Photo credit: John Tann
My Infected Finger Story:
Since sometime last winter, I have been battling a sucky immune system. My gut bacteria are valiantly attempting to guard their posts and keep me somewhat healthy. Nonetheless, the stress, poor eating, and the round of antibiotics I chose to take (to my dismay) for my infected lymph nodes have made their job rather difficult indeed.
My healthy gut bacteria is tired and struggling, as evidenced by infection after infection that I’ve been warding off in the last six months. Poor, poor gut bacteria (sadface).
I had a nasty throat infection, when I got altogether too lazy with my natural remedy and didn’t hit it hard enough. It came back as a nasty infection in my lymph nodes (Holy PAINFUL, batman.) Then I took antibiotics. Subsequently, I have felt the beginnings of the following ailments over the last 3-4 months: mastitis, repeated lady-part infections, more sore throats, and then a nastily infected finger by late spring, just under the cuticle and fingernail.
(See, now even you feel sorry for my poor gut bacteria, don’t you?)
I have been able to ward off most of these issues by downing jars of Bubbie’s sauerkraut (for the amazing probiotics) like there’s no tomorrow (my body told me to eat a whole jar in 48 hours – so I did…), taking the high-quality probiotic capsules I bought when I had antibiotics, eating plain high-fat yogurt, and taking colloidal silver in my water here and there. (I think the sauerkraut made the most difference, to be honest. I would eat about a cup of the stuff on top of my burger patty at dinner whenever I felt the least bit of anything starting.)
The infected finger was an annoyance at first. I was in the middle of a terribly stressful family crisis, and basically ignored it for a few weeks. By the time I paid attention, it was hot, red, and swollen. Oh, and super sore. Oops. My bad.
I saw that ignoring it and waiting for it to go away on its own wasn’t going to work (just like with my whining toddler. Huh.)
So, I started trying some natural remedies. My mom was bugging me to soak it in salt water, so I did. Many times. For at least half an hour at a time (an eternity when there’s a toddler running around wreaking quinoa-dumping havoc. ahem).
But alas – the infection was too deep, and the salt water was not enough. The infection got worse. I should also mention that I had been using polysporin (antibiotic OTC ointment) since the beginning because I had been too stressed out and busy to even think about figuring out the natural remedy angle. Well, the polysporin was a total fail. I even bought a brand new tube to make sure it wasn’t expired. I wanted it to hurry up and work, and kept at it faithfully. But… nada. I also tried a really cheap brand of tea tree oil mixed with lemon (the blend is for cleaning, I guess?).
The infection got worse – more swollen, more red, more sore. The cuticle was starting to lift up off the nail and funky things were happening. The nail was starting to crack and disintegrate. I was beginning to worry that I’d end up with a round of major antibiotics if the infection started to spread.
Finally, we were packing up one of the last spots in the house for our move, I found my stash of essential oil bottles. My stinker children had taken them and hidden them behind a dresser like a little treasure stash. I had been wondering where they went!
I stared down that bottle of melaleuca (tea tree oil) with my Stern Mother Face. I told it that if it was not going to heal my finger, I’d be very, very disappointed in it. I’d also be super annoyed at having to go to the doctor because ain’t nobody got time for that in the middle of a move, yo.
I tipped it upside down, let two drops fall out onto the infected area, slapped a bandaid on that sucker, and went to bed.
You know the climax of this story already, don’t you? Yes, it was pretty miraculous the next morning. We celebrated with a feast (haha – I wish!) and much rejoicing. The burning pain had been reduced to tenderness, the swelling was down, and the redness was much reduced.
Another few doses (I did it a second time, then again that night, and once more the next day for good measure) later, I was well on my way to 100% in just over 24 hours.
So, now it’s a month later, and I have only one small problem: my fingernail is falling off. I have to trim it and stuff. Ew.
Like, seriously, peeps. It’s so gross. And because I love you, I took a picture. On the windowsill of the coffee shop where I sit, writing this. Here you are:
What really amazes me is that I had an infection that was SO BAD that it took my entire fingernail as a casualty (a new one is growing underneath – cool and so gross simultaneously), but a couple of drops of high-quality melaleuca oil killed the infection in mere hours (after weeks of suffering).
I’ve seen some good results from using EO’s since I was first introduced to them last fall. But nothing like this. I am absolutely in love with melaleuca, and I vow to never be without it again, henceforth forevermore, amen.
This is the oil I now recommend for both purity and a great price.
So, What is Melaleuca, Exactly?
