The problem of nail fungus infection is quite common. According to the WHO, every 10 people in the world suffer from this unpleasant disease. You can get infected if basic personal hygiene rules are not followed or in public places - baths, swimming pools, saunas, gym locker rooms.
Ringworm does not pose a serious health risk, but it is uncomfortable and very difficult to get rid of. In advanced cases, therapy lasts for many months. For effective treatment, the main thing is to recognize the first symptoms of the disease in time and consult a dermatologist. Along with drug therapy, the doctor may prescribe the use of traditional medicine recipes that help speed up the healing process.
signs of illness
It is difficult to determine onychomycosis at an early stage. Therefore, it is important not to miss the manifestations of progressive damage. The first "alarm bells" can be considered the following:
- change in color, structure, shine of the nail;
- the appearance of tuberosity, growth disorder;
- delamination, destruction;
- pathological thickening;
- delineated bands of mycelium distribution;
- walking pain syndrome;
- pungent and unpleasant odor;
- redness, peeling of the skin nearby;
- deterioration of nail rollers.
Almost always, the thumb suffers first (pathogens penetrate the most traumatic area - the edge of the corner of the nail).
Important!
If even some symptoms are found, you should immediately consult a doctor. A timely visit to a medical center will ensure the maximum effectiveness of the treatment.
Nail fungus medication
If you suspect a fungal infection, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. After carrying out all the tests, he will prescribe the correct treatment. To obtain a rapid therapeutic effect, a complex fight against the fungus is recommended, consisting of oral agents and external preparations. Oil-based ointment is not used in the treatment of nail mycoses. This is due to the poor penetration of this drug form on the surface of the stratum corneum.
curing varnish
In recent years, antifungal drugs in the form of varnishes have become widespread. It is advisable to use them only in cases of weak injuries. In advanced diseases, this kind of external remedy will not bring the desired result. They are produced in a bottle with a brush, which looks like an ordinary cosmetic nail polish.
pills
Along with topical preparations, oral agents are used. Pills have an effect on the whole body, they help to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible.
external remedies
You can treat ringworm with various sprays, creams, oils. Due to their local action, they do not harm the liver. The disadvantage of this method is the duration of use.
laser treatment
With prolonged and unsuccessful attempts to remove nail fungus, you should think about laser therapy. This method is effective in getting rid of neglected injuries.
The course is 6-10 procedures, during which the affected areas of the nail plate are removed. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue to the location of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
The advantages of the technique:
- absence of pain during the procedure;
- no dosage forms are required;
- has no side and allergic reactions.
According to doctors, laser is the fastest way to get rid of the problem. However, as miraculous as the treatment is, it has a number of limitations to its use:
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- Malignant neoplasms;
- serious violations of the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting a course of treatment, it is imperative to undergo an examination of the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is quite popular. But they should be used wisely, after consulting your doctor.
Propolis
The waste product of bees is known for its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the affected nail disappears and a healthy one grows in its place. After the symptoms subside, it is important not to interrupt the procedure, as the infection may reappear.
Natural propolis is used three times a day. A piece is applied to the steamed nail and left for 30 minutes. The first results will appear in a few months.
Another alternative medicine recipe is alcohol tincture:
- Mix 30 g of propolis in 120 g of isopropyl alcohol. Leave in a cool, dark place for 2 days;
- Before the procedure, steam your feet in a solution with washing powder;
- Dry, cut off the infected areas as much as possible, cut off the nail plate layer;
- Moisten the cotton with dye and bandage the painful area overnight.
- Take the treatment for at least two months.
To prevent infection, healthy nails are cleaned daily with dye.
Important!
The main requirement of any of the recipes is well-cooked nails. Don't forget this rule.
Vinegar
At home, vinegar is often used - apple cider or table vinegar. Traditional healers offer three ways to use the essence:
- Make a mixture of iodine and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions. Lubricate the affected areas with a solution twice a day for six months;
- Mix 2 tbsp. I. vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree oil extract, minced garlic clove. The resulting mixture is applied to the plate 2-3 times a day;
- A glass of vinegar is added to the steam bath. Baths are done three times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
The poisonous plant helps to quickly remove the fungus. Use it carefully so as not to burn your skin.
Fresh plant juice can be used. Pluck the grass, wash it and turn it in a meat grinder. Squeeze the juice from the resulting mass. In a glass container, mix 200 g of extract and isopropyl alcohol. The solution is insisted in a dark place for two days. The mixture is applied to the nails 3-4 times a day after full steaming.
The pharmacy chain sells ready-made celandine oil. Lubricates the nail plate after careful processing (steaming, removing affected areas, cleaning with peroxide).
