How to treat nail fungus at home with folk remedies

Hello dear readers. Nail fungus is one of the most common forms of mycotic damage to the body. The disease is quite unpleasant and it is not easy to recover from it. The disease should not be started, because this is not a cosmetic problem, but a serious pathology. But not everyone knows which approach will be right. It should be noted right away that self-medication in this case is not the best option. But information about what the disease is and how to quickly get rid of nail fungus will not be for anyone.

What causes a nail fungus infection?

Nail fungus, or as it is called in medicine, onychomycosis, is a disease caused by parasitic fungal microorganisms that cause damage to the nail plates and adjacent areas. This is one of the subspecies of mycoses. If we consider all the diseases that the feet can only be exposed to, onychomycosis is the most common.

You can catch the infection in public places where the humidity is too high. It includes baths, steam rooms, swimming pools, beaches.

Wooden objects (benches, sunbeds, etc. ) are widely used here. Due to the porosity of wood, it is difficult to kill fungi there.

In addition, doctors distinguish several risk groups. For people belonging to one of them, the probability of infection increases dramatically.

• cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy;
• after a course of treatment with antibiotics or steroids;

It is not always possible to get rid of the disease quickly. The speed of treatment depends on the variety of the parasite that causes it, the stage of development of the disease, the area of damage, the presence of complications and accompanying diseases, and the general condition of the body.

Symptoms of onychomycosis

Nail damage by a parasitic fungus cannot be ignored. Symptomatic changes in the nail plates are quite obvious and boil down to the following.

1. Lost natural shine, transparency.
2. The color changes. It can be yellowish, brown, whitish, blue, greenish, grayish.
3. Surface roughness is visible.
4. Streaks, spots and thickenings are clearly distinguished.
5. Folding is observed.
6. There is peeling from the nail bed.
7. Various areas are painted and crushed.
8. The surrounding tissues become red, swollen and itchy.
9. There are feelings of pain.
10. An unpleasant smell emanates from the feet.

Despite all this, self-diagnosis can be difficult. At the beginning of development, the symptoms of onychomycosis are similar to the symptoms of some other lesions: trauma to the nail area.

How to quickly get rid of toenail fungus with folk remedies and medicines

You have to be realistic and understand that nail and nail fungus infections are not cured in a week. According to doctors, the recovery period can last from 6-8 weeks to six months, and sometimes up to 8-12 months.

It depends on many factors, as well as the growth activity of the nails. In the hands, this process goes faster than in the feet, and therefore the treatment here comes earlier.

The best and fastest positive results can be achieved if you follow the recommendations below.

1. Use various therapeutic measures in the complex. Do not rely on the effectiveness of any miracle remedy. Skillfully combine pharmacological preparations and traditional medicine recipes.
2. Treatment should be active, but gentle - aggressive agents often used for therapeutic purposes should not affect healthy areas of the body that are close to the affected ones.
3. In order not to spread the fungus, as well as to prevent re-infection immediately after treatment, strictly follow hygiene requirements. And the probability of this is very high.
4. Note the dryness of the affected extremities. Remember that humidity and heat are ideal conditions for the active reproduction of fungi.
5. Eliminate all the causes that cause the appearance of onychomycosis and eliminate them.
6. Every day, gently, but as much as possible, cut the growing edge of the nail affected by the disease. If possible, go through the laser exposure procedure, which very effectively inhibits the pathological activity of pathogens.

Pharmacological agents

Means that act against pathogens are usually divided into three subgroups depending on the active components. Each of them has in their arsenal both external ointments and tablets that have a general effect on the whole body.

It should be noted that the latter has an extensive list of side effects. Therefore, you should not self-medicate. To minimize the risks, you need to undergo an examination, determine which types of fungi cause the disease, and act with "target" drugs.

Subgroups of antimycotic drugs

1. Azole agents. They are based on triazole or imidazole, as well as their derivatives. Depending on the concentration, they have a fungistatic or fungicidal effect. They are effective against fungi such as mold and yeast.
2. allylamine agents. Active substances can be terbinafine, naftifine, butenafine. They are able to stop the growth of fungi, and also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
3. Other medicines. They act on the basis of flucytosine, morpholine, griseofulvin, chlornitrophenol supplements. They differ in a narrower activity aimed at certain types of fungal pathogens.

