Tea Tree Oil Is Useful For Psoriasis And Other Inflammatory Skin Conditions
The anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil mean that it is useful for treating a number of skin conditions, including psoriasis.
Research into the uses and benefits of tea tree oil has found that its terpinen-4-ol helps to reduce skin inflammation. Scientists found that this has a potential use in treating psoriasis symptoms such as inflamed red skin patches, scaling, and cracked dry skin.
The fact that tea tree oil is antibacterial also helps prevent secondary skin infections from developing.
Some evidence also points to the fact that skin treatments containing tea tree oil can help to treat contact dermatitis. In fact, tea tree oil was more effective than zinc oxide when treating eczema. Zinc oxide is a popular anti-eczema cream.
There are also other scientific studies showing that tea tree oil can help reduce skin inflammation that is due to allergic reactions. In the study, scientists used 100% tea tree oil on the inflamed skin to reduce swelling and redness.
You can also use tea tree oil for treating sunburn, rashes, burns, insect bites, and blisters.
Tea Tree Oil Helps Get Rid Of Dandruff And An Itchy Scalp
If you are bothered by flaky bits of skin in your hair due to dandruff or a dry scalp, you can use some tea tree oil to treat the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Dandruff and scalp itching are often the result of a fungal infection in your scalp. Dermatologists have found that applying a tea tree solution to your scalp regularly can help to treat dandruff. One study found that 40% of people using an antifungal shampoo with tea tree oil showed significant improvements.
Tea tree oil helped to soothe scalp itching, reduce scalp flaking, and improve the appearance of oily hair.
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.
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Tea Tree Oil Is Good For Treating Fungal Skin Infections
Tea tree oil is also very useful to help treat infections such as ringworm, jock itch, and other types of fungal infections on the skin.
Fungal skin infections are characterized by patches of red itchy skin around the genitals, in the armpits, or in between your toes.
The European Medicines Agency reports that melaleuca oil is an effective natural treatment for fungal infections. For example, tea tree oil is a good remedy to use for tinea cruris .
You can also benefit from using tea tree oil if you have ringworm. Dermatophytes are a type of mold that results in ringworm infections. The journal Phytomedicine reported that a solution of 25% tea tree oil and sweet almond oil helped to reduce symptoms of ringworm.
Another study found that, in a 4-week period, tea tree oil helped to cure ringworm infections in over 60% of persons using the natural antifungal cream.
Remedies And Treatments For Toenail Fungus
Over-the-Counter Antifungals
Antifungal remedies help to stop the growth of the fungus. Over-the-counter options do not claim to cure toenail fungus, but they can help to improve the look of the affected nail. These products do not work as well as prescription medications. To cure toenail fungus, a remedy has to penetrate the nail and nail bed. Most over-the-counter remedies for nail fungus are topical and do not penetrate deeply enough.
Trim, Buff, and Thin the Affected Nail
Keeping your nails trim, buffed, and clean helps to prevent the spread of the fungus to other nails. Additionally, buffing the nail can allow topical antifungals to penetrate more deeply. Make sure to wash your hands promptly after touching the affected nail, especially before touching other nails.
Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub is a product marketed for people with coughs. However, it may also be effective against toenail fungus. One small study showed that after applying it topically each day for 48 weeks, 27.8% of participants fully cured their nail fungus â and 55.6% of participants saw partial improvement. However, more study is needed.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil comes from the Australian tea tree. It is an essential oil traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal treatment. Early research shows that it may help with nail fungus when used topically. However, more research is needed. If you do use tea tree oil for toenail fungus, only use it topically.
- Confusion
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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.
Findings From Studies Involving Humans
Two earlier studies investigated the effects of tea tree oil on nail fungus in humans.
A 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. The researchers used tea tree oil alone as a placebo. Participants applied either the combination cream or the placebo for 16 weeks.
The combination cream completely cured the nail fungus in 80% of the participants. However, none of the people who used the tea tree alone saw any improvement. This suggests that tea tree oil alone may not be an effective treatment for nail fungus.
