Nail fungal infections are common. According to the World Health Organization, 10 out of 10 people in the world suffer from this unpleasant disease. You can get it if you don't follow the basic rules of personal hygiene or in public places - bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas, gym locker rooms.
Mycosis is not a serious health hazard, but it can be uncomfortable and difficult to get rid of. In advanced cases, treatment continues for several months. For effective treatment, the main thing is to promptly identify the first symptoms of the disease and consult a dermatologist. In addition to medication, doctors may prescribe traditional medicine recipes that help speed up the healing process.
signs of disease
Onychomycosis is difficult to identify in the initial stages. Therefore, it is important not to miss the manifestations of progressive damage. The first "wake-up call" can be thought of as:
- Changes in nail color, structure, luster;
- the appearance of nodules, growth disorders;
- delamination, destruction;
- pathological thickening;
- Depicted mycelium distribution zone;
- Pain syndrome when walking;
- pungent, unpleasant odor;
- redness, peeling of nearby skin;
- Rot of the nail roll.
Almost always, the thumb is affected first (pathogen invades the most traumatized area - the corner edge of the nail).
important!
If you notice some symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. A timely visit to a medical facility will ensure the maximum effect of treatment.
Medications for toenail fungus
If you suspect a fungal infection, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. After all the tests, he will prescribe the correct treatment. For a quick therapeutic effect, a complex fight against the fungus is recommended, including oral and topical preparations. Ointments with a greasy base are not used to treat nail mycosis. This is due to the difficult penetration of this pharmacological form into the stratum corneum surface.
repair varnish
In recent years, antifungal drugs in the form of varnishes have become popular. They are recommended only for weak lesions. In advanced disease, this external therapy does not have the desired effect. They are produced in a bottle with a brush and look like normal cosmetic varnishes.
tablet
Oral formulations are used along with topical formulations. The pills work all over the body and help get rid of the infection as quickly as possible.
external remedies
You can treat fungal diseases with a variety of sprays, creams, and oils. Due to their local action, they do not harm the liver. The disadvantage of this method is the long usage time.
Laser Treatment
With prolonged attempts to get rid of nail fungus unsuccessful, you should consider laser treatment. This method can effectively remove neglected lesions.
The class is a 6-10 procedure during which the affected area of the nail plate is removed. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue to the site of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
Advantages of this technology:
- No pain during surgery;
- No dosage form required;
- No side effects and allergic reactions.
According to doctors, lasers are the fastest solution to the problem. However, no matter how miraculous the treatment is, there are many limitations to its use:
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- malignant tumor;
- Serious violation of the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting the course of treatment, a physical examination must be performed.
Healing with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is very popular. But they should be used wisely after consulting your doctor.
Propolis
Bee waste is known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the affected nail will disappear while a healthy nail will grow in its place. It is important not to stop the procedure after the symptoms disappear, as the infection may reappear.
Use natural propolis 3 times a day. Apply one piece to steamed nails and leave for 30 minutes. The first results will appear in a few months.
Another alternative medicine formulation is an alcohol tincture:
- Stir 30 grams of propolis in 120 grams of rubbing alcohol. 2 days in a cool, dark place;
- Before surgery, steam your feet in the solution with laundry soap;
- Dry, cut off the infected area as much as possible, and cut off the nail plate layer;
- Moisten cotton wool with the tincture and apply a bandage to the painful area overnight;
- For at least two months of treatment.
To prevent infection, rub a tincture on healthy nails daily.
important!
The main requirement for any recipe is steamed nails. Don't forget this rule.
vitriol
At home, vinegar - cider or table vinegar - is often used. Traditional healers offer three ways to use essences:
- Mix equal parts iodine vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Lubricate the affected area with the solution twice a day for six months;
- Mix 2 tablespoons. l. Vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree oil extract, minced garlic cloves. Apply the resulting mixture to the board 2-3 times a day;
- Add a cup of vinegar to the steam bath. Bathe 3 times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
Poisonous plants help get rid of fungus quickly. Use with care to avoid burning the skin.
Fresh plant juices can be used. Pull weeds, rinse and spin in a meat grinder. Squeeze juice from the resulting substance. In a glass container, combine 200 grams of extract and rubbing alcohol. The solution persisted for two days in a dark place. Once thoroughly steamed, apply the mixture to your nails 3-4 times a day.
This chain of drugstores sells celandine oil ready-made. It lubricates the nail plate after careful treatment (steam, remove the affected area, wipe with peroxide).
white
The things we are used to whitening, used at home, can also be used to treat onychomycosis. Whiteness has a powerful antibacterial effect. Every other day, apply the liquid to the nails until the plate is completely renewed.
