Nail fungus can cause many problems not only to an infected person, but also to their loved ones. This disease is transmitted both in personal contact and in general household conditions. This fact means only one thing - the fungus must be treated and the measures must be comprehensive: if the problem arose in the nails, then it is also present in the skin of the feet. In addition, topical medications should be combined with oral medications. This is the only way to defeat the disease at home.
Preparation and precautions
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is caused by fungi - dermatophytes, microsporia, etc. is a disease caused byAfter the examination, the doctor may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and choose an effective therapy. If you also want to use folk methods, you should discuss this with your doctor. Consulting a specialist will allow you to deal with the problem effectively and safely.
It is important to use medicines according to the doctor's instructions and recommendations, because some medicines can have negative results when they come into contact with the skin.
If you or a family member has nail fungus, special attention should be paid to hygiene to avoid infecting those who are still healthy.
Why does the mushroom appear and its types
Spores of fungi are microscopic and live wherever humans live. About 70, 000 fungi are known, but those that cause diseases are the most dangerous.
How is it that one person is healthy, and the other "caught" the fungus? The following reasons may contribute to this:
- Wounds, scratches, calluses on the feet.
- Violation of personal hygiene rules.
- A decrease in the body's defense ability.
- Excessive sweating of the feet (hyperhidrosis).
The type of fungus affecting the nail plate can only be determined by a dermatologist after passing tests. Sometimes it is possible to understand which species cause the disease by visual inspection:
- Dermatophytes. The lesion appears as yellowish spots or streaks. The progressive stage is characterized by getting a brighter shade and the defeat of the entire plate.
- Maya. They affect the color and structure of the nail folds, causing inflammation and suppuration.
- Moldy. They do not penetrate very deeply and appear as dark and black spots.
It should be noted that the stronger the lesion, the more obvious the symptoms and signs of the fungus.
Signs and symptoms of damage
Successful treatment directly depends on correct and timely diagnosis. If you take care of yourself, pay attention to the manifestations of fungus on the toenails. The following symptoms and signs should alert:
- Change the color of the tile. The color may indicate the type of fungus causing the disease. You may see yellow, gray, black, green, and blue spots or streaks on your nails.
- Change in nail density. If you notice thinning or thickening of the nails, you should consult a doctor.
- Itching and burning. It occurs systematically and causes anxiety.
- Violation of the integrity of the plate. The nail may crack. Also, dry skin on the heels indicates a fungal infection.
Unpleasant sensations arise due to the effect of fungal toxins on the skin and nails, so the sooner you see a doctor and start treatment, the sooner complete recovery will come. If the fungus is not treated, you can completely lose the nail or several nail plates. Also, toxins poison the body and can cause eczema.
Effective folk methods of struggle
Folk methods will help to get rid of the fungus, especially at the initial stage. I present the most common recipes to fight the disease.
vinegar
It is used for baths. Preparation for the procedure is simple: take 5 liters of water at a temperature of 50 degrees, add 9% acetic acid and put your feet in a container. The procedure lasts 15 minutes, after which the feet are dried and cotton socks are put on.
Hydrogen peroxide
First, the feet are steamed in a soda bath, after which the damaged areas of the nail plate are removed. Then a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide is applied to the nail and covered with polyethylene. Such a compress should be left for an hour. The procedure is carried out twice a day.
Iodine
The nail platinum is rubbed with iodine tincture 2 times a day. You can also take baths by adding 3 liters of water and 2 teaspoons of iodine.
Propolis
Propolis has an antimycotic effect on the skin of the feet and nail plates, both when using tinctures and as part of ointments and baths. Add a tablespoon of propolis to a basin of water. After the procedure, you can apply the medicine to the center of the disease within half an hour.
Potassium permanganate and vinegar
Baths with potassium permanganate and vinegar also work well with the fungus. To prepare the product, add one liter of table vinegar and a little potassium permanganate to 3 liters of water. The course of treatment is 7 days.
Essential oils
Apply some oil on your wrist to check for allergies. If no strange signs appear after 12 hours, you can use a remedy to fight the fungus. The most effective option is tea tree oil. 5 drops of oil are needed for one liter of liquid. And the extract itself is applied to the nail plate after the cleaning procedure.
decoctions of herbs
- Sage and mint. It can be taken orally as a tea or used in a bath. The infusion is drunk during the day and the bath is done before going to bed.
- Calamus root. Take 15 g of chopped root for 250 ml of water. The decoction helps to fight various infections. Drink for a month.
- Japanese sofora. It has proven itself as a tool that effectively improves immunity and helps normalize the work of internal organs. To prepare tincture, take 0. 5 vodka and add 50 g of sophora fruit to it. Take a teaspoon before meals. Course - 2 months.
