Nail fungus, known to doctors as onychomycosis is a disease unpleasant, lengthy, requiring complex treatment. There are many drugs developed against onychomycosis: lotions, liquid lotions, pills, aerosols, gels. The doctors themselves make up the list, focusing on the condition of their patient. No less effective are folk remedies for nail fungus. They are best used as adjunctive treatment, and prevention.
Most home ways to the fungus when the disease is at the earliest stage. Sometimes natural remedies help to soften and separate the falling away of the infected plate. Instead it grows another, already healthy nails.
If the fungus is discovered later, then natural remedies be a great help to official medicine. They should be used after formal approval of the doctor because the fungus there are several subspecies, each requires its own treatment methods.
About the infection
Nail fungus and feet – a very common viral disease type. Spores of the fungus are striking in the region around the nails, nail plate themselves. The main place of concentration of fungus is the nail bed. Therefore, some methods of treatment do not yield any tangible effect. Drugs is difficult to penetrate the dense structure of the nail.
Causes of fungus:
- lowered immunity;
- failure to comply with hygiene;
- diabetes mellitus;
- endocrine diseases, particularly affecting the strength of the immune system.
- obesity;
- heavy sweating;
- not seasonal shoes;
- the specific activity;
- carelessness in some public areas (pool, sauna, beach, shared showers).
It is also dangerous to wear shoes other people. No matter, be it family members, classmates or neighbors. The disease equally affected adults, teenagers and children of both sexes. The only difference is the treatment of the child demands correction of dosages in the selection of drugs.
Home treatment
The treatment of nail fungus at home using various natural remedies, there is one problem – the change to the alkaline environment of all affected areas on the other, acidic. It is harmful to fungi and gradually causes them painless for organism destruction.
Undoubted advantage of natural ingredients in their composition. No chemicals and side effects minimal. Usually after a long medical therapy patients have some time to recover. When using natural remedies it is possible. They will only help, not harm the body. It is important to choose the right ingredients it will help the doctor's advice.
Most often, traditional medicine offers to use:
- soap-like detergents – they are antiseptic, in addition, soften the tissue;
- oil for gentle antiseptic treatment, phased disinfection;
- acid and similar compounds for the treatment baths;
- medications – needed for the application.
Against athlete's foot are commonly used:
- soap;
- food vinegar;
- the solution of manganese;
- ammonia solution;
- tea tree oil;
- lactic acid;
- glycolic acid;
- boric acid;
- bichromate of potassium;
- with;
- bleach;
- formaldehyde;
- anhydride;
- iodine;
- glycerin;
- kerosene.
Traditional medicine
Natural antifungal products are gentler, not trying to harm the cells of the body. Quick results here waiting for no reason, therapy may last for 2-3 months, depending on how managed to develop a fungus.
Methods of home treatment natural remedies include:
- baths effect for the disinfection and softening of the tissues;
- local treatment with antiseptics;
- applying the remedies of which the active fungistatic properties on the affected fungus region;
- application.
It should be understood that treatment should start immediately, as soon as the first alarming symptoms of the fungus appeared. It is not necessary to wait for the spread of the disease.
Popular recipes
A solution of soap and water
Will not fit the toilet, and the usual soap. He has a sharp specific smell. It is a great antiseptic, no wonder grandmother tried to wash them only.
Method of application:
- Affected place you can just lather, then after waiting a while, rinse with hot running water.
- To make the bath – 72% coal-tar (commercial) soap to RUB on a regular grater (large). Pieces to place in hot water. The best fit of boiled water. Stir until all pieces are dissolved. The temperature of the water to do the most tolerable. Then in a bowl gently lower the foot, hold it there for 15-20 minutes.
- Abrasive nail file gently remove the softened top layer of the nail plate, also keratinized skin cells.
Excellent preparatory procedure, after which you can apply other antimycotic agents. In addition, after the bath felt pleasant relaxation, feet are not the "buzz" and sleep better.
