Onychomycosis — or nail fungus — is the most common nail disease around the world. It’s especially common as you get older, with most cases affecting people over 60. Nail fungus isn’t just a cosmetic problem, either. It can impact your quality of life by causing pain and discomfort and making it difficult to walk or wear certain shoes.
Unfortunately, treating onychomycosis is often a challenge. Current treatments, like antifungal pills and creams, don’t always work, and the infection often comes back. Some people explore natural remedies, like creating their own aloe vera antifungal cream. The oral medications can also have significant side effects, leading some to explore topical treatments, including sprays like Medinail Spray.
That’s why researchers are always looking for new and better ways to treat nail fungus. One promising area of research involves propolis, a natural substance produced by bees. Propolis has antifungal properties, and some studies suggest it may be effective against onychomycosis. The hope is that propolis can offer a safe, effective topical treatment option for this stubborn infection.
This article will explore the potential of propolis for treating nail fungus, including how it works, its ability to combat fungal biofilms, host factors that may influence treatment outcomes, and what the research says about its effectiveness. We’ll examine the evidence for and against using propolis nail fungus treatments and discuss what the future may hold for this promising natural remedy.
Understanding Onychomycosis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Challenges
Onychomycosis is the scientific name for nail fungus. It’s a common condition, but it can be stubborn and hard to get rid of.
What causes nail fungus?
Nail fungus is usually caused by a type of fungus called Trichophyton rubrum. Other fungi, like Neocosmospora keratoplastica and other Fusarium species, can also cause it.
There are different types of nail fungus, including:
- Distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO)
- Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO)
- White superficial onychomycosis (WSO)
- Total dystrophic onychomycosis (TDO)
How is nail fungus diagnosed?
Doctors can often diagnose nail fungus just by looking at your nails. They will assess the changes in the nail’s appearance. They may also take a sample of your nail to send to a lab for testing to confirm the diagnosis and identify the specific fungus causing the infection.
Why is nail fungus so hard to treat?
Treating nail fungus can be challenging for several reasons:
- Low cure rates: Traditional antifungal medications don’t always work very well.
- Recurrence: Nail fungus often comes back even after successful treatment.
- Drug resistance: The most common fungus that causes nail infections, Trichophyton rubrum, is becoming more resistant to antifungal medications.
These challenges are why people are looking for alternative treatments for nail fungus, like propolis.
What is propolis, and how can it help nail fungus?
Let’s take a closer look at what propolis is made of, its beneficial properties, and how it fights fungus.
Composition of Propolis
Bees make propolis from a combination of:
- Resin: Bees gather resin from various sources.
- Beeswax: Propolis contains beeswax.
- Pollen: Propolis contains pollen.
- Essential Oils: Propolis contains essential oils.
Biological Properties
Propolis has many biological properties, including:
- Antibacterial: Propolis fights bacteria.
- Anti-inflammatory: Propolis reduces inflammation.
- Antiviral: Propolis fights viruses.
- Antifungal: Propolis fights fungus.
Antifungal Mechanisms
Here are some ways propolis fights fungus:
- Inhibition of Fungal Growth: Propolis can stop human pathogenic fungi from growing.
- Disruption of Cell Membrane: Propolis can disrupt cell membranes.
- Interference with Biofilm Formation: Propolis works on fungal biofilms.
With its unique composition and a range of biological properties, propolis is a promising natural remedy for nail fungus.
Propolis extract and gel: Formulation and application for nail fungus
Propolis can be used to treat onychomycosis, or nail fungus, in two forms: propolis extract (PE) and propolis gel (PG).
Propolis Extract (PE) Preparation
To make propolis extract:
- Extraction methods: Propolis is typically extracted using a hydroalcoholic extraction method.
- Concentration: A 10% hydroalcoholic propolis extract (PE) is often used in treatment.
Propolis Gel (PG) Formulation
To make propolis gel:
- Ingredients: The components of propolis gel will vary based on the specific formulation.
- Advantages: Gels can enhance the delivery and penetration of propolis into the nail.
How to apply propolis to nail fungus
For topical application of propolis extract or gel:
- Treatment regimen: Apply the extract or gel directly to the affected nail. Follow up with a healthcare professional to monitor progress.
- Duration: Treatments typically last around 4 months.
Benefits of topical propolis
There are several benefits to using topical propolis to treat nail fungus, including:
- Reduced systemic side effects: Topical treatments are generally preferred because they cause fewer side effects than oral medications.
- Direct targeting of infection site: Applying propolis directly to the nail allows for targeted treatment of the infection.
While propolis may offer a natural alternative for treating nail fungus, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and guidance on treatment options. They can help determine if propolis is the right choice for your specific condition and provide personalized recommendations for its use.
