Tea tree oil and toe nail fungus - Can this healthy oil get rid of those yellow crusty toe nails? After reading this article you'll learn how using tea tree oil on nail fungus may be better than anti-fungal drugs.

Yuck! Toe nail fungus! It's one nasty subject, but someone has to bring it up. What can you do to get rid of it?

Well, you can go to your doctor and get a prescription for anti-fungal medications, such as Lamisil. The problem with prescription antifungals is the high cost and the risk of side effects such as diarrhea, rashes and abdominal pain. It may take weeks for the infected nails to grow out before you can start wearing your favorite sandals.

Is there another way to treat those unhealthy looking toe nails without side effects and at a reasonable cost?

Yes there is! Proven in studies to kill fungi, it's possible to use tea tree oil on toe nail fungus and get cleaner, healthy-looking nails. Below are some research studies proving the effectiveness of using tea tree oil on toenail fungus. You'll also learn about other natural ways to fight nail fungus. For example did you know that some people use Vicks Vapor Rub for toe nail fungus? But we'll get into that later....

Tea Tree Oil has 80% Cure Rate in Toe Nail Fungus Study

San Francisco, USA - A study published in the Journal of Tropical Medicine and International Health found tea tree oil was more effective at eliminating toe nail fungus when combined with a commonly prescribed antifungal. Researchers looked at the effectiveness of tea tree oil and butenafine (an anti-inflammatory/anti-fungal drug) in a group of patients with persistent toe nail fungus. Sixty patients with toe nail fungus for the last 6 - 36 months were split into 2 groups. One group received a tea tree oil/butenafine cream and the other group received a placebo. The treatments lasted for 16 weeks.

Researchers found 80% of patients using tea tree oil were cured. And during a follow-up examination, the fungus did not return in the same tea tree oil group. Researchers concluded that tea tree oil and butenafine is an effective treatment for curing stubborn toe nail fungus.

Tea Tree Oil Found to be 64% More Effective than Prescription Drugs for Treating Toe Nail Fungus

New York - Researchers compare 100% tea tree oil against 1% Clotrimazole (drug commonly prescribed to treat yeast infections and fungal infections) to see which is more effective in treating toe nail fungus.

One hundred and seventeen (117) patients with toe nail fungus were asked to apply either 100% tea tree oil or 1% Clotrimazole to their toe nails. Participants applied either treatment 2X a day for 6 months. Toe nails and lab cultures of fungus were analyzed at the start of the study and throughout the study. Patients filled out a question sheet for their own assessments at three months after the study ended.

At the end of the study, researchers found tea tree oil had an 18% cure rate - almost 64% more than the 1% clotrimazole group.

The big advantage of using tea tree oil is there's rarely any side effects. One popular anti-fungal, called Clotrimazole, can have potential serious side effects:

• itching

• burning

• irritation

• redness

• swelling

Preliminary research shows that using tea tree oil on toe nail fungus is an effective and natural treatment.

Here's some points to remember, based on my personal experience:

• You're using a natural product, not a drug. The best part is tea tree oil won't cause liver problems or other side effects common with powerful anti-fungal drugs.

• You must wait for your toe nails to grow out to see permanent results. I noticed an immediate decrease in yellowing after applying tea tree oil, but the best results came after my nails grew out.

• Be consistent and apply the oil everyday in order to get the best results.

• I applied it first thing in the morning and at night before going to bed. I simple take a Q-tip soaked in oil and dab the nail and the nail bed. Over time, my nails looked healthier and better as the nail grew out.

Applying Tea Tree Oil to Q-tip	Applying Tea Tree Oil to Toenail

You should remember that everyone's bodies are different and some people may get results with this treatment and others may not. I think there may be a difference in people's physiology and the type of toenail fungus they have.

Other Home Remedies for Toe Nail Fungus

There are a number of other natural remedies for toe nail fungus that you can try. Here's a list of natural treatments that other's have had success with:

Vicks for Toe nail fungus

Apply Vicks Vaporub directly onto the toenail twice a day. Some users have reported the nail bed clears up within hours.

Vinegar

Spray 100% pure white vinegar onto your toenails ensuring your soaking the liquid under the nail bed. Repeat at least 2X a day. The only drawback I can see with this treatment is the vinegar smell.

Other natural treatments

If you're looking for other natural ways to fight toe nail fungus, here's a forum on natural, effective cheap cures for toe nail fungus at epinions.com.

Taking a proactive approach to your toe nail fungus will help in your treatment. The most important steps to success is be consistent in your treatments and be open to trying other methods if one type doesn't work for you.

Research References:

Click Here for Toe Nail Fungus Products from Amazon.com


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