The problem of fungal nail infection is quite common. According to the WHO, 10 people in the world suffer from this unpleasant disease. You can get infected if basic rules of personal hygiene are not followed or in public places - baths, swimming pools, saunas, gym locker rooms.
The yeast infection is not a serious health hazard, but it is uncomfortable and very difficult to eliminate. In advanced cases, the treatment lasts several months. For effective treatment, the main thing is to recognize the first symptoms of the disease in time and consult a dermatologist. Along with drug therapy, the doctor may prescribe the use of folk medicine recipes that help speed up the healing process.
Signs of illness
It is difficult to determine onychomycosis at the initial stage. Therefore, it is important not to miss the manifestations of progressive damage. The first "alarm bells" can be considered as follows:
- change in color, structure, shine of the nail;
- the appearance of tuberosity, growth disturbances;
- delamination, destruction;
- pathological thickening;
- demarcated bands of distribution of mycelium;
- pain syndrome when walking;
- pungent and unpleasant odor;
- redness, peeling of the surrounding skin;
- rotting nail rollers.
Almost always the thumb suffers first (pathogens get into the most traumatic area - the edge of the corner of the nail).
Important!
If even a few symptoms are detected, you should immediately consult a doctor. A timely visit to a medical institution will ensure the maximum effectiveness of treatment.
Nail fungus medication
If you suspect a fungal infection, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. After you have performed all the tests, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment. To achieve a rapid therapeutic effect, a complex fight against the fungus is recommended, consisting of oral agents and external preparations. Ointment on an oily basis is not used in the treatment of nail fungus. This is due to the poor penetration of this pharmacological form on the surface of the stratum corneum.
Healing varnish
In recent years, antifungal drugs in the form of varnishes have become widespread. It is advisable to use them only in case of weak lesions. In advanced diseases, this type of external remedy will not bring the desired result. They are produced in a bottle with a brush, which looks like an ordinary cosmetic varnish.
Tablets
In addition to topical preparations, oral agents are used. The tablets have an effect on the whole body, help get rid of the infection as quickly as possible.
External remedies
You can treat yeast infection with various sprays, creams, oils. By their local action, they do not damage the liver. The disadvantage of this method is the duration of use.
Laser treatment
With prolonged and unsuccessful attempts to remove nail fungus, you should think about laser therapy. This method is effective in getting rid of neglected lesions.
The course consists of 6-10 procedures, during which the affected areas of the nail plate are removed. The laser beam penetrates deep into the tissue to the location of the fungal mycelium and kills it.
The advantages of the technique:
- absence of pain during the procedure;
- no dosage form is required;
- has no side and allergic reactions.
According to doctors, the laser is the fastest way to get rid of the problem. However, no matter how miraculous the treatment is, there are a number of limitations to its use:
- Diabetes;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- Malignant neoplasms;
- serious violations of the heart, kidneys, liver.
Before starting a cure, it is imperative to undergo an examination of the body.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative medicine is quite popular. But they should be used wisely, after consulting your doctor.
Propolis
Bee waste is known for its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. With regular use of propolis, the affected nail disappears and a healthy nail grows in its place. After symptoms clear, it is important not to stop the procedure, as the infection may come back.
Natural propolis is used three times a day. A piece is applied to the steamed nail and left for 30 minutes. The first results will appear in a few months.
Another alternative medicine recipe is alcohol tincture:
- Mix 30g of propolis in 120g of rubbing alcohol. Leave in a cool, dark place for 2 days;
- Before the procedure, spray your feet in a solution with laundry soap;
- Dry, cut off the infected areas as much as possible, cut off the layer of the nail plate;
- Moisten the cotton with dye and fix it with a bandage on the painful area overnight;
- Perform the treatment for at least two months.
In order to prevent infection, healthy nails are wiped daily with dye.
Important!
The main requirement of one of the recipes is well-steamed nails. Remember this rule.
The vinegar
At home, vinegar is often used - apple cider or table vinegar. Traditional healers offer three ways to use the essence:
- Make a mixture of iodine and apple cider vinegar in equal proportions. Lubricate the affected areas with a solution twice a day for six months;
- Mix 2 tbsp. L. vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree oil extract, minced garlic clove. The resulting mixture is applied to the plate 2-3 times a day;
- A glass of vinegar is added to the steam bath. The baths are done three times a week until the nails are renewed.
Celandine
The poisonous plant helps eliminate the fungus quickly. Use it carefully so as not to burn your skin.
Juice from fresh plants can be used. Pull up the grass, rinse and spin in a meat grinder. Squeeze the juice from the resulting mass. In a glass container, mix 200 g of extract and rubbing alcohol. The solution is insisted in a dark place for two days. The mixture is applied to the nails 3-4 times a day after complete steaming.
The drugstore chain sells ready-to-use celandine oil. It lubricates the nail plate after careful treatment (steaming, removing the affected areas, wiping with peroxide).
