Home : Health : Remedies : Toenail Fungus : Tea tree oil

(44) comments about this tip

Toenail Fungus Success with Tea tree oil

Submitted by Nora

I have had great success with tea tree oil. My nails had been affected with toenail fungus for decades and were so thickened and curled at the top that walking was painful.

I have been using tea tree oil for a few months now and my nails are already much thinner and softer, no longer curl and are pink. I use a pummice stick to gently thin the nail from time to time before applying. Be gentle, you don't want to go through the nail, just make it easy for the oil to penetrate the nail as much as possible. The dead fungus or debris turn dark so, when you file the nail too thin, the top usually, it will turn dark and brittle. Apply the oil three times a day and go barefoot as much as possible.

I agree with others here: clean socks, vinegar baths, keeping all dead skin exfoliated all help. When you add tea tree oil, it works.

My nails look and feel nearly totally normal and I know they will soon be beautiful! I'm so happy.

Visitors comments

I am pleased Comments By: TipKing I am so pleased that you have had this success. Thank you for letting everyone know.   After 2 weeks, fungus looks better Comments By: Sue I have been using tea tree oil on my toe nails for only two weeks. I can see a difference already! I'd tried Sporanox and Lamisil without success. One of my nails was curled, too, and looked like a claw! After two weeks, I can see the blackish debris on one. With the "claw," my nail bed was curled up underneath, too, and I couldn't cut it very easily. Now you can't see the flesh underneath at all. So, I feel it is working. Be sure to get 36% 4-0l and in the amber bottle as it is light sensitive. I really hope it works for me, too.   Not SAFE or EFFECTIVE Comments By: No Voodo Medicine Please I read about tea tree oil for treating toenail fungus. I decided to try it instead of Lamisil. I applied the 100% pure tea tree oil twice a day on my toenails for 120 days. This treatment did NOT work at all. My problem is just as bad as before. Furthermore I develloped a skin reaction to the oil. This treatment is NOT SAFE or EFFECTIVE. There is a reason that tea tree oil has not been widely recommended for the treatment of toenail fungus. It has NOT been proven safe or effective. I can attest that is is NOT safe or effective. I wish I had started a Lamisil treatment 120 days ago because I would be cured by now.   Who would keep applying something that... Comments By: Peter As regards to the comment about tea tree giving them a rash, why did you keep applying it for 120 days?? This sounds like a commercial for Lamisil! Get the facts - www.toenailfungus.org (non-commercial). I have also used a product with tea tree in it, and it is working to get rid of my toenail fungus. It's taken about 2 months, but the new nail growing in is normal and clear. I checked with my doctor, and he said to stay away from the ingested products. Natural cures, such as tea tree oil, do work for treating toenail fungus. Each person has to find what works for him or her. Don't keep trying something if it gives you a rash!!!   Tea tree oil has been used for years! Comments By: Sharon To the person promoting Lamisil, if it worked for you great, but to say bad things about tea tree oil is ridiculous since its been a natural remedy for eons. Its in my OTC creme I'm using now, Tine-something. Its also found in general foot scrubs and lotions. My pod also told me that ingested drugs have bad side effects, like liver issues. So thats why I'm trying the creme first. My nail is taking forever to grow so hard to say if its working but the small portion at the cuticle does seem thinner.   TTO worked for me! Comments By: Fungus Free I had a severe reaction to Lamisil, then used Penlac for a year -- no progress. I then found a 'cure' online and figured I had nothing to lose. First, put a 50-50 solution of hydrogen peroxide/white vinegar on your toe. Follow up by soaking the toe for 30 seconds in a solution of 1/4 bleach, 3/4 water. Rinse with clear water. Apply Tea Tree Oil, rub it in with a little Vaseline and cover with a band-aid. I did this for TWO days and the fungus is gone! The nail and toe are pink and healthy. Hopefully it will work for other people -- it sure worked for me!   After all these years it is going at last. Comments By: Jackie I have had toe nail fungus since 2002.I had an injury on my toe nail which left me with the infection. I went to see gp who gave me tablets and referred me to a foot specialist. I had to have most of my toe nail cut out. I went abroad for the summer so a friend of mine gave the idea of sticking a false thumb nail on my toe. It looked great and stayed on for four wks. After I removed it the nail was growing back.It still had infection and never bedded its self down,it always looked brown and had a bad smell to it. Over the years I went back to gp and got 2 lots of tablets.She said it would take years for it to look better. I waited and waited and waited!