Toenail fungus is the most common and most unpleasant disease. Fungal infections of the feet and nails can not cause significant harm to health, but cause a weakening of the immune system and an unpleasant painful sensation.
Nail fungus is able to concentrate toxic toxins in the body, which multiply during the growth of pathogenic fungi, resulting in slow poisoning of the body, can cause allergic reactions or exacerbate chronic diseases. As a result, metabolic processes in the body are disrupted, immunity is reduced, general physical condition worsens, and sensitivity to various negative environmental influences increases.
In this article, you will learn what are fungal spores, the cause of this unpleasant disease, symptoms and signs of damage, how to treat toenail fungus at home, what are the preventive measures that must be followed to prevent infection.
Why does fungal mycosis occur on toenails?
The occurrence of fungal infections can trigger:
- wounds on the feet in the form of cracks and abrasions, which may be the result of pedicure procedures or as a result of wearing narrow and uncomfortable shoes;
- corns and calluses on the feet;
- poor irregular foot care;
- decreased immunity;
- long-term use of antibiotics and similar drugs with effects on the body during treatment;
- excessive sweating on the feet;
Decreased immunity and protective functions of the body can trigger fungal diseases, but are not a major factor in the onset of the disease.
First of all, the infection occurs:
- household means of contact with sick people, often close relatives, through ordinary slippers or shoes, through household items - wipes, sponges, rugs;
- in the sauna, bath, swimming pool and on the beach. A large group of people and a humid environment contribute to the spread of fungal diseases;
- in any place where people walk without shoes. Fungal spores are able to withstand sudden changes in temperature from low to very high and remain for a long time in the sand, on the surface of walkways, on the upper surface of ponds;
- when wearing other people’s shoes, where the pathogenic viral microflora can live and reproduce;
- wearing socks or stockings made of synthetic materials that do not allow air to pass through them creating a favorable microclimate for fungal infections;
- the constant wearing of false nails makes it impossible for the nail plate to breathe, which also contributes to infection with mycosis;
Symptoms of fungal infections on nails and feet
- dryness, itching, redness and flaking of the feet;
- appearance on the soles of the feet and between the toes of small itchy vesicles, the formation of corns is possible;
- appearance of diaper rash on the legs due to increased sweating;
- changes in the shape and color of nails. Fungal spores penetrate the nail plate and gradually take root in it. The nail structure becomes heterogeneous, brittle, with an uneven surface. In places of defeat, bright or yellow spots appear, and hollows beneath them;
- under the influence of toxic toxins produced by fungal spores, feet sweat profusely, a sharp unpleasant odor appears;
- an increase in body temperature is possible.
If there are cracks, itching, diaper rash, unpleasant odor on the feet, changes in the shape of the nails and the appearance of white or yellow spots on its surface, and voids underneath, there is a direct reason to contact a dermatologist for detailed advice and regimentreatment. The dermatologist will tell you everything about the treatment of toenail fungus at home and prescribe the appropriate medications for each particular case, as well as give advice on the use of traditional medicine.
The symptoms of the disease and the nature of the lesion depend on the type of fungal mycosis:
- type of mycosis - vesicular, begins to affect the lower part of the legs, is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles and blisters filled with fluid and additional attachment of bacteria - pathogens;
- type of mycosis - membrane, characterized by the appearance on the skin between the toes of a small rash of red rash and the appearance of painful cracks;
- types of mycosis - such as moccasins, where mycosis affects the skin of the feet, starting from the heel and ending with the toes. The lesion is accompanied by a painful sensation, the skin of the feet thickens, cracks and itching appear.
Often, fungal spores from the soles of the feet pass through the nail plate, the fungus takes root and grows on the nail, affecting it. Fungal infections negatively affect the whole body, inhibit its function and can cause allergic reactions.
Treatment of toenail fungus at home: preparations against mycosis
The most effective treatment for toenail fungus at home is a complex combination of special drugs against mycosis and folk remedies. First, we will talk about what drugs are used in the treatment of toenail fungus, then folk methods.
Medicines must be used strictly according to instructions, always and exactly their dosage. For the treatment of mycosis, there are special antimycotic drugs in the required doses. With advanced cases and extensive lesions, the fungus can be eliminated in several stages, observing a certain temporary interval between courses of treatment.
It is possible to cure the fungus by medical methods with the help of cheap and very effective drugs. Means against mycosis are available in the form of ointments, gels and varnishes, which must be applied on the surface of the nail several times a day. Fungal spores are very resistant to various influences on it, to get rid of them completely, you need to change the drug treatment regimen periodically and alternate between drugs and traditional medicine.
