Fungus.Anyone who has ever met him probably doesn't remember the children's sandbox when they hear this word.An image immediately comes to mind: terrible crumbling nails, the inability to walk in open shoes in the summer, an unpleasant smell... I could list them for a long time, but it's useless.Let's take a better look at how to cure toenail fungus.
First, make sure that this is exactly the disease.To do this you will have to go to the doctor to have a scraping done for analysis.People often mistake the slightest change in nail color for a fungal infection.But there can be many reasons for this, from tight shoes to a banal injury.
Sometimes particularly impressionable comrades in their desire to get rid of pseudofungi go to the point of absurdity.And then you have to restore what is left of the nails after such unfortunate doctors.
General questions
Most people who get toenail fungus for the first time get scared and take drastic measures, including completely removing the affected nail.We believe this is premature and unjustified.Why go to the surgeon if the fungus has just appeared and the nail bed is not affected?Become incapacitated for several weeks?After all, walking will be almost impossible due to pain.
The nail removal procedure cannot be done by yourself.It must be prescribed by a doctor and only under strict indications.In other cases, it is quite possible to cope with the disease at home.
Another warning: from the beginning of treatment it will be necessary to disinfect daily:
- shoes, indoor and outdoor
- socks, stockings, stockings
- foot towels
- bedding
- home pedicure tools
Some people do not have the opportunity to disinfect their bed every day.In this case, you can cover half of the bed with old, unnecessary cloth to disinfect it.This is a more feasible option than boiling all the clothes.
The next rule is perseverance.Toenail fungus is not a cold;It won't go away in a week.It will have to be destroyed in a prolonged and systematic manner.Preferably without interruptions.Of course, if a course of treatment is planned, then it is necessary to make omissions.In all other cases, regularity should come first.Otherwise, some will apply the oil on their nails for 3 days and then tell people on every street corner that “it doesn't help, it's all a lie.”
We recommend steaming your feet as often as possible and, if possible, filing the damaged part of the nail.This will make it easier for any product to penetrate the plaque and under the skin to destroy pathogenic spores.
By the way, don't forget: although the fungus is the same, all people are different.Therefore, some manage to cope with the problem within 3 months, others take years to eliminate the infection and it reappears after a while.
And fungal spores very quickly get used to various aggressive agents.In this case, mycologists recommend changing the drug every 3 weeks so that the fungus does not have time to adapt.This will make the healing process faster.
Advice.Always, before trying ointments, lotions, tinctures, or drops on affected nails, test the medication on the inside of your elbow first.If after a day the allergy is not visible, do not hesitate to start treatment.If you neglect this procedure, there is a high risk of making it even worse instead of recovering.You can go completely without nails.
Traditional methods
We will not specifically list drug names here.Because?Because:
- All of them can only be prescribed by a qualified dermatologist, but not “the neighbor drank and applied it, it helped her.”
- This is not a promotional item.
- The price range for mycological drugs is quite wide.And if the drug doesn't help you, then we don't want to hear curses directed at us.
Let's take a closer look at the most common "grandmother's" methods.Just don't rush to laugh ironically.There are many recipes, I'm sure some will help you.Well, it certainly won't do any harm.In addition, according to reviews, these products cope with toenail fungus in some cases much more effectively than medications.
Vinegar
There are many recipes based on it.By the way, very effective.Because the fungus does not tolerate an acidic environment at all.We tell you the most effective way:
- Place 1 chicken egg in a glass glass (factory or homemade, it doesn't matter).
- Pour so much 70% acetic acid on top that it completely covers the contents.
- Cover with paper or a lid and leave in a cool, dark place for 7-8 days.
- After this time, we carefully remove the remains of the film from the egg with a wooden spoon.
- Add about a teaspoon of good butter and grind well until smooth.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container.Not metallic!
How to use.Everything is very easy.You should steam your nails in salt water twice a day and then file them as much as possible.Apply a small amount of ointment on top and cover it with cotton or a bandage.To ensure a secure hold, you can use your fingertip during the day or cling film at night.
You should keep this compress on for at least 20 minutes.Then everything is washed with clean, warm water without soap and they go about their business.
By the way, the well-known kombucha has a similar effect.It contains a large number of acidic bacteria that perfectly eliminate fungi.It is enough to tie a small piece of mushroom to the nail plate overnight.It is advisable to wear the tip of your finger so that the compress does not dry out any longer.
