Today we will talk about the treatment and prevention of nail fungus so that you know how to get rid of it and prevent the recurrence of this disease.
Statistics show that nail fungus occurs in almost every tenth person in the world. This means that this infection is very common and extremely insidious. The disease is extremely unpleasant for the eyes, because the areas affected by the fungus look quite repulsive.
If you think that this disease will never affect you, do not promise it - it is easy to catch a fungal infection in any public place: on the beach, in a bathhouse, in the sauna, in the swimming pool, in the gym and in other crowded places.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus
In fact, few people know that fungal infections come in thousands of varieties. But many of them do not cause pain and are not visible visually.
Due to this peculiarity, in the early stages of the disease, a person affected by the fungus may not even know it. But several types of fungus can cause pain around and under the nail.
Note!
Since the painful symptoms of the fungus are extremely rare, doctors are consulted only in the last, advanced stages of the disease, when there is a change in the color of the nail, its deformation and detachment of the upper plate. In the last stage, treatment is difficult, so prevention of the disease must be observed. This will ensure that you avoid contamination.
For the prevention and timely treatment of nail fungus, it is important to know that there are three stages of development of a fungal infection that affects the nail plate:
The first stage of the onset of the disease is the absence of clearly expressed symptoms on the nails that appear indistinct and barely visible spots and stripes.
Note!
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) can be diagnosed at an early stage only in a hospital, in a laboratory environment. Therefore, if you notice the slightest change in the nail plate, consult a doctor immediately!
The second stage of onychomycosis is a change in the color of the nail plate, loss of shine, deformation of its lateral and upper parts:
The third advanced stage of the fungus is severe detachment and fragility of the nail, which can lead to complete loss.
In addition, a fungal infection affects the skin around the nail, which is accompanied by unpleasant sensations of itching, burning and pain.
Prevention of nail fungus
Every day, without knowing it, we face thousands of bacteria around us. But almost everything is absolutely harmless for us, since the immune system is called, like an invisible guardian angel, to protect us from diseases.
Note!
Therefore, the first step in preventing nail fungus is a proper, balanced diet. If the body is saturated with minerals, vitamins and beneficial substances, the immune system will work only for you.
Movement is life! And this is true, because sports and an active lifestyle make us healthy, strong and resilient both physically and mentally. Physical activity prevents diseases of the cardiovascular system.
If the blood circulation is disturbed, the protective functions of the skin of the hands, feet and nails do not work properly, which leads to their diseases.
Causes of fungal infection
Warm, humid rooms are breeding grounds for bacteria. Therefore, you must take care of cleanliness in your home, especially in the bathroom and toilet.
Is important!
When visiting public places: water park, bathhouse, swimming pool, sauna, you must dress and wear shoes. And then wash well and take a shower.
In order not to create a favorable environment for the appearance and multiplication of the fungus "under your nose", wear comfortable, preferably natural, shoes, socks, stockings, slippers, tights, etc. The discomfort when wearing them can cause corns, calluses, sweating, and sores. This leads to the appearance of an alkaline microclimate - an ideal place for fungi to multiply.
Note!
When visiting beauty salons you need to be careful and careful. Visit only trusted and recommended places, because we are talking about maintaining your health. Getting pedicures, manicures and nail extensions done by a professional is completely safe and simple. Wounds, cuts, poorly performed procedures are the gateway to infections.
It is important to know that you cannot wear someone else's shoes, as this will harm your health. We strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene.
This is important to know!
The fungus must be treated promptly and thoroughly. The disease does not go away on its own, and time only plays a role in the spread of the infection, as complications can occur: it can spread from the legs to the stomach, groin, chest skin, armpits.
If someone in your family has athlete's foot, there is a chance that healthy family members will become infected. Maintain personal hygiene more carefully than usual, do not wear other people's shoes, towels, brushes, combs, etc.
Traditional treatment for nail fungus
It is very important not to start an infection, you should definitely contact a specialist for specialized medical help.
Note!
In combination with pharmaceutical drugs, you can use traditional methods of treating toenail fungus, which are quite effective and will help you get rid of this unpleasant disease.
Vinegar compress for nail fungus
Components:
- Vegetable oil - two tablespoons.
- Apple cider vinegar - two tablespoons.
Preparation and use:
- Mix vinegar and oil in a ratio of 1: 1, then thoroughly wet a cotton ball with the resulting solution and apply it to the nail affected by the fungus. Fix the top with an adhesive plaster or bandage.
- Leave the compress on all night and remove it in the morning. We use a compress with vinegar to treat the fungus until the affected nail completely replaces the diseased plate with a healthy one.
