Few people know that using vinegar can solve the complex medical problem of eliminating nail fungus. Thanks to the availability of table vinegar (9% acid solution) and even vinegar essence (70% acid solution), which can be purchased in hardware stores or on the market, there are many ways to treat foot fungus with this product .
Of course, self-medication with vinegar should only be carried out if the disease has not progressed to an advanced form, and it is advisable to combine it with specially developed medications. However, when there is an urgent need to treat nail fungus and there is no money or time for consultation with a doctor or drug therapy, you can use vinegar yourself, the main thing is to follow appropriate safety rules.
Features of using vinegar to treat fungus
The main effect of using vinegar is to create an acidic environment in the area of the fungal infection, which prevents the growth of hyphae and the spread of spores. Little by little, the fungus, without access to new sources of nutrients, dies, and the absence of much more resistant spores prevents the possibility of a relapse of the disease.
At first glance, everything is very simple - how to destroy bacteria with an antiseptic. But in fact, the fungus turns out to be very tenacious, since its body does not remain on the surface of the nail or skin, but penetrates deep into the tissue. In this regard, a positive result in the treatment of onchomycosis should be expected only in case of strict regularity of procedures, which will not leave time for the parasite to recover and penetrate under the skin.
Before treating nail fungus, make sure that the concentration of acetic acid used matches that specified in the recipe. If a recipe contains mention of vinegar essence, it means a 70% solution, which must be dissolved or applied pointwise. Food or table vinegar, respectively, contains 6 and 9% acid. Neglecting these data may result in the termination of chemical burn treatment.
Apart from this point, there are no special contraindications to vinegar treatment. Individual intolerance is very rare, but vinegar is such a common substance that patients are usually aware of this feature of the body. A burning sensation may occur during the first few procedures, but this is normal and will lessen over time. Otherwise, vinegar, subject to safety rules, does not pose any threat to health.
Vinegar baths
Hot foot baths are considered an effective remedy against fungus: regular use allows you to get rid of onychomycosis at an early stage without additional medications. Additionally, vinegar baths are an excellent prevention of fungal infections. The procedure requires warm water, around 50 °C, and a glass of table vinegar with a concentration of 9%. The water level in the basin should not be high, but only ankle deep. The feet are dipped into the solution and kept for 15 minutes.
Before taking a vinegar bath, it is advisable to carry out a full pedicure procedure, including removing the affected areas of the nail plate and dead layers of skin, corns and calluses on the feet, but without applying a decorative coating to the nails. If you trim and file your nails yourself, you must do this very carefully, as microdamage to the skin can contribute to the spread of fungal infections.
Immediately after the vinegar bath, dry your feet with a towel and put on cotton socks. Repeat three times a week.
Vinegar lotions
It is best to apply lotions to fungus-affected areas after vinegar baths. Both pharmaceutical products and pure 9% vinegar are suitable for this, in which a cotton pad is moistened and applied to the nail for fifteen minutes.
A more complex recipe: a mixture of vodka or forty-year medical alcohol, glycerin and 70% acetic acid in equal proportions, mix until smooth. A cotton swab moistened with the solution is kept on the affected areas for fifteen minutes, after which cotton socks are put on. The course of treatment is a week, if necessary, it can be repeated after a few days.
Vinegar-based ointments are stored for a long time and are more convenient to use than products with a liquid consistency. To prepare vinegar ointment, you need to take 70% acetic acid, dimethylphthalate, glycerin and olive oil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1, respectively. After mixing all the ingredients well, the ointment is ready to use.
To prevent the spread of a fungal infection and destroy its pathogens, it is necessary to apply the ointment daily to the affected areas with a cotton swab, leave for 8-10 hours, and then wash with laundry soap. This recipe can be used not only to treat onchomycosis of the toenails, but also on the affected nails.
Preventive measures against fungus consist in observing hygiene rules, especially in public places - bathhouse, swimming pool, bowling club. Choose comfortable shoes and socks made from natural materials, as poor circulation in the feet combined with high humidity create the prerequisites for the development of onychomycosis (read also: onychomycosis - causes and prevention). Gym exercises, moderate physical activity and running can improve blood circulation and strengthen immune defense, which makes the body invulnerable to fungal and other infections.
Nail fungus treatment with tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an effective remedy against onchomycosis, acting directly on the cause of the disease – dermatophyte fungi. Tea tree essential oil contains alpha-terpinene, alpha-phellandrene, limonene, sabinene, cineole and other substances that provide its antiseptic properties and anti-inflammatory effect.
