Often, fungus on toenails appear in men, in women, hands are more susceptible to this disease. The medical name for this problem is onychomycosis. It usually starts with the big toe. Just by the defeat of one nail cannot ensure that the infection will not spread. So you want to open your legs while visiting or in the summer. Often you have to restrain yourself and, feeling uncomfortable, wait for the problem to evaporate on its own.
No matter what type of fungus causes nail disease, it will show the same symptoms and require the same treatment. Due to the fact that fungal infections on the nails do not pose a threat to life, most patients do not rush with treatment, since the problem is only cosmetic. This approach is fundamentally wrong, because due to prolonged exposure to the fungus, immunity begins to suffer, and this opens the door to many diseases.
When the first symptoms of nail fungus appear, therapy with the use of drugs or folk remedies should be started. Both are very effective, and therefore the patient should decide for themselves which method of treatment is preferred.
How to get rid of the problem?
Keep in mind that fungi are difficult to treat, so it is very important to first determine the extent of the disease and its cause. Often, the problem lies in the environment. Fungal diseases can occur as a result of prolonged wearing of indoor shoes during warm periods at times of high humidity. Also, long stays in the pool can cause damage to the nails.
There is a high probability of catching this attack in people with reduced immunity who have problems with blood circulation. In addition, diabetics and housewives who are in constant contact with water while cleaning the apartment and washing dishes may be at risk.
It is not difficult to understand that nails are affected by fungal bacteria. You just have to look at the color. Usually it takes on a yellowish color, but in some cases it can be black, brown or gray. Nails become denser and rougher. Progressive infection causes it to stop growing and may fall off. Meanwhile, the skin begins to redden, itch and swell.
Before treating the disease, the cause of the disease, adverse influencing factors, should be eliminated.
Important!You should not walk barefoot in public places that are highly likely to be infected.
You can eliminate the infection in different ways. Currently, both drug treatment and traditional medicine are used in practice. It happens that a particular ointment may not be suitable for one person, its use may not bring positive results, but the skin of the feet will respond perfectly to cheap herbal treatments. Also, not everyone can use medications. Many drugs have contraindications. Pregnant women, for example, should avoid taking medication.
Sometimes doctors deliberately offer patients to combine traditional medicine with medicine.
The use of folk remedies
The most popular and effective traditional medicines in fighting fungal infections are:
- iodine;
- vinegar;
- tea mushrooms;
- sea salt;
- potassium permanganate;
- ammonia;
- boric acid;
- tea tree oil;
- colored propolis.
Home remedies are used mainly in cases where there is a danger of using medications that can cause allergic reactions and are not suitable for everyone. The main thing is to know in proportion to use it.
It is very important not to start treatment, otherwise the nails will not only become ugly, but will also lead to consequences such as skin diseases, hypersensitivity to allergens, mucosal diseases and inflammation of internal organs. The problem is that the fungus is very toxic and all family members are at risk, especially if the household has a habit of changing slippers.
Not many people manage to get rid of this problem with folk remedies, but enough to remember the usual disinfectant tinctures or decoctions.
Consumption of iodine
Iodine has long been used in the process of self -healing. It is also able to relieve skin diseases including fungal infections. It can be used in its pure form. It is only necessary to pre-clean the skin under the nails and wipe with iodine at the site of infection. No bandages are needed after this. Iodine must evaporate on its own. Usually, this takes a few minutes. So, you can wait. Otherwise, you may suffer chemical burns.
Important!People with individual intolerance to iodine are not recommended to use it in the treatment of any disease.
If a person does not know how his body reacts to this substance, then a painless experiment can be done at home. Apply a few drops of iodine on the bent elbow and monitor the skin reaction. Obviously, if the hands inside the folds start to turn red or stained, then you should not use iodine at all.
You can prepare a special antifungal mixture, which contains iodine, table vinegar and glycerin. These ingredients must be mixed in equal parts and proportionally add 2 times more boiling water. Now you can start tossing your feet and rub the antifungal mixture into the sore nails. This action needs to be repeated for ten days.
Vinegar treatment
Vinegar is the most popular antifungal agent among the public. Even for the prevention of such diseases, doctors recommend they wipe the inside of shoes. You just need to moisten the cotton in vinegar, put in shoes, which must be folded into a plastic bag, and send shoes in this form to the wardrobe for a day. Then you can get it, ventilate and walk quietly.
You can treat the infected skin area with vinegar. For starters, the nails should be thoroughly washed and cleaned with a file, then the toes should be wiped with a rag dipped in vinegar. Sick nails should be covered with a bandage so that the vinegar evaporates freely.
Before using vinegar, it is necessary to test the personal tolerance of this drug. You should thoroughly rub a drop of vinegar into the skin area and observe the body’s reaction.
How to use propolis tincture?
Traditional medicine recipes are gentle on the human body, so people turn to them even before going to the clinic. Propolis has antiseptic qualities and can be purchased as an ointment, oil, or tincture.
When dealing with nail fungus, the main thing is to be patient, as this is a long process. You can prepare a special foot bath with the addition of propolis. It will be enough one tablespoon of tincture in a small container of water. The legs should be steamed for 10 minutes. Then you need to get rid of the keratin skin, and put a cap of propolis on the sore finger, which you can shape yourself from soft propolis.
Important!In the process of treating nail fungus, you should pay more attention to personal hygiene and use clean socks every day.
Use of boric acid
Boric acid has a disinfecting effect. He needs to be as careful as possible. Treatment with this drug should be short -term, as a person can be poisoned with a large accumulation of substances in the blood. It is not suitable for everyone. It can be used in liquid and dry form. There are several ways to treat this substance.
- It is necessary to pour 30 grams of powder into a bowl of water, the temperature of which does not exceed 60 degrees. The legs should be steamed for about 15 minutes, then wiped with a towel. This procedure should be performed no more than once every 4 days.
- It is necessary to moisten the cotton in this 3% acid solution and apply on the sore finger for a few minutes.
- You can sprinkle boric acid powder on your nails and then wear socks.
Remedy for fungus
Now manufacturers are working on the release of therapeutic ointments for fungus, creams. Also, do not forget about taking advanced medical pills and varnishes, which are used only once for 3-6 days.
Important!Without consulting a doctor, it is better not to engage in self-medication, as there are contraindications for certain groups of people.
There are many over -the -counter medications, but to what extent is it appropriate for your problem? There is still some work to be done here. If the fungus has appeared recently, then it is easier to get rid of it.
Disease prevention
In order not to be infected like that, you just need to keep your feet clean and adhere to the rules of personal hygiene. You should also listen to the opinion of the person advising:
- do not use other people's scissors while doing manicures;
- do not go to the gym or shower without shoes;
- use cotton socks that allow your feet to breathe;
- do not wear tight shoes;
- don’t walk in wet shoes for long periods of time, if you’re very "lucky" to get caught in the rain.
Basically, there are no special measures to prevent this disease. You just have to wash your feet more often, wash your socks.
