Toenail fungus is the most common and unpleasant disease. Fungal infection of the feet and nails can not cause significant damage to health, but provokes a weakening of the immune system and unpleasant painful sensations.
Nail fungus is able to concentrate toxic toxins in the body, which multiply during the growth of pathogenic fungi, which leads to slow poisoning of the body, can cause an allergic reaction or worsen chronic diseases. As a result, metabolic processes in the body are disrupted, immunity is reduced, general physical condition deteriorates, sensitivity to various negative environmental influences increases.
In this article you will learn what are the fungal spores, the causes of this unpleasant disease, the symptoms and signs of damage, how to treat toenail fungus at home, what preventive measures should be followed to avoid infection.
Why does fungal mycosis appear on the toenails?
The appearance of a fungal infection can provoke:
- wounds on the legs in the form of cracks and abrasions, which may be the result of a pedicure procedure or as a result of wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes;
- calluses and calluses on the feet;
- poor irregular foot care;
- reduced immunity;
- long-term use of antibiotics and drugs with similar effects on the body during treatment;
- excessive sweating of the feet;
Decreased immunity and protective functions of the body can provoke fungal disease, but are not the main factor in the onset of the disease.
In the first place, the infection occurs:
- household route from contact with a sick person, most often a close relative, through common slippers or shoes, through household items - towels, sponges, carpets;
- in the sauna, bathroom, pool and on the beach. Large crowds of people and humid environments contribute to the spread of fungal diseases;
- in every place where people walk without shoes. The spores of the fungus are able to withstand sudden changes in temperature from low to very high and remain for a long time in the sand, on the surfaces of sidewalks, on the upper surfaces of the pool;
- when wearing foreign shoes in which pathogenic viral microflora can live and multiply;
- wearing socks or socks made of synthetic materials that do not allow air to pass, create a favorable microclimate for fungal infection;
- constant wearing of artificial nails makes it impossible to breathe on the nail plate, which also contributes to mycosis infection;
Symptoms of fungal infection of the nails and feet
- dryness, itching, redness and flaking of the legs;
- the appearance of the sole and between the toes of small itchy vesicles, the formation of calluses is possible;
- the appearance of a rash of diapers on the feet due to increased sweating;
- change in the shape and color of the nails. The spores of the fungus penetrate the nail plate and gradually take root in it. The structure of the nail becomes heterogeneous, brittle, with an uneven surface. Light or yellow spots and gaps appear below the affected areas;
- under the influence of poisonous toxins produced by fungal spores, the feet sweat a lot, a sharp unpleasant odor appears;
- a rise in body temperature is possible.
If there are cracks, itching, diaper rash, bad foot odor, change in the shape of the nail and the appearance of white or yellow spots on its surface and gaps under them, there is a direct reason to contact a dermatologist for detailed advice and treatment regimen. The dermatologist will tell you all about the treatment of toenail fungus at home and will prescribe appropriate medication for each case, as well as give advice on the use of traditional medicine.
The symptoms of the disease and the nature of the lesion depend on the type of mycosis fungus:
- type of mycosis - vesicular, begins to affect the lower part of the foot, is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles and blisters filled with fluid and additional attachment of bacteria - pathogens;
- type of mycosis - membranous, characterized by the appearance of the skin between the toes of small rashes of red rash and the appearance of painful cracks;
- type of mycosis - similar to moccasins, in which the mycosis affects the skin of the foot, starting from the heel and ending with the toes. The lesion is accompanied by painful sensations, the skin of the foot thickens, cracks and itching appear.
Most often, fungal spores from the soles of the feet pass to the nail plates, the fungus takes root and grows in the nail, affecting it. The fungal infection has a negative effect on the whole body, suppresses its functions and can cause allergic reactions.
Treatment of toenail fungus at home: preparations against mycosis
The most effective treatment for toenail fungus at home is a complex combination of special drugs against mycosis and folk remedies. First, we will talk about what drugs are used in the treatment of toenail fungus, later on folk methods.
Medicines should be used strictly according to instructions, dosing constantly and accurately. For the treatment of mycosis there are special antifungal drugs in the required doses. In advanced cases and extensive lesions, the fungus can be eliminated in several stages, with some time break between courses of treatment.
It is possible to cure the fungus with a medical method with the help of cheap and very effective drugs. Antifungal agents are available in the form of ointment, gel and varnish, which should be applied to the nail surface several times a day. The spores of the fungus are very resistant to various influences on it, to get rid of it completely, you will need to periodically change the treatment regimen with drugs and alternate drugs and traditional medicine.
Treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies at home
The treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies at home is the periodic treatment of the affected areas with special natural remedies. It is known that mycosis is afraid of acid and the treatment of fungi with the help of nature is based on this fact. The most effective natural remedies are vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, propolis, baking soda, iodine, garlic, kombucha. These are just the means that negatively affect the pathogenic flora of the fungus and are able to deal with it.
Treatment of toenail fungus with vinegar
The vinegar treatment is performed with the help of lotions with a specially made composition of vinegar, alcohol and glycerin. The proportions of the ratio of the components are taken in the appropriate quantities -2/2/1. A piece of cotton wool or a cotton swab soaked in the solution is applied to the nail plate affected by the fungus and held for a certain time, then the feet should be dried with a clean towel or napkin and only after some time rinse your feet with warm water. Lotions should be applied from two weeks to one month, depending on the complexity of the lesion. In the process of such treatment, the infected nail begins to exfoliate and gradually disappears, and in its place grows a new healthy nail.
Important! To avoid burning the skin around the diseased nail, it is recommended to apply any vegetable oil to the skin before applying the lotion.
Treatment of nail fungus with baking soda
The baking soda treatment is done in the same way as vinegar, so you need to make a cool baking soda solution, soak a cotton swab in it and place it on the affected nail for a while, then remove the disc and wipe thoroughly. nail with a dry towel.
Hydrogen peroxide against nail fungus
The treatment with hydrogen peroxide is carried out as follows: the peroxide should be poured into the gaps under the platinum of the nail, where the fungus has taken root. The aggressive and disinfecting environment of peroxide perfectly destroys fungal spores and helps to get rid of the disease quickly.
iodine
Iodine treatment, which should be applied to the nail plate several times a day, gives a good effect, and fungal cavities should also be treated with iodine.
propolis
Compresses of propolis tincture and alcohol help in the treatment of fungi with propolis. The compresses should be applied daily and kept for a certain time, then rinse your feet with warm water. Such treatment should be performed until a positive result appears and the nail is renewed.
Other folk methods in the treatment of nail fungus
- Another effective but slightly complicated recipe is to apply a mixture of one teaspoon of methyl phthalate, a tablespoon of vinegar, one teaspoon of vegetable oil and two raw eggs to the affected area. All components are mixed well and stored in the refrigerator until fully used. Apply a compress of the mixture on the nail, wrap your finger with plastic wrap, put on a woolen sock. Hold for at least thirty minutes.
- As a homeopathic remedy helps a living organism - Kombucha. For the whole night, place a piece of kombucha on the affected nail and cover this area with plastic wrap. Kombucha has an acidic environment and copes well with fungal spores.
- A good result is obtained by daily treatment of the affected area with finely grated garlic. Garlic juice is a natural disinfectant and works great against fungal spores.
The treatment of toenail fungus at home should be done regularly and methodically. If a microscopic part of the spores remains under the nail, the fungus will start to grow again and the whole treatment will have to start over.
To avoid infection with fungus on the nail plate and skin of the feet, you need to follow the preventive measures, which we will talk about later.
Disease prevention
- To avoid primary or re-infection with mycosis, it is necessary to regularly treat all manicure tools and accessories. If the procedure for manicure or pedicure is performed in a beauty salon, be sure to make sure that the master does not use tools that have not been processed after another person.
- Periodically clean your shoes with disinfectants such as vinegar or formalin. To get the best therapeutic effect in shoe disinfection, mix these products well with each other and perform the treatment.
- From time to time, disinfect ordinary household and household items by boiling them in a soap solution. For the solution is the best combination of water, laundry soap and a small amount of baking soda;
- Visit to the bathroom, sauna and pool only with special rubber slippers or flip flops.
- You have individual bathroom accessories - towel, sponge and towel.
- Regularly observe foot hygiene with water treatments. As often as possible, take foot baths with warm water, in which it is good to add potassium permanganate crystal or a teaspoon of baking soda as a disinfectant.
- Do not try, let alone wear someone else's shoes, as they are considered the best carrier of fungal diseases.
Successful treatment of toenail fungus at home is possible only if you follow all the recommendations of a dermatologist, in strict compliance with the treatment regimen and use of drugs, careful observance of the purity of the lesions and regular all necessary disinfection procedures. It is imperative to follow preventive measures and be patient, because nail fungus is an insidious and incurable disease.