The question of how to cure nail fungus is asked by many, but not everyone chooses the right solution to this problem and turn exclusively to traditional medicine. The use of homemade products can sometimes be useful, but it is better to trust specialists and not experiment with your own health.
Another misconception is the assumption that nail fungus is not such a serious disease that should be treated immediately, but this is far from the case. Fungus or onychomycosis manifests itself in connection with the spread of bacteria on the horny plate and if they do not prevent their spread, then the infection will penetrate into all surrounding tissues and into the body. In this case, you will have to decide not about how soon you need to cure the nail fungus, but how to save the limb and overall health.
How does the fungus manifest
In the initial stages, it is much easier to deal with the infection. You can dispense with the use of special therapeutic agents and prevent the destruction of the nail, leading to the complete or partial removal of the horny plate.
In principle, anyone who pays attention to their feet and takes regular care of their toes can detect a fungal infection. This is evidenced by the following signs:
- The appearance of areas that differ from the natural color of the nail. What will be the changes depends on the type of infection. These can be light stripes or brown, yellow "dots". There is a likelihood of the formation of other shades, which should be a reason to find out the reason for the appearance of such changes;
- Brittleness. If your toenail is crumbling, flaking, then most likely it's time to decide how to cure the nail fungus. In some cases, brittle nails are caused by other diseases, vitamin deficiencies and poor nutrition, therefore, in any case, a specialist consultation will not hurt;
- Deformation of the horny plate. The growth of bacteria, the absence of treatment leads to significant modifications of the nail, it is noticeably deformed. Not only the appearance of the foot worsens, but also there is discomfort when walking in shoes;
- Itching, soreness in the affected area;
- Bad smell. It is highly undesirable to bring the condition of the nails to the stage when a specific smell is already emitted, there are signs of suppuration, an inflammatory process. Such symptoms may already indicate not only that it is time to cure nail fungus, but also take measures to save the body from the spread of infection.
The signs have different manifestations depending on the development of the nail disease, which led to the appropriate classification of mycosis lesions:
- 1st stage. An initial degree, which can only be detected by a very attentive person or a specialist dermatologist. Minor color changes, slight itching is possible;
- II stage. The nail can be deformed, the color changes, the stratum corneum is partially destroyed. There is still an opportunity to cure nail fungus without surgery, but delay will only aggravate the situation;
- III stage. It is considered one of the advanced degrees of fungal infection. It is no longer necessary to treat only the nail, but possibly the surrounding tissues, as well as the root itself, since at this stage the infection is very deep. Various inflammations, suppurations, and so on can become concomitant factors. It is very dangerous to bring the condition of the legs to such an advanced stage, since the treatment will require significant physical and financial costs and there is no guarantee that the restored nail will be even.
What can be the treatment for a fungus on the feet
Modern drugs on the market for medical products against various kinds of infections make it possible to effectively treat the fungus at home. Depending on the stage, type and extent of infection, it is possible to choose the optimal drug.
In addition, certain drugs have a complex effect, their use allows you not only to solve the problem of how to cure nail fungus, but also how to stimulate cell regeneration and speed up healing.
Of the many medicines that are actively advertised, have positive reviews or are simply recommended for nail diseases, the following subgroups can be distinguished:
- Lucky. It is recommended to use varnish as an additional treatment, for example, during a period when it is not possible to use ointment, compress or other external means. There are varnishes that contribute to the gradual exfoliation of the affected area, which is necessary for better penetration of active compounds to destroy the infection. The main advantage of varnishes is the ability to mask the fungus, since a decorative varnish can be temporarily applied over the medicinal varnish. Reviews of such solutions are contradictory; it is not recommended to use varnish at advanced stages;
- Drops. Solutions are applied to the cleaned nail, or even after removing it, so that the active compounds penetrate into the site of infection. Prescribed in conjunction with other drugs, if there is a significant damage to the nail;
- Ointments and creams. The most varied assortment of drugs is ointments and special creams. They differ not only in efficiency, complex of action, but also in price. As part of each drug, the active ingredients, concentration and possible side effects are indicated. Since bacteria that differ in the types of action (yeast, dermatophytes) can provoke the fungus, the methods of dealing with them must be chosen accordingly. There are ointments and creams of complex action, that is, their use is permissible for various infections. Along with blocking the spread of the infection, the ointment can help with better healing. The purpose of such drugs is varied, starting with the fact that it is advisable to use them to remove the nail, and ending with the usual prevention. In this regard, it is better to visit a specialist before use, find out reviews, carefully read the instructions in order to get rid of the fungus in the near future;
- Band-aids. They are mainly used for partial or complete nail removal. With advanced stages, such a procedure is necessary, since it is impossible to restore a diseased nail. The patch is impregnated with special substances that slowly dissolve the stratum corneum affected by the infection. After several applications, it is enough to cleanse the nail from exfoliated particles and apply a medicinal ointment. All this is easy to do at home;
- Oral preparations. If the infection has spread not only to one nail, but there is a risk of infection entering the body, then it is advisable to use special medications. In practice, such treatment is mainly prescribed at stage III. In addition to antifungal suspensions or tablets, a vitamin-mineral complex can be prescribed to maintain the functions of the whole body, enhance the properties of immunity.
