A change in the color and thickness of the toenails can certainly be considered the first sign of an infectious fungal disease - onychomycosis. In the initial stage, there is still a chance to do without expensive drugs, it is only important to know which folk remedies for toenail fungus are the most effective. You can get rid of this disease at home if you strictly follow all the rules and recommendations.
The main factors that cause the disease
Onychomycosis is classified as an infectious disease, so the only way it occurs is through infection. It usually happens imperceptibly, and the first stage is almost asymptomatic. The appearance of slight peeling and small cracks on the nail plate also rarely disturbs a person. Treatment usually begins when obvious signs of the disease are detected:
- nail color change;
- plate thickening;
- persistent itching at the base of the nail (sometimes between the fingers).
It is easy to get infected with the fungus - just contact a sick loved one during joint trips to saunas and baths, fitness centers, using ordinary household items, for example, a bath mat or bed linen. Often the disease can be transmitted in public places such as swimming pools or water parks if treatment is not in accordance with accepted standards.
There are also some individual risk factors for getting a yeast infection, such as a weakened immune system. In order not to cause an illness, before visiting places with an increased risk of infection, pay attention to the condition of your body. It is not recommended to take the risk if:
- The man recently caught a cold and his immune system has not yet fully recovered.
- There is damage to the nails or feet.
- There are doubts about the proper hygiene of the club or footwear, for example, in a bowling center.
Fighting nail fungus is a long process. In an advanced form, it can lead not only to aesthetic discomfort, but also to more serious diseases that may require surgical intervention.
Modern medicine offers a large selection of various antifungal drugs to deal with this disease, but not everyone has the opportunity to buy them because of their high price. Traditional toenail fungus recipes are no less effective when used properly and will cost much less.
Iodine treatment
Of all the options for treating fungus with folk remedies, iodine is rightfully considered the most popular. The effectiveness of its use has been proven by dermatologists, and the drug is recommended for treating the affected areas of the nails and feet. The product is compared to:
- low price;
- good disinfection properties;
- ease of use.
It has been proven that regular treatment of affected areas of the nail with iodine for two weeks can completely remove the fungus. To do this, the affected plaque must be soaked with the medicine every day until the healthy nail grows completely. For prevention, healthy nails on other fingers can also be treated with iodine.
The drug is also often used as an additional ingredient in other home remedies to combat athlete's foot. For example, they mix iodine with apple cider vinegar, treat the skin around the nail, or take foot baths by adding the product to the water. In combination with celandine, vegetable oil or an antimicrobial agent, the drug is used to prepare mixtures for the treatment of not only nail fungus, but also feet.
Before using iodine, remember that this drug can cause an allergic reaction, so you need to do a test: apply a small amount of iodine to the skin and wait a few hours. Care should be taken when using iodine for people with thyroid disease.
Soda treatment
Baking soda is a fairly common tool in the fight against various infections. It is also good for treating toenail fungus with folk remedies. It is recommended to use in two doses.
The first is to steam your feet in the tub. To do this, prepare a solution: 1 tablespoon of baking soda per liter of hot water. Soak your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes. Then move on to the next part of the process.
For the second step, you will need to prepare a soda paste (soda and a little water). The resulting mass is applied to the affected area of the vaporized nail plate and the wrapping method is used (you can use ordinary transparent film). The duration of the procedure should not exceed 15 minutes. Therefore, the feet should be rinsed with water to avoid irritation.
If the disease begins, the treatment must be carried out every day. For the initial phase, two to three times a week is sufficient. The effect will be more noticeable if you combine the baking soda treatment with medication. It usually takes about two months to completely get rid of the fungus, but even after a full recovery, it is recommended to take soda baths once a week to avoid recurrence.
Alcohol tablets
A good way to fight nail fungus is an alcohol compress. This is done before going to bed and left overnight. Due to heating, the affected areas of the nail plate expand, which makes it easier for the disinfectant to penetrate inside. Ammonia compression is considered the most effective, but ordinary ones will do as well. To perform the procedure correctly, you must:
- Burn your feet.
- Use a file to remove the dead top layer of the affected nail.
- Treat with hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply a cotton pad soaked in an alcohol solution to the nail.
- Place on the tip of your finger or wrap in foil.
- In the morning, remove the dressing and apply an antifungal gel or cream to the nail.
- Repeat the procedure every other day until the mycosis completely disappears.
To enhance the effect, pure alcohol can be replaced with tinctures based on it. A weekly poultice of celandine filled with alcohol will help speed up the healing considerably, and instead of an antifungal cream, the juice of the fresh plant can be used.
Poultices with alcohol tincture of propolis will also help to quickly get rid of fungus. The medicinal properties of this product have been known for a long time. It can cure not only nail fungus, but also the whole foot. Propolis has antifungal and antiseptic properties, which eliminates the use of other drugs after removing the dressings.
Kombucha benefits
A concentrated solution of kombucha is very effective for the treatment of foot fungus using folk remedies. The infusion has antibacterial properties and the higher the concentration, the better. A mushroom infusion lasting three months is considered optimal.
Treatment with this popular method can be carried out in two ways. The first is to use a cotton ball soaked in kombucha concentrate, boiled well overnight. Another is to lubricate the affected area with the fungus itself, rubbed into a paste.
In both the first and second methods, the dead layer of the nail should be cut off after the procedure. At the end of the treatment, it is necessary to disinfect the nail itself and the instruments used.
Despite the fact that kombucha is a completely natural medicine, it has some contraindications for use. I cannot use:
- women during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- alcoholics;
- people with diabetes and hepatitis;
- patients with HIV and AIDS.
In other cases, kombucha has established itself as one of the most effective methods of treating mycosis without the use of drugs.
Use of birch tar
The oldest way to get rid of foot fungus is birch tar. Its use has been known for a long time, but it has not lost its effectiveness. Tar can be used in its pure form or you can prepare an ointment from it by mixing it with cream.
Before applying the substance, it is necessary to pre-process the feet and nails, burn them and remove dead parts. Then you can treat it with tar. The peculiarity of this method is that the applied medicinal composition requires access to air. The procedure lasts about two hours, so you should take care of a comfortable body position beforehand.
A more modern method is to use tar soap. But it is more suitable for daily prevention of disease relapse than for treatment. In some cases, using soap can lead to allergic reactions and dry skin, so use with caution. Even the unpleasant smell, which is very persistent for several hours, does not add any benefit to the product.
Do not rely entirely on the tar treatment. It is best used as a supplemental natural remedy to medications.
Salt and vinegar
Vinegar and salt are commonly used as adjuncts against nail and foot fungus. In addition, salt can be used for both marine and culinary purposes. It has strong antimicrobial properties and is well absorbed. Vinegar helps to soften the nails for further processing. These ingredients are usually made into solutions. The recipe for the solution is very simple:
- 100 ml of vinegar (preferably apple vinegar);
- 2 liters of warm water;
- 0. 5 cups of salt.
Mix everything well and immerse your feet in the solution for 20-30 minutes. Such baths will not only help you steam your nails before the procedure, but will also disinfect the entire surface of your feet.
Whichever folk remedy is used in the fight against toenail fungus, remember: if after two weeks the treatment has not given a visible result, consult a doctor immediately.