Ozone for Nail Fungus Treatment

Most of us have heard that ozone in the air protects us from harmful ultraviolet sun rays, and some of us know that it’s being used to kill organisms in drinking water, but how many people know that we can also use ozone for nail fungus treatment? Ozone is a powerful oxidant – that is, it contains oxygen molecules that will react with other molecules it comes in contact with, often damaging them in the process. This is oxidation, deadly to many organisms and thought to be involved in disease and aging processes in humans.

Scientists have been studying the antifungal potential of ozone, using it in gaseous form on stored foods, adding it to water, and producing ozonized ointment for onychomycosis and other fungal infections. It is very effective at killing fungi in grain stores, has been effectively used against fungal skin infections, and has shown potent antifungal activity against the fungi that cause onychomycosis in laboratory conditions. The key to using ozone for nail fungus treatment will ultimately likely depend on getting the ozone to the fungus.

Preliminary efforts have involved forcing ozone into a carrier such as olive oil. This approach makes sense because olive oil is also known to possess some antifungal properties, providing some extra punch, and the process causes the oil to solidify, creating ozonized ointment for onychomycosis. Theoretically, this product could be applied topically to both skin and nail infections. Properly designed, conclusive trials of ozone for nail fungus treatment, however, are still to come.

One stumbling block will be whether the ozonized ointment for onychomycosis is capable of penetrating the nail to reach and act upon the invading fungus. Nails are tough and impenetrable, and topical treatments tend to be unsuccessful – the medication does not contact the fungus until the infection is very advanced, if then. A further question about ozone for nail fungus treatment is whether the ozone will act in the same way in an actual infection as it does under laboratory conditions. The two situations are not the same.

Lack of conclusive evidence for ozone does not mean it doesn’t work: it means we’re not sure that it works, or how well it works. For those suffering from nail fungus and interested in an alternative medicine treatment, ozonized ointment for onychomycosis might be worth trying. Have the infection confirmed by a health professional before choosing any treatment.

Essential Oils Against Nail Fungus

The idea that we can use essential oils against nail fungus infections (onychomycosis) is now well established, and scientific research continues to provide proof that its not just folklore. The best approach, however, is still unclear. Various plant species have been investigated, including the Australian tee tree, a handful of aromatic herbs and spices such as oregano, mint, and cloves, and even olive oil, a culinary oil thought to have many healthful properties. The good news is that all of these plants appear to produce compounds that are toxic to the fungi that invade skin, hair, and nails.

Using plant extracts for onychomycosis is not a new idea; in fact, it is probably the oldest antifungal remedy on earth, dating from prehistoric times when people had only the natural world around them to provide cures for disease. The theory behind using essential oils against nail fungus is simply that plants in nature have to fight off fungi too, and they usually do so very effectively. If we can isolate the compounds that a plant uses to fend off fungal attack, we can use them against our own fungal infections.

Among the essential oils against nail fungus that have been studied scientifically, tee tree oil appears to be in the lead. Considerable research has proven the antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties of this plant and the extract made from it is now in widespread use, particularly in the alternative therapy market. Some of the herb and spice plant extracts for onychomycosis have also been studied and, recently, addition of ozone to some of these substances has shown promise in enhanced antifungal activity.

The difficulty with using plant extracts for onychomycosis lies in the nature of the infection itself. Fungi that succeed in invading a finger- or toenail typically begin to grow in the nail bed, under the nail, protected from the outside world by many layers of tough keratinized cells. In order to use essential oils against nail fungus, we must find a way to get a topical treatment through the nail to the infection – and this proves to be problem.

If you think you have onychomycosis, consult a health professional for a proper diagnosis. If you decide to use plant extracts for onychomycosis treatment, begin as soon as possible, follow instructions carefully, and keep affected nails clean and thoroughly trimmed, so the tropical treatment has a chance to work.