Nail fungus, also referred to as Onychomycosis, is a common problem that numerous individuals struggle with. This condition is often caused by an accumulation of moisture in warm environments, which are the perfect conditions for fungi to thrive. There is a higher susceptibility to nail fungus in individuals who engage in activities such as swimming and heavy sweating as these situations often contribute to the suitable growth environment for fungi.
A nail fungal infection typically manifests initially as a white or yellow spot beneath the tip of a fingernail or toenail. It occurs when fungi infiltrate one or more nails. As a consequence, the nails may discolor and thicken, which can potentially become a significantly painful issue. In severe instances, a nail fungal infection could interfere with an individual’s ability to use their hands or feet effectively.
If left untreated, nail fungus can lead to nail cracking, splitting, and in worst cases, complete loss of the affected toenail. However, it is crucial to note that this condition is treatable and can often be cured at home without incurring substantial costs. Various natural home remedies are capable of treating nail fungus effectively, one of which includes tea tree oil.
Why Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil, derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, exhibits several properties that make it an excellent treatment for nail fungus. It’s known for its antibacterial properties, which can help to fight off the fungal infection. Moreover, it also has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe redness and irritation often accompanying such conditions.
Beyond anecdotal recommendations, a substantial body of research validates the effectiveness of tea tree oil in treating fungal infections. A recent study suggested that tea tree oil, being a natural product, may serve as a superior, non-toxic alternative to allopathic treatments like clotrimazole for treating nail fungal infections. The results found tea tree oil to be highly efficient, promoting it as a potential, natural, and harmless choice for tackling fungal infections.
Therefore, given its substantiated antimicrobial capabilities and its ease of use (since it can be applied topically), tea tree oil has emerged as a popular home remedy for conditions such as fungal nail infections.
Prepare Your Nails Before Applying Tea Tree Oil
Before applying tea tree oil, one must have to make specific preparations on nails to get the best out of tea tree oil.
Step 1: Remove all dead nails using a nail clipper. Make sure you get rid of all the dead nails even if it may consume more time. But in the process, try to avoid cutting off your skin.
Step 2: File down all the infected nails with a coarse nail filer. File away as many dead nails as possible. It is more beneficial to file each nail with medium-grade or fine-grade filers.
Step 3: Clean your fingernails or toenails with soap or lotion along with water to get rid of dust and dirt.
Once this is done, you can apply the oil to your nails, and this is how it is done!
How to Apply Tea Tree Oil on Nails?
Before using tea tree oil, make sure that it is diluted with a carrier oil.
- Pour a few drops of oil directly onto the site or soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to the affected nails. Press them gently but firmly so that the liquid comes out.
- Gently scrub the affected nails with the help of a toothbrush to make sure the oil reaches deep into the nails.
- Let it dry out naturally. Meanwhile, you can also soak your feet in a solution containing 4-5 drops of tea tree oil and water.
- Continue this process for about 15-20 minutes. Both these treatments are best when done in the morning or evening.
It is essential to repeat the application of tea tree oil to nails at least twice a day. Repeat the filing procedure once or twice a week for the best results.
Sometimes even following the steps mentioned above on a routine basis will not guarantee the complete removal of infections. In such a case, it is recommended that you consult a podiatrist. A qualified podiatrist will be able to assess your condition and provide you with the best treatment for fungal nail infections.
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 – Make use of a manicure kit to maintain your nails. Keeping them short and clean will prevent bacteria from getting clogged under the nails.
- Use Protective Gloves – Wear gloves while washing dishes or doing laundry to not only avoid contact with bacteria but also to keep your hands dry.
- Wear Ventilating Socks – If you expect to sweat while wearing socks, avoid both cotton and woolen materials. Opt for synthetic socks instead, as they won’t allow moisture to build up and get trapped inside.
- Wear Shoes in Public Places – Always wear shoes or sandals in shared spaces such as gyms, train stations, malls, etc., to prevent exposure to potential infections.
- Practice Personal Hygiene – Strive to maintain good hygiene and allow maximum airflow to reach your nails. This can be achieved by avoiding tight shoes that create a sweaty environment for your nails. Open-toed shoes are a better option to promote airflow.
By following these precautions, you can minimize the risk of developing toenail fungus and maintain healthier feet.
Potential Side Effects of Tea Tree Oil
Due to its numerous medicinal values, tea tree oil has found itself an active ingredient in many cosmetic products ranging from soaps, and lotions to skin or foot care products. But still, it is essential to be aware of the possible risks that come along with the overuse 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. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to conduct a patch test before using the oil extensively. Some individuals may be allergic to certain components present in tea tree oil, causing their bodies to react adversely. Pregnant women are especially advised to consult their doctors before using any essential oils, such as tea tree oil.
