Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease of the feet and toenails caused by dermatophytes. Pathology is infectious in nature, a pathogenic parasite - the causative agent of infection spreads throughout the body through the lymphatic and circulatory system.
Nail fungus, like many diseases, can be effectively treated by folk methods. The advantages of treatment by such means are obvious: availability, safety, effectiveness. Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus works like any antiseptic for parasites:
- Vinegar creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nails.
- High acidity is harmful to fungal spores, disrupts the process of growth and reproduction.
Treatment options
Depending on the stage and type of the disease, there are several treatment options for nail fungus:
- In the early stages, while there is a change in the color of the nails, the initial destruction of the structure, the use of folk methods provides sufficient treatment: lotions, baths, ointments.
- If the fungus has developed for a long time, a neglected form is diagnosed, the plate has turned dirty yellow, gray, has become uneven, crumbles along the nail cuts, oral antifungal drugs will have to be added to folk methods.
Basic rules for the use of the drug
Such a simple mechanism makes the treatment of mycosis with apple cider vinegar effective, subject to the rules:
- Careful choice of the essence: the raw materials - apple vinegar - must be natural, without impurities, chemical additives. Apple essence is easy to make at home.
- Take the necessary precautions: prevent the risk of spreading the fungus by strengthening hygiene requirements, use personal items (towels, slippers), wash towels and socks after use.
- Strictly follow the recipe and options for using the medicine.
Method number 1: bathrooms
Baths filled with a composition harmful to the fungus are a proven way to cure the disease. Apple cider vinegar has a high level of destructive effect on the fungus.
Training
Healing baths are prepared for the treatment of fungi as follows:
- We take vinegar (400-800 ml. ), We pour it into a container for the procedure.
- Wash my feet thoroughly, the damaged spots of the nails must first be steamed strongly, cut the seals.
Procedure
- Soak your feet in a filled container, take a bath for 10-15 minutes, dry your feet with a towel, wear socks made from natural materials (preferably cotton).
- In order for the treatment to give results, the first 7 days of the bath must be performed in the morning and in the evening, then every 3 days.
- If there are wounds, cracks on the legs, it is possible that the procedure is painful. To reduce the burning sensation, dilute apple cider vinegar with water (2: 1).
After using the towel, it should be washed thoroughly to prevent the spread of infection.
Method number 2: compress
Tablets with apple cider vinegar and in combination with other ingredients are effective against the development of the fungus.
Collapse options
There are several ways to treat an infection with lotions:
- A cotton swab (gauze) is moistened with apple cider vinegar, applied to the places where the nails are damaged.
- You can cure the infection with a mixture that has the consistency of a paste. In its composition, apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons) is combined with soda (until the desired density is obtained).
- Glycerin is mixed in equal proportions (can be replaced with vegetable oil) with apple cider vinegar. Treatment with this mushroom mixture is recommended for injuries not only of the nails, but also of the skin.
- A compress of alcoholic tincture of iodine (3 drops) with apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon) helps well.
- Good results are achieved by treating the fungus with iodine lotions and a mixture of lemon, soda and water.
Application functionality
It is recommended to apply compresses at night, fixing them on the damaged area. You can put lotions throughout the day - in this case, keep it for at least three hours.
- As a result of the compress, the nail plate softens, which allows it to be removed with scissors.
- Lotions are effective if there is an initial form of nail disease.
- Since vinegar has a drying effect, it is important to use a cream to moisturize the skin of the legs after the end of the lotion session and other procedures.
Method number 3 - ointments and mixtures
In the treatment of fungi, the use of ointments based on apple cider vinegar is effective. Treatment with vinegar ointments, like other folk remedies, requires compliance with the instructions.
Ointment options
Ointments empirically tested against the fungus, the main component of which is apple cider vinegar:
- Finely chop the Kalanchoe leaves (100g) and add the vinegar (1 tsp), honey (10g), eucalyptus oil (30g). Before starting the treatment of the fungus, store the mixture for 3 days in a dark place. The treatment is carried out by lubricating the affected nail.
- To eliminate onychomycosis, the following ointment can be used: dimethyl phthalate, olive oil, glycerin are mixed with vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the ointment at night, wash with laundry soap in the morning.
Vinegar mixes
With the help of these recipes, our distant ancestors successfully fought the infection of the nails, defeated the fungus.
- A mixture of vinegar and honey. You can mix equal parts of honey and vinegar and apply to the affected areas for 20 minutes. Then wash off with warm water.
- Alternate baths with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts of 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part of water).
- A mixture of vinegar with colloidal silver - to enhance the effect on the fungus, a suspension with metal particles is applied to dry feet after a vinegar bath and kept until the mixture dries.
During the healing of the fungus, it is recommended to apply the ointment twice a day. The therapy will be more effective if, before applying the ointment, steam the legs thoroughly and get rid of the thickened part of the nails.
Prevention
It is difficult to cure nail fungus, it is a painstaking process that requires a lot of time and patience. Complicating the fight against the disease is the difficulty of early diagnosis and the vitality of the fungus.
Consequences of undertreated onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is not an aesthetic problem, the consequences of the fungus for a sick person are as follows:
- Nail infection causes a number of complications: allergic skin diseases, bronchial asthma, all kinds of rashes.
- The Academy of Mycology has conducted studies that have shown that the fungus negatively affects the quality of life of a sick person. This is due to psychological problems, not the aesthetic appearance of the affected nails.
- If you don't fight the disease at the first sign of the fungus, your immune system will suffer.
- There is a risk of erysipelas.
- The fungus complicates the course of chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease).
- If you do not start the timely treatment of this nail infection, then there is a high probability of spreading the fungus on the skin of the hands, infecting family members, people around the patient.
How to avoid relapses
To prevent infections or recurrence of mycosis in the legs, it is important to take the following preventive measures:
- Refuse to wear tight, rubbing shoes. Keep your shoes dry: in a humid environment, the risk of a pathological fungus appearing increases.
- When visiting public saunas, swimming pools, beaches, wear rubber slippers and, after returning home, disinfect both shoes and feet in a vinegar bath.
- If your feet sweat, wear socks made from natural materials, use cosmetics.
- Socks, tights, stockings must be changed daily.
- Pay close attention to immunity - this is a common cause of mycosis. Take regular multivitamin courses: twice a year and after illness, taking antibiotics when the body is weakened.