Almost every person has experienced signs of nail fungus and skin on their feet in their lifetime. In medicine, this disease is called athlete's foot. The causative agents are yeast and mold Trichophyton, Mentagrophyton and Epidermophyton. Is it possible to get rid of the fungus on the legs with the help of natural folk remedies, we will tell in our article.
A few words about the mushroom
Dermatomycosis of the foot can develop after visiting public places (beach, swimming pool, sauna, spa salon). Wearing leather shoes that create a humid and warm atmosphere is another factor that provokes the development of the disease.
The yeast microflora is adapted to the parasitic life in the upper layers of the skin, as well as on its derivatives - the nails. Fungi destroy keratin over their lifetime, which worsens the condition of the legs.
A healthy person has fat on their skin. It acts as a protective layer and helps fight infection.
If there is not enough fat in the body, for example if you are dry or sweat excessively, microcracks can form on the skin. This creates a favorable atmosphere for the fungus to multiply and penetrate deep into the foot. To eliminate the signs of mycosis, you need to understand the cause of the development of the disease and eliminate these factors.
The most common causes of nail and skin fungus on the legs are:
- diabetes mellitus - this disease is not treatable, however, with the help of special preparations, the patient's condition can be maintained;
- problems with immunity;
- circulatory disorders in the legs;
- congenital foot deformities in the form of flat feet, narrow spaces between the fingers;
- wearing incorrect (tight, non-hygroscopic, uncomfortable, synthetic) shoes.
Folk remedy for athlete's foot
As a rule, patients notice the fungus already in the last stages. This is due to the fact that at the beginning of development the disease practically does not manifest itself. If you still managed to diagnose the disease early, you can try to get rid of it with the help of natural folk remedies. In the later stages, the treatment of fungus on the legs is effective only with pharmaceutical products.
potassium permanganate
This tool in the form of a solution quickly and effectively fights infections on the feet. Potassium permanganate is the most popular antimicrobial drug that has long been used in medicine. Sold in the form of powder and crystals. A solution of potassium permanganate is harmful to nail and leg fungus spores. Has disinfecting properties. It is important to note that only a freshly prepared solution is effective.
Methods of using potassium permanganate in the treatment of mycosis: used in the form of foot baths. It is necessary to dilute the product in warm water to obtain a solution similar to beetroot juice, make sure that no undissolved crystals remain in the water. Submerge your legs so that your feet are completely covered. The duration of the procedure is at least ten minutes.
If you experience a burning sensation on the skin, decrease the concentration of potassium permanganate. After steaming, cut off the dead nail particles with nail scissors and treat the feet with a hard file. The duration of treatment is two weeks.
Harm of potassium permanganate: At high concentrations, the solution can cause redness and irritation, as well as burns. Avoid contact of crystals with mucous membranes and eyes.
iodine
Widespread folk remedy. Before starting treatment with iodine, you need to check sensitivity to the components of the solution. To do this, carry out the following test: apply a drop of iodine to the crook of your elbow and observe the reaction of the skin throughout the day. If there is no redness and itching, treatment can begin. When using the solution, it is imperative to follow the dosage, otherwise you can get burns and damage your nails and skin.
Be prepared for the fact that the plates will have a yellow tint for several days. It is therefore advisable, especially for women in the summer, to carry out treatments before weekends or during the holidays.
Iodine has a disinfecting antimicrobial effect. Damage from the use of the solution is possible only in the case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug. The course of treatment directly depends on the degree of neglect of mycosis. It can range from twenty days to several months. This time is quite enough for the nail plate to fully grow and recover. During the treatment, observe careful hygiene and use only personal manicure tools.
iodine foot bath. The treatment consists of steaming the skin in warm water. Add a few drops of a 5% iodine solution to the bath. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes. After steaming, gently process the feet with a hard file, and the nail plates with manicure tools.
