How to treat foot fungus at home with folk remedies: recipes

One of the most common pathologies of the feet and toenails is yeast infection. Treatment of this disease takes a long time, because getting rid of a fungal infection is not easy. In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies are used, which even in advanced cases give excellent results. In the early stages of the disease, you can cure the infection on your own with natural recipes at home.

What is foot fungus and ways of infection

Mycosis or dermatomycosis is an infectious lesion of the skin of the legs, interdigitated areas, fingers, nails. A predominantly fungal foot infection occurs in crops where it is customary to wear closed-toe shoes most of the time. Most often, the disease affects the elderly and people whose immunity is weakened due to any serious pathology (immunodeficiency, pemphigus, diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders of the limbs, etc. ).

The causative agents of the fungal infection parasitize the stratum corneum of the skin. They produce enzymes that break down keratin. Their cell walls (membranes) contain mannan substances that suppress local immunity and contribute to the development of a chronic inflammatory process on the skin. Among the many pathogens of mycosis, the main ones are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum.

You can get infected with a fungus in two ways: direct or indirect. The first variant of infection offers several versions:

• close contact with a sick person;
• contact with an infected animal;
• by plants with which the sole comes in contact;
• through the soil in which the pathogen lives.

An indirect route of infection with mycosis of the foot occurs:

• when using household items or personal hygiene items belonging to a sick person;
• when using objects that have been touched by an infected animal.

Symptoms of the disease

Depending on the type of fungus, specific symptoms of the disease are distinguished. For example, for a long time dermatophytes do not show themselves in any way, penetrating deep into the layers of the skin at this time or under the nail bed. If the causative agent of the yeast infection is trichophytosis, the signs of infection are visible immediately - a yeast-like microorganism causes inflammation of the nails and skin, destroying tissue in a short time. It is difficult, even for an experienced dermatologist, to tell what type of infection a patient has without lab tests.

At an early stage of the disease, there are common symptoms of a yeast infection of the foot:

• cracks in the sole;
• itching, burning, dryness, peeling of the skin;
• unpleasant foot odor;
• discoloration and brittle nails;
• shiny skin surface;
• thickening and redness of the epidermis;
• increased sensitivity of the sole;
• the appearance at the site of inflammation of bubbles filled with liquid.

Forms of fungal infection

External manifestations of the fungus depend not only on the type of pathogen, but also on the degree of involvement in the inflammatory process of the skin, nails, hair on the legs. Dermatologists distinguish the following forms of mycosis of the feet:

1. Scaly (scaly) form. Redness and peeling of the skin are observed at the initial stage. The affected areas have different areas.
2. Hyperkeratotic stage. Heavy roughness of the sole, deep cracks in or near the heels. Both legs are affected at the same time.
3. Intertriginous form. It is considered the most common. Affects the area between 4 and 5 toes, less often develops between 3 and 4. Cracks are replaced by erosion, which begins to get wet, itching, burning occurs. Streptococci enter the loose structure of the tissues, causing pustular inflammation.
4. Dyshidrotic form. The watery blisters that appear on the epidermis merge together. Once hidden, extensive ulcers develop. The yeast infection spreads to the hands.

Treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies

All folk remedies for foot fungus have several tasks: destruction of fungal mycelium, elimination of symptoms of inflammation, restoration of the integrity of the skin, increased local immunity, prevention of relapses of the disease. For these purposes, decoctions and infusions for oral administration are used, as well as solutions, ointments and compresses for external use.

Many plants, minerals, chemical compounds (copper sulfate) and even gunpowder have antifungal properties - this is proven by scientific research. More than 1000 names of representatives of the flora have been identified and have a pronounced fungicidal and antimycotic effect. The composition of these plants includes benzoic and salicylic acid, furocoumarin, novoimanine and other substances that have a therapeutic effect on fungal infections.

Rules and principles of processing

Before you start to treat foot fungus on your own with folk remedies, you need to consult a doctor in order to avoid the further development of the pathology. It is very difficult to cure yeast infection from an advanced form. Therefore, if a few days after the start of the use of one or another method of positive dynamics, you should consult a doctor.

There are many popular recipes based on the use of herbal and natural ingredients. Home treatment for yeast infection is recommended before going to bed to allow time for the medication to take effect. Regardless of which method you choose to get rid of yeast infection, you should adhere to the basic rule: to carry out treatment not only until the symptoms have completely disappeared, but also for some time after that. During treatment it is necessary:

• follow a diet low in sugar in the diet, that is, remove sugary and starchy foods from the daily menu;
• exclude the use of cosmetic varnish, which creates a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria;
• carry out regular iodine treatment of nail plates with a fungal infection (with onychomycosis);
• disinfect floors and shoes to prevent relapses.