More commonly known as “Tea Tree,” Melaleuca essential oil has over 92 different compounds and limitless applications. The leaves of the Melaleuca tree were used by the Aborigines of Australia for centuries. They would crush the leaves and inhale the oil to promote clear breathing and apply the leaves directly to the skin to help with recovery.
Melaleuca is best known for its purifying properties as well as:
-Analgesic
-Antibacterial
-Antifungal
-Anti-infectious
-Antioxidant
-Antiparasitic
-Antiseptic
-Antiviral
-Decongestant
-Immune Stimulant
-Tissue Regenerative
… just to name a few.
Tea Tree Oil vs. Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs?
Today, modern science has begun to investigate the effectiveness of this oil against many different types of pathogens and microbes, including resistant strains of MRSA and super bugs. This research is validating the use of this extraordinary natural oil for personal and medicinal consumption.
- Arthur de Ramon Penfold (1890 – 1980), an Australian chemist, studied tea tree leaves, and discovered their antiseptic properties. Subsequently, tea tree oil became a standard treatment in Australia, for the prevention and treatment of wound infections.
- During World War II, the Australian government classified tea tree oil as an essential commodity, and exempted producers from military service.”
I also learned that bacterial infections (often from hospital stays) actually kill more people each year than AIDs, breast cancer and auto accidents combined! Yikes! More and more of these bacteria are becoming resistant to almost every antibiotic out there.
Quality essential oils offer a natural alternative (really the original solution) to fighting bacteria (and viruses). While oils have been around for thousands of years, it’s really only been since the 1930s that medical researchers have discovered their antimicrobial effects.
French physician Dr. Jean Valnet, author of The Practice of Aromatherapy, wrote: “Infectious microbes do not appear to become accustomed to the essential oils as they do to the many forms of treatment using antibiotics.” In other words, because essential oils are made up of such complex chemical constituents, many Super Germs (or antibiotic resistant bacteria) find it harder to build a resistance.
I also learned the following, which I thought was interesting since I had used a cheap bottle of tea tree oil that I bought at a health store, and it did absolutely nothing for my infection.
“Now, remember, because of the lack of essential oil industry regulation, anyone can stamp “pure” on their essential oil bottles but there’s no one regulating that. There may be oil in the bottle but it may be part mineral oil, part melaleuca, etc. Make sure you are using a high quality oil that adheres to these standards:
-proper variety of the plant (for example, Eucalyptus has many variations – some varieties are even poisonous so variety matters)
-grown without herbicides or pesticides
-grown in their indigenous location – plants/fruits flourish best where they’re meant to be grown
-third party testing of all oils
-bottled with care – not diluted down with above mentioned mineral oil”
Have you ever used tea tree oil in your home? Do you agree that quality makes a difference?
Related posts here at Red+Honey:
– Using Natural Remedies to Beat Bacterial Infections: 5 Important Things You Should Know
– Avoiding Antibiotics in Favour of a Natural Remedy? Read this Cautionary Tale First
– 50 Uses for Essential Oils (Plus the First Three Things I Tried)
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional, and this post should not be taken as medical advice. Please do your own research. Material on this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It is general information that may not apply to you as an individual, and is not a substitute for your own doctor’s medical care or advice.
Beth
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Great post! Have nice day ! 🙂 zyvvk
antiseptic cream is more than enough for an infected cuticle.
I’m astounded how quickly you all self medicate with antibiotics.
your body will naturally clear this up with ease if you have a normal immune system.
Antibiotics are far overused especially by Americans. In the UK a doctor must prescribe them and will only do as a last resort.
Most of the older antibiotics have no affect now as bugs have become resistant because of overuse.
Antibiotics are really bad for you and should only be used with a full blown bacterial infection as the nature of them means they destroy your own healthy cells
I wanted to thank you for posting this article! I have an infected cuticle and the pain and throbbing were so bad this past weekend that I almost went to urgent care for antibiotics. Then I read your article and realized I already had some Teatree oil in my cabinet. I did salt water soaks with warm water three times a day and then put Teatree oil on with gauze and medical tape. As of this writing two days later, the pain is gone and I only have a Band-Aid on my finger. I will remember this amazing treatment! Again, many thanks.
I’m so glad to hear it was helpful to you! <3
When my son kept coming home from the sitter with lice, I found a natural treatment online that included tea tree oil as a repellant. No crazy chemicals and my baby never got lice again! Now I have an infection at the edge of my nail and will apply this.
