Nail fungus - onychomycosis - is a disease caused by parasitic fungi.This type of disease occurs in 20% of the adult population.Infection with a fungus occurs quite easily; to do this, it is enough to touch the skin of your feet with a surface that has such fungi.
Infection can occur, for example, in a public bath or swimming pool; in some cases, infection with a fungal infection occurs when trying on shoes in a store or when visiting a beauty salon, which uses poorly disinfected instruments for manicure and pedicure.Infection can occur when using shoes that were worn by a person infected with the fungus several months ago; this situation leads to re-infection.
When the first symptoms of a fungal infection appear, treatment should begin immediately.Due to the high prevalence of this pathology, almost every person should know how to treat toenail fungus at home.
Popular folk methods for treating nail fungus
Timely treatment of nail fungus at home using the fastest methods allows you to effectively cope with the disease at the earliest stages of the infection process.
When treating nail fungus with folk remedies, you can use fairly simple and effective methods of therapy.Folk remedies have simple recipes and simple procedures, which allows anyone to use them independently.
To treat the disease at the very initial stages of infection, you can use apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, celandine juice, iodine solution, hydrogen peroxide and kombucha-based compresses.
The most popular recipes are the following:
- Soak your feet once or twice a day in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water in a 1:1 ratio.Soaking time is 15-20 minutes.After this time, you should allow your feet to dry.The procedures should be carried out over two weeks.Gradually, the fungus begins to go away, and a healthy nail takes the place of the damaged nail.
- It is recommended to lubricate the skin and nail plates affected by a fungal infection with tea tree oil three times a day.For one-time use, you will need from 4 to 10 drops of oil.The antifungal effect from the use of this drug is observed two weeks after the start of therapy.In some cases, an extension of the course of treatment is required.This remedy is prohibited for use in the treatment of illness in children and pregnant women.
- Using Kombucha.For treatment, you should prepare a compress.For this purpose, you should wrap a plate of kombucha in cellophane and wrap a bandage around your leg, after these manipulations you should put on socks.The procedure must be performed at night, before bedtime.In the morning, you need to wash your lower limbs with warm water.And remove dead areas and lubricate the places where they were removed with iodine solution.One of the side effects of this method of treatment is the appearance of quite strong pain, but the advantage of the method is the rapid achievement of a positive result of the therapy.
- The infection can be cured using tampons with propolis.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, when using traditional methods, there is no improvement in the condition, then you should seek help from a doctor to conduct an examination and prescribe complex therapy to treat the pathology.
The use of iodine in the treatment of toenail fungus
One of the means to help fight toenail fungus is iodine solution.Removing infection with iodine is quite easy.In addition, this destruction method is inexpensive and accessible to everyone.
Most experts in traditional methods of treatment recommend starting treatment for the infection with an iodine solution, which is most likely due to the availability of this remedy and its widespread use.Medical iodine solution has pronounced disinfectant and antiseptic properties.
For treatment, you need to use iodine daily, the solution is applied to damaged areas of the skin of the foot and nail.
To treat foot fungus at home using an iodine solution, you will need to apply a few drops to the affected areas twice a day.Treatment of the affected areas is carried out using a cotton swab or cotton swab.It is best to drip the drug solution directly onto the nail plate.
The use of iodine in the treatment of fungal infections can accelerate the healing of damaged areas, which makes it possible to restore the skin.To provide a more significant antifungal effect during the procedures, it is recommended to treat not only the affected areas, but also the areas adjacent to the wound.
When treating the affected nail, it is enough to apply one drop of the medical composition.
Another way to use iodine solution to kill fungus is to use baths with this medicine.
To prepare a bath, you need to add half a bottle of iodine solution to a bowl of warm water and steam your feet for 10 minutes.After the procedure, damaged tissue is removed from the affected areas without causing injury to healthy skin.After removing the affected areas, the skin surface will need to be treated with hydrogen peroxide and a bandage with an antibacterial composition applied.
If necessary, you can mix iodine with apple cider vinegar.This mixture can be treated in the morning and evening, and the course of treatment lasts more than two weeks.
How to treat with vinegar?
You can get rid of a fungal infection with vinegar.To carry out the procedure, you need to mix 70% acetic acid and glycerin in equal proportions and shake well before use; the resulting mixture is lubricated on the affected nail plates three times a day.The duration of treatment is approximately three weeks.
Traditional medicine has developed a simple antifungal remedy - baths with the addition of apple cider vinegar, which are performed daily before going to bed.The usual course of such therapy is three weeks or more.
Using apple cider vinegar, you can prepare products with the addition of vegetable oil.The solution is prepared in a 1:1 component ratio.When treating a fungal infection, moisten 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 cured.
In addition to these treatment methods, there are other recipes for folk remedies based on vinegar, the most common among them are the following:
- egg and vinegar ointment;
- using pure vinegar;
- using wine vinegar.
When preparing vinegar-based products, vinegar essence can be used, previously 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 lubricate the nail plate that has become deformed and infected with a fungal infection with celandine juice using a cotton swab three times a day.For this purpose, the juice is squeezed from a fresh, recently picked plant.
Partially fresh juice can be used immediately after receiving it, and partly the juice can be fermented in a dark place for a period of 2-3 weeks.Celandine therapy takes quite a long time; it is necessary to carry out procedures until a new nail grows.
Celandine can be used to treat pathology in a mixture with alcohol.For this purpose, a juice solution is prepared with 70% alcohol in a 1:1 ratio.The prepared solution is applied to the affected areas 4 times a day.