Foot bath for foot fungus

At the initial stage of the disease, therapeutic foot baths are very helpful in relieving symptoms. Traditional medicine offers many ingredients from which these treatments are made. These are decoctions and infusions of herbs (chhelia, wormwood, yarrow, oak bark and others), vinegar, soda and other components. Fight the infection with trays daily, submerging your feet in a hot, freshly made solution for 15 to 20 minutes.

The average duration of treatment for adults is 2 weeks, but if necessary, the procedure can be extended. Foot baths not only help stop the growth of the fungus, but also remove unpleasant odors, remove excessive sweating from the feet. With good hygiene of the lower limbs, the positive effect will become noticeable a few days after the start of treatment. Examples of easy trays to make at home to get rid of fungal infections of the feet:

• Take 3 liters of warm water, mix in 200 g of sea salt. For more effectiveness, you can add ground cinnamon (1 tbsp), a decoction of chamomile or pine needles (250 ml).
• Pour lukewarm water into a basin, add 50 ml of table or apple cider vinegar and a few granules of potassium permanganate. After the procedure, lubricate the affected skin with tea tree oil.

Compresses and lotions

In complex home therapy for fungal infections of the feet, it is advisable to use compresses or lotions. For these procedures, celandine oil, garlic, onions, alcohol tinctures, iodized salt and peppermint are used. Kombucha, pumpkin pulp, fresh burdock leaves are applied to the sore spots. The selected substances are crushed, applied to the area between the toes and on the feet for 40-50 minutes, and wrapped on top with a plastic bag (food film). The duration of treatment is 1 to 2 times a day until complete recovery.

Essential oils and natural pastes

Effectively treat foot fungus at home using natural vegetable and essential oils. An extract of tea tree (soothes the skin, eliminates itching), lemon (strengthens nails, increases local immunity), cinnamon (prevents the multiplication of fungi), rosemary (regenerates tissue) madehis proofs. An effective natural antiseptic lavender oil, which has analgesic and healing effect, therefore, eliminates the symptoms of yeast infection much faster than other folk remedies.

You can apply the essential oil in its pure form (after an allergy test) or make a natural paste by mixing a few drops with any vegetable oil (coconut, cocoa, olive, jojoba). Manipulations should be carried out 3 times a day for several weeks. If the nails are affected with fungus of the feet, this treatment lasts until the plaque is completely renewed (several months).

Herbal decoctions and tinctures

The popularity of herbal remedies in the treatment of fungal infections is due to their high effectiveness and availability. Herbal medicine is used not only to get rid of the fungus, but also to prevent infection. The main methods of treating yeast infection at home are the use of tinctures (infusion of medicinal herbs with ethyl alcohol), decoctions (the herbs are heat treated, languishing in a steam bath so as not to boil) and infusions (herbs are poured with boiling water and infused).

The method and duration of treatment depend on the age of the patient, concomitant diseases and the severity of symptoms. Average duration of use: 2 to 3 times a day for 14 to 30 days. The most effective antifungal herbs for treating fungal infections are:

• birch buds;
• cold mint;
• aloe;
• eucalyptus;
• walnut leaves;
• medicinal chamomile;
• Japanese sophora;
• puppeteer;
• celandine;
• runnik;
• Kalanchoe;
• common juniper.

How to cure foot fungus at home

Traditional methods of getting rid of the fungus have proven to be effective. In order to forget about the fungus of the feet forever, it is necessary during the treatment and after to take good care of the foot area. For fast recovery you will need:

• thoroughly dry the skin after bathing;
• only wear dry and clean shoes;
• do not overheat the legs, avoid profuse sweating;
• in hot weather, wear open-toed sandals;
• wear socks made of natural fabrics that have high levels of air permeability and hygroscopicity;
• Always wear personal slippers when showering in a public place.

Practical tools and products in the kitchen

It is easy to find folk remedies at home to get rid of the fungus. Every housewife, among the tools available in the kitchen or in the refrigerator, has some kind of remedy for yeast infection. The most affordable:

• Coffee. In this case, the aromatic drink is used for external use. Regular foot baths with strong, freshly brewed coffee will help to cope with the disease.
• Garlic. There are many options for using the plant, but the easiest is garlic juice, which is rubbed into the affected tissues. The process is carried out with a cotton swab 3-5 times a day until the symptoms disappear.
• Onion. The fresh onion porridge should be placed in a plastic bag that is worn over the foot. The edges of the bag should be tied so that the arc does not touch the sole, and the leg is in an impromptu air-vapor chamber all night. As a general rule, 5 sessions are enough to get rid of fungal infections of the feet.