As a general rule of thumb, no matter how potent an oil seems, always carry out an allergy test before applying it regularly. With a careful and patient approach to treatment, desired results can often be achieved. We’re quite interested in hearing about your experiences with tea tree oil, and if you’ve explored any other potential remedies for nail fungal infections, we warmly invite you to share them with us.
I have had a fungal growth on both my big toes for a number of years. It tended to push the nail upward which results in pressure from shoes an making the nail change shape which in-turn dug into the 2 sides of the toes. I tried always to cut them as short as possible, and bathe with antiseptics, but not much happened. By chance my daughter noticed the infection, and said that tea tree oil would fix it. I bought a small bottle of the tea tree oil from my local food store for $7 and began regularly applying with a cotton bud morning and night, over the nail, deep as I could into the top of the nail and around the toe itself. I did no other than normal care of my feet, the oil makes the nail a darkish green which easily showers off. After two weeks the unsightly nail after a shower was very loose, and seemed ready to come off. After carefully pulling with much apprehension it did come off. I continued using the oil for a few days then every other day, still neat from the bottle. After a further two weeks, the new nail is growing and I have no pain from ingrown. It worked OK for me. I would recommend it.
So it did not help. The fungus killed your nail and eat it. Then it came off.
Wouter, it did what it was supposed to do. The fungus was in the toenail and under it, and the tea tree oil killed the fungus. With the fungus dead, the infected nail fell off, and there is a new, clean, uninfected nail growing in it’s place.
Hi I am a busy mom and have had a fingernail fungal infection for over 19 years. I was embarrassed as it first showed up on my ring finger and moved to other fingers over time. I tried everything prescriptions, soaks, you name it. I read about tea tree oil and decided to give it a try. Let me tell you and your readers in a matter of days my nails started to improve. The broken layers underneath my nails lessened and looked like the healthy nails I had before I had children. I put drops on my nails at night before bed for maximum soaking effect and it also helped me with sleeping at night because my nose would get stuffy due to allergies. The smell is very pleasant to me and kept my sinuses open so I could rest well. Thank you for the information and I hope others who read this give it a try! I wish I had taken before and after pictures but I had given up on my nails ever being pretty again and tried it as a last resort. I intend on telling everyone I know about this easy and inexpensive cure I am so glad I finally found something that works after years of disappointing attempts! Try it!!!! I will continue to use it at night even after the nails grow all the way out because it also soothes my cuticles and keep my nails moisturized. Thank you for the info!!!
Thank you so much for your review. It’s so nice to have a natural solution to a very embarrassing problem. Thanks again.
I have been treating my toe nails with pure, undiluted tea tree oil for a couple of months. It is working. But my big toe nail is starting to turn pink again, and I believe that it will fully recover. I take the dropper from the bottle, and simply drizzle the oil all over my nails, nail margins, cuticle and areas around my nail. I have had no adverse affects from this strong treatment and no obvious negative results from using the oil, undiluted. I will continue to use this method, and believe that it is helping alleviate the infections and damaged nails I have.
A year ago spring I began “earthing” (some call it “grounding”) i.e. walking 2 miles barefoot on grass & prairie (I never walks barefoot in public or on concrete) for the extra benefits earthing is supposes to bring. Well, I began noticing last summer that both pinky toenails began turning yellow with white, thickening into chunks so fat I had to chisel them down with toenail clippers because they were too thick to get between clippers. Then they began crumbling apart but always grew back to white or yellow, repeat. My others toenails began doing the same. The worst was big toenail. All except my “middle finger toes” turned white & thickened. Big toenail turned orange/yellow. I started applying tea tree oil undiluted to toenails, at least twice/day but sometimes up to a few if I was home. Pinky toenails & the one big toe were stubborn but all except Big toe has no more infected nail. I began using a file & rasping the Big nail down before applying tea tree. My big nails are the slowest growing nails on my feet. After 2 weeks of daily debridement, my nail began coming apart. I have a thin layer of nail skin over the bed. It’s down raw, but pink again so it’s coming back. I recommend filing/rasping/debridement of infected nail (s), before applying tea tree. It will work so much faster. Another note, months before I tried tea tree oil, I tried using Lysol spray daily since it’s supposed to kill athletes foot among all the stuff it’s supposed to kill. Lysol spray doesn’t work on toenails but it does work on fungus between toes. Nails, use tea tree oil.
I’ve began using tea tree oil but I just started. Like you, the thickness of my nails, especially big toes, was unmanageable due to the infection. In fact, I had to basically clip my nails with scissors after soaking them due to the thickness. I also thinned these nails down with a knife after soaking because filing them down was going to take forever. Parts of the nails will start to fall apart when you do this but that is to be expected.
