Nail Fungus – Symptoms
When fingernails or toenails are constantly exposed to moisture and either yeast or mold, fungus grows beneath them, turning them yellow and making them thick, crumbly, swollen, and inflamed.
What Causes Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus or Onychomycosis is caused by poor hygiene, diabetes, weak immune system, and other factors, and it can be remedied naturally and inexpensively with tea tree oil.
Tea Tree Oil For Nail Fungus
We’re about to tell you exactly how to use it, but first, here’s an overview of the properties that make tea tree oil such an effective treatment for nail fungus.
Is Tea Tree Oil Good For Nail Fungus?
Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil For Nail Fungus Treatment:
- It contains Terpinen – 4 – ol an anti-microbial disinfectant and anti – fungal property which kills the fungus.
- Tea tree oil penetrates deep into thick nails to kill all underlying fungus.
- Tea tree oil strengthens the immune system to prevent fungal infections.
- Tea tree oil heals the nail fungus and restores its smoothness, clarity, and shine.
How To Use Tea Tree Oil To Treat Nail Fungus?
Tea tree oil is extremely potent. When used alone or in excess, it can cause drying, itching, burning, and other types of skin irritation. It should always be diluted and used in small amounts. In the methods listed below, it is used in combination with other natural ingredients that support nail health. Try them all until you find the one that works best for you.
Home Remedies For Nail Fungus
1. Tea Tree Oil And Water
- Mix 3 drops tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon water.
- Use a cotton ball to apply to nails and leave on up to 10 minutes.
- Use a clean toothbrush to scrub the nail.
- Rinse with cool water and towel dry.
- Repeat daily.
2. Tea Tree Oil Soak
- Fill a large mixing bowl with warm water.
- Stir in up to 6 drops of tea tree oil.
- Soak nails for 10 minutes, then towel dry.
- Repeat twice a day.
Note: You can add 1/2 cup of warm cider vinegar and 2 drops of peppermint oil for added benefits.
3. Tea Tree Oil, Orange Oil, And Grape Seed Oil
- Mix 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil, ½ teaspoon each of grape seed oil, and orange oil.
- Dip a cotton ball in these oils and hold it against the affected nail for 3 minutes.
- Remove cotton ball and let nail air-dry.
- Repeat daily.
- Grape seed oil can be replaced with coconut oil.
4. Tea Tree Oil And Olive Oil
- Mix equal quantities of tea tree oil and olive oil.
- Use cotton ball to apply to nails and allow to air-dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry
- Repeat regularly.
- You can use olive leaf extract oil instead of olive oil.
5. Tea Tree Oil And Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is also naturally antiseptic and has volatile compounds that fight against the fungus.
- Mix equal quantities of tea tree oil with lavender oil.
- Warm slightly and use cotton ball to apply to nails.
- Wrap with band-aids or gauze and leave on overnight.
- Repeat nightly for up to 1 week.
- You can add few drops of red rosemary oil.
6. Tea Tree Oil And Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is antibacterial. It kills fungus and restores the skin’s pH level.
- Fill a bowl with warm water and stir in ½ cup of apple cider vinegar.
- Soak toe nails for up to 40 minutes and towel dry.
- Use cotton ball to apply diluted tea tree oil to nails.
- Repeat twice a day.
- Water can be replaced by hydrogen peroxide.
- Or you can mix apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil and apply on the affected nail with cotton pads.
7. Tea Tree Oil And Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is anti–fungal and anti–microbial.
Method 1:
- Melt ¼ cup of organic coconut oil and stir in 15 drops tea tree oil.
- Pour into glass container and let stand until solidified.
- Apply to nails 2-3 times a day, especially after showers and before going to bed.
Method 2:
- Mix 10 drops each of oregano oil, tea tree oil, garlic oil, peppermint oil and clove oil and 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil.
- Apply on the infected nail and massage it gently for few minutes.
- Reapply regularly.
8. Tea Tree Oil And Oregano Oil
- Melt 3 tablespoons organic coconut oil and stir in 30 drops each of tea tree oil and oregano oil.
- Use cotton ball to apply to nails and allow to air-dry.
- Repeat daily.
9. Tea Tree Oil And Pau d’Arco
- Mix 8 tablespoons of vinegar, 2 tablespoons of Pau d’Arco tincture, ¼ teaspoon of tea tree oil, ¼ teaspoon of lavender oil, and 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint oil.
- Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and hold it against the affected nail for up to 20 minutes.
- Repeat 3 times a day.
10. Tea Tree Oil And Baking Soda
Baking soda kills fungus and restores the skin’s pH levels.
