Today we will talk about the treatment and prevention of nail fungus so that you know how to get rid of it and prevent the recurrence of the disease.
Statistics show that nail fungus occurs in almost every tenth person in the world. This means that this infection is very common and extremely insidious. The disease is extremely unpleasant for the eyes, because the areas infected with the fungus are quite repulsive.
If you think that this disease will never affect you, do not promise - you can easily catch a fungal infection in public places: at the beach, spa, sauna, swimming pool, gym and other crowded places.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus
In fact, few people know that there are thousands of types of yeast infections. But many of them do not cause pain and are not visually visible.
Due to this peculiarity, in the initial stages of the disease, it may happen that the person infected with the fungus does not even know about it. But several types of fungus can cause pain around and under the nail.
Note!
Since the painful symptoms of the fungus are extremely rare, you should consult a doctor only in the last, advanced stage of the disease, when the nail changes color, deforms, and the upper plate detaches. In the last stage, the treatment is difficult, so you have to pay attention to the prevention of diseases. This will ensure that you avoid infection.
In order to prevent and treat nail fungus in time, it is important to know that a fungal infection affecting the nail plate has three stages of development:
The first stage of the onset of the disease is the absence of clearly expressed symptoms, and barely visible spots and stripes appear on the nails;
Note!
In its early stages, nail fungus (onychomycosis) can only be diagnosed in a hospital, under laboratory conditions. That is why, if you notice even the smallest change on the nail plate, consult a doctor immediately!
The second stage of onychomycosis is a change in the color of the nail plate, loss of shine, deformation of its lateral and upper parts:
The third advanced stage of the fungus is severe delamination and fragility of the nail, which can lead to the complete loss of the nail.
In addition, the fungal infection affects the skin around the nail, which is accompanied by unpleasant itching, burning and pain.
Prevention of nail fungus
Every day, without knowing it, we deal with thousands of bacteria around us. But almost all of them are completely harmless to us, since the immune system is supposed to protect us from diseases as an invisible guardian angel.
Note!
Therefore, the first step in preventing nail fungus is a proper, balanced diet. If the body is saturated with minerals, vitamins and useful substances, the immune system will work only for you.
Movement is life! And this is true, because sports and an active lifestyle make us healthy, strong, and persistent both physically and mentally. Physical activity prevents cardiovascular diseases.
If the blood circulation is impaired, the protective functions of the skin of the hands, feet and nails do not work properly, which leads to their diseases.
Causes of yeast infection
Warm, moist rooms are a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, you need to ensure cleanliness in your home, especially in the bathroom and toilet.
Important!
In public places: water park, spa, swimming pool, sauna, clothing and shoes are mandatory. Then wash thoroughly and take a shower.
In order not to create a favorable environment for the appearance and reproduction of fungi "under your nose", wear comfortable, preferably natural shoes, socks, stockings, slippers, tights, etc. , and wounds. This leads to the appearance of an alkaline microclimate - an ideal place for the reproduction of fungi.
Note!
When visiting beauty salons, you should be attentive and careful. Only visit reliable and recommended places, because we are talking about preserving your health. Pedicures, manicures and nail extensions by a professional are completely safe and easy. Wounds, cuts, poorly performed procedures are the gateway to infections.
It is important to know that you should not wear someone else's shoes, as this will harm your health. We strictly follow personal hygiene rules.
This is important to know!
The fungus must be treated immediately and thoroughly. The disease does not go away by itself, time only plays a role in the spread of the infection, as complications can occur: from the legs to the stomach, the groin area, the skin of the chest, the armpits.
If someone in the family has athlete's foot, there is a risk that healthy family members will become infected. Take care of personal hygiene more carefully than usual, do not wear other people's shoes, towels, brushes, combs, etc.
Traditional treatment of nail fungus
It is very important that you do not start an infection, it is essential to consult a specialist for qualified medical help.
Note!
In combination with medicines, you can use traditional methods to treat nail fungus, which are quite effective and help you get rid of this unpleasant disease.
Vinegar poultice against nail fungus
Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil - two tablespoons;
- Apple cider vinegar - two tablespoons.
Preparation and use:
- Mix vinegar and oil in a 1: 1 ratio, then thoroughly wet a cotton ball in the resulting solution and apply it to the nail affected by the fungus. The top is fixed with an adhesive patch or bandage.
- Leave the compress on overnight and remove it in the morning. A vinegar poultice is used to treat the fungus until the affected nail completely replaces the diseased plate with a healthy one.
