Nail fungus can cause a lot of trouble not only to an infected person, but also to his loved ones. This disease is transmitted both through personal contact and in general household conditions. This fact means only one thing - the fungus should be treated without fail, and the measures should be comprehensive: if the problem arose on the nails, then it is also present on the skin of the legs. Moreover, local remedies must be combined with oral medications. This is the only way to defeat the disease at home.
Preparation and Precautions
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease caused by fungi - dermatophytes, microsporia, etc. , so it is very important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. After the examination, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations to confirm the diagnosis and select an effective therapy. If you also want to use folk remedies, you need to discuss this with your doctor. Consultation with a specialist will allow you to deal with the problem effectively and safely.
It is important to use medicines according to the instructions and recommendations of the doctor, as some drugs can give a negative result when in contact with the skin.
If you or someone in the family has nail fungus, special attention must be paid to hygiene in order to avoid infecting those who are still healthy.
Why does the fungus appear and its types
The spores of the fungus are microscopic and live where a person lives. About 70, 000 fungi are known, but those that cause diseases are the most dangerous.
How does it turn out that one person is healthy, and the other "caught" the fungus? The following reasons may contribute to this:
- Wounds on the legs, abrasions, calluses.
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Decreased body defenses.
- Excessive sweating of the feet (hyperhidrosis).
The type of fungus that struck the nail plate can only be determined by a dermatologist after passing the tests. Sometimes it is possible to understand by visual inspection which species caused the disease:
- Dermatophytes. The lesion appears as yellowish spots or stripes. The progressive stage is characterized by the acquisition of a brighter shade and the defeat of the entire plate.
- Yeast. They affect the color and structure of the nail folds, causing inflammation and suppuration.
- Moldy. They do not penetrate very deeply and appear as dark and black spots.
It is worth noting that the stronger the lesion, the more pronounced the symptoms and signs of the fungus.
Symptoms and signs of damage
Successful treatment depends directly on the correct and timely diagnosis. If you are attentive to yourself, be sure to notice the manifestations of the fungus on the toenails. The following symptoms and signs should alert:
- Change the color of the plate. The color may indicate the type of fungus that caused the disease. You may notice yellow, gray, black, green, and blue spots or streaks on your nails.
- Change in the density of the nail. If you see thinning or, conversely, thickening of the nails, you need to visit a doctor.
- Itching and burning. Occur systematically and cause discomfort.
- Violation of the integrity of the plate. The nail may become cracked. Also, dry skin on the heels indicates a fungal infection.
Unpleasant sensations arise due to the effects of fungal toxins on the skin and nails, so the sooner you see a doctor and start treatment, the sooner a full recovery will come. If the fungus is not treated, you can completely lose the nail or several nail plates. Also, toxins poison the body and can provoke eczema.
Effective folk methods of struggle
Folk methods will help get rid of the fungus, especially at the initial stage. I present the most common recipes for fighting the disease.
Vinegar
Used for baths. Preparing for the procedure is simple: take 5 liters of water at a temperature of 50 degrees, add 9% acetic acid and place your feet in a container. The procedure lasts 15 minutes, after which the feet are wiped dry and cotton socks are put on.
Hydrogen peroxide
First, the feet are steamed in a soda bath, after which the damaged areas of the nail plate are removed. Next, a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide is applied to the nail and covered with polyethylene. Such a compress should remain for an hour. The procedure is carried out twice a day.
Iodine
Nail platinum is smeared with iodine tincture 2 times a day. You can also make baths by adding 3 liters of water and 2 teaspoons of iodine.
Propolis
Propolis has an antimycotic effect on the skin of the legs and nail plates both when using tinctures and as part of ointments and baths. Add a tablespoon of propolis to a basin of water. After the procedure, you can apply the remedy for half an hour to the focus of the disease.
Potassium permanganate and vinegar
Baths with potassium permanganate and vinegar also do an excellent job with the fungus. To prepare the product, add a liter of table vinegar and a little potassium permanganate to 3 liters of water. The course of treatment is 7 days.
Essential oils
Apply some oil on your wrist to test for allergies. If after 12 hours no strange signs appear, you can use a remedy to combat the fungus. The most effective option is tea tree oil. 5 drops of oil are needed per liter of liquid. And the extract itself is applied to the nail plate after the cleansing procedure.
decoctions of herbs
- Sage and mint. Can be taken orally as a tea or used in baths. The infusion is drunk throughout the day, and the bath is done before bedtime.
- Calamus root. For 250 ml of water, take 15 g of chopped root. The decoction helps fight a variety of infections. Drink it for a month.
- Japanese Sophora. It has established itself as a tool that effectively improves immunity, helps to normalize the functioning of internal organs. To prepare the tincture, take 0. 5 vodka and add 50 g of sophora fruit to it. Take a teaspoon before meals. Course - 2 months.
