How to treat foot fungus at home with folk remedies: recipes

One of the most common pathologies of feet and toenails is fungus. Treatment of this ailment takes a long time, since getting rid of a fungal infection is not easy. In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies are used, which, even in advanced cases, give excellent results. In the early stages of the disease, you can cure the infection with natural recipes on your own at home.

What is foot fungus and ways of infection

Mycosis or dermatomycosis is an infectious lesion of the skin of the legs, interdigital areas, fingers, nails. A predominantly fungal infection of the foot occurs in cultures where it is customary to wear closed shoes most of the time. More often, the disease affects the elderly and people with weakened immunity due to any serious pathology (immunodeficiency, pemphigus, diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders in the limbs, and others).

The causative agents of fungal infection parasitize in the stratum corneum of the skin. They produce enzymes that break down keratin. Their cell walls (membranes) contain mannan substances that suppress local immunity and contribute to the development of a chronic inflammatory process on the skin. Among the numerous pathogens of mycosis, the main ones are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum.

You can get infected with a fungus in two ways: direct or indirect. The first variant of infection provides several versions:

• close contact with a sick person;
• contact with an infected animal;
• through the plants with which the sole comes into contact;
• through the soil in which the pathogen lives.

An indirect route of infection with mycosis of the foot occurs:

• when using household items or personal hygiene items belonging to a sick person;
• when using objects that have been touched by an infected animal.

Symptoms of the disease

Depending on the type of fungus, specific symptoms of the disease are distinguished. For example, for a long time dermatophytes do not manifest themselves in any way, deeply penetrating at this time into the layers of the skin or under the nail bed. If the causative agent of mycosis is trichophytosis, then the signs of infection are visible immediately - a yeast-like microorganism causes inflammation on the nails and skin, destroying tissues in a short time. It is difficult even for an experienced dermatologist to tell what type of infection a patient has without laboratory tests.

At an early stage of the disease, there are common symptoms of a foot fungus:

• cracks in the sole;
• itching, burning, dryness, flaking of the skin;
• unpleasant foot odor;
• discoloration and brittle nails;
• glossy skin surface;
• thickening and redness of the epidermis;
• increased sensitivity of the sole;
• the appearance at the site of inflammation of bubbles filled with liquid.

Forms of fungal infection

External manifestations of the fungus depend not only on the type of pathogen, but also on the degree of involvement in the inflammatory process of the skin, nails, hair on the legs. Dermatologists distinguish the following forms of mycosis of the feet:

1. Squamous form (scaly). Redness and peeling of the skin is observed at the initial stage. The affected areas have different areas.
2. Hyperkeratotic stage. Severe coarseness of the sole, deep cracks in or near the heels. Both legs are affected at the same time.
3. Intertriginous form. It is considered the most common. Affects the area between 4 and 5 toes, less often develops between 3 and 4. Cracks are replaced by erosion, which begins to get wet, itching, burning occurs. Streptococci penetrate into the loose structure of tissues, causing pustular inflammation.
4. Dyshidrotic form. Watery blisters that appear on the epidermis merge. After they are hidden, extensive ulcers develop. Mycosis spreads to the hands.

Treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies

All folk remedies against foot fungus have several tasks: destruction of fungal mycelium, elimination of symptoms of inflammation, restoration of the integrity of the skin, increase of local immunity, prevention of relapse of the disease. For these purposes, decoctions and infusions for oral administration are used, as well as solutions, ointments and compresses for external use.

Numerous plants, minerals, chemical compounds (copper sulfate) and even gunpowder have antifungal properties - this is proven by scientific research. More than 1000 names of flora representatives have been identified that have a pronounced fungicidal and antimycotic effect. The composition of such plants includes benzoic and salicylic acid, furocoumarin, novoimanin and other substances that have a therapeutic effect on fungal infection.

Rules and principles of treatment

Before starting to treat foot fungus on your own with folk remedies, you need to consult a doctor in order to prevent further development of pathology. It is very difficult to cure mycosis of an advanced form, therefore, if a few days after the start of using one or another method of positive dynamics did not come, then you should consult a doctor.

There are many popular recipes based on the use of herbal and natural ingredients. Home treatment of foot fungus is recommended at bedtime to allow time for the medication to take effect. Regardless of the chosen method of getting rid of mycosis, you need to adhere to the basic rule: to carry out therapy not only until the symptoms disappear completely, but also for some time after that. During therapy, it is necessary:

• follow a diet low in sugar in the diet, that is, remove sweet, starchy foods from the daily menu;
• exclude the use of cosmetic varnish, which creates a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria;
• carry out regular iodine treatment of nail plates affected by a fungal infection (with onychomycosis);
• disinfect floor coverings and footwear to prevent relapse.

