Have you ever heard of the term “oncomycosis”? It is a disease on the nails on both hands and feet caused by fungal infections. This disease, also known as “nail fungus” can be experienced by anyone, even though it is more common in the elderly. Why? Because the nails in an elderly are more fragile and break easily, which makes it easier for the fungus to get into it.

Someone who has the disease usually sees their nails become thicker, changing colour to brownish yellow, brittle, and smell bad. In general, the disease is not life-threatening. However, it may get worse if left untreated.

There are several ways to deal with nail fungus, such as drinking or applying anti-fungal medication, nail extraction surgery, to laser therapy. You can also natural ingredients that have anti-fungal properties, one of which is tea tree oil. Several studies have found that tea tree oil is effective in fighting fungal infections. In a 1994 study, researchers found that the oil was as effective as clotrimazole cream, an anti-fungal cream that doctors usually prescribe to treat fungal infections.

As cited from Medical News Today, here are some methods you can do to treat nail fungus by using tea tree oil:

• Soak cotton wool in tea tree oil, then rub the wool on the infected nail for several minutes.
• Apply tea tree oil using a cotton bud so that it forms a layer and let it dry.
• Add tea tree oil to a tub filled with warm water and soak your infected feet/hands.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source(s):

• Mayo Clinic - Nail fungus (2019). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nail-fungus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353294, 7 November 2019.
• Medical News Today - Tea tree oil for nail fungus: Does it work? (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326900.php, 7 November 2019.