Fungal nail disease can occur for a variety of reasons. Onychomycosis is fraught with many disorders, ranging from an unsightly appearance to a constant feeling of pain and itching. It is very easy to catch it, but not that easy to cure. In this article we will talk about effective drugs for toenail fungus.
About onychomycosis
Fungal diseases are infectious in origin and usually affect certain areas of the nails and skin. Onychomycosis can be contracted during household contact, that is, after general use of socks, shoes, as well as in the swimming pool, sauna, gym, etc.
Symptoms of nail fungus appear gradually. The first signs can be noticed immediately:
- the nails change color: they turn gray, yellow, black, gray or white;
- start to crumble;
- the plate is peeled off;
- the skin near the nail begins to itch;
- affected areas hurt.
With the progression of the disease, keratinization of the nail is observed, as well as pronounced compaction.
Those who treat the fungus should know that this infection is very resistant. Even if the lesion led to the removal of the nail, it is possible that repeated inflammation develops from a small focus, which has gone unnoticed. Therefore, it is very important to carry out the treatment correctly so that in the future you do not worry about the consequences in the form of relapses. It is best to seek immediate medical attention, especially a mycologist. If there is no such specialist, a dermatologist can help.
There are different treatments for onychomycosis. Today in pharmacies you can find a lot of preparations for nail fungus: ointments, creams, tablets and varnishes. Doctors advise simultaneous oral medication and topical therapy. The treatment will therefore be the most complete and the most complex. It should be remembered that the treatment will take a long time - about 2-4 months.
Medicines for nail fungus
The treatment regimen should be chosen by the doctor. Self-medication is not worth it, since improper use of drugs can provoke the development of resistance to them in fungal agents, as well as lead to further progression of the disease. In addition, antifungal drugs are quite "potent" and have a number of contraindications. A wide range of drugs are used against onychomycosis:
- topical drugs (creams, ointments, solutions, varnishes);
- medicines for oral administration (tablets, capsules).
Topical preparations
They are a medicine for external use against fungi. They are prescribed at the initial stage of onychomycosis, that is, when the fungus has infected less than 30% of the nail surface on 1-2 fingers.
The use of these drugs is associated with some peculiarities. In order for the active substances to penetrate deep into the structure of the nail and have a therapeutic effect, you need to go through 2 stages:
- Removal of areas of the nail plate affected by the fungus. To do this, it is necessary to spray the nails in a solution of soda soap for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the softened top layer with a file and treat it with disinfectant. The solution is prepared simply: add 1 tablespoon per 2 liters of water. l. baking soda and 5g laundry soap.
- Treatment with an antifungal fungicidal preparation. A remedy (ointment, gel, varnish) should be applied to the affected nail.
An antifungal drug in the form of varnish is popular. It should only be applied to the affected area of the nail 2 times a week. Treatment lasts until the symptoms of onychomycosis go away completely.
Among the local preparations, we must also distinguish keratolics. It is a painless and inexpensive alternative to the physical removal of the affected nail. With the help of these funds, you can soften the stratum corneum of the nail plate, which is then rejected. These drugs should be used when the area of the fungus is more than 40%. The method of application looks like this:
- steam your feet in a solution of soda and soap;
- sand the surface of the baking sheet with a file;
- generously grease with the chosen composition;
- cover the treated area with duct tape.
These actions should be performed every 3-4 days. As a result, healthy nails should grow in place of diseased nails.
Oral medications
These are drugs for nail fungus, available as tablets or capsules for oral administration. These remedies for treatment are prescribed in advanced cases, when the fungus has infected more than 50% of the nail surface and is actively progressing.
Oral drugs for fungi are poisonous and have many contraindications. In particular, they should not be drunk during pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney and liver disease. To reduce the risk of side effects, these drugs are prescribed for short courses.
We strongly recommend that you check the dosage of medication and the course of treatment with your doctor. All cases are individual.
Folk remedies for nail fungus
Folk recipes for onychomycosis on the toenails can help only at the initial stage of the disease. Antifungal properties are inherent in many plants, improvised remedies in the home first aid kit and in the refrigerator.
The following folk remedies are popular:
- Iodine.Has pronounced antiseptic and fungicidal properties. The solution should be used to treat diseased nails and skin twice a day (1 drop per nail). Course: months. True, this method has drawbacks - the fingers turn yellow, sometimes a burn may occur.
- Tea mushroom. . . Peel a small piece of mushroom and chop it. Rub the oatmeal into the affected nails, do not rinse. Then stick a bactericidal patch and put on tight socks. The procedure should be done three times until the diseased nail plate falls off and a new nail grows.
- Vinegar 9%. . . Moisten your nails with acetic acid overnight and put on your socks. Leave it until morning. You can also take baths. Pour a glass of vinegar into a bowl of lukewarm water and steam your nails for 15 minutes. Each procedure should be performed daily until the symptoms of the fungus are gone.
- Birch tar. . . With onychomycosis, you need pure tar. If not, tar soap will do. The product should be rubbed into the nails, fixed with a compress and left overnight. Rinse off in the morning. And so every day until complete recovery.
- Celandine. . . Infuse the dry herb with 1 liter of boiling water and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. Then mix with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Keep your fingers in the resulting solution for 30 minutes. Do it daily.
- Onion peel. . . 4 tbsp. pour the onion peels with a glass of vodka, cover with a lid and infuse in a dark place for 2 weeks. The resulting tincture should be lubricated with nails 4 times a day.
- Lavender oil, tea tree oil and olive oil.Mix in equal proportions, apply the composition to the affected nail plate. You should use this home remedy every day before going to bed, wearing socks.
Although in the vastness of the network you can find many positive reviews about the use of these folk remedies, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. If you practice them, then only in addition to drug treatment. Of course, the doctor should be warned about this.
Onychomycosis is a fungal nail disease that is difficult to get rid of. Only with an integrated approach to therapy can a positive result be achieved. You shouldn't be playing "doctor" and making a treatment plan for yourself. Most drugs are contraindicated and can cause side effects. The best way to treat the fungus can only be suggested by a specialist. The drugs described above and their analogues are suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis that occurs on the fingers not only of the feet, but also of the hands.