Essential Oils For Toenail Fungus: Aromatherapist Approved

This is a complete guide to using essential oils for toenail fungus approved by aromatherapist. You will find here simple natural remedies using essential oils for treating toenail fungus and discover some of the best antifungal essential oils. Some of the important questions that I will answer for you here are:

• What is toenail fungus?
• Why use essential oils for toenail fungus?
• What are some effective essential oils for treating toenail fungus?
• Which are the best carrier oils for nail fungus?
• Essential oil recipes for toenail fungus

So without further wait, let's get to it. 

Why use essential oils for toenail fungus? 

Trichophytun Rubrum is a fungus commonly known to cause fungal infections in the toenails. Like fungi, this one can be found in warm, moist and dark areas such as swimming pools, humid living spaces like your bathroom or even your locker rooms.

While toenail fungus isn’t a particularly dangerous infection, it does discolor your toenails, cause cracks and in severe cases even separate it from your nail bed. They are known to be painful in severe conditions. 

You can easily find OTC medications available for it. But they are known to have side-effects and do take a long time to heal. Recuperation periods are known to stretch for weeks, months even.

If you’re going to medicate for an infection for so long, you might as well spring for a natural alternative that isn’t going to have as many side effects to begin with. This is where essential oils step in.

Many essential oils are prided on their anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. So it only makes sense that you use them as an alternative cure for toenail fungus.

Goes without saying you’ll have to test them out and check with your physician if it’s okay for you to do so. But you’d have to do that for OTC medication anyway so might as well give them a try.

Early treatment and it’s importance for toenail fungus

Like every other ailment, it’s vital you cure fungal toenail infection as early as possible, lest it festers long enough to cause long term damage. A toenail that’s removed due to fungal infection cannot be grown back. This would mean permanent cosmetic and functional damage to your feet.

Understanding Toenail Fungus

Causes and risk factors

More often than not, having an existing health problem puts you at risk of contracting toenail infection as well. Some of the most common conditions are:

• Foot fungus (ringworm, athlete’s foot)
• Diabetes
• Weak immune-systems caused by HIV, cancer
• Nail injuries or infections in neighbouring nails
• Psoriasis

Other than an interlinked medical history, even lifestyle choices can lead to nail infections.

Smoking, having moist hands/feet daily, wearing tight-fitted footwear and having sweaty feet are a common scenarios allowing for fungi to prosper.

Common types of toenail fungus infections

Distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO), is the most commonly occurring infection and is caused by the same fungi that causes athlete’s foot. It affects your toenail bed, causing the nail to look yellow and brittle.

It even makes it prone to cracking, and in severe cases may even lead to the nail separating from its bed.

White superficial onychomycosis (WSO) is another common condition. There is less severe infection but it causes white spots to appear over the entire surface of the nail.

Complications

Apart from your toenails not being too pleasing to the eye, their are a few other complications you can risk if nail infections are left untreated for too long.

Commonly arising complications are fungal infections spreading from the nails to the surrounding skin, to severe conditions like the nail separating from the bed (new nails can’t be grown), to even cellulitis (a bacterial infection).

While it may not be a fatal infection, it can get very annoying if left untreated. So it’s best to cure it at the earliest.

Best Essential Oils For Toenail Fungus

I have put together a list of effective and best essential oil for toenail fungus so that you can live your life fungus free. These are simple oils that you can easily find anywhere. 

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Popular for it’s antifungal and antimicrobial properties, Tea tree essential oil is a great choice to combat fungal infections.

It contains terpinen-4-ol, a major source of its antifungal properties. This compound helps not only weaken the cell membranes of fungus, but also inhibits further fungal growth.

It even helps prevent the formation of biofilms, a complex community of microorganisms which are notorious for being resistant to treatments as well.

Tea Tree oil’s anti-inflammatory properties also ensure reduction of swelling and pain arising due to the infections too.

Instructions for using Tea Tree oil on nail fungus

• Mix 2-3 drops of Tea Tree essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil (coconut, almond, jojoba oils).
• Once mixed, soak up the mix in a cotton ball or with a cotton swab.
• On a freshly cleaned toenail, apply the cotton on the infected nail as well as the areas surrounding it. Once applied do massage it gently.
• The oil mix should be applied once in the morning and once before bed to ensure best results.

Watch this video: How to Prevent Toenail Fungus with Tea Tree Oil [Tea tree essential oil for toenail fungus] (02 min 16 secs)

Oregano Essential Oil

Your favourite pizza condiment is a herb that’s found great usage outside of the kitchen too. Shocking, isn’t it?

But Oregano is a powerhouse essential oil when it comes to warding off infections. Carvacrol is the hero compound giving the oil it’s strength. 

Not only does it disrupt cell membranes and eventually destroy fungi, Oregano oil is an all rounder capable of curing many other skin and nail diseases as well.

