Toenail fungus is a huge problem for the millions of Americans who struggle with it.
An estimated 20 percent of people aged 60 and older have fungal infections on their toenails. This figure rises to 50 percent of people 70 and up, according to the Berkeley Wellness newsletter.
One of the solutions is wearing open-toe shoes. This allows light and air to reach the toenails.
However, toenail fungus is very unsightly. So many people prefer to hide their feet.
Toenail infections can also be painful. They usually aren’t serious but (as always) work closely with your doctor.
Homeopathy would be my treatment of choice for toenail fungus. It’s difficult to treat and it will take time. You will likely need to work with a skilled practitioner. But using well-selected homeopathic remedies is the absolute best way to attack unsightly foot fungus, without suppressing the problem and driving it inward.
The allopathic way to treat toenail fungus is with drugs. There are a number of FDA approved drugs for this condition. However, the oral drugs can cause side effects, including liver damage. Topical drugs might not be effective.
Unfortunately, according to the Berkeley letter, winning the war with toenail fungus probably won’t be easy. “Toenail fungus is notoriously difficult to cure and rarely goes away on its own,” the authors wrote.
Plus, it often returns. Even after being successfully eradicated.
Laser treatment is being tested but is still in its infancy. It is also expensive and good luck getting insurance to pay for it.
Certain essential oils are said to work, including tea tree oil. Although I would worry about suppressing the problem, and prefer homeopathic treatment, I realize not everyone will want to work with a homeopath.
Also, tea tree oil doesn’t come with pharmaceutical side effects. (Just don’t use it if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.)
I was unable to find a study that focused on tea tree oil and toenail fungus. However, this aromatic oil has a long history of use as treating fungus.
Tea tree essential oil likely contains potent natural anti-fungal agents. (If you don’t believe me try putting a little on bathroom mold. It literally eats it away.)
The website Podiatry Today notes that “Authors have proven tea tree oils have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.”
Best Essential Oil To Use On Toenails
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Several health authorities do recommend tea tree essential oil to combat toenail fungus. Among them is noted integrative physician Dr. Andrew Weil, MD.
The pathogen that causes toenail fungus is infectious. People can pick it up by walking barefoot in public locker rooms. It’s also possible to acquire it by having a pedicure at a salon that’s not sanitary.
Certain people are more susceptible than others. Diabetics are at high risk of developing toenail fungus, according to Dr. Weil.
Dr. Weil appears to believe that tea tree essential oil is a real choice, if you’re battle toenail fungus.
How Long Does It Take for Tea Tree Oil To Work On Toenail Fungus
However, Dr. Weil notes that treating toenail fungus with tea tree essential oil is a long-term proposition. Results will be noticed as the nail begins to grow out. He recommends using this aromatic oil once or twice a day until you see results.
The time frame he is talking about is “at least two months. Be aware that sometimes toenail fungus requires professional medical attention, especially for people with diabetes or impaired immunity.
How To Prevent Toenail Fungus In The First Place
The common sense advice to prevent fungus from gaining a toehold (pardon the pun) is to avoid picking up an infection in the first place.
This means:
- Wearing sandals when you visit a public pool or a locker room.
- Wear clean cotton socks and change them no less than once a day.
- Expose your toenails to as much air and light as possible.
Personally, if I were dealing with toenail fungus, I would also avoid sugar foods and try to eat a real food diet. I would work on boosting my overall immunity so my body attacks the infection, from the inside.
I would think that keeping your body as healthy as possible will help prevent nail infections, in the first place.
But bear in mind I’m not a medical professional. Just a wife and mother who’s been using natural medicine for more than 20 years.
How To Dilute Tea Tree Oil for Toenail Fungus
I have heard different advice about how to apply tea tree essential oil to infected toenails.
One professional aromatherapist I spoke with suggested a 25 percent solution. This would be using 1 part of tea tree oil to 3 parts of a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or even olive oil you may have in the house.
Since there’s no consensus, discuss the strength of application with your own healthcare practitioner. I would avoid putting straight tea tree essential oil directly on the skin around your toenails, because essential oils are incredibly potent. Also, tea tree oil has the potential to cause a sensitivity. So consider using cotton pads to protect your skin when you’re applying the oil.
Plus the brand of tea tree essential oil I’m recommending here is high quality. It’s sold by a family run company in Idaho and is an excellent alternative to the large multilevel marketing networks that roll multiple commissions into the price. You can Plant Therapy tea tree essential oil below.
For More Reading
Berkeley Wellness Newsletter On Toenail Fungus
Podiatry Today Article On Tea Tree Oil
Also, other essential oil companies sell special blends designed to combat toenail infections. You can read about one such formula here, which I can also recommend. It contains tea tree essential oil, plus a number of other aromatic oils known for their potential anti-fungal properties.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare provider.