*? I went in to hospital 6 wks ago for an operation. After that I went to spend a week with my parents for a rest.One day I asked to my Dad to put my socks on. Bad mistake.He was digusted with my nail. I came home and did some research on the internet. Tea tree oil brushed on my toe nail twice a day with a toothbrush is working a treat. I am so happy.Sounds sad but I cannot wait for the day that I can wear my flip flops without having to wear dark nail polish. I will keep you up-dated   Try it you'll like it Comments By: Cheryl Both of my big toes had fungus under the nails for about 7 years due to inury and had recently began to really hurt when I wore closed-toe shoes. My nails were becoming thick and were turning upward of all things. I even began limping because of it. Penlac was first prescribed by my physician who was skeptical about giving me Lamisil or Sporanox because of the liver issues. After a couple of months of painting and trimming I thought I had made headway with both of my big toes, but it did not clear up the fungus. I researched various treatments and decided that anything was worth a try since my pharamacist said the Sporanox would cost about $600.00 and my insurance would not cover it. This is what I did: I filed my nails down to the quick on both toes and soaked them twice a day in Listerine Mouth Wash, then after I dried my feet I applied the Tea Tree Oil on top of the nail bed. Occasionally I would rub in some Vicks Vapo Rub and sometimes I would even paint on some Penlac. I left no stone unturned and as you can see I was very determined to defeat this fungus. I think I became obsessed with my toes. After a few months when my nails became visible I was very encouraged. The white spots had disappeared thank goodness. I am still working on some yellowing at the very tip end of the nail, which is probably due to the last part of that keratin junk working out. I have never read of anybody having a bad reaction to Tea Tree Oil but since the active ingredient in it is similar to Turpentine I guess it is possible. I always thought the Menthol was what was thought to be the cure. Oh well, it's taken me about 6 months to get this far but I'm happy and my toes are happy and that is what counts.   Starting to work! Comments By: Marianne I've had this bad nail for years, and im in physical therapy school now, so we have to work with each other's feet alot. I would always cover it up with nail polish..So finally when I take all this nail polish off, I find that it's spread to the other nails! I was smothering it so it grew even faster and looks worse now. I've been trying the 50/50 mix of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, then vicks at night. It's been 3 days and already I am seeing a difference. I am buying some tea tree oil tomorrow so I can use everything at once, and I am just praying that this works. From what I have read from this site and others, I think the TTO in conbination with everything else is going to work! Also, my brother is a doctor, and he says vicks works, though not with everyone. My sister also got a nail cleared up with vicks a few years ago. I'll update you!   watch out for allergic reaction Comments By: bill After using tea tree oil for a month, my feet started to develop a rash and blister, and broke out on other parts of my body. I developed water blisters which leaked through my shoes! I went to emergency fearing I had developed a foot infection. If you ever begin to develop a rash, stop using tea tree oil! I am still suffering the side effects several weeks after using it!   Did not work Comments By: Anon After trying Penlac (didnt work), and reading the positive comments about Tea Tree oil, I tried 100% Tea Tree oil. I religously applied it morning and night and filed the nails down. I had no skin reaction. But, after 3 months, there was no improvement. I am a MD, and I did this study very carefully out of scientific curiosity. Perhaps different strains of fungus have different sensitivity to the oil. Perhaps some of the postive postings are coming from individuals with ties to natural health care products.   