Modern methods of treating toenail fungus

Nail fungus or mycosis is an extremely unpleasant and unfortunately very common disease. Mycosis refers to chronic, intractable pathologies - sometimes it is not possible to find an effective cure for nail fungus for months or even years. The symptoms disappear for a while, everything seems to be back and the nails are healthy. But after a few weeks, the nail plate turns yellow again, thickens, begins to crumble - and again you have to look for remedies for nail fungus, to suffer from itching, discomfort and odor.

Finding effective drugs to treat toenail fungus is necessary not only because the affected feet do not look well maintained and repulsive. The constant presence of a fungal infection in the body negatively affects the state of the immune system, the general well-being of a person and can become a stimulus for the development of other, no less unpleasant and more dangerous pathologies. Pharmacies offer a huge selection of different nail fungus medications at very different prices. They all have different composition and mechanism of action, which are most appropriate, in most cases you need to determine by trial and error.

A good remedy for nail fungus on the hands and feet costs a lot. To avoid unnecessary costs and not start the disease, it is worth preparing before going to the pharmacy. Namely - to find out what types of antifungal drugs exist today, what is their difference, how they work and are used. And, of course, you should definitely consult your doctor. Adhering to his recommendations or not is a personal matter for everyone, but at least he will diagnose and identify the pathogen accurately.

The main types of antifungal drugs

All drugs offered in pharmacies for the treatment of mild foot are divided into two broad categories according to the method of administration:

• external - ointments, creams, varnishes;
• internal - tablets and capsules.

To find the most effective and best remedy against toenail fungus, you need to identify the pathogen. Different mushrooms are sensitive to different drugs, so it is so important to visit a doctor. Otherwise, the treatment can be stretched indefinitely, leading to deterioration of the nail and unnecessary waste.

Each group has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is worth looking at each in more detail and assessing the effectiveness of the most common drugs from them, based on the opinion of doctors and patient feedback.

Azole remedies for toenail fungus

These toenail fungal products may contain substances such as triazole or imidazole. They work in two directions:

• destroys the spores of the fungus and thus stops its spread;
• destroy the cells of the fungus itself.

These drugs can be produced in various forms for both external and internal use. Tablets and capsules are taken from 1 to 4-5 pieces per day for 3-14 days, ointments and creams are rubbed into the nail plates in courses of the same duration.

Pros of azoles

• Effective against almost all types of fungi - yeast-like yeast, moldy.
• Suitable for long-term treatment - up to three months or more.
• Available in a wide price range.

cons

• Oral medications can have side effects.
• Some are expensive.
• Relapses are not ruled out even after complex treatment.

Nevertheless, many patients in this category find the most effective treatment for nail fungus. Such drugs received the best reviews and recommendations.

Introduction

Only a complete treatment can get rid of toenail fungus.

For a positive result, you need to apply several methods to control fungal injections.Only the right approach will quickly get rid of the disease.

Diagnosis of athlete's foot

Diagnosing the disease is easy and you can do it at home. Examine the nails and the space between the fingers carefully - itching, redness, transparency of the nail plate, burning sensation, discoloration of the nail are signs of the disease.

You can also diagnose in another way, dilute potassium permanganate to a light purple color and wet your nails in it - healthy nail plates will be stained and patients will remain unchanged. As soon as the problem is discovered, the question of the treatment of the fungus arises and then everyone decides for himself.

Start treating the disease at home using folk remedies or pharmaceuticals, or go to the doctor.Our advice is to consult a specialist, only a doctor can prescribe the right, comprehensive treatment that will lead to positive results.

What to expect from a trip to the hospital if a fungus is found:

1. A dermatologist will carefully examine the fungus under a microscope.
2. Shows the focus of the infection.
3. Identify the cause of the disease.
4. Will make an accurate diagnosis according to the tests performed.
5. Prescribe treatment.

It should be noted that the diagnosis is completely painless; skin flakes and particles from a diseased nail are taken for analysis.

