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Cure Toe Nail Fungus With Tea Tree Oil

| Modified on Oct 30, 2024
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Tea tree oil is a very effective way to get rid of toenail fungus, according to Earth Clinic posters. It can be very discouraging to try harsh commercial remedies that promise to cure those ugly, thick, yellow toenails - but don't work. Nail fungus is very common; about 5% of all people have nail fungus. Over half of the people over 70 have developed chronic toenail fungus.

What is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil (it has no relationshp to the tea we drink) has become a staple in the cabinets of people worldwide because of its value as a home remedy for many ailments, including fungus infections. In Australia, tea tree oil has been used by the native people for thousands of years beccause of its many beneficial properties. Extracted through steam distillation from the twigs and leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia), tea tree oil's properties include: fungicide, antibacterial, antiseptic and antiviral.

Check here to find out about all of the benefits of tea tree oil.

How to Use Tea Tree Oil to Cure Your Toenail Fungus

  1. Trim and file nail.
  2. Paint on tea tree oil 2x a day.
  3. New nail growth will appear; some have said it took about a month, but it could take much longer.

NB: Tea Tree Oil is for topical use only and is not to be swallowed. A small percentage of people also seem to be allergic to topical application of the oil.

Toenail Fungus (Onychomycosis) can be Difficult to Cure

  • Harsh conventional treatments won't cure toenail fungus over half of the time.
  • There are 3 primary causes: dermatophytic fungi, Candida, and non-dermatophytic molds.
  • Most toenail fungus is caused by dermatophytic fungi.
  • Molds can be responsible for both toenail and fingernail fungus.
  • 1 out of 3 diabetics have toenail fungus.
  • Fungus and molds love damp places; keep feet dry, change socks often.

Risk Factors

  • You are most at risk of developing nail fungus if you are older, diabetic, have psoriasis or an immune system disorder or sweat profusely.
  • Runners commonly have problems with chronic nail fungus because of sweaty feet and damp shoes and socks.
  • Locker rooms and communal showers spread nail fungus.

If toenail fungus is not treated, the fungus can cause cracking, splitting and even complete loss of the toenail. Fortunately, toenail fungus is curable. Tea tree oil is an effective and inexpensive home cure for toenail fungus.

Continue reading below to learn how Earth Clinic readers have used tea tree oil to cure their toenail fungus. Please let us know how it works for you.

Related Links:

Natural Nail Fungus Treatments: Effective Home Remedies
Tea Tree Oil: A Potent Natural Health Aid

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 10/08/2021
 ★★★★★

For a fingernail fungal infection, I have recently used Tea Tree Oil with great (but gradual) success every night for the past three months!! It's a bit like watching paint dry but in slow motion.

As an aside, I always have this product in the house and it has served me well over the years, including the adding of one or two drops to a steam inhaler when dealing with sinus complaints in the winter..

If I remember, I also slap a few drops of neat oil on in the morning. But the night time application has the virtue of it being kept on the nail and surrounding skin for many hours whilst asleep, so allowing for sustained penetration.

To get rid of the fungus, it is absolutely necessary to persevere for months but TTO DOES work if you keep at it.

I wouldn't horse around with anything else, with the possible exception of Milk of Magnesia, which I have never tried but a previous poster's post to that effect sounded most interesting.

TTO is very popular here in New Zealand where it is appreciated for its curative properties. Order some on line - a small bottle will last you a long, long time-have some on hand in the medicine cupboard.

As for the obligatory, associated story, which I know you will be eagerly looking forward to-but this one is especially gory and violent, so is not for the squeamish or faint-hearted (parental guidance is advised): well, I had the misfortune to have a splinter of wood drive up under my index finger nail whilst sorting and stacking firewood for the winter. Yep, you guessed it, it was quite painful. What was also painful was my bathroom surgery, which consisted of my driving a sterilized needle up alongside it in order to dislodge it!! The things we do!

I think I ought to invest in some gloves from now on!

Cheers from Down Under

P.S. Would Manuka Honey help the person dealing with a recent case of MRSA possibly- just a thought?

