Nail fungus - onychomycosis - is a disease caused by parasitic fungi.This type of disease occurs in 20% of the adult population.Fungal infection occurs quite easily;to do this, it is enough to touch the skin of the feet with a surface that has such mushrooms.
Infection can occur, for example, in a public bathroom or swimming pool;in some cases, infection with a fungal infection occurs when you try on shoes in a store or when you visit a beauty salon, which uses poorly disinfected instruments for manicure and pedicure.Infection can occur when you use shoes that were worn by a person infected with the fungus several months ago;this situation leads to re-infection.
When the first symptoms of a fungal infection appear, treatment should begin immediately.Due to the high prevalence of this pathology, almost every person should know how to treat toenail fungus at home.
Popular folk methods for the treatment of nail fungus
Timely treatment of nail fungus at home using the fastest methods allows you to effectively cope with the disease in the earliest stages of the infection process.
When treating nail fungus with folk remedies, you can use quite simple and effective methods of therapy.Folk remedies have simple recipes and simple procedures, which allow anyone to use them independently.
To treat the disease in the initial stages of infection, you can use apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, celandine juice, iodine solution, hydrogen peroxide and kombucha-based compresses.
The most popular recipes are as follows:
- Soak your feet once or twice a day in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water in a 1:1 ratio.Soaking time is 15-20 minutes.After this time, you should allow your feet to dry.The procedures should be carried out for two weeks.Gradually, the fungus begins to disappear and a healthy nail takes the place of the damaged nail.
- It is recommended to lubricate the skin and nail plates affected by a fungal infection with tea tree oil three times a day.For one use, you will need from 4 to 10 drops of oil.The antifungal effect from the use of this drug is observed two weeks after the start of therapy.In some cases, an extension of the treatment course is required.This drug is prohibited for use in the treatment of diseases in children and pregnant women.
- Using Kombucha.For treatment, you need to prepare a compress.For this purpose, you should wrap a plate of kombucha in cellophane and wrap a bandage around your leg, after these manipulations you should wear socks.The procedure should be performed at night, before going to bed.In the morning, you should wash your lower limbs with warm water.And remove the dead areas and smear the places where they were removed with iodine solution.One of the side effects of this method of treatment is the occurrence of severe pain, but the advantage of the method is the rapid achievement of a positive result of the therapy.
- The infection can be cured by using propolis tampons.For this purpose, you can use propolis tinctures or its extract.This product can be used every day.Exposure to propolis accelerates the growth of the nail plate.Which leads to an acceleration of the healing process.
If, when using traditional methods, there is no improvement in the condition, then you should seek help from a doctor to conduct an examination and prescribe complex therapy for the treatment of the pathology.
The use of iodine in the treatment of nail fungus
One of the tools to help fight nail fungus is iodine solution.Removing the infection with iodine is quite easy.Moreover, this method of destruction is free and accessible to everyone.
Most experts in traditional treatment methods recommend starting the treatment of the infection with an iodine solution, which is most likely due to the availability of this drug and its widespread use.Medical solution of iodine has pronounced disinfectant and antiseptic properties.
For treatment, you need to use iodine every day, the solution is applied to the damaged areas of the skin of the foot and nails.
To treat athlete's foot at home using an iodine solution, you will need to apply a few drops to the affected areas twice a day.Treatment of the affected areas is carried out using a cotton swab or cotton swab.It is better to drip the medicine solution directly on the nail plate.
The use of iodine in the treatment of fungal infections can accelerate the healing of damaged areas, which makes it possible to restore the skin.To ensure a more significant antifungal effect during the procedures, it is recommended to treat not only the affected areas, but also the areas adjacent to the wound.
When treating the affected nail, it is enough to apply a drop of the medical composition.
Another way to use iodine solution to kill fungi is to use baths with this medicine.
To prepare a bath, add half a bottle of iodine solution to a bowl of warm water and steam your feet for 10 minutes.After the procedure, damaged tissues are removed from the affected areas without causing damage to healthy skin.After removing the affected areas, the skin surface will need to be treated with hydrogen peroxide and a bandage with an antibacterial composition applied.