Tea Tree oil worked for me Comments By: Merm I've had a fungus under my nail for longer than I can remember. Then it went to another nail and was getting so bad that half the nail had lifted away from the nail bed. A friend of mine told me that the only thing that works is a prescription medicine that she used and made her so sick that she could only take it for a short time. She also said this medicine was bad on the liver. I was sure I didn't want to take that medicine, but didn't know what else to do. I kept nail polish on those nails and hoped the fungus wouldn't completely take over. Then I read about tea tree oil. So, I bought some. I bought the straight oil, and I also bought a cream that was a mix of the oil and some other oils with Vitamin E also. I wanted to be sure the oil would work so I cut away as much as possible the part of the nail that had lifted away from the toe bed. Then every night, I would scrub the toe to get rid of any dead skin and debris. I would rub the tea tree oil into the affected area. And I would follow with the tea tree oil cream mixture for the skin around the toe, because I did notice that the straight tea tree oil caused a little bit of irritation. I have been doing this for about a month now. My nail is growing back and it's perfect. No more gross fungus! I can't believe that the best the pharmaceutical companies could do for this was a harmful drug that you had to swallow and risk hurting your liver, when all one needs is a natural oil applied right to the affected spot. So many people here are attesting to this natural, GENERIC product because IT WORKS!   tea tree oil Comments By: Ana I have nail fungus for about 1,5 year ... realized it about one year ago. Now I have tried tea tree oil for 3 months. 3 or more times per day, trying to wear flip flops as much as possible. Washing socks and towels on 90 degrees. Spraying shoes with antifungal spray. No change! My fungus even got worse. Now I removed most of the nail which was easy as it just droll off when I touch it with a nail file and started to use Mycoster I think its the same like Penlac ... just different name. Has anybody had a success with this product? I am desperate cause I hate my feet at this moment.   Allergy to Tea Tree Comments By: Lisa I love Tea Tree. It works for numerous different things BUT FOR SOME......Tea Tree oil may cause these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it. Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest . Chest pain . Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin. Follow this link to learn more http://www.drug3k.com/drug/Tea_Tree_Oil-51587.htm   2 1/2 decades of dead nail Comments By: jenny I have this dead toenail for almost 2 1/2 deacades and im so imbarass to wear slippers during summer.Mine was very diffrnt from the rest,its very thin on the roots and thick at the tip and it doesnt look like nail at all. any suggestion pls email me loveremains2000@yahoo.com   Trying TTO and Lotramin Ultra Comments By: Anon There's a study online, where they took about 80 people and had half of them treat with TTO, and half with TTO and Lotramin Ultra. About 80% of the combo were cured, while none of the TTO alone worked and it's known that Lotramin Ultra alone has a dismal sucess rate. So if TTO alone doesn't work for you, and you don't have a reaction to it, try adding Lotramin Ultra to the mix. I've been trying less than a week, and my nails don't get pink and pretty quite that quickly, so I'll have to check back when I have more time to figure out what's going on. http://www.iloft.com/Tea-Tree-Oil-Plus-Fungicide-Beats-Nail-Fungus-a-5441.html Link to the study, for the curious.   Lamisil can damage your liver Comments By: Jean I read the comment about tea tree oil not being safe and how someone wished they had tried lamisil. I did take lamisil and my liver was affected. At least the tea oil is a natural thing to try first. Then if it doesn't work, try your meds but be careful.   toe nail fungas Comments By: Tina Ober I took lamisil for about 6 weeks to just recently discover that I have now lost my taste buds from this horrible drug! Literally everything tastes bitter a like im eating cardboard. It has been almost a week since I have been off of Lamisil and not to mention my toenail still looking the same, my quality of life (my taste buds) have not returned. I am now resorting to the all natural way out of tea tree oil. Not sure if its going to work, but im going to put it to the test and from now on stay away from the horrible side effects of Lamisil, which everyone swears by. They can have it.   