Folk remedies for nail fungus

Onychomycosis is a common infectious disease of the nails, which manifests itself not only in aesthetic defects, but can also cause a lot of inconvenience: itching, peeling of the skin, inflammation of the periungual cavities. The infection can be cured with the help of medications, but available methods and folk remedies for nail or hand fungus will not help.

What is nail fungus

Onychomycosis appears as a result of the penetration of dermatophyte fungi into the nail plate and their active multiplication. Characteristic symptoms of infection are the appearance of diaper rash between the toes, swelling of the epidermis, cracking of the skin, peeling and unpleasant odor.The appearance of the nail first acquires a yellowish or brownish tint, and over time the nail plate completely changes its shape.The disease is dangerous because it is easily transmitted through common objects from a sick person to a healthy person.

What determines the effectiveness of fungal treatment?

Pharmaceutical products help eliminate the fungus, but official medicine often recommends including traditional recipes for nail fungus in the treatment regimen. To completely get rid of this problem, you must follow the main rule: taking medications and folk remedies should be carried out without skipping, otherwise all efforts will be in vain.

Removing nail fungus using folk remedies is not done in one day. Sometimes it takes weeks or even months to completely eliminate the bacteria. It should be noted that unilateral treatment will be effective only in cases of primary infection, when the disease is in acute form. Chronic onychomycosis is best treated comprehensively: by combining antibacterial tablets with antifungal creams and folk recipes.

Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies

There is no quick way to cure onychomycosis. However, with due diligence, you can not only achieve good results but also get rid of the infection completely. Folk remedies for the treatment of nail fungus can be combined with pharmaceutical drugs or used independently. Among the popular recipes, the most effective in the fight for beautiful nails are those that contain the following components:

birch tar against nail fungus
  • iodine;
  • essential oils;
  • tea tree oil;
  • bee products;
  • apple cider vinegar;
  • celandine;
  • garlic;
  • birch tar;
  • Kombucha

Iodine

An alcohol solution of iodine is an excellent remedy, a powerful antiseptic with fungicidal properties. The drug is suitable for the treatment of acute forms of fungal infection. Try these folk remedies for nail fungus using iodine:

  • Recipe #1. For the first two weeks, treat your nails with fucorcin solution twice a day. Then the nail plate is lubricated with iodine for two weeks. Apply iodine with a cotton swab, lightly touching the skin. To completely cure the fungus and eliminate residual symptoms of the disease, lotions with 9% vinegar are applied to the nail plate for another 2 weeks. The general duration of treatment is 6 weeks.
  • Recipe #2. Add 15 to 20 drops of iodine to a bowl of hot water. Spray the skin on your feet well, then cut off the softened pieces of the nail with tweezers. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the skin and cover the affected area with an antiseptic bandage.
  • Recipe #3. Apply 1 drop of iodine alcohol solution to the affected nail twice a day for 1 to 2 months. To prevent the spread of fungus, it is recommended to treat healthy nails with iodine tincture, but in the amount of 1 drop every other day.

Propolis

Beekeeping products have long been renowned for their bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. People's reviews say that it is better to use propolis to treat mycoses. It perfectly relieves itching and inflammation, activates the growth of a healthy nail plate. For fungal symptoms, try the following recipe:

  1. Buy 20% alcoholic tincture of propolis at the pharmacy.
  2. Dip a cotton swab in the solution and apply it to the plaque.
  3. Place a dry cotton swab on it and secure it with a bandage or dressing.
  4. After a day, remove the compress and remove the softened layer with a nail file.
  5. Affected areas of the feet or hands are treated with a propolis mixture until complete healing.

Therapeutic baths

The goal of these procedures is to soften the plaque as much as possible, and then carefully remove the affected layer with tweezers or scissors. Traditional medicine recommends taking hot baths at least 2-3 times a week. To prepare the solution, you can use soda, sea or table salt, as well as herbal decoctions of chamomile, calendula or oak bark. Try preparing this folk remedy for nail fungus:

  1. Prepare a bowl with five liters of hot water.
  2. Add 4 teaspoons of coarse soda or salt to the water.
  3. Pour into a glass of any herbal antiseptic decoction, you can add a few tablespoons of vinegar essence.
  4. Steam your feet or hands in the basin for 15 to 20 minutes.
  5. Then dry your feet thoroughly and trim the affected area.
salt baths against fungus

Vinegar baths

Everyone knows that fungal infections die in an acidic environment, so vinegar is very popular in the treatment of onychomycosis. The easiest way to get rid of an affected nail is to make a vinegar bandage and put socks made of natural fabric on your feet. For those who have a little more time, traditional healers recommend trying a vinegar bath:

  1. Pour 250 ml of apple vinegar or table vinegar into a bowl of water.
  2. Dip your feet in the solution and steam for 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Dry your feet without rinsing.
  4. Apply the antifungal ointment prescribed by your doctor.
  5. Repeat the procedure every 2 days until completely healed.

