How to treat toenail fungus with folk remedies at home

Hello dear readers. Nail fungus is one of the most common forms of fungal damage to the body. The disease is quite uncomfortable and it is not easy to recover from it. The disease cannot be started, since this is not a cosmetic problem, but a serious pathology. But not everyone knows which approach is the right one. It should be noted right away that self-medication in this situation is not the best choice. But information about what the disease is and how to quickly get rid of nail fungus is not superfluous to anyone.

What Causes a Fungal Nail Infection?

Nail fungus, or onychomycosis as it is known in medicine, is a disease caused by parasitic fungal microorganisms that cause damage to the nail plates and adjacent areas. This is one of the subspecies of mycoses. If we consider all the diseases that only the feet can be exposed to, onychomycosis is the most common.

You can get infected in public places where the humidity is too high. These include baths, steam rooms, swimming pools, beaches.

Wooden objects (benches, sunbeds, etc. ) are often used here. Due to the porosity of the wood, the fungus is difficult to kill there.

In addition, doctors distinguish several risk groups. For people belonging to one of them, the likelihood of contagion increases dramatically.

• cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy;
• after treatment with antibiotics or steroids;

It is not always possible to quickly get rid of the disease. The rate of cure depends on the type of causative parasite, the stage of development of the disease, the area of \u200b\u200bthe lesion, the presence of complications and concomitant diseases, and the general condition of the body.

Symptoms of onychomycosis

Damage to the nails from a parasitic fungus cannot go unnoticed. Symptomatic changes in the nail plates are quite pronounced and can be reduced to the following.

1. Lost natural shine, transparency.
2. The color changes. It can be yellowish, brownish, whitish, bluish, greenish, grayish.
3. surface roughness occurs.
4. Stripes, spots and thickenings are clearly visible.
5. Stratification is observed.
6. There is peeling from the nail bed.
7. Various areas are painted and crumbled.
8. The surrounding tissue may become red, swollen, and itchy.
9. There are pain sensations.
10. Feet give off an unpleasant smell.

Despite all of this, self-diagnosis can be difficult. Early in development, the signs of onychomycosis are similar to the symptoms of some other lesions: Trauma to the nail area.

How to quickly get rid of toenail fungus with folk remedies and medicines

You should be realistic and understand that the fungal infection of the nails and nail areas will not be treated in a week. According to doctors, the healing period can last from 6-8 weeks to 6 months and sometimes 8-12 months.

It depends on many factors as well as the growth activity of the nails. On the hands, this process occurs much faster than on the legs, so healing comes earlier here.

The best and fastest positive results can be achieved by following the recommendations below.

1. Use a variety of therapeutic measures in the complex. Do not rely on the effectiveness of any magic bullet. Skillfully combine pharmacological preparations and recipes of traditional medicine.
2. Treatment should be active, but gentle - aggressive agents, which are often used for therapeutic purposes, should not affect healthy areas of the body that are in close proximity to the affected area.
3. Strictly observe the rules of hygiene so that the fungus does not spread, also to avoid re-infection shortly after healing. And the probability of that is very high.
4. Check for dryness of the affected extremities. Remember that moisture and heat are ideal conditions for the active reproduction of the fungus.
5. Eliminate and eliminate all causes that caused the occurrence of onychomycosis.
6. Every day, carefully but as much as possible, cut off the growing edge of the nail affected by the disease. If possible, carry out the procedure of laser exposure, which very effectively inhibits the pathological activity of pathogens.

Pharmacological agents

Agents against pathogens are usually divided into three subgroups depending on the active substance. Each of them has in its arsenal both external ointments and tablets with a general effect on the body as a whole.

It should be borne in mind that the latter have an extensive list of side effects. Therefore, you should not prescribe any medication yourself. In order to minimize the risks, you need to undergo an examination, determine which types of mushrooms caused the disease, and "target" medicines.

Subgroups of antifungal drugs

1. azole agents. They are based on triazole or imidazole and their derivatives. Depending on the concentration, they have a fungistatic or fungicidal effect. They are effective in fighting mold and yeast-like fungi.
2. allylamine agents. The active substances can be terbinafine, naftifine, butenafine. They can stop the growth of the fungus and also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
3. other drugs. They act on the basis of additives of flucytosine, morpholine, griseofulvin, chloronitrophenol. They are characterized by narrower activity, targeting specific types of fungal pathogens.

