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Fungal Skin and Nail Infection Ozone Protocol
Oil and water steps for ringworm, athlete's foot, candida and nail fungus, with the scalp spray and oil.
Quick answer: For ringworm, athlete's foot, candida and nail fungus, topical ozone means ozonated oil and ozonated water. For nails, soak 10 minutes in ozonated water, then apply ozonated oil that contains salicylic acid, 3 times per day (Madrid). For the scalp, spray ozonated water twice a day and apply ozonated oil. Test a small area of skin first.
Home method. Best done as recommended by a licensed provider who knows your health history.
What are the basics of ozone for fungal skin and nail infections?
- Madrid says topical ozone (ozonated solutions, lotions, creams or oils) is indicated in all fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails, including ringworm and candida.
- For nail fungus (onychomycosis), Madrid points to ozonated oils that contain salicylic acid, used three times a day, after a soak in ozonated water.
- For ringworm of the feet, Madrid gives no strength or time. The limb bag protocol covers bag sessions on intact skin.
- Madrid notes that fungal infections tend to come back, so keep going until the infection is controlled.
Source: Madrid Declaration on Ozone Therapy, 4th edition (ISCO3, 2025), section 5.5. Paraphrased.
What settings are used for ozone for fungal skin and nail infections?
| Area | Steps | Settings (Madrid) |
|---|---|---|
| Nails | 1. Soak the nails in ozonated water. A hydrozone (ozone foot or hand) bath is highly recommended. 2. Apply ozonated oil to intact skin, using one that has a carrier to help it enter the nail. | Soak 10 minutes. |
| Nails (oil at home) | Ozonated oil that contains salicylic acid | 3 times a day |
| Feet, skin (ringworm) | Ozonated oil, and ozone bag sessions on intact skin | Strength and time not stated by Madrid. See the limb bag protocol. |
| Scalp (home) | Spray ozonated water made with microbubbles, and apply ozonated oil | Spray twice a day. Oil at a peroxide index (PI) of about 600–800. |
For everyday use of the oil and water steps, MediSkill's protocol guide gives ozone oil 2 to 3 times a day over the affected area, and ozone water poured over the area 2 to 3 times a day. See the topical oil and infused water sheets. Madrid gives no other home schedule.
What are the best tips when using ozone for fungal skin and nail infections?
- Wash the area first, then moisten it. Wet microbes are more open to oxidation.
- Fungal infections can come back, so keep treating until the infection is controlled, then space out the applications.
- Use an oil from a maker that states the peroxide value. Some oils add a carrier that helps them enter the nail; Madrid describes these as for intact skin.
What are the precautions for ozone for fungal skin and nail infections, and who should avoid it?
- Keep oil and ozonated water away from the eyes.
- Temporary redness, stinging or itching can occur with the oil. Use it less often and stop if it persists.
- Never breathe ozone gas. Keep the room ventilated when making ozonated water.
- Patch test first: try a small area of skin before wider use.
- Do not use on deep or infected wounds without a practitioner.
- Pregnancy: check with your healthcare provider before starting.
More detail
Equipment
- Ozonated oil (with salicylic acid for nails, if used) from a maker that states the peroxide value
- Ozone water: a glass bubbler on an ozone generator, or a hydrozone foot or hand bath
What the studies used
Study doses are listed as printed in each paper and are not Madrid dosing.
- In 400 adults with nail fungus, ozonized sunflower oil twice a day for 3 months cured 90.5% vs 13.5% on 2% ketoconazole cream, with relapse at 1 year in 2.8% vs 44.4%. Only the abstract is on file (Menéndez 2011).
- In 300 adults with athlete's foot, ozonated sunflower oil twice a day for 6 weeks cleared the skin about as well as 2% ketoconazole or 1% terbinafine cream (78%, 78% and 77% cured). 4 of 100 on the oil had an adverse event, rated doubtfully related (Travieso 2025).
- In 189 adults with confirmed athlete's foot, ozonated olive oil (peroxide index 1,000) twice a day for 4 weeks gave a complete cure in 74%, against 77.9% for 2% ketoconazole cream (p=0.58). Two people on the oil had brief redness and itching (Muñoz-Estrada 2022).
- In 88 adults with moderate to severe scalp seborrheic dermatitis, adding ozonated water (5 mg/L at about 37 °C, 5 L/min, 20 minutes, twice a week for 4 weeks) to a scalp acid peel gave a better response rate than the peel alone (91.1% vs 69.8%, p=0.015). Three of 45 had mild redness (Wang 2026).
Foot and nail fungus have randomized trials against standard antifungal creams, mostly of one sunflower-oil product from one group and some on file as abstracts only. There is no placebo-controlled trial, and no controlled trial for candida of the skin or nails.
Learn more
Background, benefits and research: Ozone cream, oil and treatments for skin. Infections: Ozone therapy for infections. Bag details: Ozone limb bagging. Candida: Ozone therapy for candida.
Related protocols: Acne and Rosacea Ozone Protocol, Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis Ozone Protocol.
Other skin and related protocols
Educational reference only, not medical advice. Follow your scope of practice and local regulations.
