Topical Treatment for a Fungal Toenail Infection

A toenail infection caused by a fungus usually starts out as a slight discoloration of the toenail, but then progresses to a cracked, painful mess. According to the Mayo Clinic, a toenail infection can be treated with pills to fight the fungus, which can take up to 12 weeks to work. Another alternative is surgery. If you are looking for an alternative to harsh medications and drastic surgery, try tea tree oil.

The Evidence

• Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree, also known as melaleuca alternifolia. The fact that it is effective in treating nail fungus has been known for years. In a 1998 issue of the Journal of the American Podiatric Association, tea tree oil is reported to have been tested against eight types of fungi, and was found to be effective against all of them except one strain of one type. In another study, reported by the National Institutes of Health, tea tree oil was added to the anti-fungal medication called butenafine hydrochloride, and when used as a treatment for toenail fungus, 80 percent of the subjects experienced complete healing, with no recurrence of the infection.

How to Use It

• To treat a toenail fungus, or prevent one from arriving, pick up a bottle of 100 percent pure tea tree oil from your local health food store or pharmacy. Be sure that it is 100 percent pure, because if it is not you may be getting tea tree oil mixed with another base oil, and your results may not be the same. In the evenings, soak your affected toe in warm water for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, pat your foot dry. Using a nail file, file down the top surface of the infected toenail. This will loosen the cells on the nail plate, which will allow the tea tree oil to penetrate it. Trim the nails and clean underneath them. When you are done with the prep, put 4 to 5 drops of tea tree oil directly onto your nail. Using a cotton swab, spread it around and make sure it gets underneath the nail plate as far as it can, as well as along the edges. Allow your toe to get some air while the tea tree oil soaks in.

  Repeat this process daily, and if you wish you can apply the tea tree oil in the morning as well. If you must put shoes and socks on right away, cover the oil-soaked nail with an elastic bandage.