External means

At the beginning of the development of onychomycotic lesions, it is necessary to resort only to the help of ointments. Only when it is ineffective, the application of tablet antimycotics is used.

Difference between creams and ointments:

• has a direct effect on lesions;
• has fewer contraindications;
• adverse reactions are limited.

If you catch the disease at the beginning of its development, it will be possible to overcome it within a month.

The most popular antifungal creams and ointments

1. Ointment zinc. It allows you to eliminate inflammation, dry the affected areas, get rid of itching, achieve an adsorption effect.
2. Clotrimazole. Broad spectrum substance. Duration of use - from 2 weeks to six months. It also has an antiseptic effect. It can cause drying of the skin, burning, and allergic manifestations on the skin. Contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as children under three years of age.
3. Naftifin. Fights inflammation, has an antimicrobial effect. The agent tends to accumulate on treated surfaces. Use the ointment no more than twice a day. The tool is not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Use of tablets

In order to have a systemic effect on the whole body, the doctor prescribes oral tablets. A wide range of drugs are prescribed.

1. Substances fluconazole, medoflucon. It is enough to take only once a day. The agent is well tolerated. In rare cases, intestinal disorders and body rashes may occur. The course of treatment can be 1-4 weeks.
2. Ingredients orungal, sporanox. It can be used for pulse therapy. The drug is not prescribed for kidney failure, pregnancy, sensitivity to the effect of the drug. It can cause allergic reactions, dizziness, hypokalemia, abdominal pain.

All medicines for nail fungus on hands or feet should be taken only after consulting a doctor.

How to treat nail fungus at home with folk remedies

First of all, you should strictly follow all medical recommendations, do not skip taking medication and do not end the treatment, and especially do not interrupt the course after the removal of disturbing symptoms.

In addition, you need:

• use local baths regularly;
• apply a special varnish that inhibits the spread of fungi and also has a therapeutic effect;
• remove protruding parts of the growing nail affected by the disease every day;
• use special tools to soften the nail plate;
• steam hands or feet before using external topical products;
• take measures to prevent household contamination.

Special varnishes

Stains have several advantages. Active substances penetrate well into the affected nails, but at the same time harden and do not leave traces on clothes, sheets, shoes.

The hardened layer reliably blocks the oxygen supply to pathogens, which inhibits their activity. However, lacquer products are effective only in the initial stage of onychomycosis.

Before using varnishes, you should use a warm local bath. Soaked plates affected by a fungus are cut to the maximum, treated with a file or other grinding device. The surface is dried

Varnish is also recommended to cover healthy nails. The procedure is repeated every evening for a long time - from several to six months.

Help from a surgeon

Both the part and the whole plate can be removed. However, this is not a guarantee to completely get rid of the disease. There is a high possibility that the fungal infection will spread further.

After the operation, the finger heals for a long time. In addition, suppuration may develop. A newly growing nail can be deformed. A preferred alternative to such a method is laser therapy.

After the surgical removal of the damaged nail formation, special attention is paid to the medicinal treatment of the fungus. In some, particularly severe cases, the growth zone can be removed, after which the finger will remain "bare" - the nail can no longer grow here.

Traditional medicine

Alternative methods are slower than medical methods, but have fewer side effects. They can be effective only for the treatment of the early stage of the disease.

Then, folk recipes are used only in combination with pharmacological preparations as auxiliary measures.

Such means are used for the treatment of nail fungus.

1. garlic. Apply garlic gruel in the form of applications to painful nails. A fixation bandage is placed on it. The procedure is repeated at night. You can also use squeezed garlic juice in a mixture with alcohol. Nails are treated twice a day with emerging balm.
2. vinegar. Acetic acid acidifies the environment, which inactivates pathogens. This tool lubricates damaged nails every day. You can use vinegar compresses. To do this, pieces of cotton wool are moistened with vinegar and fixed on the desired fingers in the affected area. Compresses are kept all night, removed in the morning.
3. Peroxide. Just like vinegar and other similar products, apply directly to nails or cotton swabs. Peroxide acts as an antiseptic.
4. Alcohol solution of iodine. They can cover nail plates, including healthy ones, 1-2 times a day. In addition, an iodine supplement is suitable for any bath. To do this, it is enough to add a few drops of the product.
5. Propolis tincture. It can be used for lotions, as well as applied to topical baths for hands or feet. Compresses are left on the nails overnight. You can prepare an ointment with a mixture of propolis and oil. The composition is placed on gauze and placed on the desired area. The agent is released for 10 hours.
6. Burnt remedies from vegetables. For the treatment of onychomycosis, onions or horseradish are suitable. They have antimicrobial activity. Herbal products are used in the form of gruel. You can also mix the liquid puree with butter or rendered chicken fat to make a sort of salve.
7. Basic extracts. These funds have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, restorative effects. For the preparation of local baths or as part of mixtures for compresses, fir oils and others can be used.

