The question of how to cure nail fungus is asked by many, but not everyone chooses the right solution to this problem and turns exclusively to traditional medicine. The use of homemade products can sometimes be useful, but it is better to trust specialists and not experiment with your own health.
Another misconception is that nail fungus is not a serious disease that should be treated right away, but it is far from it. Fungal, or onychomycosis, manifests itself in connection with the spread of bacteria on the horny plate. If they don't prevent it from spreading, the infection will invade all surrounding tissues and the body. In this case, you do not need to decide how quickly to cure nail fungus, but how to maintain the limb and general health.
How does the fungus manifest itself?
In the early stages, the infection is much easier to deal with. It is possible to do without the use of special therapeutic agents and prevent the destruction of the nail, which leads to the complete or partial removal of the horn plate.
Basically, anyone who takes care of their feet and takes care of their toes on a regular basis can spot a fungal infection. This is evidenced by the following characters:
- The appearance of areas that are different from the natural color of the nail. The changes that are made depend on the type of infection. These can be light stripes or brown, yellow "dots". There is a chance that other hues will form. This should be a reason to find out the reason for such changes to occur.
- Brittleness. If the toenail is crumbling and peeling, it is most likely time to decide how to cure the nail fungus. In some cases, brittle nails are caused by other diseases, vitamin deficiencies, and poor diet. In any case, professional advice does not hurt.
- Deformation of the horn plate. The growth of bacteria, the lack of treatment leads to significant changes in the nail, it is noticeably deformed. Not only does the appearance of the foot deteriorate, but there is also discomfort when walking in shoes;
- Itching, pain in the affected area;
- Bad smell. It is highly undesirable to bring the state of the nails to the stage when a certain smell is already emitted, there are signs of suppuration, an inflammatory process. Such symptoms can already indicate that it is time not only to cure nail fungus, but also to take steps to protect the body from the spread of infection.
The signs show different manifestations depending on the development of the nail disease, which led to an adequate classification of mycosis lesions:
- 1st stage. An initial degree that can only be ascertained by a very attentive person or a specialized dermatologist. Minor changes in color, slight itching is possible;
- II stage. The nail can be deformed, the color changes, the stratum corneum is partially destroyed. There is still an option to cure nail fungus without surgery, but delaying it will only make the situation worse.
- III stage. It is considered to be one of the most advanced degrees of fungal infection. It is no longer necessary to treat just the nail, but possibly the surrounding tissue as well as the root itself, as the infection is very deep at this point. Various inflammations, suppurations, etc. can become accompanying factors. It is very dangerous to bring the condition of the legs to such an advanced stage, since the treatment requires significant physical and financial costs and there is no guarantee that the restored nail will be level.
What can be the treatment for a fungus on the feet
Modern drugs on the medical device market for various types of infections allow the fungus to be treated effectively at home. Depending on the stage, type and extent of the infection, the optimal drug can be selected.
In addition, certain drugs have a complex effect. By using them, you can not only solve the problem of nail fungus healing, but also stimulate cell regeneration and accelerate healing.
Of the many drugs that are actively advertised, have positive reviews or are simply recommended for nail diseases, the following subgroups can be distinguished:
- Happy. It is recommended to use varnish as an additional treatment, for example, during a period when it is not possible to use ointment, compress or other external means. There are varnishes that help gradually exfoliate the affected area, which is necessary for better penetration of active ingredients to destroy the infection. The main advantage of varnishes is the ability to mask the fungus, since a decorative varnish can be temporarily applied to the medical varnish. Reviews of such solutions are inconsistent, it is not recommended to use varnish at advanced stages.
- Drops. Solutions are applied to the cleaned nail or even after it is removed so that the active ingredients penetrate the site of infection. Prescribed in conjunction with other drugs when the nail is severely damaged;
- Ointments and creams. The most diverse range of medicines are ointments and special creams. They differ not only in efficiency, in the complex of effects, but also in price. As part of each drug, the active ingredients, concentration and possible side effects are indicated. Since bacteria that differ in their mode of action (yeast, dermatophytes) can provoke the fungus, the methods for dealing with them must be selected accordingly. There are ointments and creams with a complex effect, that is, their use is permissible for various infections. In addition to blocking the infection from spreading, the ointment can help heal better. The purpose of such drugs differs from the fact that it is advisable to use them to remove the nail and ends with the usual prevention. In this regard, before using it, it is better to visit a specialist, receive reviews and carefully read the instructions in order to get rid of the fungus in the near future.
