How to treat foot fungus at home with folk remedies: a recipe

One of the most common foot and toenail pathologies is fungus. Treatment of this disease takes a long time, because getting rid of fungal infections is not easy. In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies are used, which, even in advanced cases, give excellent results. In the early stages of the disease, you can cure the infection with your own natural recipes at home.

What is foot fungus and the mode of infection

Mycosis or dermatomycosis is an infectious lesion on the skin of the feet, interdigital area, fingers, nails. Infections especially fungal on the feet occur in cultures where the habit of wearing closed shoes most of the time. More often, the disease affects the elderly and people with weakened immunity as a result of any serious pathology (immune deficiency, phylogeny, diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders in the limbs, etc. ).

The causative agent of parasitic fungal infections in the stratum corneum of the skin. They produce enzymes that break down keratin. Their cell walls (membranes) contain mannan substances that suppress local immunity and contribute to the development of chronic inflammatory processes in the skin. Among the many pathogens of mycosis, the main ones are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum.

You can be infected with the fungus in two ways: directly or indirectly. The first variant of the infection provides several versions:

• close contact with sick people;
• contact with infected animals;
• through plants whose sites are in contact;
• through the soil where the pathogen lives.

Indirect routes of infection with foot mycosis occur:

• when using household items or personal hygiene items belonging to a sick person;
• when using objects that have been touched by an infected animal.

Symptoms of the disease

Depending on the type of fungus, the specific symptoms of the disease are distinguished. For example, for a long time dermatophytes do not show themselves in any way, strongly penetrating at this time into the skin layer or under the nail bed. If the causative agent of mycosis is trichophytosis, then the signs of infection can be seen immediately-microorganisms such as yeast cause inflammation of the nails and skin, destroying tissues in a short time. It is difficult even for an experienced dermatologist to tell the type of infection a patient is suffering from without laboratory testing.

In the early stages of the disease, there are common symptoms of foot fungus:

• cracks in its base;
• itching, burning, dryness, peeling of the skin;
• unpleasant foot odor;
• discoloration and brittle nails;
• shiny skin surface;
• thickening and redness of the epidermis;
• increased sensitivity of the soles of the feet;
• appearance at the site of inflammation of fluid -filled bubbles.

Forms of fungal infections

External manifestations of the fungus depend not only on the type of pathogen, but also on the degree of involvement in the inflammatory process of the skin, nails, hair on the feet. Dermatologists distinguish the following forms of foot mycosis:

1. Squamous shape (scaly). Redness and peeling of the skin are observed at an early stage. The affected areas have different areas.
2. Hyperkeratotic stage. Severe roughness of the soles of the feet, cracks in or near the heel. Both legs are affected at the same time.
3. Intertriginous forms. It is considered the most common. Affects the area between 4 and 5 toes, less frequently develops between 3 and 4. Cracks are replaced by erosion, which begins to get wet, itching, burning occurs. Streptococci penetrate into the loose structure of the tissue, causing pustular inflammation.
4. Dyshidrotic form. Watery blisters that appear on the epidermis join. After it is hidden, an extensive ulcer develops. Mycosis spreads to the hands.

Treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies

All folk remedies against foot fungus have several tasks: destruction of fungal mycelium, elimination of symptoms of inflammation, restoration of skin integrity, enhancement of local immunity, prevention of recurrence of the disease. For this purpose, decoctions and infusions for oral administration are used, as well as solutions, ointments and compresses for external use.

Many plants, minerals, chemical compounds (copper sulfate) and even gunpowder have antifungal properties - this is proven by scientific research. More than 1000 representative names of the flora have been identified that have significant fungicidal and antimycotic effects. The composition of the plant includes benzoic and salicylic acids, furocoumarin, novoimanin and other substances that have a therapeutic effect on fungal infections.

Rules and principles of treatment

Before starting to treat foot fungus yourself with folk remedies, you should consult a doctor to prevent further pathological development. It is very difficult to cure mycosis of the advanced form, therefore, if a few days after the start of using one or another method of positive dynamics does not come, then you should see a doctor.

There are many popular recipes based on the use of herbal and natural ingredients. Foot fungus treatment at home is recommended before bed to give time for the remedy to be effective. Regardless of the chosen method of getting rid of mycosis, you need to adhere to a basic rule: to carry out therapy not only until the symptoms disappear completely, but also for some time afterwards. During therapy, it is necessary to:

• follow a low -sugar diet in the diet, that is, eliminate sweet and starchy foods from the daily menu;
• excludes the use of cosmetic varnishes, which create a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria;
• carry out regular iodine treatment on nail plates affected by fungal infections (with onychomycosis);
• disinfect floor coverings and shoes to prevent recurrence.

