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;for this, it is enough to touch the skin of the foot with a surface on which there are such fungi.
The infection can occur, for example, in a public bath or swimming pool;in some cases, a fungal infection occurs when trying on shoes or visiting a beauty salon where poorly disinfected tools are used for manicures and pedicures.Infection can occur if you use shoes that were worn by a person infected with the fungus a few months ago;this situation leads to reinfection.
When the first symptoms of a fungal infection appear, treatment should be started immediately.Due to the high prevalence of this pathology, almost every person should know how to treat nail fungus at home.
Popular folk methods for the treatment of nail fungus
Timely treatment of nail fungus at home with the fastest methods allows you to effectively deal with the disease at the earliest stage of the infection process.
When treating nail fungus with folk remedies, you can use quite simple and effective therapeutic methods.Folk remedies have simple recipes and simple procedures that allow anyone to use them independently.
In the initial stages of infection, you can use apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, celandine juice, iodine solution, hydrogen peroxide, and kombucha-based poultices to treat the disease.
The most popular recipes are:
- Soak your feet in a 1:1 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water once or twice a day.The soaking time is 15-20 minutes.After this time, let your feet dry.The procedures should be carried out over two weeks.Gradually, the fungus begins to disappear, and a healthy nail takes the place of the damaged nail.
- It is recommended to apply tea tree oil to the skin and nail plates affected by the fungal infection three times a day.You will need 4-10 drops of oil for one use.The antifungal effect of this drug can be observed two weeks after the start of therapy.In some cases, it is necessary to extend the treatment process.This medicine is prohibited for the treatment of diseases of children and pregnant women.
- Using Kombucha.For treatment, you need to make a poultice.For this purpose, a plate of kombucha should be wrapped in cellophane and a bandage should be tied on the leg, after these manipulations, socks should be put on.The procedure should be done at night, before going to bed.In the morning, the lower limbs should be washed with warm water.And remove the dead areas and apply iodine solution to the places where they were removed.One of the side effects of this treatment method is the appearance of rather strong pain, but the advantage of the method is the rapid achievement of a positive result of the therapy.
- The infection can be cured with propolis tampons.For this purpose, you can use propolis tinctures or its extract.This product can be used daily.Exposure to propolis accelerates the growth of the nail plate.Which leads to an acceleration of the healing process.
If the condition does not improve when using traditional methods, then 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 fight nail fungus is iodine solution.Removing the infection with iodine is quite simple.In addition, this method of destruction is cheap and available to everyone.
Most conventional treatment experts recommend starting the treatment of infection with iodine solution, probably due to the availability and widespread use of this remedy.The medical iodine solution has pronounced disinfectant and antiseptic properties.
For the treatment, iodine should be used daily, the solution should be applied to the damaged areas of the skin of the feet and nails.
To treat athlete's foot with an iodine solution at home, apply a few drops to the affected areas twice a day.Treatment of the affected areas is carried out with a cotton cloth or a cotton swab.It is best to drip the medicinal solution directly onto the nail plate.
The use of iodine in the treatment of fungal infections can speed up the healing of damaged areas, which allows the skin to recover.In order to have a more significant antifungal effect, it is recommended to treat not only the affected areas during the procedures, but also the areas adjacent to the wound.
When treating the affected nail, it is enough to apply a drop of medicinal product.
Another way to use iodine solution to kill the fungus is to use baths with this medicine.
To prepare the bath, add half a bottle of iodine solution to a bowl of warm water and steam your feet for 10 minutes.After the procedure, the damaged tissues are removed from the affected areas without damaging the healthy skin.After removing the affected areas, the skin surface should be treated with hydrogen peroxide and a bandage with an antibacterial composition should be applied.
If necessary, you can mix iodine with apple cider vinegar.This mixture can be used in the morning and in the evening, and the duration of the treatment is more than two weeks.
How to treat with vinegar?
You can get rid of a fungal infection with vinegar.To carry out the procedure, 70% acetic acid and glycerin must be mixed in equal proportions and shaken thoroughly before use;apply the resulting mixture to the affected nail plates three times a day.The duration of treatment is about three weeks.
Traditional medicine has developed a simple anti-fungal remedy - baths with the addition of apple cider vinegar, which are taken daily before going to bed.The usual course of such therapy is three weeks or more.
You can use apple cider vinegar to make products by adding vegetable oil.The solution is prepared in a 1:1 component ratio.When treating a fungal infection, moisten a gauze or bandage with the resulting solution and apply it to the damaged nail.It is recommended to wear this bandage for 4 hours a day until the infection is completely healed.
In addition to these treatment methods, there are other vinegar-based folk remedies, the most common of which are:
- egg and vinegar ointment;
- using pure vinegar;
- using wine vinegar.
When preparing vinegar-based products, you can use vinegar essence, which has previously been 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 apply celandine juice to the deformed and infected nail plate with a cotton ball three times a day.For this purpose, the juice is pressed from a fresh, recently picked plant.
Some of the fresh juice can be used immediately after receiving it, and some can be fermented in a dark place for 2-3 weeks.Celandine therapy lasts quite a long time;procedures must be carried out until a new nail grows.
Celandine can be mixed with alcohol to treat pathology.For this purpose, a fruit juice solution is prepared with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:1.The prepared solution is applied to the affected areas 4 times a day.