I am so surprised how many uses for epsom salts. I had no idea you could use it for gardening. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I do love a relaxing bath and your peppermint tea bath salt concoction sounds perfect. I like your packaging too. ?
Epsom salts are truly amazing! I hope you get to take that bath, so relaxing and refreshing! Thanks for stopping by!
I knew what melaleuca was good for (and luckily I bought a bottle from doTerra a few months back, so I already had it on hand), but hadn’t used it until my finger got infected, as I didn’t know if it would help. I didn’t dilute it (that’s a first for me), but I have high hopes it’ll work. EOs have yet to let me down! Thanks again! (:
Hi Beth, thanks for this article. The link for the tea tree oil you recommend isn’t working for me–it just brings up Amazon’s homepage. Could you try again? I want to buy the right stuff. I am suffering with a horrible infection from accidentally jamming something under my nail and it’s taken me out of work—I use my hands at my job and my right hand is currently useless and extremely painful.
Thanks!
Here it is: http://amzn.to/2sMlg3B
Sorry about the broken link, and about your finger!! I hope it resolves ASAP!
I stumbled on your article when searching for a natural remedy a painful fingertip pad. Not sure what is going on but I’m open to try anything, I see success with the tea tree oil from many peoples comments, are you applying the tea tree full strength or are you diluting it before applying it??
To be honest, back then I applied it full strength. However, I’ve since learned more about using essential oils in the safest way possible, and if I were doing it over again now, I’d dilute. But – for something this serious, I’d make it as strong as I could while still following safety guidelines. Plant Therapy’s blog is a good source of info, as is the website “Using EOs Safely”.
I am so happy I Googled “What to treat an infected finger with” and found your blog! I have been experiencing a painful hot swelling with liquid forming in my right index finger for the past three or four days. I think this happened from a poke with a rose thorn as I was caring for my roses. At first I just tried expressing the liquid and applying the over the counter antibiotic Neosporin. This antibiotic usually does the trick for times I’ve used it for cuts or scrapes. After using and not seeming to work after a couple of days of swelling and pain, I tried dabbing with hydrogen peroxide. I thought of soaking with Epsome salts, but didn’t have any, so thought I’d try Google to see what other treatment methods there might be. I did happen to have purchased a bottle of Tea Tree Oil recently as a treatment to try for a stubborn case of toe nail fungus. I had already done a prescription a few years ago and did’t want to do that again for the side affects. I’ve just applied it to my finger and wrapped in with a band aide. I hope I have as good success with the Tea Tree oil I happen to have purchased (Aura Cacia – purchased in the health food section of a Fred Meyer store) as others I’ve read have had with healing. I did apply full strength…didn’t see your message about possibly diluting until after I’d already applied it) I’ll let you know with a follow up comment. Thank you for your blog!
I haven’t always had the best success with drugstore brands of EO’s, but I’m curious to hear how your experience is! Have you seen any improvement?
Hi Beth,
Thank you for this article. I was wondering if anyone has had success with the Tee Tree EO for an infected toe nail bed. I had actually put some Tea Tree EO on it but only a few times and didn’t notice much change. I jamned my two big toenails due to an exercise a Physical Therapist recommended. Only did it a few times then noticed the toenails were slightly pushed ‘in’. It was fine but a little swollen on the left big toe bed for over a month, then I noticed redness… pain. Was told it is infected and per Internet seaches, this can happen to jammed nails. Been soaking in hot water and organic soap and probiotic cleaner, putting over the counter antibiotic on overnight, drinking silver and still on my amazing probiotics. Seemed to be hetting better, no pain walking, less red. Though now, after another month or so, seems worse – more red, still swollen and pain came back when walk and put pressure on it. I started direct Tea Tree EO again since reading this yesterday. I am also putting silver on it now. Any other suggestions? I will keep up with oil 3 times a day/overnight… Thank you and your readers for any help!
HOLY CRAP! You are a lifesaver! Seriously! My finger had been infected for a full week and was still throbbing. I read your article and went and picked up some Tea Tree Oil from trader Joes and it’s almost completely dried up the infection and stopped 90% of the throbbing! So happy i don’t have to go to the Dr. now! THANK YOU!
