Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis as it is also known, is a very common disease that is transmitted by contact. It is provoked by epidermophytes, which, in fact, are pathogenic microorganisms. Attaching to the human skin, the fungus affects the upper layers of the epidermis on the feet and the nail plate. In addition to the fact that this disease causes aesthetic concerns, if it is not treated for a long time, it can provoke the appearance of complications.
The main symptoms of the disease
Before you decide how to get rid of nail fungus, you need to make sure that the diagnosis is correct. There is a complex of symptoms that is characteristic only for this disease. It includes the following signs:
- changing the usual color of the nail plate to white, yellow, green, gray or even black;
- itching sensation between the toes, on the feet;
- fragility and separation of nails;
- irritated skin on the legs, there may be blisters, blisters or sores;
- uncharacteristic thickening and unevenness of the nail plate.
In the initial stages of the disease, nail fungus appears almost imperceptibly. After all, some people may not pay attention to even a slight itch and light stain. But if you do not get rid of the nail fungus in time, it leads to the complete destruction of the plate. Therefore, it is very important to immediately contact a specialist when alarming symptoms appear. It will help to quickly remove the fungus and return the nails to their previous health.
Medical treatment of omnicomycosis
Using medications is an effective way to get rid of nail fungus quickly. Now there is a large number of drugs in different forms of release. The most common of them are:
- medicinal paints - their use is effective only at the initial stage, when the fungus did not have time to spread to the growth line of the nail plate. Such funds are quite simple to use and very effectively help to get rid of the disease in a short time;
- ointments and creams are the most common topical preparations. Using such tools, you can remove the fungus that develops under the nails. Due to their structure, creams and ointments envelop the affected area, contributing not only to blocking the progress of mycosis, but also to tissue regeneration;
- pills - unfortunately, fungus not only affects the nails, but also generally negatively affects the state of the human immune system. Medicines that must be taken orally help to forget the disease for a long time. But it should be understood that they can negatively affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Treating mold with vinegar
Acetic acid will help remove nail fungus at home. This method is one of the most common in traditional medicine. Its meaning is that epidermophytes die under the influence of an acidic environment. To achieve the best effect, it is necessary to dilute the vinegar in the right proportion with water. In the fight against nail fungus at home, an acidic solution with a low concentration will be enough.
Before proceeding with the procedure, you should clean and steam the skin of the feet. Dead and fungal nail areas should be removed with small scissors. This will allow deeper penetration of the acid. There are several ways to remove nail fungus with vinegar, these include:
- baths - a 9% solution of vinegar should be heated to a temperature of approximately 36-37 degrees. The affected fingers are immersed in a warm liquid for 15 minutes. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure or rinse them with water;
- compress - you need to fold the bandage several times and wet it with plenty of vinegar. Then such a compress is applied to the affected areas. To achieve a better effect, you can wrap your feet with a bandage, wear warm socks and leave them overnight;
- ointments - vinegar can be an integral part of a medicine, for example, it can be mixed with vegetable oil and dimethyl phthalate in equal proportions. Apply this mixture before going to bed.
In addition to the fact that the lesions are treated with vinegar, special attention should also be paid to the patient's shoes. It should be wiped regularly with a slightly acidic solution.
Treatment of mold with iodine
Iodine solution is excellent for nail fungus. It has an antiseptic effect, due to which it is often used to disinfect affected areas of the skin. Also, iodine exhibits cauterizing properties, which is important to prevent further spread of infection. Sometimes it is used for preventive purposes.
To understand how to deal with toenail fungus with iodine, you need to understand the mechanism of its effect on mycosis cells. In fact, the work of the solution is based on the coagulation (coagulation) of proteins. Based on the fact that fungal cells have a protein structure, iodine, entering the affected areas, destroys them and prevents further spread. It is through this that complete healing occurs.
You can use iodine to fight toenail fungus in several ways:
- Drops - the agent is applied directly to the focus of infection. In this case, the probability of a quick recovery is quite high.
- Bath - iodine is added to clean, boiled water, after which the feet float for 10 minutes. This method can be used to prevent diseases. After all, it is much easier to prevent a problem than to think about how to remove mushrooms later.
Other popular treatments
Alternative medicine is very popular nowadays. Therefore, there are many recipes that will help soften the course of the disease and ensure a quick recovery. In the fight against fungal nail diseases, the following methods are most often used:
- Tar soap - has an antimicrobial effect. For medical purposes, it is used by foaming the affected area. To increase efficiency, you can wear a warm sock and let it work overnight;
- tea tree oil is a powerful natural antiseptic. This method is best used in combination with others to speed up healing. The oil can be used for baths, compresses or creams;
- Garlic is a very simple but very effective remedy. After a week of regular procedures, the result will be visible. The garlic clove or a compress with its juice should be applied to the lesions;
- celandine - usually make baths from herbal infusion. The procedure should be repeated every two days until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely;
- kombucha - used as a lotion. On an injured finger, you need to put a small part of the peroxided mushroom and fix it well with a film. This medicine has a soothing effect. After the procedure, you can easily cut the affected nail;
- the use of smoke - the injured finger is fumigated with smoke from cotton cloth. As a result of the procedure, the nails that were affected by mycosis fall out and instead grow healthy ones after a while;
- propolis - used as an infusion for a compress. To prepare it, mix alcohol and ground propolis. After the mixture has been injected, it is applied to clean gauze and wrapped around the injured finger.
Toenail fungus appears very often for no apparent reason. It brings considerable inconvenience to a person's life. Therefore, you should not postpone its treatment for a long time. To learn how to get rid of nail fungus, you should consult a dermatologist. It will help you choose those funds that will have a quick and positive effect.