The main types (schemes, courses) of complex therapy for onychomycosis

In the treatment of fungus is used only complex therapy with the use of various drugs and agents that will enhance the action of the other.

A qualified specialist develops an individual treatment regimenbased on the characteristics of the patient's body, the type of pathogen and the state of development of the fungal infection.

Improper treatment of nail fungus can lead to the following consequences:

• decreased immunity;
• the appearance of eczema on the skin of the feet;
• allergies;
• If an infection enters the bloodstream, the fungus can infect the internal organs.

The quick action to remove the fungal infection from the body contributes to the effective treatment of the fungus. There are many varieties of the causative agent andcan only be detected in the laboratory, therefore, when he contacts a dermatologist, he takes particles from a diseased nail.

At the last stage, it is very difficult to get rid of the infection because it has penetrated deep enough into the body. At this stage, the nail plates become thickened and brittle, and the skin around them is deformed. In this situation, recovery depends on the dermatologist's correct approach to treatment and the patient's actions.

Antifungal varnishes and plasters: types and degree of effectiveness

Special plasters, often recommended by mycologists, will help to quickly destroy fungal spores.

The patch softens the affected nail, making it easier to remove later.

Removing nail plates and treating fungus with patches is quite effective, but you should consult a specialist before use, as the use of a patch will not relieve recurrence if the disease has penetrated deep into the body.

In addition to plasters, a large number of varnishes have been developed that effectively fight nail fungus. The following popular and effective varnishes will help treat onychomycosis:

If the fungus is not cured, another treatment must be found.

Preparations that painlessly remove damaged nails

Now in the pharmacy you can buy drugs that help to quickly and painlessly remove an inflamed nail, but they must be used strictly in accordance with the instructions.

Tablets against onychomycosis

If the fungal lesions have grown strongly, then the use of only external drugs will be useless, you must take antifungal drugs inside.

Creams and ointments

Medical studies have shown that ointments and creams for the treatment of nail fungus are not effective enough, as they do not penetrate the nail plate and wear out quickly.

But do not completely exclude these drugs from the treatment regimen, they can significantly help as an additional treatment or as a prophylaxis.

Doctors prescribe creams and ointments to prevent recurrence.

Tea tree oil is often used to treat fungus that can be used alone or added to foot cream.

Has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal action. The course of treatment is very long and the main rule for a positive effect is the regularity of use.

Traditional therapy

Despite the fact that many drugs have been developed to treat fungal infections, it is not so easy to get rid of this disease. That is why folk methods of treating the fungus are often used in conjunction with drugs.

Garlic

This ingredient is often used in many folk recipes for the treatment of fungus. Can be used alone or with some components.

The easiest way, but quite effective, is to rub freshly squeezed garlic juice into a sore nail. This process should be repeated at least 5 times a day - apply the juice with a cotton swab. The course of treatment is long - until full recovery. If the disease progresses, then experts recommend taking extra tablets of nystatin and Clotrimazole ointment.

Acetic acid

Vinegar not only effectively fights fungal infections, but also has the following properties:

• antimicrobial effect;
• disinfection of the skin around the nail;
• fungistatic and antiseptic action.

The principle of action of vinegar essence on fungi and mycoses is to penetrate the affected area and destroy spores from fungal infection.

As a result of long-term use,fungal colonies are completely destroyed by acid.

Compresses of 8 times dilute acetic acid are used for treatment, a bandage is required at night.

Onion and lemon

There are many popular onion-based recipes for treating nail fungus. You can take onions, peel them, squeeze the juice and process the nail plates. This method is often used at night, but since the product does not require rinsing, it can be applied in the morning.

There is another recipe, you have to grate the peeled onion, put the porridge on your feet, then wrap it in cellophane and put on warm socks. The compress is left overnight, and in the morning they wash their feet with soap to remove the stubborn smell of onions.

