Table of Contents
Introduction
Toenail fungus is not a rare infection nowadays, but there are a considerable number of people who are struggling with finding a wise, safe and cheap treatment for their feet.
Firstly, talking about the annoying situation you have to face when having toenail fungus, it will be a long and hard story. You, specifically, will be unquestionably embarrassed with yellow and cracking toenails; then you do not have enough encourage to show your feet to the public or wearing open-toed shoes.
Secondly, as regards to the treatment, there are abundant ways to heal your nails such as going to see the doctor or using some medical products which may contain some harmful chemical.
The thing is that if you are busy people and looking for natural but still effective treatment, then, you should spend some minutes to read this article in which we will tell you about essential oils for toenail fungus. Besides, we also carefully analyze the reasons why these essential oils work so well for eliminating toenail fungus and preventing its return.
As a result, you could have a fast relief solution for your toenail fungus without seeing doctors or using harsh chemicals.
What is Toenail Fungus?
Nail fungus is an infection deriving from a white or yellow spot in the fingernail or toenail bed. When the fungal infection goes deeper, your toenail may be discolored, thickened and crumbled. The fungus can affect several nails and often recur although you have a fair treatment.
Dermatophyte fungus is the cause of toenail fungus. Besides, mold or yeast fungi also can lead to that infection. Microscopic fungi flourish in moist, warm and dark conditions like other fungi. Thus, toenail fungus can develop substantially in sweat and light place, inside the shoes, for example. Besides, here are some other reasons causing toenail fungus:
- Poor circulation
- Weakened immunity
- Diabetes
- Psoriasis
What are the Symptoms of Toenail Fungus?
You can realize the fungi infection in different ways; but, here are the most popular symptoms of toenail fungus:
- Ragged, crumbling or flaky nail
- Distortion of shape
- Yellow or white discoloration
- Thick or hardened nail which is difficult to cut
- A vague or even a dense toenail
- Ache and potential irritation in the toes
- Separation of the nail plate from the underlying structure (onycholysis)
List of Essential Oils for Toenail Fungus
In fact, numerous people do not know how to deal with or eradicate fungus in the toenail. Fortunately, there are various essential oils for toenail fungus that can help. Before exploring 10 powerful essential oils for toenail fungus, you should thoroughly understand why you should go natural and what you must do before you start using the oils.
Why go natural? [1]
- Cheaper comparing to expensive creams and washes
- No chemical additives
- No harmful potential side effects
- Have a comfortable scent instead of a chemical smell
- Can provide additional aromatherapy benefits along with improving nail health
Before you start using the oils:
- Change your socks often and do not wear dirty ones
- Let your toes breathe. Wear sandals, avoid wearing shoes frequently to help promote better healing and fungus prevention
- Avoid wearing tight shoes that can restrict airflow around the feet and toes
- Shower daily and be sure to wash the feet and toes. Clip away the nail as much as possible and leave the edges rounded to make sure they don’t catch on carpet or clothing. Wash the toenail area carefully and allow it to air dry
So, it is enough for careful preparation. Now, it’s time to check the most potent and effective essential oils for toenail fungus.
1. Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon oil which is made from cinnamon bark and distilled to a potent oil is an excellent choice in preventing the spread and growth of fungus. To be more specific, this aromatic oil highly comprises Eugenol, which can firmly abolish dermatophyte fungi making it become the essential oils for toenail fungus.
How to Use:
There is a trick in using cinnamon oil you definitely should know is creating a mix of this oil with clove oil that also consists of a tremendous combination of eugenol. Then, have your weak toes be covered by a concentration of 2% diluted oil.
Another way to get the best of the essential oils for toenail fungus is adulterating cinnamon oil with coconut oil, then apply the mixed oil straightly to the nail.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Of all the essential oils for toenail fungus, tea tree oil, or Melaleuca alternifolia plant, is among the most desirable and quickest home remedies for killing fungus around the toenails. An ingredient of tea tree oil is terpenoid which can eliminate fungi and bacteria especially dermatophytes, the root cause of nail fungal.
Numerous people have chosen tea tree oil as a beginner essential oil for toenail fungus among countless other skin products. It’s a natural antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory treatment.
How to Use:
For it to work quickly, put a few drops tea tree oil into a cotton ball and apply it directly to your nail/surrounding skin, infected toe area and keep it in ten minutes. Do this once per day and allow it to dry out completely.
