Nail fungus can cause a lot of trouble not only for the infected person, but also for their loved ones. This disease is transmitted both through personal contact and general household conditions. This fact means only one thing - the fungus should be treated without fail, and the measures should be comprehensive: if the problem appeared on the nails, then it is also present on the skin of the legs. Moreover, topical medications must be combined with oral medications. This is the only way to beat the disease at home.
Preparation and precautions
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease caused by fungi - dermatophytes, microsporia, etc. , so it is very important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. After the examination, the doctor can prescribe additional examinations to confirm the diagnosis and choose an effective therapy. If you want to use folk remedies, you must consult with your doctor. Consultation with a specialist will allow you to effectively and safely deal with the problem.
It is important to use medicines according to the instructions and recommendations of the doctor, because some medicines can give a negative result in contact with the skin.
If you or someone in your family has nail fungus, you must pay special attention to hygiene to avoid infecting those who are still healthy.
Why the mushroom appears and its species
Fungal spores are microscopic and live where humans live. About 70, 000 fungi are known, but the most dangerous are those that cause diseases.
How did it turn out that one person is healthy, and the other "caught" the fungus? The following reasons may contribute to this:
- Leg wounds, scratches, blisters.
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Decreased defense power of the organism.
- Excessive sweating of the feet (hyperhidrosis).
The type of fungus that has affected the nail plate can only be determined by a dermatologist after passing tests. Sometimes by visual inspection it is possible to understand which species caused the disease:
- Dermatophytes. The lesion appears as yellowish spots or streaks. The progressive stage is characterized by the acquisition of a lighter shade and the defeat of the entire plate.
- Yeast. They affect the color and structure of the nail folds, causing inflammation and suppuration.
- Moldy. They do not penetrate very deeply and appear as dark and black spots.
It is worth noting that the stronger the lesion, the more pronounced the symptoms and signs of the fungus.
Symptoms and signs of damage
Successful treatment directly depends on correct and timely diagnosis. If you are attentive to yourself, be sure to notice the manifestations of toenail fungus. The following symptoms and signs should alert you:
- Change the color of the panel. The color can indicate the type of fungus that caused the disease. You may notice yellow, gray, black, green, and blue spots or streaks on your nails.
- Change in nail thickness. If you see thinning or, conversely, thickening of the nails, you must see a doctor.
- Itching and burning. They occur systematically and cause discomfort.
- Violation of the integrity of the board. The nail may become cracked. Also, dry skin on the heels indicates a fungal infection.
Unpleasant sensations are caused by the action of fungal toxins on the skin and nails, so the sooner you see a doctor and start treatment, the sooner a full recovery will come. If the fungus is not treated, you can lose the nail completely or several nail plates. Also, toxins poison the body and can cause eczema.
Effective folk methods of struggle
Folk methods will help to get rid of fungus, especially in the initial stage. I present the most common recipes for fighting diseases.
Vinegar
It is used for baths. The preparation for the procedure is simple: take 5 liters of water at a temperature of 50 degrees, add 9% acetic acid and place your feet in the container. The procedure lasts 15 minutes, after which the feet are wiped and cotton socks are put on.
Hydrogen peroxide
First, the feet are steamed in a soda bath, after which the damaged areas of the nail plate are removed. Then a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide is applied to the nail and covered with polyethylene. Such a compress should stand for an hour. The procedure is performed twice a day.
Iodine
Platinum nails are smeared with iodine tincture 2 times a day. You can also make baths by adding 3 liters of water and 2 teaspoons of iodine.
Propolis
Propolis has an antimycotic effect on the skin of the legs and nail plates, both when using tinctures and in the composition of ointments and baths. Add a spoonful of propolis to a pan of water. After the procedure, you can apply the medicine to the focus of the disease for half an hour.
Potassium permanganate and vinegar
Baths with potassium permanganate and vinegar also work well against fungi. To prepare the product, add a liter of table vinegar and a little potassium permanganate to 3 liters of water. The course of treatment is 7 days.
Essential oils
Apply a little oil to your wrist to test for allergies. If no strange signs appear after 12 hours, you can use an anti-fungal medicine. The most effective option is tea tree oil. You need 5 drops of oil per liter of liquid. And the extract itself is applied to the nail plate after the cleaning procedure.
herbal decoctions
- Sage and mint. It can be taken orally as a tea or used in baths. The infusion is drunk during the day, and the bath is done before going to bed.
- Calamus root. Take 15 g of chopped root for 250 ml of water. The decoction helps fight various infections. Drink for a month.
- Japanese Sophora. It has been established as a tool that effectively improves immunity, helps to normalize the work of internal organs. To prepare the tincture, take 0. 5 vodka and add 50 g of sophora fruit to it. Take one teaspoon each before meals. Course - 2 months.
