Nail fungus or onychomycosis is not only a cosmetic defect on the skin, but a rather serious disease that requires a proper approach to treatment. If timely help is not provided, the nail can be deformed or completely destroyed, sometimes the advanced disease is accompanied by damage to internal tissues. This infection can be eliminated in various ways, including traditional medicine recipes and the use of disinfectants.
Signs of the development of nail fungus
Nail fungus is a common disease characterized by damage to the nail plate. You can catch it in public places, recreation centers and just in everyday situations. Spores of parasitic microorganisms live in household and personal hygiene products, carpets and bedding for a long time after disinfection. Therefore, there is a risk of re-infection.
Symptoms of the fungus differ in different stages of the disease. The initial symptoms are quite mild. The patient does not pay much attention to the infection and treats it lightly.
The disease itself begins to develop in the interdigital folds. There is slight peeling and itching. After that, the infection affects the most sensitive places of the feet - the nails. After some time, the fungus penetrates the internal tissues, where it begins to develop rapidly. The following signs indicate this:
- the appearance of growths on the nail, thickening of the nail layer;
- the nail plate changes its natural color to a light yellow color and even darkens in later stages;
- cracks and removal of the top layer on the nail;
- burning, painful sensations that cause difficulty walking;
- the development of infectious agents that cause a certain smell;
- redness of the skin on the affected finger.
How is mycosis transmitted?
The appearance of fungus on the nails is caused by the following factors:
- The presence of a parasitic fungus that causes the development of the disease. Fungus is not caused by a single infection, but by a number of different microorganisms, so the nature of the disease is ambiguous. Depending on the pathogen, a course of treatment is prescribed, so the diagnosis is only necessary for the patient.
- Favorable conditions for the development of mycoses. Even if it enters the body through micro-cracks in the skin, the virus does not pose any particular danger to humans: the immune system can easily cope with the unknown object. The risk of fungus development increases significantly in people who wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, tend to sweat excessively, have fat accumulation, abuse alcohol and tobacco products. Long-term use of drugs and decreased acidity of the feet can also weaken the protective function of the body.
Without these two conditions, the development of nail fungus is impossible. To prevent its development, it is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene, not to walk barefoot in public places (pools, beaches), not to wear other people's shoes and underwear.
What can't a mushroom tolerate?
Fungal microorganisms are very resistant to external factors, but in some cases they cannot withstand and die. Medicines and traditional medicine prescriptions necessarily contain special substances that have a harmful effect on mycosis. These include some vegetables, iodine, vinegar and other organic products.
Traditional methods of fighting nail fungus
Traditional methods will help to stop the spread of infection and neutralize it inside the nail. The main advantage of such recipes is that they are easy to prepare and contain effective ingredients that do not require high financial costs.
Vinegar is a kind of chemical weapon that creates an acidic environment that is dangerous for infection. They can be used to treat nails, make compresses and baths, but all this is prohibited if there are open wounds and cracks on the fingers. Positive changes are noticeable after a month of using vinegar.
- The recipe requires 2 tbsp. vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Mix thoroughly and add 1 tsp. glycerin. Apply 1 drop of the product to the affected nail and rub with smooth movements. Treat until the fungus is completely gone.
- Baths with apple cider vinegar. Pour 2-4 cups of liquid into a shallow basin and immerse your feet in it. To increase the effect, you can dilute it with hot water and add a little baking soda. Keep your feet in the container for 3 hours.
- Ointment for feet. Mix beaten egg, sunflower oil (20 ml) and vinegar (40 ml). It is recommended to add Repudin (5 g). Apply the mixture to the nail and finger.
Salt has good anti-inflammatory properties, also kills pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation of skin areas. It is better to take baths in which salt is dissolved in water. Thanks to this, the acid and alkali contained in it have a stronger effect on the affected areas. This method of treatment has a double effect: the acidic environment together with the high temperature of the water kills dangerous mycoses.
- Rub a few pinches of salt between your toes. Leave for 1 hour. Repeat the procedure twice a day.
- Therapeutic baths. In 4 liters of water, mix 0. 1 kg of salt (table or sea salt is suitable) and 4 tbsp. vinegar. Apply every day.
- Heat 3 liters of water. Add 2-3 tbsp. salt and 0. 5 tsp. potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), mix thoroughly. The course of treatment lasts 1. 5 weeks. It can be used for preventive purposes.
- Red pepper strengthens the nails well, strengthens the epidermis, which makes it possible to resist harmful bacteria. It contains many trace elements that stimulate natural processes and improve blood circulation.
- Pepper mask. Mix 1 tbsp. ground pepper, 2 teaspoons. water and 3 tbsp. cosmetic hand cream. The product will help restore the nail plate. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil if desired.
Iodine is a powerful natural antiseptic. It is mainly used for severe forms of the fungus, when the infection has already affected the tissue around the nail. This is an effective tool that can be purchased at any pharmacy at a reasonable price. It is used to eliminate infections in wounds and burn nail growth. Iodine also breaks down the proteins that make up the parasitic fungi.
- After taking any bath, you should treat the skin of your legs, feet and nails with iodine. This will disinfect and dry the affected areas. After drying the previous layer of iodine, the procedure is carried out 3 times in a row.
- Apply 1 drop of iodine to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the surrounding tissue. Before doing this, they can be spread with thick cream. Iodine will affect the source of infection. Toenail fungus is afraid of it like fire.
- Iodine lotions. Apply the liquid to a cotton pad or tampon and then apply to the infected area.
Against athlete's foot, garlic should be used with extreme caution: very high concentrations can cause burns and skin damage. Only the correct use of a bulbous plant will help with onychomycosis.
- Garlic infusion. Finely chop 2 cloves of unpeeled garlic and add vegetable oil (0. 5 l). Leave for 3 days. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Take 1 tablespoon for 30 days. every day.
- Gruel. Take 1-2 heads of garlic and chop it with a knife or in a blender. Apply to the nail. Before applying, the nail plates should be steamed by keeping them in a little hot water with the addition of lemon juice.
- Alcohol tincture. Pour 2-3 heads of chopped garlic into ¼ cup. Leave for 2 days. Use the finished product to treat your nails in the morning, afternoon and evening.
What is so scary about nail fungus?
Nail fungus is afraid of the following factors:
- An acidic environment that has an aggressive effect on fungi. To create it, you will need ordinary vinegar or some kind of acid (salicylic, orthoboric). These substances can be used as independent means, they can be applied to a cotton pad or stick, and then to the affected areas. After regular use, rough tissues will become softer and skin tags will decrease in size. Also, due to the acidic environment, mycoses face difficulties when trying to penetrate deeper layers of the skin.
- Antiseptics and disinfectants. These drugs prevent decomposition processes on the surface of open wounds, are suitable for tissue treatment and destroy all infections. The most common drugs from this group include tablets and ointments based on ketoconazole and other substances aimed at eliminating fungal infections.
- Heat. If it reaches 60 degrees and above, the chances of survival of microorganisms are almost minimal. It dies at this temperature. Their structure is destroyed, so the disease stops and disappears completely. As the temperature rises, the healing process accelerates. Shoes and socks are treated in this way to destroy all spores.
Observance of hygiene rules
The main requirement for people who do not want to get infected with fungus is to follow hygiene rules. To protect yourself from the disease, you need:
- disinfect shoes and wash socks regularly;
- use personal cosmetics;
- maintain body cleanliness;
- to process nail tools;
- don't walk barefoot on beaches, swimming pools and crowded places.