A change in the color and thickness of the toenails can be safely considered the first sign of an infectious fungal disease - onychomycosis. In the early stages it is still possible to forego expensive medications; The only important thing is to know which folk remedies are most effective against toenail fungus. You can get rid of this disease at home if you strictly follow all the rules and recommendations.
The main factors causing the disease
Onychomycosis is classified as an infectious disease and can therefore only occur due to infection. This usually happens unnoticed and the first stage is almost asymptomatic. Even the appearance of slight peeling and small cracks on the nail plate rarely worries a person. Typically, treatment begins when obvious signs of the disease are detected:
- change in nail color;
- thickening of the plate;
- persistent itching at the base of the nail (sometimes between the toes).
It is easy to become infected with a fungus - simply contact with a sick relative during joint trips to saunas and baths, fitness centers, with ordinary household items, for example, a bath mat or bed linen. Often the disease can be transmitted in public places such as swimming pools or water parks if treatment does not meet accepted standards.
There are also some individual risk factors for a yeast infection, such as a weakened immune system. In order not to provoke the outbreak of the disease, you should pay attention to the condition of your body before visiting places with an increased risk of infection. It is not recommended to take risks if:
- The man had recently caught a cold and his immune system has not yet fully recovered.
- There is damage to the nails or feet.
- There are doubts about the proper hygiene of the racket or shoes, for example in a bowling center.
Fighting nail fungus is a long process. In advanced form, this can lead not only to cosmetic discomfort but also to more serious conditions that may require surgical intervention.
Modern medicine offers a wide range of various antifungal drugs to get rid of this disease, but due to their high cost, not everyone has the opportunity to purchase them. Traditional recipes for toenail fungus, when used correctly, are no less effective and cost much less.
Treatment with iodine
Of all the options for treating fungus with folk remedies, iodine is rightfully considered the most popular. The effectiveness of its use has been proven by dermatologists and the drug is recommended for the treatment of affected nail and foot areas. The product compares favorably with:
- low price;
- good disinfectant properties;
- User friendliness.
It has been proven that regular two-week treatment of the affected nail areas with iodine can completely remove the fungus. To do this, the affected plaque must be soaked in the medication every day until a healthy nail completely grows back. For prevention, healthy nails on other fingers can also be treated with iodine.
The medication is also often used as an additional ingredient in other home recipes to combat athlete's foot. For example, you mix iodine with apple cider vinegar, treat the skin around the nail or take foot baths by adding the product to the water. In combination with celandine, vegetable oil or an antimicrobial agent, the drug is used to make mixtures for the treatment of not only nail fungus, but also feet.
Before using iodine, remember that this medication can cause allergic reactions. You must therefore carry out a test: apply a small amount of iodine to the skin and wait a few hours. Caution should be exercised when using iodine in people with thyroid disease.
Soda treatment
Baking soda is a widely used remedy for fighting various infections. It is also good for treating toenail fungus with folk remedies. It is recommended to use it in two doses.
The first is to steam your feet in the bath. To do this, prepare a solution: 1 tablespoon of baking soda per liter of hot water. Soak your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes. Then move on to the next part of the procedure.
For the second step you need to prepare a soda slurry (soda and a little water). The resulting mass is applied to the affected area of the steamed nail plate and the wrapping method is used (you can use a regular transparent film). The duration of the procedure should not exceed 15 minutes. Therefore, your feet should be rinsed with water to avoid irritation.
When the disease begins, treatment must be carried out every day. Two to three times a week are enough for the initial phase. The effect will be felt more quickly if you combine treatment with baking soda with medication. Usually it takes about two months to completely eliminate the fungus, but even after complete recovery, it is recommended to take soda baths once a week to avoid a relapse.
Alcohol tablets
A good way to combat nail fungus is an alcohol compress. This happens before bed and stays overnight. As a result of heating, the affected areas of the nail plate expand, which makes it easier for the disinfectant to penetrate inside. An ammonia compress is considered most effective, but a normal compress is also sufficient. To carry out the procedure correctly, you must:
- Steam your feet.
- Use a file to remove the dead top layer of the affected nail.
- Treat with hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply a cotton pad soaked in an alcohol solution to the nail.
- Place on fingertip or wrap in foil.
- In the morning, remove the compress and lubricate the nail with antifungal gel or cream.
- Repeat the procedure every other day until the mycosis completely disappears.
To enhance the effect, pure alcohol can be replaced with tinctures based on it. A weekly compress of celandine filled with alcohol will significantly speed up the treatment, and instead of an antifungal cream, the juice of a fresh plant can be used.
A compress with an alcohol tincture of propolis also helps to quickly get rid of the fungus. The healing properties of this product have been known for a long time. It can cure not only nail fungus but also the entire foot. Propolis has antifungal and antiseptic properties, which eliminates the need to use other medications after removing the compress.
Kombucha used
A concentrated solution of kombucha is very effective for treating athlete's foot with folk remedies. The infusion has antibacterial properties and the stronger the concentration, the better. An infusion of the mushroom over three months is considered optimal.
Treatment with this popular method can be carried out in two ways. The first is to use a cotton pad soaked in kombucha concentrate and boiled well overnight. The second is to lubricate the affected area with the fungus itself and rub it into a paste.
In both the first and second methods, the dead layer of the nail should be cut off after the procedure. At the end of the treatment, it is necessary to disinfect both the nail itself and the instruments used.
Although kombucha is a completely natural remedy, there are some contraindications to its use. I can't use:
- women during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- Alcoholic;
- people with diabetes and hepatitis;
- Patients with HIV and AIDS.
In other cases, Kombucha has established itself as one of the most effective methods of treating mycoses without the use of medication.
Use of birch tar
The oldest way to get rid of athlete's foot is birch tar. Its use has been known for a long time, but it has not lost its effectiveness. Tar can be used in pure form, or you can make an ointment from it by mixing it with cream.
Before applying the substance, you should pre-treat the legs and nails, steam them and remove dead parts. Then you can treat it with tar. A distinctive feature of this method is that air access is required for the applied medicinal composition. The procedure takes about two hours, so you should ensure that your body position is comfortable beforehand.
A more modern method is to use tar soap. However, it is more suitable for daily prevention of disease relapse than for treatment. In some cases, using soap can cause allergic reactions and dry skin. Therefore, use them with caution. And even the unpleasant smell, which is very persistent for several hours, does not bring any benefit to the product.
Do not rely solely on tar treatment. It is best used as a complementary natural remedy to medications.
salt and vinegar
Vinegar and salt are often used as remedies against nail and athlete's foot. In addition, salt can be used for both marine and culinary purposes. It has strong antimicrobial properties and is well absorbed. Vinegar helps soften nails for further processing. Usually solutions are made from these ingredients. The solution recipe is very simple:
- 100 ml vinegar (preferably apple cider);
- 2 liters of hot water;
- 0. 5 cups salt.
Mix everything thoroughly and soak your feet in the solution for 20 to 30 minutes. Such baths not only help steam your nails before procedures, but also disinfect the entire surface of your feet.
Whatever folk remedy is used to combat toenail fungus, you should remember: if the treatment does not show a visible result after two weeks, you should immediately consult a doctor.