Fungal toenail disease can occur for a variety of reasons. Onychomycosis is fraught with many troubles, ranging from an unsightly appearance to a constant sensation of pain and itching. It is very easy to catch it, but not so easy to cure. In this article, we'll talk about effective medications for toenail fungus.
About onychomycosis
Fungal diseases are of infectious origin and usually affect certain areas of the nails and skin. Onychomycosis can be contracted in a household contact, that is, after the general use of socks, shoes, as well as in the pool, sauna, gym, and so on.
Symptoms of toenail fungus come on gradually. The first signs can be noticed immediately:
- nails change color: they become gray, yellow, black, gray or white;
- begin to crumble;
- the plate is delaminated;
- the skin near the nail begins to itch;
- the affected areas hurt.
With the progression of the disease, keratinization of the nail is observed, as well as pronounced compaction.
Those who treat the fungus should know that this infection is highly resistant. Even if the lesion led to the removal of the nail, then there is a possibility that repeated inflammation may develop from a small focus, which went unnoticed. Therefore, it is very important to carry out the treatment correctly so that in the future you do not worry about the consequences in the form of relapses. It is better to immediately consult a doctor, specifically a mycologist. If there is no such specialist, a dermatologist can help you.
There are various treatments for onychomycosis. Today in pharmacies you can find many preparations for toenail fungus: ointments, creams, tablets and varnishes. Doctors advise practicing both oral medications and topical therapy at the same time. So the treatment will be the most complete, as well as complex. It should be borne in mind that therapy will take a long time - about 2-4 months.
Medication for nail fungus
The treatment regimen must be selected by the doctor. Self-medication is not worth it, since improper use of drugs can provoke the development of resistance to them in fungal agents, as well as lead to further progression of the disease. In addition, antifungal drugs are quite "strong" and have a number of contraindications. A wide range of drugs are used against onychomycosis:
- topical medications (creams, ointments, solutions, varnishes);
- medicines for oral administration (tablets, capsules).
Topical preparations
It is a medicine for external use against fungus. They are prescribed at the initial stage of onychomycosis, that is, when the fungus has infected less than 30% of the surface of the nail on 1-2 fingers.
The use of these medicines is associated with some peculiarities. In order for the active substances to penetrate deeply into the structure of the nail and have a therapeutic effect, you need to go through 2 stages:
- Removal of areas of the nail plate that are affected by the fungus. To do this, it is necessary to steam the nails in a soda-soap solution for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the upper softened layer with a file and treat it with a disinfectant. The solution is prepared simply: add 1 tbsp to 2 liters of water. l. baking soda and 5 g of laundry soap.
- Treatment with an antifungal fungicidal preparation. A remedy (ointment, gel, varnish) should be applied to the affected nail.
An antifungal drug in the form of a varnish is popular. It only needs to be applied to the affected area of the nail 2 times a week. The course of treatment is until the symptoms of onychomycosis completely disappear.
Also, among the local drugs, it is necessary to highlight keratolics. It is a painless and inexpensive alternative to hardware removal of the affected nail. With the help of these funds, you can soften the stratum corneum of the nail plate, which is subsequently rejected. These drugs should be used when the area of the fungus is more than 40%. The method of application looks like this:
- steam your feet in a solution of soda and soap;
- sand the surface of the plate with a file;
- grease liberally with the selected composition;
- cover the treated area with adhesive tape.
Such actions must be performed every 3-4 days. As a result, healthy nails should grow in place of diseased nails.
Oral medications
These are drugs for nail fungus, available in tablets or capsules for oral administration. These remedies are prescribed for treatment in advanced cases, when the fungus has infected more than 50% of the surface of the nail and is actively progressing further.
Oral medicines for fungus are toxic and have many contraindications. In particular, they should not be drunk during pregnancy, lactation, kidney and liver diseases. To reduce the risk of side effects, such medications are prescribed for short courses.
We strongly recommend that you check the dosage of drugs and the course of treatment with your doctor. All cases are individual.
Folk remedies against nail fungus
Folk recipes against onychomycosis on toenails can only help at the initial stage of the disease. Antifungal properties are inherent in many plants, improvised remedies from the home first aid kit and refrigerator.
The following folk remedies are popular:
- Iodine.Possesses pronounced antiseptic, fungicidal properties. The solution should be used to treat diseased nails and skin twice a day (1 drop per nail). Course: month. True, this method has disadvantages - the fingers turn yellow, sometimes a burn may occur.
- Tea mushroom. . . Peel a small piece of mushroom and chop. Rub the gruel into the affected nails, do not rinse. Next, stick a bactericidal patch and put on tight socks. The procedure must be done three times until the diseased nail plate falls off and a new nail grows.
- Vinegar 9%. . . Dampen your nails with acetic acid overnight and put on your socks. Leave it until morning. You can also do baths. Pour a glass of vinegar into a bowl of warm water and steam your nails for 15 minutes. Each procedure should be performed daily until the symptoms of the fungus have subsided.
- Birch tar. . . With onychomycosis, you will need pure tar. If not, then tar soap will do. The product must be rubbed into the nails, secured with a compress and left overnight. Rinse off in the morning. And so every day until complete recovery.
- Celandine. . . Brew dry grass with 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then mix with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Keep your fingers in the resulting solution for 30 minutes. Do it daily.
- Onion peel. . . 4 tbsp. l. pour onion husks with a glass of vodka, cover with a lid and leave to infuse in a dark place for 2 weeks. The resulting tincture should be lubricated with nails 4 times a day.
- Lavender oil, tea tree oil and olive oil.Mix in equal proportions, apply the composition to the affected nail plate. You need to use this home remedy every day before going to bed, wearing socks.
Although in the vastness of the network you can find many positive reviews about the use of these folk remedies, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. If you practice them, then only as an adjunct to drug treatment. Of course, the doctor should be warned about this.
Onychomycosis is a fungal nail disease that is difficult to get rid of. Only with an integrated approach to therapy can a positive outcome be achieved. You should not play "doctor" and draw up a treatment plan for yourself. Most drugs are contraindicated and can cause side effects. The best way to treat the fungus can only be suggested by a specialist. The medicines described above and their analogues are suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis that occurs on the fingers not only of the feet, but also of the hands.