- Oak bark. It has a detrimental effect on mold and helps to get rid of the fungus. Baths are prepared as follows: combine 1 liter of liquid with 5 tbsp. spoons of bark and boil for 20 minutes. Use for baths when the temperature of the broth reaches 40 degrees. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
Tar
Sold in the form of an ointment. You can purchase a 10% or 30% remedy to achieve the effect. It is necessary to use it after water procedures before going to bed. The affected nail is covered with ointment.
Tea mushroom
A small piece is applied to the affected nail and fixed with a bandage. In the morning, the bandage is removed, the nails are washed with warm water, the damaged areas are cut off and the fingers are treated with hydrogen peroxide.
Compresses and tinctures
- Garlic. To treat toenail fungus, you can use the gruel from the plant. You need to cook it every evening and apply for 40 minutes.
- Rowan leaves. Grind and apply all night.
- Thyme. The tincture is prepared from the dry plant. It will take 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water. You need to steam your legs every day until recovery occurs.
- Lilac. The tincture will also help eliminate the fungus. For 100 ml of alcohol, 10 g of lilac is required. The affected areas are lubricated until the problem disappears completely.
Pharmaceutical preparations and creams
When symptoms of the fungus appear, topical treatment should be started as soon as possible. For this, pharmacy creams, varnishes, drops will go.
Tablets will also help to achieve maximum effectiveness in the fight against the disease. They are combined with external preparations. In the pharmacy, you can buy products of various prices and effectiveness.
Removal of affected nails
Means for removing affected nails are also used, but already in critical condition.
- Chemical. Carried out in a dermatological office. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. The doctor removes the stratum corneum with a special nail file and a scalpel. Then the doctor treats the entire surface of the foot and nails with an antiseptic, after which he applies an ointment-paste. A sterile material is applied on top, the affected fingers are bandaged. After 4 days, these areas are sanitized with an antiseptic and treated with an antifungal agent.
- Mechanical. A mycologist or dermatologist removes the affected nails with a special apparatus. Before and after the procedure, the feet are treated with an antiseptic solution.
- Surgical. It is considered obsolete in medical practice. The manipulation is carried out by the surgeon. The patient is given local anesthesia with lidocaine solution. After removal, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic ointment is applied, a sterile bandage is applied, followed by fixation with a bandage. In the evening, the fingers must be kept in a saline solution. Bandaging is done in a clinic.
What is the best way to treat advanced foot fungus?
One of the modern methods of getting rid of the fungus on the feet and nails is treatment with laser therapy. This technique is used in cases where traditional topical treatment and treatment with oral preparations have failed. The advantages of this procedure are very impressive:
- painlessness;
- no side effects;
- performance.
But laser fungus removal also has contraindications:
- Diabetes.
- The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
- Violation in the functioning of internal organs.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- The presence of skin diseases.
- Oncological diseases.
- Tan.
- Chemical peeling.
Preparation for laser exposure is carried out as follows: steam off the damaged nail and cut as much as possible. Get tested beforehand. The duration of treatment is about 6 procedures.
Features of the treatment of fungus during pregnancy
Treatment of the fungus during the period of bearing a child has its own characteristics. It is necessary to take into account the fact that pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on the expectant mother, therefore, when eliminating the problem, only topical preparations are used.
The use of therapeutic varnishes is recommended. First of all, the expectant mother should consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and receive recommendations for the upcoming treatment.
If a pregnant woman has suffered from a fungus before, she should carry out prophylaxis in order to avoid an exacerbation of the disease during this crucial period.
Opinions and reviews of doctors about home treatment
Toenail fungus is a medical problem and should be dealt with in conjunction with a qualified professional. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner to clarify the diagnosis, which also focuses on precautions when visiting public baths and saunas, swimming pools, showers in hotels. It is these places that often become a source of infection.
Self-diagnosis followed by self-treatment, according to experts, can aggravate the situation, especially considering that some fungi are resistant to certain drugs. Only the right therapy will ensure a quick recovery and a lasting result.
Doctors focus the attention of patients who are expecting a child on a mandatory visit to a specialist before the pregnant woman begins to use folk remedies and buy drugs at the pharmacy.
Prevention of the appearance of the fungus
To avoid the appearance of nail fungus is possible only with systematic prevention. The following measures will help to achieve good results:
- Wash your feet with soap every day.
- Apply antiseptics in the form of sprays or talc.
- Dry wet shoes thoroughly.
- If you visit public baths, swimming pools, take personal hygiene items, change of shoes with you.
- Periodically treat the manicure set with an antiseptic.
Following these simple guidelines will help protect against foot and nail fungus.
Your health depends entirely on your personal relationship with your body. If you have had a fungus before or are experiencing unusual symptoms, visit a doctor to confirm the diagnosis or refute it.
Pay close attention to the appearance of itchy feet, peeling, changes in the structure and color of the nail plates, the appearance of spots or stripes. This will not only identify the disease, but also effectively deal with it. But the advanced stages of the fungus bring not only additional discomfort, but also have a negative impact on the health of the whole organism. In addition, there is an aesthetic side: the affected nails eventually fade, exfoliate, and an unpleasant odor comes from the legs.