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 what.According to medical data, every tenth inhabitant of planet Earth suffers from a similar ailment.
How to be among the 9 lucky ones and not win such trouble in 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 fight with antimicrobials and traditional medicine methods.
Disease: causes and symptoms.
Onychomycosis, also known as dermatophyte onychomycosis, also known as shingles, 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 investigations. Treatment of nail fungus is possible at home, but the cunning infection is difficult to control and returns with relapses and inflammatory processes.
Doctors among the main causes of the appearance of the disease on the hands and feet distinguish the following:
- Warm humid environment, such as a breeding ground for fungi and other microorganisms on the hands and feet. It is strongly recommended to dry wet shoes well, to wear socks made from natural materials.
- Reduced immunity. Sometimes walking barefoot is enough to get an infection. A course of vitamins, hardening and a reverent attitude to health will help strengthen the immune system.
- Active spores, which are so easy to infect in common areas. Entering the gaps between the nails and fingers, they can lie dormant for a long period, suddenly waking up and spreading with instant defeat speed. In no case do not try on and even more so do not wear someone else's shoes. Danger may lie in wait for you in the swimming pool, sauna, bathroom, gym shower, 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 takes hold and becomes lodged, causing injury. Doctors recommend doing 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 brittle 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 flaky.
At first, you may notice that the shine and elasticity have disappeared. Blackening often 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 decreased immunity are characteristic. In children, it is easy to recognize a fungal disease by the itchy sensation between the toes. The skin around the nails and on the feet can crack and turn bloody, causing pain. Frequent rashes. The color of the nail plate changes from pink to yellow.
How to get rid of problems?
Official medicine offers several ways to treat fungus on the hands and feet. Be patient, as nail fungus treatment is a lengthy and financially expensive 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 discomfort with an antifungal drug of oily consistency and shellac. At the initial stage, such a cure for toenail fungus is what you need.
It effectively fights the injury, showing tangible results after only seven days. The drug at home is applied to the nails daily, after cleaning the nail surface from the previous layer of varnish or medicinal antifungal 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, along with oral remedies intended to treat various forms of candida or prevent them. Peroral medicines, that is, for internal use, are very effective for fungi.
These medications are excellent for treating fungal infections. However, if the case is neglected enough, only a combination treatment regimen, including lotions, gels, ointments, and other nail treatments, can help at home.
You will need to seek the help of a surgeon in the event of a serious injury. If the fungus has taken root, it is impossible to whitewash and treat it at home. Most likely, the nail will be removed. Of modern methods, temperature procedures, cryotherapy, acid disinfection and laser removal of fungus are recommended. Remember that in addition to the desired elimination of the disease, you will find 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 detergent.
An iodine solution applied twice daily to the surface of the nail plate and surrounding skin will dry out and destroy the growing spores. A well-established way of treating fungus is vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is a popular recipe that saves you from many problems and nail fungus is no exception.
Clean your nails with vinegar twice a day for a week and you will notice the first drastic changes. For 4-5 liters of water, 250 ml of vinegar is enough. You can pour a bowl of cold water and add apple cider vinegar and keep the legs in there for a bit. In addition to fighting a fungal infection, this method does an excellent job of treating excessive foot sweating and the unpleasant odor that comes with it.
Reviews say that vinegar is also used as a component of a therapeutic compress. You must 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 it is applied to the fungus on the nails and adjacent areas.
Treating the fungus with celandine is as effective as removing warts. Apply the liquid squeezed from the plant on the affected area. After a week of daily use, it is recommended to wait five days and start handling again.
Did you know that coffee is capable of dealing with the spread of fungi? You can win the battle against aggressive yeast with a strong coffee bath. Prepare a strong drink, wait until it cools down to an acceptable temperature, and lower your arms or legs for a few minutes. The upgrades 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 tablespoon 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 fungus symptoms after a week of daily use.
For children experiencing itchiness due to a fungal infection, soda comes to the rescue. This gentle nail treatment is suitable not only for children, but also 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're still a treat for a yeast infection, as you haven't had time to fully recover from onychomycosis yet. Competent preventive measures now play a key role.
The use of antibiotics increases the risk of developing yeast infections, so try not to use them unless absolutely necessary. Burns and frostbite can also lead to fungal diseases. Therefore, timely treatment will help prevent the active spread of yeast.
Remember that you need to not only treat the affected area, but also clean the surrounding space from fungus. This means that general cleaning is essential. Thoroughly disinfect all surfaces and objects you come into contact with.
Despite the effectiveness of traditional medicine, there is nothing more reliable than consulting a professional. Do not self-medicate. The doctor will prescribe this or that drug, and also, with a high probability, recommend something from the folk methods.
A common mistake with nail fungus is a layer of varnish to hide the flaws. Know that doing this will only make the situation worse. By masking defects, you do not solve the problem that requires treatment.
A good preventive measure against infection is regular baths for hands and feet with mint broth. You can also add string, chamomile and other herbs.
The fungus is contagious, so tactfully alert your family members about the problem so they can be more self-aware and take care of 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 with mushrooms.It is better to do it with folk or medical methods in the early stages than to be in the operating room with a surgeon.
Do not put yourself in a serious condition, do not paint the fungus with varnish, do not ignore the disease. After the transferred fungus, pay due attention to preventive measures, they will help avoid future infections.