How to Apply Tea Tree Oil for Toenail Fungus (And Get Results!)

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Toenail fungus is easy to contract. Unfortunately, it tends to get worse because most of us don't pay attention to our feet unless there is a problem. So, we can ignore the early signs until the infection becomes painful and unsightly. That's when most people start to look for a tea tree oil treatment.

There are many remedies and over-the-counter products that clear up toenail fungus. With a quick search, you'll find hundreds of products that claim to clear an infection quickly. Others will focus solely on treating the symptoms.

However, more people are starting to turn toward natural solutions, like Australian tea tree oil for toenail fungus. You may not think a natural remedy could do the job when compared to an over-the-counter product. But, the properties of solutions like tea tree oil speak for themselves.

Using a completely natural solution like this makes it much safer to treat a fungal infection on a daily basis. When you know how to apply tea tree oil correctly, not only can you get results quickly, but there is little risk of negative side effects.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Toenail Fungus

If you've never used tea tree oil for a health issue before, it's important to know how to apply it correctly. Leaving your nail untreated, or treating it improperly can lead to big problems. A toenail fungus that goes untreated can result in extreme pain and even loss of the nail over time.

Even though tea tree oil is a natural solution, using it correctly will provide the best results when it comes to clearing up a fungal infection. This article will focus on the importance of this essential oil. We will cover how and why it works, and how to use it properly to clear up a fungus quickly.

Why Should I Use Tea Tree Oil?

You may have heard of using tea tree oil for other health conditions. It's great on multiple skin ailments and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. But, what makes it so effective?

Tea tree oil is extracted from the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. These trees are typically found in Australia but can be found elsewhere around the world, too. The oil itself contains several healing properties that have been used over the years to treat various conditions. It is a natural antiseptic and antibiotic agent.

• Fact: Tea tree oil also has antifungal properties, so it's no wonder it works so well on toenail fungus. It has even been compared to clotrimazole, an over-the-counter antifungal medication, for the treatment of nail fungus.

The physical properties of this essential oil not only allow it to treat a fungal infection but clear up your nails in the process. Some of the symptoms of toenail fungus include things like discoloration and hard, brittle nails. Using tea tree oil can restore your nails to a healthy, rejuvenated state.

Finally, tea tree oil is practical, convenient, and inexpensive. If you're prone to fungal infections, you can easily spend hundreds of dollars looking for the right over-the-counter treatment. Essential oils like this are usually very cost-effective and can last a long time. So, whether you frequently experience toenail fungus, or you're seeing it for the first time, tea tree oil can be one of the best treatments available.

Are Some Essential Oils Better Than Others?

There are a few things to look for when considering which tea tree oil you should purchase for your infection. Always look for 100% natural oil. Organic is best. Additionally, there are some criteria your oil should have to ensure its effectiveness. Look for several of the following characteristics when you're trying to find the right kind of tea tree oil:

• Check the percentage of terpinen 4OL. This is the antiseptic agent found in tea tree oil, and the bottle you choose should have a high concentration of it in order to be effective.
• What does the bottle look like? Studies have shown that terpinen 4OL can oxidize when it is exposed to light, rendering it useless. Choose a dark brown or dark tinted bottle that blocks out external light as much as possible.
• If your oil is mixed with other natural essential oils, check the percentages. Other oils can help with fungal infections, but the main ingredient should always be tea tree oil. If it doesn't have a significantly higher percentage than the others, look for something else.

If you're looking for some of the best tea tree oils currently on the market, check out this article. It can make your decision in which oils to buy that much easier. The top oils listed here are unprocessed. They are also distilled with steam. This allows the leaves to keep their natural healing abilities and strength properties. Once you know the characteristics to look for in a quality essential oil, you can move onto applying it correctly.

How to Properly Prepare Your Nails

If you have toenail fungus, taking good care of your nails is important. They should always be as clean and dry as possible. Once you start using a treatment like tea tree oil, you may want to take a few extra steps in preparing your toenails. These preparation tips will allow the oil's healing properties to work faster, and you may see results sooner.

1. Clip your toenails ahead of time. If your fungal infection is severe, part of the nail growth could be considered 'dead.' Getting rid of those dead nails is important, and will allow healthy regrowth to occur. This will also allow the oil to get underneath the nail easier, getting directly to the fungus. Sometimes, toenail fungus can cause nails to become extremely thick. You may need to purchase a specialized pair of thick toenail clippers to cut through the nails safely.
2. Once the nails have been clipped, file them down neatly. A coarse nail file is the best option for this. This will help to get any last bits of 'dead nail' away. It will also help to expose more of your surrounding skin to the oil. Fungal infections can spread easily. Being able to use a treatment that can soak into the skin around your nail can help it from spreading to other toes.
3. Clean your nails thoroughly with soap, even after clipping. This will help to get rid of dust and any other particles that may get in the way of the oil working properly. Dry your nails off completely after they've been washed. A fungus grows and thrives in warm, moist environments. Keeping your feet dry at all times is a key to preventing extra growth.