In addition to home treatment, you can use hardware to get rid of the fungus. These include laser therapy, cosmetic procedures combined with the application of solutions to eliminate the source of infection, restore the nail in a natural way.
You can choose a drug for the treatment of fungus that has appeared on the nails on your own. This is facilitated by the media, advertising in pharmacies, advice from a pharmacist, reviews on the Internet. In order not to be mistaken, the best option is to see a doctor. But even in this case, you can ask about alternative treatment, since there are funds with a similar composition, but significantly different in cost, complex of action on the disease.
If the drug is chosen correctly, then the improvements will be noticeable after a while. When pulsation, redness appears, onychomycosis progresses already in other areas, an unpleasant odor becomes noticeable, then you should immediately contact a specialist. With such phenomena, further self-medication can be dangerous.
Traditional medicine in the fight against nail fungus
A few decades ago, there were no universal remedies for the complex treatment of a fungus, there was no way to find out reviews about drugs, and then recipes from traditional medicine were mainly used. Iodine was especially popular, which is still an excellent preventive solution against the spread of infections of various origins. Of the most common methods of healing mycosis at home, there are:
- Warm baths. Solutions are prepared with a variety of components, but their action is mainly aimed at softening the affected area, disinfecting it. A good effect can be achieved with a bath of sea salt, diluted vinegar, celandine, weak potassium permanganate. Each of the options has a certain effect, there is a possibility of allergic reactions. Often, after such procedures, it is recommended to clean the nail mechanically (with a special brush, pumice stone), apply iodine or a special medical antifungal drug;
- Vinegar. It is believed that a vinegar solution copes well with such lesions, the main thing is to dilute the suspension in the right proportions and not burn the already injured tissue;
- Compresses. A variety of products are used for such procedures. This is a baking powder diluted with water, potatoes, garlic, chopped onions, aloe leaves, mouthwash, mountain ash and so on. When doing such experiments, you need to understand about a number of serious consequences, including an acquired allergy, burns, or the most innocuous result - no effect;
- Essential oils, herbal decoctions. Essential oil, particularly tea tree oil, is a natural antiseptic. It can be used during the treatment period, as well as as a preventive or cosmetic treatment for the feet. Marjoram, eucalyptus oil is also used;
- Salicylic acid can be used to combat onychomycosis, but mainly in the initial stages of the development of the lesion.
The feasibility of using self-prepared drugs at home is controversial. Since for some, such treatment ends successfully, while for others it leads to a prolonged recovery of not only the nail, but also health in general.
Preventing nail fungus or how not to infect others
Knowledge of certain rules will help reduce the risk of an unpleasant nail infection, as well as protect loved ones and other people from infection, if the question of how to treat mycosis is already being decided.
The basic rules of protection against fungus and prevention include:
- Regular hygiene, individual washing facilities;
- Use of special slippers in public places (saunas, swimming pools);
- Strengthening the immune system. The weakened body is not able to fight the infection and the infection spreads;
- Cleaning and periodic disinfection of shoes, especially if feet often sweat in them;
- The cleanliness of hosiery, they should be changed daily, preference should be given to natural fabrics;
- Thoroughly wipe your feet after water procedures, high humidity provokes the development of fungus;
- Use only your own shoes, clothes;
- Periodic disinfection of tools for a pedicure or manicure and, of course, only their individual use. If we compare professional offices, then special sterilizers are used for these purposes;
- Proper foot care. It is necessary not only to regularly clean the feet with special devices, but additionally nourish the skin of the feet and nails. If possible, you should visit beauty parlors where professional nail treatment, additional nutrition of the horny plates and skin is carried out.
These simple rules, accuracy and attentiveness to your health will help protect you from further problems with the treatment of mycosis. Similar rules must be followed if the disease is already being treated. This will help prevent infection of others and speed up the healing process.
If an infection with a fungus has occurred, then it may not appear immediately, sometimes after several months. It is important to timely detect the formation of a focus of infection and take measures that will help maintain the health and beauty of the legs.