- Oak bark. It has a harmful effect on mold and helps to get rid of fungus. Baths are prepared as follows: combine 1 liter of liquid with 5 tbsp. spoons of bark and boil for 20 minutes. When the temperature of the broth reaches 40 degrees, use it for baths. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
tar
It is sold in the form of an ointment. You can buy a 10% or 30% remedy to get the effect. It should be used after water procedures before going to bed. The affected nail is covered with ointment.
Tea mushroom
A small piece is applied to the affected nail and fixed with a bandage. In the morning, the bandage is removed, the nails are washed with warm water, the damaged areas are cut, and the fingers are treated with hydrogen peroxide.
Compresses and tinctures
- garlic. You can use gruel from the plant to treat toenail fungus. It is necessary to cook and apply for 40 minutes every evening.
- Rowan leaves. Weigh and apply all night.
- Thyme. Tincture is made from dried plant. It will take 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water. You need to steam your feet every day until recovery occurs.
- lilac. Tincture will also help to eliminate fungi. 10 g of lilac is required for 100 ml of alcohol. The affected areas are lubricated until the problem disappears completely.
Pharmaceutical preparations and creams
When symptoms of the fungus appear, local treatment should be started as soon as possible. For this, pharmacy creams, varnishes, drops will go.
Tablets will also help to achieve maximum efficiency in the fight against the disease. They are combined with external preparations. In the pharmacy, you can buy products with different prices and effectiveness.
Removal of affected nails
Means are also used to remove the affected nail, but it is already in a critical condition.
- Chemical. It is carried out in the dermatological office. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. The doctor removes the horny layer with a special nail file and a scalpel. Then the doctor treats the entire surface of the foot and nails with an antiseptic, after which he applies an ointment-paste. A sterile material is applied on top, the affected fingers are wrapped. After 4 days, these areas are sanitized with an antiseptic and treated with an antifungal agent.
- Mechanic. A mycologist or dermatologist removes the affected nails with a special device. Before and after the procedure, the feet are treated with an antiseptic solution.
- Surgical. It is considered obsolete in medical practice. Manipulation is performed by a surgeon. The patient is given local anesthesia with lidocaine solution. After removal, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic ointment is applied, a sterile bandage is applied, and then it is fixed with a bandage. Fingers should be kept in saline solution in the evening. Bandaging is done in a clinic.
What is the best way to treat advanced athlete's foot?
One of the modern ways to get rid of fungus on feet and nails is treatment with laser therapy. This technique is used in cases where traditional local treatment and treatment with oral preparations have failed. The advantages of this procedure are very impressive:
- painlessness;
- absence of side effects;
- performance.
But laser removal of fungi also has contraindications:
- Diabetes.
- The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
- Violations in the work of internal organs.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- The presence of skin diseases.
- Oncological diseases.
- Tan.
- Chemical peeling.
Preparation for laser exposure is as follows: steam the damaged nail and cut it as much as possible. Take the pre-test. The duration of treatment is about 6 procedures.
Features of the treatment of fungus during pregnancy
Treatment of fungus during childbirth has its own characteristics. It should be taken into account that pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on the future mother, so only local preparations are used when solving the problem.
The use of therapeutic varnishes is recommended. First of all, the expectant mother should consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and get recommendations for the upcoming treatment.
If a pregnant woman has previously suffered from a fungus, she should take preventive measures to prevent the exacerbation of the disease during this decisive period.
Reviews and opinions of doctors about home treatment
Nail fungus is a medical problem and should be treated with a qualified professional. In order to clarify the diagnosis, it is important to see a doctor in time, which pays attention to precautions when visiting public baths and saunas, swimming pools, and showering in hotels. These places often become a source of infection.
According to experts, self-diagnosis accompanied by self-treatment can aggravate the situation, especially considering that some fungi are resistant to certain drugs. Only the right therapy will ensure a quick recovery and a lasting result.
Doctors focus the attention of patients expecting a child on a mandatory visit to a specialist before the pregnant woman starts using folk remedies and buying drugs at the pharmacy.
Preventing the appearance of fungus
Preventing the appearance of nail fungus is possible only with systematic prevention. The following measures will help to achieve good results:
- Wash your feet with soap every day.
- Apply an antiseptic in the form of a spray or talc.
- Dry wet shoes thoroughly.
- If you visit public baths, swimming pools, change your personal hygiene products and shoes.
- Periodically treat the manicure set with an antiseptic.
Following these simple rules will help prevent foot and nail fungus.
Your health depends entirely on your personal relationship with your body. If you've had yeast infection before or if you're experiencing unusual symptoms, see a doctor to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Pay attention to the appearance of itchy feet, peeling, changes in the structure and color of the nail plates, the appearance of spots or stripes. This will not only identify the disease, but also effectively fight it. However, the advanced stages of the fungus not only cause additional discomfort, but also have a negative effect on the health of the whole body. In addition, there is an aesthetic side: the affected nails eventually fade, wear out, and the feet smell unpleasant.