Nail fungus (or onychomycosis) is a disease that, according to the latest data, affects every fifth person in the world. Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies, as well as the prevention of this disease, are very urgent issues, because it can be easily infected - for example, by simply walking on the beach, swimming pool, bathroom or trying on someone. other people's shoes, as well as through unsterilized pedicure equipment in the salon. But you can quickly get rid of nail fungus only at the very beginning of the development of the disease. Advanced fungus will require treatment that may last several months and will be accompanied by the mandatory prescription of special medical drugs, i. e. carried out by traditional methods.
Folk remedies for toenail fungus, unlike chemical means to fight nail fungus, are practically non-toxic and have no effect on the patient's body.
Several types of nail fungus
- Hypertrophic.It is characterized by a change in the color of the nail plate, loss of its shine, thickening of the nail and its deformation. The edges of the board may be subject to destruction. Most often, the thumb is the first to be involved in the process.
- Normotrophic.In this case, the color of the nail also changes, areas in the form of spots and dark stripes appear, however, the thickness of the plate remains the same, and its shine is maintained.
- Onycholithic(another name is atrophic). This variety is characterized by separation of the affected areas of the nail plate, until its complete loss.
- Deleted.It is characterized by peeling of the skin of the fingers, pain is practically absent.
- Intertriginousa type of foot fungus characterized by severe pain. The patient has redness of the skin on the foot, especially between the toes, accompanied by peeling.
Why does it appear
For the development of the disease, not only the contact itself is necessary, but also certain conditions. Infection occurs through contact and home methods, mainly due to violation of the general principles of compliance with hygiene standards. An infected person and his personal belongings (as well as objects in public places with which he came into contact) are potentially dangerous in terms of the possibility of transmitting toenail fungus. The disease develops rapidly in people with reduced immunity, as well as in those who neglect personal hygiene and in the presence of a number of other provoking factors. Shoes, towels, washcloths, socks, floors in shared showers, and even sand on the beach can become a source of infection, but it is not necessary that a person will actually get sick. Nail fungus can be transmitted through transport handles, money, door handles - however, people suffer from it less often, simply because their hands are washed more often, and the skin of their hands does not rot.
In what cases does the fungus develop?
- Different forms of reduced protective properties of the immune system;
- Injuries to the nails, nails, skin of the feet;
- The habit of wearing uncomfortable, closed and unsuitable shoes made of poorly breathable material;
- Wearing other people's shoes;
- Damage to the circulatory system, especially in the lower extremities;
- Increased sweating;
- Increased humidity and temperature;
- Excessive weight;
- diabetes;
- Phlebeurism.
Traditional methods of treatment
So, what folk remedies can cure toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus has high adaptive properties and incredible vitality. For example, fungal spores inside shoes can remain viable for up to four years and can infect humans. Effective, although sometimes long-term, treatment of this disease with folk remedies at home is an alternative option for removing nail fungus or can be used as an additional method to traditional drug therapy.
Tip! A toenail affected by onychomycosis can only be cured if the treatment process is properly organized.
General rules:
- Use disposable files to treat or disinfect metal files after use.
- Before the treatment, the nail must be scalded, trimmed and the affected parts removed with a file.
- All products are applied to the affected areas of skin and nails, including healthy tissue.
- Socks and bandages should be disinfected by boiling in water and soda.
- Once every few days, the bedding should be washed in the machine at a temperature of 70-90 degrees.
Folk recipes against toenail fungus:
- Iodine.Every pharmacy always has a 5% iodine solution in stock. Reviews on the Internet say that this method is quite possible to remove the fungus. Every day, iodine is applied to the affected areas twice - in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. The procedure is repeated until a healthy nail grows. The best results can be achieved in the initial stage of the disease.
Note! If you think that your skin is affected by fungus even after iodine treatment, you may be mistaken, because its condition may be related to a chemical burn. Use the cream to accelerate the regeneration of the epidermis. It is recommended that at the end of the treatment, the fungus is subjected to a control culture by a dermatologist or mycologist. - Garlic.Prepare your nails according to the instructions above. Grind the garlic into a paste and apply it in the form of a cake on the dried affected area. Then put on a toe guard or secure bandage. These bandages are left on all night and washed off in the morning with soap and water. The course lasts until the symptoms disappear, bandages are applied every two days.