Foot bath for mycosis of the feet

At the initial stage of the disease, therapeutic foot baths are very helpful in relieving symptoms. Traditional medicine offers many of the ingredients from which these treatments are made. These are decoctions and infusions of herbs (celandine, wormwood, yarrow, oak bark and others), vinegar, soda and other components. Fight infection with trays daily, immersing your feet in a warm, freshly prepared solution for 15-20 minutes.

The average course of treatment for adults is 2 weeks, but if necessary, the procedure can be done longer. Foot baths help not only to stop the growth of the fungus, but also to get rid of unpleasant odors, eliminate excessive sweating of the feet. Provided proper hygiene of the lower extremities, the positive effect will become noticeable within a few days after the start of treatment. Examples of trays that are easy to make at home to get rid of foot fungus:

• Take 3 liters of warm water, stir 200 g of sea salt in it. For efficiency, you can add ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon), a decoction of chamomile or pine needles (250 ml).
• Pour warm water into a basin, add 50 ml of table or apple cider vinegar and a few potassium permanganate granules. After the procedure, lubricate the affected skin with tea tree oil.

Compresses and lotions

In home complex therapy of mycosis of the feet, it is advisable to use compresses or lotions. For these procedures, celandine oil, garlic, onions, alcoholic tinctures, iodized salt, and peppermint are used. Kombucha, pumpkin pulp, fresh burdock leaves are applied to sore spots. The selected substances are crushed, applied to the area between the toes and on the feet for 40-50 minutes, and wrapped on top with a plastic bag (cling film). The course of treatment is 1-2 times a day until complete recovery.

Essential oils and natural pastes

Effectively treating foot fungus at home using natural plant and essential oils. An extract from tea tree (soothes the skin, eliminates itching), lemon (strengthens nails, raises local immunity), cinnamon (prevents fungus from multiplying), rosemary (regenerates tissue) has proven itself excellently. An effective natural antiseptic lavender oil, which has an analgesic and wound healing effect, therefore removes the symptoms of mycosis much faster than other folk remedies.

You can apply the essential oil in its pure form (after an allergy test) or make natural pastes by mixing a few drops with any vegetable oil (coconut, cocoa, olive, jojoba). Manipulations need to be carried out 3 times a day for several weeks. If the nails are affected with mycosis of the feet, then such treatment lasts until the plate is completely renewed (several months).

Herbal decoctions and tinctures

The popularity of medicinal herbs in the treatment of fungal infections is due to their high efficiency and availability. Herbal medicine is used not only to get rid of the fungus, but also to prevent infection. The main methods of treating mycosis at home are the use of tinctures (infusion of medicinal herbs with ethyl alcohol), decoctions (herbs are heat treated by languishing in a steam bath so as not to boil) and infusions (herbs are poured with boiling water and infused).

The method and duration of therapy depends on the patient's age, concomitant diseases, and the severity of symptoms. Average duration of use: 2-3 times a day for 14-30 days. The most effective antifungal herbs for treating fungal infections are:

• birch buds;
• cold mint;
• aloe;
• eucalyptus;
• walnut leaves;
• chamomile medicinal;
• Japanese sophora;
• puppeteer;
• celandine;
• runnik;
• Kalanchoe;
• common juniper.

How to cure a foot fungus at home

Traditional methods of getting rid of the fungus have proven to be effective. In order to forget about mycosis of the feet forever, it is necessary during treatment and afterwards to properly care for the area of the foot. For a quick recovery you will need:

• dry the skin thoroughly after bathing;
• wear only dry and clean shoes;
• do not overheat the legs, avoid heavy sweating;
• in warm weather, wear sandals with open toes;
• wear socks made of natural fabrics that have high levels of air permeability and hygroscopicity;
• Always wear personal slippers when taking a shower in a public place.

Handy tools and products in the kitchen

It is easy to find folk remedies at home to get rid of the fungus. Each housewife, among the available tools in the kitchen or in the refrigerator, has some kind of cure for mycosis. Most affordable:

• Coffee. In this case, the aromatic drink serves for external use. Regular foot baths of freshly brewed strong coffee will help to cope with the disease.
• Garlic. There are many options for using the plant, but the simplest is garlic juice, which is rubbed into the affected tissues. The process is carried out with a cotton swab 3 to 5 times a day until the symptoms disappear.
• Onion. Fresh onion gruel must be placed in a plastic bag that is worn on the foot. The edges of the bag must be tied so that the bow does not touch the sole, and the leg is in an impromptu vapor-air chamber all night. As a rule, 5 sessions are enough to get rid of foot fungus.

