Toenail fungus causes not only unpleasant sensations in the form of itching, burning, unbearable swelling, but also aesthetic discomfort. Onychomycosis must be treated without fail, as it can be transmitted to another person and has the ability to progress.
In addition, if ignored, nail fungus often leads to dangerous consequences in the form of transmission of the infection to healthy tissues and its entry into the bloodstream. The result is the spread of pathogenic microorganisms throughout the body. Onychomycosis can be treated not only with medications, but also with folk methods.
One of the most effective ways is to use celandine oil. This remedy is absolutely safe and is considered very effective. We will learn in more detail how to use celandine oil for nail fungus and other products based on it.
Causes
The fungus thrives in an environment that is favorable to it: very humid rooms. Therefore, it is easy to guess that the main reasons for the development of infection are visiting swimming pools, saunas, baths, public showers without changing shoes.
In addition, wet, poor quality or tight shoes can become a source of onychomycosis. It is also worth saying that there is a high risk of contracting a fungus in people suffering from diabetes, vascular diseases of the lower extremities and eczema of the legs.
Regular use of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, wearing clothes and shoes of a sick person can also lead to the development of pathology.
Symptoms of the disease
Onychomycosis has a number of characteristic symptoms, so it is quite easy to recognize. The main ones:
- crumbling of the nail, its hardening, discoloration, the appearance of spots and scratches;
- intolerable itching, redness of the skin around the plaque, swelling of the specified area, peeling;
- separation of the plate from the nail bed.
The fungus also manifests itself as darkening and fogging of the nail surface.
The effectiveness of celandine treatment
At the initial stage, celandine for toenail fungus can be used as the only remedy. However, in advanced cases, they will not be able to cope alone. In this situation, treatment must be comprehensive, otherwise complications cannot be avoided.
In addition, the effectiveness of celandine as a prophylactic agent has been proven. The plant resists the spread of infection, calms the inflammatory process and prevents relapse of the disease.
Attention!Do not compare celandine with the medicine of the same name sold in pharmacies for nail fungus. The drug is also quite effective against onychomycosis, but has nothing in common with the plant indicated in the name. Contains potassium and sodium alkali, salt, soda and water. The solution is also very corrosive and should be used with extreme caution.
Description of the substance, its properties
Celandine is one of those plants that has long been used in the treatment of various dermatological diseases. Contains various components, thanks to which the inflammatory process is quickly suppressed, even the most severe itching is relieved, etc.
For example, plant juice is often used to cauterize wounds. This plant is also characterized by antifungal and disinfectant effects. However, celandine juice is too harsh on the skin and can cause burning and peeling. Therefore, it is more advisable to use it against nail fungus.
Celandine oil is gentler. Typically used for:
- herpes;
- mycosis;
- psoriasis;
- seborrhea;
- papillomas;
- onychomycosis;
- colorful lichens;
- warts
The natural nature and safety of this product allow it to be used for dermatological diseases in children. Soothes the skin, relieves itching, relieves swelling.
Advantages and disadvantages
The benefits of celandine are as follows:
- Budget.
- Natural and safe compared to synthetic antifungal agents.
- Availability.
Among the disadvantages are the following:
- As an independent remedy, celandine is not used in the treatment of onychomycosis in advanced cases.
- The juice of the plant has coloring properties, making it impossible to use on the hands.
We also note the toxicity of celandine juice.
Treatment options
Antifungal agents based on celandine can be purchased at the pharmacy or prepared yourself. Here are the main ways to prepare and use the plant against nail fungus.
Juice
You can make celandine juice yourself. To do this, the fresh plant must be crushed and squeezed using gauze and juice. Apply using a cotton swab to a previously cleaned and dried nail 1 to 2 times a day. The duration of treatment is 1 to 3 months.
Infusions
They are used in pure form, in the form of applications, sachets or as an additive for hot water foot baths. All methods can be grouped together: first take a bath, then apply a compress, then make lotions. The duration of treatment lasts no more than 21 days.
Decoction
Several branches of the plant (dried) should be poured with a glass of boiling water. Place the container containing the liquid on the heat and, after boiling, cook over low heat for 20 minutes.
Then the medicine is filtered and added to a bowl of hot water. The procedure for steaming nails and skin is carried out 10 minutes a day for 1 month.
Oil
There are several ways to treat nail fungus with celandine: add oil to foot baths, apply directly to the affected area.
