Toenail fungus often occurs in men, in women the hands are more susceptible to this disease. The medical name for this problem is onychomycosis. It usually starts with the big toe. With the defeat of one nail alone, you cannot be sure that the infection will not spread. So you want to bare your legs when visiting or in the summer. You often 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, they will show similar symptoms and require the same treatment. Due to the fact that the fungal infection of the nails is not life-threatening, most patients are in no hurry to treat, considering the problem only cosmetic. This approach is fundamentally wrong, because due to prolonged exposure to the fungus, the immune system begins to suffer and this opens the door to many diseases.
When the first symptoms of nail fungus appear, therapy with drugs or folk remedies should be started. Both are very effective and therefore the patient must decide for himself which method of treatment to choose.
How to get rid of the problem?
It is worth noting that the fungus is difficult to treat, so it is extremely important to first determine the extent of the disease and its causes. Most often the problem lies in the environment. Fungal disease can occur as a result of prolonged wearing of closed shoes in a warm period of time in high humidity. Also, prolonged stay in the pool can lead to nail damage.
People with reduced immunity who have circulatory problems are more likely to catch this attack. 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 the nail is affected by fungal bacteria. You just have to look at its color. It usually acquires a yellowish tinge, but in some cases may even be black, brown or gray. The nail becomes thicker and rougher. Progressive infection causes it to stop growing and may fall. Meanwhile, the skin begins to redden, itch and swell.
Before treating the disease, the cause of the disease, the adverse factors of influence must be eliminated.
Important!You should not walk barefoot in public places where you are more likely to catch an infection.
You can eliminate the infection in different ways. Currently, both medical treatment and traditional medicine are used in practice. It happens that an ointment is not suitable for one person, its use may not bring a positive result, but the skin of the feet will respond perfectly to cheap herbal treatments. In addition, not all people can use drugs. Many drugs have contraindications. Pregnant women, for example, should avoid taking medication.
Sometimes doctors purposefully suggest to patients to combine traditional medicine with medicines.
The use of folk remedies
The most popular and effective traditional medicine in the fight against fungal infections are:
- iodine;
- vinegar;
- tea sponge;
- sea salt;
- potassium permanganate;
- ammonia;
- boric acid;
- tea tree oil;
- propolis tincture.
Home remedies are used mainly in cases where there is a danger of using drugs that can cause an allergic reaction and are not suitable for everyone. The main thing is to know in what proportions to use them.
It is very important not to start treatment, otherwise the nails will not only be ugly, but will also lead to such consequences as skin diseases, hypersensitivity to allergens, mucosal disease and inflammation of internal organs. The thing 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 it is enough just to remember the usual disinfectant tinctures or decoctions.
Use of iodine
Iodine has long been used in self-healing processes. It is also able to relieve skin diseases, including fungal infections. Can be used in its pure form. It is only necessary to pre-clean the skin under the nail and wipe with iodine at the site of infection. After that, no bandages are needed. Iodine must evaporate itself. This usually takes a few minutes. So you can wait. Otherwise you may get chemical burns.
Important!People with individual intolerance to iodine are not recommended to use it in the treatment of any disease.
If someone does not know how his body reacts to this substance, then a painless experiment can be conducted at home. Apply a few drops of iodine on the curve of the elbow and observe the reaction of the skin. Obviously, if the hand in the crease starts to turn red or discolored, then you should not use iodine at all.
You can prepare a special antifungal mixture that contains iodine, table vinegar and glycerin. These ingredients should be mixed in equal parts and 2 times more boiled water should be added proportionally. Now you can start to lift your legs and rub the antifungal mixture into the inflamed nail. These actions must be repeated for ten days.
Vinegar treatment
Vinegar is the most popular antifungal agent among humans. Even to prevent such diseases, doctors recommend wiping the inside of shoes. You just need to moisten a cotton swab in vinegar, put it in the shoes that need to be folded in a plastic bag, and send the shoes in this shape in the closet for a day. Then you can take it, ventilate it and walk calmly.
You can treat infected areas of skin with vinegar. First, the nails should be thoroughly washed and cleaned with a file, then the toes should be wiped with a towel dipped in vinegar. The inflamed nail should be covered with a bandage so that the vinegar evaporates freely.
Before using vinegar, it is necessary to test the personal tolerability of this drug. You literally have to apply a drop of vinegar to the skin area and watch the body's reaction.
How to use propolis tincture?
Recipes of traditional medicine are gentle on the human body, so people turn to them even before going to the clinic. Propolis has antiseptic properties and can be purchased as an ointment, oil or tincture.
When dealing with nail fungus, the main thing is to be patient, because it is a long process. You can prepare a special foot bath with the addition of propolis. One tablespoon of tincture in a small bowl of water will suffice. The legs should be steamed for 10 minutes. Then you need to get rid of keratinized skin and put a propolis cap on the inflamed finger, which you can shape yourself from the softened propolis.
Important!In the process of treating nail fungus you should pay more attention to personal hygiene and use clean socks daily.
The use of boric acid
Boric acid has a disinfectant effect. She must be as careful as possible. Treatment with this drug should be short-term, as a person can be poisoned with a large accumulation of the substance in the blood. Not suitable for everyone. It can be used in both liquid and dry form. There are several ways to treat this substance.
- It is necessary to pour 30 grams of powder in a bowl of water whose temperature does not exceed 60 degrees. The feet should be steamed for about 15 minutes, then wiped with a towel. This procedure should be done no more than once every 4 days.
- It is necessary to moisten a cotton swab in a 3% solution of this acid and apply it on the inflamed finger for a few minutes.
- You can sprinkle boric acid powder on your nail and then put on a sock.
Antifungal drugs
Now manufacturers are working on the release of therapeutic ointments for fungi, creams. Also, be sure to take pills and advanced medical varnishes that are used only once every 3-6 days.
Important!Without consulting a doctor, it is better not to engage in self-medication with drugs, as there are contraindications for certain groups of people.
There are many medicines at the pharmacy counter, but how appropriate are they for your problem? There is more work to be done here. If the fungus has appeared recently, then it will be easier to get rid of it.
Disease prevention
To avoid such an infection, you just need to keep your feet clean and follow the rules of personal hygiene. You should also listen to the opinions of people who advise:
- do not use foreign scissors when 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;
- do not walk for a long time with wet shoes if you are so "lucky" to catch rain.
In principle, there are no special measures to prevent this scourge. You just have to wash your feet more often, wash your socks.
