Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease of the feet and nails caused by dermatophytes. The pathology is infectious in nature, a pathogenic parasite - the causative agent of the infection spreads throughout the body through the lymphatic systems, the circulatory system.
Nail fungus, like many diseases, can be effectively cured by folk methods. The advantages of treatment with such tools are obvious - availability, safety, effectiveness. Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus works like any antiseptic for parasites:
- Vinegar creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nails.
- High acidity is harmful to fungal spores, stops the process of growth and reproduction.
Treatment options
Depending on the stage and type of disease, there are different treatment options for nail fungus:
- In the early stages, while there is a change in the color of the nails, the initial destruction of the structure, sufficient treatment is provided by the use of folk methods: lotions, baths, ointments.
- If the fungus has been developing for a long time, a neglected form is diagnosed, the plaque has turned dirty yellow, gray, has become lumpy, crumbles along the nail cuts, oral antifungal medications will have to be added to folk methods.
Basic rules for drug use
Such a simple mechanism makes the treatment of mycosis with apple cider vinegar effective, subject to the following rules:
- Careful choice of essence: raw materials - apple cider vinegar - should be natural, free of impurities, chemical additives. Apple essence is easy to make at home.
- Take the necessary precautions: prevent the risk of fungus spreading by tightening hygiene requirements, use personal items (towels, slippers), wash towels and socks after use.
- Strictly follow the prescription and options of using the medicine.
Method number 1: baths
Baths filled with a composition that is harmful to the fungus is a proven way to cure the disease. Apple cider vinegar has a high destructive effect on fungi.
training
Healing baths are being prepared for the treatment of fungi as follows:
- We take vinegar (400-800 ml. ), Pour it into a container for the procedure.
- Wash my feet thoroughly, the places of nail damage must first be vaporized firmly, cut the seals.
procedures
- Soak your feet in a filled container, shower for 10-15 minutes, dry your feet with a towel, wear socks made of natural materials (preferably cotton).
- In order for the treatment to give results, the first 7 days of the bath should be done in the morning and in the evening, then every 3 days.
- If there are wounds, cracks in the foot, it is possible for the procedure to be painful. To reduce the burning sensation, dilute the apple cider vinegar with water (2: 1).
After using the towel, it should be thoroughly washed to prevent the spread of infection.
Method number 2: compresses
Apple cider vinegar compresses and in combination with other ingredients are effective against mold development.
Compress options
There are several ways to treat an infection with creams:
- A cotton swab (gauze) is washed with apple cider vinegar, applied to the places where the nails are damaged.
- You can cure the infection with a mixture that has the consistency of a paste. In its composition, apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons) is combined with soda (until the desired density is obtained).
- Glycerin is mixed in equal proportions (can be replaced with vegetable oil) with apple cider vinegar. Treatment with this fungal mixture is recommended for lesions not only of the nails but also of the skin.
- A compress with iodine alcohol solution (3 drops) with apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon) helps well.
- Good results are obtained by treating the fungus with iodine creams, as well as with a mixture of lemon, soda and water.
Application features
It is recommended to apply compresses at night, fixing on the damaged area. You can apply creams during the day - in this case, hold for at least three hours.
- As a result of the compress, the nail plate of the foot softens, which allows it to be removed with scissors.
- Lotions are effective if there is an initial form of nail disease.
- Since vinegar has a drying effect, it is important to use a cream to hydrate the skin of the feet after the end of the creams session and other procedures.
Method number 3: ointments and mixtures
In the treatment of mold, the use of apple cider vinegar-based ointments is effective. Treatment with vinegar ointments, like other folk remedies, requires following the instructions.
Oil options
Empirically tested ointments against fungi, the main ingredient of which is apple cider vinegar:
- Finely chop the leaves of Kalanchoe (100 g) and add vinegar (1 teaspoon), honey (10 g), eucalyptus oil (30 g). Before you start treating the mushrooms, keep the mixture for 3 days in a dark place. The treatment is performed by lubricating the affected nail.
- To get rid of onychomycosis, you can use the following oil: dimethyl phthalate, olive oil, glycerin mixed with vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the ointment at night, wash with laundry soap in the morning.
Vinegar mixtures
With the help of these recipes, our distant ancestors successfully fought nail infection, defeated the fungus.
- A mixture of vinegar and honey. You can mix equal parts of honey and vinegar and apply it on the affected areas for 20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
- Alternate baths with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water).
- A mixture of vinegar with colloidal silver - to enhance the effect on the fungus, a metal particle suspension is applied to dry feet after a vinegar bath and held until the mixture dries.
When curing mushrooms, the oil is recommended to be applied twice a day. The therapy will be more effective if before applying the ointment, completely steam the feet and get rid of the thickened part of the nails.
prevention
It is difficult to treat onychomycosis, it is a laborious process that requires a lot of time and patience. Complicating the fight against the disease is the difficulty of early diagnosis and the persistence of the fungus.
Consequences of untreated onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is not a cosmetic problem, the consequences of fungus for a sick person are as follows:
- Nail infection provokes a number of complications: allergic skin diseases, bronchial asthma, all kinds of rashes.
- The Academy of Mycology conducted studies that proved that the fungus negatively affects the quality of life of a sick person. This is due to psychological problems, not the aesthetic appearance of the affected nails.
- If you do not fight the disease at the first sign of fungus, the immune system will suffer.
- There is a risk of erysipelas.
- Fungi complicate the course of chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease).
- If you do not start timely treatment of this nail infection, then there is a high probability of the fungus spreading to the skin of the hands, infecting family members, people around the patient.
How to avoid relapse
To prevent infection or recurrence of mycosis of the foot, it is important to take the following preventive measures:
- Refuse to wear tight and rubbing shoes. Keep shoes dry - in a humid environment the risk of developing a pathological fungus increases.
- When visiting public saunas, swimming pools, beaches, wear rubber slippers and after returning home, disinfect your shoes and feet in a vinegar bath.
- If your feet are sweaty - wear socks made of natural materials, use cosmetics.
- Socks, tights, socks should be changed daily.
- Pay attention to immunity - this is a common cause of mycosis. Take regular multivitamin courses: twice a year and after illness, taking antibiotics when the body is weak.