For therapy, you can use dry herbs of celandine.For this purpose, the herb must be ground in a coffee grinder to a powder state and mixed with iodine, vinegar or tea tree oil.The result of mixing should be a porridge-like mass.
Using the resulting composition, apply a compress to the damaged nail plate.
The use of hydrogen peroxide in treatment
Hydrogen peroxide is not a composition capable of destroying a fungal infection.The use of a solution of this chemical substance allows you to stop and prevent the progression of pathology.
Peroxide is characterized by the presence of pronounced deodorizing properties, so it is ideal for treating damaged areas.
When using peroxide, you must follow the instructions for its use.
Therapy with a hydrogen peroxide solution can be carried out according to the following scheme:
- A hot foot bath is made, to which copper sulfate is added.The feet are placed in the solution and steamed well.
- After steaming, use a clean towel to wipe the skin dry, paying special attention to the skin located between the fingers.
- After drying the skin, cotton pads or swabs soaked in a solution of hydrogen peroxide are applied to the affected areas.Tampons are secured to damaged areas using adhesive tape.After applying tampons, the leg in the area affected by the infection is wrapped in a towel.This kind of compress should be kept for 4-50 minutes.The procedure should be carried out twice a day with a twelve-hour break.
- After the toenails become light, you should trim the soft areas of the nail plate and apply an antifungal cream to the surface.
The disease will go away much faster if you use a special foot bath prepared with a hydrogen peroxide solution.For this purpose, you will 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 feet is wiped dry with a clean towel, and the softened nail is carefully filed off with a nail file.At the end of the procedure for removing the damaged nail, an antifungal cream is applied to the treated area.It is recommended to perform this procedure once a day.
An additional benefit of using peroxide is that it can speed up processes that promote healing.Under its influence, pathogenic microorganisms stop multiplying and spreading to new areas.In addition, when using this chemical compound, the development of a relapse of the infectious process can be avoided.
Pregnant women suffering from infection should pay special attention to the chemical.Since its use does not cause negative consequences for both the mother’s body and the unborn child.
Treatment of advanced forms of the disease
An old and neglected fungus can threaten a patient with loss of a nail; for this reason, therapeutic measures should begin as early as possible.It is advisable to begin recovery at the very initial stages of the infectious process when the first signs of damage appear.
If the nail plate has become thick and has acquired a loose and flaky appearance, then therapeutic measures may be significantly delayed.
Before starting therapy for fungal infection, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the factor contributing to the development of microorganisms.There is a whole range of remedies that are quite effective in the fight against old and advanced infections.
The following methods can be used at home:
- The skin around the affected area is lubricated with a nourishing cream, and peroxided kombucha is applied to the sore spot.After which 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 using a solution of potassium permanganate.
When using the second method, the legs should be steamed in a solution of potassium permanganate and a compress made from a pre-prepared mushy mixture of alcohol and propolis should be applied to the damaged areas.The compress is fixed with a bandage.It is recommended to carry out the procedure every other day until the pathological process is completely eliminated.
In the process of treating an old form of fungus, the use of topical antifungal creams and oral medications will be required.
The use of compresses based on 5% sulfur ointment and preparations with iodine has an excellent effect.In addition, it is recommended to nourish the nail daily with essential oils of lavender and tea tree.
Use of medications during home treatment
When getting rid of an infectious process, tablets should be selected by the attending physician.The modern pharmaceutical market offers patients a wide choice of such drugs.
When using antifungal medications at home, you should remember that they all have a large number of contraindications that must be taken into account when taking them.
In addition, all of these drugs can cause a number of side effects in the patient.For this reason, self-prescription of these drugs is contraindicated; they should be taken only if prescribed by the attending physician.
Currently, pharmacies offer patients tablets for treating fungal infections, as well as effective products in the form of creams and gels.
If no positive effect is observed when using the prescribed medications at home, you should immediately contact your doctor for advice and on adjusting the medication used.
If it becomes necessary to remove the nail plate, you can use special creams that are applied as a compress.
After exposure to the compress, the softened part of the nail is cleaned with a nail file.This procedure should be carried out daily until the nail bed is completely clean.
Prevention of disease occurrence
The most effective method of combating fungal infection is to prevent infection.
To prevent the occurrence of an infectious process, you should use only individual pedicure products.To carry out hygiene procedures, you must have your own towel.You should not put someone else's shoes on your feet.
Getting rid of infection is a complex, time-consuming and financially expensive undertaking, so you need to strive to prevent infection.For this purpose, it is recommended to regularly clean the toilet, bathroom and rooms in the house using disinfectants.
When visiting the swimming pool, sauna and bathhouse, you must wear special shoes.Which should be individual.After visiting the bath and shower, it is recommended to wipe the skin dry, especially the skin between the fingers.
If you have a tendency to diabetes, you should regularly monitor the level of glucose in the body, since the presence of an increased content of this component in the body is a factor contributing to the development of a viral infection on the skin of the legs.
Be sure to wash your feet daily with soap and dry your shoes if they get wet.It is also necessary to change your socks.
When choosing shoe models, it is recommended to give preference to those varieties that do not restrict movement and are able to freely allow air to pass through.
When purchasing socks, tights, stockings and shoes, you should give preference to quality products.
Among other things, to prevent the occurrence of a fungal infection, it is recommended to control your diet.With a lack of certain vitamins and nutritional compounds in the diet, the body wears out and is easily susceptible to infection.To replenish the loss of vitamins and biologically active compounds, it is recommended to consume more vegetables and fruits, especially in the spring, when the lack of vitamins in the body is especially acute.
It is imperative to monitor the condition of the nails and the skin around them on the feet every day; it is necessary to trim them in a timely manner, using personal disinfected tools for this purpose.