Toenail fungus is the most common and most unpleasant disease. A fungal infection of the feet and nails may not cause significant harm to health, but it causes a weakened immune system and unpleasant painful sensations.
Nail fungus is able to concentrate poisonous toxins in the body, which multiply during the growth of pathogenic fungi, causing slow poisoning of the body, can cause an allergic reaction or exacerbate chronic diseases. As a result, the metabolic processes in the body are disturbed, immunity decreases, the general physical condition worsens, and sensitivity to various negative environmental influences increases.
In this article you will learn what fungal spores are, the causes of this unpleasant disease, symptoms and signs of damage, how to treat toenail fungus at home, what preventative measures must be followed to avoid infection.
Why does mycosis fungal occur on the toenails?
The occurrence of a fungal infection can provoke:
- foot injuries in the form of cracks and abrasions, which can be the result of a pedicure procedure or as a result of wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes;
- corns and calluses on the feet;
- poor irregular foot care;
- decreased immunity;
- long-term use of antibiotics and similar drugs with effects on the body during treatment;
- excessive sweating of the foot;
Decreased immunity and protective functions of the body can provoke a fungal disease, but they are not the main factor in the onset of the disease.
First of all, the infection occurs:
- domestic way from contact with a sick person, most often a close relative, through ordinary slippers or shoes, through household items - washcloths, sponges, carpets;
- in the sauna, bathroom, swimming pool and on the beach. A large crowd of people and a humid environment contribute to the spread of fungal diseases;
- in any place where people walk without shoes. The spores of the fungus are able to withstand changes in temperature from low to very high and remain for a long time in the sand, on the surfaces of the paths of the sidewalks, on the upper surfaces of the tank;
- when wearing someone else's shoes, in which pathogenic viral microflora can live and multiply;
- wearing stockings or socks made of synthetic materials that do not allow the passage of air create a favorable microclimate for infection with a fungus;
- constant use of false nails makes it impossible for the nail plate to breathe, which also contributes to mycosis infection;
Symptoms of fungal infection of the nails and feet
- dryness, itching, redness and peeling of the feet;
- the appearance on the sole and between the fingers of small itchy vesicles, the formation of calluses is possible;
- the appearance of diaper rash of the legs due to increased sweating;
- change the shape and color of the nail. The spores of the fungus penetrate the nail plate and gradually take root there. The structure of the nail becomes heterogeneous, brittle, with an uneven surface. In the places of defeat, light or yellow and hollow spots appear under them;
- under the influence of poisonous toxins produced by fungal spores, the legs sweat a lot, a strong unpleasant smell appears;
- an increase in body temperature is possible.
If there are cracks, itching, diaper rash, an unpleasant smell on the feet, a change in the shape of the nail and the appearance of white or yellow spots on its surface and voids under them, there is a direct reason to contact a dermatologist for detailed advice and a treatment regimen. The dermatologist will tell you everything about the treatment of toenail fungus at home and will prescribe the drugs suitable for each specific case, as well as give advice on the use of traditional medicine.
Symptoms of the disease and the nature of the lesion depend on the type of fungal fungus:
- type of mycosis - vesicular, begins to affect the lower part of the foot, is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles and fluid-filled blisters and additional attack of bacteria - pathogens;
- type of mycosis - membranous, characterized by the appearance on the skin between the fingers of small rashes of a red rash and the appearance of painful cracks;
- type of mycosis - similar to a moccasin, in which mycosis affects the skin of the foot, starting at the heel and ending with the toes. The lesion is accompanied by painful sensations, the skin of the foot thickens, cracks and itching appear.
Most often, the fungal spores from the sole of the foot pass to the nails, the fungus takes root and grows in the nail, affecting it. A fungal infection negatively affects the entire body, inhibits its functions and can cause allergic reactions.
Toenail fungus treatment at home: preparations against mycosis
The most effective treatment for toenail fungus at home is a complex combination of special drugs against mycosis and folk remedies. First, we will talk about what drugs are used in the treatment of toenail fungus, later about folk methods.
Medicines should be used strictly according to the instructions, dosing them constantly and accurately. For the treatment of mycosis, there are special antifungal drugs in the required dosages. With advanced cases and extensive lesions, the fungus can be eliminated in stages, with a certain temporary pause between courses of treatment.
It is possible to cure a fungus by a medical method with the help of inexpensive and very effective drugs. Means against mycosis are available in the form of ointment, gel and varnish, which must be applied to the surface of the nail several times a day. The spores of the fungus are very resistant to various influences on it, in order to get rid of them completely, you will need to periodically change the drug treatment regimen and alternate between drugs and traditional medicine.
