Toenail fungus: folk remedies to get rid of it at home

A change in the color and thickness of the toenails can be safely considered the first sign of an infectious fungal disease - onychomycosis. In the initial stage, there is still a chance to cope without expensive drugs, it is only important to know which folk remedies for the treatment of toenail fungus are the most effective. You can get rid of this disease at home if you strictly follow all the rules and recommendations.

The main factors provoking the disease

Onychomycosis is classified as an infectious disease, so the only way for it to occur is through infection. This usually happens unnoticed and the first stage is almost asymptomatic. The appearance of light peeling and small cracks on the nail plate also rarely worries a person. Usually, treatment begins when obvious signs of the disease are detected:

• change in nail color;
• plate thickening;
• constant itching at the base of the nail (sometimes between the toes).

It is easy to get infected with fungus - just contact a sick loved one during joint trips to saunas and baths, fitness centers, using ordinary household items, for example, a bath mat or bed linen. Often the disease can be transmitted in public places such as swimming pools or water parks if treatment is not in accordance with accepted standards.

There are also some individual risk factors for getting a yeast infection, such as a weakened immune system. In order not to provoke the appearance of the disease, before visiting places with an increased risk of infection, you should pay attention to the state of your body. It is not recommended to take risks if:

1. The man has recently caught a cold and his immune system has not yet fully recovered.
2. There is damage to the nails or feet.
3. There are doubts about the proper hygiene of the club or shoes, for example in a bowling center.

Fighting nail fungus is a long process. In an advanced form, this can lead not only to cosmetic discomfort, but also to more serious diseases that may require surgical intervention.

Modern medicine offers a large selection of different antifungal drugs to get rid of this disease, but not everyone has the opportunity to buy them due to their high price. Traditional recipes for toenail fungus are no less effective when used correctly and will cost much less.

Treatment with iodine

Of all the options for the treatment of fungus with folk remedies, iodine is rightfully considered the most popular. The effectiveness of its use has been proven by dermatologists and the drug is recommended for the treatment of the affected areas of the nails and feet. The product compares favorably with:

• Low price;
• good disinfection properties;
• ease of use.

It has been proven that regular treatment of the affected areas of the nails with iodine for two weeks can completely eliminate the fungus. To do this, the affected plate should be soaked daily with the medicine until the healthy nail grows completely. For prevention, healthy nails of the other fingers can also be treated with iodine.

The drug is also often used as an additional ingredient in other home remedies to combat athlete's foot. For example, they mix iodine with apple cider vinegar, treat the skin around the nails or make foot baths by adding the product to the water. In combination with celandine, vegetable oil or an antimicrobial agent, the drug is used to prepare mixtures for the treatment not only of nail fungus, but also of the feet.

Before using iodine, remember that this drug can cause an allergic reaction, so you need to do a test: apply a small amount of iodine to the skin and wait a few hours. Caution should be exercised when using iodine in people with thyroid disease.

Treatment with soda

Baking soda is a fairly common remedy for fighting various infections. It is also good for treating toenail fungus with folk remedies. It is recommended to use it in two doses.

The first is to steam your feet in the tub. To do this, prepare a solution: 1 tablespoon of baking soda per liter of hot water. Soak your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes. Then proceed to the next part of the procedure.

For the second step, you will need to prepare a soda paste (soda and a little water). The resulting mass is applied to the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe steamed nail plate and the wrapping method is used (you can use an ordinary transparent film). The duration of the procedure should not exceed 15 minutes. Therefore, your feet should be rinsed with water to avoid irritation.

If the disease begins, the treatment should be carried out every day. For the initial phase, two to three times a week are sufficient. The effect will be noticeable faster if you combine the baking soda treatment with medicines. It usually takes about two months to completely get rid of the fungus, but even after a full recovery, it is recommended to take soda baths once a week to avoid a relapse.

Alcohol tablets

A good way to beat nail fungus is an alcohol compress. This is done before going to bed and left overnight. Due to the heating, the affected areas of the nail plate expand, which facilitates the penetration of the disinfectant inside. An ammonia compress is considered the most effective, but a regular one will do. To perform the procedure correctly, you must:

1. Steam your feet.
2. Use a file to remove the dead top layer of the affected nail.
3. Treat with hydrogen peroxide.
4. Apply a cotton swab soaked in an alcohol solution to the nail.
5. Place on fingertip or wrap in foil.
6. In the morning, remove the compress and lubricate the nail with an antifungal gel or cream.
7. Repeat the procedure every other day until the complete disappearance of mycosis.

To enhance the effect, pure alcohol can be replaced with tinctures based on it. A weekly compress of celandine infused with alcohol will help greatly speed up healing, and the juice of a fresh plant can be used instead of an antifungal cream.

A compress with alcohol tincture of propolis will also help to quickly get rid of the fungus. The healing properties of this product have been known for a long time. It can cure not only nail fungus, but also the entire foot. Propolis has antifungal and antiseptic properties, which eliminates the use of other drugs after removing the compress.

Kombucha uses

A concentrated solution of kombucha is very effective for treating foot fungus using folk remedies. The infusion has antibacterial properties and the stronger the concentration, the better. Infusion of the mushroom for three months is considered optimal.

Treatment with this popular method can be done in two ways. The first is to use a cotton swab soaked in kombucha concentrate that has been boiled well overnight. The second is to smear the sore spot with the fungus itself, rubbed into a pulp.

In both the first and the second method, after the procedure, the dead layer of the nail must be cut off. At the end of the treatment, it is necessary to disinfect both the nail itself and the tools used.

Despite the fact that kombucha is a completely natural medicine, there are some contraindications for use. Cannot be used:

• women during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• alcoholics;
• people with diabetes and hepatitis;
• patients with HIV and AIDS.

In other cases, kombucha has established itself as one of the most effective methods of treating mycosis without the use of drugs.

Using birch tar

The oldest way to get rid of foot fungus is birch tar. Its use has been known for a long time, but it has not lost its effectiveness. The tar can be used in its pure form or you can prepare an ointment from it by mixing it with cream.

Before applying the substance, you should pre-treat the feet and nails, steam them and remove the dead parts. Then you can treat it with tar. A distinctive feature of this method is that access to air is required for the applied medicinal composition. The procedure takes about two hours, so you should take care of a comfortable body position in advance.

A more modern method is to use tar soap. But it is more suitable for daily prevention of relapse of the disease than for treatment. In some cases, the use of soap can lead to allergic reactions and dry skin, so use it with caution. And even the unpleasant smell, which is very persistent for several hours, does not add any benefit to the product.

Do not rely entirely on the tar treatment. It is best used as a complementary natural remedy to medicines.

Salt and vinegar

Vinegar and salt are commonly used as adjuvants against nail and toenail fungus. Additionally, salt can be used for both marine and culinary purposes. It has strong antimicrobial properties and is well absorbed. Vinegar helps to soften the nails for further processing. Usually solutions are made from these ingredients. The solution recipe is very simple:

• 100 ml of vinegar (preferably apple cider);
• 2 liters of hot water;
• 0. 5 cups of salt.

Mix everything well and soak your feet in the solution for 20-30 minutes. Such baths will not only help you steam your nails before procedures, but also disinfect the entire surface of your feet.

Whatever folk remedy is used to fight toenail fungus, you must remember: if after two weeks the treatment has not given a visible result, you should immediately consult a doctor.