A fungal toenail infection is very likely to develop if fungus gets under your toenails. Pure grapefruit seed extract which means just the seeds and pulp alone cannot provide any assistance in warding off toe fungus. However there are many grapefruit extract products that contain added ingredients that have antimicrobial properties which can help fight toenail fungus infections. Since grapefruit seed extract possess potential side effects, it is necessary to consult your doctor first before using it to treat toenail fungal infection or for any other reason.
Grapefruit Seed Extract for Toenail Fungus
Toenail Fungus
A toenail fungal infection causes your toenails to become thick, discolored and painful. It also makes your toenails develop an unsightly crumbled texture. One thing more, nail fungus is aesthetically unpleasing. That’s why this condition requires treatment. According to MayoClinic.com, toenail fungus may become permanent if left untreated. Some treatment can be used like oral anti-fungal medications, anti-fungal nail polish, topical medications and surgery in severe cases. There are also home remedies that can be used and known to be effective. One is by soaking your toenails in vinegar or by rubbing mentholated ointment on them. An external application of grapefruit seed extract on your affected toenails can help treat toenail fungal infection. A grapefruit seed extract product that contains chemicals can fight off the infection. This is according to Donal O’Mathuna who is a herbal researcher and bio-ethicist.
Added Chemicals
O’Mathuma analyzed the studies about grapefruit seed extract which is published in “The Irish Times” in between 1999-2009. They found out in these studies that grapefruit seed extract products contain disinfectants and synthetic preservatives, and also a poison called benzethonium chloride. According to O’Mathuna, pure grapefruit seed extract has no antimicrobial abilities to ward off infections. However, if you buy a product which contains chemicals, then this may help you treat you toenail fungal infection.
Precautions
Most of the grapefruit seed extract products contain the synthetic bezethonium chloride which is a class 2 poison. This has side effects which include convulsions and coma. In addition, both the grapefruit and benzethonium chloride hinder the ability of the body to metabolize medications.
The interactions of grapefruit with several medications are also proven dangerous and sometimes fatal. You must therefore treat your toenail fungal infection under your toenails or between your toes with topical application which will more likely produce less side effects but still use it with caution. However, external application can still penetrate into the pores so better consult your doctor for any concern.
Besides grapefruit seed extract, you can also treat toenail fungus with other medications like oral anti-fungal medications. Itraconazole and terbinafine have proven to be effective according to MayoClinic.com. However these two oral antifungal drugs can cause liver damage. In this case, your doctor first recommends an alternative treatment especially if you are suffering from congestive heart failure or liver disease. This includes topical medications, anti fungal nail polish or surgery wherein they remove the entire nail if you have severe case which is extremely painful.
