Fungal nail diseases need to be treated when the first signs of the disease are discovered, because it will be harder to deal with the neglected disease. In addition, the infection can spread to other nails, surrounding skin, interdigital wrinkles. If we talk about the treatment of this disease in the initial stage, then it can be cured without the use of drugs, using folk recipes. Therefore, celandine from toenail fungus is considered a particularly effective remedy.
Fungal infection of surface tissues
The fungus that lives on the nails feeds on the creatine contained in the plates. This leads to crumbling, discoloration of the nail.
It loses shine, elasticity, can thicken or thin, grows poorly and is covered with waves. The disease most often affects the toenail, because the humid, warm environment in shoes, on the floor in saunas, baths and swimming pools is favorable for fungi.
Often pathogens are resistant to many of the drugs that pharmacies offer us to treat onychomycosis. As a result, therapy with these drugs will not give the expected result and will lead to loss of money.
Many active components of herbal medicines do not cause resistance to fungi, so they are more active than synthetic preparations.
That is why various baths, creams, oils and tinctures based on celandine have been used to treat nails since ancient times, to which many types of fungi still have no resistance.
Fungal infection is especially effective when celandine oil is used, because all active components are preserved in it as much as possible.
Properties of celandine
Mountain celandine contains about 20 alkaloids, as well as chelidonine, which slows down the development of microorganisms that cause various forms of mycoses.
Thanks to alkaloids, it suppresses the reproduction of fungal infections, as well as protozoa and bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics.
In addition, the composition of the plant contains the following active substances:
- tannin compounds;
- phenolic acids and organic acids;
- small amount of essential oils;
- choline and histamine;
- carotene and vitamin C;
- enzymes;
- saponins;
- flavones.
Many alkaloids are more soluble in alcohols than they are in aqueous compounds. And barberry, which gives the plant its yellow color, dissolves only in hot water.
Before you start treating nail fungus with celandine, you should consult a doctor, because the alkaloids of this plant are poisonous substances.
Of course, when used externally, they do not have a toxic effect on the body, but when swallowed, they can lead to dangerous consequences.
You can buy liquid celandine from nail fungus at the pharmacy. It is allowed to use only in extreme cases, because it contains concentrated alkalis.
This tool destroys cells with microorganisms (fungi and viruses) that have settled in them. Therefore, this medicine must be applied very carefully and only on the affected areas of the nail.
Celandine pharmaceutical preparations
Before treating fungal nail disease, it is necessary to understand the characteristics and action of drugs based on this plant. Due to the low content of volatile substances in celandine, essential oil is not produced from it.
In cosmetology and pharmacology, oil extracts from the flowers of this medicinal plant are used.
Apothecary oil extract contains almost a complete set of FCS from this plant. This medicine should only be used externally without dilution.
The therapeutic effect is explained by the cauterizing, antimicrobial and keratolytic action of the drug on the affected skin and horny plates.
Celandine oil extract moisturizes, softens and cleanses the skin and inflamed formations, eliminates peeling, irritation and dryness.
Nail fungus can be cured with this oil, but you must do an allergy test before use, because celandine can cause hives. To do this, oil is dripped on the skin of the joint and the result is assessed after a quarter of an hour.
If there is no itching, blisters, irritation or redness, then it can be used for treatment.
Celandine-based ointment and oil
You can prepare ointment and oil remedy for celandine from foot fungus and horn formation at home. To do this, do the following:
- You will need the upper part of the shoots of this plant. They need to be cut and washed well.
- We wait for the grass to wither a bit, so we grind it and squeeze the juice.
- Pour this juice over vegetable oil, which has been boiled in a water bath for disinfection.
- The drug must be infused for an hour in the dark.
- Then everything is poured into a dark glass bottle and left to stand for up to three weeks.
- During this time, the oil tank must be shaken periodically.
- After this time, the oil is filtered and used for treatment.
It is not necessary to collect celandine in the field, in the yard or in the woods. This plant can be grown in a box on the balcony. Also, dried herbs from the pharmacy are suitable for making oil. Insist in oil in the same way as fresh raw materials.
Dry grass ground to a powdery state and medical vaseline are used to prepare the ointment.
Some herbalists claim that only fresh grass can help with nail fungus. However, the extract of this plant has also been proven to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and cauterizing properties.
Treatment of nail fungus with celandine (oil and cream) is carried out as follows:
- We steam our legs in the evening. You can add a little baking soda and laundry soap to the tub.
- Thoroughly dry the affected areas of the feet, nails and interdigital folds with a towel. We cut the grown edge of the nail, cut the softened affected areas of the nail plates with a file.
- Apply oil or ointment to sore spots with a cotton swab or cotton wool.
- After that, we put plastic bags and socks on our feet.
- The product is left to act for ¾ hours. After that, before going to bed, wash your feet with water and treat the affected nail plates with iodine.
