A fungal infection can affect absolutely any part of the body.Fungi, like other bacteria and microorganisms, are always present in the human body and on his skin in strict balance.When the number of mushrooms for various reasons increases, an infection may begin.
Onychomycosis, also called fungal onichia, is a fungal infection that affects the nails either on the legs or on the hands.It develops slowly, so it is very difficult to notice any signs of the disease at first.
Why is it developing?
The fungal infection of the nails begins from the moment when the number of fungi inside, under or on the nails increases sharply.Fungi love a warm and moist environment, so during any suitable environment they begin to multiply intensively.The nail fungus occurs due to the same fungi that cause bordered eczema, mycosis and cutting lichen.
Mushrooms, calmly living on and in the body of absolutely any person, can cause nail infection.If you are in contact with someone who has this disease, it can be transmitted to you.According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fungal infections often affect the legs on the legs than on the arms, because the fingers are more often in a warm and humid environment.
If you are used to making manicure and pedicures in the cabin, then it is worth finding out how the staff disinfects the tools and how often he does it.Farewells for manicure and pedicure, such as nail files and nippers, can be a source of infection, which in any case, without proper disinfection, will be transmitted to another person.
Who can become infected?
There are many causes of a fungal infection of nails, and each of them is treated in its own way.Most of these reasons can naturally be prevented, but there are some factors that significantly increase the risk of this infection.The highest risk of developing nail fungus are people who:
- they are sick with diabetes;
- have a disease that weakens blood circulation;
- over 65 years old;
- have overhead nails;
- Visit public baths, pools;
- have nail injury;
- are injured in the skin around the nails;
- The legs are constantly in moisture or constantly sweat;
- have a weak immune system;
- They wear narrow and cramped shoes such as tennis shoes and boots.
A fungal infection is more common in men than in women, and more often in older people than in children.If someone is sick in your family with a fungus, then most likely, you will have it in the future.Older people have the greatest risk of developing this infection, since blood circulation worsens with age, and the nails grow slower and become thicker.
What does the nail fungus look like?
A fungal infection can affect part of the nail, the entire nail or several nails at once.
Visible signs
Explicit symptoms of nail fungus are:
- Nail stratification, which is called purebal hyperkeratosis;
- white or yellow stripes on the nail, which are called lateral onychomycosis;
- crumbling ends of nails or corners, which is called distal onychomycosis;
- Excessive white spots on the nails, after which holes remain;
- the appearance of yellow spots near the hole of the nail, which is called proximal onychomycosis;
- Loss of the nail.
General signs
The common symptoms of fungal infection are considered:
- deformation of the nail plate, the nail does not hold well in its place;
- an unpleasant odor from an infected nail;
- crumbling or thickened nail.
How to find out if I have a nail fungus?
The only way to confirm the diagnosis is to consult a doctor, because some other infections can also affect the nails and have symptoms similar to the fungus.In such cases, a scraping from the nail is usually taken, which is sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis and clarification of the diagnosis.
When is the time to see a doctor?
In most cases, nail fungus is considered a purely cosmetic problem.However, in some people, a fungal infection can cause serious complications.So in people with diabetes, the nail fungus can further lead to the ulcers of the foot or other problems with the legs.According to the 2012 study, a chronic nail fungus on the legs is considered one of the main risk factors and a key condition for the development of bacterial cellulite of the legs.
Therefore, if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you should not use home remedies for the treatment of nail fungus.Contact the doctor for help to find out how to treat the fungus on the legs and how to treat.
How to cure nail fungus on your feet?
Overcomplex drugs are usually not recommended for the treatment of fungal nail infections, because they do not provide reliable results.Instead, your doctor prescribe oral antifungal drugs.These drugs are very effective, but have a lot of side effects of stomach disorder and dizziness to skin and jaundice problems.
You can use other antifungal agents, such as antifungal varnish or nail base.It is applied to the nail in the same way as ordinary nail polish.Depending on the type of fungus, as well as the degree of damage to the nail plate, this tool may have to be used for several months.
Unfortunately, treatment does not guarantee complete getting rid of fungal infection quickly.In almost half of cases, the nail fungus returns again.Complications are not excluded.Perhaps therefore, many people are more likely to resort to the help of traditional medicine.
Folk remedies for fungus
The fungus on the nails of the legs is not at all that you would like to see on your feet, especially in the summer during the beach season.Therefore, we decided to collect the 10 most popular and effective means of traditional medicine to find out how to treat nail fungus on the legs.
Snake highlander extract
Snake highlander extract is a natural antifungal agent.The highlander of the snake refers to the plants of the sunflower family.A study conducted in 2008 showed that the extract is also effective against the nail fungus on the legs, as a cyclopyrox drug prescribed by the prescription.To get rid of the fungal infection on the legs with this method, you need to adhere to the following scheme: in the first month of treatment, apply an extract to the affected area every third day, in the second month twice a week and within a third month 1 time per week.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil, also called melaleuka, is an essential oil that has an antifungal and antiseptic effect.It is also recommended for the treatment of nail fungus.You just need to apply tea tree oil directly to the sore nail twice a day with a cotton swab.
