Tea Tree Oil For Fingernail Fungus

If your fingernails become thick, brittle, dark, dull, and distorted, you may have a fungal infection. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, studies show that topical application of tea tree oil can fight the fungus that infects fingernails. While further scientific evidence is needed to confirm tea tree oil's effectiveness in treating persistent fingernail fungus, practitioners recommend the oil for a broad range of infectious conditions. As with all alternative treatments, however, check with your health care provider before use.

Fingernail Fungus

The first symptom of a fingernail infection commonly appears as a small white or yellow dot underneath your nail. Also known as onychomycosis, the fungus can then invade deeper into your nail, causing it to become chalky, crumbly, painful and unsightly. According to the Mayo Clinic, nail fungal infections are more common in men and older adults.

Identification

A source of one of the most effective natural antiseptics, the tea tree, named by Captain Cook, is native to the moist soil of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. First recognized by native Aborigines, the oil of the tea tree became a popular remedy used by Europeans to treat skin problems. The tree grows to heights of 25 feet and produces layers of thin bark, spikes of white flowers, and pointed leaves that are distilled into therapeutic essential oil.

Benefits

Tea tree oil acts as an antiseptic and disinfectant against many types of bacteria and fungi, including fingernail fungus. The tree's essential oil contains about 2 percent volatile oil that provides powerful germicidal effects. According to Dr. Varro E. Tyler, author of "Honest Herbal," while terpinen-4-ol is considered tea tree oil's key constituent, "Australian researchers have confirmed that other components in the essential oil, including alpha-terpineol and linalool also contribute to its antimicrobial action."

As reported by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, in 1994 researchers at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York tested topical tea tree oil on 117 patients who suffered from finger- and toenail infections. They concluded that although fingernail fungus is prone to reoccur, tea tree oil offers an effective treatment strategy when combined with surgical removal of infected nail tissue.

Use

A fan of the herb, Dr. Andrew Weil, founder and Program Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, touts tea tree oil as a remedy for nail fungus. Although Weil notes that it takes a while to resolve, he recommends painting your infected nails twice daily with tea tree essential oil.

Side Effects

While the University of Michigan Health System states that topical use of tea tree oil is generally safe, it cautions that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has little regulatory power over the herb. The health system warns that the oil may occasionally cause an allergic skin rash. People who have allergies to celery or thyme should avoid tea tree oil. Furthermore, never take tea tree oil internally, as it can cause nerve damage.