Typically, the fungus on toenails occurs in men, and in women, the hands are more susceptible to the disease. The medical name for this problem is onychomycosis. It usually starts with the big toe. Only a failed nail can't be sure that the infection won't spread. So you want to bare your legs when visiting or in summer. Often you have to hold back, feel sick, and wait for the problem to go away on its own.
No matter what type of fungus causes the nail disease, it will show similar symptoms and require the same treatment. Since fungal infections of the nails are not life-threatening, most patients are in no rush for treatment and only consider cosmetic concerns. This approach is fundamentally wrong because immunity begins to suffer due to prolonged exposure to fungi, which opens the door to many diseases.
When the first symptoms of nail fungus appear, treatment with drugs or folk remedies should be started. Both are very effective, so patients should decide for themselves which treatment is preferred.
How to get rid of the problem?
Notably, fungi are difficult to treat, so it is extremely important to first determine the extent of the disease and its cause. Most of the time, the problem is with the environment. Wearing closed shoes for extended periods of time during warm periods of high humidity can lead to fungal diseases. Also, staying in the pool for long periods of time can cause damage to your nails.
People with weakened immunity and problems with blood circulation are more likely to contract this attack. In addition, diabetics and housewives who are constantly exposed to water while cleaning apartments and washing dishes may also be at risk.
It is not difficult to understand that nails are affected by fungal bacteria. You just have to look at its color. Usually it is yellowish, but in some cases it can even be black, brown or grey. Nails become denser and rougher. A progressive infection can cause it to stop growing and possibly shed. At the same time, the skin starts to become red, itchy and swollen.
Before the treatment of the disease, the cause of the disease and the adverse factors affecting it should be eliminated.
important!It is not advisable to walk barefoot in public places that are prone to infection.
You can get rid of the infection in different ways. Currently, both pharmacotherapy and traditional medicine are used in practice. It happens that a particular ointment may not be suitable for a person and its use may not bring positive results, but the skin of the legs will respond perfectly to cheap herbal treatments. Also, not everyone has access to medicines. Many drugs have contraindications. For example, pregnant women should avoid taking the drug.
Sometimes, doctors intentionally offer patients a way to combine traditional medicine with medicine.
Use of folk remedies
The most popular and effective traditional medicines against fungal infections are:
- iodine;
- acerbic;
- tea mushroom;
- sea salt;
- potassium permanganate;
- ammonia;
- boric acid;
- tea tree oil;
- Propolis tincture.
Home remedies are mainly used when there is a risk of using medicines that can cause allergic reactions and are not suitable for everyone. The most important thing is to know the ratio to use them.
Do not start treatment, otherwise the nails will not only be unsightly, but also lead to skin diseases, allergen allergies, mucosal diseases, inflammation of internal organs and other consequences. The problem is that this fungus is very toxic and puts all family members at risk, especially if the household has a habit of changing slippers.
Not many people can get rid of this problem with folk remedies, but just remember the usual antiseptic tinctures or decoctions will suffice.
Use of iodine
Iodine has long been used in self-healing processes. It also relieves skin ailments, including fungal infections. It can be used in pure form. Just pre-clean the skin under the nail and rub the infected area with iodine. No bandages are required after this. The iodine should evaporate on its own. Usually, this takes a few minutes. So, you can wait. Otherwise, you could get chemical burns.
important!It is not recommended for people with individual intolerances to iodine to treat any disease.
If someone doesn't know how his body reacts to the substance, a painless experiment can be done at home. Put a few drops of iodine in the crook of your elbow and monitor the skin's reaction. Obviously, if your folded hands start to turn red or stain, then you shouldn't be using iodine at all.
You can prepare a special antifungal blend that contains iodine, vinegar and glycerin. These ingredients must be mixed in equal amounts and added in proportions more than 2 times the amount of boiling water. Now you can start lifting your legs and rub the antifungal mixture onto the sore nails. These movements should be repeated for ten days.
Vinegar treatment
Vinegar is the most popular antifungal for people. Even to prevent such diseases, doctors recommend that they wipe the inside of their shoes. You just dampen a cotton swab with vinegar, put it in the shoe, the shoe has to be folded into a plastic bag, and send the shoe in this form to the closet for a day. Then you can get it, ventilate it, and walk with ease.
You can treat infected areas of your skin with vinegar. First, the nails should be washed and cleaned thoroughly with a file, then the toes should be wiped with a towel soaked in vinegar. Sore nails should be covered with a bandage to allow the vinegar to evaporate freely.
Before using vinegar, it is necessary to test an individual's tolerance to this remedy. You should literally put a drop of vinegar on your skin and watch your body react.
How to use propolis tincture?
Traditional remedies are gentle on the body, so people turn to them before they even go to the clinic. Propolis has antiseptic properties and can be purchased as an ointment, oil or tincture.
When dealing with nail fungus, the most important thing is to be patient as it can be a lengthy process. You can add propolis to prepare special foot baths. A scoop of the tincture in a small container is enough. Steam the legs for 10 minutes. Then you need to exfoliate the keratinized skin, put a propolis cap on your sore fingers, and you can shape yourself with softened propolis.
important!In the process of treating nail fungus, pay more attention to personal hygiene and use clean socks every day.
Uses of Boric Acid
Boric acid has a disinfecting effect. She needs to be as careful as possible. Treatment with this drug should be short-term because a person may become poisoned by the substance that builds up in large amounts in the blood. It's not for everyone. It can be used in liquid and dry form. There are several ways to treat this substance.
- Need to pour 30 grams of powder into a bowl of water, the water temperature does not exceed 60 degrees. Feet should be steamed for about 15 minutes and then towel dry. This procedure should be done more than once every 4 days.
- It is necessary to dip a cotton swab in a 3% solution of this acid and apply it to the sore finger for a few minutes.
- You can dust your nails with boric acid powder and put on socks.
fungal medicine
Now, manufacturers are working on ointments and creams to treat the fungus. Also, don't forget to take the pills and tip medical varnish, they are only used once and lasts 3-6 days.
important!It is best not to self-medicate with medications without consulting a doctor, as there are contraindications for certain groups of people.
There are many medicines on the pharmacy counter, but are they right for your problem? There is still some work to be done here. If the fungus has recently appeared, it will be easier to get rid of it.
prevent disease
In order not to catch this infection, you should keep your feet clean and follow personal hygiene rules. You should also hear from people who recommend:
- Do not use other people's scissors when manicuring;
- Go to the gym or shower without shoes;
- Use cotton socks that allow your feet to breathe;
- do not wear tight shoes;
- Don't walk in wet shoes for long periods of time, if you're "lucky" you'll get caught in the rain.
In principle, no special measures can prevent this scourge. You just need to wash your feet regularly and wash your socks.
