Does Tea Tree Oil Cure Nail Fungus

How Do I Know If My Toenail Fungus Is Healing

Nail fungus can be resistant to treatment and nails take a long time to grow out, so it can take several weeks or months for an infection to be fully resolved. You will know that the treatment is working and the infection is clearing up when you see growth of a new, healthy nail from the base of the nail bed.

How Can You Maximize The Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil

Apart from the oil application, you can follow a few tips that can help improve the condition of your toenails and resolve the fungal infection faster.

• Trim your nails regularly. It will prevent the underlying healthy nail from getting infected and allow the oil to penetrate the nail bed better.
• Always wash your nails clean with soap and water. Remember to pat your nails and the skin around them dry to prevent any moisture from entering the nail bed.
• Use footwear in public places such as washrooms, locker rooms, and pools to prevent spreading it to others.
• Opt for footwear that has ample space for your toes. A narrow toebox will cramp your toes together and apply pressure on your toenails. The repetitive trauma can make them susceptible to fungal growth. Choose sandals instead. Alternately, you can apply an antifungal spray to the inside of your shoes to prevent fungal growth.
• If you must wear socks, invest in ones made of natural fibers as they absorb moisture and sweat, unlike their synthetic counterparts. Change and wash your socks regularly.
• Always sterilize your nail tools such as nail clippers, nail file, etc. Avoid sharing them with others as they can spread toenail fungus.
• Lastly, check your nails regularly for any change in color, pain, or irritation. If you notice any such changes, get treatment immediately to prevent the fungal infection from spreading further.

What Is The White Hard Stuff Under My Toenails

Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.

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When To See A Doctor About Toenail Fungus

If you are experiencing persistent toenail fungus or pain is present, you may need to see a specialist. A dermatologist or podiatrist may be able to assess your symptoms and send a small sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a laboratory to be analyzed as there are various types of fungi and yeasts that cause onychomycosis. Knowing the specific cause of your foot fungus can help identify what route to take to treat your condition.

Nail changes can also be caused by underlying conditions, like psoriasis and diabetes, so its important to seek professional medical advice if your condition persists or worsens. Bacterial and fungal infection of skin in diabetes patients often result in hospital admissions, and in severe cases, can result in amputations. If you are at a higher risk for infection, you should skip home remedies and seek professional medical treatment.

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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Can You Apply Tea Tree Oil Directly To Toenails

A 1994 study found that tea tree oil applied directly to toenail fungus is as effective as clotrimazole cream. Clotrimazole is an antifungal cream available on prescription or from a pharmacy. A study published in 1999 investigated whether an antifungal cream containing tea tree oil could help manage toenail fungus.

Directions On How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Nail Fungus

In case you are planning to use Tea Tree Oil for treating Nail Fungus Treatment it is best to apply 100% solution. For the best effect it suggested to apply this oil at least two times daily. Simply add a few drops of this oil on surrounding skin and affected nail itself. In most cases results are noticeable within a month of usage however it is important to keep applying this oil for about 6 months in order to completely get rid of nail fungus. If the treatment is discontinued too quickly this might mean that fungus might reoccur.

Since Tea Tree Oil is a popular remedy for nail fungus and its effectiveness is confirmed in a few studies you can find this oil included in most OTC remedies for this condition. You can find it in some well rated treatments like Funginix, ZetaClear and others. So you can get all the advantages of this oil and some additional benefits from other ingredients by choosing one of these OTC remedies.

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Are There Any Side Effects

Before using Tea Tree Oil it is important to know that it shouldnt be used orally since it might cause some serious side effects. On the other hand when this oil is used directly on the skin it is completely safe and will rarely cause side effects. Despite that it is possible that this oil might cause side effects such as swelling or skin irritation. The usage of this oil while being pregnant or breastfeeding has mixed recommendations, so for this reason it might be worthwhile to consult with a doctor prior to using it in these conditions.

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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• 7. Tea tree oil and Garlic for Toenail Fungus:

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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.

How To Cure Toenail Fungus With Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil that has a promising effect on fungus. The benefits of tea tree oil are that it has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.

