Nail fungus is the most common and unpleasant disease. A fungal infection of the feet and nails cannot cause significant harm to health, but causes a weakening of the immune system and unpleasant painful sensations.
Nail fungus is able to concentrate toxic toxins in the body, which multiply during the growth of pathogenic fungi, resulting in slow poisoning of the body, which can cause an allergic reaction or aggravate chronic diseases. As a result, metabolic processes in the body are disturbed, immunity decreases, general physical condition deteriorates, and sensitivity to various negative environmental influences increases.
In this article you will learn what fungus spores are, what causes this unpleasant disease, symptoms and signs of damage, how to treat nail fungus at home, what preventive measures should be followed to avoid infection.
Why does fungal mycosis occur on the toenails?
The occurrence of a fungal infection can cause:
- foot injuries in the form of cracks and abrasions, which can be the result of a pedicure procedure or wearing narrow, uncomfortable shoes;
- corns and calluses on the feet;
- improper foot care irregular;
- decreased immunity;
- long-term use of antibiotics and drugs with a similar effect on the body during treatment;
- excessive sweating of the foot;
A decrease in immunity and protective functions of the body can provoke a fungal disease, but is not the main factor in the onset of the disease.
First, the infection occurs:
- domestic way of contact with a sick person, most often a close relative, through ordinary slippers or shoes, through household items - washcloths, sponges, rugs;
- in the sauna, the bath, the swimming pool and on the beach. A large crowd of people and a humid environment contribute to the spread of fungal diseases;
- wherever people walk without shoes. The spores of the fungus are able to withstand sudden changes in temperature from low to very high and remain for a long time in the sand, on the surfaces of sidewalks, on the upper surfaces of the swimming pool;
- when wearing someone else's shoes, in which pathogenic viral microflora can live and multiply;
- wearing stockings or socks made of synthetic materials that do not allow air to pass through create a favorable microclimate for infection with a fungus;
- constant wearing of false nails prevents breathing of the nail plate, which also contributes to infection with mycosis;
Symptoms of fungal nail and foot infection
- dryness, itching, redness and flaking of the feet;
- the appearance on the sole and between the toes of small itchy blisters, the formation of corns-corns is possible;
- the appearance of diaper rash on the legs due to increased sweating;
- change in the shape and color of the nail. The spores of the fungus penetrate the nail plate and gradually take root there. The structure of the nail becomes heterogeneous, brittle, with an uneven surface. In places of defeat, light or yellow spots appear and voids below;
- under the influence of poisonous toxins produced by fungal spores, the legs sweat a lot, a strong unpleasant odor appears;
- increase in body temperature is possible.
If there are cracks, itching, diaper rash, an unpleasant smell on the feet, a change in the shape of the nail and the appearance of white or yellow spots on its surface, and voids under them, there is a direct reason to contact a dermatologist for detailed advice and a treatment regimen. The dermatologist will tell you all about the treatment of nail fungus at home and will prescribe medications suitable for each specific case, as well as advice on the use of traditional medicine.
The symptoms of the disease and the nature of the lesion depend on the type of fungal mycosis:
- type of mycosis - vesicular, begins to affect the lower part of the foot, is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles and blisters filled with fluid and additional attachment of bacteria - pathogens;
- type of mycosis - membranous, characterized by the appearance on the skin between the toes of small red rashes and the appearance of painful cracks;
- type of mycosis - similar to a moccasin, in which the mycosis affects the skin of the foot, starting with the heel and ending with the toes. The lesion is accompanied by painful sensations, the skin of the foot thickens, cracks and itching appear.
Most often, fungal spores from the sole of the foot move to the nail plates, the fungus takes root and grows in the nail, affecting it. A fungal infection negatively affects the whole body, inhibits its functions and can cause allergic reactions.
Treatment of nail fungus at home: preparations against fungus
The most effective treatment for nail fungus at home is a complex combination of special drugs against fungus and folk remedies. First, we will talk about the drugs used in the treatment of nail fungus, and then about folk methods.
Medicines should be used strictly according to the instructions, constantly and accurately dosing them. For the treatment of mycosis, there are special antimycotic drugs in the required doses. With advanced cases and extensive lesions, the fungus can be eliminated in several stages, observing some temporary pause between treatments.
It is possible to cure a fungus with a medical method with the help of inexpensive and very effective drugs. Means against mycosis are available in the form of ointment, gel and varnish, which must be applied to the surface of the nail several times a day. The spores of the fungus are very resistant to various influences, in order to completely get rid of them, you will need to periodically change the drug treatment regimen and alternate between drugs and traditional medicine.
Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies at home
Treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies at home is periodic treatment of the areas affected by the fungus with special natural remedies. It is known that mycosis is afraid of acid, and the treatment of the fungus with the help of nature is based on this fact. The most effective natural remedies are vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, propolis, baking soda, iodine, garlic, kombucha. These are only the means that negatively affect the pathogenic flora of the fungus and are able to cope with it.
Treatment of nail fungus with vinegar
Vinegar treatment is carried out using lotions with a specially designed composition of vinegar, alcohol and glycerin. The proportions of the ratio of components are taken in the appropriate amounts -2/2/1. A piece of cotton or cotton wool soaked in a solution is applied to the nail plate affected by the fungus and held for some time, then the feet should be dried with a towel or a clean towel and only after a while rinse the feetfeet with lukewarm water. Lotions should be applied for two weeks to a month, depending on the complexity of the lesion. During such treatment, the infected nail begins to exfoliate and gradually disappears, and a new healthy nail grows in its place.
Important! To avoid burning the skin around the diseased nail, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with vegetable oil before applying the lotion.
Treatment of nail fungus with baking soda
Treatment with baking soda is carried out in the same way as with vinegar. For this, you need to prepare a fresh solution of baking soda, dip a cotton ball in it and put it on the affected nail for a while, then remove the disk and carefully wipe the nail with a dry towel.
Hydrogen peroxide for nail fungus
Hydrogen peroxide treatment is carried out as follows: peroxide should be poured into the voids under the platinum of the nails, where the fungus has taken root. The aggressive and disinfectant environment of peroxide perfectly destroys fungal spores and helps to quickly get rid of the disease.
Iodine
A good effect is given by treatment with iodine, which should be applied to the nail plate several times a day, and fungal cavities should also be treated with iodine.
Propolis
In the treatment of fungus with propolis, compresses of propolis tincture and alcohol help well. Compresses should be applied daily and kept for some time, then rinse the feet with warm water. Such treatment should be carried out until a positive result occurs and the nail is renewed.
Other popular methods in the treatment of nail fungus
- Another effective but somewhat complicated recipe is to apply a mixture of one teaspoon of methyl phthalate, one tablespoon of vinegar, one teaspoon of vegetable oil and two raw eggs to the affected area. Thoroughly mix all components and store in the refrigerator until complete use. Apply a compress from the mixture to the nail, wrap the finger in plastic wrap, put a woolen sock on top. Hold for at least thirty minutes.
- As a homeopathic remedy, a living organism Kombucha helps well. Throughout the night, put a piece of kombucha on the affected nail and cover this place with plastic wrap. Kombucha has an acidic environment and resists fungal spores well.
- A good result is achieved by daily treatment of the affected surface with finely grated garlic. Garlic juice is a natural disinfectant and works great for fungal spores.
Treatment of nail fungus at home should be carried out regularly and methodically. If there is a microscopic proportion of spores left under the nail, the fungus will begin to grow again and the whole treatment will have to be started again.
To avoid fungus infection of the nail plate and skin of the feet, you need to follow preventive measures, which we will talk about later.
Disease prevention
- In order to avoid primary infection or re-infection with mycosis, it is necessary to regularly and thoroughly treat all manicure tools and accessories. If the manicure or pedicure procedure takes place in a beauty salon, then make sure that the master does not use tools that have not been processed after another person.
- Periodically clean your shoes with disinfectants such as vinegar or formalin. To achieve the best therapeutic effect on disinfection of shoes, thoroughly mix these products with each other and carry out the treatment.
- Occasionally sanitize common household and household items by boiling them in a soapy solution. For the solution, a combination of water, laundry soap, and a small amount of baking soda is best.
- Visiting the bath, sauna and swimming pool only in special rubber slippers or flip flops.
- Have individual bath accessories - washcloth, sponge and towel.
- Regularly observe foot hygiene with the help of water procedures. As often as possible, make foot baths with warm water, in which it is good to add a crystal of potassium permanganate or a teaspoon of baking soda as a disinfectant.
- Do not try, let alone wear someone else's shoes, as they are considered the best carrier of fungal diseases.
Successful treatment of nail fungus at home is possible only if all the recommendations of a dermatologist are followed, with strict adherence to the treatment regimen and the use of drugs, careful observation of the cleanliness of the lesions andregular conduct of all necessary disinfection procedures. It is imperative to follow preventive measures and be patient, as nail fungus is an insidious and intractable disease.