If you are facing such an unpleasant phenomenon as a fungal infection, then you should start treatment immediately. Regardinghow to cure toenail funguswe will talk in this article.
First of all, you need to understand what fungal infections are. These diseases belong to the class of infectious diseases. Mycoses or infections caused by fungi are very diverse, but most commonly affect the skin and nails. Mycoses are contagious and spread from person to person.
Nail fungus
This disease (onychomycosis) is caused by a fungal infection that can be contracted by a sick person. Quite often this disease is spread in the family, as it is transmitted through shared objects, such as slippers or towels.
The fungus loves a humid warm environment, so swimming pools, showers, gyms, bathrooms are ideal places for infection. Predisposing factors for the disease are wet shoes and excessive sweating of the feet.
The fungus is a very resistant microorganism. They withstand dry living conditions, temporarily stopping their reproduction. But as soon as the environment becomes favorable, violent life activities begin again.
If the nails are infected with fungus, they change their appearance. The color of the nail plate changes to white, gray, yellow, brown, green and even black. Nails thicken, crumble, lose their natural shine. Thickening of the nail plate is a reaction to the multiplication of the infection in the nail bed. Keratinization increases and significantly interferes with treatment.
In advanced cases, the fungus affects the entire thickness of the nail. The nail begins to exfoliate, to collapse.
In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a laboratory examination of samples taken from the nail.
Cure for nail fungus
Both topical and oral preparations are used to treat nail fungus. External medicines are ointments, creams, gels, nail polishes and special plasters that have an exfoliating effect.
Antifungal varnishes include compounds that penetrate deep into the nail plate and nail bed. To use the polish, you must first trim the affected area of the nail with a nail file and degrease it with alcohol.
Keratolytic ointments and patches are used to remove areas of the nail affected by the fungus. Under the influence of these agents, the nail becomes soft and easily removed for subsequent treatment. Patches and ointments contain antiseptic, salicylic or acetic acid. Antifungal components may also be included. Plaster is applied to the affected nail, on top of it there is a layer of ordinary adhesive plaster and a layer of bandage. The bandage is removed after 2-3 days. The softened areas of the nail are removed and a new keratolytic patch is applied again. The treatment is performed while the nails affected by the fungus are cleaned. Treatment with patches or keratolytic ointments is a long process.
There are special kits for the treatment of nail fungus. These include keratolytic antifungal ointment, a special nail polish scraper and a patch.
Antifungal creams are indicated for use. The cream should be applied to the affected nails every day until complete recovery.
Internal medicine
If the nail fungus does not respond well to treatment, in particularly advanced cases the doctor prescribes antifungals - drugs in the form of capsules and tablets. These funds should be taken from 2 to 4 months. But many of them can have a negative effect on the human body precisely because of the duration of intake. Therefore, a new method of systemic treatment called pulse therapy has been developed. The essence of treatment is a gentle drug regimen: two tablets or capsules a day for a week. Then you need to take a break for 21 days. The total course of pulse therapy is 3 times for 7 days.
Antifungals prevent recurrence of the disease and effectively fight infection. The doctor prescribes the medicine that the patient needs the most.
Folk remedies for nail fungus
If the disease is not started, then herbs based on herbs and herbal ingredients can be taken to help the medications.
- Grind the mint leaves and mix with salt. Apply the composition on your nails and place between your fingers for an hour.
- 20 g pour lilac flowers with half a glass of alcohol. Allow to boil for two weeks. Rub the composition into the affected area several times a day.
- Mix the oil and the crushed garlic in a ratio of 1: 1. Apply on the nails once a day with a bandage and adhesive tape. Change the product every day. Apply until complete recovery.
- It is advisable to walk barefoot in the morning dew. It is considered one of the best treatments.
- Mix garlic juice, pure alcohol and distilled water in a ratio of 1: 1: 10. Regularly rub the composition into the nails affected by the fungus.
- Fresh leaves of rowan, pounded into a pulp, apply on the affected areas for 1 hour. Apply the recipe until complete recovery.
- Pour half a cup of poplar buds with 0, 5 liters of vodka. Leave to boil for 10-12 days. Make compresses with tincture at night. The nails soften overnight. In the morning, the nails should be cleaned of slight keratinization and the tincture should be rubbed thoroughly.
- Wrap the affected nails with rubbed leaves of golden mustache. Strengthen the compress with cling film. The compress can also be done at night. In the morning you should clean your nails from softened keratinization.
Disease prevention
If you follow simple rules, then you will never encounter such an unpleasant disease as toenail fungus.
- Never wear someone else's shoes.
- Always dry your shoes when you get home.
- If you constantly visit the bathroom, pool, gym, then apply topical antifungal drugs.
- At home, it is better to refuse porous or fluffy carpets in the bathroom, as they are carriers of infection, including nail fungus.
- If you forgot to change your shoes at home when you visit public places, and the antifungal medicine is exhausted, then treat your feet and nails when you arrive home with tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, propolis tincture.
See your doctor at the first sign of nail fungus. Even if you are wrong, do not regret the time lost, because there is nothing more important than your health.