Onychomycosis is a nail fungus that most often affects the toes.Pathogenic microorganisms feed on the organic composition of the nail plate.Those who work in damp rooms, neglect personal hygiene, and visit public baths and swimming pools are at risk of getting this unpleasant disease.
Under the influence of a fungal infection, the nail plate becomes deformed, turns yellow, and splits.Without proper treatment, the fungus progresses and can cause nail removal.In the early stages of the disease, there is no need to use drug treatment;You can get rid of nail fungus with folk remedies at home.
What are fungi afraid of?
Fungal nail infections take weeks to heal.To speed up the healing process, you need to know that pathogenic microorganisms are afraid:
- acidic environment;
- bleach;
- special antifungal agents and natural antimycotics;
- High Temperature - When heated above +75 ̊ C for 20 minutes, mycosis dies.
Therefore, during toenail fungus treatment, you need to carefully treat indoor and outdoor shoes, wash socks and bed linen at temperatures above 75 ̊ C.
Treating nail fungus at home
In untreated cases, you can get help from traditional medicine.Essential oils, cheap pharmaceuticals, and medicinal plants are time-tested remedies that help get rid of toenail fungus quickly.
Birch tar
This safe drug is very effective in the fight against mycosis.The easiest way is to use store-bought tar soap, which consists of 15% birch tar.Twice a day, generously soap your toes and leave for 5-10 minutes.The course of treatment lasts for 10-17 days.
Birch Tar solution works effectively.80 ml of glycerin and the same amount of birch tar are dissolved in 100 ml of ethyl alcohol.The resulting preparation is generously lubricated on the nail plate twice a day.
Garlic
This plant has expressed antimicrobial and antifungal properties.It can be used alone, in the form of crushed pulp, or combined in other ways.Garlic ointments and tinctures work effectively.
To prepare garlic salve, select a fresh, juicy head of garlic and grind the cloves into a pulp.The resulting mass is poured with 2 tablespoons.L. sunflower oil.This product is generously lubricated on the affected and neighboring nails and the skin around the source of infection.Treated fingers are wrapped in a bandage and left in this form until morning.To get the tincture, mix garlic and freshly squeezed ethyl alcohol in equal parts.This composition is infused for 2-3 days, after which it is used to treat the affected nails.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil works fastest in its pure form.Twice a day, generously lubricate the affected nail and the skin around it.As a rule, such procedures do not cause irritation or allergic reactions in adults.For children, it is better to make a foot bath with the addition of 5-10 drops of tea tree oil.But if in the first case it takes about two weeks to get rid of onychomycosis, the foot bath will have an effect only after 1-2 months.
Vinegar
Although vinegar is popular in the fight against nail fungus, it only helps in the initial stages, when the fungal spores have not penetrated deeply into the nail plate.
Before using vinegar, it is recommended to trim the affected area of the nail so that the acid penetrates further into the infection site.6% table vinegar is mixed in equal parts with warm water, and the feet are soaked in the resulting bath for about half an hour.This procedure is done every day for at least two weeks.
Salicylic acid
This inexpensive pharmaceutical product is very effective in combating mycosis.To combat nail fungus, it is better to buy a 5% solution of salicylic acid, to treat the skin - 1%.
A cotton pad or disk is generously moistened with the product and the affected nail plate is treated.This procedure is repeated twice a day for a week.Then you need to take a seven-day break and, if necessary, repeat the course of treatment.
Iodine
Treatment with iodine can only be done if there is no mechanical damage or cracks on the toes.Before using the product, cut the nails as soon as possible.A cotton swab is generously moistened with iodine and applied to the infected nail plate and adjacent nails.This procedure is repeated twice a day for half a month.When treating nails with iodine, it is important not to forget the surrounding skin - it is better to disinfect with hydrogen peroxide.
Celandine
Treating the nail plate with celandine juice is a dirty but effective way to get rid of toenail fungus.The infected area is coated with freshly squeezed plant juice, wrapped with a bandage, and left for 4 hours.This procedure is repeated every day until the therapeutic effect occurs.
If you cannot cure nail fungus at home, consult a doctor for help.For an accurate diagnosis, you need to take tests to determine the type of pathogen and the degree of onychomycosis.After this, the doctor will prescribe a comprehensive drug treatment, including external and internal agents.In advanced cases, removal of the nail plate may be necessary.