All fungal disease has infectious soil. That is, it is caused by pathogenic fungi, which most often affect the skin or nails (nail plates, in essence, are altered and keratinized skin). But, while the fungal lesions of the soft tissues (including the skin) can be treated without any particular problem, if they are chosen correctly, the nail fungus is treated much more difficult and longer. In particular, if it is running, that is, for a long time, no one paid attention to the disease, hoping that it "will go away anyway". Therefore, rather than treating a neglected and already entrenched disease, it is better to remove it in the early stages of its development. And even more optimal is to prevent infection! This article will help you with that.
The legs are no less aesthetically important than the arms or even the face. Especially in the hot season when open shoes and beach season is coming.
But, at a time when for some they become an object of pride, even of general admiration, for others, they can cause the strongest aesthetic discomfort.
It's all about the mushroom. By affecting the nail plates on the feet one by one, it not only makes them unsightly, but aesthetically unacceptable.
The paws change color and structure, lose their integrity and may emit a foul odor. These are all the results of the activity of pathogenic fungi. It cannot be allowed!
And the first thing to do is to assimilate the information on the exact place where this disease can be detected.
Fungal infection methods
Since it is an infection, the infection itself occurs in contact with it: either with the direct carrier or with the place where it touched. In other words, you can be infected:
- In the bathroom, the bathtub or the swimming pool.
- When you wear a sick person's shoes, socks or other items.
- With direct bodily (physical) contact with him.
- In the gym or on the river and so on.
If the situation has already occurred, it is important to know how to get rid of nail fungus at home. It is important to know what pharmaceutical preparations are.
How does nail fungus occur?
There are many forms of infection. And if the fungi get into a humid and warm environment, then for a while they can even reproduce there, apart from their biological vector, which will only increase their population (concentration) in that particular place. and greatly increase the risk of infection a healthy person in contact with such a place.
Therefore, if you visit public places, especially those the examples of which have been given above, always pay attention to the quality of cleaning, the degree of disinfection and the level of service provided in general.
And another very important point: carefully monitor your own hygiene (foot hygiene).
After all, even if the fungi do come to you, you have up to 24 hours to get rid of them, without negative consequences for your overall health.
It is therefore recommended to carry out preventive procedures whenever you are at risk (after visiting the gym, sauna, contact with a sick person, etc. ). Choose for yourself what suits you best.
The best remedy for nail fungus
Speaking of how to get rid of toenail fungus, one can not fail to mention folk remedies, as well as pharmaceutical preparations that have long been used by different generations.
1. Acetic acid (9%)
It's ordinary table vinegar. For 1 liter of warm, clean water take 30, and for the hardened skin of the legs - 45 milliliters of vinegar, dissolve it in water and soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes.
After that, if you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to rinse it with lukewarm running water and dry it well.
After that, you can apply a moisturizing nourishing cream on your feet, or a special antifungal prophylactic cream, or a remedy in another form.
2. Preparations
You can also use antifungal drugs, as well as their analogues, after any situation that increases the risk of your infection.
And yet, in terms of safety, it will be better if you use drugs from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry after pretreating your feet with one of the products prepared according to folk recipes, as in paragraph number 1, or by themfollowing paragraphs. . .
3. Hydrogen peroxide
You can buy it at almost any drugstore. For 1 liter of lukewarm water, you will need about 15 milliliters of peroxide. Apply in the same way as vinegar. It is not advisable to resort to such procedures more than once every 3-4 days.
4. Tea tree oil
It can be used in pure form (if your body accepts it well) or diluted (for 1 liter of water - up to 20 drops of oil).
In its pure form, the oil is applied to the foot, especially carefully - to the nail plates and the area around them. You don't need to wash it. If you decide to use the oil diluted with water, you can do this about once every two days.
It is necessary to keep your feet in the solution for a maximum of 20 minutes. Before using undiluted oil, the feet should be steamed in lukewarm water, preferably with the addition of small amounts of laundry soap.
5. Strong natural coffee
A very unusual method, given the fact that you should not drink coffee, but keep your feet in it. It turns out that this drink, loved by many, has pronounced antifungal properties.
Do you want your feet to have the most pleasant smell of coffee and not be susceptible to fungal infections?
Then keep your feet in strong natural coffee for 15 to 17 minutes. The procedure can be performed daily. The coffee should be slightly hot, but not hot!
Preventative measures
So, from the above you can draw several conclusions that will certainly help in prevention:
- Avoid visiting potentially dangerous places (in terms of contamination).
- If the first rule has not been followed, take all necessary measures to reduce the risk of fungi (vinegar, peroxide, coffee, etc. ).
But, and that's not all! These tips will help you protect yourself even more and complete the overall prevention picture:
- Affordably strengthen your immune system: spend more time in fresh air, avoid severe stressful situations, eat rationally.
- Get enough sleep and get good rest, exercise, or stay in shape.
Always wear clean and fresh shoes, socks, never borrow them from other people, observe the prevention of the feet (it is advisable to wash them with a household or special bactericidal soap, which will also help in the fight, fungus prevention).
The shoes can also be treated (about once a week) with a special antifungal agent, or with vinegar, peroxide dissolved in water (if it does not damage the shoes).
At least once every six months, see a dermatovenerologist for preventive examinations!
How to get rid of nail fungus with medication
Despite the high effectiveness of these folk remedies currently available in the arsenal of alternative medicine, funds produced in pharmaceutical factories according to modern recipes are in great demand.
And last but not least - thanks to its truly obvious and proven effectiveness.
Let's take a look at the most popular, secure, and fast ones. They come in various forms. Most often these are ointments, creams, sprays.
And also - can be applied both outdoors and outdoors. If the fungus is neglected, it is better to combine the use of internal drugs with the use of external agents.
A qualified doctor will undoubtedly help you choose the best option for their combination. We will look at what options generally exist.
- Oral drugs (for oral administration). As a rule, they are not used for prophylaxis, but serve for high-quality treatment of the fungus.
- Healing liquid. It is already quite old, but, nevertheless, has proven to be effective, means. Now, it's not as popular as, say, decades ago. But, some pharmacies still make this liquid on demand - on a doctor's prescription. It can be used both for prevention (occasionally) and for treatment.
- Dough. This drug, as a whole, does not have a direct destructive effect on pathogenic fungi and harmful microflora. But, it excludes their reproduction, because it completely deprives them of a nutritious medium: the legs, with regular use of this paste, do not sweat.
- Special antifungal nail polish. Today, they are an alternative remedy to many pharmaceuticals, as they both prevent infection and, at the same time, take care of their nails.
- Sprays for prophylaxis. They can be used both for treatment and to prevent the development of disease. But, if you used the drug for prophylactic purposes, you need to take the full shortened course, otherwise the remedy may be ineffective next time.
Disinfection of shoes for nail fungus
This is one of the important points: the shoes should always be dry and clean. It should be cleaned, washed, dried in time. The above sprays can be used to treat the inside of the shoe.
Above in the article, tips were given to treat it with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solutions. You should have several pairs of shoes for the season so that you can change them using the next pair while the previous one is in the disinfection phase.
Prevention is very important in keeping your nails healthy. But, if you notice any signs of infection: the nail plate has become thinner or, on the contrary, thickened, changed color, began to exfoliate, etc. , then it may already be advisable to talk about treatment.
But remember, the best remedy for nail fungus is to prevent it from appearing. Folk remedies will help you with this.
Check all medications with your doctor.
Take care of yourself and your health. To be in a good health!