How To Use Tea Tree Oil Against Nail Fungus
If you still decide to treat nail fungus, you can apply the oil as follows:
Tea tree oil should be applied to the affected nail areas with a cotton swab several times a day when treating nail fungus infection.
There are also application instructions that say simply put diluted oil on a gauze binge and bandage the affected toe with it.
You can also make a foot bath with the home remedy tea tree oil to prevent nail fungus.
Who daily bathes his feet in a hot bath with diluted tea tree oil, thereby stimulating the metabolism, and the footbath has a disinfecting effect.
For a foot bath or hand bath, already 8 10 drops of oil in 1L water help.
Furthermore, the feet can also be rubbed daily with diluted oil.
The concentration of tea tree oil in the cosmetic product should not exceed 1%!
Tea tree oil is not suitable for consumption! The oil has been classified by IFRA as harmful to health!
How To Use Tea Tree Oil To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
Tea Tree Oil
If youve ever dealt with nail discoloration, brittleness, and distortion, chances are that youre one of millions of people living with Onychomycosis more commonly referred to as nail fungus.
Although fungi get a bad rap, nail fungus is rarely the result of poor hygiene. A single spore can start an infection by sneaking into the nail bed through a scratch or opening a person may not even realize is there. Like Athletes Foot, nail fungus is usually picked up in shared spaces, such as locker rooms, pools and nail salons.
Toenails tend to get the worst of it. Fungi thrive in warm, moist areas. Just by wearing socks and shoes, youre creating a perfect environment for the infection to take hold and grow. This is one of the reasons that treating toenail fungus is so difficult walking around without shoes is not an option.
Because its so hard to treat, there are dozens of purported solutions. A trip to the doctors office could get you a prescription for an anti-fungal pill or cream. Another option is a medicinal nail polish also generally prescribed by a doctor. However, even prescription medications generally have only about a fifty percent success rate.
Tea tree oil has been used as an antiseptic and antimicrobial treatment for fungal infections for about 200 years. More recent studies of its medical uses suggest that it is about as effective as the commonly prescribed anti-fungal medication Clotrimazole when used correctly.
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.
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Vicks And Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus:
Vicks have many strong ingredients in it which have the power to fight against fungus.
Ingredients:
- Massage the tea tree oil on the clean and affected nail
- Let it dry for few min.
- Then rub the vicks on the infected nail
- Leave it for few minutes and wipe it off
Repetitions: Repeat this process once in a day.
Best Time to apply: Before bed.
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.
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Toenail Fungus Can Be Difficult To Cure
- Harsh conventional treatments won’t 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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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.
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What Else Can I Do To Prevent Toenail Fungus
Tea tree oil is a good treatment for existing nail fungus. But, you should think about how to prevent a fungal infection in the future. It may not always be possible, but there are precautions you can take.
Keep these preventative measures in mind to help protect yourself:
- Keep your toenails short and clean. This will help to prevent moisture and debris from getting stuck under the nail. It will also prevent the buildup of dirt and other types of bacteria that may cause infection.
- Wear ventilated antifungal socks, and let your feet air out. If you are prone to toenail fungus, choosing socks made of synthetic material is best. They wont allow moisture to build up inside, like cotton and wool might.
- Always wear shoes in public places. Its easy to pick up a fungal infection, so keeping your feet protected is important. Its especially important in places like the gym, or when youre walking around a public pool, etc.
- Practice good hygiene. Again, its easy to often ignore our feet until we see or feel a problem. Keeping your feet clean and dry is a simple way to protect yourself from infection every day.
Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus
Tea tree oil is unlikely to fully cure a well-established toenail fungus infection, since the infection tends to be based in the nail matrix, or root, underneath the nail fold , Krant says. But prescription drugs for toenail fungus are not always effective. Topical prescription creams and liquids work about 10 to 15 percent of the time when used over many months on true toenail fungus, says Krant.
Tea tree oil may have a similar rate of effectiveness: A study published in the Journal of Family Practice in 1994 comparing tea tree oil with clotrimazole, a common antifungal medication, found that the two treatments were almost equally successful in treating the condition.
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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
Is Tea Tree Oil For Fungus Treatment Safe
Like most natural products, tea tree oil is largely safe for usage especially in the right proportion, and is approved by the FDA. Nevertheless, it could have a stinging effect on the skin around the nail hence the need for proper dilution with carrier oils such as olive oil and sweet almond oil.
