Nail fungus or onychomycosis is not just a cosmetic defect on the skin, but a rather serious disease that requires the right approach to treatment. If timely care is not provided, the nail can become deformed or completely destroyed, and sometimes advanced disease is accompanied by damage to internal tissues. This infection can be eradicated in various 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, recreation centers and simply in everyday conditions. Spores of parasitic microorganisms live for a long time in household and personal hygiene items, carpets and bedding after disinfection. Therefore, there is a risk of reinfection.
The signs of the fungus differ at different stages of the disease. The initial symptoms are quite mild. The patient does not attach much importance to the infection and takes its treatment lightly.
The disease itself begins to develop in the interdigital folds. There is slight flaking and itching. Subsequently the infection affects the most vulnerable points of 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 subsequent stages even darkens;
- cracks and removal of the top layer on the nail;
- burning and painful sensations that cause difficulty walking;
- development of infectious agents that cause a specific odor;
- redness of the skin on the affected finger.
How does mycosis get infected?
The appearance of fungi on the nails 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 a number of 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 mycosis. Even if it enters the body through microcracks of the skin, the virus does not pose a 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, uncomfortable shoes, are prone to excessive sweating, have fat deposits, or abuse alcohol and tobacco products. Long-term use of medications and reduced acidity of the feet can also weaken the body's protective function.
Without these two conditions the development of fungi on the nails is impossible. To prevent its development, it is enough to follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not walk barefoot in public places (pools, beaches) and do not wear someone else'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 harmful 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 such recipes is that they are easy to prepare and consist of effective ingredients that do not require high financial costs.
Vinegar is a kind of chemical weapon that creates an acidic environment that is dangerous for infections. 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 denatured alcohol. Mix thoroughly and add 1 tsp. Glycerine. Apply 1 drop of product to the affected nail and massage with fluid movements. Treat until the fungus disappears completely.
- Apple cider vinegar baths. Pour 2-4 glasses of liquid into a shallow basin 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 the beaten chicken egg, sunflower oil (20 ml) and vinegar (40 ml). It is recommended to add repudina (5 g). Apply the mixture to your nail and finger.
Salt has good anti-inflammatory properties, it also kills pathogenic bacteria and relieves inflammation of skin areas. It is better to take baths in which salt is dissolved in water. Thanks to this, the acid and alkali contained in it have a stronger effect on the affected areas. This treatment method guarantees a double effect: the acidic environment, together with the high temperature of the water, kills dangerous mycosis.
- Apply a few pinches of salt between your toes. Leave to act for 1 hour. Repeat the procedure twice a day.
- Therapeutic baths. In 4 liters of water, mix 0. 1 kg of salt (table salt 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), mix thoroughly. The course of treatment lasts 1. 5 weeks. It can be used for preventive purposes.
- Chili pepper strengthens nails well, makes the epidermis stronger, allowing it to resist harmful bacteria. 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. If desired, add 2-3 drops of essential oil.
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 at any pharmacy. It is used to clear infections from wounds and cauterize nail growth. Iodine also breaks down the proteins that make up parasitic fungi.
- After each 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 surrounding tissue. They can be smeared with thick cream before doing so. Iodine will affect the source of the infection. Toenail fungus is as afraid of this as it is of fire.
- Lotions with iodine. Apply the liquid to a cotton ball or swab and then apply it to the site of the infection.
Garlic against foot fungus should be used with extreme caution: too high concentrations can cause burns and skin damage. Only the correct use of the bulbous plant will help with onychomycosis.
- Garlic infusion. Finely chop 2 unpeeled garlic cloves and add vegetable oil (0. 5 l). Leave for 3 days. Avoid exposure to sunlight. Take 1 tablespoon orally for 30 days. everyday.
- Dad. Take 1-2 heads of garlic and chop with a knife or in a blender. Apply on the nail. Before application you need to steam your nails, holding them for a while in hot water with the addition of lemon juice.
- Alcohol tincture. Pour 2-3 chopped heads of garlic into ¼ cup. Leave for 2 days. Use the ready-made product to treat your nails morning, afternoon and evening.
What's so scary about nail fungus?
Nail fungus is afraid of the following factors:
- An acidic environment that has an aggressive effect on the fungus. To create it you will need regular vinegar or some kind of acid (salicylic, orthoboric). These substances can be used as independent remedies, applying them on a cotton ball or stick, and then on the affected areas. After regular use, rough tissues will become softer and skin tags will decrease in size. Furthermore, due to the acidic environment, mycosis encounter difficulties in attempting 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 tissue treatment and destroy all infections. The most common drugs from this group include ketoconazole-based tablets and ointments and other substances aimed at eliminating fungal infections.
- Heat. If the temperature reaches 60 degrees and above, the possibility of survival of microorganisms is almost minimal. At this temperature it dies. Their structure is destroyed, so the disease stops and disappears altogether. As the temperature increases, the healing process accelerates. Shoes and socks are treated this way to destroy all spores.
Maintenance of hygiene standards
Maintaining good hygiene is the main requirement for people who do not want to get fungal infection. To protect yourself from diseases you need:
- disinfect shoes and wash socks regularly;
- use personal cosmetics;
- maintain cleanliness of the body;
- process nail tools;
- do not walk barefoot on beaches, swimming pools and other crowded places.