Treatment of nail fungus and foot fungus, if the disease does not progress, can be carried out at home and with home remedies.There are traditional medicine recipes that have been tested by time and are easy to prepare.If you regularly and carefully follow the instructions for them, then getting rid of the unpleasant disease is very possible.
Fungal infections of the skin and toenails are not only an aesthetic problem.If this problem is not addressed in time, it can lead to serious problems in human health.This is why various types of treatment for toenail fungus with folk remedies are very popular today.We will look at the easiest and safest recipes that can be made at home.
Manifestations of fungal foot disease
Fungus often affects the skin of the feet, legs and interdigital spaces - this is the so-called athlete's foot.But in exceptional cases, a fungal infection settles on the nail plate, and this is called in the scientific world - onychomycosis.
How to recognize nail fungus
Nail fungus is characterized by localization mainly on two fingers - big and little.The nails on these fingers become uneven, lumpy, and have white or dull yellowish spots.The nail plate, with a long course of the disease, can be separated from the bed in the area of freckles.It is completely deformed and has a tendency to grow inwards.
Manifestations of foot fungus
Redness appears on the legs, followed by peeling, itching (from mild to severe), pustular rash, hyperhidrosis, and an unpleasant odor may appear.Heels also often crack and peel.
Risk factors for developing fungus
- impaired metabolism;
- weight gain, diabetes mellitus;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- problems with the thyroid gland and adrenal glands;
- skin disease (psoriasis);
- insufficient blood flow to the legs;
- diseases related to the immune system;
- increased sweating (including feet);
- family medical history;
- age.
Before starting to treat fungus at home
For treatment to be effective, the following must be done:
- Before any action, you need to steam your feet first in hot soap and soda water (50°C).The bath lasts from 15 minutes to an hour (if the nails are very hard).
- Treat the instruments you will be using with alcohol, and the procedure area with a product or bleach that contains chlorine.
- If the nail plate is affected by fungus, cut or clip the affected nail.
- Exfoliate the dead skin on the feet.
Remember:areas affected by fungus should not be lubricated with moisturizing cream!
Toenail fungus: treatment with folk remedies
Undoubtedly, the most effective treatment will be prescribed to you by a mycologist.But if the condition of the legs is not so advanced, the disease has not gone far, then you can try the following folk recipes.
1 recipe using apple cider vinegar
We need apple cider vinegar.We moisten the cotton with it and apply it to the nails affected by the fungus.Wrap the compress in cling film and walk for 3 hours every day.We continue to do this procedure until we find that a new, clean plate is developing.
Recipe 2 - a mixture of essential oils and olives
We will need:
- tea tree oil or oregano oil (1 teaspoon);
- olive oil (½ teaspoon).
Mix the two ingredients and apply to the nail affected by the fungus.Let them dry naturally.This procedure should be done in the morning and evening until the symptoms decrease.
Recipe 3 - treatment with celandine
Another folk remedy for toenail fungus is celandine.This plant is poisonous, so it must be used in doses.But it is believed to help well even in cases of advanced nail fungus.We will need celandine juice.
How to prepare celandine juice
Freshly picked, washed and dried celandine is passed through a meat grinder.The pulp is transferred to gauze, folded in 3-4 layers, and squeezed out.We need 200 ml of juice, which is combined with 200 ml of 70% alcohol.The liquid is infused for a day.
The resulting tincture should be used to wipe the affected nails after steaming them.Do the procedure 3-4 times a day every day until healthy nails grow.
Toenail fungus: home treatment
Now let's look at some time-tested recipes that will help to cope with foot fungus.
1 recipe with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
We will need:
- baking soda (2-5 teaspoons);
- 3% hydrogen peroxide - you need enough to make a liquid paste.
Apply the paste on a cotton pad and apply to the affected skin (including the heel).We wrap everything with a bag or cling film, and socks on top.The more advanced the form of the disease, the longer you need to keep the compress - up to 30 minutes at least.After removing the compress, the feet must be washed, dried well, apply oil (vegetable, olive, coconut) on top and put on socks again - until morning.
Recipe 2 – ointment for fungus
We will need:
- 9% vinegar (½ half liter jar) or vinegar essence;
- butter - 30-40 g;
- egg with shell - 1 pc.
Place a simple egg with the shell into a jar of vinegar.If it is very dirty, it needs to be washed first.Leave in vinegar for 3-5 days.After 5 days it will be soft, the shell will dissolve completely.The only thing that will not dissolve is the film from the egg, which can, for example, be wrapped around the affected nail.However, we do not need it for ointment.
- Remove the eggs to a plate.The yolk should be almost soft boiled.If we use essence, the yellow will be like a rubber ball.
- Rub well.
- Add butter.If we have essence, then we will need more oil - 150 g.Stir everything until well combined.
- Add a few drops of vinegar to the pulp.
- Apply to the entire leg, wrap with film, and put on socks.
Ointment should be used every day, walking with it for 1-2 hours in the morning or evening.The course of the procedure lasts until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Both of these recipes are also suitable for treating nail fungus.
3 recipes using garlic
You can also cure toenail fungus at home using garlic.
Grate garlic and apply it to the foot affected by the fungus, then wrap the foot in cellophane and wear socks.
The procedure may not be very comfortable, and some may experience throbbing pain and cramping.Therefore, it is recommended to make a compress at night.If the sensation is really unpleasant, then you can use onions instead of garlic.By the way, together they "work" better.
Tips to help you recover from fungus faster
Before using any prescription method or treatment, you must:
- go to bed, linen, socks with a hot iron;
- treat the inside of the shoe with a 40% acetic acid solution, then place it in a plastic bag and leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
This manipulation should be done at the beginning of treatment and at the end.If the treatment is long-term, then this should be done every month.
Prevention of fungal infections
These rules will help you avoid fungal infections, so they should be followed for life.
- Do not wear other people's shoes.
- Do not use other people's manicure devices.
- Wash your feet daily and dry your nails and the space between your toes thoroughly.
- Wear clean socks and tights every day.
When things are bad
Treating foot fungus at home and using folk remedies is the easiest, safest, non-toxic way, but not always the most effective.You must remember that if relief does not occur, the disease develops, then you should seek help from a specialist.In most cases, drug antifungal therapy is required, which consists of taking drugs orally and using local antifungal agents (ointments, creams).