Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease of the feet and nails caused by dermatophytes. The pathology is contagious, a pathogenic parasite - the cause of the infection spreads throughout the body through the lymphatic, circulatory system.
Nail fungus, as well as many diseases, can be effectively cured by folk methods. The advantages of treatment with such means are obvious - availability, safety, efficiency. Apple cider vinegar against toenail fungus acts like any antiseptic for parasites:
- Vinegar creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nail.
- High acidity is harmful to fungal spores, stops the process of growth and reproduction.
Treatment options
Depending on the stage and type of disease, there are different treatment options for nail fungus:
- In the early stages, while there is a change in nail color, the initial destruction of the structure, sufficient treatment is ensured by using folk methods: lotions, baths, ointments.
- If the fungus develops for a long time, a neglected form is diagnosed, the plaque becomes dirty yellow, gray, it becomes lumpy, crumbles along the nail cuts, folk methods will have to add oral antifungal drugs.
Basic rules for the use of the drug
Such a simple mechanism makes the treatment of mycosis with apple cider vinegar effective, while adhering to the rules:
- Careful choice of essence: raw material - apple cider vinegar - must be natural, without impurities, chemical additives. Apple essence is easy to make at home.
- Take the necessary precautions: prevent the risk of spreading fungi by strengthening hygiene requirements, use personal items (towels, slippers), wash towels and socks after use.
- Strictly follow the prescription and the possibility of using the drug.
Method number 1: baths
Baths filled with a composition that is harmful to fungi is a proven way to cure the disease. Apple cider vinegar has a high degree of destructive effect on fungi.
Training
Medicinal baths are prepared for the treatment of fungi in the following way:
- We take vinegar (400-800 ml. ), Pour it into the container for the procedure.
- Wash my feet thoroughly, the places of nail damage must first be very steamed, the seals cut off.
Procedure
- Dip your feet into a full bowl, bathe for 10-15 minutes, dry your feet with a towel, wear socks made of natural materials (preferably cotton).
- In order for the treatment to give results, the first 7 days of bathing should be done in the morning and in the evening, and then every 3 days.
- If there are wounds, cracks on the legs, it is possible that the procedure will be painful. To reduce burning, dilute apple cider vinegar with water (2: 1).
After using the towel, it should be washed well to prevent the spread of infection.
Method number 2: compression
Wraps with apple cider vinegar and in combination with other ingredients are effective against the development of fungi.
Compression options
There are several ways to treat a lotion infection:
- A cotton swab (gauze) is moistened with apple cider vinegar, applied to the places where the nails are damaged.
- You can cure the infection with a mixture that has the consistency of a paste. In its composition, apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons) is combined with soda (until the desired density is obtained).
- Glycerin is mixed in equal proportions (can be replaced with vegetable oil) with apple cider vinegar. Treatment with this mixture of fungi is recommended for lesions not only nails but also skin.
- Alcoholic tincture of iodine (3 drops) with apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon) helps well.
- Good results are achieved by treating the fungus with iodine lotions, as well as a mixture of lemon, soda and water.
Application features
It is recommended to apply the dressings at night, fixing the damaged area. You can apply the lotion during the day - in this case, keep it for at least three hours.
- As a result of the coating, the nail plate on the feet softens, which enables its removal with scissors.
- Lotions are effective if there is an initial form of nail disease.
- Since vinegar has a drying effect, it is important to use a cream to moisturize the skin on the feet after the session of lotion and other procedures.
Method number 3: fats and mixtures
In the treatment of fungi, the use of ointments based on apple cider vinegar is effective. Treatment with ointments with vinegar, as well as other folk remedies, requires compliance with the instructions.
Fat options
Empirically tested fats against fungi, whose main component is apple cider vinegar:
- Finely chop kalanchoe leaves (100 g) and add vinegar (1 teaspoon), honey (10 g), eucalyptus oil (30 g). Keep the mixture in a dark place for 3 days before starting the fungus treatment. The treatment is carried out by lubricating the affected nail.
- To get rid of onychomycosis, you can use the following ointment: dimethyl phthalate, olive oil, glycerin are mixed with vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the ointment in the evening, wash in the morning with laundry soap.
Vinegar mixtures
With the help of these recipes, our distant ancestors successfully fought against nail infections, defeated the fungus.
- A mixture of vinegar and honey. You can mix equal parts of honey and vinegar and apply on the affected areas for 20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
- Alternate baths with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water).
- Mixture of vinegar with colloidal silver - to enhance the effect on fungi, the suspension with metal particles is applied to dry feet after a bath with vinegar and kept until the mixture dries.
When healing fungus, it is recommended to apply the ointment twice a day. The therapy will be more effective if, before applying the ointment, you steam your feet well and get rid of the thickened part of the nail.
Prevention
Onychomycosis is difficult to treat, it is a painstaking process that requires a lot of time and patience. Complicates the fight against the disease, difficulties in early diagnosis and the viability of the fungus.
Consequences of insufficiently treated onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is not a cosmetic problem, the consequences of fungus for a sick person are as follows:
- Nail infection causes numerous complications: allergic skin diseases, bronchial asthma, all types of rashes.
- The Academy of Mycology has conducted studies that have proven that the fungus negatively affects the quality of life of a sick person. This is due to psychological problems, not due to the aesthetic appearance of the affected nails.
- If you do not fight the disease at the first sign of the fungus, the immune system will suffer.
- There is a risk of erysipelas.
- The fungus complicates the course of chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases).
- If you do not start timely treatment of this nail infection, there is a high probability of spreading the fungus on the skin of the hands, infecting family members, people around the patient.
How to avoid recurrence
To prevent infection or recurrence of athlete's foot, it is important to take the following preventative measures:
- Refuse to wear tight shoes that rub. Keep shoes dry - in a humid environment, the risk of developing pathological fungus increases.
- When going to public saunas, swimming pools, beaches, wear rubber slippers, and when you return home, disinfect your shoes and feet in a vinegar bath.
- If your feet are sweating - wear socks made of natural materials, use cosmetics.
- Socks, tights, socks must be changed daily.
- Pay special attention to immunity - this is a common cause of mycosis. Take multivitamin courses regularly: twice a year and after illness, antibiotics when the body is weakened.