For most people, fungal infections of the toenails are unsightly and disturbing, but not painful or dangerous. Consequently, many are reluctant to invest in pricey prescription medicines to eliminate the fungus. Readers have experimented with a wide range of home remedies to address the problem, and some have had success with tea tree oil.
Toothpaste on Your Toes?
Q. I found the cure! My toenail was infected with fungus I hadn’t been able to shake.
I recently started applying a brand-name advanced whitening toothpaste, alternating with tea tree oil. It has been three months, and about three-fourths of the nail has now grown in healthy. The toothpaste was a bit harsh on the skin in the beginning, but it got better over time.
I applied the toothpaste daily to the entire nail, making sure to get in every little nook and underneath the nail. I scrubbed it with a brush in the shower, then applied the essential oil.
In the mornings, I applied the toothpaste before putting on my socks. Let’s see if anyone else has good results.
A. Thanks for sharing your regimen. To get rid of toenail fungus, you have to keep treating the nail until it has grown out completely free of fungus. That can take months.
We don’t know what is in your toothpaste, but many whitening toothpastes contain hydrogen peroxide, a known antifungal agent. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) also has antifungal activity (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Aug. 4, 2023). It seems that you have found a combination that works well together. We too would like to know if anyone else has positive results.
Tea Tree Oil Causes Rash:
Q. I heard that tea tree oil could eradicate toenail fungus. The problem was that after about a week, I developed a severe reaction that blistered like poison ivy. Does this plant oil have similar properties to poison ivy sap?
A. Although people frequently use oil from Melaleuca alternifolia to treat skin conditions, it can cause allergic contact dermatitis with an itchy rash. The reaction to poison ivy is also allergic contact dermatitis. Both mango and cashew fruit have some similarities to poison ivy and cause an itchy rash in susceptible people. So far as we can tell, however, people allergic to poison ivy are not super-sensitive to tea tree oil.
Treating Toenail Fungus at Home:
Q. I ignored my nail fungus for years but finally my wife started complaining about how gross the nails are. Last fall I started soaking my feet in a dilute vinegar solution for half an hour and then applying tea tree oil directly to the nails. It has taken several months, but the nails are nearly back to normal. Why is this essential oil so effective?
A. Tea tree oil comes from an Australian tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). It has been shown to have antifungal properties. Tea tree oil is active against the fungi that cause nail fungus (Mycopathologia, online, Feb. 8, 2013).
Some people report that this herbal oil is also effective against bacterial and viral infections. Some toenail infections are caused by these microbes.
Beyond Nail Fungus:
Dermatologists have found that a combination of tea tree oil and iodine can be useful against molluscum contagiosum, a common childhood rash caused by a virus (Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, March, 2012).
The oil derived from tea trees can cause a rash in some people, so it should be tested first. Anyone who would like to know more about home remedies for nail fungus may be interested in our Guide to Hair and Nail Care.