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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.
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:
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As A Quick Remedy To Soothe Sore
Aside from its antifungal properties, tea tree oil also contain antiseptic properties capable of healing sores.
Heres how to use tea tree oil to soothe sore
Pro Tips: Please avoid dropping this oil in sensitive areas like your mouth or eyes.
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
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I Have A Toenail Fungus Can I Put Tea Tree Oil Directly On My Toenail
For tea tree oil to work effectively as a treatment, you need to dilute it in carrier oils before applying it to the toenails.
Carrier oils such as castor oil and olive oil can be found at any health food store, and you should pick up a bottle of each to complete your nail fungus treatment kit.
Castor oil works as an effective carrier because it has mild anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the pain caused by this condition and clear your toenail of thickening, discoloration, and fungal infection.
Olive oil is a natural antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria on the skin around the nail, as well as in the nail itself.
You will need:
2 teaspoons carrier oil
10 drops tea tree essential oil
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl and stir briskly until the tea tree oil has completely blended in. If youd like, add a few more drops of tea tree and mix it in well. You can use this mixture immediately or put it in a little glass jar with a lid for later use.
Store it in a cool, dark place until youre ready to use it. Keep the mixture out of reach of children and pets.
To use your nail fungus treatment, apply the oil twice daily with a cotton swab or small paintbrush onto the affected areas of skin and nails near the toenails.
If you want extra strength, add a little more tea tree oil to the mixture.
Gradually, after several weeks of treatment, your nails will be fungus-free and healthy-looking again.
How To Use Oregano Oil For Toenail Fungus
Nail Fungus or Onychomycosis a very common condition that occurs either in fingernails or toenails. Inflammation, crumbling, thickening, yellowing of the nail are few symptoms of nail fungus.
The main culprit behind the trigger of nail fungus is a moist environment. Apart from that weak immune system, abnormal pH levels, poor hygiene and diabetes can also develop a nail fungus.
Due to moisture or any other reasons when fungus thrives in toenail then toenail fungus is developed. When mold or yeast develops in fingernails then it is called fingernail fungus.
If the nail fungus is left untreated, it may lead to cracking and even loss of the nail. Nail fungus is not contagious but it is better not to share the footwear or gloves with others.
Oral antifungal pills or medicated nail polish or remover are generally prescribed for nail fungus. But simple home remedies like baking soda or oregano oil can provide better and effective results than medical treatments.
Note: To help this article read a little faster, we use the abbreviation for Oregano Oil throughout the article.
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Coconut Oil And Tea Tree Oil For Toenail Fungus:
Coconut oil is one of the most effective oil for any problem, it has anti fungal properties, because of its strong properties it is considered a natural remedy in treating toenail fungus.
Ingredients:
- 2 drop Tea tree oil
- Cotton ball
- First take a cotton ball put 1 drop of coconut oil
- And then 2 drop of tea tree oil
- Then bind the ball with bandage to you toe before going to bed and leave it overnight.
Best time & Repetitions: Apply the mixture once in a day preferably at night. You can notice improvements within 4 weeks.
What Tea Tree Oil Treatments Can Prevent Nail Fungus
There are a number of ways that tea tree oil for nail fungus can be used. The most direct way is to dilute tea tree oil and use it directly on nails for two months. The process can be slow, but in time you will see a drastic improvement.
We have listed all ways to use tea tree oil for nail fungus below for your convenience. We recommend choosing any one of them and try it regularly.
Note: As our toe nails grow very slowly, it takes at least a month to completely cure the infection. So, try the process regularly with some patience.
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How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus With Tea Tree Oil
Melanie Dixon This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.
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.
Does Tea Tree Oil Really Work As A Fungal Treatment
Yes, it does! Tea tree oil is natures best cure for any fungus on the nails. Here are a few ways to help prevent nail fungus conditions:-
- always wear sandals or flip-flops when visiting wet public areas such as pools, gyms, etc.
- keep your feet clean and dry
- change socks or stockings every day
- trim your toenails straight across and do this regularly
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