Grapefruit Seed Extract And Nail Fungus

Grapefruit seed extract is an herbal supplement sold to treat infections such as fungal nail infections. In its purest form, grapefruit seed extract consists of only seeds and pulp -- the remains left over after a grapefruit has been juiced. However, some grapefruit seed extract products contained added -- and possibly dangerous -- chemicals. (See References 1 and 2.)

Fungal Nail Infections

A nail fungal infection may discolor and thicken your nails and make the edges crumble. Nail fungus can be painful as well as aesthetically unpleasing. Left untreated, a fungal nail infection could last forever, according to MayoClinic.com. Nail fungus is not something your body will necessarily naturally heal, which means you should seek treatment so it won't persist indefinitely. Applying grapefruit seed extract externally to your infected nails may be one way to treat nail fungus. (See References 2 and 3.)

Chemicals

Chemicals added to many grapefruit seed extract supplements rather than properties in the grapefruit itself may help treat your nail fungus. Donal O'Mathuna, a bio-ethicist and herbal researcher, analyzed grapefruit seed extract studies published between 1999 and 2009 for The Irish Times. O'Mathuna said studies conducted in Germany, Austria, Japan, Sweden and the United States all showed that grapefruit seed extract in its natural state possesses no ability to fight off infections. (See Reference 1.)

Study

The first major study to delve into the contents and effectiveness of grapefruit seed extract products was led by T. von Woedtke, a researcher at the German Institute of Pharmacy. The study, published in "Pharmazie" in June 1999, analyzed six commercial grapefruit seed extract products. Five of the six contained antimicrobials capable of fighting infections such as nail fungus. The sixth did not. The products that worked contained disinfectants and synthetic preservatives, including benzethonium chloride, a poison. The single product that failed to fight infections contained pure grapefruit extract. Woedke and colleagues made homemade grapefruit seed extract with identical results: pure grapefruit did not fight infections. (See References 4 and 5.)

Other Treatment Options

You can treat nail fungus with medications rather than grapefruit seed extract. Two oral anti-fungal medications -- itraconazole and terbinafine -- prove effective, according to MayoClinic.com. However, oral antifungal drugs can cause liver damage, so your doctor may first recommend an alternative treatment, particularly if you suffer from congestive heart failure or liver disease. Alternative treatment options include topical medications, a prescription anti-fungal nail polish or surgery to remove your nail if your nail fungal infection is particularly painful or extreme. Some home remedies that may prove helpful in alleviating nail fungus include soaking your infected nails in vinegar or applying medicated ointment to them. (See Reference 3.)

Precautions

Benzethonim chloride, an ingredient in many grapefruit seed extract supplements, can cause convulsions and coma. It can also interfere with your body's ability to metabolize drugs, which can create a dangerous drug excess in your bloodstream. Grapefruit also affects your body's ability to metabolize drugs and may cause serious, even fatal, interactions when combined with other medications. Using grapefruit seed extract topically rather than taking it orally may lessen the severity of side effects. But ingredients in grapefruit seed extract could seep into your bloodstream through your pores. If you have any concerns, seek medical treatment. (See References 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.)