Onychomycosis is a nail fungus that most commonly 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 contracting this unpleasant disease.
Under the influence of a fungal infection, the nail plate is deformed, turns yellow and splits.Without proper treatment, the fungus progresses and can lead to nail removal.In the initial stages of the disease, it is not necessary to use drug treatment;you can get rid of nail fungus with folk remedies at home.
What is the mushroom afraid of?
Fungal nail infections take weeks to heal.To speed up the healing process, you should know that the pathogenic microorganism is afraid of:
- acidic environment;
- bleach;
- special natural antifungal and antimycotic agents;
- high temperatures - when heated above +75 ̊ C for 20 minutes, mycosis dies.
Therefore, during the treatment of toenail fungus, you should carefully treat indoor and outdoor shoes, wash socks and sheets at temperatures above 75 ̊ C.
Treatment of nail fungus at home
In untreated cases, you can seek help from traditional medicine.Essential oils, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, and medicinal herbs are time-tested remedies that help get rid of toenail fungus quickly.
Birch tar
This safe medicine 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, soap your toes liberally and leave for 5-10 minutes.The course of treatment lasts 10-17 days.
A solution of birch tar works most effectively.80 ml of glycerin and the same amount of birch tar are diluted in 100 ml of ethyl alcohol.The resulting preparation is generously lubricated on the nail plates twice a day.
Garlic
This plant has pronounced antimicrobial and antifungal properties.It can be used alone, in the form of crushed pulp or in combination with other means.Garlic ointment and tincture work most effectively.
To prepare the garlic ointment, select a fresh, juicy head of garlic and grind its cloves into a pulp.The resulting mass is poured with 2 tablespoons.l.sunflower oil.The product is generously lubricated on the affected and adjacent nails and on the skin around the source of infection.Treated fingers are wrapped with a bandage and left in this form until morning.To get a solution, mix freshly squeezed garlic and ethyl alcohol in equal parts.The composition is injected for 2-3 days, after which it is used to treat the affected nails.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil works faster 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 preferable to make foot baths 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, foot baths will bring effect only after 1-2 months.
vinegar
Despite the fact that vinegar is well-known in the fight against nail fungus, it helps only in the initial stages, when the fungal spores have not yet penetrated deep into the nail plate.
Before using vinegar, it is recommended to cut the affected areas of the nails so that the acid penetrates deeper into the site of infection.6% table vinegar is mixed in equal parts with warm water and the feet are immersed in the resulting bath for about half an hour.The procedure is carried out every day for at least two weeks.
Salicylic acid
This inexpensive pharmaceutical product is very effective in the fight against mycosis.To fight nail fungus, it is better to buy a 5% solution of salicylic acid, for skin treatment - 1%.
A cotton swab or disk is generously moistened with the product and the affected nail plate is treated.The procedure is repeated twice a day for a week.Then you should take a seven-day break and, if necessary, repeat the course of treatment.
Iodine
Iodine treatment can be performed only if there is no mechanical damage or cracks in the toes.Before applying the product, cut the nail as short as possible.A cotton swab is generously moistened with iodine and applied to the infected nail plate and adjacent nails.The 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 it with hydrogen peroxide.
Celandine
Treating nail plates with celandine juice is a dirty but effective way to get rid of nail fungus.Infected areas are smeared with freshly squeezed plant juice, wrapped with a bandage and left for 4 hours.The procedure is repeated every day until the therapeutic effect is achieved.
If you cannot cure nail fungus at home, consult a doctor for help.For an accurate diagnosis, you will need to take a test to determine the type of pathogen and the degree of onychomycosis.After that, the doctor will prescribe a comprehensive drug treatment, including external and internal agents.In advanced cases, it may be necessary to remove the nail plate.