Nail fungus or onychomycosis is not just a cosmetic defect on the skin, but a rather serious disease that requires the right approach to treatment. If timely assistance is not provided, the nail may become deformed or completely destroyed, and sometimes the advanced disease is accompanied by damage to internal tissues. This infection can be overcome in various ways, including traditional medicine recipes and the use of disinfectants.
Signs of developing nail fungus
Nail fungus is a common disease characterized by damage to the nail plate. You can become infected with it in public places, at recreation centers and simply in everyday conditions. Spores of parasitic microorganisms live in household and personal hygiene items, carpets and bed linen for a long time after disinfection. Therefore, there is a risk of re-infection.
Signs of the fungus differ at different stages of the disease. The initial symptoms are quite mild. The patient does not attach much importance to the infection and takes its treatment lightly.
The disease itself begins to develop in the interdigital folds. There is slight flaking and itching. After this, the infection affects the most vulnerable places on the legs – the nails. After a while, the fungus penetrates the internal tissues, where it begins to develop rapidly. The following signs indicate this:
- the appearance of growths on the nail, thickening of the nail fold;
- the nail plate changes its natural color to a pale yellow tint, and in the later stages even darkens;
- cracks and removal of the top layer on the nail;
- burning, painful sensations that cause difficulty walking;
- development of infectious agents that cause a specific odor;
- redness of the skin on the affected finger.
How does mycosis become infected?
The appearance of fungus on the nails is due to the following factors:
- The presence of a parasitic fungus that provokes the development of the disease. The fungus is caused not by one infection, but by a number of different microorganisms, due to which the nature of the disease is ambiguous. Depending on the pathogen, a course of treatment is prescribed, so diagnosis is simply necessary for the patient.
- Favorable conditions for the development of mycoses. Even if it enters the body through microcracks in the skin, the virus does not pose any particular danger to humans: the immune system can easily cope with an unidentified object. The risk of developing fungus increases significantly in people who wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, are prone to excessive sweating, have fat deposits, or abuse alcohol and tobacco products. Long-term use of medications and reduced acidity of the feet can also weaken the body’s protective function.
Without these two conditions, the development of nail fungus is impossible. To prevent its development, it is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not walk barefoot in public places (swimming pools, beaches), and do not wear someone else’s shoes and underwear.
What the fungus cannot tolerate
Fungal microorganisms are very resistant to external factors, but in some cases they cannot withstand and die. Medicines and traditional medicine recipes necessarily contain special ingredients that have a detrimental effect on mycosis. These include some vegetables, iodine, vinegar and other organic products.
Traditional methods of combating nail fungus
Traditional methods will help stop the spread of infection and neutralize it inside the nail. The main advantage of such recipes is that they are easy to prepare and consist of effective ingredients that do not require high financial costs.
Vinegar is a kind of chemical weapon that creates an acidic environment that is dangerous for infection. They can be used to treat nails, make compresses and baths, but all this is prohibited if there are open wounds and cracks on the fingers. Positive changes are noticeable after a month of using vinegar.
- For the recipe you will need 2 tbsp. vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Mix thoroughly and add 1 tsp. glycerin. Apply 1 drop of the product to the affected nail and rub in with smooth movements. Treat until the fungus completely disappears.
- Apple cider vinegar baths. Pour 2-4 glasses of liquid into a shallow basin and immerse your feet in it. You can dilute with warm water and add a little baking soda to enhance the effect. Keep your feet in the container for 3 hours.
- Ointment for feet. Mix beaten chicken egg, sunflower oil (20 ml) and vinegar (40 ml). It is advisable to add repudin (5 g). Apply the mixture to the nail and finger.
Salt has good anti-inflammatory properties, and also kills pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation of skin areas. It is better to take baths in which the salt is dissolved in water. Thanks to this, the acid and alkali contained in it have a stronger effect on the affected areas. This method of treatment provides a double effect: the acidic environment, together with the high temperature of the water, kills dangerous mycoses.
- Apply a few pinches of salt between your toes. Leave for 1 hour. Repeat the procedure twice a day.
- Therapeutic baths. In 4 liters of water, stir 0. 1 kg of salt (table or sea salt is suitable) and 4 tbsp. vinegar. Apply every day.
- Heat 3 liters of water. Add 2-3 tbsp. salt and 0. 5 tsp. potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), stir thoroughly. The course of treatment lasts 1. 5 weeks. Can be used for preventive purposes.
- Red pepper strengthens nails well, makes the epidermis stronger, which allows it to resist harmful bacteria. It contains many microelements that stimulate natural processes and improve blood circulation.
- Pepper mask. Mix 1 tbsp. ground pepper, 2 tsp. water and 3 tbsp. cosmetic hand cream. The product will help restore the nail plate. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil if desired.
Iodine is a strong natural antiseptic. It is mainly used for severe forms of fungus, when the infection has already affected the tissue around the nail. This is an effective remedy that can be purchased at an affordable price at any pharmacy. It is used to eliminate infections from wounds and cauterize nail growths. Iodine also breaks down proteins that make up parasitic fungi.
- After any bath, you need to treat the skin of your legs, feet and nails with iodine. This will disinfect the affected areas and dry them. The procedure is carried out 3 times in a row after the previous layer of iodine has dried.
- Apply 1 drop of iodine to the affected nail, avoiding contact with surrounding tissue. They can be spread with thick cream before doing this. Iodine will affect the source of infection. Toenail fungus is afraid of this like fire.
- Lotions with iodine. Apply the liquid to a cotton pad or swab and then apply it to the site of infection.
Garlic against foot fungus should be used with extreme caution: too high concentrations can cause burns and skin damage. Only proper use of the bulbous plant will help with onychomycosis.
- Garlic infusion. Finely chop 2 cloves of unpeeled garlic and add vegetable oil (0. 5 l). Leave for 3 days. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Take 1 tbsp orally for 30 days. every day.
- Gruel. Take 1-2 heads of garlic and chop with a knife or in a blender. Apply to the nail. Before application, it is necessary to steam the nail plates by keeping them a little in hot water with the addition of lemon juice.
- Alcohol tincture. Pour 2-3 chopped heads of garlic into ¼ cup. Leave for 2 days. Use the ready-made product to treat your nails morning, afternoon and evening.
What is so scary about nail fungus?
Nail fungus is afraid of the following factors:
- An acidic environment that has an aggressive effect on the fungus. To create it, you will need ordinary vinegar or some kind of acid (salicylic, orthoboric). These substances can be used as independent remedies, applying them to a cotton pad or stick, and then to the affected areas. After regular use, rough tissues will become softer and skin tags will decrease in size. Also, due to the acidic environment, mycoses encounter difficulties when trying to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
- Antiseptics and disinfectants. These medications prevent decomposition processes on the surface of open wounds, are suitable for treating tissue, and destroy all infections. The most common medications from this group include tablets and ointments based on ketoconazole and other substances aimed at eliminating fungal infections.
- Heat. If it reaches 60 degrees and above, the chance of survival for microorganisms is almost minimal. At this temperature it dies. Their structure is destroyed, so the disease stops and disappears altogether. As the temperature rises, the healing process accelerates. Shoes and socks are treated in this way to destroy all spores.
Maintaining hygiene rules
Maintaining good hygiene is the main requirement for people who do not want to become infected with fungus. To protect yourself from illness, you need to:
- disinfect shoes and wash socks regularly;
- use personal cosmetics;
- maintain body cleanliness;
- process nail tools;
- do not walk barefoot on beaches, swimming pools and other crowded places.