Toenail fungus infection often drags on for months. In certain situations, tea tree oil may provide an effective natural treatment option for this frustrating health problem. Talk to your primary care doctor before applying tea tree oil to your skin, especially if you have a personal or family history of allergies.
The Basics
Toenail fungus is an infection that often first appears as a white or yellowish spot along the top edge of a toenail, proliferating in the warm, moist, fungi-friendly conditions often provided on the toes of shoe-clad feet. According to the Mayo Clinic, common signs of toenail fungus include brittle, thickened or discolored nails, as well as a mildly unpleasant odor. Commonly treated with prescription anti-fungal medication, toenail fungus is often difficult to eradicate. Even when treatment is successful, the infection frequently returns repeatedly.
Details
Extracted from the leaves of Australia's tea tree, tea tree oil has provided its native country's aboriginal people with a ready antiseptic and infection treatment for hundreds of years. According to Allen Keith Tillotsen, registered herbalist and coauthor of "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook," tea tree oil is an acceptable external treatment for fungal infections on the feet. Qualities that make it a prime candidate for naturally treating toenail fungus include its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, as well as its ability to deeply infiltrate damaged or infected tissue without affecting nearby healthy tissue.
Studies
Much anecdotal evidence supports the use of tea tree oil for the treatment of toenail fungus and other fungal infections, such as athlete's foot and vaginal yeast infections. Unfortunately, most organized studies testing the effect of tea tree oil on toenail fungus have various issues that may influence the test results, including small sample sizes. The National Institutes of Health says studies fail to provide definitive scientific evidence in support of the use of tea tree oil for the treatment of toenail fungus.
Usage
Before using tea tree oil for toenail fungus, check with your doctor to verify that it's safe as a treatment for your specific health situation. Although you may choose to use a diluted solution, John Vonhof, author of the book "Fixing Your Feet," recommends that you apply several drops of undiluted tea tree oil directly to the affected portion of the nail and the skin surrounding it using a cotton swab or cotton ball. Cover the nail with a bandage, repeating the treatment two to three times daily for at least 90 days in order to ensure that the infection is completely gone.
Considerations
Tea tree oil may produce skin reactions on people with sensitive skin or allergies, especially to plants belonging to the myrtle family. According to the NIH, reactions may vary in severity, ranging from slight redness or itching to severely blistered skin. If you develop signs of skin irritation while using tea tree oil for toenail fungus, stop applying the oil immediately and consult your doctor.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Nail Fungus Symptoms
- "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook"; Allen Keith Tillotsen et al; 2001
- National Institutes of Health: Tea Tree Oil
- "Fixing Your Feet"; John Vonhof; 2006
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