Foot bath for foot mycosis

In the early stages of the disease, therapeutic foot baths are very helpful in relieving symptoms. Traditional medicine offers many ingredients from which these treatments are made. These are decoctions and infusions of herbs (celandine, wormwood, yarrow, oak bark and others), vinegar, soda and other components. Fight infection with a tray every day, soak your feet in a freshly prepared warm solution for 15-20 minutes.

The average course of treatment for adults is 2 weeks, but if necessary, the procedure can be performed longer. Foot bath helps not only to stop the growth of fungus, but also to get rid of unpleasant odors, get rid of excess sweat on the feet. With proper hygiene of the lower legs, the positive effects will be noticeable in a few days after the start of treatment. Examples of trays that are easy to make at home to get rid of foot fungus:

• Take 3 liters of warm water, stir 200 g of sea salt in it. For efficiency, you can add ground cinnamon (1 tbsp), decoction of chamomile or pine needles (250 ml).
• Pour warm water into the basin, add 50 ml of table or apple cider vinegar and a few grains of potassium permanganate. After the procedure, lubricate the affected skin with tea tree oil.

Compresses and lotions

In the complex home therapy of foot mycosis, it is advisable to use compresses or lotions. For this procedure, celandine oil, garlic, onion, alcohol tincture, iodized salt, and mint are used. Kombucha, pumpkin pulp, fresh burdock leaves are used on sore spots. Selected ingredients are crushed, applied to the area between the toes and on the feet for 40-50 minutes, and wrapped on top with a plastic bag (cling film). The course of treatment is 1-2 times a day until complete recovery.

Essential oils and natural pastes

Treat foot fungus effectively at home using natural plants and essential oils. Extracts from tea tree (soothes the skin, relieves itching), lemon (strengthens nails, enhances local immunity), cinnamon (prevents fungi from multiplying), rosemary (regenerates tissue) has proven itself brilliantly. Lavender oil is an effective natural antiseptic, which has analgesic and wound healing effects, therefore eliminates the symptoms of mycosis faster than other folk remedies.

You can use essential oils in their pure form (after allergy testing) or make a natural paste by mixing a few drops with any vegetable oil (coconut, cocoa, olive, jojoba). Manipulation needs to be performed 3 times a day for several weeks. If the nail is affected with foot mycosis, then such treatment lasts until the plate is completely renewed (several months).

Decoction of herbs and tincture

The popularity of medicinal herbs in the treatment of fungal infections is due to their high efficiency and availability. Herbal medicine is used not only to get rid of fungus, but also to prevent infection. The main methods of treating mycosis at home are the use of tinctures (infusions of medicinal herbs with ethyl alcohol), decoctions (herbs treated heat by soaking in a steam bath so as not to boil) and infusions (herbs poured with boiling water). and inserted).

The method and duration of therapy depend on the age of the patient, the corresponding disease, and the severity of symptoms. Average duration of use: 2-3 times a day for 14-30 days. The most effective antifungal herbs to treat fungal infections are:

• birch buds;
• cold mint;
• Agarwood;
• eucalyptus;
• walnut leaves;
• chamomile medicine;
• Japanese sofora;
• mastermind;
• celandine;
• runnik;
• Kalanchoe;
• ordinary juniper.

How to cure foot fungus at home

Traditional methods of getting rid of fungus have proven to be effective. To forget about foot mycosis forever, it is necessary during treatment and afterwards to take care of the foot area properly. For a quick recovery, you need:

• dry the skin thoroughly after bathing;
• wear only dry, clean shoes;
• do not overheat the feet, avoid heavy sweating;
• in hot weather, wear sandals with open toes;
• wear socks made of natural fabrics that have a high level of air permeability and hygroscopicity;
• Always wear personal slippers when bathing in public places.

Useful tools and products in the kitchen

It is very easy to find folk remedies at home to get rid of the fungus. Every housewife, between the tools available in the kitchen or in the refrigerator, has some type of cure for mycosis. Most affordable:

• coffee. In this case, the aromatic drink serves for external use. Regular foot baths of freshly brewed strong coffee will help to overcome this disease.
• Garlic. There are many options for using the plant, but the easiest is garlic juice, which is rubbed into the affected tissue. This process is carried out with a cotton swab 3 to 5 times a day until the symptoms disappear.
• Onion. Fresh onion porridge must be placed in a plastic bag worn on the feet. The edges of the bag must be fastened so that the bow does not touch its base, and the feet are in a sudden steam-air chamber throughout the night. As a rule, 5 sessions is enough to get rid of foot fungus.

