How to treat toenail fungus? This question is of great concern to those who suffer from this disease. Or rather, suffers from it. Fungus on the toenails (onychomycosis) causes discomfort in that the appearance of the nails becomes very unattractive. And there is no point in painting over a sore nail with varnish. It is better to learn than to treat the fungus. Moreover, there are many drugs that successfully fight the disease. Let's try to find the most effective remedy for toenail fungus.
The fungus can overcome everyone, which is why it is necessary to know the methods of dealing with this disease.
Fungus from the beach
It is easy to get infected with onychomycosis. It is enough to put on the shoes of a sick person, walk barefoot on the beach or on the floor in the pool. The fungus prefers damp places with a fairly high temperature. These are baths, saunas, sports complexes. But it also happens that someone in the family becomes the source of infection. That is why it is so important for everyone to have their own slippers, and to wear special shoes in suspected places of infection.
Toenail fungus is usually treated by adults. Among children, this disease practically does not occur. Conditions for the development of the disease are:
- sudden decrease in immunity;
- various diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity, circulatory disorders in the legs, etc. );
- age-related changes in the acid-base balance of the skin and nails.
It is impossible not to notice the fungus on the legs, the nail changes so much. The color from pink becomes gray, yellow or green, the plate thickens and crumbles, soreness and itching appear at the site of the lesion.
But not only the unaesthetic appearance of the foot is an indication for the treatment of mycosis. The fungus during its growth and reproduction poisons nearby tissues, toxic substances accumulate and cause metabolic disorders, interfere with the normal functioning of the digestive, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. If, moreover, you do not follow the rules of personal hygiene, then the disputes will "capture" new areas.
The fight against the fungus should be started as early as possible and certainly under the supervision of a specialist. It is he who will help to understand the variety of means of combating the disease and choose the right method of treatment.
The sooner you start fighting a fungal infection, the sooner you can get rid of it.
Cream, varnish or pills?
Means for the treatment of fungus are divided into several groups. Firstly, pharmacies offer both expensive drugs and drugs at an affordable price. And in this case, cheap means does not mean bad.
Secondly, there are many ways to treat toenail fungus. For this use:
- varnishes;
- creams;
- tablets;
- folk remedies.
But be patient. If you decide to use traditional medicine, you will have to wait a long time for the result - several months, or even a whole year. Ready for a quick effect? Use complex therapy - local remedies (varnishes, ointments) plus tablets. Active substances are able to accumulate in tissues, which reduces the duration of the disease. But this is exactly the case when treatment should be under the supervision of a doctor. Remedies for nail fungus have many contraindications, their uncontrolled use can negate the effectiveness of treatment and lead to further progression of the disease.
Varnish is a good remedy for nail fungus in the initial stage of the disease. Varnishes destroy the fungus at the cellular level. They are applied according to the scheme, the treatment is quite long. By the way, it is not forbidden to apply the usual one over the medical varnish. You can try a special serum, as well as patches.
It is also recommended to carry out treatment, actively using preparations for removing the nail plate. Means do not get rid of the fungus, but simply dissolve the affected nail. Before using the products, it is necessary to steam the feet, then wipe the feet dry and apply the preparation. Try not to get on the skin near the nail. After the time specified in the instructions, remove the patch with which the finger was sealed and scrape off the affected tissues. This procedure is carried out until the fungus is completely eliminated.
A fairly effective remedy for mycosis - creams, ointments, sprays. There are many of them, each is based on the active substance:
- naftifine;
- ketoconazole;
- oxiconazole;
- terbinafine;
- bifonazole.
Tablets are the most effective remedy for nail fungus, but they are also the most unsafe. Children's age, hepatic and renal pathologies, taking hormonal drugs are absolute contraindications to taking such a medicine.
The doctor will monitor the effectiveness of the treatment for toenail fungus. Over time, damaged tissue should be replaced by healthy tissue. Complete cure is confirmed in the laboratory. It is necessary to pass the necessary tests and wait for the results. You should also take into account the likelihood of an allergy to the medicine. In this case, another remedy must be used against the fungus.
Unconventional but not useless
The main thing to remember is that it is not recommended to walk barefoot on the beach, in a public pool, shower, and the like. These places are a threat to your legs.
In the fight against mycosis, all means are good. Some of them are quite unexpected. Here, for example, Creolin is a drug that is used in veterinary medicine. Feedback on its effectiveness is positive. It has antiseptic, disinfectant and antiparasitic action.
Mouthwash will also help in the treatment of fungus. Baths with apple cider vinegar, Fukortsin, a mixture of essential oils of lavender and tea tree are also used as medicines. Natural oils are needed, which means they cannot be cheap.
In combination with drug therapy, it is good to use treatment with folk remedies. Here are some of the most effective ways.
- In the morning and evening, treat nails with tincture of iodine (1 drop is enough). The duration of treatment is 10 days. There may be pain. It should pass in 2-3 days.
- Grind 2 cloves of garlic and mix with butter (100 g). In a day, treat the feet with the resulting ointment. Repeat every day for a month. The result can be seen after a week of application.
- Dissolve 1 tbsp. l. sea salt in 1 liter of hot water. Soak your feet in the solution every day for 2 weeks in a row
- Moisten cotton wool in an alcohol solution of propolis and apply for 15 minutes to the affected nail. The procedures continue for 3 weeks.
- Cut a circle of lemon into 2 parts, attach to the affected nail, secure with a bandage and polyethylene. It is enough to carry out such a procedure for 8 - 10 days.
- Rub kombucha daily into the sore nail. The course of treatment is 20 days.
- Mix equal amounts of chamomile, violet and string. Pour a liter of boiling water, leave for 2 hours. Moisten gauze in the resulting infusion, apply to the nail.
- Grind 100 g of aspen bark, boil in 0. 5 liters of water. Soar your nails in this decoction. Then treat them with a mixture of laundry soap and soda (1 tsp each). Treat daily.
- Mix with water 70% vinegar essence in proportions 1/1. Add flour. Fix the resulting dough on the nail. The skin should not come into contact with the dough. After a few days, the affected nail will come off, and a healthy one will grow in its place.
There are many folk methods by which treatment is carried out. Many believe that this therapy is the best remedy for nail fungus.
Don't go barefoot
It is unlikely that you will be able to protect yourself 100% from nail fungus. But it is worth remembering about preventive measures, especially since they are not so complicated, and medicines are mostly expensive.
Do not try on new shoes with bare feet, be sure to put on a sock. Wash your feet with soap before bed. Use special shoes in showers, saunas, pools, on the beach. If you suffer from sweating, use special preparations. Change socks, stockings, tights every day.
The fungus is difficult to defeat, but it is quite possible.
Just like not getting infected at all.