Problems of nail fungus infections are common. According to the WHO, every 10 people in the world suffer from this unpleasant disease. You can be infected with it if the basic rules of personal hygiene are not observed or in public places - baths, swimming pools, saunas, gym locker rooms.
Mycosis does not pose a serious health hazard, but it is uncomfortable and very difficult to get rid of. In further cases, therapy lasts for several months. For effective treatment, the main thing is to recognize the first symptoms of the disease in time and consult a dermatologist. Along with drug therapy, doctors may prescribe the use of traditional medicine recipes that help speed up the healing process.
Signs of the disease
It is difficult to diagnose onychomycosis at an early stage. Therefore, it is important not to miss the manifestations of progressive damage. The first "alarm bell" can be considered as follows:
- changes in color, structure, luster of nails;
- appearance of tuberosity, growth disorders;
- delamination, destruction;
- pathological thickening;
- outlined mycelial distribution pathways;
- pain syndrome when walking;
- spicy, unpleasant odor;
- redness, peeling of nearby skin;
- decay of nail rollers.
Almost always, the thumb suffers first (the pathogen penetrates the most traumatic area - the corner edge of the nail).
Important!
If there are any symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately. Timely visits to medical facilities will ensure maximum effectiveness of treatment.
Remedy for toenail fungus
If you suspect a fungal infection, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. After running all the tests, he will prescribe the right treatment. To achieve a rapid therapeutic effect, a complex fight against fungi is recommended, consisting of oral agents and external preparations. Ointments with an oily base are not used in the treatment of nail mycosis. This is due to the weak penetration of this pharmacological form into the surface of the stratum corneum.
Healing varnish
In recent years, antifungal drugs in the form of varnishes have become widespread. It is advisable to use it only in case of weak lesions. In advanced disease, external medications of this type will not bring the desired results. They are produced in bottles with a brush, which looks like a regular cosmetic varnish.
Tablet
Along with topical preparations, oral agents are used. The tablets have an effect on the whole body, helping to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible.
External recovery
You can treat mycoses with various sprays, creams, oils. Due to their local actions, they do not harm the heart. The disadvantage of this method is the duration of use.
Laser treatment
With prolonged and unsuccessful attempts to remove nail fungus, you should consider laser therapy. This method is effective in removing neglected lesions.
The course is 6-10 procedures, in which the affected area on the nail plate is removed. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue to the location of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
Technical advantages:
- lack of pain during the procedure;
- no dosage form is required;
- have no side effects and allergies.
According to doctors, lasers are the fastest way to get rid of the problem. However, no matter how magical the treatment is, it has some limitations to its use:
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- malignant neoplasm;
- serious violations of the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting a course of treatment, it is important to undergo a physical examination.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is quite popular. But they should be used wisely, after consulting your doctor.
Propolis
Bee waste is known for its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the affected nails disappear, and the healthy ones grow in their place. After the symptoms disappear, it is important not to stop the procedure, as the infection may reappear.
Natural propolis is used three times a day. A piece rubbed on a steamed nail and leave for 30 minutes. The first results will appear in a few months.
Another alternative medicine recipe is an alcohol tincture:
- Stir 30 g of propolis in 120 g of rubbing alcohol. Leave in a cool, dark place for 2 days;
- Before the procedure, steam your feet in a solution with laundry soap;
- Dry, cut the infected area as much as possible, cut the nail plate layer;
- Wet the cotton wool with tincture and secure with a bandage on the sore area overnight;
- Carry out treatment for at least two months.
To prevent infection, healthy nails are rubbed daily with tincture.
Important!
The main requirement of any recipe is well-steamed nails. Don't forget this rule.
Vinegar
At home, vinegar is often used - apple cider or table vinegar. Traditional healers offer three ways to use the essence:
- Make a mixture of iodine and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions. Lubricate the affected area with the solution twice a day for six months;
- Mix 2 tbsp. l. vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree oil extract, ground garlic cloves. The resulting mixture is applied on a plate 2-3 times a day;
- A glass of vinegar is added to the steaming bath. Bathing is done three times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
Poisonous plants help get rid of fungus quickly. Use it carefully so as not to burn your skin.
Fresh plant juices can be used. Pick grass, rinse and spin in a meat grinder. Squeeze the juice from the resulting mass. In a glass container, mix 200 g of extract and rubbing alcohol. The solution is insisted in a dark place for two days. The mixture is applied on the nails 3-4 times a day after thorough steaming.
The pharmacy chain sells ready -made celandine oil. It lubricates the nail plate after careful processing (steaming, removing the affected area, wiping with peroxide).
white
Medicines that we are accustomed to whitening things, used in the household, can also be used in the treatment of onychomycosis. Whiteness has a strong antibacterial effect. Every day, apply the liquid on the nail until the plate is completely renewed.