Pharmacy traditional medicine

If there is no time to look for a remedy for foot fungus at home, then an effective medicine of natural origin can be bought at a pharmacy. Among them:

• Potassium permanganate. The remedy, popularly known as potassium permanganate, is effective for the treatment of mycosis. To cope with the problem, it is necessary to apply a compress soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate to the leg every night until the problem disappears.
• Iodine. The areas of the skin affected by the fungus are treated with 5% alcohol solution 2 times / day. Contraindication for such treatment is the high sensitivity of the skin and individual intolerance to the ingredients.
• Iodinol. With onychomycosis, a universal blue solution is used to soften the nail plate, which has managed to become very coarse. Iodinol is used to wipe the tissues affected by the fungal infection 2 to 4 times / day.
• Propolis. For the treatment of mycoses, alcohol tincture is often used. You can make a homemade solution by infusing propolis with vodka or alcohol, but this will not affect the effectiveness. For the treatment and prevention of the fungus, you need a cotton swab soaked in tincture, apply to the infected area, and wait for complete drying 1-2 times / day.
• Ammonia. One tablespoon of the product should be diluted in a glass of distilled water, then soak the fabric with the resulting solution, wrap the feet, secure with adhesive plaster and withstand the compress overnight.
• Boric acid. For antifungal therapy, you will need a powder, which is sprinkled on the feet in the right dose after steaming and put on socks on top. The procedure is done every evening. Boric acid is left overnight.

Herbal medicine for mycosis of the feet

Some plants are a natural antibiotic, while others have a complex effect on the affected area. For the treatment of mycoses, poisonous herbs are often used, the ingestion of which is unacceptable. The destruction of the membrane cells of pathogenic fungi occurs due to the presence of an aggressive plant environment, which leads to a rapid neutralization of the pathology. Potent herbs include:

• black nightshade;
• cheremitsa;
• male fern;
• blackening lumbago.

Effective folk remedies for foot fungus

In order for folk remedies for mycoses to help, the treatment process should be properly organized. Before starting any procedure, you need to steam your legs, cut off the overgrown nails, grind loose tissue, remove rough and dead skin. Only then can folk recipes be successfully applied. Natural ingredients not only completely destroy the fungal infection, but also return the nails and skin to a healthy look. The most effective folk remedies should be discussed in more detail.

Garlic compresses

An old home remedy for foot fungus is garlic compresses. The effectiveness of this simple and affordable method is due to the composition of the plant. In addition to vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins, garlic contains ascorbic acid, which is harmful to harmful microorganisms. You should be aware that if you use garlic compress unwisely, you can burn your skin. For this reason, during treatment, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage and duration of therapy. Garlic compress recipe:

• melt 50 g butter, add 1 head of minced garlic, 2 tbsp. l. coarse rock salt and mix thoroughly;
• apply the resulting mass on sterile gauze in an even layer and apply to the affected areas for 1 hour;
• treat with a compress several times a day, leaving the limbs motionless during the procedure;
• the recommended course of treatment is 1 month.

Vinegar

You can fight mycosis with any vinegar essence: wine, apple, rice, malt or cane. The principle of action of vinegar is the penetration of its substances into the infected tissues and the destruction of the cell membranes of the fungus. Mycosis does not develop under the influence of an acidic environment, since colonies of pathogenic microflora die under its influence. At the initial stage of treatment, a low concentration of vinegar (from 3%) should be used, which gradually increases.

Before being treated with this method, it is necessary to check the infected area of the skin for abrasions and cracks so as not to cause inflammation or chemical burns of the epithelium. If they are not there, then you can start using the vinegar compress:

• stir until smooth 2 tbsp. l. nine percent vinegar, 1 tbsp. l. glycerin and 2 tbsp. l. vodka;
• dip pieces of bandage into the finished mixture and apply to the localization site;
• after the dressing dries, re-moisten the bandages in the medicinal mixture;
• the time of using compresses should not exceed 1 hour / day;
• course duration - 2 weeks.

Baking soda

Treating foot fungus with baking soda at home gives good results. At the first suspicion of a fungal infection, it is necessary to use sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), which lowers the acidity of the epidermis. In addition to the antiseptic effect, baking soda softens the skin and nail plates, allowing medications to penetrate more easily after use. Under the influence of alkali, the affected tissues become more susceptible to the action of any other treatment.

With mycosis, soda can be used dry, diluted with water and in combination with other natural or non-natural ingredients. With onychomycosis, soda paste will be more effective. To prepare it you will need:

• 3 tbsp. l. soda mix with 1 tbsp. l. water until a thick and homogeneous mass is obtained;
• then soda paste should be applied to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the skin;
• after that, the mass must be acidified with freshly prepared lemon juice, which will immediately react with soda;
• the solution must be removed 5-7 minutes after application and wash your feet with soap;
• the procedure is carried out daily before bedtime until the condition of the nail improves.