Applying Tea Tree Oil to Your Nails

Before you apply 100% tea tree oil anywhere on your body, it's best to do a test. Some people have extremely sensitive skin. While it's a safe oil, its properties can prove to be too strong for some when it's used on its own. If you have done a 'patch test' and experienced no reaction, you're probably safe to use the oil directly.

However, if you experience some minor irritation, or just want to play it safe, make a solution with the tea tree oil. You can still reap all of its benefits by using it with a carrier oil of some kind. Olive oil and jojoba oil are great neutral carriers. They will also help to add moisture to your nail and surrounding skin.

Once you have made a solution of tea tree oil, follow these steps to apply it correctly:

1. Pour a few drops of the oil directly onto the affected area. Or, soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply to the nails gently. Be sure to press firmly enough so the solution comes out and has a chance to get onto the nail.
2. Gently scrub the affected nails and surrounding skin with a nail brush or tooth brush. This will make sure the oil is able to fully penetrate the area. Always thoroughly wash this brush after using, and only use it for this purpose.
3. Let your feet dry naturally. You can also soak your feet in a tea tree oil solution after directly applying it. Use 4-5 drops of tea tree oil in water. Or, use a tea tree oil-based system, like Purely Northwest. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to dry off your feet completely afterward.
4. Repeat the application process two times each day. Repeat the clipping/filing process at least once a week, or as needed.

Are There Any Side Effects?

As long as you test out how tea tree oil works on your skin ahead of time, you shouldn't expect any strange or negative side effects to occur when using it. Many cosmetic products have started to use tea tree oil as an ingredient. When you combine this essential oil into a formula with other ingredients, the risk of side effects increases. Be aware of the other ingredients, and how they might affect you.

The most common side effect associated with tea tree oil is skin irritation. This is usually due to some type of allergy to the oil itself. Otherwise, 100% tea tree oil on its own is a very safe option to use for toenail fungus. Keep the following tips in mind as extra safety precautions:

• Never swallow/ingest tea tree oil. It is safest and most effective when applied to the skin.
• Keep oil away from small children, unless previously approved by a doctor.
• Don't use it in your eyes or ears.
• Keep the bottle tightly capped. If it's not properly stored, it could go rancid.
• Consult with your doctor before using tea tree oil if you are pregnant or nursing.

Does Tea Tree Oil Clear Up Fungus Fast?

When you use any type of treatment to fight back against toenail fungus, patience is a virtue. Ideally, you'll start using a solution at the very first sign of an infection. However, many people either don't notice the infection at first or wait too long to start treating it.

A fungal infection doesn't become severe overnight. So, it's impossible to think that any type of treatment will work overnight. Unfortunately, even the most powerful antifungal treatments can take weeks or months to work. It depends on their potency and the severity of your particular infection.

The best thing to do is to keep using the treatment for as long as necessary. Even if some symptoms start to subside, you should continue to treat the infection for several additional weeks. Toenail fungus regrows and spreads very easily if it's not completely killed off. Because tea tree oil is natural and you don't have to worry about many side effects, you can safely continue to use it each day until you're sure the fungus is totally gone.

What Else Can I Do to Prevent Toenail Fungus?

While tea tree oil is a great treatment option for existing nail fungus, you should be consciously thinking about how to prevent a fungal infection. It may not be possible to prevent one from occurring, but there are precautions you can take. Keep these preventative measures in mind on a daily basis to help protect yourself.

• Keep your toenails short and clean. This will help to prevent moisture and debris from getting stuck under the nail. It will also prevent the buildup of dirt and other types of bacteria that may cause infection.
• Wear ventilated antifungal socks, and let your feet 'air out'. If you are prone to toenail fungus, choosing socks made of synthetic material is best. They won't allow moisture to build up inside, like cotton and wool might.
• Always wear shoes in public places. A fungal infection can be easily contracted, so keeping your feet protected is important. It's especially important in places like the gym, or when you're walking around a public pool, etc.
• Practice overall good hygiene. Again, it's easy to often ignore our feet until we see or feel a problem. Keeping your feet clean and dry is a simple way to protect yourself from infection every day.

Is Tea Tree Oil the Best Treatment for Toenail Fungus?

With so many antifungal treatments available, it can be hard to determine which one works the best. However, if you're looking for something completely natural and effective, tea tree oil is a great solution. Its longevity in being used for medicinal purposes speaks for itself.

Plus, tea tree oil is easy to use and apply daily. It is also less expensive than many of the most popular antifungal treatments on the market. Finally, you can use it for other skin irritation issues, such as cold sores, acne, and skin tags. When it comes to toenail fungus, the antifungal properties of this essential oil are strong enough to get rid of toenail fungus as quickly as many over-the-counter products.

The best over-the-counter product that utilizes the healing powers of tea tree is the Purely Northwest Toenail Fungus System. If you've never used tea tree oil as a treatment before, use the tips above to know what you should be looking for. Once you have the right oil and know how to apply it, you can fight back against toenail fungus the natural way.