Traditional medicine pharmacy

If there is no time to look for a remedy for yeast infection of the feet at home, an effective medicine of natural origin can be purchased at a pharmacy. Among them:

• Potassium permanganate. The remedy, popularly known as potassium permanganate, is effective for the treatment of yeast infection. To cope with the problem, it is necessary to apply a compress soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate on the leg every night until the problem subsides.
• Iodine. The areas of the skin affected by the fungus are treated with 5% alcohol solution 2 times / day. The contraindication to such treatment is the high sensitivity of the skin and the individual intolerance to the ingredients.
• Iodinol. With onychomycosis, a universal blue solution is used to soften the nail plate, which has managed to become very rough. Iodinol is used to wipe tissue affected by fungal infection 2-4 times / day.
• Propolis. For the treatment of yeast infection, alcohol tincture is often used. You can prepare a homemade solution by infusing propolis with vodka or alcohol, but this will not affect the effectiveness. For the treatment and prevention of fungus, you need a cotton swab soaked in tincture, apply to the infected area and wait for complete drying 1-2 times / day.
• Ammonia. A tablespoon of the product should be diluted in a glass of distilled water, then saturate the fabric with the resulting solution, wrap the feet, fix with adhesive bandage and withstand the compress overnight.
• Boric acid. For antifungal therapy, you will need a powder, which is sprinkled on the feet in the correct dose after steaming and put on socks on top. The procedure is carried out every evening. Boric acid is left overnight.

Herbal medicine for foot fungus

Some herbs are a natural antibiotic, while others have a complex effect on the affected area. For the treatment of mycosis, poisonous herbs, which are unacceptable for ingestion, are often used. The destruction of membrane cells of pathogenic fungi is due to the presence of an aggressive plant environment, which leads to a rapid neutralization of the pathology. Powerful herbs include:

• black nightshade;
• cheremitsa;
• male fern;
• darkening lumbago.

Effective folk remedies for foot fungus

In order for folk remedies for yeast infection to help, the treatment process should be properly organized. Before starting any procedure, you need to spray your legs, cut overgrown nails, grind loose tissue, remove rough, dead skin. Only then can folk recipes be applied successfully. The natural ingredients not only destroy the fungal infection completely, but also make the nails and skin look healthy again. The most effective folk remedies should be discussed in more detail.

Garlic compresses

An old home remedy for yeast infection of the feet is garlic compresses. The effectiveness of this simple and affordable method is due to the composition of the plant. In addition to vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins, garlic contains ascorbic acid, which is harmful to harmful microorganisms. You should know that if you use a garlic compress recklessly, you can burn your skin. For this reason, during treatment it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage and duration of treatment. Garlic compress recipe:

• melt 50 g of butter, add 1 head of minced garlic, 2 tbsp. the. coarse rock salt and mix well;
• apply the resulting mass on a sterile gauze in an even layer and apply to the affected areas for 1 hour;
• treat with a compress several times a day, leaving the limbs motionless during the procedure;
• the recommended duration of treatment is 1 month.

The vinegar

You can fight the yeast infection with any vinegar essence: wine, apple, rice, malt or cane. The principle of action of vinegar is the penetration of its substances into infected tissues and the destruction of cell membranes of the fungus. Mycosis does not develop under the influence of an acidic environment, since colonies of pathogenic microflora die under its influence. At the initial stage of treatment, a low concentration of vinegar (from 3%) should be used, which gradually increases.

Before being treated with this method, it is necessary to check the infected area of the skin for abrasions and cracks so as not to cause inflammation or chemical burns of the epithelium. If they are not there, you can start using the vinegar compress:

• stir until smooth 2 tbsp. the. nine percent vinegar, 1 tbsp. the. glycerin and 2 tbsp. the. Vodka;
• soak pieces of bandage in the finished mixture and apply to the localization site;
• after the dressing is dry, rewet the dressings in the medicinal mixture;
• the time of use of compresses should not exceed 1 hour / day;
• course duration - 2 weeks.

Baking soda

Treating foot fungus with baking soda at home gives good results. At the first suspicion of fungal infection, it is necessary to use sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), which lowers the acidity of the epidermis. In addition to the antiseptic effect, baking soda softens the skin and nail plates, allowing drugs to penetrate more easily after use. Under the influence of alkalis, affected tissues become more sensitive to the action of any other treatment.

With yeast infection, soda can be used dry, diluted with water and in combination with other natural or unnatural ingredients. With onychomycosis, soda paste will be more effective. To prepare it you will need:

• 3 tbsp. the. mix of soda with 1 tbsp. the. water until a thick and homogeneous mass is obtained;
• then soda paste should be applied to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the skin;
• after that, the mass should be acidified with freshly prepared lemon juice, which will immediately react with soda;
• the solution should be removed 5-7 minutes after application and wash the feet with soap;
• the procedure is carried out daily before bedtime until the condition of the nail improves.

