Today we will talk about the treatment and prevention of nail fungus so that you can get rid of it and prevent the recurrence of this disease.
Statistics show that nail fungus occurs in almost every tenth person in the world. This means that this infection is very common and extremely insidious. The disease is extremely unpleasant for the eyes, because the areas infected with the fungus look quite disgusting.
If you think that this disease will never affect you, do not promise it - it is easy to get a fungal infection in any public place: the beach, bath, sauna, swimming pool, gym and other crowded places.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus
In fact, few people know that there are thousands of types of fungal infections. But many of them do not cause pain and are not visible visually.
Due to this feature, a person infected with fungus may not even know about it in the initial stage of the disease. However, several types of fungus can cause pain around and under the nail.
Note!
Since the painful symptoms of the fungus are extremely rare, doctors are consulted only in the last, advanced stages of the disease, when there is a change in the color of the nail, its deformation and separation of the upper plate. Treatment in the last stage is difficult, so prevention of the disease must be observed. This will ensure that you avoid infection.
For the prevention and timely treatment of nail fungus, it is important to know that there are three stages of the development of a fungal infection affecting the nail plate:
The first stage of the onset of the disease is the absence of clearly expressed symptoms, and invisible spots and stripes appear on the nails;
Note!
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) can be diagnosed in the early stage only in a hospital, in laboratory conditions. Therefore, if you notice the slightest change in the nail plate, immediately consult a doctor!
The second stage of onychomycosis is discoloration of the nail plate, loss of shine, deformation of its lateral and upper parts:
The third development stage of the fungus is serious delamination and brittleness of the nail, which can lead to its complete loss.
In addition, fungal infection affects the skin around the nail, which is accompanied by unpleasant sensations of itching, burning and pain.
Prevention of nail fungus
Every day we unknowingly encounter thousands of bacteria around us. But almost all of them are completely harmless to us, because the immune system is called upon as an invisible guardian angel to protect us from diseases.
Note!
Therefore, the first step in preventing nail fungus is a proper, balanced diet. If the body is saturated with minerals, vitamins and useful substances, the immune system will work only for you.
Movement is life! And this is true, because playing sports and an active lifestyle make us healthy, strong and resilient, both physically and mentally. Physical activity prevents diseases of the cardiovascular system.
If the blood circulation is disturbed, the protective functions of the skin of the hands, feet and nails do not work properly, which causes their diseases.
Causes of fungal infection
Warm, humid rooms are breeding grounds for bacteria. Therefore, you should ensure cleanliness in your home, especially in the bathroom and toilet.
It is important!
When visiting public places: water park, bath, swimming pool, sauna, it is necessary to dress and wear shoes. And then wash thoroughly and take a shower.
In order not to create a favorable environment for the appearance and spread of fungi "under the nose", comfortable, preferably natural shoes, socks, stockings, slippers, tights, etc. get dressed. Discomfort while wearing them can cause calluses, corns, and sweating. , and wounds. This leads to the appearance of an alkaline microclimate - an ideal place for the reproduction of fungi.
Note!
You need to be careful and careful when visiting beauty salons. Visit only trusted and recommended places, because we are talking about protecting your health. Pedicures, manicures and nail extensions are completely safe and simple to do by a professional. Wounds, cuts, poorly performed procedures are the gateway to infections.
It is important to know that you cannot wear someone else's shoes, because it will harm your health. We strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene.
This is important to know!
The fungus must be treated immediately and thoroughly. The disease does not go away by itself, and time only plays a role in the spread of the infection, because complications can arise: it can move from the legs to the stomach, groin area, chest skin, chest area. armrests.
If everyone in your family has athlete's foot, healthy family members have a chance of getting infected. Maintain personal hygiene more carefully than usual, do not touch other people's shoes, towels, brushes, combs, etc. don't wear
Traditional treatment of nail fungus
It is very important not to start an infection, you should definitely contact a specialist for qualified medical help.
Note!
Along with pharmaceutical drugs, you can use traditional methods to treat nail fungus, which are quite effective and will help you get rid of this unpleasant disease.
Vinegar compress for nail fungus
Ingredients:
- vegetable oil - two tablespoons;
- Apple cider vinegar - two tablespoons.
Preparation and use:
- Mix vinegar and oil in a 1: 1 ratio, then thoroughly moisten a cotton pad with the resulting solution and apply it to the nail affected by the fungus. We close the upper part with adhesive plaster or bandage.
- Keep the compress on all night and remove it in the morning. We use a vinegar compress to treat the fungus until the affected nail completely replaces the diseased plate with a healthy one.
