Nail fungus - onychomycosis of the feet and hands - is one of the most common diseases.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, every fifth person on the planet suffers from this disease, which is why the treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies is very popular and effective in most cases.
Healthy nails always look very attractive; They are characterized by an even, smooth nail plate with a pleasantly delicate pink tone and a slight natural shine. If the nails look different, it is likely that they are affected by a fungal infection, which is found in 50% of cases of nail diseases.
The main signs of nail fungus (onychomycosis) are:
- thickening of the nail plate;
- brittleness and fragility of nails;
- Color change from yellowish to gray;
- redness of the skin on the finger around the nail;
- itching and burning;
- Cracks in the skin.
This disease is easily and quickly transmitted, especially through public places (swimming pools, gyms, spas, etc. ). The main route of a fungal infection into the skin is through micro-tears caused by minor injuries, shoes that are too tight, poor circulation in the legs, deformed feet, etc.
Toenail fungus is treated with folk remedies alone or in combination with traditional medicine. It is better that various means be included in therapy. Among the drugs, antifungal drugs for internal and external use are most often used, depending on the complexity and stage of the disease. Traditional medicine recipes also provide remedies for internal use in the form of tinctures, teas, decoctions and for external use in the form of ointments, compresses and solutions.
Popular folk remedies for toenail fungus based on iodine and vinegar
Folk remedies for toenail fungus are very diverse, however, there are some well-known recipes that are used more often than others.
One of them is the use of an alcoholic iodine solution. This product is a powerful antiseptic and has disinfectant, cauterizing, drying and tanning properties. In addition, iodine is able to coagulate the protein structure of the fungus, thereby directly destroying it.
To treat the disease, apply a drop of a 5% iodine-alcohol solution to the affected nails twice a day for 2-3 weeks. This simple folk recipe for nail fungus makes itself felt within a week. A slight itching and burning sensation occurs, indicating the onset of a fungal infection. If pain is difficult to bear, nail treatment should be reduced from twice daily to once. Generally, the duration of treatment with this method is 20-40 days.
It also makes sense to use iodine for prevention. To do this, you need to treat each nail plate with a drop of the product every two days. At the same time, it is important not to touch the skin of the finger around the nail so as not to burn or injure it.
It is important to know!
Treatment of nail fungus with iodine can cause an allergic reaction associated with the body's individual intolerance to this substance. In this case, therapy should be stopped immediately and other means used.
Folk remedies for toenail fungus prepared with vinegar are also widespread. It is necessary to prepare a solution consisting of ordinary table vinegar 9% and water in a ratio of 1: 8 and immerse the infected fingers and nails in it, then steam them in ordinary hot water and remove the affected areas from the surface of the nail plate so farto remove as possible. This process should be repeated seven times a day for two days.
Such folk remedies for nail fungus should be stored in the refrigerator or other suitable cool place.
Traditional recipes for toenail fungus
As mentioned above, in most cases, treatment with folk remedies, most of which are made on the basis of natural ingredients of plant and animal origin, helps to eliminate toenail fungus (onychomycosis).
Recipe No. 1. Ointment against nail fungus based on vegetable oil and o-phthalic acid dimethyl ester
To prepare this product you will need the following ingredients:
- Vegetable oil (sunflower) - 1 tablespoon;
- Chicken egg (raw) - 1 piece;
- o-Phthalic acid dimethyl ester – 1 teaspoon.
All of the above ingredients should be combined and the resulting ointment applied to the affected nails. Wrap your fingers in regular plastic wrap and put on cotton socks. Leave applications with ointment on overnight. Repeat this process for 3-4 days. Soon the affected nails begin to die and healthy ones grow in their place.
Recipe number 2. Kombucha compress
An excellent folk recipe for nail fungus is based on kombucha. It should be used as a compress. You need to take a piece of the fungal plate, carefully remove the top thin film from it and apply the rest from above to the affected nail, wrapping it in plastic wrap and securing it with a regular bandage or putting on thin socks. The compress should be made at night, and in the morning rinse the nails well with warm water, if possible cut off the dead parts and lubricate the remaining nail plate with iodine solution. It is worth noting that treating nail fungus with kombucha, although quite painful, is very effective.
Recipe No. 3. Mushroom ointment based on eucalyptus and honey
Folk remedies for toenail fungus made on a eucalyptus basis are very effective. To do this, you must take:
- eucalyptus oil - 30-40 grams;
- apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon;
- natural honey (liquid) - 15 grams.
All of the above ingredients must be mixed and the prepared ointment left to infuse in the refrigerator for three days. The affected nails must then be lubricated with it daily.
Recipe number 4. An effective antifungal based on lavender and tea tree oil
Essential oil helps very well against nail fungus, especially lavender. It helps fight infections and soothes skin irritations. And tea tree oil is a natural herbal antibiotic. To prepare the product, mix lavender, tea tree and olive oil in equal proportions and apply the resulting mixture to painful nails for 8-10 hours (preferably overnight). Protect the treated nail plates with thin cotton socks.
Recipe No. 5. Baths from mouthwash and vinegar
This folk recipe for nail fungus contains a rather unusual drug - mouthwash. It should be mixed with equal parts apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, diluted with a little warm water and immerse fingers with infected nails in the bath for 15 minutes.
In order for the treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies to be successful and not cause relapses, it is necessary to complete it and observe the correct rules of personal hygiene in order to avoid re-infection with this disease.