White
The remedy that we are used to whitening, used in the household, can also be used in the treatment of onychomycosis. Whiteness has a powerful antibacterial effect. Every other day, apply the liquid to the nails until the plaque is completely renewed.
Egg
For treatment you need to make ointment. Put an egg in a glass and pour in the vinegar essence for several days. The shell should dissolve. Remove the film from the egg and mix with the remaining liquid. Add the butter until thickened.
The product obtained is applied to the infected nails before bedtime, wrapped in a bandage. The procedure is carried out for 5-6 weeks.
Iodine
For the treatment of yeast infection, an alcoholic iodine solution is suitable. It should be applied twice a day with a cotton swab. For prophylaxis, the procedure is carried out on healthy nails once a day. It is useful to do steam baths with the addition of iodine.
Tea mushroom
In traditional medicine, it is used to treat various diseases, including onychomycosis. A plate of kombucha is placed on the affected area, covered with polyethylene on top and fixed with a bandage. The compress is left overnight. In the morning, the dead layer should be removed, lubricated with iodine.
Hydrogen peroxide
A powerful antiseptic that successfully fights mycosis. After careful preparation, cotton is applied to the nail plate, abundantly moistened with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. To prevent the active substance from evaporating, cover it with polyethylene on top. The compress is left for 1 hour. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day until a healthy nail grows back.
Ammonia
This remedy has shown good results when treated at home. In a glass of water, 1 tablespoon is diluted. L. ammonia. A compress is made with the resulting solution overnight. The main requirement is to steam the nails until they are soft.
Ammonium hydroxide baths also help heal yeast infection. Mix in hot water 3 tbsp. L. baking soda, ammonia, 30-40 g of liquid soap. In such a solution, the surface of the feet and nails softens more quickly.
Baking soda
Before using an antifungal agent, be sure to spray the nails. Soda baths work well to prevent the spread of infection. For 3 liters of hot water, 2 tablespoons are taken. L. powder. For the best effect, you can add 1 tbsp. L. grated laundry soap.
They also make lotions with soda. 100 g are diluted with water until a slurry forms which is applied to the nails. After 15-20 minutes, the mixture is washed off.
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is known for its strong antiseptic properties. Used for baths before applying other drugs.
Important!
You have to be careful with manganese not to get burned. For safe use, you should not take more than 3 crystals and thoroughly dissolve them in water.
birch tar
It has an antiseptic effect and can be used pure or as a soap. The tar is applied to the nail at bedtime after the treatment. It is used until recovery.
Salt
You can use cooking or seafood. A mixture of soda and salt is made in equal proportions, it is diluted with a small amount of cold water. The solution is abundantly lubricated with nails, and after 10 minutes they are washed off. During the procedure, you may feel a burning sensation.
Before using the drug, the coarse horny layer of the bath with salt is thoroughly steamed.
If there is no increased dryness of the skin, you can soak your feet in a solution of laundry soap and table salt or sea salt. This procedure has a bactericidal and drying effect.
Novocaine
Traditional medicine recommends using the drug to wipe the nails and the skin around them. After the treatment, a cotton ball soaked in an aqueous solution of novocaine is applied to the affected areas and fixed with a bandage. After an hour, the compress is removed. Daily procedures can relieve pain, burning, and itching.
For the best effect of the treatment, experts advise to do a medical pedicure procedure. He cuts the nail with a special milling machine.
Prevention of fungal diseases
The causative agent of onychomycosis is a stubborn organism. The spores can remain viable in the environment for months, awaiting favorable conditions for their growth.
In order not to be infected with pathogenic microflora, the following rules should be observed:
- in public places (baths, saunas, swimming pools), be sure to wear your own removable shoes;
- wear clean socks every day;
- after taking a shower or bath, dry your feet and the area between your toes thoroughly;
- don't wear someone else's shoes;
- treat the injured skin surface with an antiseptic;
- use personal pedicure tools;
- fight against excessive sweating of the feet;
- coming from the street, dry and wet shoes;
- monitor the state of immunity.
It is always easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. The main requirement for the prevention of yeast infection is strict compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Good immunity is an important factor in preventing disease. People with weakened body defenses are more likely to get infected with infections. Taking vitamin complexes, immunostimulating drugs is the first step in preventing yeast infection.
If signs of illness are detected in a loved one living in the same apartment, you should use medicated protective equipment. Prophylactic agents are produced in the form of sprays, ointments, creams, varnishes.
As a preventive measure, the remedies recommended by traditional medicine are also suitable. Iodine is applied to the surface of the nails once a day. You can also rub your feet with a vinegar solution.
Treatment of fungi is quite a laborious and long process. Complex therapy with pharmacy and folk remedies helps to speed up the healing process.
For effective treatment, it is important to recognize the first signs of onychomycosis in time and seek medical attention. Only in a medical institution can tests be carried out to correctly determine the type of pathogen. After that, adequate treatment is prescribed, which will lead to healing.