Clinical Evidence: Studies on Propolis for Onychomycosis
When we talk about treatments, it’s important to look at the research. So, what does the science say about propolis and nail fungus?
In Vitro Studies
“In vitro” means that scientists conduct these studies in a lab, not on living people or animals. They can control the environment and isolate specific factors.
Antifungal Activity
One key area of in vitro research involves susceptibility testing. Researchers want to know if propolis can actually kill or inhibit the growth of the fungi that cause nail infections.
Antibiofilm Activity
Fungi can form biofilms, which are like protective shields that make them harder to treat. So, it’s important to know if propolis can break down these biofilms or prevent them from forming in the first place. Studies look at how propolis affects the fungus when it’s isolated and how propolis exposure impacts the biofilm itself.
Ex Vivo Studies
“Ex vivo” studies are done on living tissue that has been removed from a living organism. This can be a good way to bridge the gap between in vitro studies and clinical trials.
Nail Invasion Model
Researchers use ex vivo studies to examine how fungi invade the nail. They can look at how the fungus grows on the nail surface and how propolis might prevent that growth.
Histopathological Analysis
This involves looking at the nail tissue under a microscope to see how the fungus has penetrated the nail and how propolis affects the fungal growth. It gives a more detailed picture of what’s happening at the cellular level.
Clinical Trials and Case Studies
Clinical trials and case studies involve testing propolis on real people with nail fungus.
Patient Outcomes
One case study looked at two patients with toenail fungus caused by T. rubrum. They were treated with topical propolis extract. After four months, both patients showed clinical improvement of about 60-70%.
Mycological Cure Rates
Some studies have shown that topical propolis extract can lead to a mycological cure (meaning the fungus is completely eliminated) and partial clinical improvement in some cases of nail fungus.
What affects how well propolis works?
Even natural treatments have different results for different people. Several factors can affect how well propolis works to fight nail fungus.
You
Your age, health history, and immune system can all play a role in how well propolis works for you.
- Age. Nail fungus is more common in older adults.
- Other health conditions. If you have other health conditions (comorbidities), such as impaired fasting glycemia (high blood sugar), it may be harder for propolis to work.
- Immune system. How well your immune system is working can affect your results.
The fungus
The type of fungus and how long you’ve had the infection also matter.
- Species and strain. Different types of fungi respond differently to propolis.
- Biofilm formation. Nail fungus is often associated with fungal biofilms, which are communities of fungi that are harder to treat.
- How long you’ve had the infection. The longer you’ve had nail fungus, the harder it can be to treat. For example, one 69-year-old man had nail fungus for 50 years! He also had impaired fasting glycemia, which likely made his infection even harder to treat.
The propolis
How the propolis is made and used can also affect how well it works. The concentration of propolis, how it’s delivered, and how well it penetrates the nail are all important.
For example, researchers are trying to find the best concentration of propolis extract and ways to enhance the delivery and penetration of propolis gel to make it more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the strongest essential oil for toenail fungus?
While there’s no single “strongest,” tea tree oil and oregano oil are often cited for their potent antifungal properties. Research suggests they can inhibit the growth of certain fungi responsible for nail infections. However, always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to your skin.
What is the antifungal effect of propolis?
Propolis, a resinous mixture produced by bees, exhibits significant antifungal activity. Studies have shown that propolis contains compounds that can disrupt the cell membranes of fungi, inhibiting their growth and spread. This makes it a potential natural remedy for various fungal infections, including toenail fungus.
Should I cut my toenail off if it has fungus?
You should never attempt to cut off your toenail yourself to treat a fungal infection. This can lead to serious complications like infection, bleeding, and permanent nail damage. Consult with a podiatrist or dermatologist to discuss appropriate treatment options, which may include topical or oral medications, or in severe cases, surgical removal performed by a professional.
Can you scrape out toenail fungus?
While gently filing down the surface of the affected nail can help improve the penetration of topical treatments, you should not attempt to “scrape out” the fungus. This can damage the nail bed and increase the risk of infection. A podiatrist can debride (trim and file) the nail professionally to remove infected portions safely.
Who Cannot use propolis?
Individuals with known allergies to bee products (honey, beeswax, bee pollen, royal jelly) should avoid using propolis. It can cause allergic reactions ranging from mild skin irritation to severe anaphylaxis. It’s also advisable to perform a patch test before applying propolis extensively to ensure you don’t have a sensitivity.
To conclude
Propolis appears to be a promising topical treatment for nail fungus. How well it works depends on factors related to both the person using it and the type of fungus causing the infection.
More research is needed to fully understand propolis’s effect on nail fungus. Larger clinical trials could help determine the best way to use propolis, and future studies could look at how propolis works and how it affects the biofilms that fungi create.
Propolis could potentially serve as an alternative to traditional treatments for nail fungus or as a way to make those treatments even more effective. However, keep in mind that more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be reached.