Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease of the feet and nails caused by dermatophytes. The pathology is infectious in nature, a pathogenic parasite - the causative agent of the infection spreads throughout the body through the lymphatic, circulatory system.
Nail fungus, like many diseases, can be effectively cured by folk methods. The advantages of treatment with such means are obvious - availability, safety, effectiveness. Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus acts like any parasite antiseptic:
- Vinegar creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nails.
- High acidity is detrimental to fungal spores, stops the process of growth and reproduction.
Treatment options
Depending on the stage and type of the disease, there are different options for treating nail fungus:
- In the early stages, while there is a change in nail color, the initial destruction of the structure, sufficient treatment is provided through the use of folk methods: lotions, baths, ointments.
- If the fungus develops for a long time, a neglected form is diagnosed, the plaque has become dirty yellow, gray, has become uneven, disintegrates in the incisions of the nails, to the folk methods will have to add oral antifungal drugs.
Basic rules for the use of the drug
Such a simple mechanism makes the treatment of mycosis with apple cider vinegar effective, following the rules:
- Careful choice of essence: the raw materials - apple cider vinegar - must be natural, without impurities, chemical additives. Apple essence is easy to prepare at home.
- Take the necessary precautions: prevent the risk of spreading the fungus by increasing hygiene requirements, use personal belongings (towels, slippers), wash towels and socks after use.
- Strictly follow the prescription and the possibilities of using the drug.
Method number 1: baths
Baths filled with a composition that is detrimental to the fungus is a proven way to treat the disease. Apple cider vinegar has a high level of destructive effect on fungi.
Training
For the treatment of fungi, healing baths are prepared as follows:
- Take vinegar (400-800 ml. ), Pour it into a container for the procedure.
- Wash my feet well, the places of nail damage must first be strongly steamed, the seals must be cut.
Procedure
- Dip your feet in a full container, bathe for 10-15 minutes, dry your feet with a towel, wear socks made of natural materials (preferably cotton).
- To give the result of treatment, the first 7 days bath should be done in the morning and evening, then every 3 days.
- If there are wounds, cracks in the legs, the procedure may be painful. To reduce the burning sensation, dilute apple cider vinegar with water (2: 1).
After using the towel, it should be washed thoroughly to prevent the spread of infection.
Method number 2: compresses
Compresses with apple cider vinegar and in combination with other ingredients are effective against the development of the fungus.
Compression options
There are several ways to treat a lotion infection:
- A cotton swab (gauze) is moistened with apple cider vinegar, applied to the places where the nails are damaged.
- You can cure the infection with a mixture that has the consistency of a paste. In its composition, apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons) is combined with soda (to obtain the desired density).
- Glycerin is mixed in equal proportions (can be replaced with vegetable oil) with apple cider vinegar. Treatment with this mixture of fungi is recommended for lesions not only on the nails but also on the skin.
- A compress of alcoholic tincture of iodine (3 drops) with apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp) helps.
- Good results are obtained when treating the fungus with iodine lotions, as well as a mixture of lemon, soda and water.
Application features
It is recommended to apply compresses at night, fixing them on the damaged area. You can apply lotions during the day - in this case, hold for at least three hours.
- As a result of the compress, the nail plate of the foot softens, which allows it to be removed with scissors.
- Lotions are effective if there is an initial form of nail disease.
- As vinegar has a drying effect, it is important to use a cream to moisturize the skin of the feet after a session of lotions and other procedures.
Method number 3: ointments and mixtures
In the treatment of fungi is effective use of ointments based on apple cider vinegar. Treatment with ointments with vinegar, as well as other folk remedies, requires compliance with the instructions.
Ointment options
Empirically tested ointments against fungi, the main component of which is apple cider vinegar:
- Finely chop the kalanchoe leaves (100 g) and add vinegar (1 teaspoon), honey (10 g), eucalyptus oil (30 g). Before starting the treatment of the fungus, keep the mixture for 3 days in a dark place. The treatment is performed by lubricating the affected nail.
- To get rid of onychomycosis, you can use the following ointment: dimethyl phthalate, olive oil, glycerin mixed with vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the ointment at night, wash with laundry soap in the morning.
Vinegar mixtures
With the help of these recipes, our distant ancestors successfully fought the nail infection, defeated the fungus.
- A mixture of vinegar and honey. You can mix equal parts honey and vinegar and apply on the affected areas for 20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
- Alternate baths with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water).
- Mixture of vinegar with colloidal silver - to enhance the effect on the fungus, a suspension of metal particles is applied to dry feet after a bath of vinegar and kept until the mixture dries.
When curing the fungus, the ointment is recommended to apply twice a day. The therapy will be more effective if before applying the ointment, steam your feet well and get rid of the thickened part of the nails.
Prevention
It is difficult to treat onychomycosis, it is a difficult process that requires a lot of time and patience. Complicating the fight against the disease is the difficulty of early diagnosis and viability of the fungus.
Consequences of untreated onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is not a cosmetic problem, the consequences of the fungus for a sick person are as follows:
- Nail infection provokes a number of complications: allergic skin diseases, bronchial asthma, all kinds of rashes.
- The Academy of Mycology conducted research that proved that the fungus negatively affects the quality of life of a sick person. This is due to psychological problems, not the aesthetic appearance of the affected nails.
- If you do not fight the disease at the first signs of the fungus, the immune system will suffer.
- There is a risk of erysipelas.
- The fungus complicates the course of chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease).
- If you do not start timely treatment of this nail infection, then there is a high probability of spreading the fungus on the skin of the hands, infecting family members, people around the patient.
How to avoid recurrence
To prevent infection or recurrence of athlete's foot, it is important to take the following preventative measures:
- Refuse to wear tight, rubbing shoes. Keep shoes dry - in a humid environment the risk of developing a pathological fungus increases.
- When visiting public saunas, swimming pools, beaches, wear rubber slippers, and when you return home, disinfect both shoes and feet in a vinegar bath.
- If your feet are sweating - wear socks made of natural materials, use cosmetics.
- Socks, tights, socks should be changed daily.
- Pay special attention to immunity - this is a common cause of mycosis. Take regular multivitamin courses: twice a year and after illness, take antibiotics when the body is weak.