External Funds

At the beginning of the development of onychomycotic lesions, one should resort only to the help of ointments. Only when they prove to be ineffective is the administration of antimycotics in tablet form initiated.

The difference between creams and ointments:

• have a direct effect on the lesions;
• have fewer contraindications;
• Side effects are limited.

If you get the disease early in development, you can cope with it within a month.

The most popular antifungal creams and ointments

1. ointment zinc. Allows you to relieve inflammation, dry the affected areas, eliminate itching and provide an adsorbing effect.
2. clotrimazole. Substance with a broad spectrum of action. Duration of use - from 2 weeks to six months. It also has an antiseptic effect. Can cause skin dryness, burning, allergic manifestations on the skin. Contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as young children under the age of three.
3. naftifine. Fights inflammation, has an antimicrobial effect. The agent tends to accumulate in the treated surfaces. Do not use the ointment more than twice a day. The tool is not used during pregnancy and lactation.

use of tablets

To achieve a systemic effect on the body as a whole, the doctor prescribes oral tablets. Broad-spectrum drugs are prescribed.

1. Substances fluconazole, medoflucon. It is enough to take it only once a day. The drug is well tolerated. In rare cases, intestinal disorders and rashes on the body may occur. The course of treatment can be 1-4 weeks.
2. Substances Orungal, Sporanox. Can be used for pulse therapy. The drug is not prescribed for kidney failure, pregnancy, hypersensitivity to the effects of the drug. May cause allergic reactions, dizziness, hypokalemia, abdominal pain.

All medicines for nail fungus on hands or feet should only be taken after consulting a doctor.

How to treat toenail fungus with folk remedies at home

First of all, you should strictly adhere to all medical recommendations, do not skip taking medications and finish treatment, and not interrupt the course after eliminating particularly distressing symptoms.

Additionally you need:

• use local baths regularly;
• apply a special varnish that blocks the spread of the fungus, and also has a therapeutic effect;
• daily remove the protruding parts of the growing nail affected by the disease;
• Use special means to soften the nail plate to remove it.
• Steam out hands or feet before using external topicals;
• Take steps to prevent household contamination.

Special paints

Varnishes have a number of advantages. The active ingredients penetrate well deep into the affected nails, but at the same time they harden and leave no traces on clothes, sheets, shoes.

The hardened layer reliably blocks the supply of oxygen to pathogens, which blocks their activity. However, varnish products are effective only in the initial stages of onychomycosis.

Before using varnishes, you should resort to a warm local bath. Soggy plates affected by a fungus are cut to the maximum and treated with a file or other grinding device. The surface is wiped dry

Varnish is recommended to cover even healthy nails. The procedure is repeated every evening for a long period of time - from several months to six months.

help from a surgeon

Both a part and the entire plate can be removed. However, this is not a guarantee of complete relief from the disease. The probability of further spread of a fungal infection is very high.

After the operation, the finger heals for a long time. In addition, suppuration may develop. A newly growing nail may be deformed. A preferred alternative to such a procedure is laser therapy.

After the surgical removal of the damaged nail structure, special emphasis is placed on treating the fungus with medication. In some, particularly severe cases, the growth zone can be removed, after which the finger remains "naked" - the nail can no longer grow here.

Traditional medicine

Alternative methods are slower than medical ones, but have fewer side effects. They can only be effective in treating the early stages of the development of the disease.

Later, folk recipes are used exclusively in combination with pharmacological preparations as auxiliary measures.

Such remedies are used to treat nail fungus.

1. Garlic. Apply garlic pulp to sore nails in the form of applications. A fixation bandage is placed over this. A nightly repetition of the procedure is practiced. You can also use squeezed garlic juice in an equal mixture with alcohol. Nails are treated with the resulting balm twice a day.
2. Vinegar. Acetic acid acidifies the environment, which inactivates pathogens. This tool lubricates damaged nails every day. You can use vinegar compresses. To do this, cotton balls are moistened in vinegar and fixed on the desired fingers in the affected area. Compresses last all night and are removed in the morning.
3. Peroxide. Apply directly to nails or cotton swabs like vinegar and other similar products. Peroxide acts as an antiseptic.
4. Alcoholic iodine solution. You can cover the nail plates, including healthy ones, 1-2 times a day. In addition, an iodine supplement is suitable for every bath. To do this, simply add a few drops of the product.
5. Propolis tincture. It can be used for lotions and injected into local baths for hands or feet. Compresses are left on the nails overnight. You can prepare an ointment that is a mixture of propolis and butter. The composition is laid on gauze and placed on the desired area. The agent is left for 10 hours.
6. fuel from vegetables. For the treatment of onychomycosis, onions or horseradish are suitable. They have antimicrobial activity. Vegetable products are used in the form of porridge. You can also make a kind of salve by mixing liquid pomace with butter or rendered chicken fat.
7. Essential Extracts. These funds have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and regenerative effects. For the preparation of local baths or as part of mixtures for compresses, fir oils and some others can be used.

