The problem of fungal nail infection is widespread. According to the WHO, every 10 people worldwide suffer from this nasty disease. You can get infected with it if the basic rules of personal hygiene are not observed or in public places - baths, swimming pools, saunas, changing rooms in the gym.
Mycosis does not pose a serious health risk, but it is uncomfortable and very difficult to get rid of. In advanced cases, the therapy lasts for many months. For effective treatment, it is important to timely identify the first symptoms of the disease and consult a dermatologist. Along with drug therapy, the doctor can prescribe the use of traditional medical prescriptions, which will speed up the healing process.
Signs of illness
It is difficult to diagnose onychomycosis in the early stages. Hence, it is important not to overlook the manifestations of the progressive damage. The first "alarm bells" can be viewed as follows:
- Change in color, structure, shine of the nail;
- the appearance of tuberosity, stunted growth;
- Delamination, destruction;
- pathological thickening;
- demarcated bands of mycelial distribution;
- pain syndrome when walking;
- pungent, unpleasant odor;
- Redness, peeling of nearby skin;
- Decay of the nail rolls.
Almost always the thumb suffers first (pathogens penetrate the most traumatic area - the corner of the nail).
Important!
If you notice even a few symptoms, you should see a doctor right away. Timely visit to a medical institution ensures the maximum effectiveness of treatment.
Toenail fungus medication
If you suspect a yeast infection, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. After performing all the tests, he will prescribe the correct treatment. In order to achieve a rapid therapeutic effect, complex control of the fungus is recommended, which consists of oral means and external preparations. Ointment with a greasy base is not used to treat nail mycosis. This is due to the poor penetration of this pharmacological form into the surface of the stratum corneum.
Healing varnish
In recent years, antifungal agents in the form of varnishes have spread. It is advisable to use them only on weak lesions. With advanced diseases, this type of external agent does not bring the desired result. They are made in a bottle with a brush that looks like a normal cosmetic varnish.
Tablets
Oral agents are used along with topical preparations. The tablets work all over the body and help get rid of the infection as soon as possible.
External remedies
You can treat mycoses with various sprays, creams, oils. Due to their local action, they do not harm the liver. The disadvantage of this method is the duration of use.
Laser treatment
For prolonged, unsuccessful attempts to remove nail fungus, consider laser therapy. This method is effective for getting rid of neglected lesions.
The course consists of 6-10 procedures in which the affected areas of the nail plate are removed. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue to the location of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
The advantages of the technology:
- painlessness during the procedure;
- no dosage forms are required;
- has no side effects and allergic reactions.
According to doctors, the laser is the fastest way to get rid of the problem. However, regardless of how miraculous the treatment is, it has a number of limitations:
- Diabetes mellitus;
- Pregnancy and breast feeding period;
- malignant neoplasms;
- severe injuries to the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting any treatment course, it is imperative to undergo a body examination.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is very popular. However, they should be used with caution after consulting your doctor.
Propolis
The bees' waste product is known for its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the affected nail disappears and a healthy one grows back in its place. After the symptoms disappear, it is important not to stop the procedure as the infection may recur.
Natural propolis is used three times a day. A piece is applied to the steamed nail and left for 30 minutes. The first results will appear in a few months.
Another alternative medicine recipe is alcohol tincture:
- Stir 30 g of propolis into 120 g of rubbing alcohol. Let rest in a cool, dark place for 2 days;
- Before the procedure, dampen your feet in a solution with detergent;
- Dry, cut off infected areas as much as possible, cut off the layer of the nail plate;
- Moisten cotton wool with tincture and fix on the sore spot with a bandage overnight;
- Carry out the treatment for at least two months.
To prevent infection, healthy nails are wiped daily with tincture.
Important!
The main requirement for any of the recipes is well-steamed nails. Don't forget this rule.
vinegar
At home, vinegar is often used - cider or table vinegar. Traditional healers offer three ways to use the essence:
- Make an equal proportion of iodine and apple cider vinegar. Lubricate the affected areas with a solution twice a day for six months.
- Mix 2 tbsp. l. Vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree oil extract, chopped garlic clove. The resulting mixture is applied to the plate 2-3 times a day;
- A glass of vinegar is added to the steam bath. The baths are carried out three times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
The poisonous plant helps remove the fungus quickly. Use it carefully so as not to burn your skin.
Fresh sap can be used. Pluck the grass, rinse and twist in a meat grinder. Squeeze the juice out of the resulting mass. In a glass container, mix 200 g of extract and rubbing alcohol. The solution is kept in a dark place for two days. The mixture is applied to the nails 3-4 times a day after thorough steaming.
The pharmacy chain sells finished celandine oil. It lubricates the nail plate after careful processing (steaming, removing the affected areas, wiping with peroxide).
