The problem of nail fungal infection is quite common. According to the WHO, every 10 people in the world suffer from this unpleasant disease. You can become infected with it if the basic rules of personal hygiene are not followed or in public places - baths, swimming pools, saunas, gym locker rooms.
Mycosis does not pose a serious health hazard, but it is uncomfortable and very difficult to get rid of. In advanced cases, therapy lasts for many months. For effective treatment, the main thing is to recognize the first symptoms of the disease in time and consult a dermatologist. Along with drug therapy, the doctor may prescribe the use of traditional medicine recipes that help speed up the healing process.
Signs of the disease
It is difficult to determine onychomycosis at the initial stage. Therefore, it is important not to miss the manifestations of progressive damage. The first "alarm bells" can be considered the following:
- change in color, structure, shine of the nail;
- the appearance of tuberosity, growth disturbance;
- delamination, destruction;
- pathological thickening;
- delineated bands of mycelium distribution;
- pain syndrome when walking;
- pungent, unpleasant odor;
- redness, peeling of nearby skin;
- decay of the nail rollers.
Almost always, the thumb suffers first (pathogens penetrate the most traumatic area - the corner edge of the nail).
Important!
If even a few symptoms are found, you should immediately consult a doctor. A timely visit to a medical facility will ensure the maximum effectiveness of the treatment.
Medication for toenail fungus
If you suspect a fungal infection, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. After carrying out all the tests, he will prescribe the correct treatment. To achieve a quick therapeutic effect, a complex fight against the fungus is recommended, consisting of oral agents and external preparations. Ointment with a greasy base is not used in the treatment of nail mycosis. This is due to the poor penetration of this pharmacological form into the surface of the stratum corneum.
Healing varnish
In recent years, antifungal drugs in the form of varnishes have become widespread. It is advisable to use them only in cases of weak lesions. In advanced diseases, this type of external remedy will not bring the desired result. They are produced in a bottle with a brush, which looks like a regular cosmetic varnish.
Tablets
Along with topical preparations, oral agents are used. The tablets have an effect on the entire body, help to get rid of the infection as soon as possible.
External remedies
You can treat mycoses with various sprays, creams, oils. Due to their local action, they do not harm the liver. The disadvantage of this method is the duration of use.
Laser treatment
With prolonged, unsuccessful attempts to remove nail fungus, you should think about laser therapy. This method is effective in getting rid of neglected lesions.
The course is 6-10 procedures, during which the affected areas of the nail plate are removed. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue to the location of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
The advantages of the technique:
- lack of pain during the procedure;
- no dosage forms are required;
- has no side and allergic reactions.
According to doctors, the laser is the fastest way to get rid of the problem. However, no matter how miraculous the treatment is, it has a number of limitations to its use:
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- malignant neoplasms;
- serious violations of the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting a treatment course, it is imperative to undergo an examination of the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is quite popular. But they should be used wisely, after consulting with your doctor.
Propolis
The waste product of bees is known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the affected nail falls off, and a healthy one grows in its place. After the symptoms disappear, it is important not to stop the procedure, because the infection may reappear.
Natural propolis is used three times a day. A piece is applied to the steamed nail and left for 30 minutes. The first results will appear in a couple of months.
Another alternative medicine recipe is alcohol tincture:
- Stir 30 g of propolis in 120 g of rubbing alcohol. Leave in a cool, dark place for 2 days;
- Before the procedure, steam your feet in a solution with laundry soap;
- Dry, cut off infected areas as much as possible, cut off the layer of the nail plate;
- Moisten cotton wool with tincture and secure with a bandage on the sore area overnight;
- Carry out treatment for at least two months.
In order to prevent infection, healthy nails are wiped daily with tincture.
Important!
The main requirement of any of the recipes is well-steamed nails. Don't forget this rule.
Vinegar
At home, vinegar is often used - apple cider or table vinegar. Traditional healers offer three ways to use the essence:
- Make a mixture of iodine and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions. Lubricate the affected areas with a solution twice a day for six months;
- Mix 2 tbsp. l. vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree oil extract, minced garlic clove. The resulting mixture is applied to the plate 2-3 times a day;
- A glass of vinegar is added to the steaming bath. The baths are done three times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
The poisonous plant helps to quickly remove the fungus. Use it carefully so as not to burn your skin.
Fresh plant juice can be used. Pluck the grass, rinse and rotate in a meat grinder. Squeeze the juice out of the resulting mass. In a glass container, mix 200 g of extract and rubbing alcohol. The solution is insisted in a dark place for two days. The mixture is applied to the nails 3-4 times a day after thorough steaming.
The pharmacy chain sells ready-made celandine oil. It lubricates the nail plate after careful processing (steaming, removing the affected areas, wiping with peroxide).
