Toenail fungus or onychomycosis has deservedly won the title of the most insidious and widespread disease of the 21st century. The answer to the question of how to get rid of toenail fungus is more often interested in people who lead an active lifestyle. It is most easily infected in public places, such as changing rooms, bathrooms, swimming pools or beaches. Treatment of onychomycosis can take several months and be accompanied by various complications. Therefore, patients suffering from toenail fungus need to know how to deal with this nasty disease as soon as possible and what remedies should be used.
Fast and effective treatments
It is possible to cure a fungal disease, regardless of its stage, with the help of medicines and folk remedies. The mycologist must choose a treatment regimen, taking into account the characteristics of the body of a particular patient. Medicines have their own contraindications, so they can not be taken in the presence of certain diseases, pregnancy and lactation. The methods of traditional medicine give good results, but are not a complete substitute for traditional medicines.
Creams and ointments
Measures should be taken immediately after the onset of primary symptoms. In the initial stages, doctors prescribe varnishes that help to quickly get rid of toenail fungus. Varnishes should be applied on a clean nail plate, from which the upper layers are removed by mechanical methods. This procedure can be performed alone or in consultation with a doctor who will remove the tissues affected by the fungus.
Important!
Along with taking medication, the patient must disinfect the skin, socks and shoes. If the fungus is present not only on the nails, but also on the skin of the feet, additional dermatological creams and ointments are used for treatment.
The creams have proven themselves well in the treatment of fungal nail infections. The patient should be prepared for the fact that the removal of nail fungus can take several months. At one time, applying an antifungal drug, it is impossible to defeat the disease. This disease passes with relapses and after a course of treatment may reappear.
Antifungal drugs in tablet form
It is difficult to get rid of nail fungus, often the disease progresses to an advanced stage. To prevent the spread of infection, patients are prescribed antifungal tablets for complex oral administration.
Important!
The effect of taking tablets should be maximum, so they should be combined with therapy with topical preparations. The combination of different drugs significantly reduces the treatment time.
To get rid of the fungus on the toenails with the help of tablets, not to worsen liver function, doctors advise you to take hepatoprotective drugs. The first course of treatment of fungal disease with tablets is at least 7 days and should be carried out in several cycles with a break of at least 3 weeks. If we talk about the toes, the patient will have to go through 2 cycles, the nail plates of the feet are treated for 3 cycles.
Folk methods
Many traditional medicines help to quickly and cheaply treat foot fungus at home. You need to choose recipes individually, as some natural ingredients can cause allergies. Below is a list of popular ways to get rid of a fungal infection.
- Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. The two components should be mixed in equal proportions and applied to the affected nail. Store until the end of the hissing mixture on the nail plate. Then lower your feet into a basin of water mixed with a small amount of chlorine and hold for no more than 3 minutes. After the procedure, the feet or hands should be rinsed and dried with a towel.
- Garlic. Peel and finely chop the garlic clove. Place the crushed mass on gauze and apply a compress on the infected nail. The finger is then bandaged with a sterile bandage. The procedure is repeated daily.
- iodine. Several layers of iodine are applied to cleaned and trimmed nails, which should lubricate the nail plates and wait until the product is absorbed. Then lower your legs into a basin of warm water. This procedure is effective against many types of fungi.
- Tea tree oil. Natural tea tree oil should be applied to the affected nails several times a day to clear the infection.
- Propolis tincture. A cotton swab is moistened with 20% propolis tincture and applied to the nails for 2-3 hours. The compresses should be applied daily and the procedure repeated until the patient grows healthy nails.
Preventive actions
Nail fungus is always easier to prevent with standard hygiene practices. It is much more difficult to fight an existing disease, because even after undergoing complex therapy, it does not disappear forever. Experienced dermatologists advise you to pay attention to a few useful tips:
- when visiting public places, including swimming pools, baths and saunas, you must wear clean changeable shoes, which must be closed;
- in the presence of excessive sweating of the feet or palms it is worth using ordinary talcum powder and special deodorants with antiseptic components;
- feet should be washed with warm water and soap or antibacterial gel at least twice a day and clean socks should be worn daily;
- you can't wear someone else's shoes; when trying on a pair in a store, be sure to wear socks.
These simple ways will help prevent insidious onychomycosis and other fungal diseases that affect the nails and skin of the feet.