Fungal nail infections are very common, affecting up to 20% of the population.It is not a life-threatening disease.But it causes a lot of problems in the form of itching, deformation and discoloration of the nail plate.Pathogenic fungi, toxins spread throughout the body, increase sensitivity to external negative influences.Knowing how to treat nail fungus at home, you can cope with the problem.
How does the infection occur?
Precipitating factors include cuts, wounds, abrasions, and injuries caused by wearing tight shoes.Foot care, especially with excessive sweating, as well as antibiotics and affected immunity contribute to the appearance of mycoses.
Infection is possible by contact with a sick person, using someone else's shoes, washcloths or room carpet.
Therefore, there is a chance of catching a fungus when one of the family members suffers from this disease.The crust of the skin of a person infected with a fungus can infect another person in the surrounding space.
It often happens in crowded places in conditions of high humidity - bath, sauna, swimming pool.Fungal infection can also occur in salons that provide manicure and pedicure services due to insufficient monitoring of sanitary standards.Adults are more susceptible to the disease, but sometimes a child's foot can also suffer from fungus.
Symptoms of the disease
Manifestation of mycosis begins with increased dryness and cracking in the ankles and feet.Sometimes it is accompanied by redness, severe itching, the formation of blisters and corns.People who suffer from excessive sweating, diaper rash.The nail changes its structure and color, turns yellow and cracks.If the spores do not penetrate deeply into the slab, the voids are filled with a settling mixture and an unpleasant grassy smell is formed.
In the advanced stage, the nail fungus makes it difficult to walk and becomes hot.In such cases, you should immediately contact a dermatologist.Complications associated with mycosis can manifest themselves in the form of psoriasis and eczema.
There are three types of fungal infection of the toenails, the symptoms of which differ:
- Vesicular.In this case, the lower part of the leg suffers from small blisters filled with liquid form.
- Membrane.Cracks appear between the toes.
- A type of moccasin.Thickening of the skin is visible with the formation of cracks on the heels and soles.By seizing the nails, the fungal pathogen causes their structure to be disturbed.The body can react with an allergy.
You should consult a doctor in time so that he does not resort to surgical methods to remove the affected nail.He will choose the appropriate drugs and tell you how to treat nail fungus at home.
Why is mushroom dangerous?
The disease is not harmless and can seriously harm the human body.Nail fungus is the cause of diseases that are difficult to treat.Eroding the nail plate, it spreads to nearby tissues, making it a conductor for any other infection.Weakened immunity allows the fungus to penetrate the internal organs.
Mycosis can also be associated with general intoxication of the body.Toxins released by some types of fungi accumulate inside and cause poisoning.The disease also causes serious psychological distress, which leads to negative feelings about its development.
Treatment options
Mycosis can be successfully treated at home with the help of medicines and traditional medicine.It is important to start treatment on time.The method of pulse therapy is very popular today, when fungi are eliminated in a short time as a result of the use of antifungal agents prescribed in large doses.It is important to take long breaks between courses.
You can treat nail fungus using products intended for external use (ointments, gels, varnishes).Created on the basis of fungicidal drugs, it has an effective anti-inflammatory effect.The success of treatment depends on the exact type of pathogen and the degree of pathology.Each affected area of the foot may require different medications.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is recommended to combine local agents with systemic ones.An additional way is to use traditional medicine recipes to speed up the healing process.You can treat nail fungus with the most common products - garlic, vinegar, lemon.
Drug therapy
There is a large selection of drugs that are effective against fungal infections.It is used both orally and externally.The question of how to treat nail fungus on the hands and feet should be solved by a specialist.Chooses the appropriate tool.
Local features
At the beginning of the disease, when the area of nail damage exceeds 50%, solve the problem with the help of ointments and sprays.
Most come in different forms and help kill many types of fungi.Ointment is used 2 times a day, after cleaning and drying the affected area.The lack of results when using the ointment for more than two weeks requires replacing the drug with another one to promote the development of fungi.
For mild symptoms, home treatment can be carried out using special medical varnishes and serums.
Oral medications
If topical remedies for nail fungus do not have a positive effect, the attending physician prescribes oral medications that inhibit the ability of microorganisms to multiply and destroy them.
A combination of oral medications, which are ointments and sprays, help to quickly remove the fungus from the toenails.
Traditional medicine
Our grandmothers knew well how to treat nail fungus at home.Since ancient times, all kinds of recipes have been used to solve this problem with garlic, soda, vinegar and other ingredients available in any housewife's kitchen.General tools:
- Garlic.It is used to get rid of various types of fungi.Not only on the feet, but also helps in the treatment of nail fungus at home, this product is known for its healing properties.To prepare garlic tincture, several cloves are made into a paste, mixed evenly with alcohol, and the resulting mixture is diluted with a small amount of water.Apply the tincture to the affected nail.You can also use garlic as a curative;Rub the nail plate with finely chopped garlic.
- Treatment of nail fungus with vinegar.First, your feet should be thoroughly steamed.Then a bath is prepared with vinegar.A 9% hot solution of an essence is prepared in a small basin.Put your feet for 15 minutes.Then wipe without rinsing with water.Twice a week, it is recommended to take a bath with vinegar to treat feet at home.
- Iodine.Thanks to the antiseptic and disinfectant effect of alcohol tincture, the fungus is destroyed.During the first week, one drop of iodine solution of 5% iodine solution is applied to the nail twice a day.Then the number of treatments gradually decreases.The course lasts one month.
- Onion.Applying a crushed onion to the nail helps to cope with the fungal infection.
- Lemon.The fruit, cut into thin slices, is placed on the wound nail wrapped in plastic wrap and secured with a bandage on top.The procedure is more than 12 days.
- Propolis- A product from Hive, famous for its healing effects.It helps relieve unpleasant symptoms, reduce itching and inflammation.After moistening the tampon in 20% propolis tincture, apply it to the affected area, secure it with a bandage.Propolis helps renew the nail plate.
Prevention
You can protect yourself from fungal nail infections by taking certain preventive measures.To do this, you should follow the basic rule - avoid walking barefoot in the pool, bathroom or dormitory.In addition, it is important: do not use other people's shoes;Wash your feet in the morning and evening;Take measures to strengthen the immune system (play sports, walk in the fresh air, eat properly, take vitamins);pay attention to diseases related to mycosis (diabetes mellitus, gastritis, varicose veins);Treat shoes with formaldehyde or vinegar.
The first signs of a suspected fungal infection, appropriate measures should be taken.In the initial stage, it is easier than the more severe damage from nail fungus at home.