It’s inherent strength means it can also be harsh on the skin, so proper dilution is strictly recommended as usual.

How to use oregano essential oil on nail fungus

• Mix 2-3 drops with a teaspoon of carrier oils. 
• Once mixed, soak up the mix in a cotton ball or with a cotton swab.
• On a freshly cleaned toenail, apply the cotton on the infected nail as well as the areas surrounding it. Once applied do massage it gently.
• The oil mix should be applied once in the morning and once before bed to ensure best results.

Clove Essential Oil

Eugenia Caryophyllata, or Clove essential oil, is a popular household oil, and for good reason. It’s found great use as an ingredient and as a natural remedy. 

Eugenol, the star compound of the oil, has known to show great antifungal properties, making it a great choice to combat fungal infections for the nails. 

It also has great anti-inflammatory properties which helps you ease the swelling and pain that may come with an infection.

Steps to use anti-fungal clove oil for nail fungus

• Mix 2-3 drops with a teaspoon of carrier oils. 
• Once mixed, soak up the mix in a cotton ball or with a cotton swab.
• On a freshly cleaned toenail, apply the cotton on the infected nail as well as the areas surrounding it. Once applied do massage it gently.
• The oil mix should be applied once in the morning and once before bed to ensure best results.

Best carrier oils for toenail fungus

While the essential oils may be the hero in this antifungal story, you do have to remember the sidekicks are just as important. Sometimes you like them more than the protagonist itself!

Carrier oils primarily dilute the essential oil, making it safe and pleasant for application on your skin. However, if you do it right you can also use it to enhance the effects of your essential oil and get a few added benefits.

Here’s a list of some of my favorite carrier oils and how can they help you:

• Coconut oil: already a popular choice for scalp and skin application. Makes for a great choice for antifungal usage which does involve topical application.
• Jojoba oil: With a composition similar to your body’s natural oils, it could be one of the most compatible choices to use as a carrier oil.
• Sunflower oil: The flower’s oil has great anti-inflammatory properties with its high concentration of vitamin E. Great property to go with your fungal treatments.
• Argan oil: Known for being a great moisturiser and nourishing for your skin, Argan oil could help you improve the appearance of your skin and nails while being a carrier for the oils that cure it too!

Antifungal Nail Soaks Recipe With Essential Oils

While I’ve explained how you can use essential oils to cure your fungal infections, there is a more fun and therapeutic method to do so. It does require a higher degree of preparation. If you’re interested to invest the effort needed, read on to find out how:

What you’ll need

• A tub, some epsom salt (optional, but recommended)
• essential oil (tea tree, clove or oregano)
• carrier oil (jojoba, coconut or argan)
• some warm water (enough to soak your hands/feet in)

Steps

1. Fill the tub with warm water, and mix some epsom salt in it. The salt softens your skin, making it more receptive to treatment and is hence highly recommended.
2. Mix 2-3 drops of your essential oil in a teaspoon of your carrier oil. Adjust the volume on the basis of your skin’s sensitivity. 
3. Ensure the oils are properly mixed in. Once done, soak your hands or feet for roughly 20 minutes and let the soak work its magic.
4. Once done, gently pat your nails with a towel to dry. Do not rub so as to trigger skin irritation.
5. Optionally, you can apply an additional coat of the essential oil mix after drying for maximum efficacy as well.

Conclusion for essential oils for toenail fungus

Essential oils are a great natural alternative for treating fungal infections on account of their antifungal properties. As usual, you have to make sure you consult your doctor if it’s safe for you to actively use them, make sure you dilute them properly before topical application and perform patch tests to check compatibility. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What essential oils are best for nail fungus?

Tea Tree, Lavender, Clove, Oregano, Lemongrass and Thyme are some of the best essential oils for nail fungus.

Which essential oil is the strongest antifungal?

Oregano essential oil’s high concentration of carvacrol has dubbed it the strongest antifungal.

What is the best natural oil for toenail fungus?

On an overall basis, Tea Tree oil would be the best choice for treating toenail fungus.

How to dilute oregano oil for toenail fungus?

To start with, take 1-2 drops of oregano oil and mix it with a teaspoon of carrier oils such as coconut or jojoba. Mix the two in a cup thoroughly to ensure proper mixing.

How long does tea tree oil take to work on toenail fungus?

While it depends on several factors such as the severity of the infection, your body’s response to the treatment etc, the average time could span between a few weeks to a few months as well.

How to use eucalyptus oil for nail fungus?

Like most essential oils, Eucalyptus can be used in the following manner:

• Mix 2-3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oils. 
• Once mixed, soak up the mix in a cotton ball or with a cotton swab.
• On a freshly cleaned toenail, apply the cotton on the infected nail as well as the areas surrounding it. Once applied do massage it gently.
• The oil mix should be applied once in the morning and once before bed to ensure best results.