Fungal disease of the toenails can occur for a variety of reasons. Onychomycosis is fraught with a lot of trouble, ranging from an ugly appearance to a constant sensation of pain and itching. Summer very easy to catch, but not so easy to cure. In this article, we will talk about effective remedies for toenail fungus.
About onychomycosis
Fungal diseases are of infectious origin and usually affect certain areas of the nails and skin. Onychomycosis can be contracted in a home contact, that is, after the general use of socks, shoes, as well as in the pool, sauna, gym, etc.
The symptoms of toenail fungus appear gradually. The first signs can be noticed immediately:
- nails change color: become gray, yellow, black, gray or white;
- begin to crumble;
- the plate is delaminated;
- the skin near the nail begins to itch;
- damage the affected areas.
As the disease progresses, keratinization of the nail is observed, as well as pronounced compression.
Those who treat the fungus should know that this infection is very resistant. Even if the lesion led to nail removal, there is a possibility that recurrent inflammation may develop from a small focus, which went unnoticed. Therefore, it is very important to carry out the treatment correctly, so that in the future you do not worry about the consequences in the form of relapses. It is best to consult a doctor immediately, specifically a mycologist. If there is no such specialist, a dermatologist can help you.
There are various treatments for onychomycosis. Today in the pharmacy you can find many preparations for toenail fungus: oils, lotions, tablets and varnishes. Doctors advise you to practice both oral medication and local therapy at the same time. So the treatment will be more complete as well as complex. It should be borne in mind that the therapy will last a long time - about 2-4 months.
Remedies for nail fungus
The treatment regimen should be chosen by the physician. Self-medication is not worth it, as improper use of medications can provoke the development of resistance to them in fungal agents, as well as lead to further progression of the disease. In addition, antifungal drugs are quite "strong" and have a number of contraindications. A wide range of drugs used against onychomycosis:
- topical medications (creams, ointments, solutions, varnishes);
- medicines for oral administration (tablets, capsules).
Current preparations
They are a medicine for external use against fungi. They are described in the initial stage of onychomycosis, i. e. when the fungus has infected less than 30% of the nail surface in 1-2 fingers.
The use of these medicines is associated with several features. In order for the active substances to penetrate deep into the nail structure and have a therapeutic effect, you have to go through 2 stages:
- Removal of nail plate areas affected by the fungus. To do this, it is necessary to steam the nails in a soap-soap solution for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the softened top layer with a file and treat it with a disinfectant. The solution is prepared simply: add 1 tbsp to 2 liters of water. baking soda and 5 g of laundry soap.
- Treatment with a fungicidal antifungal preparation. A remedy (ointment, gel, spray) should be applied to the affected nail.
An antifungal medicine in the form of a spray is popular. It should be applied only to the affected area of the nail 2 times a week. The course of treatment is until the symptoms of onychomycosis completely disappear.
Also among the local preparations, keratolics should be distinguished. It is a painless and inexpensive alternative for removing the affected nail hardware. With the help of these funds, you can soften the corneal layer of the nail plate, which is then rejected. These drugs should be used when the fungal area is more than 40%. The application method looks like this:
- steam the feet in a soda and soap solution;
- smooth the surface of the plate with a file;
- paint freely with the selected composition;
- cover the treated area with adhesive tape.
Such actions should be performed every 3-4 days. As a result, healthy nails should grow in place of diseased nails.
Oral medication
These are nail fungus remedies, available in tablets or capsules for oral administration. These remedies for treatment are prescribed in advanced cases, when the fungus has infected more than 50% of the nail surface and is actively advancing further.
Oral medications for fungus are toxic and have many contraindications. In particular, they should not be drunk during pregnancy, lactation, kidney and liver diseases. To reduce the risk of side effects, such medications are prescribed for short courses.
We strongly recommend that you check the dose of medication and the course of treatment with your doctor. All cases are individual.
Folk remedies against nail fungus
Popular recipes against onychomycosis on toenails can only help in the initial stage of the disease. Antifungal properties are inherent in many plants, improvised tools from the first aid kit at home and the refrigerator.
The following folk remedies are popular:
- Jod.Possesses pronounced antiseptic, fungicidal properties. The solution should be used to treat diseased nails and skin twice a day (1 point per nail). Course: months. True, this method has disadvantages - the fingers turn yellow, sometimes a burn can occur.
- Tea mushrooms. . . Peel a squash, grate it and chop it finely. Rub the stone on the affected nails, do not rinse. Next, stick a bactericidal patch and put on tight socks. The procedure should be done three times until the diseased nail plate falls off and a new nail grows.
- Vinegar 9%. . . Wet your nails with acetic acid overnight and wear socks. Leave it until morning. You can also take baths. Pour a glass of vinegar into a bowl of warm water and steam your nails for 15 minutes. Any procedure should be performed daily until the symptoms of the fungus subside.
- Birch pitch. . . With onychomycosis, you need clean pitch. If not, then tar soap will do. The product should be rubbed into the nails, secured with a compress and left overnight. Rinse in the morning. And so every day until complete recovery.
- Celandine. . . Make dry grass with 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then mix with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Keep your fingers in the resulting solution for 30 minutes. Do it every day.
- Onion peel. . . 4 tbsp. sprinkle onion peel with a glass of vodka, cover with a lid and let it soak in a dark place for 2 weeks. The resulting tincture should be lubricated with nails 4 times a day.
- Lavender oil, tea tree oil and olive oil.Mix in equal proportions, apply the composition on the affected nail plate. You should use this home remedy every day before going to bed, wearing socks.
Although in the breadth of the network you can find many positive comments about the use of these folk remedies, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. If you practice them, then only as an adjunct to medication treatment. Of course, the doctor should be warned about this.
Onychomycosis is a fungal fungal disease that is difficult to get rid of. Only with an integrated approach to therapy can a positive result be achieved. You do not have to play "doctor" and design a treatment plan for yourself. Most medications are contraindicated and can cause side effects. The best way to treat the fungus can only be suggested by a specialist. The medicines described above and their analogues are suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis that occurs in the fingers not only of the feet, but also of the hands.