Tea tree oil

In dermatology, tea tree oil has been used for more than ten years, because it has established itself as a very effective remedy against skin pathologies. The natural composition of the essential liquid determines its cytotoxic activity, that is, its ability to fight against pathogenic microorganisms. Treatment options vary depending on whether the infection is the skin or the nail.

You can cure the nail plate if you pour 1 drop of tea tree oil on the affected area every day. It will take about 2 months to fully recover and strengthen the nail. It is best to use a diluted extract for the one-time treatment. To do this, you need to take vegetable oil (3 parts), mix with essential oil (1 part), shake and apply to the skin 2-3 times a day for 1. 5 months. It is best to settle the course of treatment with a doctor. Clove essential oil can be used as an analogue.

Hydrogen peroxide

In the fight against fungal infections, hydrogen peroxide helps, which is considered the best antiseptic with a pronounced antibacterial effect. The drug is widely used both medicinally and at home for the treatment of yeast infection. Hydrogen peroxide does not accumulate in the body, therefore, the development of allergic reactions is excluded. With yeast infection, baths are effective, which helps soften the affected epithelium for the subsequent flow of antifungal gels, ointments, creams or sprays prescribed by a doctor.

Making a hydrogen peroxide foot bath at home is easy:

• pour lukewarm water into a basin and add a 3% preparation at the rate of 100 ml per 2 liters of water;
• lower your feet into a container and hold for 20 minutes;
• so that the solution does not cool down, the addition of small portions of boiling water is necessary;
• after the procedure with a pumice stone, remove the softened tissue;
• remove moisture with a sponge and apply the prescribed drug to the surface of the skin;
• bath daily until condition improves.

Laundry or tar soap

For over a dozen years, people at home have been cured of a fungal infection using tar or laundry soap. By observing the rules of treatment of the affected skin, you can quickly get rid of itching and unpleasant odor on the feet. To speed up tissue healing, you need to combine soap with salt or iodine. The following recipe will help improve blood circulation in the tissues:

• steam your legs in lukewarm water before going to bed;
• then lather them thoroughly with laundry soap;
• treat soapy feet with a washcloth, then with a pumice stone;
• then wipe off, grease with cream;
• treat areas infected with a fungus with birch tar;
• soak it for 1. 5 hours, then remove it with cottons;
• put clean socks on your feet and do not take them off for 2 days;
• repeat the procedure once a week until the problem is eliminated.

Salicylic ointment

The main advantage of treating yeast infection with salicylic ointment is its high antifungal activity. The drug kills pathogens, prevents their reproduction, removes keratinized layers of the epidermis and rarely causes side reactions. In case of yeast infection of the legs, apply salicylic ointment in the form of compresses. On the softened skin or nail plate, the drug in a concentration of 5 or 10% is applied in a thin layer, after which the leg is placed in a plastic bag and socks are put on it. The intervention lasts 1 hour twice a day for 10 days.

Propolis

As already mentioned, propolis for yeast infection is effective as a tincture. The alcohol component also has a positive effect on pathogenic microorganisms. It is possible to prepare an ointment with a beekeeping product, which should be rubbed overnight on the affected areas for 10-14 days. His recipe is simple:

• mix 20 g of crushed propolis (without wax) and 100 g of sea buckthorn oil;
• heat the ingredients in a double boiler for 30 minutes;
• cool mixture, pass through cheesecloth, use as directed.

Celandine and chamomile

It is believed that herbal remedies, especially chamomile and celandine, will clear up a fungal infection the fastest. It is best to use them together. To achieve a rapid effect, you need to drink chamomile broth or tea (to increase general immunity) and take baths with an infusion of celandine. It should be known that the fresh juice of the latter is piping hot, so it should be used in its pure form with extreme caution.

For the infusion you need crushed stems of a dried plant. In a glass of boiling water you need to prepare 1 tbsp. the. celandine, let stand 1 hour, then dilute with a little hot water. With yeast infection, the solution is used for therapeutic baths, which are carried out every day for 15 minutes. As a rule, such treatment relieves the initial stage of the disease in 14 days.

Calendula infusion

The flowers of this plant contain a large group of biological substances that have a strong antimicrobial effect. Especially fast, calendula infusion copes with onychomycosis. Before using the drug, the nails should be steamed and treated. After mechanical cleaning of the nail plate from fungal plaque and dead tissue, it is necessary to moisten a cotton ball in the infusion and apply it to the affected area. The procedure is carried out daily for 4-8 weeks. It is easy to prepare the product at home:

• pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tbsp. the. dry or fresh calendula flowers;
• do not insist in a water bath for 10 minutes;
• cool, filter, store at a temperature not exceeding 4 ° C.

Warning! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not require self-processing. Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and give treatment recommendations, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.