Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease of the feet and toenails caused by dermatophytes. Pathology is infectious in nature, a pathogenic parasite - the causative agent of infection spreads throughout the body through the lymphatic, circulatory systems.
Nail fungus, like many diseases, can be effectively cured by folk methods. The advantages of treatment with such means are obvious - availability, safety, effectiveness. Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus works like any antiseptic for parasites:
- Vinegar creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nails.
- High acidity is detrimental to fungal spores, stops the process of growth and reproduction.
Treatment Options
Depending on the stage and type of the disease, there are different treatment options for nail fungus:
- In the early stages, while there is a change in the color of the nails, the initial destruction of the structure, sufficient treatment is provided by the use of folk methods: lotions, baths, ointments.
- If the fungus has been developing for a long time, a neglected form is diagnosed, the plate has become dirty yellow, gray, has gone bumpy, crumbles along the cuts of the nails, oral antifungal drugs will have to be added to folk methods.
Basic rules for the use of the drug
Such a simple mechanism makes the treatment of mycosis with apple cider vinegar effective, subject to the rules:
- Careful choice of essence: raw materials - apple cider vinegar - must be natural, without impurities, chemical additives. Apple essence is easy to make at home.
- Take the necessary precautions: prevent the risk of fungus spread by strengthening hygiene requirements, use personal items (towels, slippers), wash towels and socks after use.
- Strictly follow the recipe and options for using the medicine.
Method number 1: baths
Baths filled with a composition that is detrimental to the fungus is a proven way to cure the disease. Apple cider vinegar has a high level of destructive effect on the fungus.
Training
Healing baths are being prepared for the treatment of fungus as follows:
- We take vinegar (400-800 ml. ), Pour it into a container for the procedure.
- Thoroughly wash my feet, the places of damage to the nails must first be steamed strongly, cut off the seals.
Procedure
- Immerse your feet in a filled container, take a bath for 10-15 minutes, dry your feet with a towel, put on socks made of natural materials (preferably cotton).
- In order for the treatment to give results, the first 7 days of the bath should be done in the morning and evening, then every 3 days.
- If there are wounds, cracks on the legs, it is possible that the procedure will be painful. To reduce burning sensation, dilute apple cider vinegar with water (2: 1).
After using the towel, it must be washed thoroughly to prevent the spread of infection.
Method number 2: compresses
Compresses with apple vinegar and in combination with other ingredients are effective against the development of the fungus.
Compress options
There are several ways to treat an infection with lotions:
- A cotton swab (gauze) is moistened with apple cider vinegar, applied to the places where the nails are damaged.
- You can cure the infection with a mixture that has the consistency of a paste. In its composition, apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons) is combined with soda (until the desired density is obtained).
- Glycerin is mixed in equal proportions (it can be replaced with vegetable oil) with apple cider vinegar. Treatment with this mixture of fungus is recommended for lesions not only of the nails, but also of the skin.
- A compress of alcohol tincture of iodine (3 drops) with apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon) helps well.
- Good results are obtained by treating the fungus with iodine lotions, as well as a mixture of lemon, soda, and water.
Application features
It is recommended to put compresses at night, fixing on the damaged area. You can put lotions in the daytime - in this case, keep for at least three hours.
- As a result of the compress, the toenail plate softens, which allows it to be removed with scissors.
- Lotions are effective if there is an initial form of nail disease.
- Since vinegar has a drying effect, it is important to use a cream to moisturize the skin on the legs after the end of the session of lotions and other procedures.
Method number 3: ointments and mixtures
In the treatment of fungus, the use of ointments based on apple cider vinegar is effective. Treatment with ointments with vinegar, like other folk remedies, requires compliance with the instructions.
Ointment options
Empirically tested ointments against the fungus, the main component of which is apple vinegar:
- Finely chop Kalanchoe leaves (100 g) and add vinegar (1 teaspoon), honey (10 g), eucalyptus oil (30 g). Before starting the treatment of the fungus, keep the mixture for 3 days in a dark place. Treatment is carried out by lubricating the affected nail.
- To get rid of onychomycosis, you can use the following ointment: dimethyl phthalate, olive oil, glycerin are mixed with vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the ointment at night, wash off with laundry soap in the morning.
Vinegar mixes
With the help of these recipes, our distant ancestors successfully fought infection of the nails, defeated the fungus.
- A mixture of vinegar and honey. You can mix equal parts honey and vinegar and apply to the affected areas for 20 minutes. Then wash off with warm water.
- Alternate baths with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water).
- A mixture of vinegar with colloidal silver - to enhance the effect on the fungus, a suspension with metal particles is applied to dry feet after an vinegar bath and kept until the mixture dries.
When healing the fungus, the ointment is recommended to be applied twice a day. The therapy will be more effective if, before applying the ointment, thoroughly steam the legs and get rid of the thickened part of the nails.
Prevention
It is difficult to treat onychomycosis, it is a painstaking process that requires a lot of time and patience. Complicating the fight against the disease is the difficulty of early diagnosis and the viability of the fungus.
Consequences of undertreated onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is not a cosmetic problem, the consequences of the fungus for a sick person are as follows:
- Nail infection provokes a number of complications: allergic skin diseases, bronchial asthma, all kinds of rashes.
- The Academy of Mycology conducted studies that proved that the fungus negatively affects the quality of life of a sick person. This is due to psychological problems, not the aesthetic appearance of the affected nails.
- If you do not fight the disease at the first sign of the fungus, the immune system will suffer.
- There is a risk of erysipelas.
- The fungus complicates the course of chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases).
- If you do not start timely treatment of this nail infection, then there is a high probability of spreading the fungus to the skin of the hands, infecting family members, people around the patient.
How to avoid relapse
To prevent infection or recurrence of mycosis on the legs, it is important to take the following preventive measures:
- Refuse to wear tight, rubbing shoes. Keep shoes dry - in a humid environment, the risk that a pathological fungus will appear increases.
- When visiting public saunas, pools, beaches, wear rubber slippers, and after returning home, disinfect both shoes and feet in a vinegar bath.
- If your feet sweat - wear socks made of natural materials, use cosmetics.
- Socks, tights, stockings must be changed daily.
- Pay close attention to immunity - this is a common cause of mycosis. Take regular multivitamin courses: twice a year and after illness, taking antibiotics when the body is weakened.