For anyone contemplating using vinegar as a solution, I have found that it just doesn’t work on nail fungus. I have used it on my feet for over a year and things just never improved. Vinegar does get rid of athlete’s foot quickly. If you just have an issue with that, pour some undiluted vinegar on and around your toes and spread it under your feet everyday. Just put on your socks and you are good to go. Athlete’s foot will start to disappear within a week.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as well on nail fungus as I’d hoped. Now I’m moving to undiluted tea tree oil everyday. Every week I’ll probably soak them in vinegar to continue the debridement process.
I have used tea tree oil at the start of a vaginal yeast infection. It stopped it dead. I used a syringe and injected the liquid undiluted into my vagina. This is a great product to have around. I would try it for thinning hair, jock itch, ear infections, skin diseases. I am a Homeopathic Practitioner so I am constantly experimenting with different solutions, oils, herbals. It helps heal hemorrhoids fast and will dry out herpes lesions fast. Best of Luck!
You mentioned to try it for thinning hair. Do you know if anyone has done this with success?
Think it could help with bacterial vaginosis?
I have had nail fungus in my big toes for years. I have just started using green tea tree oil and one of my nails has lifted so I cut it off. My nails and visible nail beds are drying out, turning white. Has anyone else had this happen before their nails started showing improvement?
Yes Liz, I am still working on getting rid of my fungus in both my big toenails. It is quite slow going as my nails seem to take a very long time to grow. Mine show white patches instead of yellow when I have been rubbing in the oil (or white-yellow at least). It is a slow process, but I can say that the use of tea tree is working as well, if not better than more expensive treatments that have not cured it before. The podiatrist gave me some good advice which was to rub in the treatment slowly and very firmly after filing. I find that filing off to remove the thickened dead nail is necessary once a week. If I forget to do it or forget to add oil, then I lose ground on the treatment battle. I must be more consistent. I also notice that the athletes foot incidence is much less if I also rub a little neat oil between toes a few times per week. I have a dry skin foot condition on the pads and heels, which I am told the fungus is taking advantage of, so I also use a urea based foot lotion that seems to help a lot and feels very comfortable.
I used this 2x daily on my big toes and cut away anything that I could. This gets the treatment into the nail bed. The raised portions of wavy nail have made it easy for the oil to get down in there. I filed or cut at every treatment to get fresh ways for it to flow under the nails. It worked! What I started trimming back ended at good nail bed and I kept up treatment until it grew all the way out with normal nail. Now I keep the toenails very short and once a week or so, I hit the healthy nails with a q-tip of the oil. Never any more problems and because the cutting was gradual, It didn’t look all that weird.
I’ve had a fungus on my right thumb for a few years and it spread over the last couple months. I have been using tea tree oil for two weeks, am and pm, and no change at all. I’m pretty unimpressed.
The most important thing in getting rid of toenail fungus is….patience. It is a very slow process. The second most important is….persistence. This fungus is relentless, and if you don’t keep up with applying the oil, you will lose ground. I had to learn this the hard way. I would see a slight improvement after months of treatment, get complacent and miss a dose here and there, and the next thing I knew, the fungus was winning again! That was over a YEAR ago! I’m happy to say I learned my lesson, got into applying it regularly (extra applications when I think of it), and only have a slight amount of fungus left on one toe to deal with. The longer you wait to treat it, the more it can spread – and it’s really nasty when it starts deforming your fingernails!
Hi Jill. Do you eat a lot of sugar or processed foods? This can contribute to fungus and yeast infections as well.
I have had nail fungus on all of my toes for more than 15 years. I’ve had it since I was a teenager and I’m now in my early forties. I just started using tea tree oil and a generic vapor rub along with an apple cider vinegar & water mix for 15 minutes a day. It’s only been a couple of days but it appears to be working. I’ve read about natural remedies on different sites that talked about tea tree oil as well as apple cider vinegar for its acidic properties. Also I read on the side of the bottle that the vapor rub has an inactive ingredient of Thymol which is supposed to help get rid of nail fungus. I’ll come back in a couple of months and comment on my progress. I’m hopeful. The information you folks have provided has been extremely helpful. Thanks.
Hi, I noticed 3 months after getting a pedicure that I had a white flaky patch on both big toes and the corners of the big toe nail were looking yellow. I cut off as much of the nail as I could and thinned done the nail with a filing and buffing block. I applied the tea tree oil morning and night. My nail now looks healthy and normal again. Just waiting for my toe nail to grow out a little as it is still very short. Worked great for me! I have before and after photos. Very dramatic. I wish we could upload them on this thread.