The main extract is mixed with vaseline in a ratio of 1: 1. It should be rubbed on damaged nail plates. As always, in such cases, if the nails are steamed first, the tool will have a stronger effect.

What is a nail fungus infection?

Fungal infections of the nailsby another namedermatophytic onychomycosis. The primary fungus that affects the skin of the feet is a common infection of the skin of the feet, especially between the toes. In the skin of the feet, the original fungus lives in the keratin that forms the outer layer of the skin. When the fungus spreads to the keratin of the nails,fungal nail infection.

What causes yeast infections?

Mushroomsspreading from the foot (known as"dermatophyte fungi"), the most common cause of fungal nail infections. Less commonly, nail infections are caused by other types of fungi, usually yeasts (egCandida) andmold.

These fungi tend to attack nails that are already damaged because it is easier for the fungus to enter. Fungal infections of the toenails are very common (1 in 4 people may be affected at any one time), less common is nail fungus. Both types are more common in the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, diabetes and poor peripheral circulation. A warm, moist environment helps fungi grow and cause infection. Wearing tight shoes or using showers, bathrooms, or locker rooms can increase your risk of fungal infection.

Are they hereditary?

Absolutely. However, in some very rare cases, there is a genetic risk factor and other family members may also be susceptible to the infection.

What are the symptoms of a fungal nail infection?

There are usually no symptoms at first. The nails can then become thick and painful when pressed into the shoe. Then it is difficult to cut them. The appearance of an infected nail, especially a toenail, can be embarrassing. An affected nail can ruin socks and tights, as well as chafe the adjacent skin. The nearby skin may also have a fungal infection; it may appear itchy, cracked, blistered, or whitish, especially between the toes.

What do nail fungus infections look like?

Nail fungusit usually starts at its free edge and then spreads along the side of the nail to the base of the cuticle. Eventually, the entire nail may be affected. Infected areas are white or yellowish, thickened and raised. Less commonly, there may be white inclusions on the surface of the nail. Nails on big toes and little toes are most susceptible to fungal infections. Sometimes, the skin around the nail becomes red and swollen, especially in those who regularly do wet jobs such as housewives or cleaners. This is called paronychia and can allow infection to easily enter the nail.

How is a fungal nail infection diagnosed?

Fungal infections of the nailsusually diagnosed clinically. Your doctor may take a piece of the infected nail and send it to a lab to see if the fungus can be seen under a microscope or cultured. Sometimes repeat samples may be required.

Many nail problems can only be seenfungal infection, - for example, the changes seen in psoriasis after a bacterial infection or an old injury, but antifungal pills will not help. Proper treatment may depend on knowing which fungus is causing the problems; it may take several weeks to get results.

Can nail fungus infections be treated?

Yes. But to be successfultreatment of fungal nail infectionlong-term treatment, which can last up to a year, is required. Nails are easier to manage.Fungal infections of the nailsit usually recurs, especially in the toes.

How to treat fungal nail infections?

Fungal infections of the nailsthey are not bothersome on their own, not all of them need treatment. Some people with infected toenails don't worry about them at all. In this case, they can sometimes remain alone (although the patient should be careful and try not to spread the infection to other parts of the body and nails, as well as to other people).

On the other hand, ifinfected nailscause embarrassment or anxiety, they are usually treated. It is important to treat people whose infections can cause serious health problems, such as diabetes or reduced immunity, to prevent potentially serious health problems.

The goal of treatment is to get rid of the fungus: then the nail usually returns to normal. However, if the nail is damaged before infection, it will be more difficult to clean and may return to its original state.Nail infectionscaused by mold and yeast can be very resistant to treatment.

