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 worldwide. This means that this infection is very common and extremely insidious. The disease is extremely unpleasant to the eyes, as areas infected with the fungus look rather disgusting.
If you think that this disease will never affect you, don't promise it: it is easy to catch a fungal infection in any public place: on the beach, in the bathhouse, in the sauna, in the swimming pool, inthe gym and other busy places.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus
In fact, few people know that there are thousands of varieties of fungal infections. But many of them do not cause pain and are not visually visible.
Due to this peculiarity, in the early stages of the disease, a person who has contracted the fungus may not even realize 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 later, advanced stages of the disease, when there is a change in the color of the nail, its deformation and detachment of the upper plate. At the last stage, treatment is difficult, so disease prevention should be observed. This will ensure you avoid infection.
For the prevention and timely treatment of nail fungus, it is important to know that there are three stages of development of a fungal infection that affects the nail plate:
The first stage of the onset of the disease is the absence of clearly expressed symptoms; inconspicuous, barely visible spots and scratches appear on the nails;
Note!
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) can only be diagnosed at an early stage in the hospital, in the laboratory. That is why, if you notice the slightest change in the nail plate, 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 fragility 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.
Nail fungus prevention
Every day, without knowing it, we are confronted with thousands of bacteria that surround us. But almost all of them are absolutely harmless to us, since the immune system is called upon, like an invisible guardian angel, to protect us from diseases.
Note!
Therefore, the first step in preventing nail fungus is a proper and balanced diet. If the body is saturated with minerals, vitamins and beneficial substances, the immune system will work only for you.
Movement is life ! And this is true because practicing sports and 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, which leads to their diseases.
Causes of fungal infection
Hot, humid rooms are a breeding ground for bacteria. You must therefore ensure the cleanliness of your accommodation, particularly in the bathroom and toilets.
It is important!
When visiting public places: water park, bathhouse, swimming pool, sauna, you must dress and wear shoes. And then wash yourself thoroughly and take a shower.
In order not to create a favorable environment for the appearance and proliferation of fungus "under the nose", wear comfortable, preferably natural shoes, socks, stockings, slippers, tights, etc. The inconveniences associated with wearing it can cause calluses, corns and sweating. , and injuries. This leads to the appearance of an alkaline microclimate - an ideal place for the multiplication of mushrooms.
Note!
When visiting beauty salons, you should be attentive and careful. Visit only reliable and recommended places, because we are talking about preserving your health. Having a pedicure, manicure and nail extensions done by a professional is absolutely simple and safe. Wounds, cuts and poorly performed interventions 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 respect 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 plays a role in the spread of the infection, as complications may arise: it can spread from the feet to the stomach, to the groin, to the skinfrom the chest to the armpits.
If a member of your family suffers from foot fungus, it is possible that healthy family members may become infected. Maintain more rigorous personal hygiene than usual, do not wear shoes, towels, brushes, combs, etc. of others.
Traditional treatment for toenail fungus
It is very important not to trigger an infection; you definitely need to contact a specialist for qualified medical help.
Note!
In combination with pharmaceutical drugs, you can use traditional methods of treating toenail fungus, which are very 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 ratio of 1: 1, then carefully moisten a cotton pad with the resulting solution and apply it to the nail affected by the fungus. We secure the top 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 plaque with a healthy one.
Antifungal oil
This aromatic natural oil will help fight fungal foot and nail infections, soothe irritated skin and relieve tired feet.
Ingredients:
- Ef. clove oil - 5 drops;
- Ef. cinnamon bark oil - 5 drops;
- Ef. oil - thyme (thyme) - 20 drops;
- Ef. sage oil - 10 drops;
- Ef. lavender oil - 30 drops;
- Tea tree essential oil - 25 drops;
- Jojoba oil - 100 milliliters.
Preparation:
- Pour the jojoba oils into a dark bottle, add the essential oils and mix vigorously for three minutes.
- Place the bottle in a dark place at normal room temperature and leave for a day for the healing oil to mature.
After this time, the aromatic antifungal oil is ready.
How to use:
Wash your feet well and dry them. Shake the oil in the bottle well and apply a few drops on 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 for the oil to be absorbed. Then we put cotton socks on our feet.
Use the medicated oil two to 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
It is a simple and very effective remedy for treating fungus.
It's useful!
Before going to bed, it is recommended to make compresses from 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 it with a bandage. Leave it on overnight and remove it in the morning. The duration of treatment is four weeks.
Another processing option: Pinch off a small piece of kombucha, remove the film and crush the peeled part to make a paste. Rub the resulting mass into the affected areas three times a day. It is important that for each procedure you take a piece of fresh mushroom.
Baths with celandine decoction
Baths with a decoction of celandine help very well.
- The herb/water ratio is 2: 3. Add the required amount of celandine and water and boil for 3 minutes.
- Strain the broth and steam your feet for half an hour.
- Make lotions from the same decoction on the affected areas.
Baking soda
Using baking soda is effective.
- Therapeutic procedures: apply soda lotions and spray your feet in 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 carefully spray your feet in a soda solution, then wipe them with a clean towel and spread them with celandine oil, sold in pharmacies.