Toenail fungus treatment with folk remedies at home
Toenail fungus treatment with folk remedies at home is periodic treatment of the areas affected by the fungus with special natural remedies. It is known that mycosis is afraid of acid, and the treatment of the fungus with the help of nature is based on this fact. The most effective natural remedies are vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, propolis, baking soda, iodine, garlic, kombucha. These are only the means that negatively affect the pathogenic flora of the fungus and are able to cope with them.
Toenail fungus treatment with vinegar
Vinegar treatment is carried out using lotions with a specially made composition of vinegar, alcohol and glycerin. The proportions of the ratio of the components are taken in the appropriate quantities -2/2/1. A cotton ball or cotton swab dipped in a solution is applied to the nail plate affected by the fungus and held for a certain time, then the feet should be dried with a clean towel or napkin and only after a while rinse the feet with warm water. Lotions should be applied for two weeks to a month, depending on the complexity of the lesion. In the process of such treatment, the infected nail begins to exfoliate and gradually disappears, and a new healthy nail grows in its place.
Important! To avoid burning the skin around the diseased nail, it is recommended to lubricate the skin with any vegetable oil before applying the lotion.
Treatment of nail fungus with baking soda
Treatment with baking soda is carried out in the same way as vinegar, for this you need to prepare a fresh solution of baking soda, dip a cotton swab into it and put it for a while on the affected nail, then remove the disc and clean the nail thoroughly with a dry towel.
Hydrogen peroxide against nail fungus
Treatment with hydrogen peroxide is carried out as follows: the peroxide must be poured into the voids under the platinum of the nail, where the fungus has taken root. The aggressive and disinfecting environment of the peroxide perfectly destroys the fungal spores and helps to quickly get rid of the disease.
Iodine
A good effect is given by iodine treatment, which must be applied to the nail plate several times a day, and the fungal cavities must also be treated with iodine.
Propolis
In the treatment of the fungus with propolis, compresses of propolis and alcohol tincture help well. The packs should be applied daily and kept for some time, then rinse the feet with warm water. Such treatment should be carried out until a positive result is obtained and the nail renews itself.
Other folk methods in the treatment of nail fungus
- Another effective but somewhat complicated recipe is to apply a mixture of one teaspoon of methyl phthalate, one tablespoon of vinegar, one teaspoon of vegetable oil and two raw eggs to the affected area. Mix all components thoroughly and refrigerate until completely used. Apply a compress from the mixture to the nail, wrap your finger with plastic wrap, put on a wool sock. Hold for at least thirty minutes.
- As a homeopathic remedy, a living organism, Kombucha, helps well. For the whole night, put a piece of kombucha on the affected nail and cover this place with plastic wrap. Kombucha has an acidic environment and copes well with fungal spores.
- A good result is obtained by treating the affected surface daily with finely grated garlic. Garlic juice is a natural disinfectant and works great for fungal spores.
Toenail fungus treatment at home should be done regularly and methodically. If a microscopic proportion of spores remain under the nail, the fungus will start growing again and all treatment will have to be started over.
To avoid infection with a fungus of the nail plate and skin of the feet, it is necessary to follow preventive measures, which we will talk about later.
Disease prevention
- In order to avoid primary infection or reinfection with mycosis, it is necessary to regularly and thoroughly process all manicure tools and accessories. If the manicure or pedicure procedure takes place in a beauty salon, then make sure that the master does not use tools that were not processed after another person.
- Periodically clean your shoes with disinfectants such as vinegar or formalin. To get the best therapeutic effect on shoe disinfection, mix these products well with each other and perform the treatment.
- From time to time, disinfect common household and household items by boiling them in a soapy solution. For the solution, a combination of water, laundry soap and a small amount of baking soda is preferable;
- Visit of the bathroom, sauna and swimming pool only in special rubber slippers or flip-flops.
- Have individual bathroom accessories: washcloth, sponge and towel.
- Regularly observe the hygiene of the feet with the help of water procedures. As often as possible, make foot baths with warm water, in which it is good to add a crystal of potassium permanganate or a teaspoon of baking soda as a disinfectant.
- Do not try, let alone wear someone else's shoes, as they are considered to be the best carrier of fungal diseases.
Successful treatment of toenail fungus at home is possible only if all the recommendations of a dermatologist are followed, with strict adherence to the treatment regimen and the use of drugs, careful observance of the cleansing of lesions and the regular conduct of all necessary disinfection procedures. It is imperative to follow preventive measures and be patient, as nail fungus is an insidious and intractable disease.