The essential extract is mixed with petroleum jelly in a 1: 1 ratio. It should be rubbed into damaged nail plates. As always in such cases, the remedy has a stronger effect if the nails are steamed out beforehand.

What is a fungal nail infection?

fungal nail infectionsalso known asdermatophytic onychomycosis. The initial fungus that affects the skin of the feet is a common infection of the skin of the feet, particularly between the toes. On the skin of the feet, the original fungus lives in the keratin that forms the outer layer of the skin. When the fungus spreads to the keratin of the nails,fungal nail infection.

What causes fungal infections?

MushroomsSpread from the foot (known as"dermatophyte fungi"), cause most nail fungal infections. Less commonly, nail infections are caused by other types of fungi, usually yeasts (eg.Candida) andMold.

These fungi tend to attack nails that are already damaged because the fungus can penetrate more easily. Fungal infections of the toenails are very common (1 in 4 people can be affected at any time), toenail fungus is less common. Both types are most common in the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and people with diabetes and poor peripheral circulation. A warm, humid environment helps fungus grow and cause infection. Wearing tight shoes or using showers, bathrooms, or locker rooms can increase your risk of fungal infections.

Are they hereditary?

Absolutely not. However, in some extremely rare cases, there is a genetic risk factor and other family members may also be susceptible to infection.

What are the symptoms of a fungal nail infection?

Initially, there are usually no symptoms. Later, the nails can thicken and become painful when pressed against the inside of the shoe. Then they are difficult to trim. The sight of an infected nail, especially a fingernail, can be embarrassing. An affected nail can ruin socks and pantyhose, and also chafe adjacent skin. The skin nearby may also have a fungal infection; it may itch, crack, blister, or appear whitish, especially between the toes.

What does fungal nail infection look like?

nail fungususually starts at its free edge and then spreads along the side of the nail to the base of the cuticle. Eventually, the entire nail may be affected. Infected areas turn white or yellowish, become thickened, and scaly. Rarely, white inclusions can appear on the nail surface. The nails on the big toes and little fingers are most susceptible to damage from fungal infections. Sometimes, especially for people who regularly do wet work, such asB. housewives or cleaners, the skin around the nail becomes red and swollen. This is called paronychia and can allow infections to easily enter the nail.

How are fungal nail infections diagnosed?

fungal nail infectionsusually diagnosed clinically. Your doctor may take a piece of an infected nail and send it to a lab to see if the fungus can be seen under a microscope or cultured. Sometimes repeat samples are required.

Many nail problems can only lookfungal infection, - for example, changes that are observed in psoriasis after a bacterial infection or an old injury, but antifungal pills do not help. Proper treatment may depend on knowing which fungus is causing problems; It may take several weeks for results to be available.

Can nail fungus be cured?

Yes. However, for successfulTreatment of fungal nail infectionsrequires long-term treatment, which may last up to a year. Fingernails are easier to manage.fungal nail infectionsusually recur, especially on the toes.

How can nail fungus be treated?

fungal nail infectionsthemselves do not bother, not all of them need to be treated. Some people with infected toenails don't worry about it at all. In this case, sometimes they can be left alone (although the patient must remain careful and try not to spread the infection to other parts of the body and nails, as well as other people).

On the other hand, ifinfected nailsIf they cause embarrassment or discomfort, they are usually treated. It's important to treat people whose infections can cause serious health problems, such as: B. Diabetes or reduced immunity to prevent potentially serious health problems.

The goal of treatment is to get rid of the fungus: after that, the nail usually returns to normal. However, if the nail was damaged prior to infection, it is more difficult to clean and can return to its original condition.nail infectionsthose caused by mold and yeast can be very resistant to treatment.