Yet another New Zealand product worth considering.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Lucy V (Ireland) on 07/26/2017
 ★★★★☆

Got a fungal infection on my big toe about 4 months ago, had never had one before. OTC treatments were very expensive so started using cider vinegar. Didn't seem to have much effect and smelled terrible. Most of the nail came away at one point, it was yellow/white and loose. Switched to tea tree oil, and it's deifnitely causing an improvement.

I apply a few drops twice a day directly on the nail. There is still some yellow and white on the nail that's left but new pink healthy-looking nail is coming up underneath. I'll continue to use the tea tree oil until it all grows out. I've had no side effects so far but the oil is strong and may not be suitable for all skins. If you're sensitive to it you could dilute with a base oil, or put some of the oil in a foot bath instead. I'm also using a silver colloidal spray in my shoes as I've heard this is anti-fungal and antiseptic.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Mooph (Santa Rosa, Ca) on 03/19/2017
 ★★★☆☆

I started applying tea tree oil 2x/day to my left foot toenails about a week ago. A white powdery looking residue has appeared. Thus far I'm just going ahead and dropping more tea tree oil on them. But I wonder if anyone else has experienced this and what it means?

Replied by Deana
(Independence Missouri)
03/19/2017

I started applying oregano oil & tea tree oil to my toenails on 3/13/17 and my nails are also turning white. I can only assume it is drying up the fungus. But I'm not sure what it is either.

Replied by Mary
(San Fran)
03/19/2017

I believe it is called keratin debris or keratin buildup. I thought I had nail fungus for years but it turned out to be excessive keratin. I used a product specifically for this, but it just weakened the nail and eventually destroyed it, didn't fix the issue. I also tried tea tree oil and it also weakened the nail and made the keratin buildup worse. I think the tea tree oil might be too strong and needs to be diluted with a carrier oil. Good luck!

Replied by Sunshine
(Wichita, Kansas)
08/09/2017

I was searching to find why there is a white powdery look to the area around my toenails after applying tea tree oil for a few days and this is all I have found. I don't know why it did that or what it means, but it doesn't hurt. Hope we find an answer.

Replied by Vera
(Nyc)
11/02/2017

I'm experiencing same thing with my toenail fungus. Using tea tre oil for about a month, and the nail has become white. I searched for answers, didn't find anything so far:(

Replied by Diann
(Pennsylvania)
01/21/2018

Yes mine are like that since recently starting tea tree oil treatment. I plan to ask my Dr about this white residue

Replied by Sly
(Kenya)
02/18/2018

I also started the tea tree direct application treatment, the affected area is starting to turn white but I assumed that it's part of the process. I doubt if it can be a cause of alarm

Replied by Michael
(New Zealand)
02/18/2018

Hello Sly of Kenya,

I used Tea Tree Oil for weeks and weeks on both of my big toes for what I presumed to be nail fungus and they eventually cleared up after a very long haul. You really need to persevere with applying a couple of drops twice a day for a long time but it is worth it. I recommend you continue past the time you think it starts to "look cleared", as there may be some residual stuff in there that will sneak back again if you drop your guard.

Better to just drop it on rather than trying to push it in with a cotton bud ( Q tip ) I think. Two drops per toe twice a day should do it. Mine was on the edge, so the drops sat there quite well whilst hopefully soaking in.

It's all for naught if you don't dry the toes carefully after getting them wet though, especially in the tropics.

I hope you are using a reputable brand of TTO? In which case, you should be quite safe.

Cheers,

Michael

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Lulu Dickinson (United Kingdom) on 06/20/2016
 ★★★★★

My husband had very bad fungal nail on his toe nails, so I made my own mixture of Isopropyl alcohol and tea tree oil and soaked his toe nails every evening with a sponge applicator ..

