Tea Tree Oil Nail Fungus

By: R. Drysdale
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:20:38
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

You may have read or heard about a tea tree oil nail fungus treatment and wondered if this is some kind of gimmick designed to part the unwary and the desperate from their hard earned money. These schemes abound today as much as in the past: tea tree oil however, deserves a hard second look.

First, tea tree oil, marketed as a natural remedy for toe nail fungus and other fungal infections, does not come from tea, but from an Australian tree called the tea tree, Melaleuca alternafolia. It contains a number of naturally occurring substances, but the one that is thought to be the most important is terpinen-4-ol. To extract it and produce a tea tree oil nail fungus remedy, leaves and stem of the tree are subjected to a steam extraction process. The resulting oil is either sold as a pure oil, or blended with other plant extracts.

The important point to understand is that good scientific research has been conducted on the medicinal properties of tea tree oil and is ongoing. Results indicate that this natural remedy for toe nail fungus really does seem to work: terpinen-4-ol has proven antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Additionally, tea tree oil nail fungus treatment appears to be able to penetrate the thick layers of an infected nail to reach and act on the fungus: lack of nail penetration has been a serious impediment to the development of topical treatments for fungal nail infections.

It seems that tea tree oil nail fungus remedy has everything to recommend it: it's available without a prescription and is relatively inexpensive compared to prescription medications for nail fungus; it's a topical treatment, so potential side effects of a systemic drug are not an issue; it's a genuinely natural remedy for toe nail fungus, and it appears to work. One note of caution is in order: tea tree oil has not been proven safe for ingestion, so only use it topically, and if you have sensitive skin, choose a product that is not pure tea tree oil (terpinen-4-ol, or some other component of the oil, can be irritating to skin).

Always consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis before embarking on a self-care program for any health problem.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Tea Tree Oil Nail Fungus, a blog dedicated to the treatment of fingernail and toenail fungus.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Health & Fitness category

  • Adult Dental Braces - 5 Facts to Know Before Choosing an Orthodontist - By: Shervin Erfani
    Adult dental braces are becoming more popular than ever. The right professional will help you achieve a successful treatment outcome and maintain your gorgeous new smile for a lifetime. To make the decision easier, here are 5 facts to know before choosing an orthodontist.
  • How to Choose an Orthodontist - 5 Simple Tips to Get the Top Orthodontics Treatment - By: Shervin Erfani
    Your smile is important. If you're uncomfortable or embarrassed about it, here are 5 simple tips on how to choose an orthodontist and get the top orthodontic treatment that fits your individual needs. The results will make you smile.
  • Braces for Adults? You're Not Too Old to Get Rid of Crooked Teeth - By: Shervin Erfani
    Why braces for adults? So you, too, can have a beautiful new smile. See how easy it is to find the right orthodontist when you read this article.
  • How to Avoid those Extra Pounds During the Holiday Season - By: Valerie Balandra
    With the year coming to an end and an onslaught of holidays on the horizon, those of us who are concerned for our waistlines are faced with a serious dilemma: how to enjoy the impending festivities and still fit into this year's jeans in the upcoming new year.
  • Pros and Cos of Dental implantation - By: ervin anderson
    Dental implant expertise in New Jersey has come an elongated way in the last few years, but now also it does not assurance that the treatment would be a success. On exceptional instance, the substance or erroneous placement roots the problem. Normally even if in the cases where it fails the most general causes of this modus operandi is either of the patient's health or lifestyle practices. On the whole, the failure rate only ranges stuck between 0 and 5% depending on the region of the mouth getting healing. Individuals can prevent themselves from these failures and provide themselves with the highest chance of successful treatment.
  • Foot Pain and High Heels: The Truth Behind the Heels - By: Fred Salomon
    We often hear women complaining about their aching feet after a long day of wearing high heels, but they keep on wearing these uncomfortable and painful shoes for the sake of beauty and fashion. Little do they know that they could be causing serious, long-term damage to their feet and lower body if they keep wearing this type of footwear on a daily basis.
  • Foot Pain: Common Conditions, Potential Causes, and Treatment - By: Fred Salomon
    In the U.S., almost 75% of people are afflicted by foot pain at some point of time in their lives. Ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear are held to be one of the main reasons for foot pain. High-heeled or pointed shoes can force your feet to develop unnatural shapes over a period of time.
  • Don't Be Moved to Tears: Organize and Minimize the Stresses of Moving. - By: Joe Cline
    So now you and your family have finally decided to move. With that crucial step behind you, you go on now to the actual moving and the stress starts building.
  • How do chiropractic doctors heal? - By: Ajay Shringi
    The second largest healing profession in the world, chiropractic healing is a form of holistic health care that works under the premise that the body has an inherent internal balance between structure and function. When this balance is toppled, which could be due to several reasons, 'dis-ease' sets in. According to this method of healing, the root of most diseases can be found in the interrelationships between the spinal column and the nervous system (the Master System of the body).
  • You Don't Have To be a Student of Martial Art to Learn How To Triple Your Flexibility in One Evening - By: Martin Day
    Martial Arts techniques are not just for helping you to defend yourself and for self protection. They are also a uniquely effective way for you get super fit and healthy so you can enjoy a long life.