The problem of fungal nail infection is quite common. According to the WHO, every 10 people in the world suffer from this unpleasant disease. You can become infected if you do not follow the basic rules of personal hygiene or in public places - baths, swimming pools, saunas, gym locker rooms.
Mycosis does not pose a serious health risk, but it is uncomfortable and very difficult to get rid of. In advanced cases, the therapy lasts for many months. For an effective treatment, the main thing is to recognize the first symptoms of the disease in time and consult a dermatologist. Along with drug therapy, the doctor may prescribe the use of traditional medicine prescriptions that help speed up the healing process.
Signs of the disease
It is difficult to diagnose onychomycosis in the initial stage. Therefore, it is important not to miss the manifestations of progressive impairment. The first "alarm bells" can be considered as follows:
- change in color, structure, shine of nails;
- the appearance of tuberculosis, growth disturbance;
- delamination;
- pathological obesity;
- defined mycelial distribution bands;
- pain syndrome while walking;
- strong, unpleasant odor;
- redness, peeling of the skin nearby;
- breaking of nail rolls.
Almost always, the thumb suffers first (pathogens penetrate the most traumatic area - the edge of the nail corner).
Important!
If any symptoms are found, you should consult a doctor immediately. A timely visit to a medical institution will ensure maximum effectiveness of treatment.
Remedies for toenail fungus
If you suspect a fungal infection, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. After performing all the tests, he will prescribe the appropriate treatment. To achieve a rapid therapeutic effect, a complex fight against fungi, consisting of oral agents and external preparations is recommended. Fat-based ointment is not used in the treatment of nail fungus. This is due to the poor penetration of this pharmacological form into the surface of the corneal layer.
Healing spray
In recent years, antifungal drugs in the form of varnish have become widespread. Their use is advised only in cases of weak lesions. In advanced diseases, this type of external medicine will not bring the desired result. They are produced in a bottle with a brush, which looks like a regular cosmetic spray.
tablets
Along with local preparations, oral agents are used. The tablets have an effect on the whole body, help to get rid of the infection as soon as possible.
External remedies
Mycoses can be treated with sprays, creams, various oils. Due to their local action, they do not damage the liver. The disadvantage of this method is the duration of use.
Laser treatment
With prolonged and unsuccessful attempts to remove nail fungus, you need to think about laser therapy. This method is effective in getting rid of neglected lesions.
The course is 6-10 procedures, during which the affected areas of the nail plate are removed. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue up to the location of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
Advantages of the technique:
- absence of pain during the procedure;
- no dosage forms required;
- no side effects and allergic reactions.
According to doctors, laser is the fastest way to get rid of the problem. However, no matter how wonderful the treatment is, it has a number of limitations in its use:
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- malignant neoplasms;
- severe violations of the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting a course of treatment, it is imperative to undergo a body 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, antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the affected nail disappears and a healthy one grows in its place. After the symptoms disappear, it is important not to interrupt the procedure because the infection may recur.
Natural propolis is used three times a day. One piece is applied to the steamed nail and left for 30 minutes. The first results will appear in a few months.
Another recipe of alternative medicine is alcohol tincture:
- Mix 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 of laundry soap;
- Dry, cut the infected areas as much as possible, cut the layer of nail plate;
- Coat the cotton wool with the solution and secure it with a bandage on the sore area overnight;
- Perform the treatment for at least two months.
To prevent infection, healthy nails are wiped daily with the solution.
Important!
The main requirement of any of the recipes are well steamed nails. Remember 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 areas with a solution twice a day for six months;
- Mix 2 tablespoons. l. vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree oil extract, minced garlic essence. The resulting mixture is applied to the plate 2-3 times a day;
- A glass of vinegar is added to the steam bath. Baths are done three times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
Poisonous plant helps in the rapid removal of fungi. Use carefully so as not to burn your skin.
Fresh plant juice can be used. Remove the grass, rinse and roll in a meat grinder. Squeeze the liquid from the resulting mass. In a glass jar, mix 200 g of extract and rubbing alcohol. The solution is insisted in a dark place for two days. The mixture is applied to the nails 3-4 times a day after complete evaporation.