WARNING: Bleach and Hydrogen Peroxide (H202) Comments By: Jules Somebody mentioned the following treatment, which I also tried: Soak in 50/50 vinegar/H2O2, follow with soak in 1/4 bleach/water, apply tea tree oil with vaseline and cover with bandaid. I'm glad they had success. But, H2O2 + bleach = decomposing reaction. In short, H2O2 is intrinsically unstable and bleach catalyzes its decomposition, so what you get is a very fast formation of oxygen and water, which is a kind of chemical 'boiling'. If only I'd known this sooner... I soaked by feet in vinegar/H2O2 for 30 minutes and followed with the diluted bleach. I did not rinse my feet between these two steps. So what happened was, the H2O2 impregnated my skin a couple layers, and then the bleach reacted with it, and this 'chemical boiling' occured a couple layers beneath the surface of my skin and gave me a chemical burn. I have scabs but hopefully not scars. So BEWARE. If I try using bleach again, it will be just drops on the nail itself. Further, I substituted the tea tree oil + vaseline with Vic's, and this procedure did not work for me. Before trying that I was using Vic's every day and night, with little success (it may have slowed the spread, but didn't solve anything). I'm now convinced that Vic's keeps the nailbed far too moist and promotes fungal growth but, clearly, there are too many positive testimonials to disregard it entirely. Good luck!   Unbelievable! Comments By: Anon I have had toenail fungus for years, and there are a few toes that are worse than others. For about a week now, I've been trying the vinegar & vicks, and I've noticed a slight difference. Then I used some tea tree oil mixed with other oils (vitamin e, etc) and I can not believe it. I put some on yesterday, and some this morning, and one toenail that had I swear had what looked like two racing stripes going down it has completely cleared. I'm the biggest skeptic in the world, so I am in complete disbelief. I keep looking at my toe! I will continue to use it, and I'm hoping that it will clear up the rest of my nails.   Tea tree oil is not "voodoo" Comments By: Hopeful Tea tree oil is a proven anti-fungal agent. Most "modern" drugs have been derived from natural sources. The Native Americans ingested a certain type of tree bark, which has evolved into what is now called aspirin. I'm sure if "No Voodoo Medicine" was told to eat tree bark, they would think it was kooky, but that's where many medicines came from, natural sources. We've just found ways to distill them and put them into pill form. I used Tea Tree Oil for a fungal skin infection and it was the ONLY thing that cured it. I then wondered if it would help my toenails, which have been bad for many years. I am excited to try this. Not everyone has a bad reaction to Tea Tree Oil so if you do, by all means stop using it, but don't say it's bad for everyone just because you had a bad experience.   Prescription drugs for 12 months....no change Comments By: Eva I have been taking anti fungal drugs for 12 months and cannot get rid of my nail infection....the nail has actually dropped off and regrown with the infection again! I have just started trying tea tree oil...it really feels like it is doing something - I get a buring sensation and I feel confident that it will work, so watch this space. Great to read so many success stories on line.   My approach Comments By: Chris Lately I have been using a few things. As I speak my toe is soaking in Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide 50/50 (15 minutes daily). I started applying Tea Tree Oil on the nail with a band aid over it. I did the same thing with Taheebo and a band aid. Before I applied anything I trimmed the nail back as far as I could. Orally, I am taking something called Acidophilus. It's good against fungus. I am seeing more color to my nail. When I shower I lightly take a brush over it to clean it and exfoliate whatever is dead or loose. So, Taheebo, White or Apple Cider Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil, Acidophilus. Seems to be working thus far.   Tea Tree Oil for toenail fungas Comments By: Anon During a routine appointment I asked my internist if she could recommend anything for toenail fungas and she suggested that I "could try" Tea Tree Oil -- I didn't get the impression she was convinced -- and didn't try it or anything else. Then about 2 weeks ago a chair that someone was helping me move accidentally landed on my toe (only momentary pain) and it caused the big toenail with the fungus to detach -- like a hinged lid. Because I could now get to most of the skin under the nail, I stated using tea tree oil and it does seem to help. Already,the nail is not as thick and that alone is a major improvement. I use a cotton swab to apply the tea tree oil to the area around the top of the nail and lift the nail and pour a small amount underneath. It's only been 2 weeks but I'm feeling very positive about the results so far.   