Fungi.Anyone who has ever encountered it will hardly think of a children's sandpit when they hear this word.An image immediately comes to my mind: terrible crumbling nails, inability to walk in open shoes in summer, unpleasant smell... I could go on and on, but it's pointless.Let's talk more about how to cure toenail fungus.
First, make sure that it is exactly that disease.To do this, you will need to go to the doctor so that he can take a scraping for analysis.People often mistake the slightest change in nail color for a fungal infection.But there can be many reasons for this, from tight shoes to a banal injury.
Sometimes especially impressionable comrades in their desire to get rid of pseudo-fungi reach the point of absurdity.And then you have to restore what is left of the nails after such unfortunate doctors.
General questions
Most people who get toenail fungus for the first time are scared and take drastic measures, including removing the affected nail completely.We believe that this is premature and unjustified.Why run to the surgeon if the fungus has just started and the nail bed is not affected?To be incapacitated for a few weeks?Eventually, walking will be nearly impossible due to the pain.
You cannot do the nail removal procedure yourself.It should be prescribed by a doctor and only under strict indications.In other cases, it is quite possible to deal with the disease at home.
Another warning: from the very beginning of the treatment, it will be necessary to disinfect daily:
- shoes, indoor and outdoor
- socks, stockings, tights
- foot towels
- bedding
- home pedicure tools
Some people do not have the opportunity to disinfect the bed every day.In this case, you can cover half of the bed with an old, unnecessary cloth to disinfect it.This is a more feasible option than boiling all the laundry.
The next rule is persistence.Toenail fungus is not a cold;it won't go away in a week.It will have to be destroyed systematically and for a long time.Preferably uninterrupted.Of course, if the course of treatment is planned, then it is necessary to make omissions.In all other cases, regularity should come first.Otherwise, some will put oil on their nails for 3 days and then tell people on every corner that "it doesn't help, it's all a lie".
We recommend that you shave your feet as often as possible and, if possible, file off the damaged part of the nail.This will make it easier for any product to penetrate the plate and under the skin to destroy pathogenic spores.
By the way, don't forget: although the mushroom is the same, all people are different.So, some manage to deal with the problem in 3 months, others need years to remove the infection, and after a while it returns again.
And fungal spores get used to various aggressive agents very quickly.In this case, mycologists recommend changing the drug every 3 weeks so that the fungus does not have time to adapt.This will speed up the healing process.
Advice.Always, before trying the ointment, lotion, tincture, drops on the affected nails, first try the medicine on the inside of the elbow.If after one day the allergy is not visible, feel free to start the treatment.If you neglect this procedure, there is a high risk that it will worsen instead of recovering.You can go completely nail-free.
Traditional methods
We will not specifically mention the names of the drugs here.Why?because:
- All of them can only be prescribed by a qualified dermatologist, but not "the neighbor drank and applied it, it helped her".
- This is not a promotional article.
- The price range of mycological drugs is quite large.And if the medicine doesn't work for you, then we don't want to hear curses directed at us.
Let's take a closer look at the most common "grandma" methods.Just don't rush to laugh ironically.There are many recipes, surely some will help.Well, it certainly won't hurt.Moreover, according to reviews, these products deal with toenail fungus in some cases much more effectively than pharmaceutical drugs.
Vinegar
There are a large number of recipes based on it.By the way, very effective.Because the fungus does not tolerate an acidic environment at all.Let us tell you the most efficient way:
- Put 1 chicken egg (factory or home-made, it doesn't matter) in a glass.
- Pour enough 70% acetic acid on top to completely cover the contents.
- Cover with paper or a lid and leave in a cool and dark place for 7-8 days.
- After this time, carefully remove the remaining film from the egg with a wooden spoon.
- Add about a teaspoon of good butter and grind well until smooth.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container.Not metal!
How to use.Everything is very easy.Nails should be steamed in salt water twice a day and then filed as much as possible.Apply a small amount of ointment to the top and cover with cotton or a piece of bandage.To ensure a secure fit, you can use your fingertip during the day or cling film at night.
You must keep this compress for at least 20 minutes.Then everything is washed with clean warm water without soap and they go about their business.
By the way, the well-known kombucha has a similar effect.It contains a large number of acidic bacteria, which perfectly get rid of fungi.It is enough to tie a small piece of mushroom to the nail plate overnight.It is recommended to wear the tip of the finger so that the dressing does not take longer to dry.