I tried tea tree oil for the first time tonight. 12/01/17.
I’ll check back in a few weeks to report any progress.
Extremely helpful.
I began noticing a small brown spot on my big toenail. I thought it was a blood blister and would just grow out. But after a month or or so, the spot got larger but didn’t move closer to the end of my toe. I began filing away at it, and I even “drilled” a couple of little holes in the spot with a sewing needle. After each filing, I applied pure tea tree oil and rubbed it in. After about 3 months of this twice daily treatment, I began to notice some normal nail growth again. It took about 6 months of vigilant applications to be completely rid of the fungus.
I was fungus free for about 2 years, but I just noticed an odd bump in the nail bed on my big toe on the opposite foot. It is not discolored or anything, but the odd bump is growing up from under my toenail cuticle and makes me think it’s fungus. I’ve begun another filing and tea tree oil treatment. I’m treating both big toes to be safe.
I also use tea tree oil on some minor burns, like from the glue gun or if I’ve accidentally touched a hot pot. I don’t apply until after the skin has completely cooled. It takes the sting of the burn away over night, sometimes instantly. **Be advised to take caution with applying to burns. But I’ve found it helps with sunburn too, just test a small area first and don’t use on children.
The key to getting rid of toenail fungus with tea tree oil is patience, vigilance and using a good quality oil. Try it and good luck.
I have a question. Can you apply Tea Tree oil over nail polish on the nail?
Will it be effective at all? Just curious.
Thanks.
I read nail polish acts as a sealant so it’s best not to wear it. There are anti-fungal nail polishes though. Look on Amazon. I’ve only been using the tea tree oil for about a week and a half. It got infected after a bad pedicure, but the tea tree oil really dries out my nails. They turn white all around the cuticle and all around the entire toe really. I wasn’t filing it down but I will start doing that too. Hopefully I can get rid of it soon. No more pedicures for me!
You should not wear nail polish. I have had toenail fungus in both of my big toenails for 9 years. I tried Vick’s vaporub, brags apple cider vinegar, bleach (I don’t recommend anyone do that). I now use Lamasil cream (I used to use the spray). I have fungus in both of my big toe nails. Wrapping those toes in Bandaids made a huge difference. It’s also very important to cut your nails down to the pink line, and wrap your toes in bandaids, especially if you wear socks and/or shoes all the time.
It is good to use lemon essential oil along with tea tree. Mix with coconut oil or cream (equal amounts) and massage nails twice a day. Works quite fast. I saw a difference in my big toe nails in a couple of days. It does discolour the nails but just wear socks or preferably sandals. Preferably, let the air get to your feet as much as you can.
Most say dilute but no one definitively says what to mix with & the ratio. Coconut oil was mentioned as an oil to add to- my tea tree oil bottle mentions “mix with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut, jojoba or almond”. Please be specific. I want it as strong as possible without burning my toes off!
I’ve never dilute anything. I use vinegar full strength 5% and now I’m using tea tree oil full strength. I never noticed any problem doing this and my nails are awful, one was bleeding from being thinned.
I just began the tea tree oil treatments. I have serious fungus under both big toenails and white spots at the top of all the others. I applied the Tea tree oil after diluting it with olive oil for parts: 4 parts olive oil to 1part tea tree oil. Now reading through this thread it seems I shouldn’t have diluted it. Please clarify this. Should it be used for strength or diluted as instructed on the bottle?
Hi,
I have a nail that will not grow back, kind of feels flat. Big toe. I am a blind person and a sighted carer of mine has brought tea tree oil, so we are going to try it. However, I noticed the article mentions filing. However, what is there to file if the nail is very short? I am a bit confused. Any tips would be appreciated.
The trick is patience, persistence and multi-methods. 1) Keep feet clean, 2) Keep feet dry as possible – go barefoot as much as possible, 3) During shower use toothbrush to brush out dead stuff, 4) After shower – blow dry your toenails/feet, 5) Daily vinegary soaks with tea tree oil and epsom salts, 6) Fix your diet – quiet eating diet on crap, cut out sugar/sugar/sugar, eat yogurt, take probiotics, 7) Cut nails short as possible but properly (straight across), 9) File tops of nails (nails can be thick and treatments will not go thru), 10) Sunlight (fungus hates sunlight). What I have found in personal experience, when I got the the beach for a week, wear no shoes, sunlight .. my foot health is ALWAYS better.
Be careful being at the beach. This is where I got my toenail fungus. Beach sand is a perfect environment for this fungus and other pathogens. So after the beach use antiseptic for the feet, or some other stuff.