Tea tree oil has antifungal properties and it’s not toxic, so it works like an antiseptic on your nails to decrease the chances of nail fungus spreading. It’s available in many forms, including as a topical cream, a wipe-on solution that you use like an underarm deodorant stick, or in capsule form. Tea Tree Oil is claimed to be more effective than other types of treatment for two reasons: firstly because it doesn’t just kill the fungus but also re-establishes the skin layer on your nails; and secondly because it fights against microbial overgrowth deep beneath your nails.
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In addition, tea tree oil has been claimed to be antifungal since the early 1900s; research published in 2007 found that tea tree oil eliminated the fungus “Trichophyton rubrum” on nails. A 2010 study published in “Dermatologic Therapy” found that some essential oils, including tea tree oil, were effective against a variety of fungi. The authors of this study didn’t recommend using tea tree oil directly on your skin, however; they recommended applying it to a sterilised cotton pad and then rubbing it on your nail.
Benefits Of Using Tea Tree Oil For Nail Fungus:
1) For Nail Infection
Tea Tree Oil can be used to cure a fungal infection on the nail. It does this by penetrating the toe or fingernails and destroying the fungus. You can use tea tree oil in the form of a cream, ointment, or lotion to apply to the affected nails. You can dissolve 1-2 drops of tea tree oil in 4 oz of water and soak your toes/fingernails for about 20 minutes. You may repeat this twice daily until the infection is gone.
2) To Cure Nail Fungus
All you need to do is soak your feet or fingers with water and then apply the tea tree oil. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes; then wipe off the excess moisture. To speed up the process, you can also apply a tea tree oil-based foot/nail polish over the dry nails.
3) Keep Cuticles In Check
Tea tree oil is an effective treatment for infected cuticles; one study found that it slowed down the formation of fungal nails in some patients by 36%. You can prevent cuticle infections by using tea tree oil on freshly manicured, filed nails twice a day. Tea tree oil can also be used to get rid of existing fungal infections on nails.
4) Help With Dry/Cracked Skin
Some body parts are more prone to dryness than others, but it can be difficult to remedy this with conventional creams and lotions. However, tea tree oil is a proven treatment for dry skin; one study found that it could alleviate the discomfort caused by painful chronic dermatitis within only two weeks. In addition, it’s also known to regenerate damaged skin cells and soften dry, flaky skin by stimulating the production of macrophages (which fight against infection).
5) Antiseptic Properties
Tea Tree Oil contains powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties that reduce the chances of fungal infections on your nails.
6) Improves Nail Growth
Tea Tree Oil has been found to promote nail growth by treating nail infections and minimizing splitting and cracking of the nails. It also relieves pain caused due to fungus.
7) Prevents Hangnails
You can use tea tree oil to treat infected cuticles, hangnails, or persistent cracks in the skin around your fingernails or toenails. However, tea tree oil must be used with caution since it is very potent and can irritate sensitive skin if not diluted with a carrier oil first.
8) It’s An Antiseptic For The Skin
Tea tree oil has been a natural skin disinfectant for centuries. It helps treat minor cuts, scrapes, and burns and prevents them from rotting or becoming infected.
9) Help With Dandruff
Dandruff can be a persistent problem for many people, especially if they’re suffering from dry, flaky scalp. You can use tea tree oil to treat dandruff by applying it on your scalp daily, massaging it into your hair and scalp, and then rinsing it with warm water. Your dandruff should start clearing after a few days of treatment.
10) It’s A Stress Reliever
Tea tree oil is also known to help relieve stress. Yoga is one of the best ways to reduce stress, however, using essential oils can make yoga easier.
11) A Natural Insect Repellent
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and insect-repellent properties that make it effective against insects that try to infest your skin or come into contact with you. The best part about tea tree oil is that it can kill these insects without causing any harm to you or the environment.
How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Nail Fungus?
Step 1: Cuticles contaminated with fungus should be cleaned with antiseptic lotion to get rid of the unpleasant odors before applying tea tree oil to prevent infections.
Step 2: Apply a dab of tea tree oil on your nails, let it soak in for about 10 minutes, and use a cotton pad to wipe off any excess moisture. You can do this several times daily until your nails have completely dried out and no signs of infection are visible. Once the cuticle is dry, dry your nails gently with a piece of tissue paper or a clean hand towel. Make sure that you don’t scrub the nail because this can cause damage and thereby further weaken the nail plate.
Step 3: After a week of treatment, you can take a shower to remove the tea tree oil and dirt from your feet. You can also use a nail brush to remove all traces of tea tree oil at the end of the day.
Step 4: If, after a week of treatment, you notice that your nail is still infected, you should do another round of tea tree oil treatment on the affected nails.
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Step 5: Trim away any dead skin cells from your nails and file them smooth so that they stay strong and healthy. You can also buy special manicure brushes for filing nails which will prevent you from damaging your nails by over-filing them too much.
FAQs:
1) Can tea tree oil be a natural treatment option for nail fungi?
Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal and antibacterial agent that can kill the fungus on your nails, but it does not provide any relief from nail infection. So, if you are suffering from nail infection you should avoid using tea tree oil for this purpose.
2) What is tea tree oil?
Tea tree oil is a derivative of the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), which grows in Australia. Its botanical name is Melaleuca leucadendra. It has been used as an essential oil for centuries to treat minor skin infections in humans and animals.
