Nail fungus can cause a lot of trouble not only for an infected person, but also for his 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 appeared on the nails, then it is also present on the skin of the feet. Additionally, topical remedies should be combined with oral medications. This is the only way to beat 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 can prescribe additional examinations to confirm the diagnosis and choose an effective therapy. If you want to use folk remedies as well, you should discuss this with your doctor. Consulting a specialist will allow you to deal with the problem effectively and safely.
It is important that the medicines are used according to the instructions and recommendations of the doctor, as some medicines can give a negative result when they are in contact with the skin.
If you or someone in the family has nail fungus, special care should be taken with hygiene to avoid infecting those who are still healthy.
Why does the fungus appear and its types
Fungal spores are microscopic and live where a person lives. About 70, 000 fungi are known, but those that cause disease are the most dangerous.
How does it turn out that one person is healthy, and the other "caught" the fungus? The following reasons may contribute to this:
- Leg sores, scrapes, calluses.
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Lowering the body's defenses.
- Excessive sweating of the feet (hyperhidrosis).
The type of fungus that hit the nail plate can only be determined by a dermatologist after passing the tests. Sometimes it is possible to understand by visual inspection which species caused the disease:
- Dermatophytes. The lesion appears as yellow spots or streaks. The progressive stage is characterized by the acquisition of a brighter shade and the loss of the entire plaque.
- Maya. They affect the color and structure of the nail folds, causing inflammation and suffocation.
- Moldy. They do not penetrate very deeply and appear as dark, black dots.
It is worth noting that the stronger the lesion, the more pronounced the symptoms and signs of the fungus.
Symptoms and signs of damage
Successful treatment directly depends on accurate and timely diagnosis. If you are attentive to yourself, be sure to notice the manifestations of fungus on the toenails. The following symptoms and signs should warn:
- Change the color of the plate. The color can indicate the type of fungus that caused the disease. You may notice yellow, gray, black, green, and blue spots or streaks on your nails.
- Change in nail density. If you see thinning or, conversely, thickening of the nails, you should visit a doctor.
- Itching and burning. They occur systematically and cause discomfort.
- Violation of the integrity of the plate. The nail may crack. 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, so the sooner you go to the doctor and start treatment, the sooner a full recovery will come. If the fungus is not treated, you can completely lose the nail or some nail plates. Also, toxins poison the body and can provoke eczema.
Effective folk methods of war
Folk methods will help to remove the fungus, especially in the initial stage. I present the most common recipes to fight the disease.
vinegar
Used for bathrooms. Preparation for the procedure is simple: take 5 liters of water at a temperature of 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 stay for an hour. The procedure is performed twice a day.
Iodine
Platinum nails are painted with iodine solution 2 times a day. You can also make a bath by adding 3 liters of water and 2 teaspoons of iodine.
Propolis
Propolis has an antimycotic effect on the skin of the feet and nail plates both when using tinctures and as part of ointments and baths. Add a tablespoon of propolis to a basin of water. After the procedure, you can apply the medicine 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 fungi. 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.
Essential oils
Apply some oil to your wrist to test for allergies. If after 12 hours no strange signs appear, you can use a medicine 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 the bath. The infusion is drunk throughout the day, and the bath is done before bedtime.
- Calamus root. For 250 ml of water, take 15 g of chopped root. The decoction helps fight a number of infections. Drink it for a month.
- Japanese sophora. It is established as a tool that effectively improves immunity, helps to normalize the functioning of internal organs. To prepare the solution, take 0. 5 vodka and add 50 g of sophora fruit to it. Take a teaspoon before meals. Course - 2 months.
- Oak bark. It has a harmful effect on mold and helps to get rid of fungi. Baths are prepared as follows: combine 1 liter of liquid with 5 tbsp. spoon of bark and boil for 20 minutes. Use for baths when the liquid temperature reaches 40 degrees. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
Tar
It is sold in the form of an ointment. You can buy a 10% or 30% medicine to achieve the effect. It is necessary to use it after water procedures before going to bed. The affected nail is covered with ointment.
Tea mushroom
A small portion 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 hydrogen peroxide.
Compresses and tinctures
- Garlic. To treat toenail fungus, you can use the decoction of the plant. You should cook it every evening and apply it for 40 minutes.
- Rowan leaves. Grind and apply throughout the night.
- Thyme. The tincture is prepared from the dry plant. You will need 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water. You should steam your feet every day until recovery occurs.
- Lilac. Tincture will also help eliminate fungus. 10 g of lilac is needed for 100 ml of alcohol. The affected areas are lubricated until the problem disappears completely.
Pharmaceutical preparations and creams
When fungal symptoms appear, local treatment should be started as soon as possible. Pharmacy creams, varnishes, drops will go for this.
Tablets 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 with different prices and effectiveness.
Removal of affected nails
Tools are also used to remove affected nails, but already in a critical condition.
- Chemical. It is performed in a dermatology 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 an oil paste. A sterile material is applied to the tip, the affected fingers are bandaged. After 4 days, these areas are disinfected with an antiseptic and treated with an antifungal agent.
- Mechanical. 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 is given 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. In the evening, the fingers should be kept in a saline solution. Bandaging is done in the clinic.
What is the best way to treat advanced athlete's foot?
One of the modern methods to get rid of foot and nail fungus is laser therapy treatment. This technique is used in cases where traditional local treatment and treatment with oral preparations have failed. The advantages of this procedure are very impressive:
- Without pain;
- no side effects;
- performance.
But laser mushroom removal also has contraindications:
- Diabetes.
- The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
- Violations in the functioning of internal organs.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- The presence of skin diseases.
- Oncological diseases.
- Tan.
- Chemical peeling.
Preparation for laser exposure is carried out as follows: remove the damaged nail with steam and wait as long as possible. Get tested beforehand. The duration of the treatment is about 6 procedures.
Features of the treatment of fungus during pregnancy
Treatment of fungus during the period of childbirth has its own characteristics. It is necessary to take into account the fact that pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on the future mother, therefore, when eliminating the problem, only current preparations are used.
The use of therapeutic varnishes is recommended. First of all, the expectant mother should consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and receive recommendations for future treatment.
If a pregnant woman has previously suffered from fungus, she should carry out a prophylaxis to avoid an aggravation of the disease during this crucial period.
Doctors' opinions and reviews about home treatment
Toenail fungus is a medical problem and should be treated in conjunction with a qualified professional. It is important to consult a doctor at the right time to clarify the diagnosis, which also focuses on precautions 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-medication, according to experts, can aggravate the situation, especially considering that some mushrooms are resistant to certain drugs. Only the right therapy will ensure a quick recovery and a lasting result.
Doctors focus the attention of patients who are expecting a child on a mandatory visit to a specialist before the pregnant woman starts using folk remedies and buying medicines at the pharmacy.
Preventing the appearance of fungi
To avoid 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 talc.
- Dry wet shoes thoroughly.
- If you visit public baths, swimming pools, take personal hygiene items with you, change shoes.
- Periodically treat the set of manicures with an antiseptic.
Following these simple guidelines will help protect against foot and toenail fungus.
Your health depends entirely on your personal relationship with your body. If you've had a ringworm before or are experiencing unusual symptoms, see a doctor to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.
Pay attention to the appearance of itchy feet, skin, changes in the structure and color of the nail plates, the appearance of spots or lines. This will not only identify the disease, but also treat it effectively. 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, melt and an unpleasant smell comes from the feet.