The problem with fungal nail infections is quite common. According to the WHO, every 10th person in the world suffers from this nasty disease. You can get infected with it if you do not follow the basic rules of personal hygiene or in public places - baths, swimming pools, saunas, changing rooms for gyms.
Mycosis is not a serious health hazard, but it is uncomfortable and very difficult to get rid of. In advanced cases, the therapy lasts for many 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, the doctor may prescribe the use of prescriptions from traditional medicine that help speed up the healing process.
Signs of the disease
It is difficult to diagnose onychomycosis in the initial stage. That is why it is important not to miss the manifestations of progressive damage. The first "alarm bells" can be considered as follows:
- change in the color, structure, shine of the nail;
- the appearance of tubers, impaired growth;
- stratification, destruction;
- pathological thickening;
- outlined bands of mycelium distribution;
- walking pain syndrome;
- sharp, unpleasant odor;
- redness, peeling of nearby skin;
- rot of nail rollers.
The thumb almost always suffers first (pathogens penetrate the most traumatic area - the corner edge of the nail).
Important!
If even a few symptoms are found, you should consult a doctor immediately. Timely visits to a medical institution will ensure maximum effectiveness of treatment.
Cure 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 right treatment. To achieve a rapid therapeutic effect, a complex control of the fungus is recommended, consisting of oral agents and external preparations. Ointment with oily base is not used in the treatment of mycosis of the nails. This is due to the poor 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 recommended to use them only in cases of weak lesions. In advanced diseases, this type of external remedy will not bring the desired result. They are produced in a bottle with a brush that looks like ordinary cosmetic varnish.
Tablets
Oral agents are used along with topical preparations. The tablets have an effect on the whole body, helping to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible.
External means of protection
You can treat fungal infections with various sprays, creams, oils. Due to their local action, they do not damage the liver. The disadvantage of this method is the duration of use.
Laser treatment
In case of long, unsuccessful attempts to remove nail fungus, you should consider laser therapy. This method is effective for removing 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 near the site of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
The advantages of the technique:
- no pain during the procedure;
- no dosage forms are required;
- no side and allergic reactions.
According to doctors, the laser is the fastest way to get rid of the problem. However, no matter how miraculous the treatment, it has a number of limitations to its use:
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- malignant neoplasms;
- serious disorders of the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting a course of treatment, it is mandatory to undergo an examination of the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is quite popular. But they should be used wisely, after consulting your doctor.
propolis
The waste product of bees is known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the affected nail disappears and grows healthy in its place. After the symptoms have disappeared, it is important not to stop the procedure, because the infection may come back.
Natural propolis is used three times a day. A piece is applied to the steamed nail and left for 30 minutes. The first results will appear in a few months.
Another recipe for 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, trim as many infected areas as possible, trim the nail plate layer;
- Moisten a cotton ball with tincture and apply with a bandage on the sore spot overnight;
- Carry out treatment for at least two months.
To prevent infection, healthy nails are wiped daily with tincture.
Important!
The main requirement of each of the recipes is well-steamed nails. Remember this rule.
vinegar
Vinegar is often used at home - apple or table vinegar. Folk 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 the solution twice a day for six months;
- Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree oil extract, minced garlic clove. The resulting mixture is applied to the plate 2-3 times a day;
- A glass of vinegar is added to the steam bath. The baths are done three times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
The poisonous plant helps to quickly eliminate the fungus. Use it carefully so as not to burn your skin.
Fresh plant juice can be used. Tear off the grass, rinse and turn in a meat grinder. Squeeze the juice 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 copious steam.
The pharmacy chain sells ready-made celandine oil. Lubricates the nail plate after careful treatment (steaming, removal of affected areas, wiping with peroxide).
White
The medicine we are used to bleaching things used in the household can also be used in the treatment of onychomycosis. Whiteness has a powerful antibacterial effect. During the day, apply the liquid on the nails until the plate is completely renewed.
egg
For treatment you need to make an ointment. Put an egg in a glass and pour vinegar essence for a few days. The shell must be dissolved. Remove the foil from the egg and mix with the remaining liquid. Add the butter until thick.
The resulting product is applied to infected nails at bedtime, wrapped in a bandage. The procedure lasts for 5-6 weeks.
iodine
An alcoholic solution of iodine is suitable for the treatment of mycoses. It should be applied twice a day with a cotton swab. For prevention, the procedure is performed on healthy nails once a day. It is useful to make steam baths with the addition of iodine.
Tea sponge
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 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 fungal infections. After careful preparation, cotton wool is applied to the nail plate, abundantly moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. To prevent evaporation of the active substance, cover it with polyethylene on top. The compress is left for 1 hour. The procedure is performed twice a day until the healthy nail grows back.
ammonia
This drug shows good results when treated at home. Dilute 1 tablespoon of ammonia in a glass of water. The resulting solution is made into a compress overnight. The main requirement is to evaporate the nails until they soften.
Ammonium hydroxide baths also help treat ringworm. Mix in hot water 3 tablespoons baking soda, ammonia, 30-40 g of liquid soap. In such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails softens faster.
Baking soda
Be sure to vaporize your nails before using any antifungal agent. Soda baths work well to prevent the spread of infection. For 3 liters of hot water take 2 tablespoons of powder. For best effect you can add 1 tbsp grated laundry soap.
They also make lotions with soda. Dilute 100 g with water to form a slurry, which is applied to the nails. After 15-20 minutes the mixture is washed off.
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is known for its strong antiseptic properties. It is used for baths before applying other medicinal products.
Important!
Care must be taken with manganese to avoid burns. For safe use you should take no more than 3 crystals and dissolve them abundantly in water.
Birch tar
It has an antiseptic effect and can be used pure or in the form of soap. The tar is applied to the nail before bedtime after treatment. Used until recovery.
Sol
You can use cooking or seafood. A mixture of soda and salt is prepared in equal proportions, diluted with a small amount of cold water. The solution is abundantly lubricated with nails and after 10 minutes they are washed off. You may feel a burning sensation during the procedure.
Before using the drug, the coarse horny layer of the salt bath is boiled well.
If there is no increased dryness of the skin, you can soak your feet in a solution of laundry soap and cooking or sea salt. This procedure has a bactericidal, drying effect.
Novocaine
Traditional medicine recommends the use of the drug to wipe the nails and skin around. 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. This is nail cutting with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The cause of onychomycosis is a stubborn organism. Spores can remain viable in the environment for months, waiting for favorable growth conditions.
In order not to become infected with pathogenic microflora, the following rules must be observed:
- in public places (baths, saunas, swimming pools) do not forget to wear your own changeable shoes;
- wear clean socks daily;
- after taking a shower, bath, dry your feet and the area between the toes;
- do not wear other people's shoes;
- treat the injured skin surface with antiseptic;
- use personal pedicure tools;
- fight against excessive sweating of 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 fungal infections is strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene.
Good immunity is an important factor in preventing the disease. People with weakened body defenses are more likely to become infected. Taking vitamin complexes, immunostimulating drugs is the first step in the prevention of mycosis.
If signs of illness are found in a loved one living in the same apartment, you should use medical protective equipment. Prophylactics are produced in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
The means recommended by traditional medicine are also suitable for preventive purposes. Iodine is applied to the nail surface once a day. You can also rub your feet with vinegar solution.
The treatment of fungus is quite a laborious and long process. Complex therapy with pharmaceutical and folk remedies helps to 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 it is possible to perform tests to correctly determine the type of pathogen. Adequate treatment is then prescribed, which will lead to a cure.