Nail fungus can cause a lot of problems not only for the infected person, but also for their loved ones. This disease is transmitted both through personal contact and in general household conditions. This fact means only one thing - the fungus must be treated and the measures must be comprehensive: if the problem occurred on the nails, then it is also on the skin of the feet. Also, topical medications should be combined with oral medications. This is the only way to beat the disease at home.
Preparation and precautions
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease caused by fungi - dermatophytes, microsporia, etc. , therefore it is very important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. After the examination, the doctor can prescribe additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and choose an effective therapy. If you want to use folk remedies as well, you should 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 drugs according to the instructions and recommendations of the doctor, because some drugs can give a negative result in contact with the skin.
If you or someone in the family has nail fungus, special attention should be paid to hygiene so as not to infect those who are still healthy.
Why do fungi appear and their types
Fungal spores are microscopic and live where a person lives. About 70, 000 fungi are known, but the most dangerous are those that cause diseases.
How does it turn out that one is healthy, and the other "caught" the fungus? The following reasons may contribute to this:
- Leg wounds, abrasions, calluses.
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Reduced body defenses.
- Excessive sweating of the feet (hyperhidrosis).
The type of fungus that hit the nail plate can only be determined by a dermatologist after passing the tests. Sometimes by visual inspection it is possible to find out which species caused the disease:
- dermatophytes. The lesion appears as yellowish spots or streaks. 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 directly depends on correct and timely diagnosis. If you are attentive to yourself, do not forget to notice the manifestations of fungus on the toenails. The following symptoms and signs should alert:
- Change the color of the plate. The color can 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 should visit a doctor.
- Itching and burning. They occur systemically and cause discomfort.
- Violation of the integrity of the plate. The nail may crack. Also, dry skin on the heels indicates a fungal infection.
Unpleasant sensations occur due to the effects of fungal toxins on the skin and nails, so the sooner you go to the 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. In addition, toxins poison the body and can provoke eczema.
Effective folk methods of struggle
Folk methods will help get rid of the fungus, especially in the initial stage. I present the most common recipes to fight the disease.
Vinegar
Used for bathrooms. Preparation for the procedure is simple: take 5 liters of water with 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 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. After that, a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide is applied to the nail and covered with polyethylene. Such a compress should be left for an hour. The procedure is carried out twice a day.
iodine
The 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 feet 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 drug 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 one liter of table vinegar and a little potassium permanganate to 3 liters of water. The course of treatment is 7 days.
Essential oils
Apply a little oil to your wrist to test for allergies. If no strange signs appear after 12 hours, you can use an anti-fungal drug. 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 cleaning procedure.
herbal decoctions
- Sage and mint. It can be taken orally as a tea or used in baths. The decoction is drunk throughout the day, and the bath is taken before sleep.
- Ayurveda root. For 250 ml of water, take 15 g of chopped root. The decoction helps fight various infections. Drink it for a month.
- Japanese sophora. It has established itself as a means that effectively improves immunity, helps to normalize the work of internal organs. To prepare the tincture, take 0. 5 vodka and add 50 g of sophora berries to it. Take a teaspoon before meals. Course - 2 months.
- oak bark. It has a detrimental effect on mold and helps get rid of fungus. Baths are prepared as follows: mix 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
It is sold in the form of an ointment. You can buy 10% or 30% medicine 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 pulp from the plant. You have to prepare it every night and apply it for 40 minutes.
- The lady leaves. Grind and apply overnight.
- thyme. The tincture is prepared from the dry plant. You will need 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water. You should steam your feet every day until recovery occurs.
- Lilac. The tincture will also help eliminate the fungus. 10 g of lilac is needed for 100 ml of alcohol. The affected areas are smeared until the problem disappears completely.
Pharmaceutical preparations and creams
If symptoms of 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 efficiency in the fight against the disease. They are combined with external preparations. In the pharmacy you can buy products with different prices and effectiveness.
Removal of affected nails
Means are also used to remove the affected nails, but already in a critical condition.
- chemically. It is carried out in a dermatology office. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. The doctor removes the stratum corneum with a special nail file and scalpel. The doctor then treats the entire surface of the foot and nails with an antiseptic, and then applies an ointment-paste. Sterile material is placed on top, the affected fingers are bandaged. After 4 days, these areas are disinfected 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.
- Surgically. It is considered obsolete in medical practice. The manipulation is performed 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 should be kept in a saline solution. Dressings are performed in a clinic.
What is the best way to treat advanced athlete's foot?
One of the modern methods of removing foot and nail fungus is laser therapy. This technique is used in cases where traditional local treatment and treatment with oral preparations have failed. The advantages of this procedure are very impressive:
- painlessness;
- no side effects;
- productivity.
But laser removal of fungus also has contraindications:
- Diabetes.
- The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
- Disturbances in the functioning of internal organs.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- The presence of skin diseases.
- Oncological diseases.
- tan.
- Chemical peeling.
Preparation for laser exposure is carried out as follows: steam the damaged nail and cut as much as possible. Test yourself in advance. The duration of the treatment is about 6 procedures.
Features of the treatment of fungus during pregnancy
The treatment of fungus in the period of childbirth has its own characteristics. It is necessary to take into account the fact that pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on the expectant mother, which is why only local preparations are used to eliminate the problem.
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 fungus before, she should carry out prophylaxis to avoid exacerbation of the disease during this important period.
Opinions and reviews of doctors about home treatment
Toenail fungus is a medical problem and should be treated 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 worsen 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 draw the attention of patients who are expecting a child to a mandatory visit to a specialist before the pregnant woman starts using folk remedies and buying drugs at the pharmacy.
Preventing the appearance of fungi
Avoiding the appearance of nail fungus is only possible 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 well.
- If you visit public baths, pools, take with you personal hygiene items, change of shoes.
- Periodically treat the manicure set with an antiseptic.
Following these simple guidelines will help you protect yourself from foot and toenail fungus.
Your health depends entirely on your personal relationship with your body. If you've had yeast before or are experiencing unusual symptoms, see a doctor to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Pay special 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 entire organism. In addition, there is an aesthetic side: the affected nails eventually fade, exfoliate, and an unpleasant smell comes from the feet.