Antifungal oil
This aromatic natural oil helps fight fungal infections of the feet and nails, soothes irritated skin and relieves tired feet.
Ingredients:
- Ef. clove oil - 5 drops;
- Eph. cinnamon bark oil - 5 drops;
- Ef. oil - thyme (thyme) - 20 drops;
- Ef. sage oil - 10 drops;
- Ef. lavender oil - 30 drops;
- Tea tree essential oil - 25 drops;
- Jojoba oil - 100 milliliters.
Preparation:
- Pour jojoba oils into a dark glass, add essential oils and stir vigorously for three minutes.
- Place the bottle in a dark place at normal room temperature and let the healing oil mature for a day.
After this time, the aromatic antifungal oil is ready.
How to use:
Wash your feet well and dry them. Shake the oil well in the bottle and put a few drops on each foot. If one foot is also affected by the fungus, we also apply a healing agent to the second foot for preventive purposes.
Apply the oil to the nails and between the toes, massage the skin lightly and wait for the oil to be absorbed. Then we put cotton socks on our feet.
Use the medicinal oil two or three times a day, it can also be used on acne and wounds. The oil can be stored in a cool place for up to two years.
Tea mushroom
This is a simple and very good medicine for the treatment of fungi.
This is useful!
Before going to bed, it is recommended to make a poultice from a strong kombucha infusion, and the longer the mushroom is infused, the better.
For the procedure: steam your feet in warm water and apply a kombucha poultice and secure with a bandage. Leave it overnight and remove it in the morning. The duration of the treatment is four weeks.
Another treatment option: pinch off a small piece of kombucha, remove the foil and mash the peeled part. Rub the resulting mass into the affected areas three times a day. It is important to buy a fresh mushroom for each procedure.
Baths with celandine decoction
Baths made with a decoction of celandine help very well.
- The ratio of grass and water is 2: 3. Add the required amount of celandine and water and boil for 3 minutes.
- Strain the broth and steam your feet for half an hour.
- Use the same concoction to make creams on the affected areas.
Baking soda
Using baking soda is effective.
- Therapeutic procedures: apply soda water and steam your feet in a soda solution.
- Soda solution recipe: one tablespoon of soda for three liters of hot water. Mix the baking soda well until it is completely dissolved.
- You need to thoroughly steam your feet in a soda solution, then wipe them dry with a clean towel and apply celandine oil, which is sold at the pharmacy.
After a soda bath, you can moisten a cotton ball with celandine oil, place it between your toes and secure it with a band-aid. We put socks on top. This bandage is maintained for 20 minutes.
The procedures should be carried out twice a day for a month.
Antifungal ointment - recipe No. 1
Preparation: wash the chicken eggs and pour vinegar over them. Keep in a dark place until the peel is completely dissolved. Discard the foil, mix the vinegar with the remaining eggs and mix this mass with the butter.
Application: The resulting ointment should be applied morning and evening to the areas affected by the fungus. Do this until complete healing, after which you can use the ointment for preventive purposes.
Antifungal ointment - recipe number 2
Ingredients:
- A raw chicken egg;
- A tablespoon of vegetable oil;
- One tablespoon of vinegar 70% essence.
Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and the healing ointment is ready. Store in the refrigerator and use as needed.
Application:
- We steam our feet, wipe them dry and apply ointment to the areas affected by the fungal infection.
- Place a plastic bag on top and secure with a bandage or put on a sock.
- Do the procedure in the evening and keep it until morning.
The duration of treatment is 30 days.
Antifungal ointment - recipe number 3
Another folk method for treating nail fungus is an easy-to-make and very effective ointment based on vinegar essence.
Ingredients:
- Raw chicken eggs (preferably from domestic chickens) - 2 pieces;
- Vinegar essence 70% - 1 glass;
- Butter - 200 grams.
Preparation of the ointment:
- Wash the eggs, put them in a half-liter jar and fill with vinegar essence so that it covers the contents of the jar.
- Put the bottle in a dark place for 10 days, during which time the eggshell will completely dissolve in the essence.
- Take the eggs out of the jar with a fork, remove the foil, put them in a bowl and add soft butter (take the butter out of the fridge beforehand).
- Mash the eggs with a fork and mix with the butter. We should get a homogeneous mass similar to sour cream. Add three tablespoons of acetic acid from the jar in which the eggs were placed and stir again.
Store the finished ointment in the refrigerator.
Application:
- Wash your feet and dry them, apply the ointment to the affected areas and let it dry for five minutes. The ointment is quickly absorbed, then put on clean socks and go to bed.
