A change in the color and thickness of the nail can be safely considered the first sign of an infectious fungal disease - onychomycosis. In the initial stage, it is still possible to do without expensive drugs, it is just important to know which folk remedies are the most effective against nail fungus. You can get rid of this disease at home if you strictly follow all the rules and recommendations.
The main factors that cause the disease
Onychomycosis is considered an infectious disease, so the only way it can cause an infection. It usually occurs unnoticed and the first stage is almost asymptomatic. The appearance of slight peeling and small cracks on the nail plate is also rarely alarming. Usually, treatment begins when obvious signs of the disease are detected:
- change in nail color;
- disc thickening;
- persistent itching at the base of the nail (sometimes between the toes).
It is easy to get infected with a fungus - just contact the loved ones of a sick person during joint trips to saunas and baths, fitness centers, using ordinary household items, for example, a bath mat or bed linen. The disease can often spread in public places, such as swimming pools or water parks, if treatment is not carried out according to accepted standards.
There are also individual risk factors for the development of fungal infections, such as a weakened immune system. In order not to provoke the development of the disease, you should monitor the condition of your body before visiting places with increased risk of infection. It is not recommended to take risks if:
- The man recently caught a cold and his immune system has not yet fully recovered.
- Nails or feet are damaged.
- Doubts arise about the proper hygiene of the club or shoes, for example, in a bowling center.
The fight against nail fungus is a long process. In its advanced form, this can lead not only to cosmetic discomfort, but also to more serious diseases requiring surgical intervention.
Modern medicine offers a wide range of different antifungal drugs to get rid of this disease, but not everyone has the opportunity to buy them because of the high cost. Traditional recipes against nail fungus are no less effective if used correctly and are much cheaper.
Treatment with iodine
Of all the options for treating fungus with folk remedies, iodine is rightfully considered the most popular. The effectiveness of its use has been confirmed by dermatologists, and the medicine is recommended for the treatment of the affected areas of the nails and feet. The product compared to:
- low price;
- good antiseptic properties;
- easy use.
It has been proven that regular iodine treatment of the affected areas of the nail for two weeks can completely remove the fungus. To do this, the affected plaque should be soaked with the medicine daily until the healthy nail grows completely. For the purpose of prevention, healthy nails on other fingers can also be treated with iodine.
The drug is often used as an additional ingredient in other home recipes to combat athlete's foot. For example, they mix iodine with apple cider vinegar, treat the skin around the nails, or make a foot bath by adding the product to the water. In combination with celandine, vegetable oil or an antimicrobial agent, the drug is used to prepare mixtures not only for the treatment of nail fungus, but also for the feet.
Before using iodine, remember that this drug can cause an allergic reaction, so you need to do a test: apply a small amount of iodine to the skin and wait a few hours. Caution should be exercised when using iodine in patients with thyroid disease.
Soda treatment
Baking soda is a fairly common tool for fighting various infections. It is also good for treating nail fungus with folk remedies. Its use is recommended in two doses.
The first is to steam your feet in the bath. To do this, prepare a solution: 1 tablespoon of baking soda per liter of hot water. Soak your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes. Then continue with the next part of the procedure.
For the second step, you need to make a soda mixture (soda and a little water). Apply the resulting mass to the affected area of the steamed nail plate and apply the wrapping method (you can use a regular transparent film). The duration of the procedure should not exceed 15 minutes. Therefore, to avoid irritation, your feet should be rinsed with water.
If the disease starts, the treatment should be done every day. In the initial stage, two or three sessions a week are sufficient. The effect will be faster if you combine the baking soda treatment with medications. It usually takes about two months to completely get rid of the fungus, but even after complete healing, it is recommended to take a soda bath once a week to prevent relapse.
Alcohol pills
A good way to fight nail fungus is with an alcohol poultice. This should be done before going to bed and left overnight. As a result of heating, the affected areas of the nail plate expand, which makes it easier for the disinfectant to get inside. Ammonia poultices are considered the most effective, but a regular compress will also do. To perform the procedure correctly, you must do the following:
- Steam your feet.
- Use a file to remove the dead top layer of the affected nail.
- Treat with hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply a cotton ball soaked in an alcohol solution to the nail.
- Put it on your fingertips or wrap it in foil.
- In the morning, remove the poultice and apply an antifungal gel or cream to the nail.
- Repeat the procedure every other day until the mycosis completely disappears.
In order to enhance the effect, pure alcohol can be replaced with tinctures based on it. A weekly celandine poultice filled with alcohol significantly speeds up the treatment, and instead of an antifungal cream, you can also use the juice of a fresh plant.
A poultice with alcohol tincture of propolis also helps to get rid of the fungus quickly. The healing properties of the product have been known for a long time. It can cure the fungus not only on the nails, but also on the whole foot. Propolis has antifungal and antiseptic properties, which eliminates the use of other drugs after removing the poultice.
Uses kombucha
A concentrated solution of kombucha is very effective in the treatment of athlete's foot with folk remedies. The infusion has antibacterial properties, and the stronger the concentration, the better. A three-month infusion of the mushroom is optimal.
Treatment with this popular method can be done in two ways. The first is to use a cotton ball dipped in kombucha concentrate and boil it well overnight. The second is to smear the affected area with the mushroom itself, rub it into a paste.
In both the first and second methods, the dead layer of the nail must be cut off after the procedure. At the end of the treatment, the nail itself and the tools used must also be disinfected.
Despite the fact that kombucha is a completely natural remedy, there are some contraindications to its use. Out of order:
- women during pregnancy and lactation;
- alcoholics;
- diabetics and hepatitis sufferers;
- HIV and AIDS patients.
In other cases, kombucha is one of the most effective ways to treat mycoses without the use of drugs.
Use of birch tar
Birch tar is the oldest way to treat athlete's foot. Its use has been known for a long time, but it has not lost its effectiveness. The tar can be used in its pure form, or it can be mixed with cream to make an ointment.
Before applying the material, feet and nails must be pre-treated, steamed and dead parts must be removed. Then you can treat it with tar. The peculiarity of this method is that air access is required for the pharmaceutical preparation used. The procedure takes about two hours, so you need to ensure a comfortable position in advance.
A more modern method is to use tar soap. But it is more suitable for the daily prevention of the relapse of the disease than for its treatment. In some cases, the use of soap can cause allergic reactions and dry skin, so use with caution. And even the unpleasant smell, which is very persistent for several hours, does not contribute to the product.
Do not rely entirely on tar treatment. It is best used as a complementary natural remedy to medications.
Salt and vinegar
Vinegar and salt are usually used as adjuvants against toenail fungus. In addition, salt can be used for both marine and culinary purposes. It has strong antimicrobial properties and is well absorbed. Vinegar helps to soften the nails for further processing. Solutions are usually made from these ingredients. The recipe for the solution is very simple:
- 100 ml of vinegar (preferably cider);
- 2 liters of hot water;
- 0. 5 cups of salt.
Mix everything thoroughly and soak your feet in the solution for 20-30 minutes. Such baths not only facilitate the steaming of the nail before the procedures, but also disinfect the entire surface of the feet.
Whatever folk remedies are used to combat nail fungus, you must remember: if after two weeks the treatment has not brought visible results, consult a doctor immediately.