Does tea tree oil treat nail fungus?

Tea tree oil can be used to treat fungal nail infections, WebMD advises. However, tea tree oil only fully cures nail fungus about 18% of the time.

A topical solution made of 100% tea tree oil applied to the nails twice daily is only effective in 18% of people who tried it, WebMD elaborates. Most people -- about 56% noticed improvement in nail appearance after three months of tea tree oil treatment. However, weaker solutions of the oil do not produce the same effect. WebMD states at a 5% concentration of tea tree oil used over three months has no benefit to the patient. The results tea tree oil illicit are similar to over-the-counter anti-fungal medicines, such as Fungoid or Lotrimin.