Toenail fungus is the most common and most unpleasant disease. A fungal infection of the feet and nails cannot cause significant harm to health, but provokes a weakening of the immune system and unpleasant painful sensations.
Nail fungus is able to concentrate poisonous toxins in the body, which multiply during the growth of pathogenic fungi, resulting in a slow poisoning of the body, can cause an allergic reaction or exacerbate chronic diseases. As a result, metabolic processes in the body are disturbed, immunity decreases, the general physical condition worsens, and sensitivity to various negative environmental influences increases.
In this article, you will learn what fungus spores are, the causes of this unpleasant disease, symptoms and signs of damage, how to treat toenail fungus at home, what preventive measures must be followed to avoid infection.
Why does fungal mycosis occur on toenails?
The occurrence of a fungal infection can provoke:
- wounds on the feet in the form of cracks and abrasions, which may be the result of a pedicure procedure or as a result of wearing narrow, uncomfortable shoes;
- corns and calluses on the feet;
- poor irregular foot care;
- decreased immunity;
- long-term use of antibiotics and drugs similar in effect on the body during treatment;
- excessive sweating of the foot;
Decreased immunity and protective functions of the body can provoke a fungus disease, but are not the main factor in the onset of the disease.
First of all, infection occurs:
- household way from contact with a sick person, most often a close relative, through common slippers or shoes, through household items - washcloths, sponges, rugs;
- in the sauna, bath, swimming pool and on the beach. A large crowd of people and a humid environment contribute to the spread of fungal diseases;
- in any place where people walk without shoes. The spores of the fungus are able to withstand sudden changes in temperature from low to very high and remain for a long time in the sand, on the surfaces of sidewalk paths, on the upper surfaces of the pool;
- when wearing someone else's shoes, in which pathogenic viral microflora can live and multiply;
- wearing stockings or socks made of synthetic materials that do not allow air to pass through create a favorable microclimate for infection with a fungus;
- the constant wearing of false nails makes it impossible for the nail plate to breathe, which also contributes to infection with mycosis;
Symptoms of fungal infection of the nails and feet
- dryness, itching, redness and peeling of the feet;
- the appearance on the sole and between the toes of small itchy vesicles, the formation of corns-corns is possible;
- the appearance of diaper rash of the legs due to increased sweating;
- change in the shape and color of the nail. The spores of the fungus penetrate the nail plate and gradually take root in it. The structure of the nail becomes heterogeneous, brittle, with an uneven surface. In places of defeat, light or yellow spots appear, and voids under them;
- under the influence of poisonous toxins produced by fungal spores, the legs sweat a lot, a sharp unpleasant odor appears;
- increase in body temperature is possible.
If there are cracks, itching, diaper rash, an unpleasant odor on the feet, a change in the shape of the nail and the appearance of white or yellow spots on its surface, and voids under them, there is a direct reason to contact a dermatologist for detailed advice and a treatment regimen. The dermatologist will tell you everything about the treatment of toenail fungus at home and prescribe medications suitable for each specific case, as well as give advice on the use of traditional medicine.
Symptoms of the disease and the nature of the lesion depend on the type of mycosis fungus:
- type of mycosis - vesicular, begins to affect the lower part of the foot, is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles and blisters filled with liquid and additional attachment of bacteria - pathogens;
- type of mycosis - membranous, characterized by the appearance on the skin between the toes of small rashes of a red rash and the appearance of painful cracks;
- type of mycosis - moccasin-like, in which mycosis affects the skin of the foot, starting from the heel and ending with the toes. The lesion is accompanied by painful sensations, the skin of the foot thickens, cracks and itching appear.
Most often, fungal spores from the sole of the foot pass to the nail plates, the fungus takes root and grows in the nail, affecting it. A fungal infection negatively affects the entire body, inhibits its functions and can cause allergic reactions.
Treatment of toenail fungus at home: drugs against mycosis
The most effective treatment for toenail fungus at home is a complex combination of special medications against mycosis and folk remedies. First, we will talk about what drugs are used in the treatment of toenail fungus, later on folk methods.
Medicines must be used strictly according to the instructions, constantly and accurately dosing them. For the treatment of mycosis, there are special antimycotic drugs in the required dosages. With advanced cases and extensive lesions, the fungus can be eliminated in several stages, observing a certain temporary pause between courses of treatment.
You can cure the fungus with a medical method with the help of inexpensive and very effective drugs. Means against mycosis are available in the form of ointment, gel and varnish, which must be applied to the surface of the nail several times a day. The spores of the fungus are very resistant to various influences on it, in order to completely get rid of it, you will have to periodically change the drug treatment regimen and alternate between drugs and traditional medicine.
Treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies at home
Treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies at home is a periodic treatment of fungus-affected areas with special natural remedies. It is known that mycosis is afraid of acid, and the treatment of the fungus with the help of nature is based on this fact. The most effective natural remedies are vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, propolis, baking soda, iodine, garlic, kombucha. These are just the means that negatively affect the pathogenic flora of the fungus and are able to cope with it.
Treatment of toenail fungus with vinegar
Vinegar treatment is carried out using lotions with a specially made composition of vinegar, alcohol and glycerin. The proportions of the ratio of components is taken in the appropriate quantities -2/2/1. A piece of cotton wool or a cotton pad soaked in a solution is applied to the nail plate affected by the fungus and held for a certain time, then the feet must be dried with a clean towel or napkin and only after a while rinse the feet with warm water. Lotions should be applied from two weeks to one month, depending on the complexity of the lesion. In the process of such treatment, the infected nail begins to exfoliate and gradually disappears, and a new healthy nail grows in its place.
Important! To avoid burning the skin around the diseased nail, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with any vegetable oil before applying the lotion.
Treatment of nail fungus with baking soda
Treatment with baking soda is carried out in the same way as with vinegar, for this you need to make a cool solution of baking soda, soak a cotton pad in it and put it on the affected nail for a while, then remove the disc and wipe the nail thoroughly with a dry towel.
Hydrogen peroxide against nail fungus
Treatment with hydrogen peroxide is carried out as follows: peroxide must be poured into the voids under the nail platinum, where the fungus has taken root. The aggressive and disinfecting environment of peroxide perfectly destroys fungal spores and helps to quickly get rid of the disease.
Iodine
A good effect is given by iodine treatment, which must be applied to the nail plate several times a day, and fungal cavities should also be treated with iodine.
Propolis
In the treatment of fungus with propolis, compresses from propolis tincture and alcohol help well. Compresses must be applied daily and kept for a certain time, then rinse the feet with warm water. Such treatment should be carried out until a positive result occurs and the nail is renewed.
Other folk methods in the treatment of nail fungus
- Another effective but somewhat complicated recipe consists of applying to the affected area a mixture of one teaspoon of methyl phthalate, a tablespoon of vinegar, a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and two raw eggs. Mix all components thoroughly and keep in the refrigerator until completely used. Apply a compress from the mixture on the nail, wrap the finger with plastic wrap, put on a woolen sock on top. Hold for at least thirty minutes.
- As a homeopathic remedy, a living organism, Kombucha, helps well. For the whole night, put a piece of kombucha on the affected nail and cover this place with plastic wrap. Kombucha has an acidic environment and copes well with fungal spores.
- A good result is obtained by daily treatment of the affected surface with finely grated garlic. Garlic juice is a natural disinfectant and works great for fungal spores.
Treatment of toenail fungus at home should be carried out regularly and methodically. If a microscopic proportion of spores remains under the nail, the fungus will begin to grow again and all treatment will have to be started all over again.
To avoid infection with the fungus of the nail plate and the skin of the feet, you need to follow the preventive measures, which we will talk about later.
Disease prevention
- In order to avoid primary or re-infection with mycosis, it is necessary to regularly thoroughly process all manicure tools and accessories. If the manicure or pedicure procedure takes place in a beauty salon, be sure to ensure that the master does not use tools that have not been processed after another person.
- Periodically clean your shoes with disinfectants such as vinegar or formalin. To obtain the best therapeutic effect on the disinfection of shoes, mix these products well with each other and carry out the treatment.
- From time to time, disinfect common household and household items by boiling them in a soapy solution. For the solution, a combination of water, laundry soap and a small amount of baking soda is best;
- Bath, sauna and pool visit only in special rubber slippers or flip flops.
- Have individual bath accessories - washcloth, sponge and towel.
- Regularly observe foot hygiene with the help of water procedures. As often as possible, do foot baths with warm water, in which it is good to add a crystal of potassium permanganate or a teaspoon of baking soda as a disinfectant.
- Do not try on, let alone wear someone else's shoes, since they are considered the best carrier of fungal diseases.
Successful treatment of toenail fungus at home is possible only if all the recommendations of a dermatologist are followed, with strict adherence to the treatment regimen and the use of drugs, careful observance of the cleanliness of lesions, and regular conduct of all necessary disinfecting procedures. It is imperative to follow preventive measures and be patient, since nail mycosis is an insidious and intractable disease.