Toenail fungus often occurs in men, and in women, hands are more susceptible to this disease. The medical name for this problem is onychomycosis. It usually starts with the big toe. With the defeat of one nail alone, you cannot be sure that the infection will not spread. And so you want to bare your legs when you are visiting or in the summer. You often have to restrain yourself and, feeling uncomfortable, wait for the problem to evaporate on its own.
No matter what type of fungus causes nail disease, it will manifest with similar symptoms and require the same treatment. Due to the fact that fungal nail infection is not life-threatening, most patients do not rush to treatment, considering the problem only cosmetic. This approach is basically wrong, because due to long-term exposure to the fungus, the immune system begins to suffer, and that opens the door to many diseases.
When the first symptoms of nail fungus appear, treatment with drugs or folk remedies should be started. Both are very effective, and therefore the patient should decide for himself which method of treatment he will prefer.
How to solve the problem?
It is worth noting that the fungus is difficult to treat, so it is extremely important to first determine the degree of the disease and its causes. The problem usually lies in the environment. Fungal disease can occur as a result of long-term wearing of closed shoes in the warm period during high humidity. Also, a longer stay in the pool can lead to nail damage.
People with reduced immunity who have problems with blood circulation are more likely to be infected with this attack. In addition, diabetics and housewives who are in constant contact with water while cleaning the apartment and washing dishes may be at risk.
It is not difficult to understand that the nail is affected by fungal bacteria. You just have to look at its color. It usually takes on a yellowish hue, but in some cases it can be black, brown or gray. The nail becomes thicker and rougher. Progressive infection causes it to stop growing and may fall. Meanwhile, the skin begins to redden, itch and swell.
Before treating the disease it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease, the harmful factors of influence.
Bitan!You should not walk barefoot in public places where there is a high probability that you will get an infection.
You can get rid of the infection in different ways. At present, both drug treatment and traditional medicine are used in practice. It happens that a certain ointment may not be suitable for one person, its use may not bring a positive result, but the skin of the feet will react perfectly to a cheap herbal treatment. In addition, not all people can use medications. Many drugs have contraindications. Pregnant women, for example, should avoid taking medication.
Sometimes doctors deliberately offer patients to combine traditional medicine with medicines.
Use of folk remedies
The most popular and most effective traditional medicine in the fight against fungal infections are:
- iodine;
- vinegar;
- tea mushroom;
- sea salt;
- potassium permanganate;
- ammonia;
- boric acid;
- tea tree oil;
- propolis tincture.
Home remedies are primarily used in cases where there is a risk of using drugs that can cause an allergic reaction and are not suitable for everyone. The main thing is to know in what proportions to use them.
It is very important not to start treatment, otherwise the nails will not only be ugly, but will also lead to such consequences as skin diseases, hypersensitivity to allergens, mucosal diseases and inflammation of internal organs. The fact is that the fungus is very toxic and all family members are endangered, especially if the household has a habit of changing slippers.
Few people manage to get rid of this problem with folk remedies, but it is enough just to remember the usual disinfectant tinctures or decoctions.
Iodine use
Iodine has long been used in self-healing processes. It is also able to alleviate skin diseases, including fungal infections. It can be used in pure form. It is only necessary to pre-clean the skin under the nail and wipe it with iodine at the site of infection. No bandages are needed after this. Iodine should evaporate on its own. This usually takes a few minutes. So you can wait. Otherwise, you may get a chemical burn.
Bitan! People with individual intolerance to iodine are not recommended to use it in the treatment of any diseases.
If someone does not know how his body reacts to this substance, then a painless experiment can be conducted at home. Apply a few drops of iodine on the bend of the elbow and monitor the reaction of the skin. Obviously, if your arm starts to turn red or smudged, then you should not use iodine at all.
You can prepare a special mixture against fungi, which contains iodine, table vinegar and glycerin. These ingredients must be mixed in equal parts and proportionally add 2 times more boiled water. Now you can start lifting your legs and rub the anti-fungal mixture into the sore nail. These actions should be repeated for ten days.
Vinegar treatment
Vinegar is the most popular antifungal agent among humans. Even for the prevention of such diseases, doctors recommend wiping the inside of the shoe. You just need to moisten a cotton swab in vinegar, put it in shoes, which must be folded into a plastic bag, and send shoes in this shape in the closet for one day. Then you can take it, ventilate it and walk calmly.
Infected areas of the skin can be treated with vinegar. To begin, nails should be well washed and cleaned with a file, then wipe your fingers with a cloth dipped in vinegar. The sore nail should be covered with a bandage so that the vinegar evaporates freely.
Before using vinegar, it is necessary to test the personal tolerance of this medicine. You should literally apply a drop of vinegar to the skin area and observe the body’s reaction.
How to use propolis tincture?
Recipes of traditional medicine are mild for the human body, so people turn to them even before going to the clinic. Propolis has antiseptic properties and can be purchased as an ointment, oil or tincture.
When dealing with nail fungus, the main thing is to be patient, because this is a long process. You can prepare a special foot bath with the addition of propolis. One tablespoon of tincture in a small bowl of water will suffice. Legs should be steamed for 10 minutes. Then you have to get rid of keratinized skin, and put a propolis cap on your sore finger that you can shape yourself from softened propolis.
Bitan!In the process of treating nail fungus, you should pay more attention to personal hygiene and use clean socks every day.
Use of boric acid
Boric acid has a disinfectant effect. She must be as careful as possible. Treatment with this drug should be short-lived, because a person can be poisoned by a large accumulation of substances in the blood. Not suitable for every person. It can be used in both liquid and dry form. There are several ways to treat this substance.
- In a bowl with water, whose temperature does not exceed 60 degrees, it is necessary to pour 30 grams of powder. The feet should be steamed for about 15 minutes, and then wiped with a towel. This procedure should be done at most once in 4 days.
- It is necessary to moisten a cotton swab in a 3% solution of this acid and apply it on the inflamed finger for a few minutes.
- You can sprinkle boric acid powder on the nail, and then put on a sock.
Fungal remedies
Now the manufacturers are working on the release of therapeutic ointments for fungi, creams. Also, don't forget to take tablets and the most modern medical varnishes, which are used only once for 3-6 days.
Bitan!Without consulting a doctor, it is better not to engage in self-medication, as there are contraindications for certain groups of people.
There are a lot of medicines on the pharmacy counter, but how suitable are they for your problem? There is still work to be done here. If the fungus has recently appeared, it will be easier to get rid of it.
Disease prevention
In order not to catch such an infection, you should just keep your feet clean and follow the rules of personal hygiene. The opinion of people who advise:
- do not use other people's scissors when doing a manicure;
- do not go to the gym or take a shower without shoes;
- use cotton socks that allow your feet to breathe;
- do not wear tight shoes;
- do not walk for a long time in wet shoes, if you are so "lucky" to be caught in the rain.
In principle, there are no special measures to prevent this plague. You just need to wash your feet more often, wash your socks.