Eggs
For treatment, you need to make an ointment. Put the eggs in a glass and pour in the vinegar for a few days. The shell should dissolve. Remove the film from the eggs and mix with the remaining liquid. Add butter until thick.
The resulting product is applied to infected nails before bedtime, wrapped with a bandage. This procedure is performed for 5-6 weeks.
Iodine
For the treatment of mycoses, an alcoholic solution of iodine is suitable. It should be applied twice a day with a cotton swab. For prophylaxis, the procedure is performed on healthy nails once a day. It is useful to make a steaming bath with the addition of iodine.
The mushrooms
In folk medicine, it is used to treat various diseases, including onychomycosis. A plate of kombucha is placed on the affected area, covered with polyethylene on top, and wrapped with a bandage. Compressed left overnight. In the morning, the dead layer must be removed, lubricated with iodine.
Hydrogen peroxide
A powerful antiseptic that successfully fights mycosis. After careful preparation, cotton wool is applied to the nail plate, moistened profusely with a 3%solution of hydrogen peroxide. To prevent the active ingredient from evaporating, cover it with polyethylene on top. The compress is left for 1 hour. This procedure is performed 2 times a day until healthy nails grow back.
Ammonia
This drug has shown good results when treated at home. In a glass of water, 1 tablespoon is diluted. l. ammonia. Compresses are made with the resulting solution overnight. The main requirement is to steam the nails until soft.
Bathing with ammonium hydroxide also helps cure mycosis. Mix in hot water 3 tbsp. l. baking soda, ammonia, 30–40 g of liquid soap. In such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails soften faster.
Baking powder
Before using any antifungal agent, make sure the nails are steamed. Soda baths work well to prevent the spread of infection. For 3 liters of hot water, 2 tablespoons are taken. l. powder. For best effect, you can add 1 tbsp. l. grating soap.
They also make lotions with soda. 100 g diluted with water until a slurry is formed, which is applied on the nails. After 15-20 minutes, the mixture is washed off.
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is known for its strong antiseptic properties. Used for bathing before using other medical products.
Important!
You need to be careful with manganese so as not to burn. For safe use, you should take no more than 3 crystals and dissolve them thoroughly in water.
Tar birch
It has an antiseptic effect and can be used neatly or in the form of soap. Tar is applied to the nails at bedtime after processing. It is used until recovery.
salt
You can use cuisine or seafood. A mixture of soda and salt is made in equal proportions, it is diluted with a little cold water. The solution is heavily lubricated with nails, and after 10 minutes they are washed off. During the procedure, you may feel a burning sensation.
Before using the drug, the rough stratum corneum is bathed with well -steamed salt.
If there is no increase in skin dryness, you can soak your feet in a solution of laundry soap and table or sea salt. This procedure has a bactericidal, drying effect.
Novocaine
Traditional medicine recommends using medicine to wipe the nails and surrounding skin. After treatment, cotton wool moistened with an aqueous solution of novocaine is applied to the affected area and wrapped with a bandage. After an hour, the compress is removed. Daily procedures can relieve pain, burning, itching.
For the best effect of treatment, experts advise to perform a medical pedicure procedure. It cuts nails with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The causative agent of onychomycosis is a persistent organism. Spores can remain viable in the environment for months, waiting for favorable conditions for growth.
In order not to be infected with pathogenic microflora, the following rules must be observed:
- in public areas (baths, saunas, swimming pools), make sure you wear your own removable shoes;
- wear clean socks every day;
- after bathing, shower, dry your feet thoroughly and the area between your toes;
- do not wear other people's shoes;
- treat injured skin surfaces with antiseptics;
- use personal pedicure tools;
- fight excessive sweating on the feet;
- coming from the street, dry wet shoes;
- monitor the state of immunity.
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. The main requirement for the prevention of mycoses is strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene.
Good immunity is an important factor in preventing disease. People with weakened body defenses are more likely to contract infections. Taking vitamin complexes, immunostimulatory drugs is the first step in the prevention of mycosis.
If signs of the disease are detected in a loved one living in the same apartment, you should use medicated protective equipment. Prophylactic agents are produced in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
For preventive purposes, medicines recommended by traditional medicine are also suitable. Iodine is applied to the surface of the nail once a day. You can also rub your feet with a vinegar solution.
Fungal treatment is a rather difficult and lengthy process. Complex therapy with pharmacies and folk remedies helps speed up the healing process.
For effective treatment, it is important to recognize the first signs of onychomycosis in time and consult a doctor. Only in medical institutions it is possible to conduct tests, to determine the type of pathogen correctly. After this, adequate treatment is prescribed, which will lead to healing.