Does Honey Kill Toenail Fungus? Natural Treatment Guide

Toenail fungus is something no one wants to deal with, but unfortunately, it’s a widespread problem that affects millions of people around the world. In fact, the number of cases of onychomycosis (the medical term for toenail fungus) has been steadily climbing in developed countries.

Toenail fungus, typically caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds, leads to symptoms like thickening, discoloration, crumbling, and misshapen nails. Because the infection is so deep within the nail, traditional treatments often fall short.

So, what can be done? People everywhere are looking for alternative treatments. One interesting option gaining attention is honey, specifically Mānuka and Jarrah varieties.

Could honey be the natural solution we’ve been searching for to combat toenail fungus? Mānuka and Jarrah honey, known for their unique properties, are being investigated for their potential antifungal effects.

This article delves into the science behind using honey for toenail fungus, exploring the evidence supporting its antifungal properties and comparing its effectiveness to conventional treatments. We’ll answer the question: does honey kill toenail fungus?

Understanding toenail fungus

Toenail fungus is a common nuisance, but it’s important to understand what causes it and how to recognize it.

Causes and risk factors

Fungi, including dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds, are the main culprits behind toenail fungus. These fungi love warm, moist environments, which is why your feet are often a perfect breeding ground.

Certain factors can make you more susceptible to developing toenail fungus. These include:

• Age
• Frequenting public places like swimming pools and locker rooms
• Nail injuries, such as ingrown toenails or abrasions
• Underlying conditions like psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, or a compromised immune system
• Having sweaty feet

Recognizing the symptoms

If you suspect you might have toenail fungus, here are some common signs to look out for:

• Thickening of the nail
• Discoloration (yellowish, brownish, or whitish)
• Crumbling or brittle nails
• Distorted nail shape
• Darkening at the base of the nail
• Foul odor
• Possible presence of athlete’s foot

The importance of addressing toenail fungus

It’s crucial to address toenail fungus promptly to avoid potential complications. If left untreated, it can spread to other nails or skin, causing pain and discomfort. In some cases, it can even lead to secondary bacterial infections.

Limitations of traditional toenail fungus treatments

Before we get into honey as a possible treatment, it’s important to understand why toenail fungus is so annoying to get rid of.

Topical medications: Limited penetration

Most topical treatments can’t get deep enough into the nail to reach the infection. So, if you have a severe infection, it may not work.

Oral antifungal medications: Potential side effects

Oral medications come with their own set of risks, including liver damage. If you take them, you’ll have to have your liver function monitored.

Surgical removal: Invasive and not always effective

Surgery is an option, but it’s invasive, and there’s no guarantee the fungus won’t come back.

Recurrence rates

Even after treatment, toenail fungus often recurs. You might get rid of the infection only to have it return a few months later.

Honey’s antifungal properties: A scientific overview

Does honey kill toenail fungus? Well, honey has been used for centuries for its healing properties, and scientists are now exploring how honey can fight fungus, too.

The science behind honey’s antifungal action

There are multiple reasons honey could have antifungal effects:

• Hydrogen peroxide: Some kinds of honey, such as Jarrah honey, contain hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is created with the help of the enzyme glucose oxidase. Hydrogen peroxide alone is not a strong antifungal agent.
• Non-peroxide antifungal activity: Manuka honey has antifungal properties that don’t come from hydrogen peroxide, which means other compounds in the honey may be at work.
• Osmotic effect: Honey is mostly sugar. The high sugar content creates an osmotic effect, which means it pulls water away from fungal cells, which prevents the fungus from growing.

Key antifungal compounds in honey

Honey contains several compounds that may contribute to its antifungal properties:

• Methylglyoxal (MGO): This compound is found in Manuka honey and is known to fight bacteria and fungus.
• Defensin-1: Honey bee defensin-1 is an antimicrobial peptide (a small protein) found in honey.
• Volatile compounds: Honeys like Agastache honey contain unique volatile compounds (compounds that evaporate easily) such as Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl), and Estragole.

Different kinds of honey have different chemical markers. For example, Manuka honey contains Acetanisole.

Honey’s broad-spectrum antifungal potential

Research shows honey may be effective against a broad range of fungi:

• Dermatophytes: Jarrah honey is a potent antifungal agent against dermatophytes, which are fungi that cause skin infections. Agastache honey is also effective against dermatophytes such as T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum.
• Candida albicans: Manuka honey is effective against C. albicans, a fungus that causes yeast infections. Agastache honey also has activity against C. albicans.

Manuka honey and toenail fungus

Manuka honey is a special type of honey from New Zealand that comes from bees that gather nectar from the manuka tree. It’s known for having antibacterial and wound-healing properties.

Can it help with toenail fungus?

Manuka honey: Properties and Benefits

Manuka honey is special because it’s graded using two different systems to show its quality.

Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)

The Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF, is a grading system that measures how much antibacterial activity the honey has. The higher the UMF number (UMF 15+ or higher), the more potent it is.

MGO Content

Methylglyoxal, or MGO, is a key ingredient that gives manuka honey its antibacterial power. Honey with a higher MGO level has greater antibacterial action.