And if you combine lemon and onion, you can enhance the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect of the drug. Grate the onion in the mash and add lemon juice to it. Apply these masks at night. Improvement in the condition can be observed after a few days. But the most important thing is the frequency - the use of the drug for a long time until it heals completely.

General antifungal prophylaxis

The fungus can be infected in public places such as baths, saunas, lounges. To prevent this problem, you should take the following precautions:

• do not wear shoes that are sized, this can lead to ingrown nail plate and the development of a fungal infection;
• if you sweat your feet excessively, you should not wear sneakers and running shoes;
• don't try on shoes in the store without socks;
• do not wear slippers when visiting;
• regularly dry and disinfect shoes;
• do not wear synthetic socks;
• pedicure or manicure should be done in professional salons, where special attention is paid to the disinfection of the instrument;
• for severe dry skin on the feet, apply emollient creams.

Top 10 best folk remedies for nail fungus

Early stages of fungal infections do not always require medication. Sometimes you can deal with them with the help of time-tested folk remedies. These treatments are considered safe for human health. In parallel, they demonstrate a clearly visible effect of treatment, of course, provided they are used correctly.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is an incredibly powerful natural antiseptic that can fight fungal pathogens. It is most effective to use natural oil, as it has excellent anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties. As for cosmetic oil (40%), it actually has no effect. Using a cheap analogue, you will lose only valuable time, allowing the disease to spread even more.

The treatment with tea tree oil is as follows:

• First you need to get rid of excessive sweating and clean your feet in general. To do this, prepare warm water and add a few drops of oil. The feet should be washed thoroughly, paying special attention to the toes and nails. Do not miss any area of your skin during the cleansing procedure.
• The feet should be well dried with a clean towel. Then you need to apply dosed oil on all affected nail plates and rub it gently. Wait for the product to dry completely. Do not do anything during this time, let your feet "breathe". For greater effectiveness, the oil should be applied to the skin around the nails.

Treatment with tea tree oil is incredibly simple, but requires regularity. The product should be applied 2 times a day for two months. Before each rubbing in the oil, the feet should be steamed with warm water with the addition of a substance.

Vinegar, garlic, peroxide - cheap home remedies

For the treatment of nail fungus, the most commonly used apple cider vinegar.Everyone knows that this solution perfectly disinfects and kills bacteria. Thus, it is possible to perform therapy with this tool with great success, but you need to know some of the intricacies of its use, namely:

• Vinegar must be natural;
• Vinegar is not used to treat fungus in its pure form, it must be diluted;
• if you have overly sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions, then it is better to refuse to use the product.

Vinegar gives the best results in the following variants:

• Trays - To prepare 2-4 cups of vinegar, dilute in warm water. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes. It should be done at least 2 times a day for two weeks. In the future, the procedure is repeated once every 3 days until complete recovery.
• Lotions - cotton swab or sponge soaked in diluted vinegar (ratio 1: 2) and applied to the affected nail. This type of compress should be fixed and held for about 20-30 minutes.
• Ointments - show good results when combined with other products. To make it you need to take olive oil, glycerin and dimethyl phthalate and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The ingredients must be well mixed. Apply this ointment to treat the fungus 2 times a day until it is completely eliminated.

Garlicis a very specific remedy for fungus, which is not suitable for everyone and not for everyone. Porridge made from garlic helps best. It should be applied to the affected nail and wrapped tightly with polyethylene for 1-2 hours. However, such a drug often provokes burns and causes redness of sensitive skin. You can get rid of nail fungus using this method of treatment for 2 months.

Nail fungus therapywith hydrogen peroxideis an affordable method, which, unfortunately, does not always give significant results. This method of treatment is most preferred in the very early stages of the disease. For the peroxide to work properly, the feet must first be steamed well with hot water with the addition of soda (1 teaspoon of the substance per 1 liter). In the future, each affected nail should be carefully treated with peroxide. You should repeat this procedure at least 2-3 times a day. It should be noted that this method gives the best results in combination with other methods of therapy.