White
The remedy that we are used to whitening things, used in the household, can also be used in the treatment of onychomycosis. Whiteness has a powerful antibacterial effect. Every other day, apply the liquid to the nails until the plate is completely renewed.
Egg
For treatment, you need to make an ointment. Put an egg in a glass and pour vinegar essence for several days. The shell should dissolve. Remove the film from the egg and mix with the remaining liquid. Add butter until thick.
The resulting product is applied to infected nails before bedtime, wrapped in a bandage. The procedure is carried out for 5-6 weeks.
Iodine
For the treatment of mycoses, an alcohol solution of iodine is suitable. It should be applied twice a day with a cotton swab. For prophylaxis, the procedure is carried out on healthy nails once a day. It is useful to make steaming baths with the addition of iodine.
Tea mushroom
In folk medicine, it is used to treat various diseases, including onychomycosis. A plate of kombucha is placed on the affected area, covered with polyethylene on top, and fixed with a bandage. The compress is left overnight. In the morning, the dead layer must be removed, lubricated with iodine.
Hydrogen peroxide
A powerful antiseptic that successfully fights mycosis. After careful preparation, cotton wool is applied to the nail plate, abundantly moistened with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. To prevent the active substance from evaporating, cover it with polyethylene on top. The compress is left for 1 hour. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day until a healthy nail grows back.
Ammonia
This remedy has shown good results when treated at home. In a glass of water, 1 tbsp is diluted. l. ammonia. A compress is made with the resulting solution overnight. The main requirement is to steam the nails until they are soft.
Baths with ammonium hydroxide also help to cure mycosis. Mix in hot water 3 tbsp. l. baking soda, ammonia, 30-40 g of liquid soap. In such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails softens faster.
Baking soda
Before using any antifungal agent, be sure to steam the nails. Soda baths work well to prevent the spread of infection. For 3 liters of hot water, 2 tbsp is taken. l. powder. For the best effect, you can add 1 tbsp. l. grated laundry soap.
They also make lotions with soda. 100 g is diluted with water until a slurry is formed, which is applied to the nails. After 15-20 minutes, the mixture is washed off.
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is known for its strong antiseptic properties. Used for baths before applying other medicinal products.
Important!
You have to be careful with manganese so as not to get burned. For safe use, you need to take no more than 3 crystals and dissolve them thoroughly in water.
Birch tar
It has an antiseptic effect and can be used neat or in the form of a soap. Tar is applied to the nail at bedtime after processing. It is used until recovery.
Salt
You can use cookery or seafood. A mixture of soda and salt is made in equal proportions, it is diluted with a small amount of cold water. The solution is abundantly lubricated with nails, and after 10 minutes they are washed off. During the procedure, you may feel a burning sensation.
Before using the drug, the coarse stratum corneum of the bath with salt is well steamed.
If there is no increased dryness of the skin, you can soak your feet in a solution of laundry soap and table or sea salt. This procedure has a bactericidal, drying effect.
Novocaine
Traditional medicine recommends using the drug to wipe the nails and skin around. After treatment, cotton wool moistened with an aqueous solution of novocaine is applied to the affected areas and fixed with a bandage. After an hour, the compress is removed. Daily procedures can relieve pain, burning, itching.
For the best effect of the treatment, experts advise to do a medical pedicure procedure. It is cutting the nail with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The causative agent of onychomycosis is a tenacious organism. Spores can remain viable in the environment for months, pending favorable conditions for growth.
In order not to become infected with pathogenic microflora, the following rules should be observed:
- in public areas (baths, saunas, swimming pools), be sure to wear your own removable shoes;
- wear clean socks daily;
- after taking a shower, bath, thoroughly dry your feet and the area between your toes;
- do not wear someone else's shoes;
- treat the injured skin surface with an antiseptic;
- use personal pedicure tools;
- fight excessive sweating of the feet;
- coming from the street, dry wet shoes;
- monitor the state of immunity.
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. The main requirement for the prevention of mycoses is strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene.
Good immunity is an important factor in preventing disease. People with weakened body defenses are more likely to become infected with infections. Taking vitamin complexes, immunostimulating drugs is the first step in the prevention of mycosis.
If signs of illness are detected in a loved one living in the same apartment, you should use medicated protective equipment. Prophylactic agents are produced in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
For preventive purposes, the remedies recommended by traditional medicine are also suitable. Iodine is applied to the surface of the nails once a day. You can also rub your feet with a vinegar solution.
Fungus treatment is a rather laborious and lengthy process. Complex therapy with pharmacy and folk remedies helps to speed up the healing process.
For effective treatment, it is important to recognize the first signs of onychomycosis in time and consult a doctor. Only in a medical institution it is possible to carry out tests, to correctly determine the type of pathogen. After this, adequate treatment is prescribed, which will lead to healing.