Lactic acid
A special substance is sold cheaply in pharmacies. Not to be confused with dairy products. This chemical compound.
Methods of use:
- Before using the acid, the affected area should be pre-stripped, making a regular hot tub (with nothing).
- Then dilute the acid with water, following the ratio of 10g. acid (40%) to 0.5 l of liquid.
- Stir and gently dip your feet in the resulting solution. Hold for 4-5 minutes (not longer). Before using a drop of the solution on his elbow, checking the sensitivity.
A solution of vinegar
Used regular Apple cider vinegar. It helps to change the alkaline environment of the tissues to acid, harmful for the fungus.
Great condition – pre-inspection before use, the sensitivity.
Methods of use:
- Glycerin plus vinegar essence. Mix 2 tbsp alcohol/2st.l. vinegar, adding there 1st.l. from glycerin. Instead of alcohol you can use natural propolis (tincture), this will increase the efficiency. The finished composition to treat all the affected areas daily. Try not to touch the healthy skin. The course consists of 15-30 sessions, and continues until the infected nail will disappear gradually and will not start to grow healthy.
- Cream eggs and vinegar. Pour a whole egg 100g. Vinegar. Easier to put it in a glass. Leave to infuse for 7 days, while the whole shell itself dissolved. Instead, it is only a thin film which should be removed. Add a slice (100 g) softened butter, all beat up. Prepared creamy emulsion to treat all the affected areas, making the pack after steaming.
Oil
Essential oils are widely used in the fight with the annoying fungus.
What types of oils help against onychomycosis:
- eucalyptus;
- tea tree;
- mint;
- pine;
- thymol;
- lemon;
- castor;
- coconut;
- avocado.
Methods of use:
- Eucalyptus oil can be mixed, adding a little vinegar. The finished mixture is stored in the refrigerator. To endure it for 3 days then to treat the nails, until the complete disappearance of the disease.
- Lemon oil is actively helping itself or together with other oils. To treat all affected areas, removing the excess with a cotton swab. The course is long, 10 days. The oil will gradually lighten your nails, clean them and return a natural healthy colour. Courses sessions are continued with periodic interruptions, until the plate is completely healed.
- Works well with the fraction of lemon oil with another oil, tea tree. The only negative – the tea tree can contribute to the darkening of the nail, but the plate will be healthy and increase strength. Moreover, this oil removes unpleasant odours. Experts suggest in the treatment at the same time to adjust the diet, add garlic. Great antiseptic that can affect all fungal cells inside to help them quickly recover.
Glycolic and boric acid
They are easy to purchase at local pharmacies. Inexpensive, but spectacular means. They are used for home treatment of the fungus, treating infected skin and nails. Before the procedure it is better not to remove the burrs with your fingers and cuticles, also carefully inspect the skin. It is impossible to do if you have a fresh wound, abrasion, bruise or redness.
Methods of use:
- Will need a 2-5% solution of both acids. They are treated with a pre-soaked nail.
- Acids have a pronounced fungicidal action, that is why they are often used for peeling, because they can destroy the upper keratinous layer of the dermis and of the affected nail.
- Processing surface should be carefully, trying not to affect others. Healthy areas.
Manganese
There are several forms of application. If you have a powder, then wet with a regular q-tip in warm water to touch her dry powder. Then treat all affected areas. Manganese cauterize the skin, thus killing pathogenic organisms.
In everyday life often use potassium permanganate against various diseases. Mostly when you want to decontaminate the affected area, killing germs.
Methods of use:
- Anti-fungal bath. Need 0.5 l of normal vinegar, 10 gr. crystals of manganese. Dissolve it in 10 liters of boiled hot water. Stir in the mixture to hold 20 minutes of leg. Repeat sessions to a full recovery.
