Yellow, unsightly and constantly peeling nails are the main sign of fungal infection.Most often, this problem worries us in the summer, when we wear open shoes, visit beaches and other habitats of the pathogen.From this review you will learn what nail fungus is, why it is dangerous and what treatment it requires.In addition to pharmaceutical drugs, there are many effective folk remedies that you can use independently or as prescribed by a specialist.
What is nail fungus
Nail fungus or onychomycosis is one of the most common fungal diseases.You can become infected in a sauna, swimming pool, on the beach or at home.Example: if a member of your family had onychomycosis, was treated and cured, the spores of the parasite can still live for a long time in the bathroom, on the tiles in the kitchen and hallway, on the carpets and in the slippers in the house.People with soft nail plates are most susceptible to the disease, but strong nails alone are not insurance against infection with dermatotrophies.
Factors provoking the development of onychomycosis:
- poor quality and too tight shoes (especially made from unnatural materials);
- trauma, plate deformity;
- nail extensions;
- lack of personal hygiene;
- the use of certain household chemicals.
The risk of developing onychomycosis increases with age, since metabolic processes slow down over time and the nail tissue recovers much worse.Children are usually infected by adults.
Symptoms of the disease
The main symptom with which patients consult the doctor is a change in the thickness and appearance of the nail plate.It becomes thin, yellowish or black, breaks, crumbles.A characteristic unpleasant odor often appears.If left unchecked, the parasites will spread throughout the foot, causing roughness, severe itching and pain when walking.
Types of mushrooms and characteristic symptoms
- moldy- given
The pathogen “loves” an organism weakened by long-term illnesses.The nail plate changes color to green, yellow, blue or black. - Dermatophytes- on the nails
Yellow stripes and spots form, the yellowed edges move away a little.As the pathology progresses, the yellowness moves to the middle of the plaque. - Yeast- make a nail
uneven, wavy, covered with grooves.The shade changes to yellow and brown, most often the nail plate comes off completely.The rollers can fester.
Be careful, fungi colonize living tissues very aggressively.They are dangerous not only for their owner, but also for other people, so do not waste time - start treatment as soon as possible.Fungal infection is practically not complicated by secondary bacterial infection.
FIRST AID
The first thing to do when you notice symptoms of onychomycosis is to improve your diet and treat your shoes.
Diet
The diet should be complete and balanced, promoting healthy microflora (and not favorable to the growth of fungi).It must be followed for one month to six, depending on the stage and severity of the disease.You will have to completely give up alcohol - alcohol impairs blood circulation and reduces local immunity.
The fungal pathogen likes:fiber, starch, sugar, sweets, dried fruits, packaged juices, fermented milk with berries and sugars (mainly yogurt), canned food, sausages, semi-finished products.
You can eat:
- fresh herbs, vegetables (except potatoes and other starchy foods);
- vegetable juice;
- herbal teas, rosehip decoction;
- cereals (except rice, semolina);
- vegetable oils;
- soy;
- nuts, seeds.
Such nutrition prevents intoxication of the body and speeds up the healing process.The disadvantage of the diet is that you have to stick to it constantly.
How to treat shoes for nail fungus
Be sure to treat your shoes for fungus.To begin with, it is thoroughly washed with soap and dried.Remove the laces and insoles and wash them separately.Then you can apply disinfectants;If you are afraid of damaging the material, you can test its effect on a small area.When working with toxic chemicals, it is recommended to use a fabric mask and protective gloves.
With the help of folk remedies, shoes are treated from the outside and inside, then cotton wool or fabric soaked in the solution is placed in the toes of the shoes, wrapped in a bag and left for a few days.The effectiveness of ammonia, vinegar and formaldehyde is high, but they have a specific odor and can damage some materials.Special sprays are more expensive, but they act more delicately.You must spray them on the interior surface and leave it to act for a day.To obtain optimal results, treatments are carried out 5 times in a row.Chlorhexidine can be used.
Other methods are antibacterial wipes and an ultrasound machine.The first option is easy to use, but has average efficiency, the second is powerful, safe, but has a high cost.Simply treat the shoes with ultraviolet light for 3-10 hours, depending on the model (see instructions).
We have collected the most effective folk remedies for treating fungus
Popular folk recipes for mushrooms:
- Essential oils– lavender, mint, citrus, eucalyptus.It is advisable to mix lavender with tea tree.In this case, you will get an effective antimicrobial agent with an antibiotic.The main thing is to use natural ingredients, because artificial ones, although they smell delicious, do not provide any health benefits.So make your purchases at pharmacies and certified points of sale.Apply the oils once a day, preferably before bed.
- Kombucha– attach the fungus plate to the sore nail overnight, wrap it in a film or bag, bandage it or put on a sock.In the morning, remove the compress and lubricate the nail with iodine.After a few treatments, a healthy nail should begin to grow, but it is best to continue treatment until completely healed.