If necessary, you can mix iodine with apple cider vinegar.This mixture can be treated in the morning and in the evening, and the course of treatment lasts more than two weeks.
How to treat with vinegar?
You can get rid of a yeast infection with vinegar.To perform the procedure, you must mix 70% acetic acid and glycerin in equal proportions and shake well before use;The resulting mixture is lubricated on the affected nail plates three times a day.The duration of treatment is about three weeks.
Traditional medicine has developed a simple antifungal remedy - baths with the addition of apple cider vinegar, which are carried out every day before going to bed.The usual course of such therapy is three weeks or more.
Using apple cider vinegar, you can prepare products with the addition of vegetable oil.The solution is prepared in a 1:1 ratio of ingredients.When treating a fungal infection, moisten gauze or a bandage with the resulting solution and apply it to the damaged nail.This bandage is recommended to be worn for 4 hours a day until the infection is completely healed.
In addition to these treatment methods, there are other recipes for folk remedies based on vinegar, the most common of which are the following:
- egg and vinegar ointment;
- using pure vinegar;
- using wine vinegar.
When preparing vinegar-based products, vinegar essence can be used, previously diluted with water to the desired concentration.
Treatment of fungus with celandine
Using celandine at home can help cure the infection.It is recommended to lubricate the nail plate that is deformed and infected with a fungal infection with celandine juice using a cotton swab three times a day.For this purpose, juice is squeezed from a fresh, recently picked plant.
Partially fresh juice can be used immediately after taking, and partially juice can be fermented in a dark place for a period of 2-3 weeks.Celandine therapy takes quite a long time;it is necessary to carry out procedures until a new nail grows.
Celandine can be used to treat pathology in a mixture with alcohol.For this purpose, a liquid solution is prepared with 70% alcohol in a 1:1 ratio.The prepared solution is applied to the affected areas 4 times a day.
For therapy, you can use dry celandine herbs.For this purpose, the grass must be ground in a coffee grinder to a powder state and mixed with iodine, vinegar or tea tree oil.The result of the mixture should be a porridge-like mass.
Using the resulting composition, apply a compress to the damaged nail plate.
The use of hydrogen peroxide in treatment
Hydrogen peroxide is not a compound capable of destroying a fungal infection.Using a solution of this chemical substance allows you to stop and prevent the progression of the pathology.
Peroxide is characterized by the presence of pronounced deodorizing properties, therefore it is ideal for the treatment of damaged areas.
When using peroxide, you must follow the instructions for its use.
Therapy with a solution of hydrogen peroxide can be carried out according to the following scheme:
- A hot foot bath is made, to which copper sulfate is added.The legs are placed in the solution and steamed well.
- After steaming, use a clean towel to wipe dry skin, paying special attention to the skin between the toes.
- After drying the skin, cotton pads or swabs moistened in a solution of hydrogen peroxide are applied to the affected areas.Tampons are fixed to damaged areas using adhesive tape.After applying tampons, the leg in the area affected by the infection is wrapped with a towel.This type of compress should be kept for 4-50 minutes.The procedure should be carried out twice a day with a break of twelve hours.
- After the toenails become light, you should trim the soft areas of the nail plate and apply an antifungal cream to the surface.
The disease will go away much faster if you use a special foot bath prepared with a hydrogen peroxide solution.For this purpose, you will need to take two liters of water and dissolve 100 ml of peroxide in it.You should steam your feet in the resulting solution for 20 minutes.
After the procedure, the skin of the feet is wiped dry with a clean towel and the softened nail is carefully removed with a nail file.At the end of the procedure for removing the damaged nail, an antifungal cream is applied to the treated area.This procedure is recommended to be performed once a day.
An additional benefit of using peroxide is that it can speed up the processes that promote healing.Under its influence, pathogenic microorganisms stop multiplying and spreading to new areas.In addition, when using this chemical composition, the development of a relapse of the infectious process can be avoided.
