Nail fungus or onychomycosis is not only a cosmetic defect on the skin, but a very serious disease that requires the right approach to treatment. If help is not provided in time, the nail can be deformed or completely destroyed, and sometimes the advanced disease is accompanied by damage to internal tissues. This infection can be overcome in various ways, including prescriptions of traditional medicine 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 get infected with it in public places, in recreation centers and just in everyday conditions. Spores of parasitic microorganisms live in household and personal hygiene items, carpets and sheets for a long time after disinfection. Therefore, there is a risk of re-infection.
Fungal symptoms vary in different stages of the disease. The initial symptoms are quite mild. The patient does not pay much attention to the infection and takes its treatment easily.
The disease itself begins to develop in the interdigital folds. There is mild itching and burning. After that, the infection affects the most vulnerable places of the feet - the nails. After a while, the mold penetrates the internal tissues, where it begins to develop rapidly. The following signs indicate this:
- the appearance of growths on the nail, thickening of the nail fold;
- the nail plate changes its natural color to a pale yellow shade, and in later stages it even darkens;
- cracks and removal of the top layer on the nail;
- burning, painful sensations that cause difficulty in walking;
- the development of infectious agents that cause a specific smell;
- redness of the skin on the affected finger.
How is mycosis infected?
The appearance of nail fungus is due to the following factors:
- The presence of a parasitic mold that provokes the development of the disease. Fungi are not caused by an infection, but by a number of different microorganisms, due to which the nature of the disease is unclear. Depending on the pathogen, a course of treatment is prescribed, so the 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 and uncomfortable shoes, are prone to excessive sweating, have fatty deposits or abuse alcohol and tobacco products. Long-term use of medications and reduced acidity of 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, it is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not walk barefoot in public places (swimming pools, beaches) and do not wear someone else's shoes and underwear.
What fungi cannot tolerate
Fungal microorganisms are very resistant to external factors, but in some cases they cannot cope and die. Medicines and prescriptions of traditional medicine necessarily contain special ingredients that have a harmful effect on mycosis. These include some vegetables, iodine, vinegar and other organic products.
Traditional methods of fighting nail fungus
Traditional methods will help stop the spread of the infection and neutralize it inside the nail. The main advantage of such recipes is that they are easy to prepare and consist of effective ingredients that do not require high financial costs.
Vinegar is a type of chemical weapon that creates an acidic environment that is dangerous for infection. They can be used to treat nails, make compresses and baths, but all this is prohibited if there are open wounds and cracks on the fingers. Positive changes are observed after a month of using vinegar.
- For the recipe you will need 2 tbsp. vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Mix well and add 1 tsp. glycerin. Apply 1 drop of the product to the affected nail and rub with smooth movements. Treat until the fungus is completely gone.
- Apple cider vinegar bath. Pour 2-4 cups of liquid into a shallow basin and immerse your feet in it. You can dilute it with warm water and add some baking soda to increase the effect. Keep your feet in the container for 3 hours.
- Foot ointment. Mix the beaten chicken egg, sunflower oil (20 ml) and vinegar (40 ml). It is recommended to add repudi (5 g). Apply the mixture to the nail and finger.
Salt has good anti-inflammatory properties, and also kills pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation of skin areas. It is better to take baths in which the salt is dissolved in the water. Thanks to this, the acid and alkali contained in it have a stronger effect on the affected areas. This treatment method gives a double effect: the acidic environment, together with the high temperature of the water, kills dangerous fungi.
- 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 daily.
- Heat 3 liters of water. Add 2-3 tbsp. salt and 0. 5 tsp. potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), mix well. The course of treatment lasts 1. 5 weeks. It can be used for preventive purposes.
- Red pepper strengthens the nails well, makes the epidermis stronger, which allows it to resist harmful bacteria. It contains many microelements that stimulate natural processes and improve blood circulation.
- Pepper mask. Mix 1 tbsp. ground pepper, 2 tbsp. water and 3 tbsp. cosmetic hand cream. The product will help restore the nail plate. If desired, add 2-3 drops of essential oil.
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 drug that can be purchased at an affordable price in any pharmacy. It is used to eliminate infections from wounds and to cauterize nail growth. Iodine also breaks down the proteins that make up the parasitic fungus.
- After each bath, you should 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 surrounding tissue. They can be coated with heavy cream before doing this. Iodine will affect the source of infection. Toenail fungus fears this like fire.
- Iodine lotions. Apply the liquid to a cotton ball or swab and then apply to the infected area.
Garlic against athlete's foot should be used very carefully: very high concentrations can cause burns and skin damage. Only the proper use of the bulbous plant will help with onychomycosis.
- Garlic infusion. Finely chop 2 cloves of unpeeled garlic and add vegetable oil (0. 5 l). Leave it for 3 days. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Take 1 tablespoon orally for 30 days. every day.
- Gruel. Take 1-2 heads of garlic and chop with a knife or in a blender. Apply it to the nail. Before application, it is necessary to steam the nail plates by keeping them in hot water with the addition of lemon juice.
- Tincture of alcohol. Add 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic to ¼ cup. Leave it for 2 days. Use the finished product to treat your nails in the morning, afternoon and evening.
What is so scary about nail fungus?
Nail fungus is afraid of the following factors:
- An acidic environment that has an aggressive effect on fungi. To create it, you will need ordinary vinegar or some kind of acid (salicylic, orthoboric). These substances can be used as independent medicines, applying them to a cotton pad or stick, and then to the affected areas. After regular use, rough tissues will become softer and skin tags will decrease in size. Also, due to the acidic environment, mycoses encounter difficulties when trying to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
- Antiseptics and disinfectants. These medications prevent decomposition processes on the surface of open wounds, are suitable for tissue treatment and destroy all infections. The most common medications from this group include tablets and ointments based on ketoconazole and other substances aimed at eliminating fungal infections.
- The heat. If it reaches 60 degrees and above, the chance of survival for microorganisms is almost minimal. At this temperature it dies. Their structure is destroyed, so the disease stops and disappears altogether. As the temperature increases, the healing process is accelerated. Shoes and socks are treated in this way to destroy all spores.
Maintaining hygiene rules
Maintaining good hygiene is the main requirement for people who do not want to be infected with fungi. To protect yourself from the disease, you should:
- disinfect shoes and wash socks regularly;
- use personal cosmetics;
- keeping the body clean;
- nail tools;
- don't walk barefoot on beaches, swimming pools and other crowded places.