That is AWESOME! So glad you had good results! -Andrea, R&H Assistant
Thank you, Beth, for this article! Three days ago I sustained a very small puncture wound on the palm of my hand (perhaps the dumbest self-sustained injury ever – I slapped my hand down hard on an earring that fell into the bathroom sink, to stop it going down the drain, and the post of the earring pierced almost to its full length the joint between my finger and hand). I washed the area really, really well with soap, and thought nothing more of it, but by evening I knew I was in trouble. The area began to swell, hurt and get really hot. I did NOT want to take a course of oral antibiotics, having been through a really hideous experience with them two years ago, so I googled something like “infected finger treat without antibiotics” and up came your blog post. I wasn’t sure my infection could be healed by tea tree oil or anything else applied topically, no matter how potent, because the very narrow wound entrance had closed completely. How would the oil reach the infection? But then I remembered that tea tree oil is absorbed into the body through the skin. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I massaged some tea tree oil onto the hot, swollen part of my palm and then soaked a tiny wad of tissue in the oil, bandaged it over the wound, and went to bed. By morning the heat and swelling were down to about half what they’d been the night before, and throughout the day I massaged a single drop into the area every few hours just to be on the safe side. That’s all I did. Now, on the third day, there is nothing to show where the nasty swelling (possibly an infected joint capsule) was except for bit of dried skin where the oil worked its magic. Sorry this is a bit of a long-winded comment, but I wanted others to know that tea tree oil can work “remotely” as well as directly. Thank you, thank you, thank you again for your wonderful blogpost. I will be visiting your blog regularly from now on!
Jenn, I’m so happy you had great results! And welcome to the Red and Honey community! -Andrea, R&H Assistant
Last week October 20, 2016, I found your article about using Tea Tree oil to fight your painful and flairing finger infection. I searched for a holistic remedy for my husband’s finger that suddenly became painful and swelling. Before my search the swelling finger was bloating & turning bluish the pain unbearable.
The Epsom salts soaking was not working. That night I found your article. I already have a leading reputable pure brand Tea Tree oil. I applied a few drops on his nail bed and wrapped in a bandage, my husband went to bed. He woke up the next morning and the soreness, redness and swelling were much improved. He was very satisfied and stopped treatment until the next day when the finger blew up again. With further treatment within 3 days his finger was healed and hardly recognizable from his other fingers.
Here’s a caveat. During this time my husband’s eye became irritated, red and very painful. He nearly lost a day of work when his eye miraculously cleared overnight, the pain gone. He has an eye condition that will flair for no apparent reason. He thinks it had nothing to do with his finger infection. I believe the infection did spread to his eye. Infection can spread to anywhere in the body especially to those areas like his eye that is already prone to flairing up. Thank you for sharing your belief in often ancient remedies for healing rather than using convention medicine.
Give me a pill any day. Oh wait, they did but it was so huge I choked on it going down! Ready to head over to Whole Foods tomorrow AM and hope it saves the day. Thanks for a cute read.
That doesn’t look gross at all. haha
Every house should have a bottle of tea tree in their first aid cupboard. You could also benefit from Colloidal Silver, take Diatomaceous Earth every day and also taking Turmeric Golden Paste has many benefits.
I stopped reading this article after you explained how you placed your healthy sauerkraut on top of the burger patty…. Hahahahah you people don’t have the first understanding of how to cure yourselves when you listen to those kinds of statements….
Maybe just eat the sauerkraut with a healthy salad ?
Eating lean beef is not unhealthy, for all you know they may have grown the animal themselves, not everyone is opposed to animal product- it’s a matter of opinion. Some people may even say that those who do not eat meat may have negative health problems as well, which is common.
Besides that comment, look around, you made the one negative comment. Learn to enjoy the good.
Vegetarian diet = high carb. Very unhealthy. I am a recovering vegetarian, and will never do that to my body again. Am much healthier eating my grass fed beef and good fats everyday, thank you very much.
Love your refreshing quirky writing style! My finger is cosily wrapped up in a blanket of tee tree goodness. Hope it works!
I hope so too! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
Thank you so much for this post! My mom had an infected finger that she didnt tell me about until it was pretty painful. I was afraid we’d have to take her to the ER and do the whole antibiotic thing (bad because we can’t afford Obamacare and also bad because we are a natural-remedy-only-dont-even-take-advil family). But I took to the internet and looked up all the info I could find, and I found your post. The next day I went to Walgreens and got a bottle of AuraCacia tea tree oil. Within an hour of the first application there was less pain, and the swelling and redness was reduced. Now we’re about 36 hours and just did the 4th application and the swelling is almost completely gone. Still a bit red, but much less than it was, and there is no pain. I think she is on her way to a completely healed finger with no need of expensive Dr visits, chemical antibiotics, or invasive pus draining procedures. God bless tea tree oil, and God bless you!