Although tea tree oil for toenail fungus works, Tea tree oil is designed for external use and must never be taken internally.
Before using this oil on children, consult a doctor for approval.
Even with proper dilution, tea tree oil could still result in an allergic reaction. Some people could experience skin redness, itching, and inflammation. Hence, it is good to do a skin patch test before use.
Skin patch test for tea tree oil
- Dilute one or two drops of tea tree oil with about 12 drops of a carrier oil
- Apply a very thin layer of the diluted oil on a tiny portion of your forearm.
- If after 24 hours of this application, you do not experience any skin reactions then you are not likely to see any allergic reactions when applied elsewhere.
Cotton application
After dilution with a carrier oil as stated above, use a cotton swab to put a thin layer of the diluted oil on the affected area and leave it to dry. You can also soak a cotton ball in the diluted oil and place it on the infected nail for a few minutes.
Foot soak
Note:
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Tips For Using Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus can be immensely hard to cure. This insidious fungal infection can linger for years. And most people only make it worse by using ineffective over-the-counter medications.
If you’ve been stuck with toenail fungus for a while, tea tree oil can be very helpful. Our guide will show how to put this natural remedy to use.
What Should You Know About Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has become the mainstay of aromatherapy, cosmetics, and even household cleaning supplies. It comes from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia tree, or Australian tea tree. Homeopathy uses tea tree oil as a topical remedy for skin conditions like toe fungus.
Tea tree oil is safe to use for adults, teenagers, and women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain limitations do apply, though, and you shouldn’t use tea tree oil:
- Orally.
- On young children without a doctors approval.
- On sensitive areas of skin like mouth and eyes.
- In undiluted form.
- With that said, let’s take a look at what makes tea tree oil a potent remedy. Tea tree oil contains a slew of active ingredients.
They include a-pinene, b-pinene, myrcene, sabinene, a-phellandrene, a-terpinene, y-terpinene, terpinolene, terpinene-4-ol, a-terpineol, limonene, 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, and linalool.
These ingredients give tea tree oil its antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.
Benefits of Using Tea Tree Oil for Toenail Fungus
What Makes You Prone to Getting Toenail Fungus?
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.
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How Long Does It Take For Tea Tree Oil To Work On Ringworm
It depends on the type of ringworm you have. Tea tree oil effectively kills both dermatophytes and yeast infections when used consistently for several weeks so that it will work on any ringworm you attempt to treat with it.
- If you are using tea tree oil topically, apply it to the affected area for several weeks.
- If you are using it as an oral supplement, then it will take longer than that because your internal organs must absorb it first before getting into your system and circulating the body.
- The length of time will depend on how severe your case of ringworm is. However, if you are using it consistently, then the tea tree oil will affect your ringworm.
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Benefits Of Using Oregano And Tea Tree Oils For Treating Toenail Fungus
- 1. Treats discoloration
Toenail fungus can discolor your nail, making it look pale yellow and dirty. Using these essential oils can be very beneficial as they have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
The toenail returns back to its original color or at least the yellowness goes away once the infection starts to subside. Hence, using this mixture is essential.
- 2. Prevents Bad Smell
Humidity in your toenail gives the power of multiplication to the breeding fungi. The essential oil application every day can control the humidity and maintain the essential PH for your nail and skin.
This can prevent the bad smell as the oils are very aromatic and can keep your nails fresh.
- 3. Promotes Healthy Nail Growth
Most people who suffer from toenail fungus have a bad nail shape. This can make the nails look ugly and shapeless.
Sometimes the rough edges are as sharp as a knife and you cant even cut them properly due to the inflammation.
The oils can soften the nail bed which makes it easier for you to shape your nails. Even if the nail is removed, the oils promote healthy nail growth.
- 4. Reduces Inflammation
Sore and swollen skin around the toenail is very common during fungal infections. The skin can turn extremely pale or pink due to rising or subsiding inflammation.
As the oils have antiseptic healing properties, they fight with fungi daily and reduces soreness, swelling, and inflammation of the toenail as well as the skin around it.
- 5. Prevents Spread of Fungus
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What Is Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that comes from the tea tree plant, and it’s 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 it’s 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.