Tea Tree Fingernail Fungus Home Remedy

Tea tree oil, the essential oil derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia
tree, is an effective antifungal with proven clinical results. Fingernail fungus is a stubborn infection that can persist for months.Your infection may need six months of topical application, but tea tree oil is effective against fingernail fungus.

Evidence to Support Tea Tree Oil Fungal Cure

A 1994 study critiqued on the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's website used a double-blind, multicenter randomized trial on 117 research participants. With twice-daily applications of either 1 percent clotrimazole solution or 100 percent tea tree oil, after six months the results were comparable. Both groups had either partial or full resolution of their fingernail fungus. Tea tree oil works because of its proven antimicrobial properties against common bacteria, viruses and fungi, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center website.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil to Cure Fingernail Fungus

According to the Mayo Clinic website, nail fungus usually occurs in warm, moist environments. You may notice a small white or yellow spot on your fingernail as a first sign of fingernail fungus. It is important to treat fingernail fungus early if possible. As well as using tea tree oil on your fingernail fungus, also keep your fingernails clean and dry. To use tea tree oil on fingernail fungus, apply the oil neat, or undiluted, to the affected fingernail. You may wish to apply Vaseline on top of the tea tree oil, which will hep to keep the oil on your skin and not allow it to evaporate. You may also wish to wrap your nail in a bandage. This will help to keep the tea tree oil on your fingernail and allow it to penetrate. Apply the oil twice a day until symptoms disappear. This could take months, so you need to be prepared to be persistent. If your symptoms do not improve, or if they worsen, you should contact a physician. Fungal infections can sometimes be systemic, which means they have entered your bloodstream. In this case, they may need to be treated more aggressively.

Considerations

You should only use tea tree oil topically. Internal use can cause serious toxicity, including coma, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. When using tea tree oil on the fingernails, remember not to touch your mouth, nose or eyes, as tea tree oil can be irritating. It is also possible that tea tree oil can irritate your skin. If this happens, stop using the tea tree oil and contact a physician who is trained in herbal medicine. If you do experience skin irritation, you may still be able to continue using the tea tree oil diluted in a carrier oil such as olive oil.