Nail mycosis (or onychomycosis) is a disease that, according to recent data, affects one in five people in the world. Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies, as well as the prevention of this disease, are very urgent matters, since they can be infected quite easily, for example, simply walking along the beach, in the pool, in a bathhouse barefoot or trying someone else's shoes, as well as through non-sterilized pedicure equipment in the salon. But you can quickly get rid of nail fungus only at the beginning of the development of the disease. An advanced fungus will require treatment, which may last several months and will be accompanied by the mandatory prescription of special medicines, that is, carried out using traditional methods.
Folk remedies for toenail fungus, unlike chemical agents to combat nail fungus, are practically non-toxic and have no effect on the patient's body.
Different 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 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, the areas appear in the form of dark spots and 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.
- Deleted.It is characterized by peeling of the skin of the fingers, there is practically no pain.
- Intertriginousa type of foot fungus characterized by severe pain. The patient develops redness of the skin of the foot, especially between the toes, followed by scaling.
Because it appears
For the development of the disease, not only the contact itself, but also certain conditions are necessary. Infection occurs through contact and household methods, mainly due to violation of the general principles of compliance with hygiene rules. An infected person and their belongings (as well as objects in public places with which they have come 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, the floor of communal showers and even sand on the beach can become a source of infection, but it is not necessary for the person to actually get sick. Fungus on the nails can be transmitted through transport handrails, money, door handles - however, people suffer from it less often, simply because their hands are washed more often and the skin on the hands does not rot.
In which cases does the fungus develop?
- Various forms of decrease in the protective properties of the immune system;
- Injuries to the nail bed, nail, foot skin;
- The habit of wearing uncomfortable, closed and inadequately sized shoes made of poorly breathable material;
- Wearing someone else's shoes;
- Violation of the circulatory system, especially in the lower extremities;
- Increased sweating;
- Increased humidity and temperature;
- Overweight;
- 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, albeit sometimes long-term, treatment with folk remedies at home for this disease is an alternative option for eliminating nail fungus or can be used as an additional method to traditional drug therapy.
Advise!A nail affected by onychomycosis can be cured only 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, cut and the affected parts removed with a file.
- All products are applied to the affected areas of the skin and nails, including healthy tissues.
- Socks and bandages should be disinfected by boiling in water and soda.
- Once every few days, bed linen should be washed in the washing machine at a temperature of 70-90 degrees.
Popular recipes against toenail fungus:
- Iodine.Any pharmacy always has 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 twice to the affected areas: in the morning and in the evening before bedtime. The procedure is repeated until a healthy nail grows. The best results are obtained in the initial phase of the disease.
Note!If you think that your skin is still affected by fungus after iodine treatment, you may be wrong, as its condition may be associated with a chemical burn. Use the cream to accelerate the restoration of the epidermis. It is advisable to undergo a control culture at the end of the treatment of the fungus by a dermatologist or mycologist.
- Garlic.Prepare your nails according to the instructions above. Grind garlic into a paste and apply it in the form of a cake on the dried affected area. Then wear a finger guard or a secure bandage. These dressings are left on overnight 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 released juice is applied to the affected area. It is not necessary to rinse the product.
- Onion peel.Another way to cure mushrooms involves using an infusion of onion peel oil. 2 tbsp. spoons of crushed dry raw materials are poured into 3 tbsp. tablespoons of liquid edible oil. The infusion can be kept for 25 days by periodically shaking the container and applying it 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 an excellent remedy, successfully used for more than a century. A freshly harvested plant secretes orange juice from the site of injury, which is applied to all affected parts of the foot, including healthy tissues. The procedure must 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, in areas where the fungus lives, wipe your feet with gauze or cloth soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate.
- Medical alcohol.A cotton ball 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 lasts 20 days.
- Radish.The 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. 9% vinegar essence and place in a dark place until the shell dissolves. Subsequently, 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 foot and wrapped in cling film or a plastic bag. Leave overnight. The course usually lasts 3 weeks.
Note!Do not be afraid of the appearance of an itching sensation, 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 letting the clay 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 at such a temperature that you can put your feet in the water. The session should last approximately 35 minutes and take place before going to bed. In the morning it is recommended to rinse your feet with cool water.
- Propolis.Among the best methods of treating foot fungus with folk remedies, pharmaceutical alcohol or homemade propolis tincture is rightly considered one of the most effective. Treatment by applying the dye to the affected areas, although long lasting, is very effective.
Important!Prohibited for use by breastfeeding and pregnant patients!
- Soap and birch tar.In the evening, before going to bed, steam your feet and rub them with a cloth (not hard) for 20 minutes or less in soapy water. Rough areas of the skin and affected parts of the nail are trimmed, the feet are cleaned and a softening cream is applied. Then, in the morning, the feet are rinsed with cold water, 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 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 going to bed - with tar soap. It provides not only disinfection, but also relieves discomfort in the early stages of the disease.
- Shoes need to be washed not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
- Shoes should be periodically treated with antifungal drugs.
- We recommend wearing shoes made from natural and breathable materials.
- It is advisable to avoid excessive sweating by wearing shoes and socks suitable for the season.
- It is not possible to visit beaches, saunas, swimming pools and baths during the period of illness.
- In no case should you use other people's hygiene products and shoes.
- You cannot walk in untrustworthy places without shoes or in general "guest" slippers.
- Socks should be changed at least twice a day.
- After a pedicure, you need to thoroughly disinfect your tools and equipment.