Tea tree oil is an option for those who are worried about side effects from traditional medicinal toenail fungus treatment. With tea tree oil usage, the most common side effects are redness, itchiness, and slight stinging where applied, but there are ways to reduce these effects.

Using tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil – which also has antifungal properties – helps diminish the harshness of the highly concentrated tea tree oil.

To apply to your toenail fungus, mix a bit of coconut oil with several drops of tea tree oil. Then, rub on your toenail fungus. It’s important not to add to the moisture of your foot, so make sure all oil has been wiped off before putting on any socks, shoes, or tights.

After applying this mixture, you can see how your skin tolerates tea tree oil. If you seem to be tolerating it well, you can lessen the amount of carrier oil so that you have a more potent effect on your toenail fungus.

It’s important to note that tea tree oil is not a simple solution and can take several weeks to fully treat toenail fungus. Staying consistent with your application ensures you that, down the line, you can cure toenail fungus.

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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.

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.

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Tea Tree Oil And Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol contains sterilizing properties which are helpful in killing the fungus. This method is effective for nail fungus in mild cases or budding stage. It may not be effective for severe nail fungus infections.

• Mix 2 tablespoons of alcohol, 10 drops of grape seed extract, and 20 drops of tea tree oil.
• Pour into spray bottle and shake gently.
• Spray the mixture on nails and let it air dry.
• Now massage a small amount of coconut oil and leave it to dry.
• Repeat the process once in a day.

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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Should You Cut Your Toenails If You Have Fungus

If you do have a toenail fungus, your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options: Trimming the Toenail Trimming the toenail is usually combined with medication, but having a podiatrist periodically trim the nail down is helpful and allows the medication to work better, says Sundling.

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.

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For Every 4 To 5 Drops Of Tea Tree Oil Add 12 Drops Of A Carrier 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.

Trim Nails With Nail Clipper

Because infected nails tend to be very thick, you will likely need an extra-large clipper for this task. Carefully trim off excess growth and any dead portions of the nail, and try to get the nail to be even and straight across. This allows the oil to penetrate the nail faster, and it also promotes healthy growth so you can get rid of the toenail fungus. Be careful not to cut too much, as the oil can burn if you cut the nail down too short.

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Does Tea Tree Oil Actually Work For Nail Fungus

In order to provide the answer to this question it is important to look at the studies that were done on Tea Tree Oil. The main aim of the first study was to test whether Tea Tree Oil is as effective for treating nail fungus as antifungal cream . This study lasted for three months and participants used 100% pure Tea Tree Oil. Results showed that this oil is as effective as prescription cream and at the end of the study ~60% of participants had success with this remedy.

The next study tried to compare effectiveness of Tea Tree Oil and topical antifungal medication. There were a total of 177 participants in this study and the whole trial lasted for 6 months. After this study was over, results showed that Clotrimazole solution and Tea Tree Oil are both effective for treating this condition and can provide users with similar results.

One more study tried to assess whether a cream formulated from Bcreutenafine Hydrochloride and Tea Tree Oil was effective for treating toenail fungus. This study lasted for about 4 months and there were a total of 60 participants. After the study was over results showed that this cream was effective for ~80% of participants and they had some improvement in their nail condition.

What Is Tea Tree Oil Good For

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree, proper name melaleuca alternifolia native to various parts of Australia. In its native land tea tree oil has been utilized to treat a wide range of skin ailments including burns, abrasions, infections and fungus. This natural remedy was first discovered in the 1920s but it would be several decades before commercial production really took off.

It should be noted that while the tea tree was first used for extracting this essential oil it has since been successfully extracted from multiple melaleuca plants and trees. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and anti-fungal essential oil. It is meant for topical application only as it can be fatal if taken internally.

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Tea Tree Oil Orange Oil And Grape Seed Oil

Orange oil has shown promising results in treating nail fungus as it contains fungicidal properties. Grape seed oil is also rich in antifungal and antibacterial properties

• Mix 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil, ½ teaspoon each of grape seed oil, and orange oil.
• Dip a cotton ball in oil mixture and hold it against the affected nail for 3 minutes.
• Remove cotton ball and let nail dry completely.
• Repeat the application daily to achieve the results.

Note: Grape seed oil can be replaced with coconut oil.