka oil, ti tree oil, and niaouli oil.
Studies To Support Oregano And Tea Tree Oils For The Treatment Of Toenail Fungus
When a study was conducted by a group of researchers, they discovered that oregano and tea tree oils are an effective and safe option for topical therapy of onychomycosis.
The research proved how oregano oil can prevent the growth of various pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Regular application is very powerful as it completely destroys the fungi. Also, the study proved how tea tree oil penetrates deep down the nail bed and fights fungi. When used together, they work well as a Toenail Fungus Treatment.
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How Long It Will Take To Recover
Using the oil consistently will give you visible results. Depending on how severe your infection was, to begin with, it may take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months for your nails to heal completely.
After a few months, you will grow a new nail that is free from any fungal growth. However, it is advised to continue the tea tree oil treatment to ensure that the fungus does not return.
Tea Tree Oil Application
Tea tree oil is an ideal treatment for toenail fungal infections, but it is best to dilute it with carrier oils to avoid any skin reactions.
- Step 1: Mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil, both of which have anti-fungal properties.
- Step 2: Saturate a cotton ball with the tea tree oil blend and apply on the infected toenails. Let the oil soak into the nail bed as well as the skin.
- Step 3: Let the oil dry out naturally on your feet.
- Step 4: You can also follow this up by soaking your feet in a tea tree oil bath for 10 minutes. For a tea tree oil bath, you need to add 4-5 drops of tea tree oil to a tub of water.
It is best to do this treatment twice a day, once or twice a week depending on the severity of your toenail fungal infection.
Essential oils can be a great choice to prevent or remedy fatigue naturally. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Tips to Prevent Toenail Fungus
- Make sure you follow good hygiene to ensure that you prevent toenail fungus by keeping your nails short and by wearing clean shoes and socks.
- Tight or closed shoes can also cause fungal growth.
- Regular tea tree oil treatment along with these preventive measures can ensure that you dont have to deal with fungal infections.
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Mix Tea Tree Oil In A Moisturizer
If your infected toenail is getting dryer with every passing day, it will become worse. So only solution to avoid it is mixing the tea tree oil in a moisturizer.
You can have any liquid lotion and a add a few drops of the tea tree oil in it. If it is in a bottle shake it properly.
The best moisturizer will be the oil free moisturizer, as it will not dissolve the tea tree oil in the already present oils.
Look For Pure Tea Tree Oil
Using high-quality, pure tea tree oil will ensure you get the best results. Here are some things to look out for when buying tea tree oil for nail fungus:
- 100 percent pure – This means there are no preservatives, fillers, and chemicals used in the therapeutic grade essential oil.
- Cold-pressed -the oil is made by crushing the leaves of tea tree oil at room temperature without using heat or chemicals. This helps preserve the bioactive elements of tea tree oil.
- Plant-based and cruelty-free-Most consumersprefer natural, plant-based skincare products because they are safe and effective.
- Amber packaging – This type of packaging helps prevent any contaminants, including harmful bacteria, from entering the essential oil.
Wow Tea Tree Essential Oil ticks all these boxes to offer 100 percent pure, cold-pressed tea tree oil that is fast-absorbing and chemical-free.
Check out Wow Skin Science’s curated range of single and blended essential oilsthat are pure, cold-pressed, and therapeutic grade.
Nail fungus is a common condition that affects millions of people. It is imperative that you identify and take care of this condition in the beginning itself. The best way to take care of it is with the help of tea tree essential oil. Now that you know all the benefits tea tree essential oil offers and how to use it, you can keep your nails healthy, always.
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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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Tea Tree Oil And Neem Oil
Neem oil contains potent antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties which help to kill the fungus. This combination is effective for treating severe nail fungus.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and 2 drops each of tea tree oil and neem oil.
- Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture on the infected nail.
- Leave it to dry completely.
- Repeat the process 2 times in a day.
How Do I Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil can be used with a few precautions: It is not recommended to apply tea tree oil straight to the skin. In order for the oil to be effective, it must be diluted with a carrier oil such as olive oil, virgin coconut oil, or almond oil. Approximately 12 drops of a carrier oil should be used for every 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil.
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What Is Nail Fungus
Nail fungus or Onychomycosis can be a difficult situation to deal with. It is a common occurrence in people who live in warmer regions where fungus thrives. It is usually caused by fungal growth in the nail bed due to trapped moisture and can also occur due to swimming or excessive sweating.
The fungal infection first begins to appear as a yellow or white coloured spot under the tip of the toenail or finger. With time, this infection can lead to the decolourization and thickening of the nails. In severe cases, it can even affect the person’s ability to use his fingers, toes, hands or feet. Timely treatment of the infection can cure it completely. However, if left untreated, it can even lead to cracking, splitting and eventually the loss of a toenail.
Toenail Fungus Can Be Difficult To Cure
- 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.
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Which Essential Oil Is The Strongest Antifungal
Tea tree oil is a powerful antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral agent that can be used to treat a variety of fungal infections.
In fact, tea tree oil has been shown to be more effective against Candida albicans than the commonly prescribed antifungal medication fluconazole.
When using tea tree oil for fungal infections, it is important to dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil before applying it to the skin.
This will help prevent irritation and other adverse effects.
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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