You will be surprised, but according to statistics, fungal diseases are one of the most common, and the most common nail infection is shingles. It seems to you that this is something far away and will never affect you, no matter how it is.According to medical data, every tenth inhabitant of the planet Earth suffers from a similar ailment.
How to be among the 9 lucky ones and not earn such a nuisance on your hands or feet? Why does the disease appear and how does it manifest itself? How to get rid of nail fungus at home? What is the best remedy for toenail fungus? Proven ways to combat antimicrobials and traditional medicine methods.
Disease: causes and symptoms
Onychomycosis, also known as dermatophyte onychomycosis, also known as herpes zoster, is a fungal infection of the nail plate. Often, the infection is confused with non-fungal deformation, psoriasis, eczema. It is possible to shed light on this point through laboratory research. Treatment of nail fungus is possible at home, but the cunning infection is difficult to influence, returning with relapses and inflammatory processes.
Doctors among the main causes of the appearance of the disease on the hands and feet distinguish the following:
- Humid warm environment, as a breeding ground for fungi and other microorganisms on the hands and feet. It is strongly recommended to thoroughly dry wet shoes, use socks made from natural materials.
- Reduced immunity. Sometimes walking barefoot is enough to catch an infection. A course of vitamins, hardening and a reverent attitude towards one's health will help strengthen the immune system.
- Active spores, which are so easy to get infected in common areas. Getting into the hollows between the nails and fingers, they can stay in a sleepy state for a long period, waking up suddenly and spreading with an instantaneous speed of defeat. In no case do not try on and even more so do not wear someone else's shoes. Danger can lie in wait for you in the pool, sauna, bath, shower room of the fitness center, etc.
- Building. Especially true for lovers of extravagant manicure. The fact is that the extension leads to the appearance of microcracks on the surface of the nails of the hands. Once inside, the infection settles tightly and hosts, causing a lesion. Doctors advise to carry out the extension procedure no more than once every 6 months, then you are more likely to avoid a fungus on your hands.
You can determine the fungus on the hands and feet at home, knowing the symptoms of the problem. The nails will begin to thicken or, conversely, become crumbly and thin. They will begin to tear not only at the edges, but also over the entire surface of the nail plate. The form will begin to deform, the structure will become scaly.
At first, it can be noted that the shine and elasticity have disappeared. Often blackening occurs, which should certainly alert you. Such a common problem as ingrowth under the skin can also be a symptom of a fungus.
Against the background of infection, the digestive organs may also suffer, in particular, dysbacteriosis is observed, general fatigue, loss of strength, drowsiness, and a decline in immunity are characteristic. In children, it is easy to recognize a fungal disease by itchy sensations between the toes on the feet. The skin around the nails and on the feet can crack to blood, bringing pain. Frequent rashes. The color of the nail plate changes from pinkish to yellow.
How to get rid of trouble?
Official medicine offers several ways to treat fungus on the hands and feet. Be patient, as the treatment of nail fungus is a long and financially costly process. An overview of the best techniques on how to effectively treat onychomycosis at home especially for you.
Most likely, the doctor will advise treating the nuisance with an antifungal drug of oily and lacquer consistency. At the initial stage, such a cure for toenail fungus is what you need.
It effectively fights the lesion, showing tangible results after just seven days. The drug at home is applied daily to the nails, after cleaning the nail surface from the previous layer of medicinal antifungal varnish or oil.
Local antifungal drugs such as creams and solutions are not inferior to them in effectiveness.
They are more suitable for the complex treatment of the fungus, coupled with oral remedies aimed at treating various forms of candida or preventing them. Peroral drugs, that is, internal use, are very effective for fungus.
These drugs are great for treating fungal infections. However, if the case is sufficiently neglected, only a combined treatment regimen, including lotions, gels, ointments and other nail treatments, can help at home.
