Often the fungus on the nails appears in men, in women the hands are more susceptible to this disease. The medical name for this problem is onychomycosis. It usually starts with the big toe. Only with the defeat of a nail one cannot be sure that the infection will not spread. And so you want to bare your legs when visiting or in the summer. Often you have to hold back and uncomfortably wait for the problem to evaporate on its own.
Regardless of the type of fungus that causes nail disease, it will show similar symptoms and require the same treatment. Due to the fact that the fungal infection of the nails does not pose a threat to life, most patients are in no hurry to treatment, considering the problem only cosmetic. This approach is fundamentally wrong, because due to prolonged exposure to the fungus, immunity begins to suffer, which opens the door to many diseases.
When the first symptoms of nail fungus appear, therapy with the use of drugs or folk remedies should be started. Both are very effective, so the patient must decide for himself which method of treatment to prefer.
How to get rid of the problem?
It should be noted that the fungus is difficult to treat, so it is extremely important to first determine the degree of the disease and its causes. Most often, the problem lies in the environment. A fungal disease can occur as a result of prolonged wearing of closed shoes during a hot period at a time of high humidity. In addition, a prolonged stay in the pool can damage the nails.
There is a high probability of catching this attack in people with reduced immunity who have problems with blood circulation. Also, diabetics and housewives who constantly come into contact with water when cleaning the apartment and washing dishes may be at risk.
It is not difficult to understand that the nail is affected by fungal bacteria. Just look at its color. Usually it takes on a yellowish hue, but in some cases it can even be black, brown, or gray. The nail becomes more dense and rough. A progressive infection prevents it from growing and may fall off. During this time, the skin begins to redden, itch and swell.
Before treating the disease, the cause of the disease, unfavorable influencing factors, must be eliminated.
Important!You should not walk barefoot in public places where there is a high probability of catching an infection.
You can eliminate the infection in different ways. Currently, drug treatment and traditional medicine are used in practice. It happens that a particular ointment does not suit a person, its use may not bring a positive result, but the skin on the legs will respond perfectly to inexpensive herbal treatment. Also, not everyone can use drugs. Many drugs have contraindications. Pregnant women, for example, should avoid taking medication.
Sometimes doctors deliberately offer patients to combine traditional medicine with drugs.
The use of folk remedies
The most popular and effective traditional medicines in the fight against fungal infections are:
- iodine;
- the vinegar;
- tea fungus;
- sea salt;
- potassium permanganate;
- ammonia;
- boric acid;
- tea tree oil;
- propolis tincture.
Home remedies are mainly used in cases where there is a danger of using drugs that can cause an allergic reaction and are not suitable for everyone. The main thing is to know in what proportions to use them.
It is very important not to start treatment, otherwise the nails will not only look ugly, but also lead to such consequences as skin diseases, hypersensitivity to allergens, disease of the mucous membranes and inflammation of internal organs. The fact is that the fungus is very poisonous, and all family members are at risk, especially if the household has a habit of changing slippers.
Few people manage to get rid of this problem with folk remedies, but it is enough to remember the usual disinfectant tinctures or decoctions.
Use of iodine
Iodine has long been used in self-healing processes. It is also able to relieve skin diseases including fungal infections. It can be used in its pure form. It is enough to pre-clean the skin under the nail and wipe it with iodine at the site of infection. No bandage is needed after that. The iodine should evaporate on its own. Typically, this takes a few minutes. So you can wait. Otherwise, you could get a chemical burn.
Important!People with individual intolerance to iodine are not recommended to use it in the treatment of diseases.
If someone does not know how his body reacts to this substance, a painless experiment can be performed at home. Apply a few drops of iodine to the bend of the elbow and watch the reaction of the skin. Obviously, if the hand in the crease starts to turn red or stained, you shouldn't use iodine at all.
You can prepare a special antifungal mixture containing iodine, table vinegar and glycerin. These ingredients should be mixed in equal parts and proportionally add 2 times more boiled water. Now you can start lifting your legs and rub the antifungal mixture on the sore nail. These actions must be repeated for about ten days.
Vinegar treatment
Vinegar is the most popular antifungal agent among people. Even for the prevention of such diseases, doctors recommend wiping the insides of shoes. You just need to moisten a cotton swab in vinegar, put it in the shoes, which need to be folded in a plastic bag, and send the shoes in this form to the wardrobe for a day. Then you can get it, air it out and walk calmly.
You can treat infected areas of skin with vinegar. To begin with, the nails should be thoroughly washed and cleaned with a file, then the toes should be wiped with a washcloth soaked in vinegar. A sore nail should be covered with a bandage so that the vinegar evaporates freely.
Before using vinegar, it is necessary to test the personal tolerance of this remedy. You literally have to apply a drop of vinegar to the skin area and observe the reaction of the body.
How to use propolis tincture?
Traditional medicine recipes are gentle on the human body, which is why people turn to them even before going to the clinic. Propolis has antiseptic qualities and can be purchased as an ointment, oil or tincture.
When dealing with nail fungus, the main thing is to be patient, because it is a long process. You can prepare a special foot bath with the addition of propolis. All you need is a spoonful of tincture in a small container of water. Legs should be steamed for 10 minutes. Then you need to get rid of keratinized skin and put a cap of propolis on the sore finger, which you can mold from softened propolis yourself.
Important!In the process of treating nail fungus, you should pay more attention to personal hygiene and use clean socks daily.
The use of boric acid
Boric acid has a disinfectant effect. She must be as careful as possible. Treatment with this drug should be short-term, since a person can be poisoned with a large accumulation of a substance in the blood. It is not suitable for every person. It can be used in both liquid and dry form. There are several ways to deal with this substance.
- It is necessary to pour 30 grams of powder into a bowl of water, the temperature of which does not exceed 60 degrees. Feet should be steamed for about 15 minutes, then wiped with a towel. This procedure should be carried out no more than once every 4 days.
- It is necessary to moisten a cotton swab in a 3% solution of this acid and apply it to the sore finger for a few minutes.
- You can sprinkle boric acid powder on your nail and then put on a sock.
Medicines against fungi
Now manufacturers are working on the release of therapeutic ointments for fungus, creams. Also do not forget to take advanced medical pills and varnishes, which are used only once for 3-6 days.
Important!Without consulting a doctor, it is better not to indulge in self-medication with medication, since there are contraindications for certain groups of people.
There are a lot of drugs on the pharmacy counter, but how suitable are they for your problem? There is still work to do here. If the fungus appeared recently, it will be easier to get rid of it.
Disease prevention
In order not to get such an infection, you just need to keep your feet clean and follow the rules of personal hygiene. You should also listen to the opinion of people who advise:
- do not use other people's scissors when performing a manicure;
- do not go to the gym or shower without shoes;
- use cotton socks that allow your feet to breathe;
- do not wear tight shoes;
- do not walk with wet shoes for a long time, if you are so "lucky" to be caught in the rain.
In principle, there are no special measures to prevent this scourge. You just need to wash your feet more often, wash your socks.
