Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease of the feet and toenails caused by dermatophytes. Pathology is contagious, pathogenic parasites - the causative agent of infection spreads throughout the body through the lymphatic system, blood circulation.
Nail fungus, like many diseases, can be cured effectively with folk methods. The advantages of treatment in such a way are obvious - availability, safety, effectiveness. Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus works like any antiseptic for parasites:
- Vinegar creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nail.
- High acidity harms fungal spores, stopping the process of growth and reproduction.
Treatment Options
Depending on the stage and type of disease, there are different treatment options for nail fungus:
- In the early stages, while there is a change in the color of the nails, the initial destruction of the structure, adequate treatment is provided using folk methods: lotions, baths, ointments.
- If the fungus has long grown, a neglected form is diagnosed, the plate has become dirty yellow, gray, has wavy, collapsed along the nail cut, oral antifungal drugs should be added to folk methods.
Basic rules for drug use
Such a simple mechanism makes the treatment of mycosis with apple cider vinegar effective, subject to the following rules:
- Careful choice of essence: the raw material - apple cider vinegar - must be natural, without impurities, chemical additives. Apple cider is easy to make at home.
- Take the necessary precautions: avoid the risk of fungal spread by strengthening hygiene requirements, use personal items (towels, slippers), wash towels and socks after use.
- Follow the recipe and the choice to use the medication strictly.
Method number 1: shower
Baths filled with fungal harmful compositions are a proven way to cure diseases. Apple cider vinegar has a high level of damaging effects on fungi.
Exercise
Healing baths are being prepared for the treatment of the following fungi:
- We take vinegar (400-800 ml. ), Pour it into a container for the procedure.
- Wash my feet thoroughly, the spots of damage on the nails must first be steamed vigorously, cut the seal.
Procedure
- Soak your feet in a filled container, bathe for 10-15 minutes, dry your feet with a towel, wear socks made of natural materials (preferably cotton).
- In order for the treatment to give results, the first 7 days of bathing should be done in the morning and evening, then every 3 days.
- If there are cuts, cracks on the legs, there is a possibility that the procedure will be painful. To reduce the burning sensation, dilute apple cider vinegar with water (2: 1).
After using the towel, it must be washed clean to prevent the spread of infection.
Method number 2: compress
Compressed with apple cider vinegar and combined with other ingredients is effective against fungal growth.
Compressed option
There are several ways to treat an infection with lotions:
- A cotton swab (gauze) moistened with apple cider vinegar, applied to the place where the nail is damaged.
- You can cure the infection with a mixture that has the consistency of a paste. In its composition, apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons) is combined with soda (until the desired density is obtained).
- Glycerin is mixed in equal proportions (it can be replaced with vegetable oil) with apple cider vinegar. Treatment with this fungal mixture is recommended for lesions not only on the nails, but also on the skin.
- Compressed iodine alcohol color (3 drops) with apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp) helps well.
- Good results are obtained by treating the fungus with iodine lotion, as well as a mixture of lemon, soda, and water.
Application features
It is recommended to put compresses at night, correcting the damaged area. You can apply the lotion during the day - in this case, keep it for at least three hours.
- As a result of compression, the toenail plate softens, allowing it to be removed with scissors.
- The lotion is effective if there is an early form of nail disease.
- Since vinegar has a drying effect, it is important to use a cream to moisturize the skin on the feet after the end of a session of lotions and other procedures.
Method number 3: ointment and mixture
In the treatment of fungus, the use of ointment based on apple cider vinegar is effective. Treatment with ointments with vinegar, like other folk remedies, requires compliance with instructions.
Choice of ointment
Ointment that is empirically tested against fungi, the main component of which is apple cider vinegar:
- Finely chop the leaves of Kalanchoe (100 g) and add vinegar (1 teaspoon), honey (10 g), eucalyptus oil (30 g). Before starting the fungal treatment, store the mixture for 3 days in a dark place. Treatment is carried out by lubricating the affected nail.
- To get rid of onychomycosis, you can use the following ointments: dimethyl phthalate, olive oil, glycerin mixed with vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the ointment at night, wash with laundry soap in the morning.
Vinegar mixture
With the help of this recipe, our distant ancestors successfully fought against nail infections, defeating the fungus.
- A mixture of vinegar and honey. You can mix equal parts honey and vinegar and apply to the affected area for 20 minutes. Then wash with warm water.
- Alternate bath with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water).
- Mixture of vinegar with colloidal silver - to enhance the effect on the fungus, a suspension with metal particles is used to dry the feet after a vinegar bath and kept until the mixture is dry.
When curing fungus, the ointment is recommended to be used twice a day. Therapy will be more effective if, before applying the ointment, steam the feet thoroughly and remove the thickened part of the nail.
prevention
It is difficult to treat onychomycosis, it is a painstaking process that requires a lot of time and patience. Complicating the fight against the disease is the difficulty of early diagnosis and viability of the fungus.
Consequences of untreated onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is not a cosmetic problem, the fungal consequences for sick people are as follows:
- Nail infections cause several complications: allergic skin diseases, bronchial asthma, all kinds of rashes.
- The Academy of Mycology conducts studies proving that fungi have a negative impact on the quality of life of a sick person. This is due to a psychological problem, not the aesthetic appearance of the affected nail.
- If you do not fight the disease at the first sign of fungus, the immune system will suffer.
- There is a risk of erysipelas.
- Fungi complicate the course of chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease).
- If you do not start the treatment of this nail infection on time, then there is a high probability of spreading the fungus to the skin of the hands, infecting family members, people around the patient.
How to avoid recurrence
To prevent infection or recurrence of mycosis of the feet, it is important to take the following preventive measures:
- Refuse to wear tight and rubbing shoes. Keep shoes dry - in a humid environment, the risk of pathological fungi will appear increased.
- When visiting public saunas, swimming pools, beaches, wear rubber slippers, and after returning home, disinfect both shoes and feet in a vinegar bath.
- If your feet are sweaty - wear socks made of natural materials, use cosmetics.
- Socks, tights, socks must be changed daily.
- Pay attention to immunity - this is a common cause of mycosis. Take a regular multivitamin course: twice a year and after illness, take antibiotics when the body is weak.