The pharmacy chain sells ready-made celandine oil. Lubricates the nail plate after careful processing (evaporation, removal of affected areas, wiping with peroxide).
The White one
The medicine we are used to whitening things, used at home, can also be used in the treatment of onychomycosis. Whiteness has a powerful antibacterial effect. Every other day, apply the liquid on the nails until the dish is completely renewed.
egg
For treatment, you need to make an ointment. Put an egg in a glass and pour the vinegar essence for a few days. The shell must be distributed. Remove the film from the egg and mix with the remaining liquid. Add the butter until thickened.
The resulting product is applied to infected nails before bedtime, wrapped in a bandage. The procedure is performed for 5-6 weeks.
Jodi
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 steam baths with the addition of iodine.
Tea mushrooms
In folk medicine, it is used to treat various diseases, including onychomycosis. A plate with kombucha is placed on the affected area, covered with polyethylene on top and fixed with a bandage. The compress is left overnight. In the morning, the dead layer should 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 abundantly with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. To prevent evaporation of the active substance, cover it with polyethylene on top. The compress is left for 1 hour. The procedure is performed 2 times a day until a healthy nail grows.
Ammonia
This medicine has shown good results when treated at home. In a glass of water, dilute 1 tablespoon. l. ammonia. A compress is made with the resulting solution overnight. The main requirement is to steam the nails until they soften.
Baths with ammonium hydroxide also help in curing mycosis. Mix in hot water 3 tablespoons. l. baking soda, ammonia, 30-40 g of liquid soap. In such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails softens faster.
Baking soda
Before using any antifungal agent, be sure to steam your nails. Soda baths work well to prevent the spread of infection. For 3 liters of hot water, take 2 tablespoons. l. powder. For best effect, you can add 1 tbsp. l. minced washing soap.
They also make soda creams. 100 gr is diluted with water until a varnish is created, which is applied to the nails. After 15-20 minutes, the mixture is washed.
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is known for its strong antiseptic properties. Used for baths before applying other medicinal products.
Important!
You have to be careful with the manganese not to burn it. For safe use, you should take no more than 3 crystals and dissolve them completely in water.
Birch tar
It has an antiseptic effect and can be used pure or in the form of soap. Tar is applied to the nail at bedtime after processing. Used until recovery.
Salt
You can use cooking or seafood. A mixture of soda and salt is made in equal proportions, diluted with a small amount of cold water. The solution is lubricated abundantly with nails, and after 10 minutes they are washed. During the procedure, you may feel a burning sensation.
Before using the medicine, the thick corneum layer of the salt bath is well evaporated.
If there is no added dryness of the skin, you can soak your feet in a solution of laundry soap and table salt or sea salt. This procedure has a bactericidal, drying effect.
Novocaine
Traditional medicine recommends using the medicine to wipe the nails and the surrounding skin. After treatment, cotton wool moistened with an aqueous solution of novocaine is applied to the affected areas and fixed 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 do a medical pedicure procedure. It is cutting the nail with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The causative agent of onychomycosis is a persistent organism. Spores can remain stable in the environment for months, awaiting favorable growing conditions.
In order not to be infected with pathogenic microflora, the following rules must be observed:
- in public places (baths, saunas, swimming pools), be sure to wear your removable shoes;
- wear clean socks every day;
- after you have taken a shower, bath, completely dry your feet and the area between your toes;
- do not wear someone else's shoes;
- treat the damaged skin surface with an antiseptic;
- use personal pedicure tools;
- fight excessive foot sweating;
- coming from the street, wet 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 fungal infections is strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene.
Good immunity is an important factor in disease prevention. People with weakened body defenses are more likely to become infected with infections. Taking vitamin complexes, immunostimulatory drugs is the first step in preventing mycosis.
If signs of illness are detected in a loved one living in the same apartment, you should use medical protective equipment. Prophylactic agents are produced in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
For preventive purposes, remedies recommended by traditional medicine are also appropriate. Iodine is applied to the nail surface once a day. You can also rub your feet with a vinegar solution.
Treating mushrooms is a rather laborious 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 a medical institution is it possible to perform tests to accurately determine the type of pathogen. After that, adequate treatment is prescribed, which will lead to recovery.