Tips for Using Tea Tree Oil for Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus can be immensely hard to cure. This insidious fungal infection can linger for years. And most people only make it worse by using ineffective over-the-counter medications.

If you've been stuck with toenail fungus for a while, tea tree oil can be very helpful. Our guide will show how to put this natural remedy to use.

What Should You Know About Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has become the mainstay of aromatherapy, cosmetics, and even household cleaning supplies. It comes from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia tree, or Australian tea tree. Homeopathy uses tea tree oil as a topical remedy for skin conditions like toe fungus.

Tea tree oil is safe to use for adults, teenagers, and women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding. Certain limitations do apply, though, and you shouldn't use tea tree oil:

Orally.
On pets.
On young children without a doctor’s approval.
On sensitive areas of skin like mouth and eyes.
In undiluted form.
With that said, let's take a look at what makes tea tree oil a potent remedy. Tea tree oil contains a slew of active ingredients.

They include a-pinene, b-pinene, myrcene, sabinene, a-phellandrene, a-terpinene, y-terpinene, terpinolene, terpinene-4-ol, a-terpineol, limonene, 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, and linalool.

These ingredients give tea tree oil its antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.

Benefits of Using Tea Tree Oil for Toenail Fungus

Tea tree oil for nail fungus has proven to be an effective treatment. This is due to the benefits its active ingredients deliver:

Terpinene-4-ol This powerful phytochemical has strong antibacterial effects.
Cineole In low doses, this compound helps treat colds, but high-quality tea tree oil must contain only modest amounts of it.
A-pinene and b-pinene These phytochemicals work as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, and expectorant agents.
1,8-Cineole This active component works as an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antispasmodic, and analgesic agent.
Sabinene An antioxidant that exhibits antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
P-Cymene This antioxidant may protect nerve cells from damage, increase cerebral blood flow, alleviate coughing, and treat tension headaches.
Linalool A phytochemical with sedative properties that can help treat depression, reduce inflammation, and cope with stress.

Tea tree oil is packed with beneficial compounds. But before using them for treating toenail fungus, it pays to uncover what makes you vulnerable to it.

What Makes You Prone to Getting Toenail Fungus?

Like with many other skin conditions, many factors can make you highly susceptible to toenail fungus.

You have a higher risk of getting toenail fungus if:

You share footwear and other personal items with anyone.
You have a genetic predisposition.
You have a weakened immune system.
You suffer from diabetes.
You walk barefoot on moist or dirty surfaces.
You frequent such public places as pools and showers.
You have little control over factors like genetics or diabetes.

But changing habits can help you treat toenail fungus with just a few drops of tea tree oil.

Key Preparations Before You Use Tea Tree Oil

To get the best results from using tea tree oil, you need to prepare your feet:

Soak your feet for 10 minutes in warm water to soften your toenails.
Pat your feet dry and check your toes for any abnormalities.
Trim your toenails without going too far down to prevent ingrown toenails.
File your toenails to remove any remaining dead nail.
Clean your feet with soap and warm water.
Scrub gently to remove dirt, dry skin, and grime from underneath the nail.
Dry your feet with a clean towel.

At this point, you will be ready for applying tea tree oil on toenails.

But before you do so, it's a good idea to do a patch test. Take a small amount of oil, dab it on your inner elbow, place a band-aid over it, and wait. If a light allergic reaction occurs, dilute the tea tree oil with olive oil or any other carrier oil.

From then on, the procedure is simple. Take a cotton ball or a tissue, add a few drops of oil, and swab all infected toes. Once you finish, allow your toes to dry on their own. Repeat the entire procedure twice a day for the next six months.

This concludes our guide. We hope you've learned more about tea tree oil and that our tips will help you get rid of toenail fungus for good.