I have also added tea tree oil to clear nail polish and intend to use this once his fungal nail has gone.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Jenjen (Usa) on 02/07/2016
 ★★★★★

Tea Tree Oil for Nail Fungus worked for me: Through summer I stayed in sandals, kept tea-tree and also a dropper bottle of vinegar on me, and alternated between them at least daily, or whenever I was thinking about it. I agree about sanding down the surface of the nail (but not dremmel... you don't want to accidentally go through the nail... ouch! I filed it with one of those file/polish/buff tools you can buy for shining up the nail surface.

Gives you control so you don't go too thin - but definitely sand as thin as possible, this will remove as much infected nail surface as possible and help the oil penetrate through the nail - google "nail shiner buffer sand block file" for images/buying options.

Also keep nails as short as possible; you want oil (and vinegar if you decide to use that too) to penetrating all cracks and crevices on and around nail.

But YES THIS WORKS. With the Tea Tree, as with vinegar, you are creating a hostile environment that the little critters can't live in, and with no hiding places! Keep it up until the nail grows in clean. Be prepared, it could take months for the regrowth!

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Figment (Co) on 12/19/2013
 ★★★★★

I have cured my own toenail fungus that I picked up in a hospital bathroom while staying overnight... the bathroom was FILTHY.

Anyway, take a dremel with the sandpaper drum attachment... grind down as much of the outer part of the nail as you can to thin it down in thickness. Then buy PURE teatree oil at the health food store... NOT the teatree oil mixture, just pure teatree oil. Apply it to your nail (saturate the nail) twice/daily until the nail has grown out. It worked great for me... just keep the nail as thin as you can, and saturate it thoroughly... One bottle only costs about $7-10. No nasty side effects.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Tweetylii (Canton, Ohio, Usa) on 02/13/2013
 ★★★★★

I had toenail fungus for years. I had tried several OTC fungicides with no results. The toenail on my big toe had become so bad that it had separated from the toe. I clipped back all the dead, crumbly nail and applied tea tree oil to the nailand the area where the nail had been twice a day. That is all I did until the nail regrew. It is now pink and healthy.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Brooke (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 08/29/2012
 ★★★★★

I developed fungus under both big toes after getting a pedicure. One turned almost orange and about half of it detached from the nail bed. I cut off what I could, soaked my feet in about 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1cup warm water for about 20 minutes. I then put tea tree oil on all my toes. I purchased the tea tree oil from Whole Foods for 15$ for 2fl oz. The second day I did the same vinegar soak but added in hydrogen peroxide. Followed that with the Tea Tree. Day 3 no soaking, just applied the tea tree twice. Day 4 and whats left of my nail looks normal and healthy. I will continue to use the tea tree until the nail grows back in. Dont need to take any chances! I wish I had a picture of the deformed, orange nail I had 4 days ago. Its a miracle. :)

Replied by Carolina
(Oviedo, Florida)
09/25/2015
★★★★★

I want to thank you for sharing this!!! This REALLY works! I tried a lot of treatments before using the tea tree oil. I wasn't sure if it would work because all the doctors told me it is was very difficult to cure it, even though they prescribed me expensive treatments. Thank you so much!

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Happy Cured (Portland, Oregon) on 06/21/2012
 ★★★★★

Put all the other rememdies to bed! Tea Tree Oil on it 2x per day, morning and night. Use a knife to scrape away what you can (not too much). In a few weeks it starts growing back healthy nail! Make sure you put it on until the nail is fully grown back and maybe a little more ;)

It worked for me. I had this stupid nail fungus for 10 years.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Michelle (Smithfield, Queensland) on 05/27/2012
 ★★★★★

