Undoubtedly, many have heard of at least one folk remedy for toenail fungus.Actually there are dozens.And how to choose what will definitely help among such a variety?Treatment of onychomycosis on the feet (this is the medical name for a fungal infection of the nail plate) can last from several months to a year.Therefore, the choice of means should be approached with all seriousness.To make your task easier, in this article we will look at the rating of home remedies for toenail fungus.
What is nail fungus?
As the name suggests, the causative agent of the disease is a fungus of the genus Trichophyton.Once in the nail plate, the spores spread deeper, destroying its structure.Externally, this is manifested by a change in the structure and color of the nail.It is yellow or brown.If you run your finger over the surface, you can feel that it becomes uneven, tubercles and grooves appear.When the disease progresses, the nail plates split, break or completely disappear.The disease can also spread to the skin of the fingers and feet.In this case, treatment with folk remedies against toenail fungus will be ineffective.It will be necessary to add antifungal drugs.
Stages of mushroom development
Experts distinguish several stages of the disease:
- At the first stage, it is almost impossible to determine onychomycosis at home.Symptoms appear only with small changes (spots, cracks) on the nail plate.
- In the second stage, the symptoms are well manifested.Noticeable deformation of the nail.The color is yellow or grayish, an unpleasant smell is produced.At this stage, it is still possible to eliminate nail fungus with home remedies.
- The third stage is considered an advanced form of the disease.The nail splits, breaks and can come off.
How to recognize the disease at an early stage
As the disease progresses, it may become more difficult to treat with home remedies.In order not to wait for obvious signs of nail damage, you should know the signs of the initial disease:
- peeling of the skin around the nails and on the fingers, as well as itching in these places;
- the appearance of an unpleasant smell on the feet;
- pain when walking;
- redness of the surface near the nail;
- spots of cloudy and dark circles;
- peeling boards.
If you notice these warning signs of nail fungus in time, folk remedies will quickly help you cope with the disease.Therefore, try to check your toes more often.
What does this insidious disease look like on the nails?
If you are faced with onychomycosis, then you should not be upset and blame yourself for a frivolous attitude towards your health.This disease is quite common.According to the World Health Organization, 20% of the world's population suffers from it.Anyone can get onychomycosis;no one is immune to it.Of course, there are factors that contribute to the onset of the disease.There are several causes of nail fungus:
- increased sweating of the feet;
- tight or poor quality shoes;
- mechanical damage;
- insufficient foot care;
- ingrown toenail;
- lack of personal hygiene;
- non-sterile nail care tools;
- take antibiotics;
- weakened immunity.
The risk of contracting onychomycosis increases when visiting public places:
- steam room;
- swimming pool;
- group fitness rooms;
- locker rooms;
- public beaches;
- spas.
A healthy human body can easily cope with a fungal attack.If you have a weakened immune system or if you have wounds or cuts on your feet, it is recommended that you avoid visiting these places.But even if you do not go to such establishments, there is still a risk of infection with a fungus.Disputes can spread from relatives through common household items: towels, manicure accessories, clothes, slippers.As a rule, for many, these items are individual.If not, then you should make sure that each family member has a similar set of household items.Especially if someone in the house has fungus on their feet or hands.
General rules for treating fungus at home
You need to be patient while choosing effective home remedies to fight toenail fungus.Procedures should be carried out daily or daily, and in some cases several times a day, regularly with a break.The duration of the course is from several months to a year.
Treatment of nail fungus involves the following steps:
- It is best to steam rough areas using antimicrobial agents.Hot baths take at least fifteen minutes.
- Cut and sand the infected areas of the nail with an emery file.Clean the damaged tissue under the cut nail plate.
- Then you need to treat the affected areas with the selected drug.You can combine the use of folk and pharmaceutical remedies.You can steam your feet in herbal decoction or add baking soda, salt or hydrogen peroxide to the water.You can treat your nails with antifungal ointment.
- Careful hygiene is a prerequisite for effective treatment of onychomycosis.Use disposable nail files and treat manicure accessories with alcohol.Change your socks more often, it is better to buy slippers with open toes.
How to treat nails with laundry soap
Laundry soap for toenail fungus is used as a separate tool and in combination with other drugs.The effectiveness of the product is associated with a high concentration of alkali, which creates an unsuitable environment for fungi.A soap with a mark of 72% is suitable for treating fungi.Let's look at proven recipes:
- In the evening, scrub your nails with a soapy towel for at least 15 minutes.Remove the affected areas by cutting with scissors and filing with a file.In the morning, wash your feet under the tap, dry them and lubricate your nails with resin.Repeat the procedure every 2 days for 2 weeks.
- Prepare a solution of hot water, baking soda and baking soda.Steam your feet with the prepared product in the bath for 15-20 minutes.Cut and file the damaged areas.
- For this recipe, you need to prepare a decoction of birch bark: pour 100 g of crushed bark into 0.5 liters of boiling water and cook on low heat for 5 minutes.Steam your feet in the bath for 20 minutes.Then dry your feet and lubricate your nails with a mixture of laundry soap and baking soda.To prepare the mixture, you need to rub a spoon of soap, add a teaspoon of soda, pour a little boiling water and mix well.
The use of acetic acid against fungi
To remove the fungus from the toenails, you need to take 9% vinegar.There are several ways to use vinegar:
- For a therapeutic bath, you need to add a glass of vinegar to a bowl of water heated to 50 ° C.After steaming, dry your feet and put on cotton socks.