Egg
For treatment, you need to make ointments. Put an egg in a glass and pour vinegar essence for a few days. The shell should dissolve. Remove film from egg and mix with remaining liquid. Add butter until thickened.
The resulting product is applied to the infected nail at bedtime and wrapped in a bandage. The procedure is carried out for 5-6 weeks.
iodine
For the treatment of fungal diseases, an alcoholic solution of iodine is suitable. It should be applied twice a day with a cotton swab. For prevention, the procedure is performed once a day on healthy nails. It is useful to make a steam bath with the addition of iodine.
tea mushroom
In folk medicine, it is used to treat various ailments, including onychomycosis. Place a tray of kombucha on the affected area, cover the top with polyethylene, and secure with a bandage. Apply the compress overnight. In the morning, the dead layer must be removed and lubricated with iodized oil.
hydrogen peroxide
A powerful antiseptic that successfully fights fungal diseases. After careful preparation, apply absorbent cotton to the nail plate and moisten it well with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. To prevent evaporation of the active substance, cover the top with polyethylene. Leave the compress on for 1 hour. This procedure is performed 2 times a day until healthy nails grow back.
ammonia
This therapy has shown good results when treated at home. Dilute 1 tablespoon in a glass of water. l. Ammonia. The resulting solution was compressed overnight. The main requirement is to steam the nails until soft.
Bathing with ammonium hydroxide can also help heal fungal diseases. Add 3 tablespoons of hot water. l. Baking soda, ammonia water, 30-40 grams of liquid soap. In such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails will soften more quickly.
baking soda
Be sure to steam your nails before using any antifungal. Soda water is great for preventing the spread of infection. For 3 liters of hot water, 2 tablespoons are required. l. Powder. For best results, you can add 1 tablespoon. l. Ground laundry soap.
They also use sparkling water to make lotions. 100 grams is diluted with water until a slurry is formed and applied to the nails. After 15-20 minutes, wash off the mixture.
potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is known for its powerful antiseptic properties. Use in baths before other medications.
important!
You have to be careful with manganese to avoid getting burned. For safe use, you need to take no more than 3 crystals and dissolve them thoroughly in water.
birch tar
It is antiseptic and can be used directly or in soap form. The tar is applied to the nails at bedtime after treatment. It was used until recovery.
Salt
You can use cooking or seafood. A mixture of soda and salt is made in equal proportions, diluted with a little cold water. Lubricate the solution well with your nails and wash it off after 10 minutes. During this process, you may experience a burning sensation.
Steam the rough cuticle of the salt bath before using the drug.
If the skin does not increase dryness, you can soak your feet in a solution of laundry soap and table or sea salt. This procedure has the function of sterilization and drying.
Neocaine
Traditional medicine recommends rubbing the nails and surrounding skin with medication. After treatment, cotton wool moistened with an aqueous solution of neocaine is applied to the affected area and secured with a bandage. After one hour, remove the compress. Daily procedures can relieve pain, burning, and itching.
For the best treatment results, experts recommend a medical pedicure procedure. It is cutting the nails with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The causative agent of onychomycosis is a stubborn organism. The spores can survive in the environment for months, waiting for favorable growing conditions.
In order not to be infected by pathogenic flora, the following rules should be observed:
- Always wear your own removable shoes in public areas (baths, saunas, swimming pools);
- wear clean socks every day;
- Thoroughly dry the area between your feet and toes after showering and bathing;
- don't wear other people's shoes;
- Treat injured skin surfaces with antiseptics;
- use a personal pedicure tool;
- Fights excessive sweating of the feet;
- From the street, wet and dry shoes;
- Monitor immune status.
It is always easier to prevent disease than to cure it. The main requirement for the prevention of fungal diseases is strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene.
A good immune system is an important factor in preventing disease. People with weaker physical defenses are more susceptible to infection. Taking vitamin complexes, immune-stimulating drugs is the first step in preventing fungal diseases.
If you see signs of illness in a loved one in the same apartment, you should use medical protective equipment. Prophylactics are produced in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
For preventive purposes, remedies recommended by traditional medicine are also appropriate. Apply iodine to the surface of your nails once a day. You can also rub your feet with a vinegar solution.
Fungal treatment is a rather laborious and lengthy process. Complex remedies in pharmacies and folk remedies help speed up the healing process.
For effective treatment, it is important to promptly recognize the first signs of onychomycosis and consult a doctor. Testing to correctly identify the type of pathogen is only done at a medical facility. After this, give proper treatment, which will lead to healing.