Toenail fungus is the most common and unpleasant disease. Fungal infection of the feet and nails cannot cause significant damage to health, but it causes a weakening of the immune system and unpleasant painful sensations.
Nail fungi can concentrate toxic toxins in the body, which multiply during the growth of pathogenic fungi, resulting in slow poisoning of the body, can cause an allergic reaction or worsen chronic diseases. As a result, metabolic processes in the body are disturbed, immunity decreases, general physical condition deteriorates, sensitivity to various negative environmental influences increases.
In this article, you will learn what fungal spores are, the causes of this unpleasant disease, symptoms and signs of damage, how to treat toenail fungus at home, what preventive measures you need to take to avoid infection.
Why does fungal mycosis occur on toenails?
The appearance of a fungal infection can cause:
- sores on the feet in the form of cracks and scratches, which may be the result of a pedicure procedure or wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes;
- corns and calluses on the feet;
- poor irregular foot care;
- reduced immunity;
- long-term use of antibiotics and drugs with similar effects on the body during treatment;
- excessive sweating of the feet;
Decreased immunity and protective functions of the organism can cause fungal disease, but they are not the main factor in the development of the disease.
First of all, there is an infection:
- home travel from contact with a sick person, usually a close relative, through ordinary slippers or shoes, through household items - sinks, sponges, rugs;
- in the sauna, bath, pool and on the beach. A large crowd of people and a humid environment contribute to the spread of fungal diseases;
- in every place where people walk without shoes. Spore fungi are able to withstand sudden changes in temperature from low to very high and remain in the sand for a long time, on the surfaces of sidewalks, on the upper surfaces of the pool;
- when wearing other people's shoes, in which pathogenic viral microflora can live and multiply;
- wearing socks or socks made of synthetic materials that do not allow air to create a favorable microclimate for fungal infection;
- constant wearing of artificial nails prevents the nail plate from breathing, which also contributes to mycosis infection;
Symptoms of fungal infections of the nails and feet
- dryness, itching, redness and peeling of the feet;
- appearance on the sole and between the toes of small itchy blisters, it is possible to create corns;
- diaper rash on the feet due to increased sweating;
- change in nail shape and color. Spores of the fungus penetrate the nail plate and gradually take root in it. The structure of the nail becomes heterogeneous, brittle, with an uneven surface. Bright or yellow spots appear at the places of defeat, and gaps below them;
- under the influence of toxic toxins produced by fungal spores, feet sweat profusely, a sharp unpleasant odor appears;
- an increase in body temperature is possible.
If cracks, itching, diaper rash, unpleasant foot odor, change in the shape of the nail and the appearance of white or yellow spots on its surface and cavities under them, there is a direct reason to contact a dermatologist for detailed advice and treatment regimen. A dermatologist will tell you all about the treatment of nail fungus at home and prescribe medications appropriate for each case, as well as give advice on the use of traditional medicine.
The symptoms of the disease and the nature of the lesion depend on the type of mycosis fungus:
- type of mycosis - vesicular, begins to affect the lower part of the foot, is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles and bubbles filled with fluid and additional binding of bacteria - pathogens;
- type of mycosis - membranous, characterized by the appearance on the skin between the fingers of small rashes of red rash and the appearance of painful cracks;
- type of mycosis - similar to moccasins, in which the mycosis affects the skin of the feet, starting from the heel and ending with the toes. The lesion is accompanied by painful sensations, the skin of the feet thickens, cracks and itching appear.
Most often, fungal spores from the feet pass to the nail plates, the fungus takes root and grows in the nail, affecting it. Fungal infection negatively affects the whole body, inhibits its functions and can cause allergic reactions.
Treatment of nail fungus at home: preparations against mycosis
The most effective treatment for nail fungus at home is a complex combination of special drugs against mycosis and folk remedies. We will first talk about what drugs are used in the treatment of toenail fungus, later about folk methods.
Medicines should be used strictly according to the instructions, constantly and accurately dosed. For the treatment of mycosis there are special antifungal drugs in the required doses. With advanced cases and extensive lesions, the fungus can be eliminated in several stages, with the application of a certain temporary break between courses of treatment.
The fungus can be cured by medical methods with the help of cheap and very effective medicines. Antifungal agents are available in the form of ointments, gels and varnishes, which must be applied to the nail surface several times a day. Fungal spores are very resistant to various influences on it, to get rid of them completely, you will need to periodically change the medication regimen and change medications and traditional medicine.