Hi everyone! Just have to firstly give a huge thumbs up for this site & all the contributors. Have been utilising the advice from here for years, & recommended it so many times to people I should be receiving commissions! Lol. Now, back to business:- I have had fungal infections pertaining to toe nails on both feet for over 20 years. Podiatrists have recommended many products over that time, none of them worked, & all were expensive. The last podiatrist that I visited, after telling him of my previous experiences told me "off the record", to cure my infections - 1. Stop using nailpolish 2. Apply pure Tea Tree oil every day, or as many times as I remembered! He actually told me that over-the- counter remedies don't work, however, the pure tea-tree oil will stop the fungus in its tracks, it was just going to take time. I've been applying it (with a dropper) at least once a day (ok, maybe every two! ). In less than 2 weeks, I could start to see new, healthy growth starting to appear. Not wanting to get too excited (remember, I've had this problem for over 20 years & why I didn't refer back to this site in the first place -I have no idea why! ), however, I kept applying the oil, watching & waiting. Now, nearly a month later, I can see the visible difference between the infected toenail, & the healthy nail. The podiatrist told me it was a slow process, & took perseverance & patience, & could take up to 8 months to see proper results. In a fraction of that time, & for a fraction of the price of the specialists recommended lotions & potions, I actually have real results. Highly recommended cheap alternative - TEA TREE OIL

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Fifi (Gold Coast, Australia) on 12/31/2011
 ★★★★★

Hi all, I had a fungal nail infection in both my big toenails. It was there for awhile and I was worried about it spreading further. I asked my doc about using something from the pharmacy but he said it was all a waste of money. So I decided to try tea tree oil.

Morning and night, after showering, I scrubbed the oil into and around ALL of my toes. I would tip the oil on from a dropper bottle and made sure I also got it up under the nail. I scrubbed with a toothbrush. I did this for about 3 months and the fungas has completely gone. My nails were yellow/patchy and flaky. Now they are nomal! No more hiding them away!

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Xina (Sydney, Australia) on 11/12/2011
 ★★★★★

My remedy for nail fungus is 100% pure tea tree oil. That's it, that's all that is needed.

Prior to using tea tree oil, I did some research online to find out the best commercial products to use and found many mention of Loceryl and the like, but I found it was too costly for my taste. So I researched online again for "natural" remedies and came across tea tree oil. It just so happens that I had some on hand, so I decided to use it one night. The 1st week, just by running my finger over the top of my big toe, I felt a big difference as my big toe previously contained ridges and was not smooth. I clipped my nails very short, and applied more tea tree oil very other day, and in the 2nd week, the nail fungus was 80% gone. Now, I am in my 3rd week, and the nail fungus is completely gone.

So, please don't shell out your $50 for no commercial product, just get 100% tea tree oil and you will be set. It is good for a host of remedies including dandruff, lice, fungus, etc. Due to its anti-bacterial elements.

Just wanted to share my experience.

Replied by Denise
(Massachusetts)
08/02/2016

I have experienced my 2nd toenail...one day just fall off. The nail below is short and nor the size of a regular nail, the other 2nd toenail was lifting in the middle and have had a black nail on my left foot for many years. I have been researching ways to correct and get rid of this problem for the past month. I thought maybe I had diabetes because it runs in my family...because both feet and my body was itching. The itch was I discovered...was caused by 2 products, body wash and corning detergent. I purchased a bar of soap with Coconut Oil, Papaya Enzymes, Shea Butter, Songyi Mushroom Extract and Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower, which got rid of the itching that was driving me crazy...now to get rid of my toenail problem...has anybody experienced what I shared...I went for a pedicure in February and may...toenail issue occurred around that time. Really upsetting because I love pedicures. Would love to hear from others...

Replied by Doreen
(Nova Scotia)
08/22/2016

Yes, I have it on my big toe. I too think I got it from having a pedicure. I was using diluted ACV, but then read about tea tree oil, so started it about a week ago. will use it 2 x day to see if it cures it. I usually took my own tools for a pedicure, but forgot a couple of times. I used theirs, plus even if they disinfect the tools, they use the same nail polish. It would infect the polish by using the same brush from someone infected. Just thought of this a few months ago!!

Replied by Hisjewel
(America, New York)
08/23/2016

Greetings Denise, the black toenail is sometimes caused by trauma to the nail. And if you are dealing will a fungus it makes matters worse.

I had a thicken toenail which I was trying to thin down. This ended in a blacken toe nail. I had tried to get rid of it for years just using nail fungus removal but that did not work.

Then I started "twenty minute foot soaks". one of them worked. I don't know which one. I was just surprised one day when I noticed that my toenail was no longer black.

