Nail fungus can cause a lot of trouble not only for an infected person, but also for their loved ones. This disease is transmitted both through personal contact and in general household conditions. This fact means only one thing - the fungus must be treated without fail, and the measures must be comprehensive: if the problem arose on the nails, then it is also present on the skin of the legs. Also, local remedies must be combined with oral medications. This is the only way to defeat the disease at home.
Preparation and Precautions
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease caused by fungi - dermatophytes, microsporia, etc. , so it is very important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. After the examination, the doctor may prescribe additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and select effective therapy. If you also want to use folk remedies, talk to your doctor. Consultation with a specialist will allow you to deal with the problem effectively and safely.
It is important to use medications according to the doctor's instructions and recommendations, as some medications may give a negative result when in contact with the skin.
If you or someone in your family has nail fungus, you should pay special attention to hygiene to avoid infecting those who are still healthy.
Why does the fungus appear and its types
Fungus spores are microscopic and live where a person lives. About 70, 000 fungi are known, but the ones that cause disease are the most dangerous.
How is it that one person is healthy and the other "got" the fungus? The following reasons may contribute to this:
- Leg wounds, abrasions, calluses.
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Decreased body defenses.
- Excessive sweating of the feet (hyperhidrosis).
The type of fungus that has reached the nail plate can only be determined by a dermatologist after passing tests. Sometimes it is possible to understand by visual inspection which species caused the disease:
- Dermatophytes. The lesion appears as yellowish spots or streaks. The progressive stage is characterized by the acquisition of a lighter shade and the defeat of the entire plaque.
- Yeast. They affect the color and structure of the nail folds, causing inflammation and suppuration.
- Musty. They don't penetrate very deeply and appear as dark, black spots.
It is noteworthy that the stronger the lesion, the more pronounced the symptoms and signs of the fungus.
Symptoms and signs of damage
The success of treatment directly depends on the correct and timely diagnosis. If you are attentive to yourself, be sure to observe the manifestations of the toenail fungus. The following symptoms and signs should alert:
- Change the color of the board. The color can indicate the type of fungus that caused the disease. You may notice yellow, gray, black, green, and blue spots or stripes on your nails.
- Change in nail density. If you notice thinning or, on the contrary, thickening of the nails, you need to consult a doctor.
- Itching and burning. They occur systematically and cause discomfort.
- Violation of board integrity. The nail may become cracked. Also, dry skin on the heels indicates a fungal infection.
Unpleasant sensations arise due to the effects of fungal toxins on the skin and nails, therefore, the sooner you see a doctor and start treatment, the sooner a complete recovery will occur. If the fungus is not treated, then you can completely lose the nail or several nail plates. In addition, toxins poison the body and can provoke eczema.
Effective folk methods of struggle
Folk methods will help get rid of the fungus, especially at the initial stage. I present the most common recipes to fight the disease.
Vinegar
Used for baths. Preparation for the procedure is simple: take 5 liters of water at 50 degrees, add 9% acetic acid and place your feet in a container. The procedure lasts 15 minutes, after which the feet are wiped dry 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 remain for an hour. The procedure is carried out twice a day.
Iodine
Nail platinum is smeared with iodine tincture 2 times a day. You can also make baths by adding 3 liters of water and 2 teaspoons of iodine.
Propolis
Propolis has an antimycotic effect on the skin of the legs and nail plates, both in the use of tinctures and in the composition of ointments and baths. Add a tablespoon of propolis to a bowl of water. After the procedure, you can apply the remedy for half an hour to the focus of the disease.
Potassium permanganate and vinegar
Baths with potassium permanganate and vinegar also do an excellent job with the fungus. To prepare the product, add a liter of table vinegar and a little potassium permanganate to 3 liters of water. The course of treatment is 7 days.
Essencial oils
Apply some oil on your wrist to test for allergies. If after 12 hours no strange signs appear, you can use a remedy to fight the fungus. The most effective option is tea tree oil. 5 drops of oil are needed per liter of liquid. And the extract itself is applied to the nail plate after the cleaning procedure.
herbal decoctions
- Sage and mint. It can be taken orally as a tea or used in baths. The infusion is drunk throughout the day, and the bath is taken before going to bed.
- calamus root. For 250 ml of water, take 15 g of chopped root. The decoction helps fight a variety of infections. Drink for a month.
