Nail Fungus Oil Home Remedies – Do They Really Work?

For millions of men and women, what often begins as a small white or yellowish patch just below the tip of the toenail quickly spreads to a full case of unsightly and sometimes painful nail fungal infections caused by a yeast and mold overgrowth. Fortunately, there are several options to consider for treating this stubborn condition, including the many unconventional nail fungus oil treatments that are gaining popularity. But are these home remedies really a safe and effective alternative?

Due to the proliferation of side effects of prescription drugs, not to mention their ineffectiveness in many cases, quite a few of those millions who suffer from toenail fungus are now turning to other treatment methods in hopes of a cure. In addition to preparations using inexpensive products commonly found in medicine cabinets like Vicks VapoRub or in the kitchen like regular white vinegar, some have also touted the use of one or more of several essential oils for nail fungus as a means to cure toenail fungus. .

Essential oil for nail fungus home remedies

A variety of essential oils, which are the essences of plants and flowers, including tea tree, lavender, and oregano oils, are most commonly used to treat nail fungus. Tea tree oil, which comes from the leaves of the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia, is considered one of the most powerful of all antifungal essential oils and is also believed to have antiseptic properties.

Oil of oregano is also believed to have antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, and lavender oil is used in conjunction with tea tree oil for its healing effects. Coconut oil is another antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory essential oil used to treat nail infections. All of these toenail fungus oil treatments are applied topically to the nail and surrounding skin two to three times a day with a cotton ball or swab, or straight from the dropper, and continue for a period of up to three to six months.

A look at conventional toenail fungus treatments

Although it is benign in terms of its effect on health, toenail fungus is undoubtedly one of the most difficult conditions to treat successfully. Currently, there are only a few FDA-approved prescription drugs to choose from for treating nail fungus. Lamisil is an oral prescription toenail fungus medication that has been linked to serious side effects, including liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, and even skin rashes. Other antifungal medications can also cause a number of side effects including high blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, fever, and dizziness, just to name a few.

Most topical prescription medications naturally have fewer side effects, but the downside is that they also have a lower success rate in treating toenail fungus and must be used early on to be effective.

Despite a lack of scientific evidence, or FDA approval, claims are emerging that oil treatments for nail fungus actually work. Are those claims just hype or do these home remedies really exceed what modern medicine recommends?

The Pros and Cons of Using Nail Fungus Oil Treatments

Using natural methods like nail fungus oil treatments to cure fungal infections is certainly an attractive option in light of the myriad side effects of prescription drugs. According to those who swear by their effectiveness, in addition to causing no serious side effects other than the occasional rash, essential oils are relatively inexpensive, individually at least, and easy to find too.

However, despite claims from nameless and faceless people on the internet that an essential oil for nail fungus, such as tea tree oil, has cured their infection, there are many others who have developed reactions in the skin that includes rashes and blisters after using the same oils. And still others who report absolutely no reaction at all, including no improvement or reduction of toenail fungus, even with faithful daily applications.

Using essential oils for nail fungus can also be costly in the long run simply because of the many months that such treatment must be administered. The large amount of time it takes to know if the treatment is effective or not is another drawback to consider when using a toenail fungus oil remedy.

And more importantly, the question of whether or not essential oils are safe for topical use weighs heavily on the minds of many. Tea tree oil, in particular, is in danger of being banned altogether in Europe after clinical trials produced severe rashes and allergies. Scientists in the United States believe that the oil may have hormone-like effects in children, leading to a condition known as gynecomastia, or breast growth.

Because the common problem of toenail fungus can be so difficult to treat, it is extremely important to educate yourself thoroughly on all the various treatment options. This includes those involving conventional medicine as well as alternative cures using nail fungus oil before investing so much valuable time and money on something that just might not work despite all your best efforts.