Fungal nail infections are a very common phenomenon, affecting up to 20% of the population.It is not a life-threatening illness.However, this causes many problems in the form of itching, deformation of the nail plate and discoloration.Pathogenic fungi release toxins that spread throughout the body, increasing its sensitivity to harmful external influences.By knowing how to treat toenail fungus at home, you can solve the problem yourself.
How does the infection occur?
Factors that cause the condition include cuts, wounds, abrasions to the legs, and damage from wearing tight shoes.Insufficient foot care, especially with excessive sweating, as well as taking antibiotics and reduced immunity contribute to the appearance of mycoses.
Infection is possible through contact with a sick person, using someone else's shoes, washcloths or carpet.
Therefore, the greatest risk of catching a fungus exists when a family member suffers from this disease.Flakes of skin from a person infected with a fungus can fly into the surrounding space and infect another.
This often happens in crowded places and in conditions of high humidity - in a bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool.Fungal infection can occur even in salons offering manicure and pedicure services, where sanitary standards are not sufficiently monitored.Adults are more often susceptible to the disease, but sometimes a child's leg can also suffer from the fungus.
Symptoms of the disease
The manifestation of mycosis begins with increased dryness and peeling of the heels and feet.Sometimes redness is observed, accompanied by severe itching, the formation of blisters and corns.People who suffer from excessive sweating suffer from diaper rash.The nail changes structure and color, becoming yellow and cracked.When the spores penetrate deep into the plaque, voids are formed below, filled with a ruined mixture, and an unpleasant putrefactive odor occurs.
In its advanced stages, toenail fungus makes walking difficult and can cause fever.In such cases, you should immediately contact a dermatologist.Complications associated with mycosis can manifest in the form of psoriasis and eczema.
There are three types of fungal toenail infections, with different symptoms:
- Vesicular.In this case, the lower part of the foot suffers, on which small blisters filled with fluid form.
- Membrane.It appears between the toes in the form of cracks.
- Moccasin type.Thickening of the skin with the formation of cracks appears on the heels and soles.By capturing the nails, the pathogenic fungus causes a disruption in their structure.The body can react with an allergy.
To avoid having to resort to surgical methods to remove the affected nail, you should consult a doctor in a timely manner.He will select the appropriate medications and tell you how to treat toenail fungus at home.
Why is the mushroom dangerous?
The disease is not harmless and can cause serious damage to the human body.Nail fungus causes diseases that are difficult to treat.Corroding the nail plate, it spreads to neighboring tissues, becoming a conductor of any other infections.Weakened immunity allows the fungus to penetrate the internal organs.
Mycosis can also be associated with general intoxication of the body.Toxins released by certain types of mushrooms accumulate inside and lead to poisoning.The disease also causes serious psychological discomfort, causing negative emotions about its progress.
Treatment options
Mycosis can be successfully treated at home using medications and traditional medicine.It is important to start treatment on time.The method of pulse therapy is very popular today, when the fungus is eliminated in a short time through the use of antifungal agents prescribed in large doses.It is important to take long breaks between classes.
You can treat nail fungus at home using products intended for external use (ointments, gels, varnishes).Created on the basis of fungicidal drugs, they have an effective antimycotic effect.The success of treatment depends on how accurately the type of pathogen and the degree of pathology are determined.Each affected area of the foot may require different medications.
In order to increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is recommended to combine local agents with systemic agents.Another way is to use traditional medicine recipes to speed up the healing process.You can treat nail fungus with the most common products: garlic, vinegar, lemon.
Drug therapy
There is a wide selection of effective medications for fungal infections.Used both orally and externally.This question of how to treat fingernail and toenail fungus should be handled by a specialist.He selects the appropriate remedy.
Local remedies
At the very beginning of the disease, when the damaged area of the nails does not exceed 50%, solve the problem using ointments and sprays.
Most come in different forms and help kill many types of fungus.The ointment is used twice a day, after cleaning and drying the affected area.The lack of results when using the ointment for more than two weeks requires replacing the drug with another in order to prevent the fungus from developing resistance.
For mild symptoms, home treatment can be carried out using special medical varnishes and serums.
Oral medications
When topical remedies for nail fungus do not have a positive effect, the attending physician prescribes oral medications that block the ability of microorganisms to reproduce and destroy them.
Combining oral medications with ointments and sprays helps to quickly eliminate toenail fungus.
Traditional medicine
Our grandmothers knew well how to treat toenail fungus at home.Since ancient times, to solve this problem, all sorts of recipes have been used with garlic, soda, vinegar and other ingredients available in the kitchen of any housewife.Common ways are:
- Garlic.Used to get rid of different types of fungi.Not only on feet but also helps to treat nail fungus at home, this product is known for its healing properties.To prepare garlic tincture, several cloves are crushed into a paste, mixed in equal parts with alcohol and the resulting mixture is diluted with a small amount of water.Apply the dye to the affected nail.You can also use garlic in its pure form;just lubricate the nail plate with finely chopped garlic.
- Treatment of nail fungus with vinegar.First, your feet should be steamed thoroughly.Next, a vinegar bath is prepared.A warm solution of 9% gasoline is prepared in a small basin.Place your feet there for 15 minutes.Then wipe without rinsing with water.It is recommended to do vinegar baths for foot care at home up to twice a week.
- Iodine.Thanks to the antiseptic and disinfectant effect of the alcoholic tincture, the fungus is destroyed.A drop of 5% iodine solution is applied to the nail twice a day for the first week.Then the number of treatments is gradually reduced.The course lasts one month.
- Onion.Applying a crushed onion to the nail helps to cope with a fungal infection.
- Lemon.The fruit, cut into thin slices, is placed on the sore nail, wrapped in plastic wrap and fixed with a bandage on top.The procedure takes place over 12 days.
- Propolis- a hive product, renowned for its healing effects.Helps relieve unpleasant symptoms, relieving itching and inflammation.After moistening the tampon in 20% propolis tincture, apply it to the affected area, securing it with a bandage.Propolis helps renew the nail plate.
Prevention
You can protect yourself against fungal nail infections by taking certain preventive measures.To do this, you should follow the basic rule: avoid walking barefoot in the swimming pool, bathhouse or hostel.In addition, it is important: not to use someone else's shoes;wash your feet morning and evening;take measures to strengthen the immune system (play sports, walk in the fresh air, adhere to a good diet, take vitamins);pay attention to diseases associated with mycoses (diabetes mellitus, gastritis, varicose veins);treat shoes with formaldehyde or vinegar.
At the first signs of suspected fungal infection, appropriate measures should be taken.At the initial stage, it is much easier to get rid of nail fungus at home than with serious damage.