The problem of 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 - bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas, gym locker rooms.
Mycosis does not pose a serious health risk, but it is unpleasant and very difficult to get rid of. In advanced cases, therapy lasts for several months. For effective treatment, the most important thing is to recognize the first symptoms of the disease in time and consult a dermatologist. In addition to drug therapy, the doctor may prescribe the use of traditional medicine prescriptions that help speed up the healing process.
Signs of illness
It is difficult to diagnose onychomycosis in the initial phase. Therefore, it is important not to miss the manifestations of progressive damage. The first "alarm bell" can be considered the following:
- change in color, structure, shine of the nail;
- occurrence of tuberosity, growth disorder;
- stratification, destruction;
- pathological thickening;
- delineated mycelium distribution bands;
- walking pain syndrome;
- sharp, unpleasant odor;
- redness, peeling of nearby skin;
- decay of nail rollers.
The thumb is almost always the first to die (pathogens penetrate the most traumatic area - the corner of the nail).
Bitan!
If even a few symptoms are detected, consult a doctor immediately. A timely visit to a medical facility will ensure maximum effectiveness of treatment.
Remedy for toenail fungus
If you suspect a fungal infection, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. After all the tests have been performed, he will prescribe the correct treatment. To achieve a rapid therapeutic effect, a complex fight against fungi is recommended, which consists of oral agents and external preparations. 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 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 medicine will not bring the desired result. They are produced in a bottle with a brush, which looks like an ordinary cosmetic varnish.
Tablets
In addition to topical preparations, oral agents are also used. The tablets act on the whole organism, helping to get rid of the infection as soon as possible.
External drugs
You can treat mycoses 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
With long-term, 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, during which the affected areas of the nail plate are removed. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue to the location of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
Advantages of the technique:
- lack of pain during the procedure;
- no dosage forms are required;
- no side effects and allergic reactions.
According to doctors, a laser is the fastest way to get rid of a problem. However, no matter how miraculous the treatment, there are a number of limitations in its use:
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- malignant neoplasms;
- serious injuries to the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting the course of treatment, it is necessary to undergo an examination of the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is quite popular. But you should use them wisely, after consulting your doctor.
Propolis
The bee waste product is known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the diseased nail disappears, and in its place grows healthy. After the symptoms disappear, it is important not to interrupt the procedure, because the infection can reappear.
Natural propolis is used three times a day. The 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:
- Dilute 30 g of propolis in 120 g of alcohol. Leave in a cool, dark place for 2 days;
- Before the procedure, steam your feet in a solution of laundry soap;
- Dry, cut off the infected areas as much as possible, cut off the nail plate layer;
- Moisten a cotton ball with tincture and apply a bandage to the painful area overnight;
- The treatment lasts for at least two months.
To prevent infections, healthy nails are wiped daily with tincture.
Bitan!
The main requirement of any of the recipes are well-steamed nails. Remember this rule.
Vinegar
Vinegar is often used at home - apple 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 the solution twice a day for six months;
- Mix 2 tbsp. l. 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. Baths are done three times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
The poisonous plant helps to quickly remove fungi. Use it carefully so as not to burn your skin.
Fresh plant juice can be used. Pluck the grass, rinse and rotate 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 thorough steaming.
The pharmacy chain sells ready-made celandine oil. Lubricates the nail plate after careful processing (steaming, removing the affected areas, wiping with peroxide).
White
The medicine we are used to whitening, and it is used in the household, can also be used in the treatment of onychomycosis. Whiteness has a strong antibacterial effect. Every other day, apply liquid to the nails until the plate is completely renewed.
An egg
For treatment it is necessary to make an ointment. Put the egg in a glass and pour the vinegar essence for a few days. The shell should melt. Remove the foil from the egg and mix with the remaining liquid. Add butter until thick.
The resulting product is applied to infected nails before bedtime, wrapped in a bandage. The procedure is performed for 5-6 weeks.
Iodine
An alcoholic solution of iodine is suitable for the treatment of mycoses. Apply it 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 mushroom
In folk medicine it is used to treat various diseases, including onychomycosis. A kombucha plate 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 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, abundantly moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. To prevent evaporation of the active substance, cover it with polyethylene from above. The compress is left for 1 hour. The procedure is performed 2 times a day until a healthy nail grows.
Ammonia
This drug has shown good results when treated at home. Dilute 1 tablespoon in a glass of water. l. ammonia. The resulting solution is used to make a compress overnight. The main condition is to steam the nails until they soften.
Ammonium hydroxide baths also help treat mycosis. Mix 3 tablespoons in boiling water. l. baking soda, ammonia, 30-40 g of liquid soap. In such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails softens faster.
Soda
Before using any anti-fungal agent, be sure to steam your nails. Soda baths work well in preventing the spread of infection. For 3 liters of hot water, take 2 tablespoons. l. powder. For the best effect, you can add 1 tablespoon. l. grated laundry soap.
They also make lotions with soda. Dilute 100 g with water until a paste is formed 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. It is used for baths before applying other medicines.
Bitan!
You have to be careful with manganese not to burn yourself. For safe use, you do not need to take more than 3 crystals and dissolve them well in water.
Birch tar
It has an antiseptic effect and can be used in its pure state or in the form of soap. Tar is applied to the nail before bedtime after treatment. Used until recovery.
Sol
You can use cooking or seafood. The mixture of soda and salt is made in equal proportions, diluted with a small amount of cold water. The solution is abundantly lubricated with nails, and after 10 minutes it is washed off. You may feel a tingling sensation during the procedure.
Before using the medicine, the rough stratum corneum bath with salt is well steamed.
If there is no increased dryness of the skin, 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 a remedy 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 dressing is removed. Daily procedures can relieve pain, tingling, itching.
For the best effect of the treatment, experts advise to do a medical pedicure. It is cutting nails with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The cause of onychomycosis is a persistent organism. Spores can remain sustainable in the environment for months, in anticipation of favorable conditions for growth.
In order not to become infected with pathogenic microflora, the following rules should be followed:
- in public spaces (baths, saunas, swimming pools) be sure to wear your own removable shoes;
- wear clean socks every day;
- after showering, bathing, dry your feet and the area between your toes well;
- do not wear other people's shoes;
- treat the injured skin surface with antiseptic;
- use personal pedicure tools;
- fights excessive foot sweating;
- come 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 disease prevention. 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 a loved one living in the same apartment shows signs of illness, you should use protective equipment with medication. Prophylactic agents are produced in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
Medicines 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 a solution of vinegar.
Treating fungus is quite a laborious and time consuming process. Complex therapy with pharmacy 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, in order to correctly determine the type of pathogen. After that, adequate treatment is prescribed that will lead to healing.