Nail fungus or onychomycosis is not just a cosmetic skin defect, but a rather serious disease that requires appropriate treatment. If timely assistance is not provided, the nail can be deformed or completely destroyed, and sometimes advanced disease is accompanied by damage to internal tissues. This infection can be overcome in several ways, including traditional medicine recipes and the use of disinfectants.
Signs of nail fungus development
Nail fungus is a common disease characterized by damage to the nail plate. You can get infected in public places, in recreation centers and simply in everyday conditions. Spores of parasitic microorganisms live for a long time after disinfection on personal and household hygiene items, carpets and bedding. Therefore, there is a risk of reinfection.
Signs of the fungus differ at different stages of the disease. The initial symptoms are quite mild. The patient does not give much importance to the infection and takes his treatment lightly.
The disease itself begins to develop in the interdigital folds. There is slight peeling and itching. After this, the infection affects the most vulnerable places on the legs - the nails. After some time, the fungus penetrates into the internal tissues, where it begins to develop rapidly. The following signs indicate this:
- the appearance of growths on the nail, thickening of the nail fold;
- the nail plate changes its natural color to a pale yellow tint, and in the later stages it even darkens;
- cracks and removal of the top layer of the nail;
- burning and painful sensations that cause difficulty walking;
- development of infectious agents that cause a specific odor;
- redness of the skin of the affected finger.
How is mycosis infected?
The appearance of nail fungus is due to the following factors:
- The presence of a parasitic fungus that causes the development of the disease. The fungus is not caused by an infection, but by several different microorganisms, so the nature of the disease is ambiguous. Depending on the pathogen, a course of treatment is prescribed, so the diagnosis is simply necessary for the patient.
- Favorable conditions for the development of mycoses. Even if it enters the body through microcracks in the skin, the virus does not pose any particular danger to humans: the immune system can easily cope with an unidentified object. The risk of developing fungus increases significantly in people who wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, are prone to excessive sweating, have fatty deposits, or abuse alcohol and tobacco products. Long-term use of medications and reduced foot acidity can also weaken the body's protective function.
Without these two conditions, the development of nail fungus is impossible. To prevent its development, it is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not walk barefoot in public places (swimming pools, beaches) and do not wear other people's shoes and underwear.
What the fungus cannot tolerate.
Fungal microorganisms are very resistant to external factors, but in some cases they do not resist and die. Medicines and recipes of traditional medicine necessarily contain special ingredients that have a detrimental effect on mycosis. These include some vegetables, iodine, vinegar and other organic products.
Traditional methods to combat nail fungus.
Traditional methods will help stop the spread of the infection and neutralize it inside the nail. The main advantage of these recipes is that they are easy to prepare and contain effective ingredients that do not require high financial costs.
Vinegar is a type of chemical weapon that creates an acidic environment that is dangerous for infection. They can be used to treat nails, make compresses and baths, but all this is prohibited if there are open wounds and cracks on the fingers. Positive changes are noticeable after a month of using vinegar.
- For the recipe you will need 2 tablespoons. vinegar and isopropyl alcohol. Mix well and add 1 tsp. glycerin. Apply 1 drop of the product to the affected nail and rub with gentle movements. Treat until the fungus completely disappears.
- Apple cider vinegar baths. Pour 2 to 4 glasses of liquid into a shallow container and immerse your feet in it. You can dilute with warm water and add a little baking soda to enhance the effect. Keep your feet in the container for 3 hours.
- Foot ointment. Mix beaten chicken egg, sunflower oil (20 ml) and vinegar (40 ml). It is advisable to add repudin (5 g). Apply the mixture to the nail and finger.
Salt has good anti-inflammatory properties and also kills pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation of the skin areas. It is better to take baths in which the salt is dissolved in water. Thanks to this, the acids and alkalis it contains have a stronger effect on the affected areas. This method of treatment provides a double effect: the acidic environment, together with the high temperature of the water, kills dangerous mycoses.
- Apply a few pinches of salt between your toes. Leave it on for 1 hour. Repeat the procedure twice a day.
- Therapeutic baths. In 4 liters of water, mix 0. 1 kg of salt (table or sea salt is suitable) and 4 tbsp. vinegar. Apply every day.
- Heat 3 liters of water. Add 2-3 tbsp. salt and 0. 5 tsp. potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), stir well. The course of treatment lasts 1. 5 weeks. It can be used for preventive purposes.
- Red pepper strengthens nails well, strengthens the epidermis, allowing it to resist harmful bacteria. It contains many microelements that stimulate natural processes and improve blood circulation.
- Pepper mask. Mix 1 tbsp. ground pepper, 2 tsp. water and 3 tbsp. cosmetic hand cream. The product will help restore the nail plate. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil if desired.
Iodine is a strong natural antiseptic. It is mainly used for severe forms of fungus, when the infection has already affected the tissue around the nail. This is an effective remedy that can be purchased at an affordable price in any pharmacy. It is used to eliminate wound infections and cauterize nail growths. Iodine also breaks down proteins that parasitic fungi form.
- After any bath, it is necessary to treat the skin of the legs, feet and nails with iodine. This will disinfect the affected areas and dry them. The procedure is carried out 3 times in a row after the previous layer of iodine has dried.
- Apply 1 drop of iodine to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the surrounding tissue. They can be spread with heavy cream before doing this. Iodine will affect the source of infection. Toenail fungus is feared like fire.
- Lotions with iodine. Apply the liquid to a cotton ball or swab and then apply it to the site of infection.
Garlic against foot fungus should be used with extreme caution: too high concentrations can cause burns and skin damage. Only proper use of the bulbous plant will help with onychomycosis.
- Garlic infusion. Finely chop 2 cloves of unpeeled garlic and add vegetable oil (0. 5 l). Leave for 3 days. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Take 1 tablespoon orally for 30 days. every day.
- Paste. Take 1-2 heads of garlic and chop them with a knife or in a blender. Apply to the nail. Before application, it is necessary to steam the nail plates, holding them a little in hot water with the addition of lemon juice.
- Alcohol tincture. Pour 2-3 heads of minced garlic into ¼ cup. Leave for 2 days. Use the prepared product to treat your nails in the morning, afternoon and evening.
What's so scary about nail fungus?
Nail fungus fears the following factors:
- An acidic environment that has an aggressive effect on the fungus. To create it, you will need ordinary vinegar or some type of acid (salicylic, orthoboric). These substances can be used as independent remedies, applying them to a cotton ball or swab and then to the affected areas. After regular use, rough fabrics will become softer and skin marks will decrease in size. In addition, due to the acidic environment, mycoses encounter difficulties when trying to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin.
- Antiseptics and disinfectants. These drugs prevent decay processes on the surface of open wounds, are suitable for treating tissues and destroy all infections. The most common drugs in this group include tablets and ointments based on ketoconazole and other substances aimed at eliminating fungal infections.
- Heat. If it reaches 60 degrees or more, the possibility of survival of microorganisms is almost minimal. At this temperature it dies. Its structure is destroyed, so the disease stops and disappears completely. As the temperature increases, the healing process accelerates. Shoes and socks are treated this way to destroy all spores.
Maintain hygiene rules.
Maintaining good hygiene is the main requirement for people who do not want to get infected with fungi. To protect yourself from diseases, you need:
- disinfect shoes and wash socks regularly;
- use personal cosmetics;
- maintain body cleanliness;
- process nail tools;
- Don't walk barefoot on beaches, swimming pools, and other crowded places.