Antifungal oil
This aromatic natural oil will help fight fungal infections on feet and nails, soothe irritated skin and relieve tired feet.
Ingredients:
- Eph. clove oil - 5 drops;
- Eph. cinnamon bark oil - 5 drops;
- Eph. oil - thyme (thyme) - 20 drops;
- Eph. sage oil - 10 drops;
- Eph. lavender oil - 30 drops;
- Tea tree essential oil - 25 drops;
- Jojoba oil - 100 milliliters.
Preparation:
- Pour the jojoba oils into a dark bottle, add the essential oils and mix vigorously for three minutes.
- Place the bottle in a dark place at normal room temperature and leave it for a day to mature the medicinal oil.
After this period, the aromatic antifungal oil is ready.
How to use:
Wash and dry your feet thoroughly. Shake the bottle well and apply a few drops to both feet. Even if the fungus affects one foot, we also apply a healing agent to the second foot for preventive purposes.
Apply the oil to your nails and between your toes, massage the skin a little and wait until the oil is absorbed. Then we put cotton socks on our feet.
Use the medicated oil two to three times a day, it can also be applied to acne and wounds. The oil can be stored in a cool place for up to two years.
Tea mushroom
This is a simple and very good remedy for the treatment of fungus.
This is helpful!
Before going to bed, it is recommended to make compresses from a strong brew of kombucha, and the longer the mushroom is brewed, the better.
For the procedure: you need to steam your feet in hot water and apply a kombucha compress and wrap it with a bandage. Leave it overnight and remove it in the morning. The course of treatment is four weeks.
Another treatment option: pinch a small piece of kombucha, remove the film from it and make a paste of the peeled part. The resulting mass is rubbed on the affected areas three times a day. It is important that you take a fresh piece of mushroom for each procedure.
Baths with celandine decoction
Baths with celandine decoction help very well.
- The ratio of grass to water is 2: 3. Add required amount of celandine and water and boil for 3 minutes.
- Strain the broth and steam your feet for half an hour.
- Prepare lotions from the same decoction on the affected areas.
Baking soda
The use of baking soda is effective.
- Therapeutic procedures: apply soda lotions and steam your feet in a soda solution.
- Soda solution recipe: for three liters of hot water, one spoonful of soda. Mix well until the soda is completely dissolved.
- You need to thoroughly steam your feet in soda solution, then dry them with a clean towel and spread with celandine oil sold at the pharmacy.
After the soda bath, you can moisten a cotton swab with celandine oil, place it between your toes and wrap it with a bandage. We put a sock on it. We keep this dressing for 20 minutes.
Procedures should be carried out twice a day for a month.
Mushroom ointment - recipe No. 1
Preparation: wash the chicken egg and pour vinegar on it. Keep in a dark place until the bark is completely dissolved. Discard the film, mix the vinegar with the rest of the egg and mix this mass with butter.
Application: The obtained ointment should be applied to the areas affected by the fungus in the morning and evening. Do this until complete recovery, after which you can use the ointment for preventive purposes.
Mushroom ointment - recipe No. 2
Ingredients:
- One raw chicken egg;
- a spoonful of vegetable oil;
- One tablespoon of vinegar 70% essence.
Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and the healing ointment is ready. We store in the refrigerator and use when needed.
Application:
- We steam our feet, wipe them dry and apply ointment to the areas suffering from fungal infection.
- You need to put a plastic bag on it and tie it with a bandage or wear socks.
- Do the procedure at night and keep it until morning.
The course of treatment is 30 days.
Mushroom ointment - recipe No. 3
Another folk method to treat toenail fungus using an easy-to-make and very effective ointment based on vinegar essence.
Ingredients:
- Raw chicken eggs (preferably from domestic chickens) - 2 pieces;
- Vinegar essence 70% - 1 cup;
- Butter - 200 grams.
Ointment preparation:
- Wash the eggs, put them in a pint jar and fill with vinegar essence to cover the contents of the jar.
- Leave the jar in a dark place for 10 days, during which time the eggshells will essentially dissolve completely.
- We remove the eggs from the jar with a fork, remove the film, put them in a bowl and add softened butter (we take the butter out of the refrigerator beforehand).
- Mash the eggs with a fork and mix with the butter. We should get a homogeneous mass like sour cream. Add three tablespoons of acetic acid from the egg jar to the mixture and mix again.
Store the finished ointment in the refrigerator.
