Today we will talk about the treatment and prevention of nail fungus, so you know how to get rid of it and prevent the recurrence of this disease.
Statistics show that nail fungus occurs in almost one in ten people in the world. This means that this infection is very common and extremely insidious. The disease is extremely unpleasant for the eyes, because the areas infected with the fungus have a rather repulsive appearance.
If you think that this disease will never affect you, don't promise: it is easy to get a fungal infection in any public place: on the beach, in a bathhouse, in a sauna, in a swimming pool, in a gym and elsewhere. crowded.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus.
In fact, few people know that fungal infections come in thousands of varieties. But many of them do not cause pain and are not visible visually.
Due to this peculiarity, in the initial stages of the disease, a person who has contracted the fungus may not even be aware of it. But several types of fungus can cause pain around and under the nail.
Note!
Since painful symptoms of the fungus are extremely rare, doctors are consulted only in the late advanced stages of the disease, when there is a change in the color of the nail, its deformation and detachment from the upper plate. In the last stage, treatment is difficult, so prevention of the disease must be observed. This will ensure that you avoid infections.
For the prevention and timely treatment of nail fungus, it is important to know that there are three stages in the development of a fungal infection that affects the nail plate:
The first stage of the appearance of the disease is the absence of clearly expressed symptoms; Inconspicuous, barely visible spots and stripes appear on the nails;
Note!
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) can be diagnosed at an early stage only in a hospital, in a laboratory. Therefore, if you notice the slightest change on the nail surface, consult a doctor immediately!
The second stage of onychomycosis is a change in the color of the nail plate, loss of shine, deformation of its lateral and upper parts:
The third advanced stage of the fungus is severe delamination and brittleness of the nail, which can lead to its complete loss.
In addition, a fungal infection affects the skin around the nail, which is accompanied by unpleasant sensations of itching, burning and pain.
Prevention of nail fungus disease.
Every day, without knowing it, we face thousands of bacteria that surround us. But almost all of them are absolutely harmless to us, since the immune system, like an invisible guardian angel, is called upon to protect us from diseases.
Note!
Therefore, the first step to prevent nail fungus is an adequate and balanced diet. If the body is saturated with minerals, vitamins and useful substances, the immune system will work only for you.
Movement is life! And this is true, because practicing sports and leading an active lifestyle makes us healthy, strong and resilient both physically and spiritually. Physical activity prevents diseases of the cardiovascular system.
If blood circulation is impaired, the protective functions of the skin of the hands, feet and nails do not work properly, leading to diseases.
Causes of fungal infection
Warm, humid rooms are a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure cleanliness in your home, particularly in the bathroom and toilet.
It is important!
When visiting public places: water park, bathhouse, swimming pool, sauna, it is necessary to dress and wear shoes. And then wash well and take a bath.
In order not to create an environment conducive to the appearance and proliferation of fungus "under the nose", wear shoes, socks, tights, slippers, pantyhose, etc. , comfortable, preferably natural, and discomfort when wearing them can cause corns, calluses and sweating. and wounds. This leads to the appearance of an alkaline microclimate, an ideal place for fungal multiplication.
Note!
When visiting beauty salons you have to be careful and careful. Visit only trusted and recommended places, because we are talking about preserving your health. Getting a pedicure, manicure and nail extensions from a professional is absolutely safe and easy. Wounds, cuts, and poorly performed procedures are the gateway to infections.
It is important to know that you cannot wear someone else's shoes, as this will harm your health. We strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene.
This is important to know!
The fungus must be treated quickly and thoroughly. The disease does not go away on its own and time only contributes to the spread of the infection, as complications can arise: it can spread from the feet to the stomach, groin, skin of the chest and armpits.
If someone in your family has foot fungus, there is a chance that healthy family members could become infected. Maintain personal hygiene more carefully than usual, do not use shoes, towels, brushes, combs, etc. from other persons.
Traditional treatment for toenail fungus.
It is very important not to start an infection; you should definitely contact a specialist for qualified medical help.
Note!
In combination with medications, traditional methods of treating toenail fungus can be used, which are quite effective and will help get rid of this unpleasant disease.
Vinegar compress for nail fungus.
Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil - two tablespoons;
- Apple cider vinegar: two tablespoons.
Preparation and use:
- Mix vinegar and oil in a 1: 1 ratio, then moisten a cotton pad well with the resulting solution and apply it to the nail affected by the fungus. We secure the upper part with an adhesive plaster or bandage.