Celandine

Traditional methods of treating nail fungus often include recipes based on celandine. This plant is able to cope with infection even at an advanced stage. Celandine has pronounced bactericidal, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. To eliminate the symptoms of the fungus, you can prepare healing baths from celandine juice, prepare ointment, alcohol tincture or oil.

Juice

While celandine is flowering, cut the plant stems at least 10 centimeters from the road, then follow the instructions:

  1. Pass the plant through a meat grinder.
  2. Squeeze the juice from the pulp.
  3. Repeat the procedure until you have collected approximately 200 ml of liquid.
  4. Mix celandine juice with 70% alcohol.
  5. Let sit for at least 24 hours.
  6. Lubricate the affected area with the prepared tincture.
  7. It is better to carry out the procedure after steaming.
  8. The duration of treatment is 1 month.

Oil

Celandine oil is rightly considered an effective antifungal agent.It is best applied locally as a compress to steamed feet or hands.To prepare celandine oil, you must use the following recipe:

  1. Dry the plant stems and knead them with your hands.
  2. Place the raw materials in a glass jar and pour in any oil so that it rises 2 to 3 centimeters above the herb.
  3. Let the mixture sit for about an hour at room temperature, then place it in a cool, dark place for a week.
  4. After a while, add the same amount of oil to the pot as the first time.
  5. The mixture is applied to the affected areas of the nail plates for 3-4 weeks.
celandine oil against fungus

Garlic juice

Onions and garlic are two root vegetables that save you from many infectious diseases. Traditional artisans believe that garlic juice can help get rid of fungus if you prepare it in the following ways:

  1. Pass the head of garlic through a press.
  2. Squeeze the juice from the pulp through cheesecloth.
  3. Mix the juice with water and pure medical alcohol in a 1-1-1 ratio.
  4. The resulting solution is used to wipe the affected nail plates twice a day until they heal completely.

Kombucha

From this plant and sugar syrup, traditional healers prepare a sweet and sour drink that helps combat many problems. You can use kombucha to treat nails like this:

  1. Remove the films from a small piece of kombucha.
  2. Grind the ingredient until you get a paste-like consistency.
  3. Pre-steam your feet. Rub the cool mixture on the areas affected by the fungus 3 to 4 times a day.
  4. It is recommended to do home treatments for 4 to 6 weeks.

Birch tar

Traditional methods of treating nail fungus often include the use of pure birch tar. It has an excellent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, and softens keratinized plaque well. Try this homemade recipe:

  1. Apply natural birch tar to feet previously treated with tar soap, lightly rubbing the skin of the foot.
  2. For an hour and a half, try not to move, do not wear shoes.
  3. When most of it is absorbed, put on thick socks.
  4. After 2-3 days, rinse off the remaining mixture with soap and water.
  5. Repeat the procedure until the fungus disappears completely.

Hydrogen peroxide

It is best to use this remedy as an addition to official treatment methods. Hydrogen peroxide has disinfectant properties, softens the nail and helps medications easily penetrate to the site of inflammation. You can use the medicine like this:

  1. Prepare a cotton compress. Before treating your feet with antifungal medications, spray them in a salt bath.
  2. Then apply a cotton pad soaked in a peroxide solution to the affected area.
  3. Leave for 2-3 hours, then cut the affected areas of the nail with scissors and lubricate the cleaned plate with bactericidal ointment.
  4. It is best to repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day for 2-3 weeks.
hydrogen peroxide against nail fungus

Sea and table salt

For auxiliary therapy, you can prepare products based on two types of salt: sea and table. The first helps soften the nail and the second acts as an antiseptic. Here are some recipes:

  1. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda and the same amount of salt in cold water. Soak your nails in the solution for 10 minutes. Then rinse with warm water, dry and apply an antifungal medication.
  2. Prepare a concentrated solution from a glass of water and a tablespoon of salt. Moisten a cotton pad and apply it to the nail for a few minutes. Then wash the affected area with water and baking soda. The duration of treatment procedures is 10 days.

Nail fungus prevention

It is not difficult to treat nail fungus using folk methods, but it is better to prevent its occurrence. To avoid fungal infections, doctors recommend following simple preventive measures:

  1. If your palms or feet sweat, use an antibacterial spray or wipe your hands and feet regularly with chlorhexidine solution. To consolidate the effect, it should also be used to treat shoes, socks and gloves.
  2. Wear only comfortable shoes, avoid tight shoes and sneakers.
  3. Never use other people's personal belongings or hygiene products.
  4. Always wear shoes on the beach, in public baths or in the swimming pool.
  5. Avoid manicures in beauty salons with a dubious reputation and do not apply varnish or other cosmetic products to damaged nails.