Tea Tree Oil / Vinegar / Listerine Comments By: Anon This sounds crazy, but I used a small paint brush to treat my toenail fungus infected nail. I applied Listerine in the morning, vinegar (18%) in the afternoon, and tea tree oil before bed. In about 2-3 months, I noticed a big improvement, but after that I made a big mistake by stopping the treatment, as I thought the rest would clear up. It returned in about a month. After that, I began again and continued until the entire nail was free of sign of the fungus and an extra month to be sure. It worked like a charm. This solution is inexpensive, but does require a fair amount of dedication. It is very important to continue the treatment for an entire month to ensure that you have killed all of the fungus. I also tried to expose my feet to the air and sunlight as much as possible.   Be patient Comments By: Anon My big toenail was badly infected with fungus and the side of it was painful when any pressure was put on it. I didn't like the idea of taking antibiotics for a year, as I was told would be the only way to get rid of the onfection, so decided to try applying TTO and rubbing it in with Vaseline as another contributor suggested. The fungus stopped spreading immediately but for nearly a year the existing infection seemed to remain the same. I continued applying the TTO intermittently but eventually realised that a new healthy nail was growing underneath. The old nail is still partly attached as it isn't totally infected but I can see that soon it will detach itself. So my advice would be that if you are not suffering any adverse reaction, be patient, as it may take a long time to see results.   Tea Tree Oil cured my toenail fungus in 8 months! Comments By: George I had a severe fungus infection of both big toes, and I am an athletic sort of guy who used to run daily and walk a lot. The nail was probably infected in locker rooms and perhaps showers. Wearing gym socks and keeping them on after a workout is probably not a good idea. But I started applying tea tree oil on the affected toes (the big toe and the next three, as well as the baby toe. Within only 3 months, all other toes were cured. I had to make sure to clip away the old toenail as the clear, pink new nails grew out. They are still normal as I write this. The big toe is the hardest. I had to clip it down and expose the affected areas by filing the surface of the nail, and digging out as much of the soft fungus affected nailbed as possible while showering. After showring, I applied 100% pure Tea Tree Oil on all the nails with a Q-Tip, and within 9 months, my left big toe is 100% cured. The right nail has been cured as well, but I can still see thr last of the fungus nail at the end of the nail as it grows out. After I have clipped that away, my toes will be as clear as they were 20 years ago!   tea tree oil allergy Comments By: Yvonne Ioannou I have been using tea tree oil for around two month. I cant tell yet if it is actually working as a new nail takes about 12 months to grow. I started with dermatitis on my hands and on my neck and now realize it is the tea tree oil that has caused it. I read on the net that is harmfull and I agree. I have never had a allergies before.   Fungus + Nail Polish and Tea Tree oil Comments By: ZEN Ive had onychomycosis (nail fungus) for as long as I can remeber, my dad has the same issue, ive tried topical treatments in the past and had no luck, due to my young age and lack of consistiency of application YOU must Apply Every Day People, Dont complain about not seeing results if your not Committing, toenail fungus it a curse which take literally a battle to overcome and prevent. Now that I'm 18 its starting to effect me more social (i.e. Swimming, beach, embarassment) so I recently started painting my toenails for about 1-2 months, I started to notice a non affected nail beginning to become infected, i dont know if this is due to the nail polish but i forwarn people due to my expirences, throughout my years with nail fungues nails have cleared up on thier own and discouragingly came back, I am now trying tea tree oil as highly recommended by everyone on this form and by my physician, Goodluck to everyone on here, and wish me luck This truly is a difficult to treat and embarassing problem.   Nail Polish + Toe Nail Fungus Comments By: ZEN Ok, i previously left a comment about my expirence with covering my affected nails with toenail polish to hide the blemishes, with a forwarning about an unaffected nail becoming infected, Along with reading some information from www.toenailfungus.org i quote "Wearing nail polish is considered to be not a good idea as the polish may encourage fungal growth. The fungus is sealed beneath the toe nails in a dark, moist, warm environment that it loves to grow in. We have heard of a report that a woman couldn't get cured until after she removed her polish." Sorry everyone, i know it is not very encouraging and some may be mad as this is the only way to cover up this embarassing ailment, but it can be causing the problem everyone wants so badly to get rid of, EDUCATE YOURSELF, BE CONSISTENT AND DONT GIVE UP, Best of luck!   