- Band Aid. They are mainly used for partial or complete nail removal. In advanced stages, such a procedure is necessary, since it is impossible to restore a diseased nail. The patch is impregnated with special substances that slowly dissolve the stratum corneum affected by the infection. After several applications, it is enough to clean the nail from peeling particles and apply a medicinal ointment. All of this is easy to do at home.
- Oral preparations. If the infection has not only spread to a nail, but there is also a risk of infection entering the body, it is advisable to use special drugs. In practice, such treatment is prescribed mainly at stage III. In addition to antifungal suspensions or tablets, a vitamin-mineral complex can be prescribed to maintain the functions of the entire body and improve the properties of immunity.
In addition to home treatment, you can use hardware to get rid of the fungus. These include laser therapy, cosmetic procedures combined with the application of solutions to eliminate the source of infection and restore the nail in a natural way.
You can choose a drug for the treatment of fungi that appeared on the nails themselves. This is facilitated by the media, advertising in pharmacies, advice from a pharmacist, reviews on the Internet. In order not to be mistaken, it is best to consult a doctor. But even in this case, you can ask about alternative treatment, since there are funds with a similar composition, but they differ significantly in cost and represent a complex of effects for the disease.
If the drug is chosen correctly, the improvements will be noticeable after a while. If pulsation, redness appear, onychomycosis is already progressing in other areas, an unpleasant smell becomes noticeable, you should immediately contact a specialist. With such phenomena, further self-medication can be dangerous.
Traditional medicine in the fight against nail fungus
A few decades ago there were no universal remedies for the complex treatment of a fungus, there was no way to find out reviews about drugs, and then mainly recipes from traditional medicine were used. Iodine was especially popular, which is still an excellent preventive solution against the spread of infections of various origins. The most common methods of curing mycosis at home include:
- Warm baths. Solutions are made with a wide variety of components, but their action is mainly aimed at softening and disinfecting the affected area. A good effect can be achieved with a bath of sea salt, diluted vinegar, celandine and weak potassium permanganate. Each of the options has a certain effect, there is a possibility of allergic reactions. Often after such procedures, it is recommended to mechanically clean the nail (with a special brush, pumice stone), apply iodine or a special medical antifungal agent.
- Vinegar. It is believed that a vinegar solution copes well with such lesions. The main thing is to dilute the suspension in the correct proportions and not to burn the already injured tissue.
- Compressed. A variety of products are used for such processes. This is a baking soda diluted with water, potatoes, garlic, chopped onions, aloe leaves, mouthwash, mountain ash and so on. When conducting such experiments, you need to know a number of serious consequences, including an acquired allergy, burns, or the most harmless result - no effect;
- Essential oils, herbal cookings. Essential oil, especially tea tree oil, is a natural antiseptic. It can be used during the treatment period as well as a preventive or cosmetic treatment for the feet. Marjoram, eucalyptus oil is also used;
- Salicylic acid can be used to fight onychomycosis, but mainly in the initial stages of the development of the lesion.
The feasibility of using homemade drugs at home is debatable. Since for some such treatment ends successfully, for others it leads to a longer recovery not only of the nail, but also of health in general.
Preventing Nail Fungus Or How Not To Infect Others
Knowing certain rules will help reduce the risk of an unpleasant nail infection and protect loved ones and other people from infection when the question of how to treat mycosis has already been decided.
The basic rules for protection from fungus and prevention include:
- Regular hygiene, individual washing facilities;
- Use of special slippers in public places (saunas, swimming pools);
- Strengthening the immune system. The weakened body is unable to fight the infection and the infection spreads.
- Cleaning and regular disinfection of shoes, especially if the feet sweat in them frequently;
- The cleanliness of the hosiery should be changed daily, natural fabrics should be preferred;
- Wipe your feet thoroughly after the water. High humidity leads to the development of fungi.
- Use only your own shoes, clothes;
- Regular disinfection of tools for a pedicure or manicure and of course only their individual use. If we compare professional offices, then special sterilizers are used for these purposes.
- Proper foot care. It is not only necessary to regularly clean the feet with special equipment, but also to take care of the skin of the feet and nails. If possible, you should visit beauty salons, where professional nail treatment, additional nutrition of the horny plates and skin will be carried out.
These simple rules, accuracy, and attention to your health will protect you from further mycosis treatment problems. Similar rules must be followed if the disease is already being treated. This prevents other people from becoming infected and speeds up the healing process.
If a fungus infection has occurred it may not happen immediately, sometimes after several months. It is important to timely identify the formation of a focus of infection and take measures that will help maintain the health and beauty of the legs.