Nail fungus or onychomycosis is not just a cosmetic skin defect, but a rather serious disease that requires the correct approach to treatment. If timely assistance is not provided, the nail can become deformed or completely destroyed, and sometimes advanced disease is accompanied by damage to internal tissues. This infection can be overcome in several ways, including traditional medicine recipes and the use of disinfectants.
Signs of developing nail fungus
Nail fungus is a common disease characterized by damage to the nail plate. You can become infected in public places, in recreation centers and simply in everyday conditions. Spores of parasitic microorganisms live on household and personal hygiene items, carpets and bedding for a long time after disinfection. Therefore, there is a risk of reinfection.
The signs of the fungus vary at different stages of the disease. The initial symptoms are quite mild. The patient does not attach much importance to the infection and treats the treatment lightly.
The disease itself begins to develop in the interdigital folds. There is slight peeling and itching. After that, the infection reaches the most vulnerable places on the legs – the nails. After a while, the fungus penetrates the internal tissues, where it begins to develop rapidly. The following signs indicate this:
- appearance of protuberances on the nail, thickening of the nail fold;
- the nail plate changes its natural color to a light yellow tone, and in the later stages it even darkens;
- cracks and removal of the top layer of the nail;
- burning sensations and pain that cause difficulty walking;
- development of infectious agents that cause a specific odor;
- redness of the skin on the affected finger.
How does ringworm get infected?
The appearance of nail fungus is due to the following factors:
- The presence of a parasitic fungus that causes the development of the disease. The fungus is not caused by one infection, but by several different microorganisms, due to which the nature of the disease is ambiguous. Depending on the pathogen, a course of treatment is prescribed, so diagnosis is simply necessary for the patient.
- Favorable conditions for the development of mycoses. Even if it enters the body through microcracks in the skin, the virus does not pose any particular danger to humans: the immune system can easily cope with an unidentified object. The risk of developing fungus increases significantly in people who wear tight, uncomfortable shoes, are prone to excessive sweating, have fatty deposits or abuse alcohol and tobacco products. Prolonged use of medications and reduced acidity in the feet can also weaken the body's protective function.
Without these two conditions, the development of nail fungus is impossible. To prevent its development, simply follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not walk barefoot in public places (swimming pools, beaches) and do not wear other people's shoes or underwear.
What the fungus cannot tolerate
Fungal microorganisms are very resistant to external factors, but in some cases they do not resist and die. Medicines and traditional medicine recipes necessarily contain special ingredients that have a detrimental effect on mycosis. These include some vegetables, iodine, vinegar and other organic products.
Traditional methods of combating nail fungus
Traditional methods will help stop the spread of infection and neutralize it inside the nail. The main advantage of these recipes is that they are easy to prepare and consist of effective ingredients that do not require large financial costs.
Vinegar is a type of chemical weapon that creates an acidic environment that is dangerous for infections. They can be used to treat nails, make compresses and baths, but all of this is prohibited if there are open wounds and cracks on the fingers. Positive changes are noticeable after a month of using vinegar.
- For the recipe you will need 2 tbsp. vinegar and isopropyl alcohol. Mix well and add 1 tsp. glycerin. Apply 1 drop of the product to the affected nail and rub with gentle movements. Treat until the fungus disappears completely.
- Apple cider vinegar baths. Pour 2 to 4 cups of liquid into a shallow basin and dip your feet in it. You can dilute it with warm water and add a little baking soda to enhance the effect. Keep your feet in the container for 3 hours.
- Foot ointment. Mix beaten chicken egg, sunflower oil (20 ml) and vinegar (40 ml). It is advisable to add repudin (5 g). Apply the mixture to your nail and finger.
Salt has good anti-inflammatory properties and also kills pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation in areas of the skin. It is best to take baths in which the salt dissolves in the water. Thanks to this, the acid and alkali contained in it have a stronger effect on the affected areas. This treatment method provides a double effect: the acidic environment, combined with the high temperature of the water, kills dangerous mycoses.
- Apply 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), stir well. The course of treatment lasts 1. 5 weeks. It can be used for preventive purposes.
- Red pepper strengthens nails well, strengthens the epidermis, which allows it to resist harmful bacteria. Contains many microelements that stimulate natural processes and improve blood circulation.
- Pepper mask. Mix 1 tbsp. ground pepper, 2 tsp. 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 strong natural antiseptic. It is mainly used for severe forms of fungus, when the infection has already affected the tissue around the nail. This is an effective remedy that can be purchased at an affordable price at any pharmacy. It is used to eliminate wound infections and cauterize nail growth. Iodine also breaks down the proteins that make up parasitic fungi.
- After any bath, it is necessary to treat the skin of the legs, feet and nails with iodine. This will disinfect the affected areas and dry them. The procedure is carried out 3 times in a row after the previous layer of iodine has dried.
- Apply 1 drop of iodine to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the surrounding tissue. They can be spread with thick cream before doing this. The iodine will affect the source of the infection. Nail fungus is afraid of it like fire.
- Lotions with iodine. Apply the liquid to a cotton pad or swab and then apply it to the site of infection.
Garlic against foot fungus must be used with extreme caution: very high concentrations can cause burns and damage to the skin. Only proper use of the bulbous plant will help in the treatment of onychomycosis.
- Garlic infusion. Chop 2 cloves of unpeeled garlic and add vegetable oil (0. 5 l). Leave for 3 days. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Take 1 tablespoon orally for 30 days. daily.
- Porridge. Take 1-2 heads of garlic and chop with a knife or in a blender. Apply to the nail. Before application, you need to steam your nails, keeping them in hot water for a while with the addition of lemon juice.
- Alcohol tincture. Pour 2-3 chopped heads of garlic into ¼ cup. Leave for 2 days. Use the ready-made product to treat your nails morning, afternoon and night.
What's so scary about nail fungus?
Nail fungus is afraid of the following factors:
- Acidic environment that has an aggressive effect on the fungus. To create it, you will need regular vinegar or some kind of acid (salicylic, orthoboric). These substances can be used as independent remedies by applying them to a cotton pad or stick and then to the affected areas. After regular use, rough fabrics will become softer and skin tags will reduce in size. Furthermore, due to the acidic environment, mycoses encounter difficulties when trying to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
- Antiseptics and disinfectants. These drugs prevent decay processes on the surface of open wounds, are suitable for treating tissues and destroy all infections. The most common medications in this group include ketoconazole-based tablets and ointments and other substances designed to eliminate fungal infections.
- Warm. If it reaches 60 degrees or more, the chance of microorganisms surviving is almost minimal. At this temperature it dies. Its structure is destroyed, so the disease stops and disappears completely. As the temperature increases, the healing process accelerates. Shoes and socks are treated this way to destroy all spores.
Maintain hygiene rules
Maintaining good hygiene is the main requirement for anyone who does not want to become infected with fungi. To protect yourself from disease, you need:
- disinfect shoes and wash socks regularly;
- use personal cosmetics;
- maintain body cleanliness;
- process nail tools;
- do not walk barefoot on beaches, swimming pools and other crowded places.