Tea Tree Oil, Olive Oil and a Tad of Bleach Comments By: Catahoula I take a small bottle of Tea Tree Oil that you can pick up at your local pharmacy in the vitimin section. I then pour out a small amount (one quarter of the bottle) and reserve. Then i take 1 dropper full of regular laundry bleach and add to the tea tree oil. Finish Filling the bottle to full with olive oil and shake before each use. I got results in 24 hours and after 3 months have clear pink toe nails. Which i never thought i would ever have again by the way. I did notice that the fungus/yeast wanted to surface (or break out like acne)around the toe nail and on the toes. I assume it wanted to run from the area i treated. I simply put a drop where the red spots surfaced and after a few days they began to clear up as well. I will note that i do not have sensitive skin; So some may not get the same results that i got and therefore they may need to dilute further to prevent a chemical burn. As an example, i would suggest for sensitive skin to do 30% tea tree oil, 1 dropper of bleach and the balance % with olive oil. This would mean that more then 50% of the bottle would be olive oil. Oilve oil seems to condition and heal skin as can be seen throughout ancient history. In hot dry climates it was applied just as modern day lotions are today. Hopefully my story will help another in a simular situation in need of healing. The OTC remedies simply do not work long term and often the side effects just are not worth it. My liver problems today may very well be from me using OTC fungal products for decades just to keep foot ungus at bay. Thanks, Catahoula   bewildered Comments By: jadzea firstly isnt the internet wonderful? after reading most of the posts on tea tree oil for nail fungus, I am going to give it a try. I have had this nail problem before years ago, took lamacil orally but then totally unaware of its dangers.I must say though it did work. damaged my big toe nail last year growing out great and then the other week saw this dreaded fungus i am gutted ,anyway thanks for the advice i am off to buy some tea tree watch this space.   Tea Tree oil WORKS!!! Comments By: Didnt spend alot of money and satisfied I began using Tea tree oil on my toe because it had fungus. Within a week the whole toe nail fungus broke off. Now im waiting for it to grow back. Tea tree really works. I applied it twice a day with a q-tip. You can immediately see the tea tree working. I began on a Saturday and my nail fell off by the following friday...   Tea Tree oil Comments By: Joe I have been trying the tto for about a week and a half and now have blisters on the skin where the nail starts. Be careful.   tea tree oil danger Comments By: Joe A week after my blisters started from using tea tree oil, I now have two purple toes from popped blisters and blisters on the top of my foot. My toes feel almost asleep, but like I am walking on cactus needles. I have been to my family doctor, a podiatrist, and the emergency room and am on 2 antibiotics to try to clear the blisters. Beware of using something when you don't know how your body will respond. Does anybody have a similar story and if so, how did you stop the blisters from spreading? It just started on a third toe. Thanks   Nail fungus may just be a symptom... Comments By: Lindsay I wish I had stumbled across this site sooner, perhaps I would've given the tea tree oil a longer chance. I hadn't heard of any real success stories associated, just aware the it is a commonly used natural antifungal. I guess years of listening to everyone tell me that the only way to cure it was with oral (poisons)meds. I took Lamisil as a teen with no success. Since then I have learned a lot of the dangers and misinformation within Western Medicine (not saying it is taboo, it definitely has its place and has saved many lives!). I only tried to tea tree oil for one month, but didn't see a difference even on my tiny little toe nail, which had a chance to grow out, but the fungus persisted. It seems to be spreading and though I have always had it on 2 nails, their state has remained unchanged for 15 years, and now in the past few months it has spread to 5 more. Has anyone that suffers from nail fungus given any thought to possible Candidiasis? I am suffering from Candidiasis, which I believe may have been from using various antibiotics in the past, as well as putting me body "through the ringer" as a young 'un. It causes everything from toenail fungus, depression, psoriasis, schizophrenia, autism, vaginal infections, ear infections, fatigue, etc. The list goes on. The yeast apparently produces over 