Fungus.Anyone who has encountered it is unlikely to remember a child's sandbox when they hear this word.Images immediately come to mind: terrible crumbling nails, the inability to walk in open shoes in the summer, an unpleasant smell... I could list them for a long time, but it would be useless.We better discuss how to treat toenail fungus.
First, make sure that this is really the disease.To do this, you need to go to the doctor so that he can take a scraping for analysis.People often mistake a slight change in nail color for a fungal infection.But there are many reasons for this, ranging from tight shoes to superficial injuries.
Sometimes gullible comrades in their desire to get rid of pseudo fungus reach the point of absurdity.And then you have to restore what is left of the nails after the poor doctor.
General questions
Most people who get toenail fungus for the first time are scared and take drastic measures, including completely removing the affected nail.We believe that this is premature and unjustified.Why go to the surgeon if the fungus has just started and the nail bed is not affected?Being disabled for a few weeks?After all, walking is almost impossible because of the pain.
Nail removal procedures should not be done on your own.It should be prescribed by a doctor and only under strict indications.In other cases, it is quite possible to overcome this disease at home.
Another warning: from the beginning of treatment, it is necessary to disinfect every day:
- shoes, indoor and outdoor
- socks, stockings, tights
- foot towel
- bed linen
- home pedicure tools
Some people do not have the opportunity to disinfect their beds every day.In this case, you can cover half of the bed with an old cloth that is not needed for disinfection.This is a more doable option than boiling all the clothes.
The next rule is persistence.Toenail fungus is not a cold;it won't go away in a week.It needs to be destroyed long and systematically.Preferably uninterrupted.Of course, if a course of treatment is planned, then it is necessary to make an omission.In all other cases, regularity should prevail.Otherwise, some will rub oil on their nails for 3 days, and then tell people at every corner that "it didn't help them, it was all a lie."
We recommend steaming your feet as often as possible and, if possible, remove 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, do not forget: although the fungus is the same, people are all different.Therefore, some manage to overcome the problem in 3 months, others take years to eliminate the infection, and it returns again after some time.
And fungal spores very quickly get used to various aggressive agents.In this case, mycologists recommend changing the drug every 3 weeks so that the fungus does not have time to adapt.This will make the healing process faster.
Advice.Always, before trying ointments, lotions, tinctures, drops on the affected nail, first try the medicine on the inside of the elbow.If after a day the allergy does not appear, then feel free to start the treatment.If you ignore this procedure, then there is a high risk of making it worse instead of recovery.You can be left completely without nails.
Traditional method
We will not specifically list the drug names here.why?Because:
- All of them can only be prescribed by a qualified dermatologist, but not "the neighbor drinks and uses it, it helps him."
- This is not a promotional article.
- The price range for mycological drugs is quite large.And if the medicine does not help you, then we do not want to hear the curse directed at us.
Let's take a closer look at the most common "grandmother" method.Just do not rush to laugh ironically.There are many recipes, surely some will help.Of course, it will not harm.Moreover, according to reviews, this product fights toenail fungus in some cases much more effectively than pharmaceutical drugs.
Vinegar
There are many recipes based on it.By the way, very effective.Because fungi do not tolerate an acidic environment at all.Let us tell you the most effective way:
- Place 1 chicken egg in a glass (factory-made or homemade, it doesn't matter).
- So much 70% acetic acid is poured on top that it completely covers the contents.
- Cover with paper or a lid and leave in a cool, dark place for 7-8 days.
- After this time, carefully remove the remaining film from the egg using a wooden spoon.
- Add about a teaspoon of good butter and mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container.Not metal!
How to use.Everything is very simple.You need to steam your nails in salt water twice a day, then place your nails as much as possible.Apply a little ointment on top and cover with a cotton pad or piece of bandage.To ensure secure fastening, you can use fingertips during the day or cling film at night.
You need to 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 famous kombucha has the same effect.It contains a large amount of acidic bacteria, which perfectly eliminates fungus.It is enough to fasten a small piece of mushroom to the nail plate overnight.It is advisable to wear the fingertips so that the compress does not dry longer.