Traditional medicine pharmacy

If there is no time to find a cure for foot fungus at home, then an effective remedy of natural origin can be purchased at the pharmacy. Among them:

• Potassium permanganate. The drug, better known as potassium permanganate, is effective for the treatment of mycosis. To overcome the problem, it is necessary to apply a compress soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate to the feet every night until the problem disappears.
• Iodine. The skin area affected by the fungus is treated with 5% alcohol solution 2 times / day. Contraindications to such treatment are high skin sensitivity and individual intolerance to the ingredients.
• Iodinol. With onychomycosis, a universal blue solution is used to soften the nail plate, which has managed to become very rough. Iodinol is used to wipe tissues affected by fungal infections 2 to 4 times a day.
• Propolis. For the treatment of mycoses, alcohol tincture is often used. You can make a homemade solution by incorporating propolis with vodka or alcohol, but this will not affect its effectiveness. For the treatment and prevention of fungus, you need a cotton swab soaked in tincture, apply to the infected area, and wait for complete drying 1-2 times / day.
• Ammonia. One tablespoon of the product should be diluted in a glass of distilled water, then saturate the cloth with the resulting solution, wrap the legs, secure with adhesive plaster and hold compresses overnight.
• Boric acid. For antifungal therapy, you need a powder, which is sprinkled on the feet in the right dose after steaming and wearing socks on top. This procedure is performed every evening. Boric acid is left overnight.

Herbal medicine for foot mycosis

Some plants are natural antibiotics, while others have complex effects on the affected area. For the treatment of mycoses, poisonous herbs are often used, their intake is unacceptable. Destruction of pathogenic fungal cell membranes occurs due to the presence of an aggressive plant environment, which leads to rapid neutralization of the pathology. Effective herbs include:

• black night shade;
• cheremitsa;
• male ferns;
• blacken the lumbago.

Effective folk remedies for foot fungus

In order for folk remedies for mycoses to help, the treatment process must be properly arranged. Before starting any procedure, you need to steam your feet, cut nails that are too large, grind loose tissue, remove rough and dead skin. Only then can folk recipes be used successfully. Natural ingredients not only completely destroy fungal infections, but also restore nails and skin to a healthy look. The most effective folk remedies should be discussed in more detail.

Garlic compresses

The old home remedy for foot fungus is garlic compress. The effectiveness of this simple and affordable method is due to the composition of the plant. In addition to vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins, garlic contains ascorbic acid, which is harmful to harmful microorganisms. You should be aware that if you use a garlic compressor unwise, you can burn your skin. For this reason, during treatment, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dose and duration of therapy. Garlic compress recipe:

• melt 50 g of butter, add 1 head of chopped garlic, 2 tbsp. l. coarse rock salt and mix thoroughly;
• apply the resulting mass on sterile gauze in the same layer and apply to the affected area for 1 hour;
• treat with compresses several times a day, leaving the limbs immobile during the procedure;
• the recommended course of treatment is 1 month.

Vinegar

You can fight mycosis with any vinegar essence: wine, apple, rice, malt or sugar cane. The principle of action of vinegar is the penetration of its substance into infected tissues and the destruction of fungal cell membranes. Mycosis does not develop under the influence of an acidic environment, because colonies of pathogenic microflora die under its influence. In the early stages of treatment, low concentrations of vinegar (from 3%) should be used, which gradually increases.

Before being treated with this method, it is necessary to examine the infected skin area for abrasions and cracks so as not to cause inflammation or chemical burns to the epithelium. If they are not available, then you can start using a vinegar compressor:

• stir until smooth 2 tbsp. l. nine percent vinegar, 1 tbsp. l. glycerin and 2 tbsp. l. vodka;
• dip the bandage pieces into the finished mixture and apply to the localization site;
• after the bandage is dry, re -moisten the bandage in the medicine mixture;
• the time of applying the compress should not exceed 1 hour / day;
• course duration - 2 weeks.

Baking powder

Foot fungus treatment with baking soda at home gives good results. At the first suspicion of a fungal infection, it is necessary to use sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), which lowers the acidity of the epidermis. In addition to the antiseptic effect, baking soda softens the skin and nail plates, allowing the medicine to penetrate more easily after use. Under the influence of alkali, the affected tissues become more susceptible to the action of any other treatment.

With mycosis, soda can be used dry, diluted with water and combined with other natural or non -natural ingredients. With onychomycosis, soda paste will be more effective. To prepare it you need to:

• 3 tbsp. l. mix soda with 1 tbsp. l. water until a thick and homogeneous mass is obtained;
• then soda paste should be applied on the affected nails, avoiding contact with the skin;
• thereafter, the mass must be acidified with freshly prepared lemon juice, which will immediately react with soda;
• the solution must be removed 5-7 minutes after application and wash your feet with soap;
• the procedure is performed daily before bed until the condition of the nails improves.