You will have to seek help from a surgeon in case of a severe lesion. If the fungus has taken root, it is impossible to lime and treat it at home. The nail will most likely be removed. Of the modern methods, temperature procedures, cryotherapy, acid disinfection and laser fungus removal are advised. Remember that in addition to the desired elimination of the disease, you will encounter damage to the skin under the nail plate.
Alternative recovery
Traditional medicine is always ready to offer a natural analogue in the fight against any problem. To treat nail fungus at home, you can:
- Iodine.
- Garlic.
- Vinegar.
- Celandine.
- Coffee.
- Bow.
- Soda.
- Laundry soap.
An iodine solution applied twice a day to the surface of the nail plate and the surrounding skin will dry out and destroy the growing spores. A well-established way to treat fungus is vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is a folk recipe that saves you from a lot of trouble and nail fungus is no exception.
Wipe your nails with vinegar twice a day for a week, and you will notice the first dramatic changes. For 4-5 liters of water, 250 ml of vinegar is enough. You can pour a bowl of cool water and add apple cider vinegar and hold the legs there a little. In addition to fighting a fungal infection, this method does an excellent job of dealing with excessive sweating of the feet and the unpleasant odor that accompanies it.
Reviews say that vinegar is also used as a component of a therapeutic compress. You need to mix a glass of vinegar with a chicken egg and 150 ml of butter. The resulting porridge-like mixture is removed overnight in the refrigerator, and in the morning is applied to the fungus on the nails and adjacent areas.
Treating the fungus with celandine is as effective as removing warts with it. Apply the liquid squeezed from the plant to the affected area. After a week of daily use, it is recommended to wait five days and start manipulation again.
Did you know that coffee is able to cope with the spread of fungus? You can win the battle against aggressive yeast with a bath of strong coffee. Brew a strong drink, wait until it cools to an acceptable temperature and lower your arms or legs for a few minutes. Improvements won't keep you waiting long. After a dozen procedures, there will be no trace of the fungus.
A kind of mask of chopped onion and a spoonful of honey works wonders and saves from the fungus in a couple of days. Apply the mass to the inflamed area and the surrounding area, cover, leave for several hours. You can say goodbye to the symptoms of the fungus after a week of daily use.
For children experiencing itching from a fungal infection, soda comes to the rescue. Such gentle nail treatment is suitable not only for children, but even for pregnant and lactating women. One teaspoon of baking soda is one tablespoon of water. The affected surface is treated with this mass at the first symptoms of onychomycosis.
General recommendations
After recovery, do not rush to rejoice. You are still a tidbit for a fungal infection, since you have not yet had time to fully recover from suffering onychomycosis. Competent preventive measures now play a key role.
The use of antibiotics increases the risk of developing fungal infections, so try not to use them unless absolutely necessary. Burns and frostbite can also lead to fungal diseases. Therefore, timely treatment will help to avoid the active spread of yeast.
Remember that you need to not only treat the affected area, but also clean the surrounding space from fungi. This means that general cleaning is indispensable. Thoroughly disinfect all surfaces and objects that you come into contact with.
Despite the effectiveness of traditional medicine, there is nothing more reliable than consulting with a professional. Do not self-medicate. The doctor will prescribe you this or that drug, and also, with a high probability, will recommend something from folk methods.
A common mistake with nail fungus is a varnish coating in order to hide defects. Know that by doing this you will only make the situation worse. By masking flaws, you do not solve the problem that requires treatment.
A good preventive measure against infection are regular baths for hands and feet from mint broth. You can also add string, chamomile and other herbs.
The fungus is contagious, so tactfully notify your family members about the problem so that they are more attentive to themselves and take care of maintaining their health. The preventive methods described above will be more appropriate than ever in such a situation.
There are many ways to treat nail fungus. Which one to give preference to exactly, only the doctor will tell. Don't start fungus.It is better to do with folk or medical methods in the early stages than to be in the operating room with a surgeon.
Do not bring yourself to a serious condition, do not paint over the fungus with varnish, do not ignore the disease. After the transferred fungus, pay due attention to preventive measures, they will help to avoid infection in the future.