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.
How To Cure Nail Fungus
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support , Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support , Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 331,808 times.
Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is a common infection that affects toenails and, less frequently, fingernails. It is caused by a group of fungus called dermatophytes, which thrives in warm, moist environments, like your shoes. If you suspect you have a nail infection, try to treat it quickly and routinely, as the fungus will continue to come back if allowed to take hold.
How To Make A Vinegar Foot Soak
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Overview
We demand a lot from our feet. They carry our bodies around all day, often from within uncomfortable shoes. Its no wonder many of us end up with blisters, pain, odor, and fungus, like athletes foot.
Fortunately, theres a simple solution to your woes, and it can be found in your kitchen.
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Tips For Prevention Of Fungal Nails
Nail fungus causes only 50% of abnormal-appearing nails. It can be hard to tell the difference between the different causes of discolored nails . Onychomycosis is often not treated. Reasons to receive treatment include
No one knows where a specific person catches the fungus, as it is everywhere. However, since the fungus does thrive in warm moist areas , there are certain areas one should avoid or use with caution. Shower floors, locker rooms, and swimming pools are suspected of being sources of the fungus, although there are no studies proving this fact. Nail polish and acrylic nails also make the nail less “breathable” and make the nail more susceptible to fungal infection. Fungi are everywhere — in the air, the dust, and the soil. Hygienic measures such as spraying socks and footgear sound sensible, and perhaps these measures can even help a little bit. However, avoiding tight, nonbreathing shoes or steering clear of athletic facility floors may very well be the best prevention available. Daily washing of the feet and drying between the toes can help to prevent nail fungus. The fungi carried on the coats of pets, like cats and dogs, don’t often cause nail fungus. Wearing white socks does not help.
Soak Your Feet In Hydrogen Peroxide
Method
How Often?
You have to repeat this process every day until, and even after, the problem subsides. Getting rid of nail fungus is not easy and will take a lot of patience and effort.
Why This Works
This oxidate therapy using hydrogen peroxide is highly effective when it comes to treating nail fungus. The method involves using the peroxide to soak the infected and affected nails. As the oxygen levels increase, the fungus on your nails gets destroyed.
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What Worked For You
This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
Apple Cider Vinegar With Copper Sulfate
Copper sulfate contains antiseptic and anti-fungal properties which fight off the fungus on the nails.
- Combine 40ml apple cider vinegar and 20gms of copper sulfate.
- Mix well and pour the mixture into 1-liter spray bottle and fill it with water.
- Spray the solution on the affected nail.
- Let it dry completely.
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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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Making The Vinegar Foot Soak
Vinegar will not hurt your feet, but you should still dilute it for a foot soak. Generally, using 1-part vinegar to 2-parts water is a good ratio. If youre tolerating the diluted vinegar soaks, and not noticing any difference, you can use a stronger soak.
While the soak will smell strong, the odor will dissipate after the vinegar dries from your feet. You can also use essential oils to change the scent slightly.
Does Tea Tree Oil Work
Results from scientific studies supporting the use of tea tree oil to treat nail fungus are mixed. Some of the research points to tea tree oils potential as an antifungal, but more studies are needed.
According to a 2013 study, tea tree oil was effective in reducing growth of the fungus Trichophyton rubrum in nail infections. T. rubrum is a fungus that can cause infections such as athletes foot and nail fungus. Improvements were seen after 14 days.
This study used an in vitro model, which is sometimes called a test-tube experiment. In in vitro studies, the experiment is done in a test tube instead of on an animal or human. Larger human studies are needed to expand on these findings.
Combining tea tree oil with standard medicated creams is also an option. A small 1999 study found that participants were able to successfully manage toenail fungus by using a cream that contained butenafine hydrochloride and tea tree oil.
After 16 weeks of treatment, 80 percent of participants who used this cream cured their toenail fungus with no relapses. No one in the placebo group cured their nail fungus. Further studies are needed to determine which of these ingredients is most useful in treating nail fungus.
Results of a 1994 study found pure tea tree oil was equally as effective as the antifungal clotrimazole in treating fungal toenail infections. Clotrimazole is available both over the counter and by prescription.
Even with diluted tea tree oil, always do a skin patch test before use:
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Home Remedies For Nail Fungus: Summary
| Remedy |
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Follow the directions on the bottle. |
When to Call a Doctor
If home remedies aren’t working, it may be time for a second opinion. If you notice your nail turning brown or black and you are experiencing more pain, you should call your doctor. As mentioned previously, people with diabetes are particularly at risk and should get any infection checked out immediately.
