Few people know that using vinegar can solve a rather complex medical problem of eliminating nail fungus. Thanks to the availability of table vinegar (9% acid solution) and even vinegar essence (70% acid solution), which can be bought in the store or in the market, there are many ways to treat foot fungus with this product.
Of course, self-treatment with vinegar should be carried out only if the disease has not progressed to an advanced form, and it is advisable to combine it with specially developed drugs. However, when there is an urgent need to treat nail fungus, and there is no money or time for a visit to the doctor or drug therapy, you can use vinegar yourself, the main thing is to follow the appropriate safety rules.
Features of using vinegar to treat fungus
The main effect of using vinegar is to create an acidic environment in the area of fungal infection, which prevents the growth of hyphae and the spread of spores. Gradually, the fungus, which was left without access to new sources of nutrients, dies, and the absence of much more resistant spores prevents the possibility of disease recurrence.
At first glance, everything is very simple - how to destroy bacteria with an antiseptic. But in fact, the fungus turns out to be very durable, because its body is not on the surface of the nail or skin, but goes deep into the tissue. In this regard, a positive result of onychomycosis treatment should be expected only in case of strict regularity of the procedures, which will not leave time for the parasite to rehabilitate and penetrate the skin.
Before treating nail fungus, check whether the concentration of acetic acid used corresponds to that specified in the recipe. If the recipe mentions vinegar essence, then it is a 70% solution, which must be dissolved or applied in a point. Food or table vinegar, respectively, contains 6 and 9% acid. Ignoring these data can lead to the treatment ending in chemical burns.
Apart from this point, there are no special contraindications for vinegar treatment. Individual intolerance is very rare, but vinegar is such a common substance that patients are usually aware of this feature of the body. A burning sensation may occur during the first procedures, but this is normal and will subside over time. By the way, vinegar, if the safety rules are followed, does not pose any danger to health.
Vinegar baths
Warm foot baths are considered an effective anti-fungal remedy, and regular use allows you to get rid of onychomycosis at an early stage without additional medication. Also, vinegar baths are an excellent prevention of fungal infections. The procedure requires warm, around 50 °C, water and a glass of table vinegar with a 9% concentration. The water level in the pool should not be high, but only up to the ankles. The feet are dipped in the solution and kept there for 15 minutes.
Before the vinegar bath, it is recommended to perform a complete pedicure procedure, including the removal of the affected areas of the nail plate and dead skin layers, calluses and corns on the feet, but without applying a decorative coating to the nails. If you cut and file your nails yourself, you must do it very carefully, because microdamages to the skin can contribute to the spread of a fungal infection.
Immediately after the vinegar bath, dry your feet with a towel and put on cotton socks. Repeat three times a week.
Lotions with vinegar
It is best to apply lotions to areas affected by fungus after vinegar baths. Pharmaceutical products and pure 9% vinegar, in which a cotton pad is moistened and applied to the nail for fifteen minutes, are also suitable for this.
A more complex recipe: a mixture of vodka or forty percent medical alcohol, glycerin and acetic acid 70% in equal proportions, mix until smooth. A cotton swab moistened with the solution is kept on the affected areas for about fifteen minutes, after which cotton socks are put on. The course of treatment is one week, if necessary, it can be repeated after a few days.
Vinegar-based ointments are stored for a long time, they are more suitable for use than products with a liquid consistency. To prepare vinegar ointment, it is necessary to take 70% acetic acid, dimethyl phthalate, glycerin and olive oil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. After thorough mixing of all ingredients, the ointment is ready for use.
To prevent the spread of a fungal infection and destroy its pathogens, you need to apply the ointment to the affected areas with a cotton swab every day, leave it for 8-10 hours, and then wash it off with laundry soap. This recipe can be used not only to treat onychomycosis of the toenails, but also on the affected nails.
Preventive measures against fungi consist of following hygiene rules, especially in public places - bathroom, swimming pool, bowling alley. Choose comfortable shoes and socks made of natural materials, because poor circulation in the feet combined with high humidity creates prerequisites for onychomycosis (read also: onychomycosis - causes and prevention). Gymnastics exercises, moderate physical activity and running can improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune defense, which makes the body invulnerable to fungal and other infections.
Treatment of toenail fungus with tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an effective medicine against onchomycosis, it acts directly on the causative agent of the disease - the dermatophyte fungus. Tea tree essential oil contains alpha-terpinene, alpha-phellandrene, limonene, sabinene, cineole and other substances that provide it with antiseptic properties and anti-inflammatory effects.