Important!The smell of vinegar will haunt you for some time.You have to be patient or start treatment while on vacation.
Oil
Many people are aware of the antibacterial properties of some essential oils.In particular, these are:
- lavender
- White wood
- tea tree
Popular wisdom suggests using it in the treatment of toenail fungus.By the way, quite successful.There are 2 application options:
- Hot, clean (+48-52°C) water is poured into the foot bath.Add 21 drops of the oil of your choice.The nails are steamed for 38-40 minutes.Then do not rinse, but immediately wipe dry.
- After a normal salt bath, essential oils are used undiluted.You can simply drip from the pipette directly onto the damaged nail.
And don't be afraid of greasy effect.High quality oil does not leave it.But there is always a pleasant aroma.
Important!Be sure to test for allergic reactions.Essential oils are very concentrated and sometimes suffer from this problem.
Celandine
A plant famous for its orange juice.It has been used for centuries to treat warts.The principle of use to get rid of toenail fungus is similar.Gently lubricate the damaged area with freshly picked stem juice.Morning and evening.
There is one drawback of this method: fresh juice is only available in summer.But the treatment procedure cannot be stopped.What to do?Buy celandine oil at the pharmacy.It is used according to the principle described above, 2 times a day.Soon a new healthy nail will appear and will grow gradually.At this time, it is advisable to file old patients as much as possible (not until sick).
Important!Use celandine juice with caution, it contains toxic substances.
Garlic and onion
To be honest, at first this method did not inspire confidence in us.But many reviews are full of positive emotions, so here is this simple recipe:
- Chop onion or garlic into a paste.
- Carefully apply a small amount of the mixture to the steamed nails.
- 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 severe inconvenience.Also, the most powerful amber will keep all your friends and acquaintances away from you.
Important!Be sure to lubricate the skin around the nails with a rich cream.The juice of this plant causes severe burns upon prolonged skin contact.
Soda
Yes, yes, simple baking soda.No, you cannot sprinkle it directly on the nails.It will do no good.You just need to steam your nails in a soda bath twice a day.Also, periodically cut off as many damaged layers as possible.
The disadvantage of this procedure is that it works very slowly.That is, you need to splash your feet in a hot water bath for at least 3 months in a row.But it turns out cheap and effective.You only need hot water - 1 liter and baking soda - 1 tablespoon.l.The duration of the procedure is at least 30 minutes at a time.
Iodine
The method, as described above, works quite slowly.Sometimes you need to use it for 8-9 months in a row.But it is accessible to any category of people, because it costs only a few cents.Using iodine is very easy.You just need to lubricate clean and dry nails with it every morning.
Naturally, this method is not suitable for summer, because the nail plate will be a beautiful orange-brown color.Although, if you have fungus, then you are unlikely to wear open shoes.
Important!Apply iodine carefully, trying not to reach the periungual fold.The drug causes chemical burns to the skin.
Another method
Maybe some people will think they are weird.But what's stopping you from trying it yourself?In the end, you have nothing to lose.And the results may 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 break for 3 days.And so on until recovery is complete.
- 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 in the resulting mixture and then applied to the infected nail.Place polyethylene or finger covering on top.This procedure is carried out once a day, the compress is left for 45 minutes.
- coffee.You need to brew strong real coffee.Cool slightly until the skin can tolerate it.Without diluting with water, steam your nails in the broth once a day.Repeat daily until recovery is complete.
- Fresh horseradish.It is grated or through a meat grinder.The resulting pulp is stored in the refrigerator.After each cutting or filing of an infected nail, a small amount of grated horseradish is placed directly on the plate.Cover the top with a compress and leave overnight.According to rumors, the method helps to cure the fungus in a short time.In this way, 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 a little.This is within normal limits.If the pain becomes severe, stop the treatment immediately.This means that the method is not suitable for you.Choose another drug.
How to cure toenail fungus?Only methodically and for a long time.This disease does not disappear overnight.It is better to contact a specialist.