Before using the essential oil, it is necessary to do an allergy test - apply a little of the product to the skin of the wrist, if within 12 hours there is no irritation, redness, rashes or other reactions, the product can be used for medicinal purposes. Otherwise, it must be diluted to a safe concentration or this technique must be abandoned altogether.
Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil:
Footbath with tea tree oil. Warm water is poured into a basin up to ankle height, 15-20 drops of essential oil are added and the feet are kept in it for twenty minutes, keeping the water temperature high (45-50 °C). The course of treatment is two months, baths must be taken daily. During the treatment procedure, it is necessary to remove the affected areas of the nail plate with a file, nail clippers or scissors.
Applying oil to the nail plate. If you do not have a reaction to undiluted tea tree oil, to increase the effectiveness of the effect, it is applied in its pure form to the affected areas of the nail. First, the feet are steamed in warm water with the addition of washing powder (for better dissolution it can be grated). The oil is rubbed into the nail plate with a cotton swab twice a day, there is no need to rinse off the product.
How to quickly cure nail fungus?
The internal and external use of hydrogen peroxide for the treatment of infectious and other diseases was described by Professor Neumyvakin in a book written based on personal experience. He mentions hydrogen peroxide as a preventative with antibacterial properties.
External use of hydrogen peroxide to treat fungal infections is carried out after steaming the feet in warm water with soda dissolved in it at the rate of one teaspoon per liter. When the nail plates soften, remove a small fragment from the affected area of the nail with nail clippers and, after soaking in a 3% peroxide solution, apply it to the nail plate. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes on your nails or 40 minutes to an hour on your toes. Do the procedure twice a day until the symptoms of the fungal infection disappear.
To reduce the evaporation of peroxide and increase the intensity of the effect, the nail plate with the lotion is wrapped in plastic wrap. After the exposure time has expired, wash your toes and hands thoroughly under running water.
For therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, it is recommended to instill hydrogen peroxide into the nail cavity three times a day.
Hand and foot baths (depending on the location of the onychomycosis) with hydrogen peroxide give good results. Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide in water at a temperature of 40-50 °C at the rate of two tablespoons per liter of water. The procedure time is fifteen minutes, the frequency is twice a day for a week.
Instead of hydrogen peroxide in this recipe, you can use dead water with a negative redox potential, also called anolyte water. Anolyte water is safe to use on sensitive skin, but it has antiseptic properties, which reduces fungal growth.
Effective treatment of advanced toenail fungus
This extreme method of treating fungal infections is used for serious injuries to the nail plate and must be used with caution so as not to damage the skin.
To get rid of the fungus, the nail is treated with a rust neutralizer (which can be purchased at an auto parts store). This product contains phosphoric acid, which effectively destroys fungi, but if used carelessly can damage skin tissue. Therefore, when using it, it is necessary to observe safety precautions - work in a well-ventilated area, wear safety glasses and rubber gloves, avoiding contact of the product with the skin and mucous membranes.
A safer way would be to use kerosene, which also has a high penetrating power and a very strong effect on the fungus.
Other folk remedies for nail fungus
Complex treatment of nail fungus with folk recipes based on hydrogen peroxide allows you to destroy the fungus and permanently eliminate the unpleasant odor and other associated symptoms.
Two effective folk remedies against fungal infections:
Peroxide recipe 1. To prepare the healing mixture, you will need slaked soda (0. 5 cup), hot water (4 cups), 3% hydrogen peroxide (0. 25 cup) and half a cup of magnesium sulfate or Epsom salts. Mix all the ingredients well and add another quarter cup of vinegar. Soak a cotton swab with the resulting solution and attach it to the nail plate affected by the fungus with a plaster. The dressing needs to be renewed every ten hours, the treatment lasts one month.
Recipe with peroxide 2. The fungus treatment procedure according to this recipe consists of three stages. First, you need to prepare a solution for treating nail and skin surfaces affected by the fungus - mix 3% vinegar and peroxide at a concentration of 3% in a 1: 1 ratio. This mixture is applied to the feet while squeaking. The second step is to immerse the fingers with a fungal nail infection for half a minute in a weak solution of bleach in water, after which they are thoroughly washed under running water and wiped with a towel. Finally, tea tree oil mixed with petroleum jelly in equal proportions is applied to the nail plate. Use warm socks or gloves (if this technique was used to treat onchomycosis of the nails). The course of treatment is one week.
Novocaine lotion. A very simple but effective folk remedy for treating fungus is novocaine lotion. Simply soak a piece of cotton wool with novocaine and apply it to the fungus overnight. Just two of these lotions are enough to eliminate the fungus forever.
