Tea tree oil for toenail fungus

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Fungal Infection of the Toenailshttp://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/TeaTreeOil.htm

A randomized, controlled trial published in the Journal of Family Practice

looked at the twice-daily application of 100% tea tree oil or 1%

clotrimazole solution (a topical antifungal medication) in 177 people

with toenail fungal infection. After 6 months, the tea tree oil was

found to be as effective as the topical antifungal, based on clinical

assessment and toenail cultures.

Another randomized, controlled trial examined the effectiveness and

safety of a cream containing 5% tea tree oil and 2% butenafine

hydrochloride in 60 people with toenail fungal infection. After 16

weeks, 80% of people using the cream had significant improvement

compared to none in the placebo group. Side effects included mild

inflammation.

A third double-blind study looked at 100% tea tree oil compared with

a topical antifungal, clotrimazole, in 112 people with fungal

infections of the toenails. The tea tree oil was as effective as the

antifungal.