Wound Healing Properties

Manuka honey is known to help wounds heal and improve skin health, but what about breast milk for nail fungus? It may even help repair any damaged tissue around a toenail infected with fungus.

Anecdotal Evidence and Testimonials

Some people say they’ve had success treating toenail fungus with manuka honey. They say it seems to speed up healing and get rid of infections. But while these stories are promising, there isn’t enough research yet to prove that it works for sure.

How to Use Manuka Honey for Toenail Fungus

If you’re interested in trying manuka honey, here’s how to use it:

Topical Application

Apply the honey directly to the area where you have toenail fungus, or consider alternative topical treatments like a Lunavia toenail fungus pen. Then, cover it with a bandage to keep the honey in place.

Frequency and Duration

Put honey on the affected area once or twice a day, and keep doing it for several weeks or months. Consistency is important if you want the best results.

Combining with Other Treatments

Manuka honey can be used along with other antifungal treatments, but be sure to talk to your doctor before combining treatments to make sure it’s safe for you.

Choosing the Right Manuka Honey

When you’re buying manuka honey, here’s what to look for:

UMF Rating

Choose manuka honey with a UMF rating of 15+ or higher if you’re planning to use it to fight fungus.

MGO Level

Make sure the honey has a high MGO content.

Authenticity

Check that the honey is certified and authentic to make sure you’re getting good quality and that it will be effective.

Jarrah honey and toenail fungus

Can honey really help with toenail fungus? Some studies suggest it might, especially a particular type of Australian honey called Jarrah honey.

What’s special about Jarrah honey?

Jarrah honey has some interesting properties that set it apart:

• High antibacterial activity: Jarrah honey is excellent at fighting microbes.
• Low Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs): This means it doesn’t take much Jarrah honey to stop dermatophytes (the fungi that cause toenail fungus) from growing. The MICs are really low, only 1.5–3.5%.
• Hydrogen peroxide production: The honey produces hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is important for its antifungal abilities.

How does it work?

It seems Jarrah honey works mainly on the surface of the fungus. It causes the thread-like structures of the fungus (hyphae) to become deformed and collapse.

Interestingly, the amount of hydrogen peroxide in Jarrah honey isn’t that high, which suggests there are other agents in the honey working together to fight the fungus. More research is needed to figure out what these synergistic agents are.

What do the studies say?

Lab studies (in vitro) show that Jarrah honey can stop various types of dermatophytes from growing. When scientists looked at the fungus under a microscope, they saw that the hyphae were deformed and collapsing after being treated with Jarrah honey.

Important things to keep in mind

Even though the lab results are promising, we need more studies on real people (in vivo) to know how well Jarrah honey works in practice.

Still, Jarrah honey looks like it could be a good alternative treatment for surface-level fungal infections, like tinea (athlete’s foot or ringworm).

Manuka honey vs. Jarrah honey for toenail fungus

If you’re considering using honey to treat toenail fungus, you’ll likely come across two main types: Manuka and Jarrah. Both have antifungal properties, but they work differently.

Key differences in how they’re made and how they act

• Active ingredients: Manuka honey’s power comes mainly from methylglyoxal (MGO). Jarrah honey’s power comes from hydrogen peroxide and other compounds that might work together.
• What they fight: Both Manuka and Jarrah honeys can fight common fungal infections, and Agastache honey is also a strong contender.
• How they attack: Jarrah honey seems to affect the surface of the fungus, while Manuka honey probably uses multiple methods, including its MGO content.

What they do well and not so well

Manuka honey:

• Strengths: It’s easy to find, well-known, and good at healing wounds.
• Weaknesses: Its strength can vary, and it might not be as effective against some types of fungus.

Jarrah honey:

• Strengths: It’s a powerful antifungal against the types of fungus that cause toenail infections.
• Weaknesses: It’s harder to find, and there aren’t as many studies on how it works in humans.

Which honey is right for you?

Think about how bad the infection is. For mild cases, Manuka honey might be enough. But for more stubborn or severe infections, Jarrah honey could be a better choice.

Talk to a doctor. Before you start any new treatment, it’s always a good idea to get advice from a healthcare professional.

Other types of honey and their antifungal potential

While Manuka honey is the most studied type of honey, some evidence suggests other varieties may also have antifungal properties:

• Agastache honey: This type of honey has shown antifungal activity against dermatophytes (the type of fungus that causes toenail fungus) and C. albicans (a type of yeast). It contains volatile compounds that might contribute to its antifungal effects.
• Tea tree honey: Like tea tree oil, tea tree honey has exhibited some antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes and C. albicans.
• Other honeys: Some commercial honeys might not have enough antifungal components to fight dermatophytes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Honey, especially Manuka and Jarrah, might help fight toenail fungus because it has antifungal properties. Other types of honey, like Agastache and Tea Tree honey, might also have some potential to help.

However, more research is needed. We need studies that test honey on real people, not just in labs, to know how well it works and how best to use it to treat toenail fungus.

So, while honey isn’t a guaranteed cure, it could be a helpful addition to your treatment plan alongside traditional methods. It’s a natural option that might be gentler than some medications.

Always talk to your doctor before trying honey or any other new treatment for toenail fungus. They can help you decide what’s best for you.