Antifungal oil
This aromatic natural oil will help fight fungal infections of the feet and nails, soothe irritated skin and relieve tired feet.
Components:
- Ef. clove oil - 5 drops.
- Ef. cinnamon bark oil - 5 drops.
- Ef. oil - thyme (thyme) - 20 drops.
- Ef. sage oil - 10 drops.
- Ef. lavender oil - 30 drops.
- Tea tree essential oil - 25 drops.
- Jojoba oil - 100 milliliters.
Friday:
- Pour jojoba oils into a dark bottle, add essential oils to it and mix vigorously for three minutes.
- Place the bottle in a dark place at normal room temperature and leave it for a day so that the healing oil matures.
After this time, the aromatic antifungal oil is ready.
Way of use:
Wash your feet thoroughly and dry them. Shake the oil well in the bottle and apply a few drops to both feet. Even if the fungus has affected one leg, then we apply a healing agent to the second leg as well for preventive purposes.
Apply the oil to your nails and between your toes, massage lightly into the skin and wait until the oil is absorbed. Then we put cotton socks on our feet.
Use the medicated oil two to three times a day, it can also be applied to acne and wounds. The oil can be stored for up to two years in a cool place.
Tea mushroom
This is a simple and very good remedy to treat the fungus.
This is helpful!
Before going to bed, it is recommended to make compresses from a strong infusion of kombucha, and the longer the mushroom is soaked, the better.
For the procedure: you need to steam your feet in warm water and apply a kombucha compress and secure them with a bandage. Leave it on overnight and remove it in the morning. The course of treatment is four weeks.
Another treatment option: pinch a small piece of kombucha, remove the membrane from it and mash the peeled part into a paste. Rub the resulting mass on the affected areas three times a day. It is important for each procedure to take a fresh piece of mushroom.
Baths with felantine decoction
Baths with felandine decoction help very well.
- The ratio of grass to water is 2: 3. Add the required amount of celandine and water and boil for 3 minutes.
- Drain the broth and steam your feet for half an hour.
- Make a lotion from the same decoction on the affected areas.
Baking soda
Using baking soda is effective.
- Therapeutic procedures: apply soda lotion and steam your feet in a soda solution.
- Soda solution recipe: for three liters of warm water, one tablespoon of soda. Stir the baking soda well until it is completely dissolved.
- You need to thoroughly steam your feet in a soda solution, then wipe them with a clean towel and smear them with celandine oil, which is sold at the pharmacy.
You can, after a soda bath, moisten a cotton swab with felantina oil, place it between your toes and secure it with a band. Put a sock on top. We keep this bandage for 20 minutes.
Procedures should be done twice a day for a month.
Ointment for fungus - recipe No. 1
Preparation: Wash the chicken egg and pour vinegar over it. It is kept in a dark place until the shell is completely dissolved. Discard the film, mix the vinegar with the remaining egg and mix this mass with the butter.
Application: The resulting ointment should be applied to the areas affected by the fungus in the morning and evening. Do this until complete recovery, after which you can use the ointment for preventive purposes.
Ointment for fungus - recipe No. 2
Components:
- A raw chicken egg.
- A tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- A tablespoon of vinegar 70% essential oil.
Friday:
Mix all the ingredients well and the therapeutic ointment is ready. Store it in the refrigerator and use it as needed.
Application:
- We steam our feet, wipe them and apply ointment to the areas affected by the fungus.
- You need to put a plastic bag on top and fix it with a bandage or wear socks.
- Do the procedure at night and keep it until the morning.
The course of treatment is 30 days.
Ointment for fungus - recipe No. 3
Another folk method to treat toenail fungus using an easy-to-make and very effective vinegar-based ointment.
Components:
- Raw chicken eggs (preferably from domestic chickens) - 2 pcs.
- Vinegar essence 70% - 1 glass;
- Butter - 200 grams.
Preparation of ointment:
- Wash the eggs, put them in a half liter jar and fill them with vinegar to cover the contents of the jar.
- Place the jar in a dark place for 10 days, during which time the eggshells will completely dissolve into the substance.
- Take the eggs out of the jar with a fork, remove the film, put them in a bowl and add the softened butter (take the butter out of the fridge beforehand).
- Mash the eggs with a fork and mix them with the butter. We should get a homogeneous mass similar to sour cream. Add three tablespoons of acetic acid from the jar in which the eggs were placed to the mixture and mix again.
Store the finished ointment in the refrigerator.
