Nail fungus or onychomycosis is not just a cosmetic defect on the skin, but a rather serious disease that requires a proper treatment approach. If timely help is not provided, the nail may be deformed or completely destroyed, and sometimes the advanced disease is accompanied by damage to the internal tissues. This infection can be overcome in various ways, including traditional medicine recipes and the use of disinfectants.
Signs of developing nail fungus
Nail fungus is a common disease characterized by damage to the nail plate. You can get infected with it in public places, in recreation centers and just in everyday situations. Spores of parasitic microorganisms live in household and personal hygiene items, carpets and bed linen for a long time after disinfection. Therefore, there is a risk of re-infection.
Signs of fungus are different at different stages of the disease. Early symptoms are relatively mild. The patient does not care about the infection and takes the treatment lightly.
The disease itself begins to develop in the interdigital folds. There is some peeling and itching. After this, the infection affects the most vulnerable places on the feet - the nails. After a while, the fungus penetrates the internal tissue, where it begins to grow rapidly. The following signs indicate this:
- the appearance of growths on the nails, thickening of the nail folds;
- the nail plate changes its natural color to a pale yellow color, and at a later stage even darkens;
- cracks and removal of the top layer of the nail;
- a burning, painful sensation that causes difficulty walking;
- the development of infectious agents that cause certain odors;
- redness of the skin on the affected finger.
How is mycosis contracted?
The appearance of fungus on the nails is caused by the following factors:
- The presence of parasitic fungi that trigger the development of disease. Fungus is caused not by a single infection, but by several different microorganisms, which makes the nature of the disease unclear. Depending on the pathogen, the course of treatment is prescribed, so a diagnosis is only necessary for the patient.
- Favorable conditions for the development of mycoses. Although it enters the body through micro-cracks in the skin, the virus does not pose a particular danger to humans: the immune system can easily cope with unfamiliar objects. The risk of developing fungus increases significantly in people who wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, are prone to excessive sweating, have fat deposits, or abuse alcohol and tobacco products. Long-term medication use and reduced acidity of the feet can also weaken the body's protective function.
Without these two conditions, the development of nail fungus is impossible. To prevent its development, it is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not walk barefoot in public places (swimming pools, beaches), and do not wear other people's shoes and underwear.
What the fungus can not tolerate
Fungal microorganisms are very resistant to external factors, but in some cases they cannot survive and die. Medicines and traditional medicine recipes necessarily contain special ingredients that have an adverse effect on mycosis. This includes some vegetables, iodine, vinegar and other organic products.
Traditional methods of combating nail fungus
Traditional methods will help stop the spread of infection and neutralize it in the nail. The main advantage of such a recipe is that it is easy to prepare and consists of effective ingredients that do not require high financial costs.
Vinegar is a chemical weapon that creates an acidic environment that is dangerous for infection. They can be used to treat nails, make compresses and bathe, but all this is prohibited if there are open wounds and cracks on the fingers. Positive changes can be seen after a month of using vinegar.
- For the recipe you need 2 tbsp. vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Mix thoroughly and add 1 tsp. glycerin. Apply 1 drop of the product to the affected nail and rub with smooth movements. Treat until the fungus is completely gone.
- Apple cider vinegar bath. Pour 2-4 glasses of liquid into a shallow basin and soak your feet in it. You can dilute it with warm water and add a little baking soda to increase the effect. Keep your feet in the container for 3 hours.
- Ointment for feet. Mix beaten egg, sunflower oil (20 ml) and vinegar (40 ml). It is advisable to add repudin (5 g). Apply the mixture on nails and fingers.
Salt has good anti-inflammatory properties, and also kills pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation of the skin area. It is better to take a bath where salt is dissolved in water. Thanks to this, the acid and alkali contained in it have a stronger effect on the affected area. This treatment method provides a double effect: the acidic environment, together with the high temperature of the water, kills dangerous mycoses.
- Rub a few pinches of salt between your toes. Leave for 1 hour. Repeat the procedure twice a day.
- Therapeutic bath. In 4 liters of water, stir 0. 1 kg of salt (table or sea salt is suitable) and 4 tbsp. vinegar. Apply daily.
- Heat 3 liters of water. Add 2-3 tbsp. salt and 0. 5 tsp. potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), stir thoroughly. The treatment course lasts for 1. 5 weeks. Can be used for preventive purposes.
- Red pepper strengthens nails well, makes the epidermis stronger, which allows it to resist harmful bacteria. It contains many microelements that stimulate natural processes and improve blood circulation.
- Pepper mask. Mix 1 tbsp. ground pepper, 2 tsp. water and 3 tbsp. cosmetic hand cream. The product will help restore the nail plate. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil if desired.
Iodine is a powerful natural antiseptic. It is used mainly for severe forms of fungus, when the infection has affected the tissue around the nail. This is an effective drug that can be bought at a reasonable price at any pharmacy. It is used to eliminate infection from wounds and burn nail growth. Iodine also breaks down the proteins that make up parasitic fungi.
- After bathing, you need to treat the skin of your feet, legs and nails with iodine. This will disinfect the affected area and dry it. This procedure is carried out 3 times in a row after the previous iodine layer has dried.
- Apply 1 drop of iodine to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the surrounding tissue. They can be smeared with thick cream before doing this. Iodine will affect the source of infection. Toenail fungus is scary like fire.
- Lotion with iodine. Apply the liquid to a cotton pad or swab and then apply to the infected site.
Garlic against foot fungus should be used very carefully: too high a concentration can cause burns and skin damage. Only the correct use of bulbous plants will help with onychomycosis.
- Garlic infusion. Finely chop 2 unpeeled cloves of garlic and add vegetable oil (0. 5 l). Leave for 3 days. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Take 1 tablespoon orally for 30 days. Every day.
- Porridge. Take 1-2 heads of garlic and chop them with a knife or in a blender. Apply to nails. Before applying, it is necessary to steam the nail plate by keeping it in hot water with the addition of lemon juice.
- Alcohol colored. Pour 2-3 heads of chopped garlic into ¼ cup. Leave for 2 days. Use the finished product to treat your nails morning, afternoon and evening.
What's scary about nail fungus?
Nail fungus is afraid of the following factors:
- An acidic environment that has an aggressive effect on fungi. To create it, you need ordinary vinegar or some kind of acid (salicylic, orthoboric). These ingredients can be used as an independent medicine, applied to a cotton pad or stick, and then to the affected area. After regular use, rough tissue will become softer and the size of skin tags will decrease. Also, due to the acidic environment, mycoses face difficulties when trying to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
- Antiseptic and disinfectant. These drugs prevent the decomposition process on the surface of open wounds, are suitable for treating tissue, and destroy all infections. The most common drugs from this group include tablets and ointments based on ketoconazole and other substances aimed at eliminating fungal infections.
- Heat. If it reaches 60 degrees and above, the chance of living for microorganisms is almost minimal. At this temperature it dies. Their structure is destroyed, so the disease stops and disappears altogether. As the temperature increases, the healing process is accelerated. Shoes and socks are treated in this way to destroy all spores.
Maintain hygiene rules
Keeping clean is the main requirement for people who do not want to get infected with fungus. To protect yourself from disease, you need to:
- disinfect shoes and wash socks regularly;
- use personal cosmetics;
- maintaining body hygiene;
- processing nail tools;
- do not walk barefoot on the beach, swimming pool and other crowded places.