Application:
- Wash and dry your feet, lubricate the affected areas with ointment and dry for five minutes. The ointment will be absorbed quickly, then put on clean socks and sleep.
- Use every night for a month. Then, when you feel that the disease has passed, you should rub it once a week.
As a result of treatment, feet and nails will be clean and healthy, itching and diaper rash will disappear, skin will be smooth and healthy.
Antifungal baths
Such therapeutic baths can be made daily with vinegar, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, soda solution and a solution of essential oils.
Note!
Prevention of fungal nail infections should be done regularly to prevent recurrence of the disease.
Eucalyptus and Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe juice, eucalyptus oil or eucalyptus tincture also help well in the treatment of nail fungus. Their use is quite simple: it is necessary to lubricate the affected areas three times a day until recovery.
Essential oils for athlete's foot
Traditional methods of treating toenail fungus with essential oils have proven themselves quite well in practice, as they have good antifungal properties.
Oils to use: tea tree, lemon, fir, sandalwood, patchouli.
Contraindications: individual intolerance, pregnancy.
Tea tree oil
Let's take a look at the basics of using essential oils using tea tree as an example. This recipe can be used with other oils.
Baths - Method #1
- You need to dilute 20 drops of oil and a teaspoon of shower gel in a liter of hot water.
- Take a bath for 20 minutes until the water cools down. The procedure should be done every day until complete recovery.
At the end of the treatment, preventive baths with tea tree oil (or other oil) once a week are recommended.
Friction oil - method number 2
Using cotton wool, apply essential oils to nail plates affected by fungal infections.
To perform the procedure, you need to wash your feet thoroughly with laundry soap and dry them. Then rub the oil on the affected areas and leave it to absorb. You do not need to wash your feet after applying the oil for its healing effect.
Note!
It is also good to use lemon essential oil for the described procedures, it helps against infections and does not stain the nails in a dark color, preserving their natural appearance.
The duration of treatment is three or even four months, it all depends on the immunity of the patient and the stage of the fungus.
Alcohol tincture of propolis
At the pharmacy, buy 20% propolis tincture in alcohol, which you apply to painful nails using a cotton swab. Do this procedure daily.
You will soon see the result: the sick nail will go away and a new one will grow.
Sea salt
Take a sea salt bath every day for a week. Lubricate your feet with fresh celandine juice three times a day for 3 months.
Fungus treatment with iodine
Apply one drop of iodine to painful nails every morning and evening for 3 weeks. Be sure to treat the adjacent nails (those that are apparently healthy) as well.
About a week or a little earlier, a slight burning sensation and pain may appear around the nail - a sign of successful treatment. Apply less iodine for severe pain.
Table salt with mint
The healing properties of common salt will help in the treatment of nail fungus.
To prepare:
- Mix finely chopped mint with salt in a ratio of 1: 1.
- The resulting pulp should be placed on the affected nail plates and between the toes.
Repeat until the infection is completely healed.
Pharmacy ointments and preparations
For the treatment and prevention of nail fungus, it is best to use effective pharmaceutical drugs together with folk remedies, which will allow you to quickly treat the disease and prevent its recurrence.
Salicylic ointment
This pharmaceutical drug is often used in the treatment of various skin diseases: lichen, acne, diaper rash. This ointment also helps with fungal infections. Contains 25% salicylic acid.
Method of use: apply to the affected areas 2-3 times a day.
Zinc ointment
Another cheap "folk" drug sold in pharmacies. Ointment contains zinc oxide and petroleum jelly.
Zinc ointment has no contraindications, it can be used by women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as by children. This medicine should be applied to the affected area up to 5 times a day. However, if the degree of fungus is not very severe, the number of applications can be reduced.
Sulfur ointment
This medicine contains 10-33% sulfur and is a good remedy for foot and nail fungus. It is better to buy a 10% solution for treatment. The drug should be applied 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment is one week.
It can be used to treat skin diseases in young children.
Note!
Consult your doctor before using traditional methods to treat nail fungus or any other medications.
Treatment and prevention of nail fungus takes time and a lot of effort, you don't need to be patient and wait for a quick recovery;
Important to know!
Nail fungus is unusually resistant and very quickly develops resistance to the substances included in antifungal drugs. Therefore, if you are infected again or if you are not treated for the last time, the previously used medicine will be useless. You should buy a drug with a completely different principle of action.
It is recommended to consult a doctor in time for diagnosis, not to allow the disease to progress, to start and complete the treatment on time, in this case you will forget about such an unpleasant disease as nail fungus.
Bless you!