Fungal nail infections are a very common phenomenon, affecting up to 20% of the population.It is not a life-threatening illness.However, it causes major problems in the form of itching, deformation of the nail plate and discoloration.Pathogenic fungi release toxins that spread throughout the body, making it more susceptible to external harmful influences.If you know how to cure toenail fungus at home, you can cope with the problem yourself.
How does infection occur?
The factors that trigger the disease include cuts, wounds, abrasions on the legs and damage from wearing tight shoes.Inadequate foot care, especially with excessive sweating, as well as taking antibiotics and reduced immunity contribute to the development of mycoses.
Infection is possible through contact with a sick person, through using someone else's shoes, washcloths or a room rug.
Therefore, the greatest chance of becoming infected with a fungus is if one of the family members suffers from this disease.Skin flakes from a person infected with a fungus can fly into the area and infect another person.
This often happens in crowded places with high humidity - in a bathhouse, a sauna, a swimming pool.A fungal infection can occur even in salons that provide manicure and pedicure services and where hygiene standards are not adequately monitored.Adults are more commonly affected by 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 flaking on 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 its structure and color, turns yellow and breaks.When spores penetrate deep into the plate, cavities filled with a friable mixture form underneath and an unpleasant smell of putrefaction appears.
In advanced stages, toenail fungus makes walking difficult and can cause fever.In such cases, you should contact a dermatologist immediately.Complications associated with mycosis can manifest themselves in the form of psoriasis and eczema.
There are three types of fungal toenail infections that differ in their symptoms:
- Vesicular.In this case, the lower part of the foot suffers, where small blisters filled with fluid form.
- Membrane.It appears between the toes in the form of cracks.
- Moccasin type.The skin on the heels and soles of the feet thickens and cracks.By capturing the nails, the fungal pathogen causes a disruption in their structure.The body can react with an allergy.
In order not to have to resort to surgical methods to remove the affected nail, you must consult a doctor in a timely manner.He will select the appropriate medication and explain to you how you can treat toenail fungus at home.
Why is fungus dangerous?
The disease is not harmless and can cause serious damage to the human body.Nail fungus is the cause of diseases that are difficult to treat.It corrodes the nail plate, spreads to the surrounding tissues and becomes a vector for any other infection.Weakened immunity allows the fungus to penetrate the internal organs.
Mycosis can also be accompanied by general intoxication of the body.Toxins released by some types of mushrooms accumulate inside and cause poisoning.The disease also causes severe psychological discomfort and triggers negative emotions regarding its development.
Treatment options
Mycoses can be successfully treated at home with the help of medications and traditional medicine.It is important to start treatment on time.Nowadays, the method of pulse therapy is very popular, in which the fungus is eliminated in a short time through the use of antifungal drugs prescribed in large doses.It is important to take long breaks between courses.
You can cure nail fungus at home using products for external use (ointments, gels, varnishes).They are made on the basis of fungicidal active ingredients and have an effective antifungal effect.The success of treatment depends on how accurately the type of pathogen and the degree of pathology are determined.It is possible that different medications are required for each affected area of the foot.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is recommended to combine local agents with systemic ones.Another option 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 range of medications that are effective against fungal infections.Used both orally and externally.The question of treating nail fungus on the hands and feet should be clarified by a specialist.He selects the appropriate means.
Local remedies
At the very beginning of the disease, when the area of nail damage is no more than 50%, solve the problem with the help of ointments and sprays.
Most come in various forms and help kill many types of fungi.The ointment is applied twice daily 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 development of resistance in the fungus.
If symptoms are mild, treatment can be carried out at home using special medical varnishes and serums.
Oral medications
If topical remedies for nail fungus do not show a positive effect, the attending physician prescribes oral medications that block the ability of microorganisms to multiply and destroy.
Combining oral medications with ointments and sprays helps quickly remove fungus from toenails.
Traditional medicine
Our grandmothers knew well how to treat toenail fungus at home.To solve this problem, all sorts of recipes with garlic, soda, vinegar and other ingredients available in the kitchen of every housewife have been used since ancient times.Common means are:
- Garlic.Used to get rid of various types of fungi.Not only on the feet, but also when treating fingernail fungus at home, this product is known for its healing properties.To make a garlic tincture, several cloves are crushed into a paste, mixed in equal parts with alcohol, and the resulting mixture is diluted with a little water.Apply the tincture to the affected nail.You can also use garlic in its pure form;Just lubricate the nail plate with finely chopped garlic.
- Treating nail fungus with vinegar.First, your feet should be thoroughly steamed.A bath with vinegar is then prepared.A 9% warm essence solution is prepared in a small basin.Place your feet in it for 15 minutes.Then wipe off without rinsing with water.It is recommended to take a vinegar bath at home up to twice a week.
- Iodine.Thanks to the antiseptic and disinfectant effect of the alcohol tincture, the fungus is killed.In the first week, a drop of 5% iodine solution is applied to the nail twice a day.The number of treatments is then gradually reduced.The course lasts one month.
- Onion.Applying a crushed onion on the nail helps in dealing with a fungal infection.
- Lemon.The fruit, cut into thin slices, is placed on the sore nail, wrapped in plastic wrap and fixed at the top with a bandage.The procedure is carried out over 12 days.
- Propolis- a product from the beehive known for its healing properties.Helps relieve unpleasant symptoms and relieves itching and inflammation.After moistening the tampon with 20% propolis tincture, apply it to the affected area and secure it with a bandage.Propolis helps renew the nail plate.
Prevention
You can protect yourself from a fungal nail infection by taking certain preventive measures.To do this, you should follow the basic rule: avoid walking barefoot in the pool, bathhouse or hostel.In addition, it is important: do not use other people's shoes;Wash your feet morning and evening;take measures to strengthen the immune system (play sports, take walks in the fresh air, follow proper nutrition, take vitamins);pay attention to diseases associated with mycoses (diabetes mellitus, gastritis, varicose veins);Treat shoes with formaldehyde or vinegar.
At the first sign of suspected fungal infection, appropriate measures must be taken.In the initial stages, it is much easier to get rid of nail fungus at home than with severe damage.