- Use it every night for a month. Then, if you feel that the disease is going away, you should apply it once a week.
As a result of the treatment, feet and nails will be clean and healthy, itching and diaper rash will disappear, and the skin will be smooth and healthy.
Antifungal baths
Such therapeutic baths can be done daily with the addition of weak vinegar, potassium permanganate, soda solution and essential oil solution.
Note!
Prevention of fungal nail infections should be done regularly to avoid recurrence of the disease.
Eucalyptus and Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe juice, eucalyptus oil or eucalyptus tincture also help to treat nail fungus. Their use is quite simple: apply the affected areas three times a day until healing.
Essential oils against athlete's foot
Traditional methods of treating nail fungus with essential oils are quite well-established in practice, as they have good antifungal properties.
Usable oils: tea tree, lemon, pine, sandalwood, patchouli.
Contraindications: individual intolerance, pregnancy.
Tea tree oil
Let's look at the main points of using essential oils, using tea tree as an example. This recipe can also be used with other oils.
Baths - Method 1
- Dilute 20 drops of oil and a teaspoon of shower gel in one liter of hot water.
- Bathe for 20 minutes until the water cools down. The procedure should be done every day until complete recovery.
At the end of the treatment, a preventive bath with tea tree oil (or other oil) is recommended once a week.
Rubbing oil - method 2
Rub the nail plates affected by the fungal infection with cotton wool with essential oils.
To carry out the procedure, you need to wash your feet thoroughly with laundry soap and wipe them dry. Then rub the oil on the affected areas and let it absorb. After rubbing in, it is not necessary to wash the feet for the oil to have a healing effect.
Note!
Lemon essential oil can also be used well for the described procedures, it helps against infections and does not stain the nails, preserving their natural appearance.
The duration of treatment is three or even four months, it all depends on the immunity of the patient and the stage of the fungus.
Alcohol tincture of propolis
At the pharmacy, buy a 20% alcoholic propolis tincture, which you apply to the painful nails with a cotton ball. Do this procedure daily.
You will soon see the result: the diseased nail will disappear and a new one will grow.
Sea salt
Take a sea salt bath daily for a week. Apply fresh celandine juice to your feet three times a day for 3 months.
Treatment of fungus with iodine
Apply a drop of iodine to painful nails every morning and evening for 3 weeks. Be sure to also treat the adjacent (outwardly healthy) nails.
After about a week or a little earlier, a slight burning sensation and pain may appear around the nail - this is a sign of a successful treatment. In case of severe pain, use iodine less often.
Table salt with mint
The healing properties of common salt help in the treatment of nail fungus.
To prepare:
- Mix finely chopped mint with salt in a 1: 1 ratio.
- The resulting paste should be placed on the affected nail plates and between the toes.
Repeat until the infection is completely healed.
Pharmacy ointments and preparations
For the treatment and prevention of nail fungus, it is good to use effective pharmaceutical drugs in combination with folk remedies, this allows for a quick cure of the disease and prevents its recurrence.
Salicylic ointment
This medicine is often used to treat various skin diseases: lichen, acne, diaper rash. This ointment also helps with fungal infections. Contains 25% salicylic acid.
How to use: Apply to the affected areas 2-3 times a day.
Zinc ointment
Another cheap "folk" medicine sold in pharmacies. The ointment contains zinc oxide and petroleum jelly.
Zinc ointment has no contraindications and can be used by pregnant and lactating mothers as well as children. This medicine should be applied to the affected area up to 5 times a day. However, if the degree of fungal growth is not too severe, the number of applications can be reduced.
Sulfur ointment
This medicine contains 10-33% sulfur and is a good remedy for foot and nail fungus. For treatment, it is better to take a 10% solution. The medicine should be used 1-2 times a day. The duration of the treatment is one week.
It can be used to treat skin diseases in young children.
Note!
Before using traditional methods to treat nail fungus or any other medicine, consult your doctor.
Treating and preventing nail fungus takes time and a lot of effort, you need to be patient and not wait for a quick recovery.
It's important to know!
Nail fungus is unusually hardy and very quickly develops immunity to the substances contained in antifungal drugs. Therefore, if you become infected with it again or were not treated last time, the medicine you used before will be useless. You need to buy a drug with a completely different principle of action.
We recommend that you consult a doctor in time for a diagnosis, do not let the disease progress, start the treatment on time, finish it, in this case you will forget about such an unpleasant disease as nail fungus.
To be healthy!