Mycoses can easily spread throughout the body, but the most popular place for their localization is in a person’s nails and feet. The virus spreads and spreads very easily, therapy requires an integrated approach.
There are many tablets and medications available to eliminate fungal infections. At the same time, there is still a great demand for folk remedies for nail fungus.
What is a mushroom?
There are many fungal pathogens in nature that can affect the human body. The mushroom is always uncomfortable and painful. It spreads from a sick person to a healthy person in many ways: in public places, in common shoes, through direct contact.
The most common localization site is the feet, namely the feet and nails. There are several reasons for this placement:
- increased sweating of the legs due to individual characteristics;
- tight, uncomfortable synthetic shoes;
- permanent injuries to the legs, microcracks, scratches, corns;
- tension;
- alcoholism and smoking poisoning;
- permanent hypothermia of the legs.
The disease is not immediately recognizable, the first stages are almost asymptomatic. Then the unpleasant symptoms actively appear:
- unpleasant pungent odor;
- the nail plate turns white and lamination may appear;
- itching and sometimes a burning sensation;
- wounds form on the skin around the nails, erosion appears.
The treatment depends on the stage of the fungus, the earlier the problem is detected, the easier it is to remedy. But it must be understood that the fight against such a disease is quite difficult, it can take months or even years. The disappearance of the signs does not mean the complete clearance of the virus spores in the body. This may only mean a decrease in activity, but under certain conditions, the virus will restart.
Why choose folk remedies?
The process of treating a fungal infection can take several months. Mycologists recommend a number of pharmaceutical products to prevent the formation of new fungal spores. But none of them give a 100% guarantee.
Therefore, experts advise to use different methods to treat nail fungus, combining traditional and folk methods.
Benefits of alternative medicine:
- much cheaper than pharmaceuticals;
- there are virtually no contraindications and side effects;
- when used properly, fully enhance their effectiveness.
The most popular methods of removing the fungus can be given by experts. The point is to use the new tools with great care. Also, keep in mind the age of the patient, it is not recommended to use products that have not been tested on children. Patients under the age of 16 are treated by a mycologist, but those over the age of 35 are at risk.
Iodine - a well-proven cure
To date, iodine is an effective cure for nail fungus that can be used in the early stages of the disease. It is important to note that excessive use of iodine can cause burns, so dosing should be strictly adhered to.
This method is very effective if it is used from the onset of the disease when the first symptoms appear. To avoid damaging the nail plate and skin during treatment, follow the instructions:
- Buy iodine at the pharmacy and check the expiration date.
- Wash your feet thoroughly and wipe dry. It is very important that the patient only uses their own towel, which reduces the risk of transmitting the infection.
- Apply a drop of iodine to each affected nail and the nail next to it and rub it in well.
- Allow the iodine to dry a little and do not wear socks for a while, repeat the procedure twice a day.
The full course of treatment lasts about a month. There is one such method and many side effects. The skin around the fingers turns yellow, causing aesthetic discomfort. In addition, dryness and hypersensitivity can be observed, some of them notice pain and burning sensation during rubbing. Unfortunately, the advanced stages of this disease cannot be cured with iodine.
Table vinegar in the fight against mycosis
Acetic acid compress is another popular recipe for getting rid of mycosis at home. To do this, use the usual 9% table vinegar and make baths out of it.
The recipe is simple: mix the vinegar and cold water in a 1: 8 ratio, mixing thoroughly. If the disease is at an advanced stage, we can talk about increasing the concentration, the maximum vinegar level in the bath is 2: 1.
The water must be cold, otherwise the vinegar will lose its properties. In addition, you need to prepare a bath with hot water, your feet should be lowered for steaming. When the nails are softened, the feet are placed in a vinegar bath. The procedure can be done every two days, the total course is 3 weeks.
Propolis
This folk remedy has strong anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and is therefore used to fight bacteria and fungal spores. You can buy propolis in pure form at the pharmacy, but it must be used diluted in a water bath. In addition, some experts recommend the use of an infusion of propolis for alcohol, but it is still undesirable for the treatment of mycoses.
Two methods are used to combat an unpleasant disease:
- moisten the cotton swab in liquid propolis and treat the affected area twice a day;
- at night, a slightly molten piece of material is placed on the affected nails, but such compaction can last up to 2 hours.
It is an effective medicine against nail fungus, but use it with extreme caution.
Tea mushrooms
Kombucha is a controversial treatment method, some experts say it can lead to activation of the process, while others say it can completely get rid of mycosis and related problems.
First, a medicinal solution must be prepared by soaking the mushrooms in sweet tea for a week. The solution should have a brown color and a distinctive aroma and be considered ready. The main properties of kombucha are antibacterial and antifungal.
It is used in two ways:
- A piece of mushroom should be peeled and peeled and squeezed a little to remove excess liquid and then gently rubbed onto the damaged nail plate. It is worth repeating the procedure 2-3 times a day.
- Compression before going to bed. The feet should be washed and dried. Then take a piece of mushroom and cut it lengthwise. Dip one part into warm water and send the other back into the syrup. Take a mushroom out of the water and attach cellophane to your toenail on top and put on one or even two tight socks. Compresses can cause tingling, mild pain, a slight burning sensation - such symptoms are considered quite reasonable and only reinforce the effect of the fungus.
Tar
This odorless substance is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, so it is advisable to use it for quick removal of nail fungus at home. Birch tar, a birch bark processing product, is actively used. It can be purchased at a specialty pharmacy.
Birch tar often becomes the basis of ointments, but in the case of mycosis, the product is used in its natural form.
In fact, this product is very popular in the field of cosmetology. Various cosmetics (tar soap, tar shower gel and tar shampoo) are very popular because of their effect.
You have to steam your feet first. It is better to do this in soapy water. Then cut off the dead parts of the nail, then apply fresh tar with tar and rub well. Then do not dress for several hours, the tar is better absorbed when in contact with air. After that, washing your feet for at least a day is not recommended, after which you can take a cold bath for your feet. To maximize the effectiveness of the treatment, socks made of natural material should be worn and shoes should be treated with a light tar solution.
Foot baths containing tar soap are also actively used. To prepare, take half the soap, grate and dilute in warm water (2 l). You can add a little soda. Perform the procedure for up to 20 minutes, then clean the coarse tissues and allow the feet to dry.
Herbal decoctions
It is no secret that there are many herbs that are actively used in traditional medicine because of their antiseptic properties. Decoctions from such plants are used to treat mycosis:
- dandelion;
- nettle;
- burdock root;
- cooking bananas;
- sage;
- calls for marigold;
- St. John's wort;
- chamomile.
The dry flowers of these plants are used to make decoctions. It is very important to respect the proportions and maintain enough time for a couple. Only aqueous decoctions are used to treat the fungus, alcohol, milk and other bases are prohibited.
Potion experts suggest using it only as an aid, able to step up the process, but unable to cope with the advanced stages. In addition, some of the plants shown may cause an allergic reaction.
With folk remedies, you can get rid of nail fungus quickly, but you have to be patient. Sometimes you need to use more recipes for the full effect. Full treatment can take years. It is best to consult a specialist before choosing a treatment method. And by no means start the process, the severe stages are extremely difficult to handle.