The question of how to cure nail fungus is asked by many, but not everyone chooses the right solution to this problem and turns exclusively to traditional medicine. The use of homemade products can sometimes be useful, but it is better to trust the specialists and not experience your own health.
Another misconception is the hypothesis that nail fungus is not a serious disease that should be treated immediately, but this is far from true. Fungus or onychomycosis occurs in connection with the spread of bacteria on the corneal plaque and if they do not prevent its spread, the infection will penetrate into all surrounding tissues and into the body. In this case, you will have to decide not how soon the nail fungus should be cured, but how to save the limb and general health.
How the fungus manifests itself
In the early stages, it is much easier to cope with the infection. It is possible to do without the use of special therapeutic agents and prevent the destruction of the nail, leading to the complete or partial removal of the horny plaque.
In principle, anyone who pays attention to their feet and regularly takes care of their toes can detect a fungal infection. This is evidenced by the following signs:
- The appearance of areas that differ from the natural color of the nail. What the changes will be depends on the type of infection. These can be light streaks or brown and yellow "dots". Other nuances are likely to form, which should be a reason for finding out the reason for the appearance of such changes;
- Fragility. If the nail is crumbling, flaking off, it is most likely time to decide how to cure the nail fungus. In some cases, brittle nails are caused by other diseases, vitamin deficiencies and poor nutrition, therefore, in any case, a specialist consultation will not hurt;
- Deformation of the horny plate. The growth of bacteria, the absence of treatment leads to significant changes of the nail, it is noticeably deformed. Not only does the appearance of the foot get worse, but there is also discomfort when walking in shoes;
- Itching, pain in the affected area;
- Bad smell. It is highly undesirable to bring the condition of the nails to the stage when a specific smell is already emitted, there are signs of suppuration, an inflammatory process. Such symptoms may already indicate not only that it is time to cure nail fungus, but also to take measures to save the body from spreading the infection.
The signs have different manifestations depending on the development of the nail disease, which has led to the appropriate classification of mycosis lesions:
- 1st stage. An initial degree, which can only be detected by a very careful person or a specialist dermatologist. Small changes in color, slight itching is possible;
- II stage. The nail can deform, the color changes, the stratum corneum is partially destroyed. There is still an opportunity to cure nail fungus without surgery, but the delay will only aggravate the situation;
- III stage. It is considered to be one of the advanced degrees of fungal infection. It is no longer necessary to treat only the nail, but possibly the surrounding tissues, as well as the root itself, since at this stage the infection is very deep. Various inflammations, suppurations and so on can become concomitant factors. It is very dangerous to bring the condition of the legs to such an advanced stage, as the treatment will require significant physical and financial costs, and there is no guarantee that the restored nail will be uniform.
What can be the treatment for a foot fungus
Modern drugs on the market of medical products against various types of infections allow you to effectively treat the fungus at home. Depending on the stage, type and extent of the infection, the optimal drug can be chosen.
In addition, some drugs have a complex effect, their use allows not only to solve the problem of how to cure nail fungus, but also to stimulate cell regeneration and accelerate healing.
Among the many drugs that are actively advertised, have positive reviews or are simply recommended for nail diseases, the following subgroups can be distinguished:
- Lucky. It is recommended to use the paint as an additional treatment, for example, during a period when it is not possible to use ointment, compress or other external means. There are paints that contribute to the gradual exfoliation of the affected area, which is necessary for better penetration of active compounds to destroy the infection. The main advantage of paints is the ability to mask the fungus, since a decorative paint can be temporarily applied to the medicinal paint. Reviews of such solutions are contradictory: it is not recommended to use paint in advanced stages;
- Drops. Solutions are applied to the clean nail, or even after removing it, so that the active compounds penetrate the site of infection. Prescribed in combination with other drugs, if there is significant damage to the nail;
- Ointments and creams. The most diverse assortment of drugs is special ointments and creams. They differ not only in efficiency, complex of action, but also in price. As part of each drug, the active ingredients, concentration and possible side effects are indicated. Since bacteria that differ in the types of action (yeast, dermatophytes) can provoke the fungus, the methods of dealing with them must be chosen accordingly. There are ointments and creams of complex action, that is, their use is allowed for various infections. In addition to blocking the spread of the infection, the ointment can help with better healing. The purpose of such drugs is varied, from the fact that it is advisable to use them to remove the nail and ends with the usual prevention. In this regard, it is better to visit a specialist before use, find out reviews, carefully read the instructions for getting rid of the fungus in the near future;
- Patches. They are mainly used for partial or complete nail removal. With advanced stages, such a procedure is necessary, since it is impossible to restore a diseased nail. The patch is impregnated with special substances that slowly dissolve the stratum corneum affected by the infection. After several applications, it is enough to clean the nail from exfoliated particles and apply medicinal ointment. All of this is easy to do at home;
- Oral preparations. If the infection has spread not only to a nail, but there is a risk of the infection entering the body, it is advisable to use special medications. In practice, such treatment is mainly prescribed in stage III. In addition to suspensions or antifungal tablets, a vitamin-mineral complex can be prescribed to maintain the functions of the whole body, improve the properties of immunity.