After soaking, scrub the nail with a soft brush. If applying to the skin, you should dilute with an equal part of carrier oil, such as olive or almond oil. Perform this treatment until the healthy, uninfected new nail has entirely grown out.
3. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is one of the recommended essential oils for toenail fungus that you should not ignore, and I definitely love that fantastic item. While oregano oil is more famous for the ability to combat internal disease due to its anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-viral abilities, this oil is also highly effective on fungal infections.
Being abstracted from Greek or Mediterranean oregano, oregano oil considerately composes thymol that is a compelling and natural treatment to toenail fungus.
How to Use:
The first way is that you can apply oregano essential oil on the toenail which has fungi and let it for more than 10 minutes. A clean q-tip is another ideal alternative when you don’t have a dropper.
In the case, you have sensitive skin, and you want to avoid adverse skin reactions then you could blend the oregano oil with olive oil or coconut oil and let your affected nail absorb the mixed oil through a cotton ball. Apply that essential oil for toenail fungus from 2 to 3 times per day until your toenail get healthy.
4. Lemon Oil
This citrus fruit contains antiseptic and antifungal components which are useful in preventing the toenail fungus growth. Lemon essential oil, one of the essential oils for toenail fungus, is not only a reliable product in killing fungal but also a cost-effective, readily-available and straightforward natural treatment option.
Lemon is useful in sinking into the toenail to combat severe fungus as it will not vaporize as fast as some other essential oils for toenail fungus.
How to Use:
For a simple home remedy, just apply freshly-squeezed lemon juice onto the nail, soak for at least thirty minutes, and then rinse in warm water. You should apply lemon oil until the disappearance of the toenail fungus symptoms. Or, you can dilute the lemon oil in coconut oil to avoid skin allergy.
5. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil, like cinnamon oil, tea tree oil, oregano oil and lemon oil, has been widely known as a must-have item in the list of essential oil for toenail fungus. It is known as one of the most choosing oil among numerous treatments for fungal infection.
Lavender oil gets a mention because it was proven to have the ability to deal with fungal diseases which could not be treated by using conventional medicines.
How to Use:
It is so easy, before going to bed, you apply for lavender oil directly onto your toenail bearing fungal infection and let the oil do it magical healing. Or, you can make use of your soft and natural socks as a covering to your feet.
Furthermore, if you do not want the fungi to recur, you should be persistent in applying the lavender oil for several weeks, even if your toenail seems to be better and recovered.
A stimulating treatment is that you could use the mix of two essential oils for toenail fungus that is lavender and tea tree oil for a wise and practical abatement. After washing your toenail and let them dry, let your harmed nail be covered by this mixed oils. You should repeat that treatment in the morning and evening if you are looking for a fast cure for your nail fungus infections.
6. Thyme Oil
Thyme oil, another essential oil for toenail fungus that I would like to introduce to you. Thyme has been used since the times of ancient Egyptians for its antibacterial properties. The oil is ascertained to be influential in eliminating fungi, and thus it’s known as a treatment for toenail fungus.
Additionally, thyme oil has the ability in preventing toenail fungus from growing, and, at the same time, improving the new cells health. To be more specific, thymol has been studied by numerous researchers in many years. And most of that studies showed that thymol could not only prevent the dermatophytes from growing but also eliminate candida, both of them leading to nail fungus infection.
Two flavors of thyme essential oil are red and white. The red flavor seems to be better in dealing with the fungal problem making it become a potent essential oil for toenail fungus; nevertheless, it can lead to inflammation for the user if they have sensitive skin.
But don’t worry, if you are learning how to use essential oil for toenail fungus then white thyme oil is a smart choice. After your skin and toenail getting used to with that oil, you may choose the stronger form red thyme oil for better and faster results.
How to Use:
For a natural way, you can use thyme directly on your toenails allowing the oil to absorb into the hurt area directly. You can clip and file your nails down for a better absorption if your nails are thickened.
In case the oil is likely irritating to your skin, or you come up with any side effect then diluting the thyme oil in jojoba oil or sweet almond oil is a smart choice. Apply the diluted oil to the nail two times every day to maximize the effect.
7. Clove Oil
Clove essential contains Eugenol, one of the most effective compounds in killing the fungus. Therefore, you can make use of that clove oil in cleansing toenail fungus and fostering the immune system which makes the toenail healing procedure become faster.
Besides, clove oil has been well-known as a lovely essential oil for toenail fungus as it traditionally has been used as a treatment for tons of fungal infections.