How To Apply Tea Tree Oil On Toenail Fungus
Heres how you can apply tea tree oil for toenail fungus:
Use the oil mixture at least twice or thrice a day. Continued and regular use of tea tree oil can lead to consistent results. Even if the toenail fungus disappears, continue the use of tea tree oil to prevent any recurrence.
If you experience any adverse reactions while using tea tree oil for toenail fungus, stop using it immediately.
Wondering how to make the most of tea tree oil to treat nail fungus? Keep reading!
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Do Nail Polishes Help Prevent Toenail Fungus
Most nail polishes do not prevent nail fungus. Almost all nail polish is used to beautify the nails, but there are some special anti-fungal nail polishes that can be used to treat fungal infections. These specially formulated nail polishes help treat the infection, but are not designed as a cure. Anti-fungal nail polish are clear and do not come in colors. Their purpose is to improve the appearance of the nails while helping to improve their health. It is best not to use regular nail polish when a fungal infection is present. Regular nail polish can actually make the infection worse.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Fungal Nail Infection
A fungal nail infection may not cause any obvious symptoms at first.
As it progresses, the infection can cause:
- discolouration of the nail it may turn white, black, yellow or green
- thickening and distortion of the nail it may become an unusual shape or texture and be difficult to trim
- pain or discomfort particularly when using or placing pressure on the affected toe or finger
- brittle or crumbly nails pieces may break off and come away completely
Sometimes the skin nearby may also become infected and be itchy and cracked or red and swollen.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Things to Remember
- For effective vinegar treatment, trim your nails and file down the top surface to make it as thin as possible before soaking. This helps the vinegar to penetrate below the nail and work effectively.
- Never soak in the same solution twice: It is not advisable to use the same solution for multiple soaking. Once you have soaked, the water gets contaminated. Soaking in contaminated water doesnt yield any results and might even slow down the healing process.
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How To Diagnose Yellow Nail Syndrome
You shouldnt ignore a change in nail color or shape, especially if your nails turn yellow. Yellow nails can indicate a problem with your liver or kidney, diabetes mellitus, fungal infections, or psoriasis, which need to be treated by a doctor.
If you develop yellow nails along with swelling or respiratory problems, see a doctor.
A doctor may diagnose yellow nail syndrome if you exhibit primary symptoms of the condition. Your doctor may also order a pulmonary function test to measure how well your lungs work or take a sample of your nail to check for fungus.
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How Effective Are Tablets In Treating Nail Fungus
Tablets for the treatment of nail fungus have been tested in several studies. All participants had an infection on their toenails caused by a skin fungus. Overall, the study results showed that tablets are considerably more effective than nail polishes or creams.
One year after a three-month treatment with terbinafine:
- About 17 out of 100 people who didnt have this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
- About 76 out of 100 people who had this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
In other words, the treatment with terbinafine got rid of the fungal infection in about 59 out of 100 people.
Itraconazole also proved to be effective. After one year,
- 7 out of 100 people who didnt have this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
- About 43 out of 100 people who had this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
In other words, the treatment with itraconazole got rid of the fungal infection in about 36 out of 100 people.
Some studies directly compared itraconazole and terbinafine with each other. They confirm that terbinafine is somewhat more effective than itraconazole.
Treatment with breaks is thought to be about as effective as continuous treatment. But that has only been looked into in a few studies.
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There Is A Wide Range Of Options With Varying Success Rates
Other than keeping your toenails trimmed and perhaps painted, you may not pay much attention to them unless a problem develops. Healthy toenails are pink, shiny and smooth, but a fungal infection can cause them to become discolored, thick, brittle and even painful.
Toenail fungal infection, known as onychomycosis, is a common but challenging condition toenail fungus treatments include a wide range of options with varying success rates.
Causes of toenail fungus
Fungal nail infections are usually caused by fungi called dermatophytes that infect the skin beneath the nail yeast is another common culprit. Toenails are especially vulnerable to infection when your bare feet contact damp surfaces such as showers, swimming pools and locker rooms. If you have athletes foot, the infection can spread to the nails.
Wearing closed shoes such as athletic shoes for extended periods also can contribute to infection if your shoes and/or socks are damp from perspiration or heat. Moreover, if your shoes fit snugly enough to put pressure on your toes, they can damage the nail bed, making it more susceptible to infection.
People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, also may be more prone to toenail infections.
Symptoms of toenail fungus
Toenail fungus symptoms can develop slowly over time and may go unnoticed at first. Symptoms can include:
Toenail fungus treatments
- Tolnaftate
- Terbinafine
When to see a doctor for toenail fungus
Preventing toenail fungus