This is amazing!!! I’m SO glad that it was helpful! I don’t have much experience with the Aura Cacia brand, but I’m glad to hear that it was effective. Thanks for sharing – this made my day. 🙂
I can’t believe I found this post as I sit here with my right middle finger soaking in hydrogen peroxide. I am already laid up and working from home due to a fall and a very jacked up knee. Now my finger is exactly how you described yours. I had no idea what to do or how to “fix” it by tomorrow. I honestly don’t think I could do another 8 hours of constant typing. The crappy thing is that I only have a cheap bottle of Tea tree oil. Wonder if there’s another way. I know one thing for sure, I am buying myself some good EO asap! P.s. I appreciate your post…..I laughed out loud at several points!
Wouldn’t taking colloidal silver orally kill any good bugs that had managed to recolonize your gut? I only use it topically (mainly dropped in ear canal for infections) because it is so potent.
Great post, Ed! So true. So balanced. And such a hard position to maintain! He must increase. I must decrease.
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Hi! I’m an amateur artist and I really love the dark city photograph you have on this post and wondered if you’d give your permission to paint it? Thank you. Just found your blog and I love it. I’m new to EO and really like using them.
Hi Dinah! That’s actually not my picture. I found it on Unsplash.com, which offers free hi-res photos. I’m not sure how far the Creative Commons license extends so you may have to scroll through the pictures to find the photographer and ask them. http://unsplash.com/
One of the things I love about your blog is that I never feel short changed by sponsored posts. I know a lot where it’s like one giant ad, but you always write a proper story and advice to go with it. I know bloggers need to make money to be serious about putting in the time, but your way is both unobtrusive AND everyone’s a winner!
This is probably the most kind and uplifting comment I have ever received. That is EXACTLY what I try to do with paid posts. Providing value to my readers and being 100% authentic are my top priorities. If I can fit in a sponsored post under that, great. If not, I say no. THANK-YOU *so* much for seeing that and affirming that – you made my day!!! xoxoxo.
I heart tee tree oil! Use it a lot but was especially happy when I recently used tea tree oil on my daughters 2 plantar wart/verrucas on her foot. I was so impressed that after just 2-3 weeks of applying tea tree and a band-aid most nights they had completely worked their way out and now you would never know they had been there. I wasn’t expecting such dramatic results but was really wanting to find a natural approach if possible and yay, it worked!
Lovely doTerra goodies you are giving away, what a fab prize!
Wow, that is fantastic! I have never seen such dramatic results either. I am often nervous of the fine line of waiting it out with natural remedies or giving in and getting antibiotics before it spreads. I use tea tree oil daily for acne, and I’d say it works, but not that fast. I also have it in my homemade deodorant (which I just posted about yesterday at http://agracepoint.tumblr.com/post/91194283030/natural-homemade-deodorant-and-antiperspirant). Now I’m curious about the quality of the brand I’m using. This giveaway looks incredible as well. Thanks!
Yay Tea Tree Oil!! I had a hangnail that I yanked off (I was too lazy to get up to get the nail clippers). It evidently took a chunk of skin from under the nail with it when I yanked it off. It bled, I rinsed it under cold water, left it open to air, and went about my day. By the 4th day was getting more painful. I began soaking it in warm Epsom salt water several times a day, using triple antibiotic ointment, keeping it bandaged, and dry. By 9th day, was still painful, and the throbbing was relentless. I thought for certain I was going to have to see a doctor, I only do that as a last resort. My daughter called each day for a finger update, and by the 12th day, she found your blog (thank heaven!!). She told me about it, I do use EO’s, and have Tea Tree oil. I used it, and IT WORKED!! within 24 hours my finder was 90% better, and today (48 hours) my finder is 99% better. I will use Tea Tree oil for every ache, pain, infection or anything. It is my least favorite aroma, but it is now my favorite oil.
Oh that’s AWESOME!! I’m so glad that you found my article and were able to heal your finger. I know exactly what you mean with the throbbing – it’s awful. Glad you’re better! 🙂
Thank you so much! I cut my finger severely in December and developed an infection and had to take an antibiotic – against my will. The antibioitc had numerous deleterious effects on me so I panicked yesterday when I saw this area of my finger showing signs of infection again. I soaked my hand in hydrogen peroxide, iodine, and dish soap solution and put tea tree oil on it twice yesterday and twice today. The size of the “boil” and inflammation has been reduced by about 90%. Thank you for sharing your story. You saved me! I have also read that coriander oil has some powerful antibioitc properties, but have not tried that yet.
Wow, sounds like this really worked for you. Yay for natural remedies that work!! 🙂