70 different toxins in to your body, so it can manifest itself in many ways, which may vary from person to person. It impairs your entire function, so if that is not addressed, treating the symptoms will be ineffective... even if it seems resolved for a short term. Joe, Why did they prescribe antibiotics? Are the blisters becoming infected? Blisters themselves do not have the ablility to spread, unless they are being caused by a virus. If it were an allergic reaction, it should subside on its own, with discontinuation of the allergen. It definitely should not persist if you have stopped using it.   help Comments By: anon hi everyone, ive had this for nearly 2 years now, after reading all yr coments am of 2 buy tto, wish me luck, i will keep u posted.   hi Comments By: mary can someone give me a bit of advice please, ive read a lot of comments and no one has mentioned their infected toes being painfull, ive had fungel a while now and my toes r very painfull, ive just started using tto today do i apply it 2 the nail only? r the whole toe? please help   hi everyone Comments By: lili75 I have the toenail fungus and it is so embarrasing ,because summer is comming soon ,thats why I decide to start a treatment I soaked my feet on 50/50 white vinegar and water,for 30 minutes and then I put some tto on my nails ,I do this twice a day ,and I think it is gonna work! oohhh yeaa!TTO battle to the fungus ja,ja I have to wear flip flops sooonnn   TTO Initial Assesment Comments By: Sammyg I have been using tea tree oil for about one week, and have had no adverse reactions. I apply TTO once in the morning after showering, and then once at night before bed. I file my infected big toenails at night before the evening application. Firstly, my shoes and socks don't stink anymore. Secondly, my infected toenails are much easier to file now. When I am filing them down, it's a much faster process which in turn exposes more of the infected nail bed. This is good progress from my view, as it seems that getting rid of the infected nail is a good thing to do. It's only the first week, but my big toes already look somewhat presentable, and I am confident that I won't have to escalate to using prescription medications. If I do plateau in progress, I am thinking about adding vinegar to my regimen. So far so good, though.   Trying Tea Tree Oil with great hopes! Comments By: Isis I've been infected for about three years on my big toe. My other toes on the same foot have a small infection. I've tried soaking it in Listerine alone, didn't work, I tried soaking it in a water/bleach solution, didn't work, and I tried the vics and bandage...little results. I must inform that I was not persistent with all, only the vics. I would put vics at night and cover it with a bandage. Then I would put minced garlic in the day and cover that with a bandage. The garlic irritated the skin around my nail, but seemed to be doing the nail good. My husbands sister had an infection years ago, but I was too embarrassed to ask her for advice...but I saw tea tree oil in her room. I was told a long time ago that I can use it, but was recommended using grape seed extract. I used the grape seed extract but no improvement. I do file the nail down, it is yellow, half of it is missing, and if I don't treat it with anything, it hurts. I am female and as summer is fastly approaching, I would love to feel confident about showing my toes again. I'm using now the vinegar/peroxide solution followed by bleach, followed by tto and petroleum jelly. I do not soak my foot in the solution for more than a minute-see the other recommendations to get exact treatment. Just started today. Will update shortly.   tea tree oil for nail fungus Comments By: kate hi! i developed fungus under both of my big toe nails over the last month, and it seems to be progressing worse pretty quickly. they've also been hurting me a lot and have light and dark stripes across them and kinda yellow near to top. however the surface is still somewhat smooth. i started using tea tree oil a couple of days ago, but i wanna know if u still have to file the surface of the nail if it is smooth. and there's only one other person that has mentioned about pain so far which worries me too. is anyone else in pain also?   pain under a fungal toenail Comments By: Jean M. I have just started using tto so cannot comment on a cure. I can however say that I too have pain under the nail. Have been using Fungi Cure for several months with not even a glimmer of success. Glad for the info on not getting pedicures and will stop(even tho I hate to). Will be back to comment on any success as soon as I see any signs.   Fingernails? Comments By: Mike Does this treatment also work on fingernails? TipKing says: Worth a try!