Nail fungus or onychomycosis is not just a cosmetic defect of the skin, but a rather serious disease that requires a proper approach to treatment. If timely help is not provided, the nail can be deformed or completely destroyed, and sometimes the advanced disease is accompanied by damage to the internal tissues. This infection can be overcome in various ways, including recipes of traditional medicine and use of disinfectants.
Signs of nail fungus development
Nail fungus is a common disease characterized by damage to the nail plate. You can get infected with it in public places, in recreation centers and just in everyday conditions. Spores of parasitic microorganisms live for a long time in household and personal hygiene items, carpets and bedding after disinfection. Therefore, there is a risk of re-infection.
The 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 peeling and itching. After that, the infection affects the most vulnerable places on the feet - the nails. After some time, 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 shade, and in the later stages it even darkens;
- cracks and removal of the top layer on the nail;
- burning, painful sensations that cause difficulty in walking;
- development of infectious agents that cause a specific smell;
- redness of the skin of the affected finger.
How is mycosis infected?
The appearance of nail fungus is due to the following factors:
- The presence of a parasitic fungus that provokes the development of the disease. Fungi are not caused by a single infection, but by a number of different microorganisms, so the nature of the disease is ambiguous. Depending on the pathogen, a course of treatment is prescribed, so the 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 a particular danger to humans: the immune system can easily deal with an unidentified object. The risk of developing fungus increases significantly in people who wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, tend to sweat excessively, have fat deposits, abuse alcohol and tobacco products. Long-term use of drugs 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 observe the rules of personal hygiene, not to go barefoot in public places (swimming pools, beaches), not to wear other people's shoes and underwear.
What fungi cannot tolerate
Fungal microorganisms are very resistant to external factors, but in some cases they cannot survive and die. Medicines and prescriptions of traditional medicine 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 the 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 large financial costs.
Vinegar is a type 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 tablespoons of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Mix well and add 1 tsp glycerin. Apply 1 drop of the product to the affected nail and rub with smooth movements. Treat until the fungus is completely gone.
- Apple cider vinegar baths. Pour 2-4 cups of liquid into a shallow basin and dip your feet in it. You can dilute with warm water and add some baking soda to enhance the effect. Keep your feet in the container for 3 hours.
- Foot ointment. Mix a beaten chicken egg, sunflower oil (20 ml) and vinegar (40 ml). It is recommended to add repudin (5 g). Apply the mixture on 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 bases 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, mix 0. 1 kg of salt (table salt or sea salt is suitable) and 4 tbsp. vinegar. Apply daily.
- Heat 3 liters of water. Add 2-3 tbsp of salt and 0. 5 tsp of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), mix well. The course of treatment lasts 1. 5 weeks. It can be used for preventive purposes.
- Red pepper strengthens the nails well, makes the epidermis stronger, which allows it to resist harmful bacteria. It contains many trace elements that stimulate natural processes and improve blood circulation.
- Pepper mask. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground pepper, 2 teaspoons of water and 3 tablespoons of cosmetic hand cream. The product will help restore the nail plate. If desired, add 2-3 drops of essential oil.
Iodine is a strong natural antiseptic. It is mainly used in severe forms of fungus, when the infection has already affected the tissue around the nail. This is an effective drug that can be purchased at an affordable price in any pharmacy. It is used to remove infections from wounds and burn nail growths. Iodine also breaks down the proteins that make up the parasitic fungi.
- After each bath, you should treat the skin of the 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 the surrounding tissue. Before that, they can be smeared with thick cream. Iodine will affect the source of infection. Toenail fungus fears it like fire.
- Lotions with iodine. Apply the liquid to a cotton ball 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 the correct 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 tablespoon orally for 30 days. every day.
- mess. Take 1-2 heads of garlic and chop them with a knife or in a blender. Apply to the nail. Before application, it is necessary to steam the nail plates by holding 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 finished nail treatment product in the morning, afternoon and evening.
What's so scary about nail fungus?
Nail fungus is afraid of the following factors:
- An acidic environment that has an aggressive effect on fungi. To create it, you will need ordinary vinegar or some kind of acid (salicylic, orthoboric). These substances can be used as independent means, applying them to a cotton swab or stick, and then to the affected areas. After regular use, rough tissues will become softer and skin spots will decrease in size. Also, due to the acidic environment, mycoses encounter difficulties when trying to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
- Antiseptics and disinfectants. These drugs prevent decomposition processes on the surface of open wounds, are suitable for tissue treatment and destroy all infections. The most common drugs of 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 of microorganisms is almost minimal. At this temperature it dies. Their structure is destroyed, so the disease stops and disappears completely. As the temperature increases, the healing process is accelerated. Shoes and socks are treated in this way to kill all spores.
Compliance with hygiene rules
Maintaining good hygiene is the main requirement for people who do not want to get infected with fungus. To protect yourself from illness, you must:
- regularly disinfect shoes and wash socks;
- use personal cosmetics;
- keep the body clean;
- nail tools;
- do not walk barefoot on beaches, swimming pools and other crowded places.