Fungal nail infections are a very common phenomenon that affects up to 20% of the population.It is not a life-threatening disease.However, it causes many problems in the form of itching, deformation of the nail plate and discoloration.Pathogenic fungi release toxins that spread throughout the body, increasing its susceptibility to external adverse influences.By knowing how to cure toenail fungus at home, you will be able to solve the problem yourself.
How does infection occur?
Factors that cause the disease include cuts, wounds, abrasions on the legs, and damage caused by wearing tight shoes.Insufficient foot care, especially with excessive sweating, as well as taking antibiotics and decreased immunity, contribute to the appearance of mycosis.
Infection is possible through contact with a sick person, using someone else's shoes, wipes, or the carpet in a room.
Therefore, the greatest probability of contracting a fungus exists when one of the family members suffers from this disease.Skin flakes from a person infected with a fungus can fly into the surrounding space and infect another.
This often happens in crowded places in conditions of high humidity: in a bathhouse, sauna or swimming pool.Fungal infection can occur even in salons that provide manicure and pedicure services, where sanitary standards are not sufficiently controlled.Adults are usually more susceptible to the disease, but sometimes a child's leg can also suffer from the fungus.
Symptoms of the disease
The manifestation of mycosis begins with increased dryness and peeling on the heels and feet.Sometimes redness is observed, accompanied by intense itching, the formation of blisters and calluses.People who suffer from excessive sweating experience diaper rash.The nail changes structure and color, turning yellow and cracking.When the spores penetrate deep into the plate, voids form under it, which are filled with a crumbly mixture and an unpleasant putrid smell occurs.
In its advanced stage, toenail fungus makes it difficult to walk and can cause fever.In such cases, a dermatologist should be contacted immediately.Complications associated with mycosis can manifest in the form of psoriasis and eczema.
There are three types of toenail fungus infection, the symptoms of which differ:
- Vesicular.In this case, the bottom of the foot suffers, in which small fluid-filled blisters form.
- Membrane.It appears between the fingers in the form of cracks.
- Moccasin type.Thickening of the skin appears with the formation of cracks on heels and soles.By capturing the nails, the pathogenic fungus causes alteration of its structure.The body can react with an allergy.
In order not to have to resort to surgical methods to remove the affected nail, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner.He will select the right medications and tell you how to treat toenail fungus at home.
Why are mushrooms dangerous?
The disease is not harmless and can cause serious damage to the human body.Nail fungus is the cause of diseases that are difficult to treat.Eroding the nail plate, it spreads to nearby tissues, becoming a driver for any other infection.Weakened immunity allows the fungus to penetrate internal organs.
Mycosis can also be associated with general intoxication of the body.The toxins released by some types of mushrooms accumulate inside and cause poisoning.The disease also causes serious psychological discomfort, causing negative emotions about its development.
Treatment options
Mycosis can be successfully treated at home with the help of medications and traditional medicine.It is important to start treatment on time.The pulse therapy method is very popular today, when the fungus is eliminated in a short period of time as a result of the use of antifungal agents prescribed in large doses.It is important to take long breaks between courses.
You can cure nail fungus at home using products intended for external use (ointments, gels, varnishes).Created on the basis of fungicidal drugs, they have an effective antifungal effect.The success of treatment depends on the precision with which the type of pathogen and the degree of pathology are determined.Each affected area of the foot may require different medications.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is recommended to combine local agents with systemic ones.An additional way is to use traditional medicine recipes to help speed up the healing process.You can treat nail fungus with the most common products: garlic, vinegar and lemon.
Drug therapy
There is a large selection of medications that are effective against fungal infections.Used both orally and externally.This question of how to treat fingernail and toenail fungus should be addressed by a specialist.Select the appropriate remedy.
Local remedies
At the beginning of the disease, when the area of damage on the nails does not exceed 50%, the problem is solved with the help of ointments and sprays.
Most come in different forms and help kill many types of fungi.The ointment is used 2 times a day, after cleaning and drying the affected area.The lack of results when using the ointment for more than two weeks requires replacing the drug with another to prevent the fungus from developing resistance.
For mild symptoms, home treatment can be carried out with special medical varnishes and serums.
Oral medications
When topical remedies for nail fungus do not have a positive effect, the treating doctor prescribes oral medications that block the ability of microorganisms to reproduce and destroy them.
Combining oral medications with ointments and sprays helps to quickly eliminate toenail fungus.
traditional medicine
Our grandmothers knew well how to treat toenail fungus at home.Since ancient times, all kinds of recipes with garlic, soda, vinegar and other ingredients available in the kitchen of any housewife have been used to solve this problem.Common means are:
- Garlic.It is used to get rid of different types of fungus.Not only on the feet but also helps to treat nail fungus at home, this product is known for its healing properties.To prepare garlic tincture, several cloves are crushed into a paste, mixed in equal parts with alcohol, and the resulting mixture is diluted with a small amount of water.Apply the tincture to the affected nail.You can also use garlic in its pure form;just lubricate the nail plate with finely chopped garlic.
- Nail fungus treatment with vinegar.First, your feet should be completely steamed.Then prepare a bath with vinegar.A warm solution of 9% essence is prepared in a small container.Place your feet inside for 15 minutes.Then clean without rinsing with water.It is recommended to perform vinegar baths for foot treatment at home up to twice a week.
- Iodine.Thanks to the antiseptic and disinfecting effect of the alcohol tincture, the fungus is destroyed.A drop of 5% iodine solution is applied to the nail twice a day for the first week.The number of treatments is then gradually reduced.The course lasts one month.
- Onion.Applying a crushed onion on the nail helps to cope with the fungal infection.
- Lemon.The fruit, cut into thin slices, is placed on the sore nail, wrapped in plastic wrap and fixed with a bandage on top.The procedure is carried out for 12 days.
- Propolis- a product of the beehive, famous for its healing effects.Helps relieve unpleasant symptoms, relieving itching and inflammation.After moistening the tampon in 20% propolis tincture, apply it to the affected area, securing it with a bandage.Propolis helps renew the nail plate.
Prevention
You can protect yourself from fungal nail infections by taking certain preventive measures.To do this, you need to follow the basic rule: avoid walking barefoot in the pool, bathhouse or hostel.Additionally, it is important: not to wear other people's shoes;wash your feet in the morning and at night;take measures to strengthen the immune system (play sports, walk in the fresh air, follow proper nutrition, take vitamins);pay attention to diseases associated with mycosis (diabetes mellitus, gastritis, varicose veins);Treat shoes with formaldehyde or vinegar.
At the first signs of suspected fungal infection, appropriate measures should be taken.At the initial stage, it is much easier to get rid of nail fungus at home than with serious damage.