- Leave the compress on overnight and remove it in the morning. We use a vinegar compress to treat the fungus until the affected nail completely replaces the diseased plate with a healthy one.
antifungal oil
This aromatic natural oil will help fight foot and nail fungal infections, soothe irritated skin, and soothe tired feet.
Ingredients:
- Eph. clove oil - 5 drops;
- Eph. cinnamon bark oil - 5 drops;
- Eph. oil - thyme (thyme) - 20 drops;
- Eph. sage oil - 10 drops;
- Eph. lavender oil - 30 drops;
- Tea tree essential oil - 25 drops;
- Jojoba oil - 100 milliliters.
Preparation:
- Pour jojoba oils into a dark bottle, add essential oils and mix vigorously for three minutes.
- Place the jar in a dark place at normal room temperature and leave for a day for the healing oil to mature.
After this time, the antifungal aromatic oil will be ready.
How to use:
Wash your feet well and dry them. Shake the oil in the bottle well and apply a few drops to both legs. Even if the fungus has affected one foot, we also apply a healing agent to the second foot for preventive purposes.
Apply the oil to your nails and between your toes, massage the skin a little and wait until the oil is absorbed. Then we put cotton socks on our feet.
Use the medicated oil two or three times a day; It can also be applied to acne and wounds. The oil can be stored for up to two years in a cool place.
tea mushroom
This is a simple and very good remedy to treat fungus.
This is helpful!
Before going to bed, it is recommended to make compresses with a strong infusion of kombucha, and the longer the mushroom is infused, the better.
For the procedure: you need to steam your feet in warm water, apply a kombucha compress and secure with a bandage. Leave it overnight and remove it in the morning. The course of treatment is four weeks.
Another treatment option: pinch a small piece of kombucha, remove the film and grind the peeled part into a paste. Rub the resulting mass into the affected areas three times a day. It is important that for each procedure it is necessary to take a fresh piece of mushroom.
Baths with celandine decoction.
Baths with celandine decoction help very well.
- The ratio between grass and water is 2: 3. Add the necessary amount of celandine and water and boil for 3 minutes.
- Strain the broth and steam the feet for half an hour.
- Make lotions with the same decoction on the affected areas.
Baking soda
The use of baking soda is effective.
- Therapeutic procedures: apply soda lotions and steam your feet in a soda solution.
- Soda solution recipe: for three liters of hot water, one tablespoon of soda. Mix the soda well until it is completely dissolved.
- You need to steam your feet well with a soda solution, then dry them with a clean towel and smear them with celandine oil, which is sold in the pharmacy.
You can, after a soda bath, moisten a cotton swab with celandine oil, place it between the toes and secure it with a plaster. We put a sock on top. We keep this bandage for 20 minutes.
The procedures should be done twice a day for a month.
Fungus ointment - recipe number 1
Preparation: wash the chicken egg and pour vinegar over it. Keep in a dark place until the peel is completely dissolved. Throw away the film, mix the vinegar with the rest of the egg and mix this dough with butter.
Application: The resulting ointment should be applied to the areas affected by the fungus in the morning and evening. Do this until you fully recover, after which you can use the ointment for preventive purposes.
Fungus ointment - recipe number 2
Ingredients:
- A raw chicken egg;
- A tablespoon of vegetable oil;
- A tablespoon of 70% essence vinegar.
Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients well and the healing ointment is ready. We keep it in the refrigerator and use it as needed.
Application:
- We steam our feet, dry them, and apply ointment to the areas affected by the fungal infection.
- It is necessary to put a plastic bag on top and secure it with a bandage or put on socks.
- Carry out the procedure at night and keep it until the morning.
The course of treatment is 30 days.
Fungus ointment - recipe number 3
Another popular method to treat toenail fungus is to use a very effective and easy-to-prepare ointment based on vinegar essence.
Ingredients:
- Raw chicken eggs (preferably from domestic chickens) - 2 pieces;
- Vinegar essence 70% - 1 glass;
- Butter - 200 grams.
Ointment preparation:
- Wash the eggs, put them in a half-liter jar and fill them with vinegar essence so that it covers the contents of the jar.
- Place the jar in a dark place for 10 days, during which time the eggshells will completely dissolve into the essence.
- We take the eggs out of the jar with a fork, remove the film, put them in a bowl and add soft butter (we take the butter out of the refrigerator in advance).
- Mash the eggs with a fork and mix them with the butter. We should obtain a homogeneous mass similar to sour cream. Add three tablespoons of acetic acid from the jar in which the eggs were placed to the mixture and mix again.
Store the finished ointment in the refrigerator.
Application:
- Wash and dry your feet, lubricate the affected areas with ointment and let them dry for five minutes. The ointment will be absorbed quickly, then put on clean socks and go to bed.
