How To Apply Tea Tree Oil To Nails The Right Way In 2023

There may be lots of oil out there in the market (both offline and online) that promise to work effectively on fungal infection but what We’ve found out over the last couple of years is that no oil has been able to beat  Tea Tree Essential Oil when it comes to treating fungal infection.

Tea tree oil might have been around for quite some time now, but not too many people know how to apply it to their nails, and to think that it can do more than just take care of nail fungus is just amazing.

So if you are among those who don’t know how to apply tea tree oil to nails? Worry not as this article contains all you need.

In this article, you can learn all about tea tree oil and a step-by-step approach to how you can successfully apply tea tree oil to your nails.

What’s In Tea Tree Oil?

If you’re a beauty freak like my girlfriend, then you must have read or learned about the benefits loaded in tea tree oil and how it has helped many people solve various problems.

Well, that’s by the wayside. Knowing its usefulness without getting to know what it is made up of is like trying to move a car with no engine.

 

The oil from the melaleuca tree is made up of five essential elements or chemicals of which Terpinen4-ol happens to be the most essential for skin.

That is to say in every drop of tea tree oil; they’re five active chemicals in it. They are Cineole, Pinene, Terpinen4-ol, Cymene, and Terpinene.

Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil

Below are just a few of what it does and how you can maximize its usefulness.

1. To treat yeast infection

Over the years, research has shown that the oil from tea trees is beneficial in destroying yeast cells.

What you’ll need

1. Tea tree oil (5 drops)
2. Water (distilled)
3. Lavender oil (4-5 drops)

Here’s how to use tea tree oil to treat yeast infection

1. Mix the first two oil (tea tree and lavender oil ) then top it up with a few drops of distilled water.
2. With the help of cotton wool, coat the yarn with the mixture and then apply it to the affected spot.

2. To treat chickenpox

Chickenpox, being a viral disease can be very painful and troublesome. To think of it that it causes itch and leaves the bearer with a blister-like rash is heart wrecking.

Here’s how to use tea tree oil to treat chickenpox 

1. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to one (1) tablespoon full of olive oil.2. Using a cotton swab, apply the mixture 2-3 times in a day.

3. Use to treat athlete’s foot

Research has shown that they are 1.5 million people suffering from athlete’s foot per year in Nigeria. ( that’s huge if you ask me)

An athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that is spread quickly and begins predominantly between the toes.

Here’s how to use tea tree oil to treat athlete’s foot

1. Add a few drops of Melaleuca Oil to 1 tablespoon full of witch hazel
2. Apply the mixture using cotton wool on the affected area 3 times a day. ( morning, afternoon, evening)

Pro Tips: If you’re suffering from any skin inflammation after applying the oil, please discontinue it to prevent further damage.

4. To treat toenail fungus

Research has shown that concentrated pure tea tree oil is an effective treatment for toenail fungus. If applied for at least 3 months, it can permanently cure the worst toenail fungus you can ever think of.

Here’s how to use tea tree oil for toenail fungus

1. Apply 1-2 drops of pure tea tree oil to the affected toe twice a day (preferably in the morning and evening ). That’s how to apply tea tree oil to toenail fungus

Pro Tips:

Be careful while using it so that it doesn’t touch your skin. The concentrated form of oil can cause skin irritation.

5. As a quick remedy to soothe sore

Aside from its antifungal properties, tea tree oil also contain antiseptic properties capable of healing sores.

Here’s how to use tea tree oil to soothe sore

1. Drop one drop of the essential oil on the sore either with a dropper or with wet cotton wool once a day for like 2-3 days.

Pro Tips: Please avoid dropping this oil in sensitive areas like your mouth or eyes.

6. It can also be used to treat hemorrhoids successfully

Now that you know some of the benefits of the wonder tree let’s proceed with some actionable ways how we can apply tea tree oil to our nails.

What Are The Side Effects Of Using Tea Tree Oil?

As there is nothing on planet earth without side effects, the same goes for this oil. The side effect of tea tree oil includes itching, redness, irritation, burns, etc.