Before using the essential oil, it is necessary to perform an allergy test - apply a little product to the skin of the wrist, if within 12 hours there is no irritation, redness, rash or other reactions, then the product can be used for medical purposes. Otherwise, it must be diluted to a safe concentration or this technique should be abandoned altogether.
Ways to use tea tree oil:
Foot baths with tea tree oil. Warm water is poured into the basin up to the level of the ankles, 15-20 drops of essential oil are added and the feet are kept in it for twenty minutes, maintaining a high water temperature (45-50 °C). The course of treatment is two months, bathing is required daily. During the treatment, it is necessary to remove the affected areas of the nail plate using a file, nail clippers or scissors.
Applying oil to the nail plate. If you do not have a reaction to undiluted tea tree oil, then it is applied in its pure form to the affected areas of the nail to enhance the effect of the effect. First, the feet are steamed in warm water with the addition of laundry soap (for better dissolution, it can be grated). The oil is rubbed into the nail plate twice a day with a cotton swab, there is no need to rinse off the product.
How to cure nail fungus quickly?
The internal and external use of hydrogen peroxide for the treatment of infectious and other diseases was described by Professor Neumyvakin in a book written on the basis of personal experience. He mentions hydrogen peroxide as a preventative with antibacterial properties.
The external use of hydrogen peroxide for the treatment of fungal infections is carried out after steaming the feet in warm water with dissolved soda in the amount of one teaspoon per liter. When the nail plates become soft, cut off a small fragment of the affected nail area with nail scissors and, after soaking it in a 3% peroxide solution, apply it to the nail plate. Leave on for 10-15 minutes on nails or 40 minutes to an hour on fingers. Carry out the procedure twice a day until the symptoms of the fungal infection disappear.
In order to reduce the evaporation of peroxide and increase the intensity of the effect, the nail plate with the lotion is wrapped in plastic film. After the exposure time, thoroughly wash your toes and hands under running water.
For therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, it is recommended to instill hydrogen peroxide into the nail cavity three times a day.
Hand and foot baths (depending on the location of the onychomycosis) with hydrogen peroxide give good results. Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide in water at a temperature of 40-50 °C in the amount of two tablespoons per liter of water. The duration of the procedure is fifteen minutes, the frequency is twice a day for one week.
Instead of hydrogen peroxide in this recipe, you can use dead water with a negative redox potential, also called anolyte water. Anolyte water is safe for use on sensitive skin, but has antiseptic properties, which reduces fungal growth.
Effective treatment of advanced toenail fungus
This extreme method of treating fungal infections is used for severe lesions of the nail plate, it must be used with caution in order not to damage the skin.
To get rid of the fungus, the nail is treated with a rust neutralizer (this can be purchased at an auto parts store). This product contains phosphoric acid, which effectively destroys fungi, but if used carelessly, it can damage skin tissue. Therefore, when using it, it is necessary to observe safety precautions - work in a well-ventilated area, wear protective glasses and rubber gloves, avoiding contact of the product with the skin and mucous membranes.
A safer way would be to use kerosene, which also has great penetrating power and is very effective against fungi.
Other folk remedies for toenail fungus
Complex treatment of toenail fungus using folk recipes based on hydrogen peroxide allows you to destroy the fungus and permanently get rid of the unpleasant smell and other accompanying symptoms.
Two effective folk remedies against fungal infections:
Recipe for peroxide 1. To prepare a healing mixture, you will need baking soda (0. 5 cups), hot water (4 cups), 3% hydrogen peroxide (0. 25 cups) and half a cup of magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt. Mix all the ingredients well and pour another quarter cup of vinegar. Soak a cotton swab with the resulting solution and attach it to the nail plate affected by the fungus with plaster. The bandage needs to be renewed every ten hours, the course of treatment is one month.
Recipe with peroxide 2. The procedure for the treatment of fungi according to this recipe consists of three phases. First you need to prepare a solution for treating fungal surfaces of nails and skin - mix 3% vinegar and peroxide at a concentration of 3% in a ratio of 1: 1. This mixture is applied to the feet while sizzling. The second stage is to immerse the fingers with a fungal nail infection for half a minute in a weak solution of bleach in water, after which they are thoroughly washed under running water and wiped with a towel. Finally, tea tree oil mixed with Vaseline in equal proportions is applied to the nail plate. Wear warm socks or gloves (if this technique was used to treat nail onychomycosis). The course of treatment is one week.
