If you are faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as a fungal infection, then you must immediately start treatment. About,how to cure toenail funguswe will talk in this article.
First of all, you need to understand what fungal infections are. These diseases belong to the class of infectious diseases. Mycoses, or infections caused by fungi, are very diverse, but most often they affect the skin and nails. Mycoses are contagious and spread from person to person.
Nail fungus
This disease (onychomycosis) is caused by a fungal infection that can be contracted from a sick person. Quite often, this disease spreads within the family, as it is transmitted through shared items, such as slippers or towels.
The fungus is very fond of a humid warm environment, so swimming pools, showers, gyms, baths are ideal places for infection. The predisposing factors for the disease are wet shoes and excessive sweating of the feet.
The fungus is a very hardy microorganism. They endure dry conditions of existence, temporarily stopping their reproduction. But as soon as the environment becomes favorable, violent life activities begin again.
If the nails are infected with fungus, they change their appearance. The color of the nail plate changes to white, gray, yellow, brown, green and even black. Nails thicken, crumble, lose their natural shine. Thickening of the nail plate is a reaction to the multiplication of infection in the nail bed. Keratinization grows and significantly interferes with treatment.
In advanced cases, the fungus affects the entire thickness of the nail. The nail begins to exfoliate, collapse.
To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a laboratory study of samples taken from the nail.
Medication for nail fungus
To treat nail fungus, both topical preparations and oral agents are used. External medicines are ointments, creams, gels, nail polishes and special plasters that have a peeling effect.
Antifungal varnishes include compounds that penetrate deep into the nail plate and nail bed. In order to use the varnish, you must first cut off the affected area of the nail with a nail file and degrease it with alcohol.
Keratolytic ointments and patches are used to remove areas of the nail affected by the fungus. Under the influence of these agents, the nail becomes soft and easy to remove for subsequent treatment. The plasters and ointments contain an antiseptic, salicylic or acetic acid. Antifungal components may also be included. A plaster is applied to the affected nail, on top of it is a layer of ordinary adhesive plaster and a layer of bandage. The bandage is removed after 2-3 days. The softened areas of the nail are removed and a fresh keratolytic patch is applied again. Treatment is carried out until the nails affected by the fungus are cleaned. Treatment with patches or keratolytic ointments is a lengthy process.
There are special kits for the treatment of nail fungus. These include a keratolytic antifungal ointment, a special scraper to clean your nails, and a patch.
Antifungal creams are indicated for use. The cream must be applied to the affected nails every day until complete recovery.
Internal drugs
If nail fungus responds poorly to treatment, in especially advanced cases, the doctor prescribes antimycotics - drugs in the form of capsules and tablets. These funds must be taken from 2 to 4 months. But many of them can have a negative effect on the human body precisely because of the duration of the intake. Therefore, a new method of systemic treatment called pulse therapy has been developed. The essence of the treatment is a gentle medication regimen: two tablets or capsules a day for a week. Then you should take a break for 21 days. The general course of pulse therapy is 3 times for 7 days.
Antimycotics prevent disease recurrence and effectively fight infection. The doctor prescribes the drug that the patient needs most.
Folk remedies to combat nail fungus
If the disease is not started, then medications can be helped by treatment based on herbs and herbal ingredients.
- Grind the peppermint leaves and mix with salt. Apply the composition to your nails and place between your fingers for one hour.
- 20 gr. pour lilac flowers with half a glass of alcohol. Let it brew for two weeks. Rub the composition into the affected area several times a day.
- Mix the butter and crushed garlic in a 1: 1 ratio. Apply to nails once a day with a bandage and adhesive tape. Change the product every day. Apply until complete recovery.
- It is recommended to walk barefoot in the morning dew. It is considered to be one of the very best treatments.
- Mix the juice of garlic, pure rubbing alcohol and distilled water in a 1: 1: 10 ratio. Rub the composition into the nails affected by the fungus regularly.
- Fresh rowan leaves, pounded into gruel, apply to the affected areas for 1 hour. Apply the recipe until complete recovery.
- Pour half a glass of poplar buds with 0. 5 liters of vodka. Let it brew for 10-12 days. Make compresses with tincture at night. Nails soften overnight. In the morning, the nails should be cleaned of mild keratinization and the tincture should be rubbed thoroughly.
- Wrap the affected nails with rubbed leaves of a golden mustache. Strengthen the compress with cling film. The compress can be done at night. In the morning, you should clean your nails from softened keratinization.
Disease prevention
If you follow simple rules, then you will never encounter such an unpleasant disease as toenail fungus.
- Never wear someone else's shoes.
- Always dry your shoes when you get home.
- If you constantly visit the bathhouse, pool, gym, then apply topically antifungal drugs.
- At home, it is better to refuse porous or fleecy rugs in the bathroom, as they are carriers of infection, including nail fungus.
- If you forgot to change shoes at home when visiting public places, and the antifungal drug has run out, then treat your feet and nails upon arrival home with tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, propolis tincture.
Visit your doctor at the first sign of nail fungus. Even if you are mistaken, do not regret the wasted time, because there is nothing more important than your health.