How to Use:
You should mix 4 – 8 drops of this oil with two drops of coconut or olive oil. Blend the ingredients well and use the mix straight over your toenails. Follow the procedure two-three times in a day for a better result. Besides, your meals should include organic powdered clove, or organic whole cloves to have a better nail and make your hair grow.
8. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains one of the medium-chain acids called Caprylic acid which can break through the Candida and other fungus structure and thus put an end to the infection. Coconut oil is the most popular essential oils for toenail fungus which you can extremely easily find in every cosmetic store.
How to Use:
Cover the toenail having fungi with a light layer and dip it into the water for minimum fifteen minutes, and you do not have to rinse.
A different way to use that essential oil is that you can use coconut oil as a delivery oil as suggested above. For instance, you should mix the coconut and tea tree oil; then you have a fantastic mixture oil that works useful for curing your toenail fungus.
9. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has the function of anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral so that it can eliminate most anything that is ailing you. Individually, peppermint oil brings us tons of benefits including comfortable feeling, inflammation reduction, as well as a stronger immune system reinforcement.
This essential oil for toenail fungus will also eliminate swelling and soothe pain, in the case of advanced or severe infections. You’ll find that especially true when using it as a home remedy for toenail fungus due to its menthol content, a primary constituent to the mint family.
How to Use:
Just apply 4-5 drops of the oil directly to your hurt toenails and magic will happen. The menthol in the peppermint oil will make use of its antioxidant and anti-fungal abilities.
10. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a potent essential oil for toenail fungus which is very easy to buy on the counter medications. Eucalyptus oil help sterilize and prevent the development of fungus and bacteria; attack and eradicate existed fungi and bacteria. Furthermore, Eucalyptus, like some other oils, fosters the immune system to abolish the fungus.
How to Use:
Eucalyptus oil is a very potent essential oil. For that reason, it is recommended that you add one or two drops of olive oil to it. This blended oil will not take any healing properties away, in fact, it will add a few to it.
All the things you have to do is soaking a cotton ball with this mixture, and applying it directly to your nail, getting around the nail as much as you can. This action will let the mixture get under the nail and be able to kill the fungus. Reapply this procedure two or three times a day for maximum results.
Tips That Help Essential Oils For Toenail Fungus To Work
[2] There are things that you can do to make treatment work not only better but faster.
- Clip your nail, or nails as low as possible so that when you choose to soak your foot or apply the oil directly to your nail, it can get under the nail and into the toenails easier. And thus, you can get rid of the fungus in a shorter time.
- If your infection has gotten so bad that your toenail has become very thick, you should use a metal nail file to take away a layer or two at a time. This will help the oil soak into your nail better. The best time to do this is after a bath or shower, as this is when the nail is the softest. Don’t take more than a layer off, or you could hurt your nail even more.
Toenail Fungus Prevention
To maximize the result of essential oils for toenail fungus, you should also pay attention to the prevention of toenail fungus. Here are some simple and easy ways to prevent toenail fungus:
- Keep your feet always clean by washing them with soapy water in order to eradicate or reduce the fungus.
- Wear clean and tidy socks
- If your feet are sweaty, you have to “say goodbye” to every tight shoe and remember to make sure that your boots contain enough air for your feet to breathe.
- Do not go barefoot on the beach or pool. Instead, flip-flops or sandals are not a bad option for you in that circumstance, etc.
- The cuticles can be damaged by doing nails that establishes a favorable environment for fungi to grow.
Word of Caution: Whereas the trying essential oils for toenail fungus is in love with numerous people; some users may, unfortunately, encounter with some potential side effects.
Conclusion
Firstly, they, particularly in people with sensitive skin, may be inflamed and irritated by some ingredients in oils. If after trying essential oils for toenail fungus, your toenails fungus problem cannot be improved, you should discuss other options for treatment with your doctor.
In short, we hope that some of these essential oils for toenail fungus will be your favorite choice. Nevertheless, we have to admit that you should not expect an instant cure and clear up the infection will take some time.
Toenail fungus is a stubborn infection, and it can take several months before it is cleared entirely and several more months before the discolored nail has grown out. And thus, keep using your essential oils for toenail fungus combining using tips to prevent nail fungus above for the maximum results.
We wish you have a healthy toenail soon!
Distribute those tips to anyone who concerns. If you find this piece of article useful, do not hesitate to hit LIKE and SHARE!