Treatment options include:

Nail treatment (local procedures)

Nail treatments are not as effective as oral treatments. They are most effective when the infection is at an early stage. The most commonly used methods are amorolfine-based nail polish, ciclopirox, and tioconazole solution.

They won't be able to clear the deeper parts of the infected nail on their own, but regular clipping or scraping of the affected part of the nail can help. Oral medications used in combination with an antifungal agent increase the chance of cure. They should be used for 4-12 months before the effect is noted.

fornail infectionsshorter course of treatment. The cure rate with local treatment alone is about 15-30%. Local treatment is safe. Redness and irritation may occur.

Before starting to take the pills, the doctor must send the part of the nail to the laboratory to check that the diagnosis of fungal infection is confirmed.

Items that can be used to treat fungal nail infections include:

• Griseofulvin has been used for many years and is the only one of the three drugs approved for use in children. It is fully absorbed only with fatty foods (such as milk and dairy products) and usually requires long courses of treatment (6-9 months for fingernails and up to 18 months for toenails). However, only three-quarters of infected nails and one-third of infected toenails clear up. Frequent relapses are also possible.
• The substances terbinafine and itraconazole have now largely moved away from griseofulvin. They work better and faster, although only 50% of nail infections are cured. Terbinafine should be considered first-line treatment for dermatophyte fungi (ie, those affecting the feet). It is taken daily for 6 weeks for fingernail infections and 12-16 weeks for foot infections.
• Itraconazole substance is effective in the treatment of dermatophytes; It is also useful for treating other fungi such as yeast. Usually taken in cycles - one week every month - it is absorbed into the nail cuticle and continues to work for several weeks. A two-week course given over 21 days is usually sufficient for nail infections and three for toe infections.
• Fluconazole may be effective for Candida fungal infections. It is not currently licensed for fungal nail infections. It appears to be less effective than itraconazole and terbinafine, but remains an alternative for intolerance to these two drugs.
• Other procedures

Laser and photodynamic therapy can be helpful, but are less effective than the topical and systemic treatments listed above.

It is also encouraged for herbal productstreatment of fungal nail infection, but there is no conclusive evidence that it is safer or more effective than standard treatments.

Are there any side effects of the treatment?

Oral treatments cause more side effects than topical treatments.

Terbinafine sometimes causes a potentially very severe allergic reaction, can slightly worsen skin conditions, and sometimes affects the taste buds.

Itraconazole is not indicated for people already taking certain medications. Your doctor will inform you about this. Both terbinafine and itraconazole can affect the liver, and your doctor may order a blood test to check this before and during treatment.

Although griseofulvin is the only licensed drug in children, many dermatologists prefer to use terbinafine because it is more effective.

How do I know if the treatment is working?

The new nail will grow slowly from the root and it may take 6 months to a year for the nails to look normal again after the treatment is over. Foot infections clear faster and more completely than toenails; it can take up to 18 months for the leg to fully recover.

Surgical removal of nails

Sometimes very thick nails that do not respond to pills alone can be removed by surgeons under local anesthesia, but this is rarely done because the success rate of treatment does not justify surgery.

Self care

• Keep nails short, dry and clean. Use one clipper for infected nails and the other for normal nails.
• Don't just treat your nails; use an antifungal cream to treat the skin of the feet.
• Avoid cutting the cuticle yourself or with a manicurist, as this increases the risk of nail damage and infection.

For a fungal infection on the toes:

• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes without high heels or tight socks.
• Keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks and change them daily, and use breathable shoes. Regular washing in hot water cleans most soiled socks, but using an antifungal spray before washing may be more effective. Other clothing cannot be soiled at all.
• Practice good foot hygiene, including treating any infections.
• Wear clean shower shoes when using a shared shower.
• Pay particular attention to the hygiene of the affected feet.
• If ingrown toenails make walking uncomfortable, consider seeking help from a podiatrist.

Preventive measures

After getting rid of the disease, the risk of re-infection with the fungus is very high. Therefore, you must strictly follow the simple rules:

• observe foot hygiene;
• get rid of shoes, towels and socks used during treatment;
• avoid sharing such things with other family members;
• avoid excessive wetting of the feet, use talcum powder;
• treat the inner surfaces of the shoes with antiseptics.

Remember that all medicines for nail fungus should be taken after consulting a doctor.