- Oak bark. It has a harmful effect on mold and helps to get rid of fungi. Baths are prepared as follows: mix 1 liter of liquid with 5 tbsp. spoons of bark and cook for 20 minutes. Use for baths when the broth temperature reaches 40 degrees. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
Tar
It is sold in the form of an ointment. You can buy 10% or 30% medicine to achieve the effect. It should be used after water procedures before going to bed. The affected nail is covered with grease.
Tea mushroom
A small piece is applied to the affected nail and fixed with a bandage. In the morning, the bandage is removed, the nails are washed with warm water, the damaged areas are cut off and the fingers are treated with hydrogen peroxide.
Compresses and tinctures
- Garlic. You can use the pulp from the plant to treat toenail fungus. You have to boil it every night and apply it for 40 minutes.
- Rowan leaves. Grind and apply all night.
- Thyme. The tincture is prepared from the dry plant. You will need 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water. You should steam your feet every day until recovery occurs.
- Lilac. Tincture will also help to get rid of fungus. 10 g of lilac is needed for 100 ml of alcohol. The affected areas are smeared until the problem disappears completely.
Pharmaceutical preparations and creams
When symptoms of the fungus appear, topical therapy should be started as soon as possible. Pharmacy creams, varnishes, drops will be used for that.
Tablets will also help achieve maximum efficiency in the fight against the disease. They are combined with external preparations. In the pharmacy you can buy products of different prices and effectiveness.
Removal of affected nails
Means for removing affected nails are also used, but already in a critical condition.
- Chemical. It is performed in a dermatology office. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. The doctor removes the stratum corneum with a special nail file and scalpel. Then the doctor treats the entire surface of the feet and nails with an antiseptic, after which he applies ointment-paste. A sterile material is applied to the top, the affected fingers are bandaged. After 4 days, these areas are sanitized with an antiseptic and treated with an antifungal agent.
- Mechanically. A mycologist or dermatologist removes the affected nails with a special device. Before and after the procedure, the feet are treated with an antiseptic solution.
- Surgical. It is considered obsolete in medical practice. Manipulation is performed by a surgeon. The patient is given local anesthesia with lidocaine solution. After removal, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic ointment is applied, a sterile bandage is applied, followed by fixation with a bandage. In the evening, the fingers must be kept in saline solution. Dressing is done in the clinic.
What is the best way to treat advanced athlete's foot?
One of the modern methods of dealing with foot and nail fungus is laser therapy. This technique is used in cases where traditional local treatment and treatment with oral preparations have failed. The advantages of this procedure are very impressive:
- painlessness;
- no side effects;
- performance.
But laser removal of fungi also has contraindications:
- Diabetes.
- The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
- Violation of internal organs.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Presence of skin diseases.
- Oncological diseases.
- Tan.
- Chemical peeling.
Preparation for laser exposure is carried out as follows: steam the damaged nail and cut as much as possible. Test yourself beforehand. The duration of the treatment is about 6 procedures.
Features of the treatment of fungus during pregnancy
The treatment of fungi in the period of childbirth has its own characteristics. It is necessary to take into account the fact that pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on the expectant mother, therefore, only local preparations are used to eliminate the problem.
The use of therapeutic varnishes is recommended. First of all, the expectant mother should consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and receive recommendations for the upcoming treatment.
If a pregnant woman has previously suffered from fungi, she should take prophylaxis to avoid worsening of the disease in this crucial period.
Opinions and reviews of doctors about home treatment
Toenail fungus is a medical problem and should be treated in conjunction with a qualified professional. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner to clarify the diagnosis, which also focuses on precautions when visiting public baths and saunas, swimming pools, showers in hotels. These places often become a source of infection.
Self-diagnosis followed by self-treatment, according to experts, can worsen the situation, especially considering that some fungi are resistant to certain drugs. Only proper therapy will ensure a quick recovery and a lasting result.
Doctors draw the attention of patients who are expecting a child to a mandatory visit to a specialist before a pregnant woman starts using folk remedies and buying medicines in a pharmacy.
Prevention of fungi
Avoiding the appearance of nail fungus is only possible with systematic prevention. The following measures will help to achieve good results:
- Wash your feet with soap every day.
- Apply antiseptics in the form of sprays or talc.
- Dry wet shoes well.
- If you visit public bathrooms, swimming pools, carry personal hygiene products, change shoes with you.
- Occasionally treat the manicure set with an antiseptic.
Following these simple guidelines will help protect against foot and nail fungus.
Your health depends entirely on your personal relationship with your body. If you have had yeast before or have unusual symptoms, see a doctor to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.
Pay special attention to the appearance of itching of the feet, peeling, changes in the structure and color of the nail plates, the appearance of spots or streaks. This will not only identify the disease, but also deal with it effectively. But the advanced stages of the fungus bring not only additional discomfort, but also negatively affect the health of the entire organism. In addition, there is an aesthetic side: the affected nails eventually fade, peel, and the feet smell unpleasant.