You can, after a soda bath, moisten a cotton swab with celandine oil, place it between your toes and secure it with a bandage. We put a sock on it. This dressing is maintained for 20 minutes.
The procedures should be carried out twice a day for a month.
Antifungal ointment - recipe number 1
Preparation: wash the chicken egg and pour vinegar over it. Store in a dark place until the shell is completely dissolved. Throw away the film, mix the vinegar with the rest of the egg and mix this mass with butter.
Application: The ointment obtained should be applied morning and evening to the areas affected by the fungus. Do this until complete healing, after which you can use the ointment for preventive purposes.
Antifungal ointment - recipe No. 2
Ingredients:
- A raw chicken egg;
- A tablespoon of vegetable oil;
- A tablespoon of vinegar 70% essence.
Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and the healing ointment is ready. We store it in the refrigerator and use it as needed.
Application:
- We spray our feet, wipe them and apply ointment to the areas affected by the fungal infection.
- You need to put a plastic bag on it and fix it with a bandage or put on socks.
- Do the procedure at night and keep it until morning.
The duration of treatment is 30 days.
Antifungal ointment - recipe no. 3
Another popular method of treating toenail fungus using an easy-to-prepare and very effective ointment based on vinegar essence.
Ingredients:
- Raw chicken eggs (preferably from domestic chickens) - 2 pieces;
- Vinegar essence 70% - 1 glass;
- Butter - 200 grams.
Preparation of the ointment:
- 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 softened butter (take the butter out of the refrigerator beforehand).
- Crush the eggs with a fork and mix them with the butter. We should get a homogeneous mass similar to sour cream. Add three tablespoons of acetic acid from the pot in which the eggs were placed to the mixture and mix again.
Store the finished ointment in the refrigerator.
Application:
- Wash your feet and dry them, lubricate the affected areas with ointment and leave to dry for five minutes. The ointment will be quickly absorbed, 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 coat it once a week.
Thanks to the treatment, feet and nails will become clean and healthy, itching and diaper rash will disappear, and the skin will become smooth and healthy.
Antifungal baths
Such therapeutic baths can be carried out daily with the addition of a weak solution of vinegar, potassium permanganate, soda solution and a solution of essential oils.
Note!
Prevention of fungal nail infections should be carried out regularly to avoid recurrence of the disease.
Eucalyptus and Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe juice, eucalyptus oil or eucalyptus tincture also help treat nail fungus. Their use is quite simple: you must lubricate the affected areas three times a day until healed.
Essential oils against foot fungus
Traditional methods of treating toenail fungus with essential oils have proven themselves 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 #1
- In a liter of hot water we need to dilute 20 drops of oil and a teaspoon of shower gel.
- Take baths for 20 minutes until the water cools down. The procedure should be carried out daily until complete healing.
At the end of treatment, preventative baths with tea tree oil (or other oil) once a week are recommended.
Friction oil - method #2
Rub essential oils onto nail plates affected by fungal infections using cotton wool.
To carry out the procedure, you need to wash your feet well 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 for the oil to have a healing effect.
Note!
Lemon essential oil is also good to use for the procedures described; it helps against infections and does not stain the nails, thus 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.
Alcohol tincture of propolis
At the pharmacy, buy a 20% tincture of propolis in alcohol, which you will apply to sore nails using 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 painful nails. Also be sure to treat nearby nails (those that appear healthy).
After about a week or a little earlier, a slight burning sensation and pain around the nail may appear, a sign of successful treatment. If there is severe pain, apply iodine less often.
Mint table salt
The healing properties of common salt will help in the treatment of nail fungus.
For the 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 pharmaceutical preparations
For the treatment and prevention of nail fungus, in combination with folk remedies, it is good to use effective pharmaceutical drugs, this will allow you to quickly cure the disease and prevent its recurrence.
Salicylic ointment
This pharmaceutical drug is often used in the treatment of various skin diseases: lichen, acne, diaper rash. This ointment also helps against fungal infections. It contains 25% salicylic acid.
Instructions for use: coat affected areas 2 to 3 times a day.
Zinc ointment
Another inexpensive "popular" drug sold in pharmacies. The ointment contains zinc oxide and petroleum jelly.
Zinc ointment has no contraindications; it can be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children. This medication should be applied to the affected area up to 5 times a day. However, if the degree of fungus infestation is not very serious, the number of applications can be reduced.
Sulfuric ointment
This medicine contains 10 to 33% sulfur and is a good remedy for treating foot and nail fungus. For treatment, it is best to take a 10% solution. The medicine should be applied 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is one week.
Can be used in the treatment of skin diseases in young children.
Note!
Before using traditional methods of treating toenail fungus or any other medications, consult your doctor.
Treating and preventing nail fungus takes time and a lot of effort; you need to be patient and not wait for a speedy recovery.
It is important to know this!
Nail fungus is exceptionally stubborn and very quickly develops immunity to substances contained in antifungal medications. Therefore, if you become infected with it again or were not treated last time, the medicine previously used will be useless. You should 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, to start treatment on time, to complete it. In this case, you will forget about such an unpleasant disease as nail fungus.
To be in a good health!