- Japanese Sophora. It has established itself as a tool that effectively improves immunity, helps to normalize the functioning of internal organs. To prepare the tincture, take 0. 5 vodka and add 50 g of sophora fruit. Take a teaspoon before meals. Course - 2 months.
- Oak bark. It has a detrimental effect on mold and helps to get rid of the fungus. Baths are prepared as follows: combine 1 liter of liquid with 5 tbsp. spoons of peel and boil for 20 minutes. Use for baths when the broth temperature reaches 40 degrees. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
Tar
Sold in the form of an ointment. You can buy a 10% or 30% medicine to get the effect. It is necessary to use it after water procedures before going to bed. The affected nail is covered with ointment.
mushroom tea
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 peroxide.
compresses and tinctures
- Garlic. To treat toenail fungus, you can use the gruel from the plant. You need to cook it every night and apply for 40 minutes.
- Rowan leaves. Grind and apply overnight.
- Thyme. The tincture is prepared from the dried plant. It will take 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water. You need to steam your legs every day until recovery occurs.
- Lilac. The tincture will also help get rid of the fungus. For 100 ml of alcohol, 10 g of lilac are needed. The affected areas are lubricated until the problem disappears completely.
Pharmaceutical preparations and creams
When fungus symptoms appear, topical treatment should be started as soon as possible. For this, pharmacy creams, varnishes, drops will go.
Pills will also help to achieve maximum effectiveness in the fight against the disease. They are combined with external preparations. In the pharmacy, you can buy products of various prices and effectiveness.
Removal of affected nails
Means are also used to remove affected nails, but already in a critical condition.
- Chemical. Performed in a dermatological office. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. The doctor removes the stratum corneum 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 a paste ointment. A sterile material is applied on top, the affected fingers are bandaged. After 4 days, these areas are cleaned with an antiseptic and treated with an antifungal.
- 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. The manipulation is performed by the surgeon. The patient receives local anesthesia with lidocaine solution. After removal, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic ointment is applied, a sterile bandage is applied, followed by fixation with a bandage. At night, fingers should be kept in saline. The dressing is done in a clinic.
What is the best way to treat advanced foot fungus?
One of the modern methods of getting rid of fungus on the feet and nails is laser therapy treatment. This technique is used in cases where traditional topical treatment and treatment with oral preparations have failed. The advantages of this procedure are very impressive:
- painless;
- No side effects;
- acting.
But laser fungus removal also has contraindications:
- Diabetes.
- The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
- Violation in the functioning of internal organs.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- The presence of skin diseases.
- Oncological diseases.
- Tanned.
- Chemical peel.
Preparation for exposure to the laser is carried out as follows: steam the damaged nail and cut off as much as possible. Take the test first. The duration of treatment is about 6 procedures.
Features of treatment for fungus during pregnancy
Treatment of the fungus during the period of pregnancy has its own characteristics. It is necessary to take into account the fact that pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on the expectant mother, therefore, when eliminating the problem, only topical preparations are used.
It is recommended to use therapeutic varnishes. First of all, the expectant mother should consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and receive recommendations for further treatment.
If a pregnant woman has already suffered from a fungus before, then she must carry out prophylaxis in order to avoid an exacerbation of the disease during this crucial period.
Doctors' opinions and comments about home treatment
Toenail fungus is a medical issue and should be treated in conjunction with a qualified professional. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner to clarify the diagnosis, which also focuses on care when visiting public baths and saunas, swimming pools, showers in hotels. It is these places that often become a source of infection.
Self-diagnosis followed by self-treatment, according to experts, can aggravate the situation, especially considering that some fungi are resistant to certain drugs. Only the right therapy will guarantee 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 expectant mother begins to use folk remedies and buy drugs at the pharmacy.
Prevention 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 antiseptics in the form of sprays or powder.
- Dry wet shoes well.
- If you visit public baths, swimming pools, take personal hygiene items, change shoes with you.
- Periodically treat the manicure set with an antiseptic.
Following these simple guidelines will help protect against foot and nail fungus.
Your health depends entirely on your personal relationship with your body. If you've had a fungus before or are experiencing unusual symptoms, see a doctor to confirm or refute the diagnosis.
Pay close attention to the appearance of itching on the 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 deal with it. But the advanced stages of the fungus bring not only additional discomfort, but also have a negative impact on the health of the whole organism. In addition, there is an aesthetic side: the affected nails eventually fade, exfoliate, and an unpleasant odor comes from the legs.