How To Apply Tea Tree Oil To Nails: Step By Step Guide

1. The Direct Approach

Drop a reasonable amount of the oil directly into the affected nails either with a dropper or with a ball of cotton wool. Be sure the oil is adequately squeezed out if you’re using wool by applying force until all the oil is on the affected nails.

2. The Scrubbing Approach

This method involves scrubbing the surface of the affected nail with a toothbrush. The reason for this is to ensure that all the oil is evenly distributed all over the affected nails.

3. The Soak Approach

This method involves dropping 5 drops of the oil alongside water to form a solution. After which you can soak your nails in the solution for about 10- 15 minutes. It is better to do this as often as possible for maximum results.

When adopting any of the above methods, be sure the oil dries out naturally. More also, it is always advisable to repeat any of the steps mentioned above twice a day (preferably morning and evening).

How To Apply Tea Tree Oil To Fungal Nail

To apply tea tree oil to fungal nails, the first step applying the oil is to ensure that the affected area (nails) is well prepared, followed by administering the oil. So how do novices like you go about the preparation? Here’s a quick guide that is sure to walk you through.

1. Taking off all dead nails around using a nail clipper. While at it, be careful so that you don’t add to the problem already on the ground. More also, trimming should be done in a well-lighted environment so that you can see through the whole cleaning process.
2. After successfully getting them cut, you can further the healing process by using a filer that has a coarse texture to file away the affected nail. By doing this, you’re allowing the oil to have a more significant effect on the nails. Remember the fungus is somewhat in between your nails and the nail bed.
3. Now that you’ve filed them out, it’s now time to take that dirt away.

You can do this by washing your nails with mild soap alongside water after which the oil can be administered. Do this each time you want to apply the oil on your nails if you’re keen on seeing results within a few months.

How Do You Use Tea Tree Oil For Other Fungal Infections?

It’s quite simple to use tea tree oil to treat fungal infections. First, you start by preparing the affected area by taking off dead skin. Secondly, buff your nails a little bit so that the oil can sink through after which you can then apply. Before you proceed with the application, make sure to dilute the oil with a carrier oil as applying it directly to your skin may cause irritation.

How To Prevent Toenail Fungus From Reoccurring

Here are some quick and actionable ways to prevent fungus infection.

1. Personal hygiene: A lot of people are in serious trouble today because of their carelessness towards their health. To remedy this, practice good hygiene, and only wear clean socks, and they should be of good quality.
2. Keep nails short and clean
3. Wear fitted shoes, a shoe that is too tight creates an enabling environment for fungi to multiply.
4. Keep hands and toe clean and free from moisture.

How Long Does It Take For A Toenail Fungus To Go Away?

Well, I can't say how much time it will take for a toenail fungus to heal, and that is because it depends on how severe the fungus is. Some nail fungi may not take time to heal while others may take 2-4 months to heal completely. But in all, consistency matters.

Can Tea Tree Oil Harm Eyes?

No matter the juicy benefits that are loaded in this oil, it should never be ingested or used on sensitive parts of the human body such as the eyes, mouth, ears, etc. Ingesting this oil may lead to multiple complications and may even result in Coma.

Does Tea Tree Oil Actually Work?

Yes. In fact, TTO is loaded with excellent properties such as antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic, etc. that are effective enough to treat yeast infections, athlete's foot, chickenpox, soothe sore, acne, etc.

Is It Safe To Use Tea Tree Oil Every Day?

Well, it depends on what you are using it for. If it's for toenail fungus, then applying it twice daily on your toe isn't a bad idea.

Conclusion

If you’ve read up to this point, you must have noticed that all the steps on how to apply tea tree oil to nails are quite easy to follow.

Sometimes even after following all the steps outlined above, the nail fungus might still spring up again. And when this happens, it is recommended to look back at what you’ve been doing wrong. Have you been keeping good hygiene? Do you wear dirty socks? Are your shoes tight?

Those are some of the few questions you should be asking yourself. If you’re free from the above, then it’s likely that you missed one or two of the steps. If that is the case, You should go over it again and again until you get it right.