Nail fungus (or onychomycosis) is a disease that, according to current data, affects one in five people in the world. Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies, as well as the prevention of this disease, are very urgent problems, since they can be infected quite easily - for example, by simply walking barefoot on the beach, pool, in a bathhouse or by trying on someone else's shoes, as well as from unsterilized pedicure devices in the salon. But you can only quickly get rid of nail fungus at the very beginning of the disease's development. An advanced fungus requires treatment, which can last several months and is accompanied by the mandatory prescription of special medicines, that is, carried out using traditional methods.
Folk remedies for toenail fungus, unlike chemical means to combat nail fungus, are practically non-toxic and have no effect on the patient's body.
Different types of nail fungus
- Hypertrophic.It is characterized by a change in the color of the toenail plate, loss of its shine, thickening of the nail and its deformation. The edges of the plate can be destroyed. Most often, the thumb is the first to be involved in the process.
- Normotrophic.In this case, the color of the nail also changes, spots in the form of spots and dark stripes appear, but the thickness of the plate remains the same and its shine is preserved.
- Onycholytic(another name is atrophic). This variant is characterized by detachment of the affected areas of the nail plate and even complete loss.
- Deleted.It is characterized by peeling of the skin on the fingers; there is practically no pain.
- Intertriginousa type of athlete's foot characterized by severe pain. The patient develops redness of the skin on the foot, especially between the toes, followed by peeling.
Why does he appear?
For the disease to develop, not only the contact itself is necessary, but also certain conditions. Infection occurs through contact and household methods, mainly due to a violation of the general principles of compliance with hygiene standards. An infected person and their personal belongings (as well as objects in public places with which they have come into contact) are potentially dangerous in terms of the possibility of transmitting toenail fungus. The disease develops rapidly in people with reduced immunity, as well as in people who neglect personal hygiene and in the presence of a number of other provoking factors. Shoes, towels, washcloths, socks, the floor in communal showers, and even sand on the beach can be a source of infection, but it is not necessary for the person to actually get sick. Fungus on the fingernails can be transmitted through handrails in transport, money, doorknobs - however, people suffer from it less often simply because their hands are washed more often and the skin of the hands does not rot.
In what cases does the fungus develop?
- Various forms of reduced protective properties of the immune system;
- Injuries to the nail bed, nail and skin of the foot;
- The habit of wearing uncomfortable, closed and unsuitably sized shoes made of poorly breathable material;
- Wearing someone else's shoes;
- Violation of the circulatory system, especially in the lower extremities;
- Increased sweating;
- Increased humidity and temperature;
- obesity;
- Diabetes;
- Phlebeurysm.
Traditional treatment methods
So what folk remedies can cure toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus has high adaptive properties and incredible vitality. For example, fungal spores in shoes can remain viable and infect people for up to four years. Effective, although sometimes long-term, home treatment of this disease with folk remedies is an alternative way to get rid of nail fungus or can be used as an additional method to traditional drug therapy.
Advice!A toenail affected by onychomycosis can only be cured if the treatment process is properly organized.
General rules:
- Use disposable files for processing or disinfect metal files after use.
- Before treatment, the nail must be steamed, shortened and the affected parts removed with a file.
- All products are applied to the affected areas of skin and nails, including healthy tissue.
- Socks and bandages must be disinfected by boiling them in water and soda.
- Every few days, bed linen should be machine washed at a temperature of 70-90 degrees.
Folk recipes for toenail fungus:
- Iodine.Every pharmacy always has a 5% iodine solution in stock. Reviews on the Internet say that using this method it is quite possible to remove the fungus. Iodine is applied to the affected areas twice every day - in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. The process is repeated until a healthy nail grows. The best results can be achieved in the early stages of the disease.
Take note!If you think that your skin is still affected by fungus after iodine treatment, you may be mistaken, as the condition can be accompanied by a chemical burn. Use the cream to accelerate the recovery of the epidermis. It is recommended that a control culture be carried out by a dermatologist or mycologist at the end of the fungal treatment.
- Garlic.Prepare your nails according to the instructions above. Grind the garlic into a paste and apply it in the form of a cake on the dried affected area. Then apply finger protection or a secure bandage. These bandages are left on throughout the night and washed off with soap and water in the morning. The course lasts until the symptoms disappear; bandages are applied every two days.