For nail fungus, it is recommended to mix celandine oil with ethyl alcohol for greater effectiveness. This is a great way to cure nail fungus. Take 15 drops of oil per glass.
The mixture is tightly closed with a lid and infused in a glass container for exactly 24 hours. Then the areas affected by the fungus are treated with the resulting medicine. There is no need to rinse the product.
Thermal baths
To prepare foot baths, add to a basin of hot water (1 liter):
- 200 ml of alcoholic tincture;
- 4 tbsp. L. celandine oils;
- decoction of the plant (1: 1 with water).
Everything mixes well. It is necessary to keep your feet in the solution until the water cools down. The procedure is carried out daily. A solution based on oil, infusion or decoction of celandine effectively relieves itching and stops the inflammatory process.
Celandine oil mixed with soda is considered an effective treatment. Before using the medicine, your feet should be steamed in a soda solution (1 tablespoon per 3 liters of hot water). You need to hold your feet until the water becomes warm.
Then the diseased nails are filed and disinfected with alcohol. The affected nail plate and the adjacent area should be treated with celandine oil daily until the symptoms of onychomycosis disappear.
Compresses and lotions
You can cure the fungus by applying a mixture of oil and hydrogen peroxide to the area affected by the fungus. Funds are deposited alternately – every 8 hours. The feet are carefully steamed before use.
Treatment of nail fungus with celandine is carried out using a mixture of lemon juice and celandine oil. The first is to take 2 tbsp. L. Second – 1-2 drops. The ingredients are mixed thoroughly and applied once a day to areas affected by fungal spores.
This mixture softens the nail and disinfects it. For these purposes, it is also recommended to mix oil with vinegar (3%). At 2 tbsp. L. you need 2-3 drops of oil. The product is applied directly to the affected area or in the form of a compress in the evening. Duration of treatment – 2 weeks.
Using a compress with celandine oil is considered an effective treatment. Nails should be steamed, smoothed with a file, dried and applied with oil to the affected area. Next, you need to wrap the legs with cling film. Exposure time 8 hours.
Contraindications
Despite the fact that celandine has many beneficial properties, there are contraindications to its use. One of them is individual intolerance to celandine products.
In addition, doctors do not recommend using the product to people suffering from serious diseases of the heart and vascular, nervous and respiratory systems.
Do not apply oil to places where there are nail cracks, open wounds, abrasions, etc.
To determine if you are allergic to celandine, you need to apply a small product based on it to the area at the base of the brush from the inside. If redness, irritation or other unhealthy symptoms appear on the skin within half an hour after using the drug, the drug is not suitable for treatment.
Attention!In the complex treatment of onychomycosis, doctors recommend the use of pharmaceutical products. One of the most effective is mountain celandine balm. It contains not only celandine, but also other medicinal herbs.
The product is considered quite aggressive and can cause side effects if used incorrectly. It should be applied quickly to areas affected by fungus.
General processing rules
How to treat nail fungus with celandine products? In order for therapy to give a positive result faster, it is necessary to prepare the legs for treatment procedures. This will require a number of specific actions:
- Cook your feet well in a hot soda solution.
- Then treat the foot with a pumice stone and cut off the overgrown nail.
- If the nail plate is affected, you need to carefully go over it with a nail file.
- Then disinfect the treated area with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.
- Next, a product based on celandine is applied and a transparent film is placed on top.
Then the compress is removed, the oil is washed off and iodine is applied to the affected areas.
Homemade Celandine Oil and Tincture Recipes
To prepare the oil, you need to take a bunch of dry plant and pour it with a glass of unrefined vegetable oil so that it covers the plant by 1-2 cm. The mixture should be placed in a water bath for three hours. Then the medicine is filtered several times. The finished product is stored in a cool, dark place.
The second method of preparing butter is slightly different. To do this, dry grass is carefully rubbed in your hands or chopped with a knife. The resulting powder is poured with olive, almond and vegetable oil without additives 1-2 cm above the vegetable raw material.
Cover the container with the mixture with a lid and place it in a dark place for 1 month. Shake the medicine periodically. The oil is then filtered several times and used according to the instructions.
An infusion is prepared from a dry or fresh plant. A glass jar (3 liters) is filled to the brim with dried celandine herb. Alcohol is poured into it (to the brim). Cover the container with a lid and leave in a dark place for 15 days.
Prevention
Preventive measures should primarily be aimed at strengthening immune functions. In addition, we recommend only wearing suitable, quality shoes. In baths, saunas, swimming pools and public showers you must have a change of shoes.