Fungal toenail disease can occur for a variety of reasons. Onychomycosis is fraught with many troubles, ranging from an ugly appearance to a constant sensation of pain and itching. It is very easy to catch, but not so easy to cure. In this article we will talk about effective remedies for toenail fungus.
About onychomycosis
Fungal diseases are of infectious origin and usually affect certain areas of the nails and skin. Onychomycosis can be contracted in contact with the household, ie after the general use of socks, shoes, as well as in the pool, sauna, gym, etc.
The symptoms of toenail fungus appear gradually. The first signs can be noticed immediately:
- nails change color: they become gray, yellow, black, gray or white;
- begin to crumble;
- the plate is layered;
- the skin near the nail begins to itch;
- the affected areas hurt.
As the disease progresses, keratinization of the nail is observed, as well as pronounced thickening.
Those who treat the fungus should know that this infection is highly resistant. Even if the lesion causes the nail to be removed, repeated inflammation is likely to develop from a small focus that went unnoticed. That is why it is very important that the treatment is carried out correctly, so that in the future you do not worry about the consequences in the form of relapses. It is better to consult a doctor immediately, especially a mycologist. If there is no such specialist, a dermatologist can help you.
There are various methods for treating onychomycosis. Today in pharmacies you can find many preparations for toenail fungus: ointments, creams, tablets and varnishes. Doctors advise to practice both oral medications and topical therapy. So the treatment will be the most complete as well as complex. It should be borne in mind that the therapy will take a long time - about 2-4 months.
Cure for nail fungus
The treatment regimen should be chosen by the doctor. Self-medication is not worth it, as improper use of drugs can provoke the development of resistance to them in fungal agents, as well as lead to further progression of the disease. In addition, antifungal drugs are quite "strong" and have a number of contraindications. A wide range of drugs are used against onychomycosis:
- topical medications (creams, ointments, solutions, varnishes);
- drugs for oral administration (tablets, capsules).
Topical preparations
They are a medicine for external use against fungi. They are prescribed in the initial stage of onychomycosis, ie when the fungus has infected less than 30% of the nail surface of 1-2 fingers.
The use of these drugs is associated with some features. In order for the active substances to penetrate deep into the nail structure and have a therapeutic effect, you must go through 2 stages:
- Remove areas of the nail plate that are affected by the fungus. To do this, it is necessary to steam the nails in a solution of baking soda for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the top softened layer with a file and treat it with disinfectant. The solution is prepared simply: add 1 tablespoon to 2 liters of water. l. baking soda and 5 g of laundry soap.
- Treatment with antifungal fungicide. Medicine (ointment, gel, varnish) should be applied to the affected nail.
An antifungal drug in the form of a varnish is popular. It is only necessary to apply on the affected area of the nail 2 times a week. The course of treatment is until the symptoms of onychomycosis completely disappear.
Keratolytics should also be distinguished among local preparations. This is a painless and inexpensive alternative to hardware removal of the affected nail. With the help of these means you can soften the stratum corneum of the nail plate, which is subsequently rejected. These drugs should be used when the area of the fungus is more than 40%. The method of application looks like this:
- boil your feet in a solution of baking soda and soap;
- sand the surface of the plate with a file;
- lubricate abundantly with the selected composition;
- cover the treated area with adhesive tape.
Such actions should be performed every 3-4 days. As a result, healthy nails should grow in place of diseased nails.
Oral medications
These are medicines for nail fungus, available in tablets or capsules for oral administration. These treatments are prescribed in advanced cases when the fungus has infected more than 50% of the nail surface and is actively advancing further.
Oral fungicides are toxic and have many contraindications. In particular, they should not be drunk during pregnancy, lactation, kidney and liver disease. To reduce the risk of side effects, such drugs are prescribed for short courses.
We strongly recommend that you check the dosage of the medication and the course of treatment with your doctor. All cases are individual.
Folk remedies against nail fungus
Folk recipes against onychomycosis of the toenails can help only in the initial stages of the disease. The antifungal properties are inherent in many plants, improvised means from the home first aid kit and refrigerator.
The following folk remedies are popular:
- Iodine.It has pronounced antiseptic, fungicidal properties. The solution should be used to treat sore nails and skin twice a day (1 drop per nail). Course: month. It is true that this method has drawbacks - the fingers turn yellow, sometimes a burn can occur.
- Tea sponge. . . Peel a small piece of mushroom and cut. Rub the slurry into the affected nails, do not rinse. Then apply a bactericidal patch and wear tight socks. The procedure should be done three times until the diseased nail plate falls off and a new nail grows.
- Vinegar 9%. . . Moisten your nails with acetic acid overnight and put on socks. Leave until morning. You can also make baths. Pour a glass of vinegar into a bowl of warm water and boil your nails for 15 minutes. Each procedure should be performed daily until the symptoms of the fungus subside.
- Birch tar. . . With onychomycosis, you need clean tar. If not, then tar soap will do the trick. The product should be rubbed into the nails, fixed with a compress and left overnight. Rinse in the morning. And so every day until full recovery.
- Celery. . . Boil dry grass with 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then mix with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Keep your fingers in the resulting solution for 30 minutes. Do it daily.
- Onion peel. . . 4 tbsp pour onion peel with a glass of vodka, cover with a lid and leave to infuse in a dark place for 2 weeks. The resulting tincture should be lubricated with nails 4 times a day.
- Lavender oil, tea tree oil and olive oil.Mix in equal proportions, apply the composition on the affected nail plate. You should use this home remedy every day before bed, wearing socks.
Although in the vastness of the network you can find very positive reviews about the use of these folk remedies, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. If you practice them, then only as an adjunct to drug treatment. Of course, the doctor should be warned about this.
Onychomycosis is a fungal disease of the nails that is difficult to get rid of. Only with an integrated approach to therapy can a positive result be achieved. You should not play the "doctor" and make a treatment plan for yourself. Most drugs are contraindicated and can cause side effects. The best way to treat the fungus can only be suggested by a specialist. The drugs described above and theiranalogues are suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis, which occurs on the toes not only of the feet but also on the hands.