Toenail fungus: folk remedies to get rid of it at home

A change in the color and thickness of the nails can be safely considered the first sign of an infectious fungal disease - onychomycosis. At the initial stage, it is still possible to do without expensive pharmaceutical products, it is only important to know which folk remedies for toenail fungus are the most effective. You can get rid of this disease at home if you strictly follow all the rules and recommendations.

The main factors causing the disease

Onychomycosis is classified as an infectious disease, so it can only occur through infection. This usually goes unnoticed and the first stage is almost asymptomatic. The appearance of light peeling and small cracks on the nail plate also rarely alarms a person. As a rule, treatment begins when obvious signs of the disease are detected:

• change in nail color;
• thickening of the plaque;
• persistent itching at the base of the nail (sometimes between the toes).

It is easy to become infected with a fungus - it is enough to contact a sick relative during joint outings to saunas and baths, fitness centers, using ordinary household items, for example, a bath mat or linenof bed. Often the disease can be transmitted in public places such as swimming pools or water parks if treatment does not follow accepted standards.

There are also some individual risk factors for getting a yeast infection, such as a weakened immune system. In order not to provoke the onset of the disease, before visiting places with an increased risk of infection, you should pay attention to the condition of your body. It is not recommended to take risks if:

1. The man recently caught a cold and his immune system has not yet fully recovered.
2. Nails or feet are damaged.
3. There are doubts about the good hygiene of the club or the shoes, for example in a bowling center.

Fighting nail fungus is a long process. In its advanced form, it can lead not only to cosmetic discomfort, but also to more serious diseases that may require surgical intervention.

Modern medicine offers a wide selection of various antifungal drugs to get rid of this disease, but not everyone has the opportunity to purchase them due to their high cost. Traditional recipes for toenail fungus are no less effective when used correctly and will cost much less.

Iodine treatment

Of all the options for treating fungus with folk remedies, iodine is rightfully considered the most popular. The effectiveness of its use has been proven by dermatologists and the drug is recommended for treating affected areas of nails and feet. The product compares favorably to:

• low price;
• good disinfectant properties;
• ease of use.

It has been proven that regular treatment of affected areas of the nail with iodine for two weeks can completely eliminate the fungus. To do this, the affected plate must be soaked with the drug daily until a healthy nail fully grows. For prevention purposes, healthy nails of other fingers can also be treated with iodine.

The drug is also often used as an additional ingredient in other homemade recipes to combat athlete's foot. For example, they mix iodine with apple cider vinegar, treat the skin around the nail or take foot baths by adding the product to the water. In combination with celandine, vegetable oil or an antimicrobial agent, the drug is used to prepare mixtures for the treatment of not only nail fungus, but also foot fungus.

Before using iodine, remember that this medicine can cause an allergic reaction, so you need to do a test: apply a small amount of iodine to the skin and wait a few hours. Caution should be taken when using iodine in people with thyroid disease.

Soda treatment

Baking soda is a fairly common means of combating various infections. It is also good for treating toenail fungus with folk remedies. It is recommended to use it in two doses.

The first is to steam your feet in the bath. To do this, prepare a solution: 1 tablespoon of baking soda per liter of hot water. Soak your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes. Then move on to the next part of the procedure.

For the second step, you will need to prepare a soda slurry (soda and a little water). The resulting mass is applied to the affected area of the steamed nail plate and the wrapping method is used (you can use ordinary transparent film). The duration of the procedure should not exceed 15 minutes. Therefore, your feet should be rinsed with water to avoid irritation.

If the disease begins, treatment should be carried out daily. For the initial phase, two to three times a week are enough. The effect will be visible faster if you combine baking soda treatment with medication. It usually takes about two months to completely eliminate the fungus, but even after complete recovery, it is recommended to take soda baths once a week to avoid relapses.

alcohol tablets

A good way to beat nail fungus is to use an alcohol compress. This is done before bed and left overnight. Due to heating, the affected areas of the nail plate expand, making it easier for the disinfectant to penetrate inside. Ammonia compress is considered the most effective, but a regular compress will do. To correctly perform the procedure, you must:

1. Steam your feet.
2. Use a file to remove the dead top layer of the affected nail.
3. Treat with hydrogen peroxide.
4. Apply a cotton pad soaked in an alcohol solution to the nail.
5. Place on fingertip or wrap in aluminum foil.
6. In the morning, remove the compress and lubricate the nail with antifungal gel or cream.
7. Repeat the procedure every other day until the fungus disappears completely.

To enhance the effect, pure alcohol can be replaced with tinctures based on it. A weekly celandine compress filled with alcohol will help significantly speed up the treatment, and the juice of a fresh plant can be used instead of an antifungal cream.

A compress with alcoholic tincture of propolis will also help quickly get rid of the fungus. The healing properties of this product have been known for a long time. It can cure not only fungus on the nails, but also on the entire foot. Propolis has antifungal and antiseptic properties, which eliminates the use of other medications after removing the compress.

Uses of Kombucha

A concentrated solution of kombucha is very effective in treating foot fungus using folk remedies. The infusion has antibacterial properties and the stronger the concentration, the better. An infusion of mushroom for three months is considered optimal.

Treatment with this popular method can be carried out in two ways. The first is to use a cotton pad soaked in kombucha concentrate, boiled well overnight. The second is to lubricate the affected area with the mushroom itself, rubbed into a paste.

In both the first and second methods, after the procedure, the dead layer of the nail must be cut off. At the end of the treatment, it is necessary to disinfect both the nail itself and the instruments used.

Although kombucha is an all-natural remedy, there are some contraindications to its use. Cannot use:

• women during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• alcoholics;
• people with diabetes and hepatitis;
• patients with HIV and AIDS.

In other cases, kombucha has emerged as one of the most effective methods of treating yeast infections without the use of medication.

Using Birch Tar

Birch tar is the oldest way to get rid of foot fungus. Its use has been known for a long time, but it has not lost its effectiveness. Tar can be used in its pure form, or you can prepare an ointment from it by mixing it with cream.

Before applying the substance, you need to pre-treat the legs and nails, spray them and remove dead parts. Then you can treat it with tar. A distinctive feature of this method is that air access is necessary for the applied medicinal composition. The procedure takes about two hours, so you should take care of a comfortable body position in advance.

A more modern method is to use tar soap. But it is more suitable for daily prevention of relapses of the disease than for treatment. In some cases, using soap can lead to allergic reactions and dry skin, so use it with caution. And even the unpleasant smell, which is very persistent for several hours, does not bring any benefit to the product.

Don't rely entirely on tar treatment. It is best used as a natural remedy complementary to medications.

Salt and vinegar

Vinegar and salt are commonly used as adjuvants against nail and foot fungus. Additionally, salt can be used for both marine and culinary purposes. It has strong antimicrobial properties and is well absorbed. Vinegar helps soften nails for further treatment. Solutions are usually prepared from these ingredients. The solution recipe is very simple:

• 100 ml of vinegar (preferably apple cider);
• 2 liters of hot water;
• 0. 5 cups of salt.

Mix everything thoroughly and immerse your feet in the solution for 20 to 30 minutes. Such baths will not only help steam your nails before procedures, but also disinfect the entire surface of your feet.

Regardless of the folk remedy used to combat toenail fungus, remember: if after two weeks the treatment has not given visible results, you should immediately consult a doctor.