Important!The smell of vinegar will haunt you for some time.You will have to be patient or start the treatment while on vacation.
Oils
Many people know the antibacterial properties of some essential oils.In particular, these are:
- lavender
- eucalyptus
- tea tree
Popular wisdom suggests using them in the treatment of toenail fungus.By the way, quite successfully.There are 2 application options:
- Clean, hot water (+48-52°C) is poured into the foot bath.Add 21 drops of the chosen oil.The nails are steamed for 38-40 minutes.Then do not rinse, dry immediately with a cloth.
- After a regular salt bath, the undiluted essential oil is applied.You can simply drip it with a pipette directly onto the damaged nail.
And don't be afraid of grease stains.High-quality oils do not leave them.But there is always a pleasant aroma.
Important!Be sure to test for an allergic reaction.Essential oils are highly concentrated and sometimes suffer from this.
celandine
A plant known for its orange juice.It has been used for centuries to treat warts.The principle of use to get rid of toenail fungus is similar.Gently lubricate the damaged areas with the juice of a freshly cut stem.Morning and afternoon.
This method has a disadvantage: fresh juice is only available in summer.But the treatment procedure cannot be stopped.To do?Buy celandine oil at the pharmacy.It is applied according to the principle described above, 2 times a day.Soon you will notice a new healthy nail that will gradually grow.At this time, it is advisable to file the elderly patient as much as possible (not to the point of pain).
Important!Use celandine juice with caution, as it contains toxic substances.
garlic and onion
Let's be honest, at first this method did not inspire confidence in us.But numerous reviews are full of positive emotions, so here is this simple recipe:
- Chop the onion or garlic until it forms a paste.
- Carefully apply a small amount of the mixture onto the steamed nail.
- Cover the top with film or polyethylene.
This dressing should be done at night.Because during the day it can slide down when walking and cause serious discomfort.Furthermore, the most powerful amber will keep all your friends and acquaintances away from you.
Important!Be sure to lubricate the skin around the nail with a rich cream.The juice of these plants causes severe burns after prolonged contact with the skin.
soda
Yes, yes, simple baking soda.No, you should not sprinkle it directly on the nail.It won't do any good.You only need to steam your nails in a soda bath twice a day.Also, periodically cut away as much of the damaged layer as possible.
The disadvantage of this procedure is that it works very slowly.That is, you will have to soak your feet in a hot bath for at least 3 months straight.But it is cheap and effective.You only need hot water - 1 liter and baking soda - 1 tablespoon.l.The duration of the procedure is at least 30 minutes in a row.
iodine
A method like the one described above works quite slowly.Sometimes you have to use it for 8-9 months straight.But it is accessible to absolutely any category of people, because it costs a few cents.Using iodine is very simple.You just need to lubricate clean, dry nails with it every morning.
Naturally, this method is not suitable for summer, because the nail plates will acquire a beautiful orange-brown color.Although, if you have a fungus, you are unlikely to wear open shoes.
Important!Apply iodine very carefully, ensuring that it does not reach the periungual fold.The drug causes a chemical burn to the skin.
Other methods
Maybe some people find them strange.But what's stopping you from trying them for yourself?In the end you have nothing to lose.And the result can be surprising.
- Soap powder.It is recommended to steam your feet once a day with the following composition: 100 g of detergent per 1 liter of water.Repeat for 10 days, then rest for 3 days.And so on until complete recovery.
- Ammonia.Add 15 ml of ammonia to 200 ml of tap water (can be measured with a syringe).A piece of cloth or cotton is soaked in the resulting mixture and then applied to the infected nail.Place polythene or a finger cap on top.The procedure is carried out once a day, the compress is left for 45 minutes.
- Coffee.You need to prepare a strong natural coffee.Let it cool slightly until the skin tolerates it.Without diluting with water, steam your nails in the broth once a day.Repeat daily until complete recovery.
- Fresh horseradish.It is grated or passed through a meat grinder.The resulting pulp is stored in the refrigerator.After each cut or filing of an infected nail, a little grated horseradish is placed directly on the plate.Cover the top with a compress and leave overnight.According to rumors, the method helps cure the fungus in record time.By the way, the roots can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for winter use.
Advice.When using some methods, the nail plate may hurt slightly.This is within normal limits.If the pain becomes severe, stop treatment immediately.This means that the method is not suitable for you.Choose another medicine.
How to cure toenail fungus?Only methodically and for a long time.This disease does not disappear overnight.It is better to contact specialists.