Fungal fungal diseases can occur for a variety of reasons. Onychomycosis is fraught with many problems, ranging from an unsightly appearance to a constant sensation of pain and itching. It is very easy to catch, but not so easy to cure. In this article, we will discuss about effective remedies for toenail fungus.
About onychomycosis
Fungal diseases are contagious and usually affect certain areas of the nails and skin. Onychomycosis can be contracted in contact with the household, that is, after the use of socks, shoes, and even in swimming pools, saunas, gyms, and so on.
Symptoms of toenail fungus appear gradually. The first signs can be seen immediately:
- nails change color: they become gray, yellow, black, gray or white;
- began to collapse;
- plat dileret;
- the skin near the nails begins to itch;
- the affected area.
With the progression of the disease, keratinization of the nail is observed, as well as significant compaction.
Those who treat the fungus should know that this infection is highly resistant. Although the lesion causes the nail to be removed, there is a possibility that recurrent inflammation can arise from a small, unnoticed focus. Therefore, it is very important to carry out the treatment properly so that in the future you do not worry about the consequences in the form of relapses. It is better to see a doctor immediately, especially a mycologist. If there is no such specialist, a dermatologist can help you.
There are various treatments for onychomycosis. Today in pharmacies you can find many preparations for nail fungus: ointments, creams, tablets and varnishes. Doctors advise to practice oral medication and topical therapy at the same time. So the treatment will be the most complete and complex. Keep in mind that the therapy will take a long time - about 2-4 months.
Remedy for nail fungus
The treatment regimen must be chosen by the physician. Medicines themselves are not worth it, because improper use of drugs can provoke the development of resistance to them on fungal agents, and even lead to further development of the disease. In addition, antifungal drugs are quite "strong" and have a number of contraindications. Various types of drugs are used to treat onychomycosis:
- topical medications (creams, ointments, solutions, varnishes);
- drugs for oral administration (tablets, capsules).
Topical preparations
They are a remedy for external use against fungi. They are prescribed in the early stages of onychomycosis, that is, when the fungus has infected less than 30% of the nail surface on 1-2 fingers.
The use of these drugs is associated with several peculiarities. In order for the active ingredient to penetrate into the nail structure and have a therapeutic effect, you need to go through 2 stages:
- Removal of the nail plate area affected by the fungus. To do this, it is necessary to steam the nails in a soda-soap solution for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the top soft layer with a file and treat it with a disinfectant. The solution is prepared simply: add 1 tablespoon to 2 liters of water. l. baking soda and 5 g of laundry soap.
- Treatment with the preparation of antifungal fungicides. Medicines (ointments, gels, varnishes) should be applied to the affected nails.
Antifungal drugs in the form of varnishes are very popular. It only needs to be rubbed on the affected part of the nail 2 times a week. The course of treatment is until the symptoms of onychomycosis disappear completely.
Also among local preparations, keratolic should be distinguished. This is a painless and inexpensive alternative to removing affected nails. With the help of these funds, you can soften the stratum corneum of the nail plate, which is then pushed. This drug should be used when the fungal area exceeds 40%. The application method looks like this:
- steam your feet with a solution of soda and soap;
- sand the surface of the plate with a file;
- grease freely with the selected composition;
- cover the treated area with masking tape.
Such actions must be performed every 3-4 days. As a result, healthy nails have to grow to replace sick nails.
Oral medication
This is a remedy for nail fungus, available in tablet or capsule form for oral administration. The drug for this treatment is prescribed in further cases, when the fungus has infected more than 50% of the nail surface and is actively growing further.
Oral medications for fungi are toxic and have many contraindications. In particular, they should not be taken during pregnancy, lactation, kidney and liver disease. To reduce the risk of side effects, such medications are prescribed for short courses.
We strongly recommend that you check the dosage of the medication and the course of treatment with your doctor. All cases are individual.
Folk remedies against nail fungus
Folk recipes against onychomycosis on toenails can only help in the early stages of the disease. Antifungal properties are indeed found in many plants, improvement medications from first aid kits and refrigerators.
The following folk remedies are popular:
- Iodine.Has antiseptic properties, a significant fungicide. The solution should be used to treat diseased nails and skin twice a day (1 drop per nail). Course: months. True, this method has its drawbacks - the fingers turn yellow, sometimes burns may occur.
- The mushrooms. . . Peel small mushrooms and chop. Rub the gruel onto the affected nail, do not rinse. Next, apply a bacterial patch and wear tight socks. This procedure must be performed three times until the sore nail plate falls off and new nails grow.
- 9% vinegar. . . Wet the nails with acetic acid overnight and wear your socks. Leave until morning. You can also take a shower. Pour a glass of vinegar into a bowl of warm water and steam your nails for 15 minutes. Each procedure should be performed daily until the symptoms of the fungus subside.
- Tar birch. . . With onychomycosis, you need pure tar. If not, tar soap will happen. The product must be rubbed into the nail, tied with a compress and left overnight. Rinse in the morning. And every day until full recovery.
- Celandine. . . Mix dry grass with 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then mix with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Keep your fingers in the resulting solution for 30 minutes. Do it every day.
- Peel the onion. . . 4 tablespoons. pour onion husks with a glass of vodka, cover with a lid and let soak in a dark place for 2 weeks. The resulting color should be lubricated with nails 4 times a day.
- Lavender oil, tea tree oil and olive oil.Mix in equal parts, apply the composition to the affected nail plate. You need to use this home remedy every day before bed, wearing socks.
Although in the breadth of the network you can get a lot of positive reviews about the use of these folk remedies, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. If you practice it, then only in addition to drug treatment. Of course, doctors should be warned about this.
Onychomycosis is a fungal nail disease that is difficult to get rid of. Only with an integrated therapeutic approach can positive results be achieved. You can’t play "doctor" and devise a treatment plan for yourself. A large number of medications are contraindicated and can cause side effects. The best method of treating fungus can only be recommended by a specialist. The above-mentioned drugs and their analogues are suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis that occurs on the fingers not only on the feet, but also on the hands.