Treatment of toenail fungus folk remedies at home
Treatment of toenail fungus folk remedies at home is the periodic treatment of areas affected by the fungus with special natural remedies. Mycosis is known to be afraid of acid, and treating fungi with the help of nature is based on this fact. The most effective natural remedies are vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, propolis, baking soda, iodine, garlic, kombucha. These are just agents that negatively affect the pathogenic flora of the fungus and can deal with it.
Treatment of toenail fungus with vinegar
Vinegar treatment is performed with lotions with a specially made composition of vinegar, alcohol and glycerin. The proportions of the ratios of the components are taken in appropriate quantities -2/2/1. A piece of cotton wool or cotton pad soaked in the solution is applied to the nail plate affected by the fungus and kept for some time, then the feet must be dried with a clean towel or napkin and only after some time wash your feet with warm water. Lotions should be applied from two weeks to a month, depending on the complexity of the lesion. In the process of such treatment, the infected nail begins to peel and gradually disappears, and a new healthy nail grows in its place.
Bitan! To avoid skin burns around the affected nail, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with any vegetable oil before applying the lotion.
Treatment of nail fungus with baking soda
Baking soda treatment is carried out in the same way as vinegar, for that you have to make a cold solution of baking soda, soak cotton wool in it and put it on the affected nail for a while, then remove the disc and wipe the nail well with a dry towel.
Hydrogen peroxide against nail fungus
Hydrogen peroxide treatment is carried out as follows: the peroxide must be poured into the cavities under the platinum of the nail, where the fungus has taken root. The aggressive and disinfectant environment of peroxide perfectly destroys fungal spores and helps to get rid of diseases quickly.
Iodine
A good effect is given by iodine treatment, which must be applied to the nail plate several times a day, and fungal cavities should also be treated with iodine.
Propolis
Propolis and alcohol tincture compresses help in the treatment of fungi with propolis. Wraps must be applied daily and kept for a certain time, and then wash your feet with warm water. Such treatment should be carried out until a positive result appears and the nail is restored.
Other folk methods in the treatment of nail fungus
- Another effective but somewhat complicated recipe consists of applying to the affected area a mixture of one teaspoon of methyl phthalate, a tablespoon of vinegar, a teaspoon of vegetable oil and two raw eggs. Mix all components well and keep in the refrigerator until fully used. Apply a compress of the mixture on the nail, wrap your finger in plastic wrap, put a woolen sock on top. Hold for at least thirty minutes.
- As a homeopathic remedy, the living organism, Kombucha, helps well. Put a piece of kombucha on the affected nail all night and cover this place with plastic wrap. Kombucha has an acidic environment and copes well with fungal spores.
- A good result is achieved by daily treatment of the affected area with finely grated garlic. Garlic juice is a natural disinfectant and works great on fungal spores.
Treatment of toenail fungus at home should be carried out regularly and methodically. If the microscopic part of the spores remains under the nail, the fungus will start to grow again and all the treatment will have to start again.
To avoid infection with the fungus of the nail plate and skin of the feet, you need to follow preventive measures, which we will discuss later.
Disease prevention
- In order to avoid primary or re-infection with mycosis, it is necessary to thoroughly thoroughly process all tools and manicure accessories. If the manicure or pedicure procedure takes place in a beauty salon, make sure that the master does not use tools that have not been processed after another person.
- Occasionally clean your shoes with disinfectants such as vinegar or formalin. To achieve the best therapeutic effect on foot disinfection, mix these products well with each other and perform the treatment.
- From time to time, disinfect common household and household items by boiling them in a soap solution. For the solution, the best combination is water, laundry soap and a small amount of baking soda;
- Only visit the bathroom, sauna and pool in special rubber slippers or flip-flops.
- Have individual bath accessories - cloth, sponge and towel.
- Regularly pay attention to foot hygiene with the help of water procedures. As often as possible, take foot baths with warm water, to which it is good to add a crystal of potassium permanganate or a teaspoon of baking soda as a disinfectant.
- Do not try, let alone wear other people's shoes, because they are considered the best transmitter of fungal diseases.
Successful treatment of toenail fungus at home is possible only by following all the recommendations of dermatologists, with strict adherence to the treatment regimen and application of drugs, careful monitoring of the purity of lesions and regular implementation of all necessary disinfection procedures. It is necessary to adhere to preventive measures and be patient, because nail fungus is an insidious and incurable disease.