- Gadgets. 0.5 tsp. of liquid potassium permanganate dissolved in a glass of boiled warm water. Drop there lemon juice. Stir and soak the cloth. Pulling gently squeeze and apply to affected areas. Top wrap or just wear a clean sock. To withstand the lotion 15 minutes.
Bleach
Use it carefully, poisonous blend!
Methods of use:
- 50g of lime to dilute 1 liter of boiled water. Stir thoroughly and the resulting solution for 3 minutes to lower legs.
- Then to hold the feet for 15 minutes in another bath with soda solution (diluted with soda).
The frequency of treatment – twice a week.
After the bath the skin and all the nails to handle the additional essential oil.
Formaldehyde
Use it carefully, poisonous! To keep possible away from curious children.
Method of application:
- Undiluted can be applied to the surface of the affected nail. To withstand a minute and rinse with ordinary tap water.
- After applying moisturize the skin essential oils or antifungal cream.
- Frequency of use – 3-5 times (total).
Salt
Moreover, you can use ordinary table or real sea salt, despite what is.
What you'll need:
- iodine (pharmaceutical);
- salt – 2st.l.;
- water liter;
- soda – glass.
Method of application:
- Do bath. To do this, mix the sea salt with a glass of ordinary baking soda. Dilute it with a liter of boiled hot water. Wait until the mixture cools slightly, and then immerse the feet.
- In the end sanded with a nail file foot, gently cut the soft keratinized.
- Wash the feet using soap, treated with iodine. Moreover, the areas affected by the fungus, process three times, waiting for drying of each successive layer.
Kombucha
Before he often used in houses. Kombucha can help against fungus. You will need no mortar, and pieces of the mushroom. Make tighter them gently to the affected area, then wrap the top with plastic. You can leave the lotion at night or clean up after drying. Additionally, to drink the infusion obtained from Kombucha.
Prevention of nail fungus
Toenail fungus treatment procedure long and exhausting. It requires a systematic approach and thorough execution of all instructions. Works best method of complex treatment when the patient is using prescribed drugs and conducts home sessions – the bath, making gadgets, and applications. Moreover, natural ingredients available, are inexpensive. There are some house like aloe, iodine, walnut or salt.
Most after treatment continues normal life, not thinking about the likelihood of re-infection by the fungus. Unfortunately, the disease spreads easily, immunity against him no no.
You can only reduce the probability of infection, if you adhere to the following security measures:
- to reduce using various powders sweating of the feet;
- time to change (wash optional) socks;
- it is advisable to buy natural cotton socks so your skin can breathe in them;
- regularly aired and cleaned shoes;
- to have your own toiletries (washcloth, Bathrobe, Slippers);
- not to be as someone else's shoes (even when the offer sneaker away);
- when choosing shoes, do not measure so be sure to take socks;
- daily wash with soap and feet wipe them dry;
- don't wear one shoes for a long time, especially in summer, let it be a change of shoes at work, school or Institute;
- after treatment of the fungus change to all nail accessories;
- have a manicure set;
- prevention regularly use some antifungal ointments or sprays, especially after a session of pedicure/manicure;
- see that master took the sterilized tools;
- bring Slippers when visiting public pools/saunas/steam rooms/baths and other similar places.
This simple action will help protect against the risk of re-infection. In addition, to keep feet healthy and reduce natural sweating. Unfortunately, men to cure fungus is more difficult because of the peculiarities of wearing shoes. Men often take closed shoes wear it with dense, dark socks, even in summer. Rarely use the indoor shoes. By the feet sweat, an unpleasant, sharp smell. Few people regularly used washes socks. Therefore, the importance of prevention cannot be underestimated.
Conclusion
As you can see, folk remedies that can help in getting rid of athlete's foot quite a lot. They all give a different effect. However, choosing for yourself, you should remember that onychomycosis (fungus) has its own varieties and each requires its own individual approach. In addition to natural ingredients help conventional pharmaceutical means like aspirin or boric acid.