- Onion.Onions are rubbed and the released juice is applied to the affected area. Rinsing off the product is not necessary.
- Onion peel.Another way to cure fungus is to use an oil infusion made from onion peels. 2 TBSP. Spoons of crushed dry raw materials are poured into 3 tbsp. Spoonful of liquid cooking oil. The infusion is kept for 25 days, periodically shaking the container and applying to the affected areas of the legs. The treatment is carried out three times a day until recovery.
- Celandine.For some reason, there is practically no information on the forums about treating nail fungus with celandine. But this is a very good remedy that has been used successfully for more than a century. A freshly picked plant secretes orange juice at the site of damage, which is applied to all affected areas of the foot, including healthy tissue. The process should be repeated every 3-4 minutes. four times in a row and twice a day – evening and morning. Within 30 days you will definitely see a positive result.
- Potassium permanganate.At night, after steaming, wipe your feet with gauze or a cloth soaked in potassium permanganate solution in the places where the fungus lives.
- Medical alcohol.A cotton swab soaked in alcohol is applied to the affected areas and between the fingers twice a day for 15-20 minutes for 14 days.
- Sea-salt.Baths with a concentration of 100 grams of salt per 100 ml of water are recommended. The course lasts 20 days.
- Radish.Radish tips are dried and ground into powder. You can use it often by pouring it into socks and shoes and sprinkling it on the affected areas.
Important!Socks should be made of cotton and changed daily.
- Treatment with vinegar and eggs.A raw chicken egg is poured into 100 ml. Vinegar essence 9% and store in a dark place until the peel dissolves. The foil is then removed from the egg and mixed with 200 g of egg yolk. melted butter. The resulting ointment is applied to the affected areas of the feet and wrapped in cling film or a plastic bag. Let stand overnight. The course usually lasts 3 weeks.
Take note!Do not be afraid of the appearance of an itch; this will disappear on its own over time.
- Volume.Medicinal pharmaceutical clay is diluted with water to the consistency of thick sour cream and applied to the affected areas in a thick layer. They bandage it with a linen cloth and remove it after a while without letting the clay dry completely. Skin and nails are washed with water and rubbed with lemon juice or citric acid solution. The process is repeated three times a day.
- Coffee.Six st. Spoons of ground natural coffee are poured into a liter of boiling water and infused to such a temperature that you can put your feet in the water. The session should last about 35 minutes and should take place before bedtime. In the morning it is recommended to rinse your feet with cold water.
- Propolis.Among the best methods of treating athlete's foot with folk remedies, pharmaceutical alcohol or home-made propolis tincture is rightfully considered one of the most effective. Treatment by applying a tincture to the affected areas is long-lasting but very effective.
Important!Prohibited for breastfeeding and pregnant patients!
- Soap and birch tar.At night before going to bed, steam your feet and rub them with a washcloth (not hard) in soapy water for 20 minutes or less. Rough areas of skin and affected nail areas are trimmed, the feet are wiped and a softening cream is applied. Then in the morning, the feet are rinsed with cold water, birch tar is applied to the affected areas and cotton socks are put on, which are worn for 2 days. The tar is then washed with soap (tar or laundry soap) and the tar is applied again for two days. The short course is repeated a week later.
prevention
In order for the procedures to achieve the desired effect, a number of conditions must be met:
- Wash your feet twice a day - in the morning and before bed - with tar soap. It not only provides disinfection, but also relieves discomfort in the early stages of the disease.
- Shoes need to be washed not only from the outside but also from the inside.
- Shoes should be regularly treated with antifungal medications.
- It is recommended to wear shoes made from natural, breathable materials.
- Excessive sweating should be avoided by wearing shoes and socks appropriate for the season.
- Visiting beaches, saunas, swimming pools and baths is not possible during the period of illness.
- In no case should you use other people's hygiene items and shoes.
- You cannot walk in unfamiliar places without shoes or, in general, "guest" slippers.
- Socks should be changed at least twice a day.
- After a pedicure, you must thoroughly disinfect tools and equipment.