The essential oil

In dermatology, tea tree oil has been used for more than a dozen years, as it has proven itself as a very effective remedy for skin pathology. The natural composition of the essential fluid determines its cytotoxic activity, i. e. the ability to fight pathogenic microorganisms. Treatment options will vary depending on whether the infection is skin or nail.

You can cure nail plate if you drip 1 drop of tea tree oil onto the affected area daily. It will take about 2 months to fully recover and strengthen the nails. It is better to use the diluted extract for a single treatment. To do this, you need to take vegetable oil (3 parts), mix it with essential oils (1 part), shake and apply on the skin 2-3 times a day for 1. 5 months. It is better to control the course of treatment with a doctor. Clove essential oil can be used as an analogue.

Hydrogen peroxide

In the fight against fungal infections, hydrogen peroxide helps, which is considered the best antiseptic with a significant antibacterial effect. This drug is widely used in medicine and at home for the treatment of mycoses. Hydrogen peroxide does not accumulate in the body, therefore the development of any allergic reactions is excluded. With mycoses, bathing is effective, helping to soften the affected epithelium for further flow of antifungal gels, ointments, creams or sprays prescribed by a doctor.

Making a hydrogen peroxide foot bath at home is easy:

• pour warm water into the basin and add 3% preparation at the rate of 100 ml per 2 liters of water;
• lower your feet into the container and hold for 20 minutes;
• so that the solution is not cold, the addition of a small portion of boiling water is required;
• after the procedure with pumice stone, remove the soft tissue;
• remove moisture with a sponge and apply the prescribed medication to the surface of the skin;
• take a shower every day until the condition improves.

Laundry or tar soap

For more than a dozen years, people at home have been cured of fungal infections with the help of tar or laundry soap. By following the rules for treating affected skin, you can quickly get rid of itching and unpleasant foot odor. To speed up tissue healing, you need to combine soap with salt or iodine. The following recipe will help improve blood circulation in the tissues:

• steam your feet in warm water before bed;
• then clean with laundry soap;
• treat soapy feet with a rag, then with pumice stone;
• then wipe dry, grease with cream;
• treating infected areas with fungus with birch tar;
• soak for 1. 5 hours, then remove with a cotton pad;
• wear clean socks on your feet and do not remove for 2 days;
• repeat the procedure once a week until the problem is eliminated.

Salicylic ointment

The main advantage of treating mycosis with salicylic ointment is its high antifungal activity. The drug kills pathogens, inhibits their reproduction, removes the keratin layer of the epidermis and rarely causes side effects. With foot mycosis, use salicylic ointment in the form of compresses. On soft skin or nail plates, the drug in a concentration of 5 or 10% is applied in a thin layer, after which the foot is placed in a plastic bag, and socks are placed on top. This procedure lasts 1 hour 2 times / day for 10 days.

Propolis

As already mentioned, propolis for mycosis is effective as a tincture. The alcohol component also has a positive effect on pathogenic microorganisms. It is possible to prepare an ointment with bee breeding products, which must be applied overnight to the affected area for 10-14 days. The recipe is simple:

• mix 20 g of crushed propolis (without wax) and 100 g of sea buckthorn oil;
• heat the ingredients in a water bath for 30 minutes;
• cool the mixture, strain through gauze, use as directed.

Celandine and chamomile

It is believed that medicinal herbs, especially chamomile and celandine, will most quickly get rid of fungal infections. Better use them together. To achieve a quick effect, you need to drink chamomile soup or tea (to increase general immunity) and take a bath with an infusion of celandine. You should know that the last fresh juice burns, so it should be used in its pure form very carefully.

For absorption, crushed dried plant stems are required. In a glass of boiling water, you need to brew 1 tbsp. l. celandine, leave for 1 hour, then dilute with a little hot water. With mycoses, the solution is applied to a therapeutic bath, which is performed daily for 15 minutes. As a rule, such treatment relieves the early stages of the disease in 14 days.

Absorption of calendula

The flowers of this plant contain a large group of biological substances that have a strong antimicrobial effect. Especially quickly, the absorption of calendula overcomes onychomycosis. Before using the drug, the nails must be steamed and processed. After mechanical cleaning of the nail plate from fungal plaques and dead tissue, it is necessary to moisten a cotton pad in the infusion and apply to the affected area. This procedure is performed daily for 4-8 weeks. It is very easy to prepare the product at home:

• pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tbsp. l. dried or fresh calendula flowers;
• do not insist in a water bath for 10 minutes;
• cool, strain, store at a temperature not exceeding 4 ° C.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. Article materials do not require self-treatment. Only a qualified physician can diagnose and recommend treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.