White
The remedy used in the household that we are used to whitening things can also be used in the treatment of onychomycosis. Whiteness has a powerful antibacterial effect. Apply the liquid to the nails every other day until the plate is completely renewed.
egg
For treatment, you need to make an ointment. Put an egg in a glass and pour vinegar essence for several days. The peel should dissolve. Remove the foil from the egg and mix with the remaining liquid. Add butter until thick.
The resulting product is applied to infected nails before bedtime and wrapped in a bandage. The procedure is carried out for 5-6 weeks.
iodine
An alcoholic iodine solution is suitable for treating mycoses. It should be applied with a cotton swab twice a day. For prophylaxis, the procedure is performed once a day on healthy nails. It is useful to take steam baths with added iodine.
Tea mushroom
In folk medicine, it is used to treat various diseases, including onychomycosis. A kombucha plate is placed on the affected area, covered with polyethylene and fixed with a bandage. The compress is left on overnight. In the morning it is necessary to remove the dead layer and lubricate it with iodine.
Hydrogen peroxide
A powerful antiseptic that successfully fights mycoses. After careful preparation, cotton wool is applied to the nail plate and abundantly moistened with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. To prevent the active substance from evaporating, cover it with polyethylene. The compress is left for 1 hour. The procedure is carried out twice a day until a healthy nail grows back.
ammonia
This remedy has shown good results when treated at home. 1 tbsp is diluted in a glass of water. l. Ammonia. A compress is made with the resulting solution overnight. The main requirement is to dampen the nails until they are soft.
Ammonium hydroxide baths also help cure mycoses. Stir in 3 tablespoons of hot water. l. Baking soda, ammonia, 30-40 g liquid soap. With such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails will soften faster.
baking powder
Before using any antifungal, be sure to steam your nails. Soda baths work well in preventing infections from spreading. For 3 liters of hot water, 2 tbsp are taken. l. Powder. For the best effect, you can add 1 tbsp. l. grated laundry soap.
They also make lotions with soda. 100 g is diluted with water until a slurry is formed, which is applied to the nails. After 15-20 minutes, the mixture is washed off.
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is known for its powerful antiseptic properties. Used for baths before using other drugs.
Important!
With manganese you have to be careful not to burn yourself. For safe use, you do not need to ingest more than 3 crystals and dissolve them thoroughly in water.
Birch tar
It has an antiseptic effect and can be used neat or in the form of a soap. Tar is applied to the nail after processing before going to bed. It will be used until recovery.
salt
You can use kitchen or seafood. A mixture of soda and salt is made in equal proportions and diluted with a little cold water. The solution is abundantly lubricated with nails and washed off after 10 minutes. You may feel a burning sensation during the procedure.
Before using the drug, the coarse horny layer of the bath is well steamed with salt.
If there is no increased dryness of the skin, you can soak your feet in a solution of laundry soap and table or sea salt. This procedure has a bactericidal, drying effect.
Novocaine
Traditional medicine recommends using the drug to wipe the nails and skin. After the treatment, cotton wool moistened with an aqueous novocaine solution is applied to the affected areas and fixed with a bandage. After an hour, the compress is removed. Daily procedures can relieve pain, burning, and itching.
To get the best effect from the treatment, experts recommend a medical pedicure. It cuts the nail with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The causative agent of onychomycosis is a tough organism. Spores can remain viable in the environment for months until favorable growing conditions are in place.
In order not to become infected with pathogenic microflora, the following rules should be observed:
- In public areas (baths, saunas, swimming pools) you must wear your own removable shoes;
- wear clean socks every day;
- Thoroughly dry your feet and the area between your toes after showering and bathing;
- do not wear someone else's shoes;
- treat the injured surface of the skin with an antiseptic;
- use personal pedicure tools;
- combat excessive foot sweating;
- coming from the street, drying wet shoes;
- monitor the state of immunity.
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. The main requirement for the prevention of mycoses is strict observance of the rules of personal hygiene.
Good immunity is an important factor in disease prevention. People with weakened immune systems are more likely to be infected with infections. Taking vitamin complexes and immunostimulating drugs is the first step in the prevention of mycoses.
If symptoms are found in a relative who lives in the same apartment, you should use protective medical equipment. Prophylactic means are made in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
The remedies recommended by conventional medicine are also suitable for prevention. Iodine is applied to the nail surface once a day. You can also rub a vinegar solution on your feet.
Fungal treatment is a rather tedious and lengthy process. Complex therapy with pharmacy and folk remedies will help accelerate the healing process.
For treatment to be effective, it is important to identify the first signs of onychomycosis in a timely manner and consult a doctor. Only in a medical facility is it possible to conduct tests to correctly determine the type of pathogen. After that, appropriate treatment is prescribed that will lead to healing.