Onychomycosis is a nail fungus that most often affects the toes.Pathogenic microorganisms feed on the organic composition of the nail plate.Those who work in damp rooms, neglect personal hygiene and visit public baths and swimming pools are at risk of contracting this unpleasant disease.
Under the influence of fungal infection, the nail plate deforms, turns yellow and splits.Without proper treatment, the fungus progresses and can lead to nail removal.In the early stages of the disease, it is not necessary to resort to drug treatment;you can get rid of nail fungus with folk remedies at home.
What is the mushroom afraid of?
Fungal nail infections take weeks to heal.To speed up the healing process, you should know that the pathogenic microorganism is afraid of:
- acidic environment;
- bleach;
- special antifungal agents and natural antimycotics;
- high temperatures - when heated above +75 ̊ C for 20 minutes, the mycosis dies.
Therefore, during the treatment of toenail fungus, you should carefully treat indoor and outdoor shoes, wash socks and bedding at temperatures above 75 ̊ C.
Treating Nail Fungus at Home
In untreated cases, you can seek help from traditional medicine.Essential oils, inexpensive pharmaceuticals and medicinal plants are proven remedies that help quickly eliminate fungus on toenails.
Birch tar
This safe remedy is very effective in the fight against mycoses.The easiest way is to use store-bought tar soap, which is 15% birch tar.Twice a day, soap your toes generously and leave for 5 to 10 minutes.The duration of treatment lasts 10 to 17 days.
A birch tar solution works most effectively.80 ml of glycerin and the same amount of birch tar are diluted in 100 ml of ethyl alcohol.The resulting preparation is generously lubricated on the nail plates twice a day.
Garlic
This plant has pronounced antimicrobial and antifungal properties.It can be used alone, in the form of crushed pulp, or in combination with other means.Garlic ointment and tincture work most effectively.
To make garlic ointment, select a fresh, juicy head of garlic and grind its cloves to a pulp.The resulting mass is poured with 2 tbsp.L.sunflower oil.The product is generously lubricated on the affected and neighboring nails as well as on the skin around the source of infection.The treated toes are wrapped in a bandage and left in this form until the morning.To obtain a tincture, mix freshly squeezed garlic and ethyl alcohol in equal parts.The composition is infused for 2-3 days, after which it is used to treat affected nails.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil works faster in its pure form.Twice a day, generously lubricate the affected nail and the skin around it.As a rule, these procedures do not cause irritation or allergic reactions in adults.For children, it is preferable to carry out foot baths with the addition of 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil.But if in the first case it takes about two weeks to get rid of onychomycosis, foot baths will produce their effect only after 1-2 months.
Vinegar
Although vinegar is popular in the fight against nail fungus, it only helps in the early stages, when the fungal spores have not yet penetrated deep into the nail plate.
Before using vinegar, it is recommended to cut the affected areas of the nails so that the acid penetrates deeper to the site of infection.6% table vinegar is mixed in equal parts with warm water and the feet are soaked in the resulting bath for about half an hour.The procedure is carried out daily for at least two weeks.
Salicylic acid
This inexpensive pharmaceutical product is very effective in fighting mycoses.To combat nail fungus, it is better to purchase a 5% solution of salicylic acid, to treat skin - 1%.
A cotton swab or disk is generously moistened with the product and the affected nail plate is treated.The procedure is repeated twice a day for a week.Then you need to take a break for seven days and, if necessary, repeat the treatment.
Iodine
Iodine treatment can only be carried out if there is no mechanical damage or cracks on the toes.Before applying the product, cut the nail as short as possible.A cotton swab is generously moistened with iodine and applied to the infected nail plate and adjacent nails.The procedure is repeated twice a day for half a month.When treating nails with iodine, it is important not to forget about the surrounding skin - it is best to disinfect it with hydrogen peroxide.
Celandine
Treating nail plates with celandine juice is a dirty but effective way to get rid of toenail fungus.Infected areas are smeared with freshly squeezed plant juice, wrapped in a bandage and left for 4 hours.The procedure is repeated daily until the therapeutic effect occurs.
If you cannot cure nail fungus at home, consult a doctor for help.For an accurate diagnosis, you will need to take a test to determine the type of pathogen and the degree of onychomycosis.After that, the doctor will prescribe a comprehensive drug treatment, including external and internal agents.In advanced cases, removal of the nail plate may be necessary.