There are many ways to get rid of nail fungus. The treatment is performed with external preparations, tablets, laser, folk remedies. The duration of therapy depends on the stage of the disease, the extent of the lesion.
Traditional methods of treating onychomycosis
Fungal nail infection is the most common dermatological disease. Women, men of all ages suffer from pathology, but the chances of getting sick after 60 years increase. Occupational therapy is aimed at eliminating unpleasant symptoms, suppressing the growth of pathological fungi and repairing damaged tissues.
The treatment is complex, complex, long. To get rid of nail fungus, it is necessary to understand the root cause, eliminate the influence of negative factors and increase the protective functions of the body. It is not enough just to take an antifungal drug, to apply the ointment to the affected tissue.
The range of therapeutic products is extremely rich. The disease is so common that it is quite difficult to determine the most effective drug in the pharmacy list of analogues.
Therapeutic nail polishes
The products are in great demand due to their convenience and ease of use. The varnish containing active ingredients on the surface of the nail plate creates a protective film, provides constant contact with the medicinal components. The duration of therapy is about a month. The varnish can be used as a stand-alone treatment for mycosis in the early stages of the disease or as part of a complex therapy to improve the effect.
It is recommended to use a special varnish for the treatment of onychomycosis of the hands for 6 months without interruption, on the feet - one year.
Antifungal creams, ointments
Combined drugs have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, disinfectant, restorative, antipruritic, decongestant properties. The additional substances create favorable conditions for rapid regeneration of damaged tissues, promote deep penetration of active substances, strengthen the nail and eliminate peeling of the affected epidermis.
The action of external agents is limited to the site of application. The active components practically do not penetrate into the bloodstream. This reduces the risk of side effects, but reduces the effectiveness of complex mycosis diseases, when it is necessary to destroy the fungus throughout the body.
Cream, ointment is used twice a day every day for 10-14 days. On the recommendation of a specialist, the course can be extended. Some medicines contain hormones from the glucocorticosteroid group. Thanks to this component, the painful symptoms disappear faster, the damaged tissues recover, but prolonged use is excluded, use without the appointment of a dermatologist.
Proper use of drugs involves preliminary preparatory procedures. Steam the skin, soften the nail plate with a healing bath, which is taken for at least 15 minutes. Remove the affected areas of skin, nails, grind the surface with a nail file. Disinfect, only then apply antifungal ointment, cream.
The treatment of the fungus gives a lasting result when combined with external means with antifungal drugs for oral administration.
Tablets
The use of systemic means allows you to destroy the pathogenic microflora throughout the body, so the unpleasant symptoms disappear. The combination with the means for external use gives an excellent result.
The tablets are based on various antifungal substances that must be taken daily for a long time or once a month. In the initial stages of the disease 1 tablet is enough to defeat the disease, to consolidate the effect, prevention, take a tablet next month, but at a lower dose.
The active substances penetrate the general bloodstream, are transported throughout the body. It is metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. In this regard, the risk of side effects increases, there are contraindications that should be known before starting active therapy. The use of antifungal drugs is not recommended for pregnant women, lactating women, with individual intolerance to the components, serious diseases of the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract.
Folk remedies for fungus
Preparations for the treatment of onychomycosis cost a decent amount of money, but in terms of effectiveness they are not better than folk remedies used by all generations. Nail fungus can be cured quickly and cheaply.
Hydrogen peroxide
The tool has emollient, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, regenerating properties. In the treatment of mycosis of the nails is used in combination with other active ingredients, enhances their effect, promotes penetration into the deeper layers.
- The nail plate is treated with hydrogen peroxide after grinding, removing dead zones.
- Prepare a bowl of warm water. Mix in equal proportions peroxide, vinegar. Apply on the damaged nail, wait until the substance stops hissing, immerse your feet in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. Dry. Apply celandine oil, calendula, tea tree or Vaseline.
- The nails are steamed in the bath for 40 minutes. Wipe, treat with peroxide. Moisten a cotton swab in the same product, apply on the nail plate for 20 minutes. The softened areas are removed with a nail file, disinfected, oil is applied.
The procedure is done every day until the complete removal of the infected nail. Continue oil therapy.
vinegar
The tool, like peroxide, helps to soften the stratum corneum, speeding up the process of exfoliation of the deformed nail. Promotes deep penetration of active substances.
