Nail fungus can cause a lot of problems not only for an infected person, but also for his relatives. 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 is on the nails, then it is also present on the skin of the legs. Also, local remedies should 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 should discuss this with your doctor. Consulting 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 when in contact with the skin.
If you or a family member has nail fungus, special attention should be paid to hygiene 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 disease are the most dangerous.
How come one person is healthy, and the other "catch" the fungus? The following reasons may contribute to this:
- Leg injuries, abrasions, calluses.
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Decreased 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 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 lighter shade and the defeat of the entire plaque.
- Yeast. They affect the color and structure of the nail folds, causing inflammation and suppuration.
- Moldy. They don't penetrate very deeply and appear as dark, black spots.
It should be noted that the stronger the lesion, the more pronounced the symptoms and signs of the fungus.
Symptoms and signs of damage
The success of treatment directly depends on the correct and timely diagnosis. If you are attentive to yourself, be sure to notice the manifestations of the fungus on the nails. The following symptoms and signs should alert:
- Change plate color. 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 nail density. If you notice thinning or, conversely, thickening of the nails, you should consult a doctor.
- Itching and burning. Systematically occur and cause discomfort.
- Plate integrity violation. The nail may crack. 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 consult a doctor and start treatment, the sooner you will fully recover. If the fungus is not treated, you can completely lose the nail or several nail plates. In addition, toxins poison the body and can cause eczema.
Effective folk methods of struggle
Folk methods will help get rid of the fungus, especially at the initial stage. I present to you the most common recipes to fight the disease.
The 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 put 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. Then a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide is applied to the nail and covered with polyethylene. Such a compress should stand 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
Potassium permanganate and vinegar baths 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 duration of treatment is 7 days.
Essential oils
Apply oil to 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 cleaning procedure.
herbal decoctions
- 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 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 get rid of the 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 broth temperature reaches 40 degrees. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
Tar
Sold in ointment form. You can buy 10% or 30% cure to get 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 nail fungus, you can use oatmeal from the plant. You need to bake it every night and apply it for 40 minutes.
- Rowan leaves. Grind and apply overnight.
- Thyme. The tincture is prepared from the dried plant. It will take 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water. You should spray your legs daily until recovery occurs.
- Lilac. The tincture will also help eliminate the fungus. For 100 ml of alcohol, 10 g of lilac are needed. 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.
The 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. Performed 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 disinfected with an antiseptic and treated with an antifungal agent.
- Mechanical. A mycologist or dermatologist removes the affected nails with a special device. Before and after the procedure, the feet are treated with an antiseptic solution.
- Surgical. 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, antiseptic ointment is applied, a sterile dressing is applied, followed by fixation with a bandage. In the evening, fingers should be kept in 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 fungus on the feet and nails is laser treatment. 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:
- painless;
- no side effects;
- performance.
But laser fungus removal also has contraindications:
- Diabetes.
- The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
- Violation of the functioning of internal organs.
- Pregnancy and breast feeding.
- The presence of skin diseases.
- Oncological diseases.
- Sunbathe.
- Chemical scrub.
Preparation for laser exposure is carried out as follows: spray the damaged nail and cut as much as possible. Get tested first. The duration of treatment is about 6 procedures.
Features of the treatment of fungus during pregnancy
The 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 further treatment.
If a pregnant woman has ever suffered from a fungus, 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
Nail fungus is a medical problem and should be treated in conjunction with a trained professional. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner to clarify the diagnosis, which also emphasizes 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, experts say, can make the situation worse, especially since some fungi are resistant to certain drugs. Only the right therapy will ensure 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 begins to use folk remedies and buy drugs at the pharmacy.
Prevention of the appearance of the fungus
Avoiding 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 shoes with you.
- Periodically treat the manicure set with an antiseptic.
Following these simple guidelines will help protect you against foot and toenail fungus.
Your health is entirely dependent on your personal relationship with your body. If you've had a fungus before or have any unusual symptoms, see a doctor to confirm or refute the 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 allow not only to identify the disease, but also to effectively treat it. But the advanced stages of the fungus not only bring 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 emerges from the legs.