Novocaine lotion. A very simple but effective folk remedy for the treatment of fungus is novocaine lotion. Simply soak a cotton ball in novocaine and apply it to the fungus overnight. Just two of these lotions are enough to get rid of the fungus forever.
Apricot resin tincture: pour 1 tablespoon of resin removed from the tree with a glass of vodka, leave for three days. Apply this solution to the skin of the feet and nails. Shake before each use. It took us a month for treatment, the affected nails were cut off as they peeled off, and new, healthy ones grew. After the examination, the doctor confirmed the fact of recovery. I can also recommend using old, thickened sunflower oil in this case.
Application of garlic: I took cloves of garlic, squeezed it with a garlic press, applied the mixture to the nail, covered it with cellophane and wrapped it in a bandage or put it on the tip of the finger. I left the bandage until the morning, the first days I felt a throbbing pain, like an abscess, but I had to endure. I repeated the procedures every day and new nails grew.
Strong coffee. Few people know that ordinary but strong coffee is a very good folk remedy for the treatment of fungus. Make yourself a strong cup of coffee and simply dip your hands or feet into the cup, depending on where you have the fungus. This procedure is best performed in the evening, before going to bed. Fungi completely disappear after several such evening procedures. At the same time, the skin becomes smooth, and the pain quickly disappears.
Nail fungus in adults: symptoms, causes, treatment
In medicine, nail fungus is officially called onychomycosis. This is a fungal disease that affects the fingernail or toenail plates. According to the WHO, this is a fairly common disease. It occurs in approximately 27% of people, and the pathology is diagnosed on the legs 2 times more often than on the hands. The problem of nail fungus is very delicate, because the unpleasant appearance of the affected plates causes the patient to feel discomfort and hide them from others.
Symptoms and signs of nail fungus
Onychomycosis is very easy to recognize, because its signs on the nails cannot be ignored. First, the nail plates become dull and rough, lose their glossy shine. Then the nail becomes dirty yellow, whitish or gray instead of pink. Then other characteristic symptoms of the fungus appear:
- increase in plate thickness;
- defects in the form of stripes, curves, irregularities and waves;
- delamination and crushing of the board;
- unpleasant smell from nails.
As a result, the nail is completely destroyed and even peels off, exposing the nail. The skin near the plates becomes red and causes severe itching.
Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease. Do not delay consultation - contact a specialist as soon as possible.
Causes
The main reason for the development of fungal infections is the entry of pathogens into or into the human body. As a rule, these are microsporums, trichophytons and epidermophytons. These are fungi that especially often cause onychomycosis.
When entering the body, such fungi are localized on keratinized skin derivatives, i. e. nails and hair. This is explained by the feeding of parasites, for which they use the fibrillar protein keratin, which is found in nails and hair.
The main cause of mycosis is infection with a pathogenic fungus. At the same time, many types of fungi are constantly present in the body, and their growth usually inhibits the immune system. As control decreases, the fungus begins to grow on the skin or tissues of internal organs. This often happens because of:
- chronic illness that weakens the body;
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- insufficient or unbalanced nutrition;
- smoking and alcohol abuse;
- exposure to external factors that weaken the body - hypothermia, excess ultraviolet radiation, poisoning, radiation damage, etc. ;
- long-term use of antibiotics or some other drugs.
The only exception here is the so-called mycosis fungoides, which is not a fungal disease. This is an oncological tumor pathology, which is based on the degeneration of T-lymphocytes into a malignant form.
Routes of infection
The risk of fungal infection is particularly high in public places with high humidity. These are saunas, swimming pools, gyms, public baths, etc. The most common routes of infection:
- direct contact with an infected person. Here, the fungus moves from its habitat to healthy areas, causing infection;
- home way. In this case, infection occurs when using the patient's personal belongings: shoes, personal hygiene items, etc.
There are many ways to get yeast infections. Most often this happens:
- in direct contact with the affected areas of the skin of another person;
- when sharing towels, slippers, personal hygiene products;
- through a contaminated manicure instrument;
- through contaminated clothing and footwear;
- through the soil, especially in the presence of microtrauma of the skin;
- in contact with pets.
Mycoses of the skin often develop in people who visit swimming pools, saunas, showers in sports clubs, etc. Infection is more likely the worse a person's immune system is.
Risk factors
The incidence of onychomycosis increases until the age of 60. At this moment, the probability of developing such an infection is 60%, which is explained by the slowing down of metabolism, especially in the distal (remote) parts of the body, namely the fingers and toes.