- Wipe your nails daily with vinegar, then apply oils, make lotions, compresses.
- Fresh egg is added to 200 g bite. Apply on the nail treatment several times a day.
- Mix in equal proportions vegetable oil, vinegar. Wet cotton wool, apply to the affected area overnight.
The tool with daily use allows you to eliminate unpleasant symptoms in a week. Continue the procedure until the infected nail is completely removed.
alcohol
The disinfectant helps to stop the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, prevents the attachment of secondary infection. All tools used to remove damaged areas of skin and nails are treated with alcohol. Lubricate the nail plate after the procedure.
- Medicinal tinctures of medicinal herbs are prepared on the basis of medical alcohol. For example, calendula, celandine. Pour raw materials, insist day. Used for compresses, rubs.
- In equal proportions combine garlic juice, alcohol, add distilled water. Treat your nails before bed.
The use of alcohol in the treatment of fungus is a mandatory procedure.
iodine
There are a huge number of recipes with iodine. The tool helps to stop the growth of pathogens, strengthens nails, promotes tissue regeneration and prevents the formation of cracks.
- The fastest treatment option is to apply a preparatory procedure on the nail with a brush or cotton swab after a healing bath.
- In warm water add 1 teaspoon of baking soda, salt, 10 drops of iodine. Immerse your feet in the bath for 20 minutes.
- In the morning a cotton swab dipped in celandine oil is applied to the nail, in the evening water procedures are performed, the nail is cleaned, smeared with iodine at night.
The drug has no contraindications, but in case of overdose causes a burning sensation, intensification of unpleasant symptoms.
Carbonated drinks
One of the most effective folk remedies against mycosis. Included in many effective recipes. Baths are the most effective in the treatment of nail fungus. Dissolve baking soda, table or sea salt in 1 liter of water. Wash your feet with laundry soap.
Garlic
It is a natural antibiotic. The tool is used for external use, eat cloves every day to speed up the effect.
- Garlic is crushed, mixed with any healing oil, applied to gauze folded in several layers. apply the paste on the sore spot, stick a film on top, fix with a band-aid. leave overnight or 20 minutes during the day.
- Squeeze the juice, combine in equal proportions with alcohol, boiled water. Used for compresses, rubs.
- Pour a glass of garlic with cold boiled water, insist for a day. Compresses are made from tincture.
Garlic should be used daily. The duration of therapy is not less than a month.
Celandine
One of the most effective traditional medicine. The nail is rubbed with fresh juice, decoctions, tinctures, oil are prepared.
- Pour fresh raw materials or dry decoction with boiled water, insist for half an hour. Pour into the bath, perform the steam procedure.
- Dense fresh plant is placed in a jar of 0, 5 liters, filled with water or alcohol. They insist for days. Used for compresses, rubs.
- The decoction is placed tightly in a glass container, poured with olive oil. Insist one week. Used to treat the affected nail, apply at night a cotton swab moistened with oil.
Celery oil is included in many folk recipes, but achieves a high therapeutic effect when used in pure form without additional components.
glycerol
The substance creates a protective film on the surface of the affected tissues, prevents the spread of infection and stops the growth of fungi. Glycerin is often used in combination with alcohol and vinegar. Apply the product after a bath, cleaning the nail.
Tea sponge
The tool helps to stop the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. It is recommended to use Kombucha at bedtime. During the day, other effective means are used to get rid of mycosis.
The sponge is crushed into a pulp, rubbed into the nail plate, the rest is applied on gauze, bandaged on the finger. You can't cut the sponge, just apply it in pieces.
The list of folk recipes is extremely long, as is the list of traditional pharmaceutical products. However, you can completely get rid of the disease by strengthening the body's defenses, following certain rules.
How to protect yourself from fungus on the feet - advice from a dermatologist
Mycosis develops against the background of weakened immunity with simultaneous exposure to several adverse factors at once. Most often, infection occurs through infected things, with the penetration of the fungus into wounds on the skin.
To avoid this, you need to:
- in public places to walk only in shoes;
- take a shower in rubber slippers;
- prevents sweating of the feet;
- wear socks made of natural fabrics;
- do not abuse antiseptic products for the treatment of feet;
- to get rid of diseases in time, to prevent chronic processes;
- pay due attention to strengthening immunity.
If you have unpleasant symptoms, seek professional help, do not self-medicate.