- Onion.The onion is grated and the juice released is applied to the affected area. The product does not need to be rinsed.
- Peel the onion.Another way to treat fungus involves using onion peel oil infusion. 2 tbsp. tablespoons of crushed dry ingredients are poured into 3 tablespoons. spoons of liquid cooking oil. The infusion is kept for 25 days, occasionally shaking the container and applied to the affected areas of the legs. The treatment is applied 3 times a day until recovery.
- Celandine.For some reason, there is practically no information on the forums about how to treat nail fungus with celandine. But this is a very good medicine, which has been used successfully for more than a century. A freshly picked plant from the site of damage secretes orange juice, which is applied to all affected parts of the foot, including healthy tissue. The procedure should be repeated at intervals of 3-4 minutes. four times in a row and twice a day - in the evening and in the morning. Within 30 days you will definitely see a positive result.
- Potassium permanganate.At night after mating, wipe the feet with gauze or a cloth soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate in the places where the fungus lives.
- Medical alcohol.A cotton swab soaked in alcohol is placed on the affected areas and between the fingers for 15-20 minutes twice a day for 14 days.
- Sea salt.Baths with a concentration of 100 grams of salt per 100 ml of water are recommended. The course is 20 days.
- Radish.The radish tops are dried and ground into powder. You can use it often, pouring it into socks, shoes and spraying the affected areas.
Important! Socks should be cotton and changed daily. - Treatment with vinegar and eggs.One raw chicken egg is poured into 100 ml. vinegar essence 9% and put in a dark place until the shell dissolves. After that, the film is removed from the egg and mixed with 200 g. melted butter. The resulting ointment is applied to the affected parts of the feet and wrapped in transparent film or a plastic bag. Leave overnight. The course usually lasts 3 weeks.
Note! Do not be afraid of the appearance of itching, it will disappear on its own over time. - Clay.Medicinal pharmaceutical clay is diluted with water to the consistency of thick sour cream and applied to the affected areas in a thick layer. They wrap it with a linen cloth and, without allowing the clay to dry completely, remove it after a while. The skin and nails are washed in water and rubbed with lemon juice or citric acid solution. The procedure is repeated three times a day.
- Coffee.Six st. spoons of ground natural coffee are poured into a liter of boiling water and soaked to such a temperature that you can put your feet in the water. The session should last about 35 minutes and take place before bedtime. In the morning, it is recommended to wash your feet with cold water.
- Propolis.Among the best methods for treating foot fungus with folk remedies, pharmaceutical alcohol or propolis tincture made by yourself is rightfully considered one of the most effective. Treatment by applying the tincture to the affected areas, although time-consuming, is very effective.
Important! Prohibited for nursing and pregnant women! - Soap and birch tar.At night before going to bed, steam your feet and rub them with a cloth (not hard) for 20 minutes or less in soapy water. Rough parts of the skin and affected parts of the nails are cut off, the feet are wiped and a softening cream is applied. Then, in the morning, the feet are washed with cold water and birch tar is applied to the affected areas and cotton socks are put on, which are worn for 2 days. Then the tar is washed off with soap (tar or laundry soap) and the tar is reapplied for two days. A week later, the short course is repeated.
Prevention
In order for the procedures to have the desired effect, it is necessary to fulfill a number of requirements:
- Wash your feet twice a day - in the morning and before going to bed - with tar soap. It provides not only disinfection, but also relieves discomfort in the early stages of the disease.
- Shoes must be washed not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
- Shoes should be periodically treated with antifungal drugs.
- It is recommended to wear shoes made of natural, breathable materials.
- Excessive sweating should be avoided by wearing shoes and socks that are appropriate for the season.
- During the period of illness, you cannot visit beaches, saunas, swimming pools and baths.
- Under no circumstances should you use other people's hygiene products and shoes.
- You can not walk in unreliable places without shoes or generally slippers for guests.
- Socks should be changed at least twice a day.
- After a pedicure, tools and equipment must be thoroughly disinfected.