For greater effectiveness, at the end of the procedure, lubricate the legs with hydrogen peroxide and put a gauze bandage on top for the night. This increases the antibacterial effect. Such procedures can be carried out no more than three times a week.
Preparation of a solution of iodine and vinegar. The therapy is carried out according to the scheme: for a week, the nails and feet must be treated with iodine daily, then for a week - table vinegar 9%. Continue alternating treatments for one to two months until you see results.
boric acid
It is a fine, odorless crystalline powder that is freely available in pharmacies. This remedy is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, with individual intolerance to the components of the drug, kidney disease. It is not recommended to treat large areas of the body with boric acid, as well as children under 12 years old. Without careful personal hygiene and daily disinfection of shoes, therapy is useless.
The benefits of boric acid in eliminating mycosis: creating an acidic environment contributes to the complete destruction of the fungus, cleansing the skin and nails of dead cells. Also, the advantage of the drug is its relative cheapness with high efficiency.
The duration of treatment is about a month. If necessary, the duration can be extended to up to two months. The application is very simple: wipe the affected areas with boric acid every morning and evening. If you have time, you can pre-steam your legs to allow the active ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin.
ammonia
A natural remedy actively fights hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating and an unpleasant odor. The drug is easily tolerated by the body. Advantages of using ammonia in the treatment of mycosis: low price, versatility (the drug has antibacterial and antifungal effects), there is no toxic effect.
Disadvantages: the likelihood of allergies in case of individual intolerance. It is not advisable to use the drug on large areas of the body affected by the fungus, as this will not bring any result, only burns.
It is worth noting that ammonia is effective in the early stages of the disease. To enhance the effect, it is desirable to keep the affected nails and feet in contact with ammonia for as long as possible. To do this, make lotions.
Application: Dilute two tablespoons of ammonia in a glass of water. Before going to bed, soak gauze in the resulting solution and wrap your feet with it. Put on a plastic bag and warm socks over it. Leave the compress overnight. The duration of treatment is two weeks. As a rule, this time is enough to eliminate the most obvious symptoms of the disease.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The remedy has long been used in the treatment of mycoses. The composition of the apple bite includes active substances that destroy the spores of the fungus, cleanse and heal wounds, and soften the skin.
With this tool you can treat both small areas of the skin and large areas. There are no contraindications to the use of apple bite, individual intolerance may be an exception, but this is extremely rare. To enhance the effect of therapy, it is recommended to treat not only the feet, but also socks and shoes with vinegar.
foot baths. Mix two liters of warm water and three cups of apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and dip your feet in the resulting solution so that they are completely covered with water. Out of habit, you may feel a burning sensation, over time such a reaction will pass.
The duration of the first procedure should not exceed two minutes, you can gradually increase the interval. The maximum duration of the procedure is twenty minutes. The duration of treatment is one month, the number of procedures is no more than three per week.
Apple cider vinegar with vegetable oil. Mix apple cider vinegar with vegetable oil 1: 1. Soak gauze in the resulting solution and wrap it around the soles of your feet. Put on plastic bags and warm socks over them. It is advisable to leave the compress overnight. The procedure should be carried out within a month 2-3 times a week.
prevent athlete's foot
To avoid mycosis, follow these recommendations:
- Always wear flip-flops in public places (bathroom, swimming pool, sauna, dressing room), since a humid and warm environment contributes to the development of pathogenic microflora;
- If you are forced to stay in closed shoes for a long time, use special protective creams.
- Disinfect shoes with special sprays once a month;
- Regularly drink a complex of vitamins and minerals to increase immunity.
- give up bad habits;
- Thoroughly disinfect floors and walls in the bathroom once a week;
- wash bed and underwear at high temperatures;
- Do not use someone else's shoes, socks or tights.
- Perform a pedicure 1-2 times a month to remove the calloused dermis.
Remember that fungi are easier to prevent than to cure. If signs of illness appear, consult a specialist.