Nail fungus (or onychomycosis) is a disease that affects every fifth person in the world according to the latest data. The treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies, as well as the prevention of this disease, are very urgent issues, because it can be infected quite easily - for example, by walking barefoot on the beach, in the pool, in the bath, or by touching someone. through someone else's shoes, as well as unsterilized pedicure equipment in the salon. But you can quickly get rid of nail fungus only at the very beginning of the development of the disease. An advanced fungus will require treatment that may take several months and will be accompanied by a mandatory prescription of special medicinal preparations, that is, it is carried out by traditional methods.
Folk remedies for nail fungus, in contrast to chemicals to fight nail fungus, are practically non-toxic and have no effect on the patient's body.
Several types of nail fungus
- Hypertrophic.It is characterized by a change in the color of the nail plate, loss of shine, thickening and deformation of the nail. The edges of the plate may be destroyed. Often the thumb is the first to be involved in the process.
- Normotrophic.At this time, the color of the nail also changes, areas appear in the form of spots and dark stripes, however, the thickness of the plate remains the same and its shine is preserved.
- Onycholytic(another name is atrophic). This variety is characterized by separation of the affected areas of the nail plate until it is completely lost.
- Deleted.It is characterized by peeling of the skin of the fingers, there is practically no pain.
- intertriginousa type of athlete's foot characterized by severe pain. The patient develops redness on the skin of the leg, especially between the toes, which then peels off.
Why does it appear?
Not only the relationship itself, but also certain conditions are necessary for the development of the disease. Infection occurs through contact and household methods, mainly due to violation of the general principles of compliance with hygiene standards. An infected person and their personal belongings (as well as items in public places with which they come into contact) are potentially dangerous in terms of the possibility of transmission of toenail fungus. The disease develops rapidly in people with weak immunity, as well as those who ignore the rules of personal hygiene and in the presence of a number of other provoking factors. Shoes, towels, clothes, socks, floors in communal showers and even sand on the beach can become sources of infection, but a person does not have to actually get sick. The fungus on the nails can be transmitted through handles in transport, money, door handles - but people suffer less, because their hands are washed more often and the skin of the hands does not rot.
In what conditions does the fungus develop?
- Various forms of reduction of the protective properties of the immune system;
- Damage to the nail bed, nail, skin of the foot;
- The habit of wearing inappropriately sized shoes made of uncomfortable, closed and poorly breathable material;
- Wearing someone else's shoes;
- circulatory system disorders, especially in the lower extremities;
- Increased sweating;
- Increased humidity and temperature;
- Excess weight;
- Diabetes;
- Phlebeurism.
Traditional treatment methods
So, what folk remedies can cure toenail fungus?
Nail fungus has high adaptive properties and incredible vitality. For example, fungal spores inside shoes can remain alive for up to four years and infect humans. Although effective, sometimes long-term, treatment with folk remedies at home for this disease is an alternative option for getting rid of nail fungus or can be used as an additional method to traditional drug treatment.
Advice! A nail affected by onychomycosis can be treated only if the treatment process is properly organized.
General rules:
- Use disposable files to process or disinfect metal files after use.
- Before treatment, the nail should be steamed, cut and the affected parts should be removed with a file.
- All products are applied to the affected areas of the skin and nails, including healthy tissues.
- Socks and bandages should be disinfected by boiling them in water and soda.
- Bedding should be washed in a machine at a temperature of 70-90 degrees once every few days.
Folk recipes against nail fungus:
- Iodine.Any pharmacy always has 5% iodine solution in stock. Reviews on the Internet say that it is quite possible to eliminate the fungus using this method. Every day, iodine is applied to the affected areas twice - in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. The procedure is repeated until a healthy nail grows. The best results can be achieved at the initial stage of the disease.
Note! If you think that your skin is still affected by the fungus after iodine treatment, you may be mistaken, because its condition may be related to a chemical burn. Use the cream to accelerate the regeneration of the epidermis. It is recommended to undergo a control culture at the end of fungal treatment by a dermatologist or mycologist. - garlic.Prepare your nails according to the instructions above. Make a paste of garlic and apply it in the form of a cake on the dried affected area. Then put on a finger guard or a secure bandage. These bandages are kept on all night and washed off in the morning with soap and water. The course continues until the symptoms disappear, bandages are applied every two days.