Tea tree oil

In dermatology, tea tree oil has been used for more than a dozen years, because it has established itself as a highly effective remedy for skin pathologies. The natural composition of the essential liquid determines its cytotoxic activity, that is, the ability to fight pathogenic microorganisms. Treatment options will vary depending on whether the infection is the skin or the nail.

You can cure the nail plate if you drip 1 drop of tea tree oil onto the affected area every day. It will take about 2 months to fully recover and strengthen the nail. It is best to use a diluted extract for sole treatment. To do this, you need to take vegetable oil (3 parts), mix with essential oil (1 part), shake up and apply on the skin 2-3 times a day for 1. 5 months. It is better to regulate the course of treatment with a doctor. Clove essential oil can be used as an analogue.

Hydrogen peroxide

In the fight against fungal infection, hydrogen peroxide helps, which is considered the best antiseptic with a pronounced antibacterial effect. The drug is widely used both in medicine and at home for the treatment of mycoses. Hydrogen peroxide does not accumulate in the body, therefore the development of any allergic reactions is excluded. With mycoses, baths are effective, which help to soften the affected epithelium for the further flow of antifungal gels, ointments, creams or sprays prescribed by a doctor.

Making a hydrogen peroxide foot bath at home is easy:

• pour warm water into a basin and add a 3% preparation at the rate of 100 ml per 2 liters of water;
• lower your feet into a container and hold for 20 minutes;
• so that the solution does not cool, the addition of small portions of boiling water is required;
• after the procedure with a pumice stone, remove the softened tissue;
• remove moisture with a sponge and apply the prescribed medication to the surface of the skin;
• do the baths daily until the condition improves.

Laundry or tar soap

For more than a dozen years, people at home have been cured of a fungal infection with the help of tar or laundry soap. By observing the rules for treating the affected skin, you can quickly get rid of itching and unpleasant foot odor. To speed up tissue healing, you need to combine soap with salt or iodine. The following recipe will help improve blood circulation in tissues:

• steam your legs in warm water before going to bed;
• then thoroughly lather them with laundry soap;
• treat soapy feet with a washcloth, then with a pumice stone;
• then wipe dry, grease with cream;
• treat areas of infection with a fungus with birch tar;
• soak it for 1. 5 hours, then remove with cotton pads;
• put on clean socks on your feet and do not take off for 2 days;
• repeat the procedure once a week until the problem is eliminated.

Salicylic ointment

The main advantage of treating mycosis with salicylic ointment is its high antifungal activity. The drug kills pathogens, prevents their reproduction, eliminates the keratinized layers of the epidermis and rarely causes side reactions. With mycosis of the legs, apply salicylic ointment in the form of compresses. On the softened skin or nail plate, the drug in a concentration of 5 or 10% is applied in a thin layer, after which the leg is placed in a plastic bag, and socks are put on top. The procedure lasts 1 hour 2 times / day for 10 days.

Propolis

As already mentioned, propolis for mycosis is effective as a tincture. The alcohol component also has a positive effect on pathogenic microorganisms. It is possible to prepare an ointment with a beekeeping product, which must be rubbed overnight into the affected areas for 10-14 days. Its recipe is simple:

• mix 20 g of crushed propolis (without wax) and 100 g of sea buckthorn oil;
• heat the ingredients in a water bath for 30 minutes;
• cool the mixture, strain through cheesecloth, use as directed.

Celandine and chamomile

It is believed that medicinal herbs, especially chamomile and celandine, will most quickly get rid of a fungal infection. It is better to use them together. To achieve a quick effect, you need to drink chamomile broth or tea (to raise general immunity) and make baths with celandine infusion. You should know that the fresh juice of the latter is burning, so it should be used in its pure form with extreme caution.

For the infusion, crushed stems of a dried plant are needed. In a glass of boiling water, you must brew 1 tbsp. l. celandine, leave for 1 hour, then dilute with a little hot water. With mycoses, the solution is used for therapeutic baths, which are done every day for 15 minutes. As a rule, such treatment relieves the initial stage of the disease in 14 days.

Infusion of calendula

The flowers of this plant contain a large group of biological substances that have a strong antimicrobial effect. Especially quickly, the infusion of calendula copes with onychomycosis. Before using the drug, the nails must be steamed and processed. After mechanical cleaning of the nail plate from fungal plaque and dead tissue, it is necessary to moisten a cotton pad in the infusion and apply it to the affected area. The procedure is done daily for 4-8 weeks. It is easy to prepare the product at home:

• pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tbsp. l. dry or fresh calendula flowers;
• insist not in a water bath for 10 minutes;
• cool, strain, store at a temperature not exceeding 4 ° C.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and give recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.