Nanoformulations of essential oils for the treatment of fungal diseases, with a focus on dermatophytes

Fungal infections, particularly those caused by dermatophytes, affect over 25% of the world's population and pose a significant public health risk to both humans and animals. Conventional antifungal treatments face substantial challenges like drug resistance, adverse effects, and require long-term systemic medications. Essential oils (EOs) have attracted attention for their antimicrobial properties; however, their therapeutic applications have been hampered by their low solubility and rapid degradation. Nanotechnology addresses these limitations by encapsulating EOs to enhance their durability, bioavailability, and antifungal properties. This review covers the potential EO-based nanoformulations for treating fungal infections, with a focus on dermatophytes. It also highlights how nanoencapsulation may help reduce drug resistance, toxicity, and adverse effects. However, there are some limitations. The effectiveness of treating fungal infection can vary depending on the EO's composition, fungal species, and how the nanoformulation is formulated. Future research should emphasize standardizing formulation protocol and evaluating in vivo efficacy and safety through well-designed clinical trials. While EOs represent a promising approach, they are not a substitute for evidence-based antifungal treatment and must not be used without medical guidance.