Apricot resin

Not many people know that apricot gum really has beneficial and healing properties. Most often this substance can be found in places of damage to the bark, it accumulates and hardens in the form of small transparent drops with a dark yellow color. The resin must be collected by careful cutting with a knife.

Resin is an excellent remedy for fungus when used properly. 1 tablespoon of the substance is poured into 250 ml. vodka for 3 days. The resulting product is used to lubricate nails that have been affected by the disease.

Strong coffee

It has excellent healing properties. Only real coffee beans are suitable for fungal therapy. The soluble version of this drink is not suitable for treatment. Trays based on coffee beans show the best efficiency.

Ground coffee beans should be brewed to high strength. Wait for the water to cool slightly and dip your feet in the resulting solution. You need to last 10-15 minutes. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure, but wait until the liquid is completely absorbed and dries. Such treatment is performed at least once a day.

Lotions with anesthetic solution

Allows to stop the spread of mycosis in the early stages. For therapy it is enough to buy an anesthetic drug in ampoules at a pharmacy and use it as a lotion on the affected area of the nail. Several procedures allow you to get rid of the disease completely.

Effective only in the earliest stages of fungal infection. It is necessary to lubricate the affected nail plate with iodine. You should not get too carried away, as this drug has a detrimental effect on the condition of the skin. It is advisable to lubricate the adjacent fingers with Vaseline to avoid irritation.

celandine

Celery juice is an aggressive substance that can literally burn the fungus. You should use a fresh plant after you have lubricated your nails with hydrogen peroxide. If you are afraid of burns, it is advisable to use celandine oil, which can be successfully purchased at any pharmacy.

Tricks for successful fight against toenail fungus

To fight the fungus quickly and effectively, there are a few simple but very important rules you need to know:

1. Washing feet.Before applying the medicine on the affected nail, the feet should be rinsed thoroughly with warm water and laundry soap. Then you need to steam the feet with the affected nail in warmer water for 5-7 minutes. This will allow the drugs to penetrate the steamed tissue as deeply as possible. The main thing to remember is that steaming the feet in hot water is contraindicated in case of hypotension, varicose veins and high temperatures.
2. Nail care.It is very important to monitor the regrowth of the diseased nail. As the nail plate grows, it will need to be trimmed. In this way, it is possible to ensure maximum access of the drug to the tissues damaged by the fungus.
3. Skin treatment.Treatment requires not only the nail, but also the soft tissues located around. The treatment should extend 1 cm around the nail. You should apply the medicine carefully, smearing all the most inaccessible places.
4. Timely visit to the doctor.In particularly difficult situations, when the fungus returns repeatedly, it is worth contacting a doctor. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to cure this disease on your own. In addition, some types of medications may simply not be appropriate and it is quite difficult to choose the necessary medications yourself.
5. Tool care.When performing a manicure or pedicure, as well as cutting an inflamed nail, you should use only sterilized instruments. These tools should be treated with antiseptic "before" and "after" each procedure. In addition, the scissors, forceps and files used to care for a sore nail must be kept strictly separate from other manicure tools.

Using these simple rules, you can cure nail fungus much faster.

Conclusion

Fungus is a nasty disease and is quite difficult to cure without complex therapy. For the best effect you should use not only external, pharmaceutical and folk remedies, but also treatment with pills. The right approach and treatment regimen will help you get rid of the fungal infection forever.

Nail fungus can significantly impair a person's quality of life. The disease leads to severe itching, burning in the affected area and even loss of the nail. Therefore, medicines for fungus on the nails of the hands (nails) should be applied immediately after the detection of the problem. In this way, the best and most effective treatment can be achieved.

Choosing the right one is not always easy. Many who have encountered mushrooms for the first time are careless and use little proven folk remedies as therapy.

Only a doctor can prescribe a really effective treatment for nail fungus. So the likelihood of getting rid of the problem increases significantly. However, there are a number of proven remedies that ensure the elimination of nail fungus in the shortest possible time. This applies not only to medicines, but also to traditional medicine.