- onions.The onion is grated and the separated juice is applied to the damaged area. It is not necessary to rinse the product.
- Onion peel.Another way to treat fungus is to use oil infusion from onion peel. 2 tbsp. spoons of crushed dry raw materials pour 3 tbsp. spoons of liquid cooking oil. The infusion is kept for 25 days, periodically shaking the container and applying it to the affected areas of the legs. The treatment is applied 3 times a day until recovery.
- Celandine.For some reason, there is practically no information on how to treat nail fungus with celandine on the forums. But this is a very good tool that has been used successfully for more than a century. A freshly picked plant exudes orange juice from the affected area, which is applied to all affected parts of the foot, including healthy tissue. The procedure should be repeated at intervals of 3-4 minutes. four times in a row and twice a day - in the evening and in the morning. You will definitely see a positive result within 30 days.
- Potassium permanganate.After steaming at night, wipe your feet with gauze or a cloth soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate in places where the fungus lives.
- Medical alcohol.A cotton swab soaked in alcohol is applied to the affected areas and between the fingers twice a day for 15-20 minutes for 14 days.
- Sea salt.Baths with a concentration of 100 grams of salt per 100 ml of water are recommended. The course is 20 days.
- radish.Radish tops are dried and powdered. You can use it often, it can be poured into socks, shoes and sprinkled on the affected areas.
It is important! Socks should be cotton and changed daily. - Treatment with vinegar and eggs.One raw chicken egg is poured into 100 ml. vinegar essence 9% and put in a dark place until the peel dissolves. After that, the film is removed from the egg and mixed with 200 g. melted butter. The resulting ointment is applied to the affected parts of the leg and wrapped in cling film or a plastic bag. Leave the night. The course is usually 3 weeks.
Note! Do not be afraid of the appearance of an itching sensation, it will pass by itself with time. - Clay.Medicated pharmaceutical clay is diluted with water to the consistency of thick cream and applied in a thick layer to the affected areas. They cover it with a linen cloth and remove it after some time without allowing the clay to dry completely. Skin and nails are washed in water and rubbed with lemon juice or citric acid solution. The procedure is repeated three times a day.
- Coffee.Six st. spoons of ground natural coffee are poured into a liter of boiling water and brewed at a temperature that can drench your feet. The session should last about 35 minutes and should be done before going to bed. It is recommended to rinse your feet in cool water in the morning.
- Propolis.Among the best methods of treating foot fungus with folk remedies, pharmaceutical alcohol or self-made propolis tincture is rightfully considered the most effective. Treatment by applying tincture to the damaged areas is very effective, although it takes a long time.
It is important! The use of nursing and pregnant patients is prohibited! - Soap and birch resin.At night before bed, steam your feet and scrub them with a washcloth (not harsh) in soapy water for 20 minutes or less. Rough areas of the skin and affected parts of the nail are trimmed, the feet are wiped and an emollient cream is applied. Then, in the morning, the feet are washed with cold water, and birch resin is applied to the affected areas, and cotton socks are worn for 2 days. Then the tar is washed off with soap (tar or laundry soap) and tarred again for two days. A week later, the short course is repeated.
Prevention
In order for the procedures to achieve the desired effect, a number of requirements must be met:
- Wash your feet twice a day - in the morning and before going to bed - with tar soap. This not only provides disinfection, but also removes discomfort in the initial stage of the disease.
- Shoes should be washed not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
- Shoes should be periodically treated with antifungal drugs.
- It is recommended to wear shoes made of natural, breathable materials.
- Excessive sweating should be avoided by wearing shoes and socks suitable for the season.
- You cannot visit beaches, saunas, swimming pools and baths during the period of illness.
- In no case should you use other people's hygiene products and shoes.
- You can't walk in unsafe places without shoes or "guest" slippers in general.
- Socks should be changed at least twice a day.
- After the pedicure, you should thoroughly disinfect the tools and equipment.