I must also inform that I was also drinking the baking soda and molasses mix, and Olive leaf capsules around that time.

Here are some of the foot soaks I have done: Borax, sea salt, vinegar and once or twice I even did a bleach foot soak. All in water of cause. I did not measure a certain amount.

Greetings to you also Doreen,

I have found that if a person and sugar are not good friends, or if a person is prone to UTI's it is better not to use nail polish until you are all the way out of the woods.

If I do polish my toes I have to take it off before a day or to goes by, or I will see the white markings on my toenails when the nail polish is removed.

A person that is prone to nail fungus may be able to enjoy a pedicure, but after a day or two of showing it off, I would take the nail polish off.

I don't know what's in nail polish remover, but something good is in there for healing those toes nails. Nail polish remover has cleared my toenails quite a few times.

HisJewel

Replied by John
(Downey, California)
03/18/2017

Last night I was just about to jamb my big toe nail under the bathroom door to rip it off!!! Cause about a year ago I accidentally kicked a mattress and ripped off the other one and the nail grew back clean. I couldn't get myself to do it!! I just happened to find some tea tree oil in the cabinet and Googled the benefits. I'm going to try it and see if it works...

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Elizabeth (Adrian, Michigan Usa) on 03/08/2011
 ★★★★★

I have had a fungal infection in my right thumbnail that has been recurrant for over two years. Absolutely nothing topical nor oral worked to clear it up, and it was at the point of my nail being almost completely detached. Trimming all the way down as some suggest did nothing to help.

I have been applying neat Tea Tree Oil 4 times a day to the exposed nail bed and surrounding area (I have had no adverse effects from using it neat). After it is absorbed, I have applied Vapor Cough Suppressant (I used the name brand) in a thick layer and left uncovered. The smell is not pleasant, but after a week I have, for the first time in two years, NEW HEALTHY GROWTH!!! There are two tiny black spots under the nail, but the new growth is definitely attached to the nail bed, and there is a noticeable ridge where it is growing in normally at the base as opposed to slightly thickened. The cuticle which was destroyed is beginning to regenerate.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Mary (Gloucester, Ma ) on 12/22/2010
 ★★★★★

Tea Tree Oil is very effective for nail fungus. I was surfing in Costa Rica and one of the perks was a free pedicure, well from that pedicure I developed a nasty case of nail fungus. When I returned to The States my doctor said he could prescribe a medicine but the side effect was liver failure. I said I'll pass. He said try using Tea Tree Oil but you have to use is religiously. I rubbed it into the nail bed after every shower and it cleared right up. Best part, no side effects.

Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Beki (Woodbridge, Uk) on 07/14/2010

Is there a natural cure for contact dermatitis from using neat tea tree oil to treat fungal toenails. Although I think it was working on the fungus, I now have weeping, red, broken skin around my toenails. I've never had a problem with tea tree oil before. Its very unsightly and stopping me from trying anything else until its healed. Please help.

Replied by Jameel
(California)
03/28/2016

By "neat", do you mean "undiluted"? I found I had the same issue using tea tree oil on my feet because undiluted, the stuff is very harsh and astringent. After consulting the most wise Google for advice, I diluted my tea tree oil half-and-half with baby oil, and have not had the red, weeping skin recur. I realize you posted this question a good 6 years ago, but I hope this helps!

Replied by Anstasija
(Novi, Mi)
06/09/2016

Essential oils (the real ones) should never be used undiluted.

Replied by Cindy
(Washington)
08/26/2016

I am excited about tea tree oil and the positive results I see here. After reading this post, I will try putting a petroleum jelly product around the edges of my big toes (the fungus issues are on my big toes only) before applying tea tree oil as often as I can remember to do so. Thanks to all for sharing!

Replied by Ann
(California)
09/11/2016

I don't know about petroleum jelly...seems like that would perpetuate the problem of moisture in the nail, but coconut oil has moisturizing and antifungal properties. I would try that in addition to the tea tree to prevent any rash that may be occurring.


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