Apricot resin tincture: pour 1 tablespoon of resin taken from the tree with a glass of vodka, leave for three days. Lubricate the skin of your feet and nails with this solution. Shake before each use. The treatment took a month; the affected nails were trimmed as they peeled off and new, healthy ones grew back. Upon examination, the doctor confirmed the fact of recovery. I can also recommend using thick old sunflower oil in this case.
Garlic applications: I took a clove of garlic, squeezed it with a garlic press, applied the mixture to the nail, covered it with cellophane and wrapped it in a bandage or put it on the tip of my finger. I left the bandage on until the morning, for the first few days I felt throbbing pain, like an abscess, but I had to put up with it. I repeated the procedures daily and new nails grew.
Strong coffee. Few people know that regular, but strong coffee is a very good folk remedy for treating fungus. Prepare a stronger cup of coffee and simply dip your hands or feet into the cup, depending on where the fungus is present. This procedure is best done in the evening, before bed. The fungus completely disappears after several nightly procedures. At the same time, the skin becomes smooth and the pain quickly disappears.
Nail fungus in adults: symptoms, causes, treatment
In medicine, nail fungus is officially called onychomycosis. This is a fungal disease that affects the fingernails or toenails. According to the WHO, this is a very common disease. It occurs in approximately 27% of people and the pathology is diagnosed in the legs 2 times more often than in the arms. The problem of nail fungus is very delicate, as the unpleasant appearance of the affected plates makes the patient feel discomfort and hide them from others.
Symptoms and signs of nail fungus
Onychomycosis is very easy to recognize, as its signs on the nails cannot be ignored. First, the nail plates become dull and rough, losing their glossy shine. Then the nail becomes dirty yellow, whitish or gray instead of pink. Then other symptoms characteristic of the fungus appear:
- increasing the thickness of the plate;
- defects in the form of stripes, curves, irregularities and waves;
- plate delamination and crumbling;
- unpleasant smell from nails.
As a result, the nail is completely destroyed and even peels off, exposing the nail bed. The skin near the plaques turns red and causes severe itching.
Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease. Don't delay your appointment - contact a specialist as soon as possible.
Causes
The main reason for the development of fungal infections is the entry of a pathogen into the human body. As a rule, these are microspores, trichophytons and epidermophytes. These are the fungi that cause onychomycosis with particular frequency.
Upon entering the body, these fungi are located in keratinized derivatives of the skin, that is, nails and hair. This is explained by the feeding of the parasites, for which they use the fibrillar protein keratin, found in nails and hair.
The main cause of ringworm is infection with a pathogenic fungus. At the same time, many types of fungi are constantly present in the body and their growth is usually inhibited by the immune system. As control decreases, the fungus begins to grow on the skin or tissues of internal organs. This usually happens due to:
- a chronic illness that weakens the body;
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- insufficient or unbalanced nutrition;
- smoking and alcohol abuse;
- exposure to external factors that weaken the body - hypothermia, excess ultraviolet radiation, poisoning, radiation damage, etc. ;
- prolonged use of antibiotics or some other medications.
The only exception here is the so-called mycosis fungoides, which is not a fungal disease. This is an oncological tumor pathology, which is based on the degeneration of T lymphocytes to a malignant form.
Infection routes
The risk of fungal infection is especially high in public places with high humidity. These are saunas, swimming pools, gyms, public baths, etc. The most common routes of infection:
- direct contact with an infected person. Here the fungus moves from its habitat to healthy areas, thus causing an infection;
- domestic way. In this case, infection occurs when using the patient's personal belongings: shoes, personal hygiene items, etc.
There are many ways to become infected with fungal diseases. Most often this happens:
- in direct contact with affected areas of another person's skin;
- when sharing towels, slippers, personal hygiene items;
- through contaminated manicure instrument;
- through contaminated clothing and shoes;
- through the soil, especially in the presence of skin microtraumas;
- in contact with pets.
Often, cutaneous mycoses develop in people who visit swimming pools, saunas, showers in sports clubs, etc. Infection is more likely the worse the person's immune system is functioning.
Risk factors
The incidence of onychomycosis increases at age 60. At this time, the probability of developing such an infection is 60%, which is explained by a slowdown in metabolism, especially in the distal (remote) parts of the body, which are the fingers and toes.
Other risk factors for developing nail fungus include:
- diabetes;
- varicose veins;
- injuries to nails and adjacent tissues;
- HIV and other immunodeficiency conditions;
- prolonged use of antibiotics;
- weakened immune system;
- vascular and skin diseases, dermatitis, diaper rash;
- disturbances in blood supply to the extremities;
- insufficient hygiene.