Toenail fungus treatment with folk remedies at home
Toenail fungus treatment with folk remedies at home is the periodic treatment of the affected area of the fungus with special natural remedies. It is known that mycosis is afraid of acid, and treatment of the fungus with the help of nature is based on this fact. The most effective natural remedies are vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, propolis, baking soda, iodine, garlic, kombucha. This is just a way to negatively affect the pathogenic flora of the fungus and be able to overcome it.
Toenail fungus treatment with vinegar
Vinegar treatment is carried out using lotions with a specially made composition of vinegar, alcohol and glycerin. The proportions of the component ratios are taken in the appropriate quantity -2/2/1. A piece of cotton or a cotton pad soaked in the solution is rubbed on the nail plate affected by the fungus and held for a certain time, then the feet must be dried with a clean towel or napkin and only after a while rinse the feet. with warm water. The lotion should be applied from two weeks to one month, depending on the complexity of the lesion. In the process of such treatment, the infected nail begins to flake off and gradually disappears, and new healthy nails grow in its place.
Important! To prevent skin burns around diseased nails, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with any vegetable oil before applying the lotion.
Nail fungus treatment with baking soda
Treatment with baking soda is carried out in the same way as vinegar, for this you need to make a cold solution of baking soda, soak a cotton pad in it and place on the affected nail for a while, then remove the disc and wipe the nail thoroughly with a dry towel.
Hydrogen peroxide against nail fungus
Treatment with hydrogen peroxide is carried out as follows: peroxide must be poured into the cavity under the nail platinum, where the fungus has taken root. The aggressive and disinfectant peroxide environment perfectly destroys fungal spores and helps to quickly get rid of the disease.
Iodine
A good effect is given by iodine treatment, which must be applied on the nail plate several times a day, and the fungal cavity should also be treated with iodine.
Propolis
In the treatment of fungus with propolis, compresses from colored propolis and alcohol help well. Compresses must be used daily and stored for a certain time, then rinse the feet with warm water. Such treatment should be carried out until a positive result occurs and the nail is renewed.
Other folk methods in the treatment of nail fungus
- Another effective but somewhat complicated recipe consists of applying on the affected area a mixture of one teaspoon of methyl phthalate, one teaspoon of vinegar, one teaspoon of vegetable oil, and two raw eggs. Mix all components thoroughly and store in the refrigerator until fully used. Apply a compress of the mixture on the nails, wrap the fingers with plastic wrap, put on fur socks on top. Hold for at least thirty minutes.
- As a homeopathic remedy, the living organism, Kombucha, helps well. For the rest of the night, place a piece of kombucha on the affected nail and cover this spot with plastic wrap. Kombucha has an acidic environment and copes with fungal spores well.
- Good results are obtained with daily treatment of the affected surface with finely grated garlic. Garlic juice is a natural disinfectant and works well for fungal spores.
Toenail fungus treatment at home should be carried out regularly and regularly. If the microscopic portion of the spore remains under the nail, the fungus will begin to grow back and all treatments will need to be restarted.
To prevent fungal infections on the nail plates and skin of the feet, you need to follow preventive measures, which we will talk about later.
Disease prevention
- To prevent primary or re -infection with mycosis, it is necessary to always process all manicure tools and accessories carefully. If a manicure or pedicure procedure takes place in a beauty salon, make sure the master does not use unprocessed tools after others.
- Clean your shoes regularly with a disinfectant such as vinegar or formalin. To get the best therapeutic effect on shoe disinfection, mix these products well with each other and run the treatment.
- From time to time, disinfect common household and household items by boiling them in a soap solution. For the solution, a combination of water, laundry soap and a little baking soda is best;
- Bath, sauna and pool tours use only rubber slippers or special slippers.
- Features individual bath accessories - wipes, sponges and towels.
- Always observe foot hygiene with the help of water procedures. As often as possible, do a foot bath with warm water, where it is good to add crystals of potassium permanganate or a teaspoon of baking soda as a disinfectant.
- Don’t try, let alone wear other people’s shoes, as they are considered the best fungal disease carriers.
Successful toenail fungus treatment at home is possible only if all dermatologist recommendations are followed, with strict adherence to treatment regimens and use of medications, careful adherence to lesion hygiene, and regular handling of all necessary disinfection procedures. It is important to follow preventive measures and be patient, because nail mycosis is a dangerous disease and difficult to control.