In addition to home treatment, you can use hardware to get rid of the fungus. These include laser therapy, cosmetic procedures combined with the application of solutions to eliminate the source of infection, restore the nail in a natural way.
You can choose a drug for the treatment of the fungus that appeared on the nails by itself. This is facilitated by the media, advertising in pharmacies, advice from a pharmacist, reviews on the Internet. In order not to be mistaken, the best option is to see a doctor. But even in this case, you can ask for alternative treatment, since there are funds with a similar composition, but significantly different in cost, complex of action on the disease.
If the drug is chosen correctly, improvements will be noticeable after a while. When pulsation appears, redness, onychomycosis already progresses in other areas, an unpleasant smell becomes noticeable, so you should immediately contact a specialist. With such phenomena, further self-medication can be dangerous.
Traditional medicine in the fight against nail fungus
A few decades ago there were no universal remedies for the complex treatment of a fungus, there was no way to find out about drug reviews, and therefore recipes of traditional medicine were mainly used. Particularly appreciated was iodine, which is still an excellent preventive solution against the spread of infections of various origins. Among the most common methods of treating mycosis at home, there are:
- Hot baths. Solutions are prepared with a variety of components, but their action is mainly aimed at softening the affected area, disinfecting it. A good effect can be achieved with a bath of sea salt, diluted vinegar, celandine, weak potassium permanganate. Each of the options has a certain effect, there is a possibility of allergic reactions. Often, after such procedures, it is recommended to mechanically clean the nail (with a special brush, pumice stone), apply iodine or a special medical antifungal drug;
- Vinegar. It is believed that a vinegar solution copes well with such injuries, the main thing is to dilute the suspension in the right proportions and not burn the already injured tissue;
- Compress. A variety of products are used for such procedures. It is a baking powder diluted with water, potatoes, garlic, chopped onions, aloe leaves, mouthwash, mountain ash and so on. When carrying out such experiments, it is necessary to understand a number of serious consequences, including an acquired allergy, burns or the most harmless result - no effect;
- Essential oils, herbal decoctions. Essential oil, especially tea tree oil, is a natural antiseptic. It can be used during the treatment period, as well as as a preventive or cosmetic treatment for the feet. Marjoram, eucalyptus oil are also used;
- Salicylic acid can be used to combat nail fungus, but mainly in the early stages of lesion development.
The feasibility of using self-prepared drugs at home is controversial. Since for some such treatment ends successfully, while for others it leads to a prolonged recovery not only of the nail, but also of health in general.
Preventing nail fungus or how not to infect others
Knowing some rules will help reduce the risk of an unpleasant nail infection, as well as protect loved ones and other people from infection, if the question of how to treat mycosis has already been decided.
The basic rules for fungal protection and prevention include:
- Regular hygiene, individual washing services;
- Use of special slippers in public places (saunas, swimming pools);
- Strengthen the immune system. The weakened body is unable to fight the infection and the infection spreads;
- Periodic cleaning and disinfection of shoes, especially if your feet sweat often;
- Cleaning socks should be changed daily, preference should be given to natural fabrics;
- Thoroughly clean your feet after water procedures, high humidity provokes the development of fungus;
- Use only your shoes, your clothes;
- Periodic disinfection of pedicure or manicure tools and, of course, only their individual use. If we compare professional studies, then special sterilizers are used for these purposes;
- Proper foot care. It is necessary not only to regularly clean the feet with special devices, but also to nourish the skin of the feet and nails. If possible, you should visit beauty salons where professional nail treatment is performed, additional nutrition of the horny plates and skin.
These simple rules, accuracy and attention to your health will help protect you from further problems with mycosis treatment. Similar rules must be followed if the disease is already being treated. This will help prevent other people's infection and speed up the healing process.
If a fungus infection has occurred, it may not appear immediately, sometimes after several months. It is important to timely detect the formation of an outbreak of infection and take measures that will help maintain the health and beauty of the legs.