Other risk factors for the development of nail fungus are:
- diabetes;
- varicose veins;
- injuries to nails and adjacent tissues;
- HIV and other immunodeficiency conditions;
- long-term use of antibiotics;
- weakened immune system;
- vascular and skin diseases, dermatitis, diaper rash;
- disorders in blood flow to the extremities;
- insufficient hygiene.
Complications
In an uncomplicated course, the disease causes symptoms traditional for a fungus, causing only severe discomfort to a person. But without treatment, onychomycosis can cause complications. They are most often manifested by the addition of a bacterial infection.
Sometimes onychomycosis is very acute with the appearance of blisters, ulcerations and weeping areas on the skin near the nail. In severe cases, the disease takes a generalized form. This means that nail fungus spreads to internal organs and systems, and then the patient will need urgent hospitalization.
When to see a doctor
Many who have encountered onychomycosis know that the disease develops slowly and is incredibly difficult to treat. That is why it is very important to consult a doctor at the first signs of illness. A dermatologist treats nail onychomycosis in the clinic. The specialist will provide you with competent help and guide you to complete recovery.
Preparing for a visit to the doctor
Before visiting the dermatologist, it is important not to treat the affected nail areas with anything, i. e. do not use drugs, including iodine and brilliant green. The use of anti-fungal creams and ointments should also be avoided. When making an appointment, you need to do all previously taken tests, including those for other diseases. Damaged nails should not be cut 3-4 days before the consultation.
Diagnosis of nail fungus
First of all, the patient is sent for microscopy, which allows identification of the presence of pathogens. In the future, it is necessary to determine its type in order to choose the right treatment for toenail fungus. The professional clinic practices the most modern and common methods for diagnosing onychomycosis:
- cultural examination of the biological sample of the affected tissue. To achieve this, it is placed in an artificial nutrient medium, where the pathogen is grown to determine its type;
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detection of pathogen DNA in affected tissue sample.
As part of the diagnosis of mycosis, studies of skin scrapings and nail formations, sputum, blood, hair, mucosa scrapings, feces and other biomaterials can be done, depending on the type and location of the lesion. Skin diseases are usually treated with:
- dermatoscopy - examination of the affected areas of the skin, hair or nails in order to determine characteristic signs;
- microscopic examination of scrapings to detect fungal mycelium;
- bacterial culture on nutrient media, which allows you to identify not only the type of fungus, but also the optimal drug for treatment;
- serological blood test;
- PCR test to detect the genome of a fungus.
Some types of fungi are quite easily diagnosed using UV radiation, which is generated using a Wood's lamp.
At the same time as determining the type of fungus, the patient undergoes a general examination to determine the cause of the weakened immunity that led to the infection.
Treatment
In the early stages of the disease, local therapy is usually prescribed, consisting of the use of creams and ointments with antifungal activity.
Antiseptic solutions are also used as external remedies for nail fungus. In addition to effective medications for nail onychomycosis, antihistamines and desensitizing medications are prescribed to relieve swelling, inflammation, and sensitivity.
If the nail is completely affected by the fungus and drug treatment does not give positive results, then the plate undergoes surgical removal. Also, in the case of the total form of onychomycosis, antimycotics are prescribed orally in the form of tablets, which have a systemic effect on the body.
When choosing drugs, the dermatologist must take into account the individual sensitivity of the pathogen to a particular drug. Self-administration of certain drugs often does not bring the desired result, because before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the type of causative agent of the disease. For certain fungal infections, the patient's diet becomes important. Therefore, during the treatment of yeast and mold fungi, it is necessary to exclude foods containing fast carbohydrates (sweets, flour products), fermented foods, alcohol and potatoes.
Home remedies
Before using home remedies, you should consult your doctor. With his permission, you can use the following recipes:
- iodine. Before use, the feet must be steamed, washed with laundry soap, and then the affected areas of the nail plates must be removed. Then treat the nails and the skin between the fingers with iodine, soak them in a bath with soda solution for 20-30 minutes and dry well;
- vinegar. For 3 liters of water, take 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar and add a little potassium permanganate. Soak your feet in the bath for 20-30 minutes, then dry them well;
- hydrogen peroxide. After thoroughly steaming your feet, remove the affected areas of the nail plates. Put cotton pads soaked in hydrogen peroxide on them, wrap them with a bandage and leave for half an hour.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of onychomycosis, it is necessary to exclude the negative effects of risk factors on the body:
- timely treat systemic diseases;
- don't wear other people's shoes;
- wear slates in the pool and sauna;
- change your socks daily and follow the rules of personal hygiene;
- do not wear wet shoes - dry them well;
- Avoid direct contact with potential fungal carriers.