- Mix 3 drops each of tea tree oil, basil oil, and sage oil.
- Mix with 2 teaspoons each of baking soda and arrowroot powder.
- Apply to nails and cover with socks.
- Leave on 20 minutes, then remove socks, rinse with cool water, and towel dry.
- Repeat daily.
11. Tea Tree Oil And Alcohol
- 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 on nails, let it air dry, and rub on coconut oil.
- Repeat daily.
12. Tea Tree Oil And DMSO
DMSO, or dimethyl sulfoxide, is a wood pulp derivative that kills fungus.
- Mix 1 part of DMSO and 9 parts of tea tree oil.
- Use cotton ball to apply to nails.
- Cover with bandage and leave on few minutes.
- Remove bandage, rinse with cool water, and towel dry.
- Repeat daily.
13. Tea Tree Oil And Aloe Vera
Aloe vera soothes inflammation and heals damaged skin.
- Mix 1 tpart of aloe vera gel with 3 parts of tea tree oil.
- Apply to nails, rubbing gently for about 3 minutes.
- Repeat daily.
14. Tea Tree Oil And Mustard Oil
Mustard oil kills fungus.
- Mix 3 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tablespoon of mustard oil.
- Apply to nails and allow to air-dry.
- Repeat 2 times a day.
15. Tea Tree Oil With Garlic And Calendula Flowers
- In a pan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and stir in 4 crushed garlic cloves and 10 shredded calendula leaves.
- Let simmer 7 minutes.
- Remove from heat, strain, and let stand overnight.
- In the morning, stir in 1 tablespoon of vitamin E cream or oil and 3 teaspoons of tea tree oil.
- Apply to nails 3 times a day.
16. Tea Tree Oil Lotion
Method 1:
- Pour 30 ml pure rose water or warm (room temperature) water in a dark bottle.
- Stir in 6 drops of tea tree oil, 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 4 tablespoons lavender oil.
- Close lid, and shake vigorously until well mixed.
- Apply to nails up to 4 times a day, shaking the bottle before use.
Method 2:
- Pour 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a dark glass bottle.
- Add 10 drops of lavender oil and 6 drops of tea tree oil and shake it well.
- After that, add 1/8 cup of distilled or boiled water and shake vigorously until well mixed.
- Apply on the affected nail with a cotton ball.
- Repeat 3 times day, shaking the bottle before use.
17. Tea Tree Oil And Camphor Oil
- Mix 4 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 drops of tea tree oil, and 2 drops of camphor oil.
- Pour into bottle, close lid, shake vigorously until well mixed.
- Apply to nails up to 4 times a day, shaking bottle before use.
18. Tea Tree Oil Powder
- Put 4 tablespoons of unscented talc or organic cornstarch in a plastic Ziploc bag.
- Add 15 drops of tea tree oil and 10 drops of lavender oil.
- Shake the bag to mix the oils with the powder.
- Let stand 24 hours.
- Apply powder to nails daily before putting on socks.
- Always shake bag before use.
19. Tea Tree Oil And Lemon Juice
Lemon juice kills fungus.
- Mix the juice of 1 lemon with 2 drops of tea tree oil.
- Apply to nails twice a day.
20. Tea Tree Oil With Neem Oil
- Mix 2 drops of tea tree oil and 2 drops of neem oil with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil.
- Use cotton ball to apply to nails.
- Repeat twice a day.
21. Tea Tree Oil And Vicks
- Apply tea tree oil on the clean affected nail and rub it.
- Let it dry for few minutes and apply the Vicks vaporub (or cough suppressant) on that affected nail and rub gently.
- Leave for few minutes and wipe it off thoroughly.
- Repeat Daily.
- It causes irritation but clears the infection quickly.
Tips And Precautions:
For best results, follow the advice below when using tea tree oil to treat and prevent nail fungus.
- Before applying any of the above remedies, make sure nails are clean and clipped.
- Always keep nails clean and dry.
- Always use 100% organic tea tree oil.
- Before starting regular tea tree oil treatments, do a patch test to find out if you are allergic to it.
- Always dilute tea tree oil with water or carrier oils before use.
- Do not ingest tea tree oil or allow it to come into contact with eyes.
- Tea tree oil is not recommended for pregnant women or children under the age of 6
- Maintain good hygiene.
- Get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and stay hydrated.
- Some of the best brands of tea tree oil include Avo, Thursday Plantation, and Jason.
- Do not use tea tree oil on open wounds.
- Wear breathable gloves and socks.
- If nail fungus persists after 8 weeks with these remedies, consult a doctor.