- Propoliscontains the healing secretion of the salivary glands of bees, microelements, vitamins, tannins and has a pronounced pleasant aroma.To treat fungus, it is used in the form of ointments and tinctures.Cool the propolis, chop it and add vegetable oil heated to 50-60 degrees, stir for 10 minutes, cool and drain.
Store the finished ointment in a glass container, always in the refrigerator.Apply in the evening, cover with gauze and secure with a bandage or sock.The dye is applied directly to the nails.You can use a ready-made pharmacy or make it yourself.
- St. John's wort– lubricate painful nails with the juice of the plant twice a day.You can supplement the treatment with baths with a decoction or infusion.Celandine is used in the same way.
- Ginger– used in grated form, like juice, in slices.Applications should be made at 10 minute intervals, do not wash anything with water.
- Iodine– morning and evening, lubricate your nails daily with iodine tincture.The duration of treatment is 3 weeks.
- sodaused in the form of baths.Dissolve 5 g of soda and 3 g of usual salt in warm water, stir and take baths for 20 minutes every day.You can make a paste of baking soda and water, which you then apply to your nails.
- Garlic– dip a small clove in salt and apply to the affected area.For greater effectiveness, the garlic is pre-ground.
- Hydrogen peroxide– first spray your feet in a bath of baking soda, then soak a cotton swab in peroxide and apply to the affected area.To prevent the compress from evaporating, wrap it in film.You need to keep the product for one hour.The cure lasts several weeks - do not hesitate to use this recipe until complete healing.
- Ammonia– add a tablespoon of ammonia to a cup of water.Dip a piece of cloth in the liquid and apply compresses.It is best to keep this remedy overnight.
- Bow– grate it on a fine grater, apply the pulp obtained to the affected areas.Onions are used as a compress.
- Alcoholeffective in the early stages of development of fungus between the fingers and on the nails.Dip a cotton swab in the product and apply it to the affected areas.In advanced situations, alcohol does not help.
- Boric acid– spray then dry your feet carefully.Take the powder and sprinkle it on problem areas, put on socks and leave overnight.The procedure can be repeated daily.
- Washing powder- also an effective remedy for onychomycosis, the principle of action of which lies in alkaline reactions.Dissolve the powder in hot water and spray your feet in the bath.Usually a two-week course is required for full recovery.
- With potassium permanganatedo baths for 15-20 minutes, they must be repeated daily.After bathing, treat your skin and nails with a weak solution of the product.To improve results, apply gauze soaked in penicillin ointment to the affected area.It is useful to treat your nails with a paste of 30 g of propolis, 30 ml of alcohol and a few drops of potassium permanganate for half an hour.
- Most people use vinegar to treat onychomycosis.There are different ways to use this tool:
- mix apple cider vinegar and iodine in equal proportions, treat your nails twice a day;
- a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar are mixed with 10 drops of tea tree oil, a clove of garlic, mixed and used in applications 2-3 times a day;
- add salt, soda, soap to hot water, spray the feet, then cut the affected areas of the nails and apply gauze soaked in apple cider vinegar and secure it with a bandage;
- put a fresh chicken egg in 150 ml of acetic acid, wait for dissolution, add 100 g of oil, beat into a paste, apply overnight.
Treatment with all folk remedies is carried out until complete healing.In terms of effectiveness, they are not inferior to pharmaceutical drugs, they are natural and cheap.The key to successful recovery is consistency.If you perform the procedures once a week, you cannot expect special results.
Other folk remedies
Other, less popular, but also effective, traditional methods of dealing with mushrooms:
- Tea tree oil– they lubricate the feet and nails several times a day.The product is used pure or mixed with almond oil.
- Ground coffee– prepare a strong drink, cool it, immerse your feet in the bath with it.Coffee applications are often made under film and socks.
- Laundry and Tar Soap– lubricate the affected area with it, then soak the nail in table salt and bandage it overnight.Use regular, brown laundry soap marked 72%.
- Horseradish– rub the root of the plant, spray your nails and make a compress under a bandage and film in the evening.You can also use prepared horseradish.
- Lemon– squeeze out the juice and lubricate your nails with it, leave for 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.The procedure is repeated daily for a month.
Medicinal plants to treat fungus
Herbs are used in different ways.The most popular method is bathing.To prepare them, take a few spoons of eucalyptus leaves and oak bark per liter of boiling water, pour, let it brew, filter.Baths should be done morning and/or evening for 20 minutes.
A less traditional recipe is herb socks.Take chamomile, mint, sage, nettle in any combination and equal proportions, chop it, put it in a sock, put it on and wear it.The mixture should be changed daily.In summer it is best to use fresh plants.