Ordinary oregano oil
Ordinary oil contains thymol.Timol has an antifungal and antibacterial effect.To treat the fungus on the nails of the legs, apply the oil twice a day with a cotton swab.Some people use ordinary oregano oil along with tea tree oil.Both products have a powerful effect and can cause irritation and allergic reactions, therefore it is not recommended to combine these oils.
Olive sheet extract
It is believed that the active substance in the olive sheet extract, Oleuroperoin has antifungal, antimicrobial and immunomodulating effects.You can apply an olive sheet extract directly to the nail fungus or drink in the form of capsules.Despite the fact that treatment with capsules is considered more effective than applying olive oil extract.Take 1-3 capsules with food 2 times a day.Throughout the course of treatment, drink a lot of liquids.
Ozonated oils
Ozonated oils, such as olive and sunflower, are obtained by saturation with a gaseous ozone.According to the 2011 study, the effect of ozone in low concentrations for a short period of time can kill many microorganisms, such as mushrooms, yeast and bacteria.In another study, it was found that ozoned sunflower oil turned out to be more effective in the treatment of fungal infection of nails on the legs than the Ketoconazole antifungal drug sold according to the prescription.
To treat the fungus on the nails of the legs with ozoned oil, treat the nail twice a day.
Vinegar
There is no scientific evidence that vinegar helps in the treatment of fungus.However, this is a fairly safe home remedy that you can try.To do this, make baths with warm legs for the legs with vinegar, diluting 1 part vinegar in 2 parts of water.The procedure should be carried out daily for 20 minutes.
Freshener for oral cavity
The composition of the freshener includes menthol, thymol and eucalyptus, which have antibacterial and antifungal properties.Perhaps that is why it is so popular among the people in the treatment of nail fungus on the legs.You just need to hold a problem foot in a basin with a freshener for 30 minutes.The procedure is carried out daily.
Garlic
As you know, garlic has an antifungal and antimicrobial effect.In order to get rid of a fungal infection, apply chopped garlic cloves to problem nails for 30 minutes daily.If you don't like the smell, you can try garlic capsules.Take strictly according to the instructions.
Make adjustments to the diet
Our health depends on what you eat.The more useful the food you consume, the greater the likelihood that your body will cope with various adverse factors and diseases, including nail fungus.
Eat the food necessary for the body for normal functioning, namely:
- yogurts enriched with probiotics;
- enough protein for normal nail growth;
- Iron enough to prevent fragility of nails;
- food, rich in indispensable fatty acids;
- Food rich in calcium and vitamin D (low -fat dairy products).
In this case, home remedies may turn out to be more effective than drugs released according to the prescription in the treatment of mild and moderate stages of the course of the disease.Obviously, the means of traditional medicine have less side effects, but their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven.Many factors should be taken into account in the treatment of fungal infection of nails, such as the permeability of the nails, the seriousness of the disease and the general state of health.
Treatment with the help of traditional medicine usually lasts longer than treatment with drugs.The first results may appear only after a few months.It often happens that the problem returns again.
How to prevent a fungal nail infection
Only a few simple changes in lifestyle will protect you from this serious and annoying infection.Take care of your nails, cut them on time and keep them clean.Try to once again not injure the skin around your nails.If the hands are often in contact with water, put on rubber gloves.
Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from the fungus:
- Use antifungal sprays and powders regularly;
- Wash your hands after contact with infected nails;
- Wipe your legs dry after a shower, especially in the area between the fingers;
- make manicure and pedicure in proven salons;
- use only your tools for manicure and pedicure;
- wear socks for the season to prevent waterlogging of the skin of the legs;
- Do not go barefoot in public places;
- Refuse artificial nails and paint your nails with varnish.
What to expect in the future?
Do not expect an instant result.In some people, treatment may not help immediately and several courses or replacement of the drug will be required.The fungal infection is considered cured only if a new nail has grown without signs of a fungus.But this does not guarantee that the fungal infection will no longer return.In more advanced cases, the nail is subjected to constant infection with a fungus, and it will have to be removed.
The main complications of fungal infection are:
- reinfection;
- removal of an infected nail, both once and forever;
- bleaching of the nail affected by the fungus;
- the spread of infection to other parts of the body and even in the bloodstream;
- The development of a bacterial skin infection, called cellulite.
You need to consult a doctor in any case, especially if you have diabetes and nail fungus on your legs.People with diabetes expose themselves to a great risk of developing serious complications, so do not waste time and make an appointment with a doctor.