- To increase the effect of treatment, you can take a course of vinegar lotions.Moisten a soft cloth with vinegar and place it on the affected areas.Keep for 15-20 minutes.Repeat the procedure every 2 days until the fungus disappears.
- Vinegar ointment.This recipe calls for 70% vinegar.It is necessary to mix acetic acid, glycerin, vegetable oil and dimethyl phthalate.Take two parts of vinegar and one part of the remaining components.Mix everything well and apply to the affected area for 8 hours, preferably overnight.Wash your feet thoroughly in the morning.
Onion and garlic treatment
Onion and garlic are considered very powerful remedies for toenail fungus.It can even cope with chronic onychomycosis.For treatment, it is better to choose recipes where onion and garlic are used in liquid form.This facilitates the penetration of antifungal components into the damaged areas.There are several such recipes:
- Grate the onion and squeeze the juice.Before going to bed, treat the nail plates with onion juice and put socks on your feet.The product does not require rinsing.
- To prepare tincture, you need to pour 4 tablespoons of onion peel into 200 ml of vodka.After 14 days, the infusion will be ready.They lubricate painful nails several times a day.
- Garlic lotions are made from chopped garlic and softened oil, taken in equal parts.The mixture is applied to the affected areas overnight.It is fixed with a compress bandage.Worn over socks for more fixation.
The disadvantage of these products is the lingering smell, especially when using garlic.
Use of hydrogen peroxide
First, you need to thoroughly steam your feet in water by adding soda (take a spoonful of soda in a pot of hot water).The water temperature should be at least 50 °C.Place a cotton pad soaked in peroxide on your nails and wrap it with plastic wrap.Keep the compress for an hour, then remove and wash with water.To get the effect, you need to do the procedure 3-4 times a day.
The use of baking soda in the treatment of onychomycosis
When treating toenail fungus, soda acts as a means to soften the nail plate.To facilitate the penetration of the remedy into the affected tissues, soda and laundry soap are added and soaked in hot baths.Then the feet are dried with a towel and an ointment, cream or other product is applied to the nails.
Celandine will clean the nails from fungus
This herb has long been known for its antiparasitic properties.The juice of the plant is poisonous and has an antifungal effect.To treat nail fungus with celandine, use the following recipes:
- Squeeze the juice of fresh herbs and drip it on painful places every 1-2 hours.This treatment should be carried out for a month or until the fungus disappears.
- Baths are prepared with a decoction of dry herbs.To do this, pour boiling water over 100 g of grass and leave for 20 minutes.Filtered broth is mixed with water one by one.Take a bath for about 20 minutes.
- Nail fungus is also successfully treated with tincture of celandine in alcohol.Dry celandine is poured with vodka and brewed for 2 weeks.Proportions are taken from one to two.You should start treating the affected areas with 5 drops, gradually increase to 20.
The use of tea tree oil
In folk medicine, tea tree oil is successfully used for toenail fungus.Soak your feet in a hot tub.Add 20-25 drops of oil to the basin.You should steam your feet in the bath for at least 20 minutes.The procedure is performed once a day, the course duration is 30 days.There is another option to use tea tree.First, you need to steam your feet in hot water with the addition of baking soda.Dry your feet and apply tea tree oil on the affected areas.It is recommended to apply the product 2 times a day.
Iodine
Iodine is applied to painful nails using a cotton swab.It would also be useful to treat the remaining tiles for preventive purposes.Just use a different cotton swab for this.Perform the procedure 1-2 times a day.
Propolis tincture
You can prepare propolis tincture for nail fungus at home or buy a ready-made preparation.To prepare yourself, you need to pour propolis with alcohol in a ratio of 1:4.Let it brew for 2 weeks.Compresses are made from 20% of the tincture.To do this, soak a cotton pad or tampon in the tincture and apply it to the nail.The compress is fixed with a bandage.After a day, the old compress is replaced with a new one.
Ammonia
Ammonia or ammonia can be found in any first aid kit.For treatment, you need to add 1 tablespoon of ammonia to 1 glass of water.Soak a cotton pad, swab, or just a piece of cloth in this solution.Apply a compress to painful nails at night.
Prevention of nail fungus
Prevention can prevent many diseases, including onychomycosis.Following these simple tips will help you protect yourself from this disease:
- Use special manicure tools.Disinfect them periodically.
- Don't wear someone else's shoes.These could be slippers at a party or shared flip-flops in the pool or sauna.
- When trying on new shoes at the store, don't wear them on bare feet.
- Wear shoes made of natural materials that allow the skin to breathe.
- Fight excessive sweating feet with baby powder, special products or oak bark.
- Strengthen your immune system, especially in spring and autumn.Eat more vegetables and fruits, strengthen.
- Monitor your blood sugar levels.Diabetes mellitus can cause toenail fungus.
- Perform pedicure and other hygiene procedures on time.
- Wash your feet and change your socks every day.
- Always dry your feet after bathing.
- Wear shoes suitable for the weather.In warmer months, wear sandals, flip-flops, or light fabric shoes.
- Wash the inside of your shoes with laundry soap.
- Keep your bathroom clean.Do not allow mold to grow there.
These simple tips will protect you from toenail fungus, and folk remedies will help eliminate the disease at the initial stage.If the condition has progressed and folk remedies do not help for more than a month after starting to use, then it is better to turn to traditional medicine and visit a mycologist.