Other means of celandine
Celandine for the treatment of nail fungus can be used in the form of tinctures and as part of combination drugs. Here are the most effective recipes:
- Diseased nail plates should be wiped twice a day with pure plant juice after they have been treated with hydrogen peroxide. After the first portion of juice dries on the nail, the procedure is repeated two more times. Treatment is continued until recovery.
- A complex mixture based on celandine for the treatment of fungi. You will need two drops of oregano herb juice and marigold tincture, 5 drops of pure celandine juice and 120 g of water. This medicine is applied with cotton wool to the affected nails three times a day until recovery.
- Alcoholic tincture is prepared as follows: fresh plant is washed, dried and poured vodka in a ratio of 1 to 2. Infuse for twelve days. After that, the treatment begins with five drops on each nail, which brings this amount to 20. The duration of therapy is up to two weeks.
- Celandine baths. You will need 150 g of dry grass, which you must pour boiling water (one and a half liters). The mixture should be infused for ¼ hours, after which it is filtered, and boiling water (0. 5 l) is added to the infusion. In this water the feet are steamed for about 20 minutes. After cleaning the plates of dead cells, the medicine prescribed by the doctor is rubbed into them.
Many traditional healers recommend supplementing foot treatment with celandine baths with soda. To do this, for 1000 ml of water (hot) we take 30 g of baking soda.
The legs are steamed for a quarter of an hour, after which we carefully remove the affected softened areas and apply a celandine-based remedy. We bathe every day until recovery.
Also, rubbing hydrogen peroxide into the affected horn formations and their subsequent treatment with a mixture of powder of this medicinal plant and tea tree oil will have a good effect.
You may need 6 months to a year to be treated with these methods. This takes time for a healthy nail to grow back.
During this time, it is necessary to adhere to foot hygiene and periodically disinfect shoes to avoid re-infection. You can use table vinegar or special sprays to treat shoes.
Recipes with celandine
Celandine plant for the treatment of nail fungus coating:
- Fresh leaves are crushed.
- A drop of tea tree oil is added.
- The mixture is applied to the affected nail and fixed with transparent foil.
- The compress is removed after 3 hours.
- It is allowed to apply up to 3 times a week.
Celandine herb for the treatment of fungal infections:
- The leaves of the plant are placed in a jar and covered with sunflower or olive oil to cover the grass by a few centimeters.
- The mixture is stored in a dark room for several hours, and then the jar is left in a cool place for 2 weeks.
- A cotton pad is moistened in the resulting oil and applied to the affected area.
- The fingers are covered with transparent foil for 2 hours.
- The medicine is washed off, the foot is treated with antiseptic.
Contraindications
It is important to rule out contraindications before treating nail fungus. Pure juice and tincture of celandine are unacceptable in case of an allergic reaction and hypersensitivity to the composition of the plant.
The absolute contraindication is the use of the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in childhood.
When applying celandine, you must monitor the reaction of the skin. If there is severe irritation, hyperemia, rash appears, you must abandon this option to treat nail fungus.
The use of celandine juice in pure form is not recommended, so it must always be diluted with warm water, regardless of the recipe.
Celandine has a pronounced disinfectant effect, so it will kill all pathogenic microflora in a short time. Before using the recipe with this poisonous plant, you should consult a dermatologist. Your doctor will explain whether it is possible to treat nail fungus with celandine, which are contraindications and risks.
Measures to prevent nail fungus
You can protect yourself from fungi by simply following the rules of hygiene and timely preventive measures.
- In all public places (beaches, showers, locker rooms, swimming pools, spas, etc. ) we wear slippers that are easy to wash. Do not walk barefoot where there is a risk of infection!
- We do not wear other people's shoes (including slippers at a party - it is better to walk in socks).
- We do not use other people's towels and manicure accessories.
- Coming out of the bathroom, we put our feet not on the usual (and often wet, not the first freshness) mat, but on our own towel (assign it in advance for such purposes).
- Examine your feet and nails regularly for signs of fungus. At the slightest symptoms (cracks / itching between the fingers, discolored nails, etc. ), we take action. That is, we buy fats, specials / varnishes, etc.
- We try not to use tight, narrow shoes, as well as shoes made of poor quality materials.
- We regularly treat the inside of shoes with antiseptics.
- To prevent foot sweating, we use deodorants, talc, etc.
- We only use cotton socks. If it is necessary to use leggings / socks (products made of nylon and other synthetic fabrics), we must take them off at home, steam their feet and process them.
- We wear open shoes in the heat - for ventilation and free air exchange. Sweaty feet are a breeding ground for bacteria.
- We do not measure shoes in shops without socks / footprints - on bare feet.
- After bathing, wipe your feet dry, including the spaces between the toes - this is where the fungus begins.
- We do not allow cracks on the feet - we use moisturizers.
- Wash your feet with a mild antibacterial soap.
- At high risk of infection (for example, on vacation or in the pool), we use antifungal creams, powders or aerosols.
- Dry your shoes well if they get wet. We do not wear wet shoes / boots.
- We choose only proven pedicure / manicure salons.
- We do not allow splitting, ingrown and deformed nails - we take timely measures.