Application:
- Wash your feet and wipe them, lubricate the affected areas with ointment and let them dry for five minutes. The ointment will be absorbed quickly, then put on clean socks and go to bed.
- Use for a month, every day at night. Then, when you feel that the disease passes, you should apply it once a week.
As a result of the treatment, feet and nails will become clean and healthy, itching and diaper rash will disappear, and the skin will become smooth and healthy.
Antifungal baths
Such therapeutic baths can be done daily by adding a weak solution of vinegar, potassium permanganate, soda solution and essential oil solution.
Note!
Prevention of fungal nail infections should be done regularly to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Eucalyptus and Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe juice, eucalyptus oil or eucalyptus tincture also help well in the treatment of nail fungus. Their use is quite simple: you need to lubricate the affected areas three times a day until recovery.
Essential oils for athlete's foot
Traditional methods of treating toenail fungus with essential oils have proven quite well in practice, as they have good antifungal properties.
Oils to use: tea tree, lemon, fir, sandalwood, patchouli.
Contraindications: individual intolerance, pregnancy.
Tea tree oil
Let's look at the main points of using essential oils using tea tree as an example. This recipe can be used with other oils.
Baths - method No. 1
- In one liter of warm water we must dilute 20 drops of oil and one teaspoon of bubble bath.
- Bathe for 20 minutes until the water cools. The procedure should be carried out daily until complete recovery.
At the end of the treatment, preventive baths with tea tree oil (or other oil) once a week are recommended.
Friction oil - method No. 2
Rub essential oils on the nail plates affected by fungal infections using a cotton ball.
To carry out the procedure, you need to wash your feet thoroughly with laundry soap and dry them. Then rub the oil on the affected areas and let it absorb. You do not need to wash your feet after scrubbing for the oil to have a healing effect.
Note!
Lemon essential oil is also good to use for the described procedures, it helps against infections and does not stain the nails, keeping their natural appearance.
The duration of treatment is three or even four months, it all depends on the immunity of the patient and the stage of the fungus.
Alcoholic tincture of propolis
At the pharmacy, buy a tincture of propolis 20% in alcohol, which you apply to the painful nails using a cotton swab. Perform this process daily.
Soon you will see the result: the diseased nail will go away and a new one will grow.
Sea salt
Take daily sea salt baths for a week. Lubricate your feet with fresh felantina juice three times a day for 3 months.
Treatment of the fungus with iodine
Every day for 3 weeks, morning and night, apply a drop of iodine to the painful nails. Be sure to also treat the adjacent nails (externally healthy).
After about a week or a little earlier, a slight burning sensation and pain around the nail may appear - a sign of successful treatment. For severe pain, apply iodine less often.
Table salt with mint
The healing properties of common salt will help treat nail fungus.
To prepare:
- Mix chopped mint with salt in a 1: 1 ratio.
- The resulting pulp should be placed on the affected nail plates and between the toes.
Repeat until the infection is completely cured.
Ointments and pharmacy preparations
For the treatment and prevention of nail fungus, in combination with folk remedies, it is good to use effective pharmaceutical drugs, this will allow you to quickly cure the disease and prevent its recurrence.
Salicylic ointment
This pharmaceutical drug is often used in the treatment of various skin conditions: lichen, acne, diaper rash. This ointment also helps with fungal infections. Contains 25% salicylic acid.
How to use: apply to the affected areas 2 - 3 times a day.
Zinc ointment
Another cheap "folk" drug sold in pharmacies. The ointment contains zinc oxide and petrolatum.
Zinc ointment has no contraindications, it can be used by women during pregnancy and nursing mothers, as well as by children. This medicine should be applied to the affected area up to 5 times a day. However, if the degree of fungus is not too severe, the number of applications can be reduced.
Sulfuric ointment
This medicine contains sulfur from 10 to 33% and is a good medicine for the treatment of foot and nail fungus. For treatment, it is better to take a 10% solution. The drug should be applied 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment is one week.
It can be used in the treatment of skin diseases in young children.
Note!
Before using traditional methods to treat toenail fungus or any other medications, consult your doctor.
Treatment and prevention of nail fungus takes time and a lot of effort, you need to be patient and not wait for a quick recovery.
It is important to know!
Nail fungus is unusually resistant and very quickly develops immunity to the substances included in antifungal drugs. Therefore, if you get infected with it again or the last time it was not treated, the medicine you used before will be useless. You should buy a drug with a completely different principle of action.
It is recommended to consult a doctor in time for a diagnosis, do not let the disease progress, start treatment on time, complete it, in this case you will forget about such an unpleasant disease as nail fungus.
Be healthy!