Treatment options include:

Treatment of the nails (local procedures)

Treatments applied to the nails do not work as well as oral treatments. They are most effective when the infection is in its early stages. The most commonly used methods are amorolfine-based nail polish, ciclopirox, and thioconazole solution.

You may not be able to clean the deeper parts of the infected nail on your own, but periodically removing the damaged part of the nail with nail clippers or buffing can help. Drugs taken orally in combination with an antifungal increase the chances of recovery. They may need to be used for 4-12 months before the effects are noticed.

To theFingernail infectionsshorter treatment time. The cure rate with local treatments alone is around 15-30%. Topical treatment is safe. Redness and irritation may occur.

Before starting taking the pills, the doctor needs to send the part of the nail to the laboratory to check if the diagnosis of fungal infection is confirmed.

Substances available to treat fungal nail infections include:

• The active ingredient griseofulvin has been used for many years and is the only one of three drugs approved for children. It is only fully absorbed with fatty foods (such as milk and milk products) and typically requires long courses of treatment (6 to 9 months for fingernails and up to 18 months for toenails). However, only about three quarters of infected fingernails and one third of infected toenails are removed. Frequent relapses are also possible.
• The substances terbinafine and itraconazole have now largely moved away from griseofulvin. They work better and much faster, although only about 50% of nail infections are cured. Terbinafine should be considered as a first-line treatment for dermatophyte fungi (i. e. those affecting the feet). It is taken daily for 6 weeks for hand nail infections and for 12-16 weeks for foot infections.
• The substance itraconazole is effective in treating dermatophytes; It is also useful for treating other fungi such as yeast. It is usually taken in periods - for a week every month - as it is absorbed into the cuticles and works for several weeks. Two weekly cycles over 21 days are usually sufficient for fingernail infections and three for toe infections.
• The substance fluconazole can be effective for Candida fungal infections. It is not currently approved for fungal nail infections. It appears to be less effective than itraconazole and terbinafine, but remains an alternative when the two drugs are not tolerated.
• Other procedures

Laser and photodynamic therapy can be helpful but are less effective than the topical and systemic treatments listed above.

Vegetable products are also advertisedTreatment of fungal nail infections, but there is no conclusive evidence that it is safe or more effective than standard treatments.

Are there side effects from the treatment?

Oral treatments are more likely to cause side effects than topical treatments.

Terbinafine sometimes causes a potentially very serious allergic reaction, can slightly aggravate skin conditions, and sometimes affects the taste buds.

Itraconazole is not indicated for people who are already taking certain medications. Your doctor will inform you about this. Both terbinafine and itraconazole can affect the liver, and your doctor may order a blood test to check before and during treatment.

Although griseofulvin is the only approved drug for children, many dermatologists prefer terbinafine because it is much more effective.

How do I know if the treatment is working?

The new nail grows slowly from its base and it may take 6 months to a year after stopping treatment for the nails to look normal again. Foot infections heal faster and more completely than toenails; It can take 18 months for the foot to fully recover.

Surgical removal of nails

Sometimes very thick nails that do not respond to pills alone can be removed by surgeons under local anesthesia, but this is rarely done because the outcome of the treatment does not justify surgery.

self care

• Keep nails short, dry and clean. Use one clipper on infected nails and the other on normal nails.
• Don't just treat your nails; Use an antifungal cream to treat the skin of the foot.
• Avoid trimming your cuticles, either yourself or by a manicurist, as it increases the risk of nail damage and infection.

If you have a fungal infection on your toes:

• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes without high heels or tight socks.
• Keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks and change them daily, and use breathable shoes. A regular wash in hot water will clean most contaminated socks, but it can be made more effective by using an antifungal before washing. Other clothing generally cannot be contaminated.
• Maintain foot hygiene, including treating infection.
• Wear clean shower shoes when using a shared shower.
• Pay special attention to the hygiene of the affected feet.
• Consider seeking help from a podiatrist if thickened toenails are making walking uncomfortable.

preventive measures

The risk of re-infection with the fungus after eliminating the disease is very high. Therefore, you must clearly follow simple rules:

• follow the hygiene of the feet;
• discard shoes, towels and socks used during treatment;
• Avoid sharing such things with other family members;
• avoid excessive moisture of the feet, use talcum powder;
• Treat the inner surfaces of shoes with antiseptics.

Don't forget to take any medicines for nail fungus after consulting a doctor.