- Use for a month, every day at night. Then, when you feel that the disease is passing, you should smear it once a week.
As a result of the treatment, the feet and nails will be clean and healthy, itching and diaper rash will disappear, and the skin will be soft and healthy.
Antifungal baths
These therapeutic baths can be done daily with the addition of a weak solution of vinegar, potassium permanganate, a solution of soda and a solution of essential oils.
Note!
Prevention of fungal nail infections should be done regularly to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Eucalyptus and Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe juice, eucalyptus oil or eucalyptus tincture also help in the treatment of nail fungus. Its use is quite simple: it is necessary to lubricate the affected areas three times a day until recovery.
Essential oils for foot fungus.
Traditional methods of treating toenail fungus with essential oils have proven effective in practice, as they have good antifungal properties.
Oils to use: tea tree, lemon, fir, sandalwood, patchouli.
Contraindications: individual intolerance, pregnancy.
tea tree oil
Let's look at the main points of using essential oils using tea tree as an example. This recipe can be used with other oils.
Baths - method number 1
- In a liter of hot water we must dilute 20 drops of oil and a teaspoon of shower gel.
- Bathe for 20 minutes until the water cools. The procedure must be performed every day until complete recovery.
At the end of the treatment, preventive baths with tea tree oil (or other oil) are recommended once a week.
Rubbing oil - method n. #2
Rub essential oils into the nail plates affected by fungal infections with a cotton pad.
To carry out the procedure, it is necessary to wash your feet thoroughly with laundry soap and dry them. Then rub the oil on the affected areas and let it absorb. It is not necessary to wash your feet after rubbing them for the oil to have a healing effect.
Note!
Lemon essential oil is also good for the procedures described, it helps against infections and does not stain the nails, maintaining their natural appearance.
The duration of treatment is three or even four months, it all depends on the patient's immunity and the stage of the fungus.
Alcoholic tincture of propolis.
At the pharmacy, buy a 20% tincture of propolis in alcohol, which is applied to sore nails with a cotton swab. Perform this procedure daily.
Soon you will see the result: the diseased nail will disappear and a new one will grow.
Sea salt
Take sea salt baths daily for a week. Lubricate your feet with fresh celandine juice three times a day for 3 months.
Treatment of fungus with iodine.
Every day for 3 weeks, morning and evening, apply a drop of iodine to sore nails. Be sure to also treat neighboring nails (the ones that appear healthy).
After about a week or a little earlier, a slight burning sensation and pain may appear around the nail - a sign of successful treatment. For severe pain, apply iodine less frequently.
table salt with mint
The healing properties of common salt will help in the treatment of nail fungus.
For preparation:
- Mix finely chopped mint with salt in a 1: 1 ratio.
- The resulting pulp should be placed on the affected nail plates and between the toes.
Repeat until the infection is completely cured.
Ointments and pharmacy preparations.
For the treatment and prevention of nail fungus, in combination with folk remedies, it is good to use effective pharmaceutical medications, this will allow you to quickly cure the disease and prevent its recurrence.
salicylic ointment
This drug is often used in the treatment of various skin diseases: lichen, acne, diaper rash. This ointment also helps with fungal infections. Contains 25% salicylic acid.
Method of use: spread the affected areas 2 - 3 times a day.
zinc ointment
Another inexpensive "popular" medicine sold in pharmacies. The ointment contains zinc oxide and petroleum jelly.
Zinc ointment has no contraindications; It can be used by women during pregnancy and nursing mothers, as well as children. This medication should be applied to the affected area up to 5 times a day. However, if the degree of fungal appearance is not very severe, the number of applications can be reduced.
sulfuric ointment
This medicine contains 10 to 33% sulfur and is a good remedy for the treatment of foot and nail fungus. For treatment, it is better to take a 10% solution. The medicine should be applied 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment is one week.
It can be used in the treatment of skin diseases in young children.
Note!
Before using traditional methods to treat toenail fungus or any other medications, consult your doctor.
Treating and preventing nail fungus takes time and a lot of effort; You have to be patient and not expect a quick recovery.
It's important to know!
Nail fungus is unusually tenacious and very quickly develops immunity to the substances included in antifungal medications. Therefore, if you become infected again or did not receive treatment last time, the medicine used previously will be useless. You need to buy a drug with a completely different principle of action.
It is recommended to consult a doctor in a timely manner for diagnosis, not to let the disease progress, start treatment on time, complete it, in this case you will forget about such an unpleasant disease as nail fungus.
Be healthy!