Complications
In an uncomplicated course, the disease causes traditional fungal symptoms, causing only severe discomfort to the individual. But without treatment, onychomycosis can cause complications. Most often they manifest themselves as a bacterial infection.
Sometimes, onychomycosis is very acute, with the appearance of blisters, ulcerations and watery areas on the skin close to the nail. In severe cases, the disease takes on a generalized form. This means that the nail fungus spreads to internal organs and systems, and then the patient will need emergency hospitalization.
When to see a doctor
Many who have encountered onychomycosis know that the disease develops slowly and is extremely difficult to treat. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor when the first signs of the disease appear. A dermatologist treats onychomycosis of the nails in the clinic. The specialist will provide competent assistance and guide you until complete recovery.
Preparing to visit the doctor
Before visiting a dermatologist, it is important not to treat the affected areas of the nails with anything, that is, do not use medications, including iodine and brilliant green. It is also necessary to avoid using creams and ointments against fungi. At the consultation, you must take all the tests previously carried out, including those for other diseases. Affected nails should not be cut 3-4 days before your appointment.
Nail fungus diagnosis
First, the patient is referred for microscopy, which allows the presence of the pathogen to be identified. In the future, it is necessary to determine its type in order to select the correct treatment for nail fungus. The professional clinic practices the most modern and common methods for diagnosing onychomycosis:
- cultural examination of a biological sample of affected tissue. To do this, it is placed in an artificial nutrient medium, where the pathogen is cultivated to determine its type;
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detecting pathogen DNA in an affected tissue sample.
As part of the diagnosis of mycoses, studies of scrapings of skin and nail formations, sputum, blood, hair, scrapings of mucous membranes, feces and other biomaterials can be carried out, depending on the type and location of the lesion. For skin diseases, the following is usually performed:
- dermoscopy - examination of affected areas of the skin, hair or nails to identify characteristic signs;
- microscopic examination of scrapings to detect fungal mycelium;
- bacterial culture in a nutrient medium, which allows identifying not only the type of fungus, but also the ideal medicine for treatment;
- serological blood test;
- PCR test to detect the fungus genome.
Some types of fungi are easily diagnosed using UV radiation, generated by a Wood's lamp.
Simultaneously with determining the type of fungus, the patient undergoes a general examination to identify the cause of the weakening of immunity that led to the infection.
Treatment
At an early stage of the disease, local therapy is usually prescribed, which consists of using creams and ointments with an antifungal effect.
Antiseptic solutions are also used as external remedies for nail fungus. In addition to effective remedies for nail onychomycosis, antihistamines and desensitizing medications are prescribed that relieve swelling, inflammation and sensitivity.
If the nail is completely affected by the fungus and drug treatment does not give positive results, the plate will undergo surgical removal. In addition, in the total form of onychomycosis, antimycotics are prescribed orally in the form of tablets, which have a systemic effect on the body.
When choosing medications, the dermatologist must take into account the individual sensitivity of the pathogen to a particular medication. Independent use of certain medications often does not bring the desired result, since before starting treatment it is necessary to determine the type of agent causing the disease. For certain fungal infections, the patient's diet becomes important. So, during the treatment of yeast and fungi, it is necessary to exclude foods containing fast carbohydrates (sweets, flour), fermented foods, alcohol and potatoes.
Home remedies
Before using home remedies, you should consult your doctor. With his permission, you can use the following recipes:
- iodine. Before use, the feet must be steamed, washed with laundry soap, and then the affected areas of the nail plates must be removed. Next, treat the nails and the skin between the fingers with iodine, immerse them in a bath with soda solution for 20-30 minutes and dry well;
- vinegar. For 3 liters of water take 1 tablespoon. apple cider vinegar and add a little potassium permanganate. Soak your feet in the bathtub for 20-30 minutes and then dry well;
- hydrogen peroxide. After steaming your feet well, remove the affected areas from the nail plates. Place cotton pads soaked in hydrogen peroxide on them, wrap them with a bandage and leave to act for half an hour.
Prevention
To prevent the development of onychomycosis, it is necessary to exclude the negative effects of risk factors on the body:
- treat systemic diseases in a timely manner;
- do not wear someone else's shoes;
- use slates in the pool and sauna;
- change socks daily and observe personal hygiene rules;
- do not wear wet shoes - dry them well;
- Avoid direct contact with potential carriers of the fungus.