You can use dry celandine herbs for therapy.For this purpose, the herb must be ground into a powder in a coffee grinder and mixed with iodine, vinegar or tea tree oil.The result of mixing should be a porridge-like mass.
With the help of the resulting preparation, a poultice should be applied to the damaged nail plate.
Use of hydrogen peroxide in the treatment
Hydrogen peroxide is not a product that can kill a fungal infection.The use of this chemical makes it possible to stop and prevent the progression of the pathology.
Peroxide is characterized by pronounced deodorizing properties, making it ideal for treating damaged areas.
When using peroxide, you must follow the instructions for use.
Therapy with hydrogen peroxide solution can be carried out according to the following scheme:
- A hot foot bath is prepared to which copper sulfate is added.Place the feet in the solution and steam well.
- After steaming, dry the skin with a clean towel, paying special attention to the skin between the fingers.
- After drying the skin, cotton pads or wipes soaked in hydrogen peroxide solution should be applied to the affected areas.The tampons are attached to the damaged areas with adhesive tape.After applying the tampon, wrap the leg in the area affected by the infection in a towel.This poultice should be kept for 4-50 minutes.The procedure should be performed twice a day, with a twelve-hour break.
- After the toenails have become light, cut off the soft areas of the nail plate and apply an anti-fungal cream to the surface.
The disease goes away much faster if you use a special foot bath made with a hydrogen peroxide solution.For this purpose, you need to take two liters of water and dissolve 100 ml of peroxide in it.You need to steam your feet in the resulting solution for 20 minutes.
After the procedure, the skin of the foot is wiped dry with a clean towel, and the softened nail is carefully filed with a nail file.At the end of the procedure to remove the damaged nail, an antifungal cream is applied to the treated area.It is recommended to perform this procedure once a day.
Another benefit of using peroxide is that it can speed up the healing process.Under its influence, pathogenic microorganisms stop multiplying and spreading to new areas.In addition, when using this chemical compound, relapse of the infectious process can be avoided.
Pregnant women with infections should pay special attention to the chemical.Because its use does not cause negative consequences for either the mother's body or the unborn child.
Treatment of advanced forms of the disease
An old and neglected fungus can threaten the patient with nail loss;therefore, therapeutic measures should be started as early as possible.It is advisable to start healing at the initial stage of the infectious process, when the first signs of damage appear.
If the nail plate has thickened and acquired a loose and flaky appearance, therapeutic measures may be significantly delayed.
Before starting the treatment of a fungal infection, the factor promoting the development of microorganisms must be determined and eliminated.There are several remedies that are quite effective in fighting old and advanced infections.
The following methods can be used at home:
- Apply a nourishing cream to the skin around the affected area and apply peroxided kombucha to the sore spot.Then the damaged area is wrapped in polyethylene and fixed with a bandage, this bandage is applied overnight, and the procedure itself is carried out several times;
- You can get rid of old or neglected mycosis with potassium permanganate solution.
When using the second method, the feet should be steamed in a solution of potassium permanganate, and a poultice made from a pre-prepared pasty mixture of alcohol and propolis should be applied to the damaged areas.The poultice is fixed with a bandage.The procedure is recommended to be performed every other day until the pathological process is completely eliminated.
Treatment of an old form of the fungus will require the use of topical antifungal creams and oral medications.
Compresses based on 5% sulfur ointment and iodine preparations have an excellent effect.In addition, it is recommended to feed the nails daily with essential oils of lavender and tea tree.
Use of medicines during home treatment
When getting rid of the infectious process, the 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, remember that each of them has a number of contraindications that must be taken into account when taking them.
In addition, these drugs can cause many side effects in the patient.For this reason, the prescription of these drugs is contraindicated;should only be taken 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 you do not experience a positive effect when using the prescribed medications at home, contact your doctor immediately for advice and to change the medication you are using.
If it becomes necessary to remove the nail plate, you can use special creams that are applied as compresses.
After the poultice, the softened part of the nail is cleaned with a nail file.This procedure should be done daily until the nail bed is completely clean.
Preventing the occurrence of diseases
The most effective way to fight a yeast infection is to prevent the infection.
To prevent the occurrence of infectious processes, use only unique pedicure products.You must have your own towel to perform hygiene procedures.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, it is recommended to regularly clean the toilet, bathroom and rooms in the house with disinfectant.
Special shoes must be worn when visiting the swimming pool, sauna and spa.Which should be individual.After bathing and showering, it is recommended to wipe the skin dry, especially the skin between the fingers.
If you are prone to diabetes, you should regularly check the level of glucose in the body, because the increased content of this component in the body is a factor that contributes to the development of viral infection on the skin of the feet.
Be sure to wash your feet daily with soap and dry your shoes if they get wet.The socks also need to be changed.
When choosing shoe models, it is recommended to give preference to those types that do not restrict movement and allow air to pass freely.
When buying socks, stockings, tights and shoes, preference should be given to quality products.
Among other things, to prevent the occurrence of fungal infection, it is recommended to check the diet.Due to the lack of certain vitamins and nutrients, the body wears out and is easily susceptible to infections.To replace the loss of vitamins and biologically active compounds, it is recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits, especially in spring, when the body's vitamin deficiency is particularly acute.
The condition of the nails and the skin around them on the feet should be monitored every day;they must be cut in time, using personal disinfected tools for this purpose.