Pregnant women suffering from infection should pay special attention to the chemical.Since its use does not cause negative consequences for both the mother's body and the unborn child.
Treatment of advanced forms of the disease
An old and neglected fungus can threaten a patient with the loss of a nail;therefore, therapeutic measures should be started as early as possible.It is advisable to start recovery from the initial stages of the infectious process when the first signs of damage appear.
If the nail plate has become thick and has acquired a loose and smooth appearance, then therapeutic measures can be significantly delayed.
Before starting therapy for fungal infection, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the factor that contributes to the development of microorganisms.There is a whole range of remedies that are quite effective in the fight against old and advanced infections.
The following methods can be used at home:
- The skin around the affected area is coated with a nourishing cream and the peroxided kombucha is applied to the injured area.After which the damaged area is wrapped with polyethylene and fixed with a bandage, this bandage is applied at night and the procedure itself is performed several times;
- You can get rid of old or neglected mycosis using a solution of potassium permanganate.
When using the second method, the feet should be steamed in a solution of potassium permanganate and a compress made of a pre-prepared liquid mixture of alcohol and propolis should be applied to the damaged areas.The compress is fixed with a bandage.It is recommended that the procedure be performed every other day until the pathological process is completely eliminated.
In the process of treating an old form of fungus, the use of local antifungal creams and oral medications will be required.
The use of compresses based on 5% sulfur ointment and preparations with iodine has an excellent effect.In addition, it is recommended to feed the nails daily with lavender and tea tree essential oils.
Use of medications during home treatment
When you get rid of an infectious process, tablets should be selected by the attending physician.The modern pharmaceutical market offers patients a wide selection of such drugs.
When using antifungal drugs at home, you should remember that they all have a large number of contraindications that must be taken into account when taking them.
In addition, all these drugs can cause a number of side effects to the patient.For this reason, self-prescription of these drugs is contraindicated;they should be taken only if prescribed by the attending physician.
Currently, pharmacies offer patients tablets for the treatment of fungal infections, as well as effective products in the form of creams and gels.
If no positive effect is observed while using the prescribed medications at home, you should immediately contact your doctor for advice and adjustment of the medications used.
If it is necessary to remove the nail plate, you can use special creams that are applied as a compress.
After exposure to the compress, the softened part of the nail is cleaned with a file.This procedure should be performed every day until the nail bed is completely clean.
Prevention of disease occurrence
The most effective method to fight fungal infection is to prevent the infection.
To prevent the occurrence of an infectious process, you should use only individual pedicure products.To perform hygiene procedures, you must have your own towel.You should not put someone else's shoes on your feet.
Getting rid of the infection is a complex, time-consuming and financially expensive undertaking, so you should try to prevent the infection.For this purpose, regular cleaning of the toilet, bathroom and rooms at home using disinfectants is recommended.
When visiting the pool, sauna and spa, you must wear special shoes.Which should be individual.After visiting the bath and shower, it is recommended to wipe dry skin, especially the skin between the toes.
If you have a tendency to diabetes, you should regularly monitor the level of glucose in the body, since the presence of an increased content of this component in the body is a factor that contributes to the development of a viral infection in the skin of the feet.
Be sure to wash your feet daily with soap and dry your shoes if they get wet.It is also necessary to change your socks.
When choosing shoe models, it is recommended to give preference to those varieties that do not restrict movement and are able to allow air to pass freely.
When buying socks, sweaters, socks and shoes, you should give priority to quality products.
Among other things, to prevent the occurrence of a fungal infection, it is recommended to check your diet.With a lack of certain vitamins and nutritional compounds in the diet, the body gets tired and is easily susceptible to infection.To replenish the loss of vitamins and biologically active compounds, it is recommended to consume more vegetables and fruits, especially in spring, when the lack of vitamins in the body is particularly acute.
It is necessary to monitor the condition of the nails and the skin around them on the feet every day;it is necessary to cut them at the right time, using disinfected personal tools for this purpose.