White
The remedy that we are used to clearing things up, used at home, can also be used in the treatment of onychomycosis. Whiteness has a powerful antibacterial effect. Every other day, apply the liquid to the nails until the plaque is completely renewed.
Egg
For treatment, you need to make an ointment. Place an egg in a glass and pour in the vinegar essence for several days. The rind should dissolve. Remove the film from the egg and mix with the remaining liquid. Add the butter until it thickens.
The resulting product is applied to infected nails before going to sleep, wrapped in a bandage. The procedure is carried out for 5-6 weeks.
Iodine
For the treatment of mycoses, an alcoholic iodine solution is suitable. It should be applied twice a day with a cotton swab. For prophylaxis, the procedure is performed on healthy nails once a day. It is useful to make steam baths with the addition of iodine.
tea mushroom
In folk medicine, it is used in the treatment of various diseases, including onychomycosis. A plate of kombucha is placed on the affected area, covered with polyethylene on top and secured with a bandage. The compress is left overnight. In the morning, the dead layer must be removed, lubricated with iodine.
Hydrogen peroxide
A powerful antiseptic that successfully fights ringworm. After careful preparation, the cotton is applied to the nail plate, abundantly moistened with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. To prevent the active substance from evaporating, cover it with polyethylene on top. The compress is left for 1 hour. The procedure is performed 2 times a day until a healthy nail grows back.
Ammonia
This remedy has shown good results when treated at home. In a glass of water, 1 tbsp is diluted. I. ammonia. A compress is made with the resulting solution overnight. The main requirement is to steam the nails until they are soft.
Baths with ammonium hydroxide also help to cure ringworm. Mix 3 tbsp in hot water. I. sodium bicarbonate, ammonia, 30-40 g of liquid soap. In such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails softens more quickly.
Sodium bicarbonate
Before using any antifungal agent, be sure to steam your nails. Soda baths work well to prevent the spread of infection. For 3 liters of hot water, 2 tablespoons are taken. I. in powder. For the best effect, you can add 1 tbsp. I. grated soap powder.
They also make lotions with soda. 100 g are diluted with water to form a paste, which is applied to the nails. After 15-20 minutes, the mixture is washed.
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is known for its strong antiseptic properties. Used for baths before the application of other medicines.
Important!
You have to be careful with manganese not to burn yourself. For safe use, you need to take a maximum of 3 crystals and completely dissolve them in water.
birch tar
It has an antiseptic effect and can be used neat or in the form of a soap. Tar is applied to the nail at bedtime after processing. It is used until recovery.
salt
You can use cooking or seafood. A mixture of soda and salt is made in equal proportions, it is diluted with a small amount of cold water. The solution is abundantly lubricated with nails, and after 10 minutes they are washed off. During the procedure, you may feel a burning sensation.
Before using the drug, the coarse stratum corneum of the salt bath is well vaporized.
If there is no increase in skin dryness, you can soak your feet in a solution of washing powder and table or sea salt. This procedure has a bactericidal and drying effect.
Novocaine
Traditional medicine recommends using the drug to clean the nails and surrounding skin. After treatment, cotton wool moistened with an aqueous solution of novocaine is applied to the affected areas and secured with a bandage. After an hour, the compress is removed. Daily procedures can relieve pain, burning, itching.
For the best effect of the treatment, experts advise to do a medical pedicure procedure. You are cutting the nail with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The causative agent of onychomycosis is a tenacious organism. The spores can remain viable in the environment for months, depending on favorable conditions for growth.
In order not to get infected with pathogenic microflora, the following rules must be observed:
- in public areas (baths, saunas, swimming pools), be sure to wear your own removable shoes;
- wear clean socks daily;
- after showering, dry your feet and the area between your toes well;
- don't wear someone else's shoes;
- treat the surface of the injured skin with an antiseptic;
- using personal pedicure tools;
- combat excessive sweating of the feet;
- coming from the street, shoes wet and dry;
- monitor immunity status.
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. The main requirement for the prevention of mycoses is strict compliance with personal hygiene rules.
Good immunity is an important factor in disease prevention. People with weakened body defenses are more likely to get infected with infections. Taking vitamin complexes, immunostimulating drugs is the first step in preventing ringworm.
If signs of illness are detected in a loved one who lives in the same apartment, you should wear medicated protective equipment. Prophylactic agents are produced in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
For preventive purposes, remedies recommended by traditional medicine are also suitable. Iodine is applied to the nail surface once a day. You can also rub your feet with a vinegar solution.
Fungal treatment is a very labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Complex therapy with over-the-counter and folk remedies helps to speed up the healing process.
For effective treatment, it is important to recognize the early signs of onychomycosis in time and consult a doctor. Only in a medical institution is it possible to carry out tests, to correctly determine the type of pathogen. After that, proper treatment is prescribed, which will lead to healing.