Nail fungus (or onychomycosis) is a disease that, according to recent 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 pressing issues, since it can be infected quite easily - for example, by simply walking along the beach, pool, in a bathhouse barefoot or trying on someone else's shoes, as well as through non-sterilized pedicure equipment insalon. But you can quickly get rid of nail fungus only at the very beginning of the development of the disease. An advanced fungus will require treatment, which may take several months and will be accompanied by the mandatory prescription of special medicinal medications, that is, carried out using traditional methods.
Folk remedies for toenail fungus, unlike chemical agents for combating 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 toenail plate, loss of its shine, thickening of the nail and its deformation. The edges of the plate 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 appear in the form of spots and dark stripes, however, the thickness of the plate remains the same and its shine is maintained.
- Onycholytic(another name is atrophic). This variety is characterized by detachment of the affected areas of the nail plate, up to its complete loss.
- Erased.It is characterized by peeling of the skin of the fingers; there is practically no pain.
- Intertriginousa type of foot fungus that is characterized by severe pain. The patient develops redness of the skin on the foot, especially between the toes, followed by peeling.
Why does he appear
For the development of the disease, not only the contact itself is necessary, but also certain conditions. Infection occurs through contact and household 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 quickly 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, the floor in common showers, and even sand on the beach can become a source of infection, but it is not necessary that the person will actually get sick. Fungus on the fingernails can be transmitted through handrails in transport, money, door handles - however, people suffer from it less often, simply because their hands are washed more often, and the skin of the hands does not rot.
In what cases does the fungus develop?
- Various forms of decreased protective properties of the immune system;
- Injuries to the nail bed, nail, skin of the foot;
- The habit of wearing uncomfortable, closed and inappropriately sized shoes made of poorly breathable material;
- Wearing someone else's shoes;
- Violation of the circulatory system, in particular in the lower extremities;
- Increased sweating;
- Increased humidity and temperature;
- Overweight;
- Diabetes;
- Phlebeurysm.
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 with folk remedies at home for this disease is an alternative option for getting rid of nail fungus, or can be used as an additional method to traditional drug therapy.
Advice!A toenail affected by onychomycosis can only be cured if the treatment process is organized correctly.
General rules:
- Use disposable files for processing or disinfect metal files after use.
- Before treatment, the nail must be steamed, trimmed and the affected parts removed with a file.
- All products are applied to the affected areas of the skin and nails, including healthy tissue.
- Socks and bandages need to be disinfected by boiling in water and soda.
- Once every few days, bed linen should be washed in a machine at a temperature of 70-90 degrees.
Folk recipes against toenail fungus:
- Iodine.Any pharmacy always has a 5% iodine solution in stock. Reviews on the Internet say that it is quite possible to remove the fungus using this method. Every day, iodine is applied to the affected areas twice - in the morning and in the evening before bed. The procedure is repeated until a healthy nail grows. The best results can be achieved at the initial stage of the disease.
Note!If you think that your skin is still affected by fungus after treatment with iodine, you may be mistaken, since its condition may be associated with a chemical burn. Use the cream to accelerate the restoration of the epidermis. It is recommended to undergo a control culture at the end of fungal treatment 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 finger guard or a secure bandage. These dressings are left on all night and washed off with soap and water in the morning. The course lasts until the symptoms disappear; bandages are applied every two days.
- Onion.Onions are grated and the juice released is applied to the affected area. It is not necessary to rinse off the product.
- Onion peel.Another way to cure fungus involves using an oil infusion from onion peels. 2 tbsp. spoons of crushed dry raw materials are poured into 3 tbsp. spoons of liquid edible oil. The infusion is kept for 25 days, shaking the container periodically and applied to the affected areas of the legs. 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 remedy, successfully used for more than one century. A freshly picked plant secretes orange juice from the site of the breakdown, 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 steaming, wipe your feet with gauze or a cloth soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate in areas where the fungus lives.
- Medical alcohol.A cotton swab soaked in alcohol is applied to the affected areas and between the fingers for 15-20 minutes twice a day for 14 days.
- Sea salt.Baths in a concentration of 100 grams of salt per 100 ml of water are recommended. The course is 20 days.
- Radish.Radish tops are dried and ground into powder. You can use it often, pouring it into socks, shoes and sprinkling 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 place in a dark place until the shell dissolves. After this, the film is removed from the egg and it is mixed with 200 g. melted butter. The resulting ointment is applied to the affected parts of the foot and wrapped in cling film or a plastic bag. Leave overnight. The course is usually 3 weeks.
Note!Do not be afraid of the appearance of an itching sensation; it will go away 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 bandage it with 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 infused to such a temperature that you can put your feet in the water. The session should last about 35 minutes and take place before bed. In the morning, it is recommended to rinse your feet in cool water.
- Propolis.Among the best methods for treating foot fungus with folk remedies, pharmaceutical alcohol or self-made propolis tincture is rightly considered one of the most effective. Treatment by applying tincture to the affected areas, although long-lasting, is very effective.
Important!Prohibited for use by nursing and pregnant patients!
- Soap and birch tar.In the evening before going to bed, steam your feet and rub them with a washcloth (not hard) for 20 minutes or less in soapy water. Rough areas of skin and affected parts of the nail are cut off, the feet are wiped and a softening cream is applied. Then, in the morning, the feet are rinsed 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 with soap (tar or laundry soap) and the tar is applied again for two days. A week later, the short course is repeated.
Prevention
In order for the procedures to have the desired effect, a number of requirements must be met:
- Wash your feet twice a day - in the morning and before 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 from natural, breathable materials.
- Excessive sweating should be avoided by wearing shoes and socks that are appropriate for the season.
- You cannot visit beaches, saunas, swimming pools and baths during the period of illness.
- Under no circumstances should you use other people's hygiene products and shoes.
- You cannot walk in untrusted places without shoes or in general "guest" slippers.
- Socks should be changed at least twice a day.
- After a pedicure, you must thoroughly disinfect tools and equipment.