Important!The smell of vinegar will haunt you for some time.You will have to be patient or start treatment while you are on vacation.
Oils
Many people know about the antibacterial properties of some essential oils.Specifically, they are:
- lavender
- Eucalyptus
- tea tree
Folk wisdom suggests that they are used to treat toenail fungus.Otherwise, quite successfully.There are 2 application options:
- Warm, clean water (+48-52°C) is poured into the foot bath.Add 21 drops of your chosen oil.Nails are steamed for 38-40 minutes.Then do not rinse, but dry immediately.
- After a regular salt bath, the essential oil is applied undiluted.You can simply drip from the pipette directly onto the damaged nail.
And don't be afraid of greasy spots.High-quality oils do not leave them.But there is always a pleasant aroma.
Important!Be sure to test for an allergic reaction.Essential oils are highly concentrated and sometimes suffer from this.
Celandine
A plant known for its orange juice.It has been used for centuries to treat warts.The principle of use to remove nail fungus is similar.Gently spread the juice from the freshly harvested stem on the damaged areas.Morning and evening.
There is one drawback to this method: fresh juice is only available in summer.But the healing process cannot be stopped.what should i do?Buy celandine oil at the pharmacy.It is applied according to the principle described above, 2 times a day.Soon the new healthy nail will be noticeable and will gradually grow.At this point, it is advisable to file the old patient as much as possible (not to the point of pain).
Important!Use celandine juice with caution, it contains poisonous substances.
Garlic and onion
Let's be honest, at first this method did not instill confidence in us.But numerous reviews are full of positive emotions, so here is this simple recipe:
- Chop the onion or garlic into a paste.
- Carefully apply a small amount of the mixture to the steamed nail.
- Cover the top with film or polyethylene.
This dressing should be done at night.Because during the day it can slide down when walking and cause serious inconvenience.In addition, the most powerful amber will turn all your friends and acquaintances away from you.
Important!Be sure to lubricate the skin around the nail with a rich cream.The juice of these plants causes severe burns upon prolonged contact with the skin.
Soda
Yes, yes, simple baking soda.No, it should not be sprayed directly on the nail.It won't be good.You just need to steam your nails in a soda bath twice a day.Plus periodically cut off as much of the damaged layer as possible.
The disadvantage of this procedure is that it works very slowly.That is, you will have to splash your feet in a hot bath for at least 3 months in a row.But it turns out cheap and effective.You only need warm water - 1 liter and baking soda - 1 spoon.l.The duration of the procedure is at least 30 minutes.
Iodine
The method, like the one described above, works quite slowly.Sometimes you have to use it for 8-9 months in a row.But it is available to absolutely every category of people, because it costs only a penny.The use of iodine is very simple.You just need to apply it to clean, dry nails every morning.
Of course, this method is not suitable for summer, because the nail plates will be a beautiful orange-brown color.Although, if you have ringworm, you're unlikely to wear open-toed shoes.
Important!Apply iodine very carefully, trying not to get it on the periungual fold.The drug causes a chemical burn of the skin.
Other methods
They may be strange to some.But what's stopping you from trying them out for yourself?In the end, you have nothing to lose.And the result can be surprising.
- Washing powder.It is recommended to steam your feet once a day in the following composition: 100 g of detergent per 1 liter of water.Repeat for 10 days, then take a break for 3 days.And so until full recovery.
- Ammonia.Add 15 ml of ammonia to 200 ml of plain water (can be measured with a syringe).A piece of cloth or cotton wool is soaked with the resulting mixture, and then applied to the infected nail.Put polyethylene or a toe cap on top.The procedure is performed once a day, the compress is left for 45 minutes.
- Coffee.You must brew strong natural coffee.Cool gently until the skin can handle it.Without diluting with water, scald your nails in broth once a day.Repeat daily until fully recovered.
- Fresh horseradish.It is grated or passed through a meat grinder.The resulting pulp is stored in the refrigerator.After each cutting or filing of the infected nail, a little grated horseradish is placed directly on the plate.Cover the top with a compress and leave overnight.According to rumors, the method helps cure the fungus in record time.Otherwise, the roots can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for use in the winter.
Advice.When using some methods, the nail plate may hurt slightly.This is within normal limits.If the pain becomes severe, stop treatment immediately.This means that the method is not suitable for you.Choose another medicine.
How to cure toenail fungus?Just methodical and long.This disease does not disappear overnight.It is better to contact a specialist.