Fungal nail infections are a very common phenomenon, affecting up to 20% of the population.It is not a life-threatening disease.However, it causes many problems in the form of itching, deformation of the nail plate, and discoloration.Pathogenic fungi release toxins that spread throughout the body, increasing its susceptibility to external adverse influences.Knowing how to cure toenail fungus at home, you can deal with the problem yourself.
How does infection occur?
Factors that cause this disease include cuts, wounds, abrasions on the feet, and damage caused by wearing tight shoes.Inadequate foot care, especially with excessive sweating, as well as taking antibiotics and decreased immunity contribute to the appearance of mycosis.
Infection is possible through contact with a sick person, using other people's shoes, washcloths, or room carpets.
Therefore, the greatest chance of catching the fungus exists when one of the family members suffers from this disease.Flakes of the skin of a person infected with the fungus can fly into the surrounding space, infecting others.
This often happens in crowded places with high humidity - in bathhouses, saunas, swimming pools.Fungal infections can occur even in salons that provide manicure and pedicure services, where sanitary standards are not sufficiently monitored.Adults are more often exposed to this disease, but sometimes children's feet can also suffer from fungus.
Disease symptoms
Manifestations of mycosis begin with increased dryness and peeling on the heels and feet.Sometimes redness is observed, accompanied by severe itching, the formation of blisters and corns.People who have experienced an excessive amount of experience.Nails change structure and color, become yellow and crack.When the spores penetrate deeply into the plate, a void is formed under it, filled with a collapsing mixture, and an unpleasant putrefactive smell occurs.
In its advanced stages, toenail fungus makes walking difficult and can cause fever.In such cases, you should immediately contact a dermatologist.Complications related to mycosis can manifest in the form of psoriasis and eczema.
There are three types of toenail fungus infection, with different symptoms:
- Vesicular.In this case, the lower part of the leg suffers, where small blisters are filled with liquid form.
- Membrane.It looks like between the toes in the form of a crack.
- Types of moccasins.Thickening of the skin with the formation of cracks appears on the heels and soles of the feet.By capturing nails, fungal pathogens cause their structural disruption.The body can react with allergies.
To avoid using surgical methods to remove affected nails, you must consult a doctor in time.He will choose the appropriate medicines and tell you how to treat toenail fungus at home.
Why are fungi dangerous?
This disease is not dangerous and can cause serious harm to the human body.Nail fungus is the cause of diseases that are difficult to treat.Combining the nail plate, it spreads to nearby tissues, becoming a conductor for any other infection.Weak immunity allows fungi to penetrate internal organs.
Mycosis can also be associated with general intoxication of the body.Toxins released by some types of fungi accumulate inside and cause poisoning.The disease also causes serious psychological discomfort, causing negative emotions about its development.
Treatment Options
Mycosis can be treated successfully at home with the help of medicines and traditional medicine.It is important to start treatment on time.The method of pulse therapy is very popular today, when the fungus is eliminated in a short time due to the use of prescribed antifungal agents in large doses.It is important to take long breaks between courses.
You can cure nail fungus at home using products intended for external use (ointment, gel, varnish).Created on the basis of fungicide drugs, they have an effective antimycotic effect.The success of treatment depends on how accurately the type of pathogen and the degree of pathology are determined.It is possible that each affected area of the foot may require different medications.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is recommended to combine local agents with systemic ones.An additional way is to use traditional medicine recipes to help speed up the healing process.You can treat nail fungus with the most common products - garlic, vinegar, lemon.
Drug therapy
There are many effective options for treating fungal infections.Used orally and externally.The question of how to treat nail fungus on the hands and feet should be addressed by a specialist.He chooses the right medicine.
Local medicines
At the beginning of the disease, when the nail damage area does not exceed 50%, solve the problem with the help of ointments and sprays.
Most come in many forms and help kill many types of fungus.Ointment is used 2 times a day, after cleaning and drying the affected area.Lack of results when using the ointment for more than two weeks requires replacing the drug with another to prevent the fungus from developing resistance.
For mild symptoms, home treatment can be carried out using special medical varnishes and serums.
Oral medication
When topical medications for nail fungus do not have a positive effect, the attending physician prescribes oral medications that inhibit the ability of microorganisms to reproduce and destroy them.
A combination of oral medications with ointments and sprays helps to quickly remove the fungus from the toenails.
Traditional medicine
Our grandmothers know very well how to treat toenail fungus at home.Since ancient times, to solve this problem, all kinds of recipes have been used with garlic, soda, vinegar and other ingredients found in the kitchen of any housewife.The usual ways are:
- Garlic.Used to eliminate various types of fungi.Not only on the feet, but also helps to treat nail fungus at home, this product is known for its healing properties.To prepare garlic tincture, several cloves are crushed into a paste, mixed with alcohol and the resulting mixture is diluted with a little water.Apply the tincture to the affected nail.You can also use garlic in its pure form;Simply lubricate the nail plate with finely chopped garlic.
- Nail fungus treatment with vinegar.First, your feet should be thoroughly steamed.Then a bath with vinegar is provided.A warm 9% essence solution is prepared in a small basin.Put your feet up for 15 minutes.Then wipe without rinsing with water.It is recommended to bathe with vinegar to treat feet at home up to twice a week.
- Iodine.Thanks to the antiseptic and disinfectant effect of the alcohol tincture, the fungus is destroyed.One drop of 5% iodine solution is applied to the nail twice a day during the first week.Then the number of treatments is gradually reduced.This course lasts for a month.
- Onions.Applying crushed onions to the nails helps to overcome fungal infections.
- Lemon.The fruit, cut into thin slices, is placed on the sick nail, wrapped in plastic wrap, and secured with a bandage on top.This procedure is done for 12 days.
- Propolis- Products from the hive, known for their healing effects.Helps relieve unpleasant symptoms, relieve itching and inflammation.After moistening a tampon in 20% propolis tincture, apply it to the affected area, securing it with a bandage.Propolis helps renew the nail plate.
Prevention
You can protect yourself from fungal nail infections by taking certain preventive measures.To do this, you should follow the basic rules - avoid walking barefoot in swimming pools, bathhouses, or dormitories.In addition, it is important: do not use other people's shoes;Wash your feet morning and evening;Take steps to strengthen the immune system (play sports, take walks in the fresh air, follow a proper diet, take vitamins);Pay attention to diseases related to mycosis (diabetes mellitus, gastritis, varicose veins);Treat shoes with formaldehyde or vinegar.
At the first signs of suspected fungal infection, appropriate measures must be taken.In the early stages, it is easier to get rid of nail fungus at home than with severe damage.