A fungal disease known in medical practice as onychomycosis affects the nail plate of the toes and causes a lot of inconvenience to a person.The nail, which has undergone pathological changes, exfoliates, acquires a shade unusual for healthy tissues, and the nail bed itches and hurts.Pathology develops as a result of the entry of pathogens into an environment favorable for reproduction.Most often, a healthy person becomes infected in places intended for public use (swimming pools, water parks, saunas, gyms) or after wearing shoes that were previously worn by a sick person.An effective toenail fungus treatment will help you get rid of the unpleasant disease.
Drug therapy
Patients looking for the best remedy for toenail fungus should pay attention to modern pharmaceutical drugs.They actively affect pathogens and help eliminate fungi in the shortest possible time.Moreover, these drugs tend to accumulate in the body over time, which provides a therapeutic effect for a long period of time even after stopping the drugs.
To find out how to quickly cure toenail fungus, you need to make an appointment with a specialist doctor who, after a thorough diagnosis, will make an accurate, objective diagnosis, excluding other pathologies, and prescribe effective treatment.Complex therapy is usually indicated, which is aimed at fighting pathogenic microorganisms and strengthening one's own immune defense.The program, which is developed in order to get rid of toenail fungus, is designed for two or more months (depending on the degree of tissue damage) and includes:
- Oral administration of tablets that affect the reproductive function of pathogenic microorganisms.These drugs actively destroy the cell membrane of the fungus localized on the toenails.The active substance penetrates the tissues of the nail plate, starting to eliminate pathogens after 2-3 months of taking the drug.
- Local application of varnishes, ointments and drops.These drugs fight the fungal infection locally.
- Taking vitamin complexes and immunomodulatory drugs that increase the body's resistance to the aggressive effects of pathogens.
In some cases, complex treatment of nail fungus includes mechanical removal of the damaged plate.For this purpose, a cutting or filing procedure is performed.Alternatively, special agents are prescribed that soften the pathologically changed tissues.The doctor develops an individual treatment scheme for toenail fungus, taking into account the patient's physiological condition and the stage of the disease.
Treatment of the pathology with traditional methods
High therapeutic results can be achieved in a short time if you simultaneously use folk remedies for the treatment of foot fungus and medicines.Traditional healers have very effective methods of treatment.
Use of iodine
Fungal nail infections can be eliminated with iodine.An alcoholic solution of this substance has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and fungicidal properties.This is an effective folk remedy against nail fungus in cases where the degree of damage to the nail plate is minor.The course of treatment lasts at least two months.There are several good ways to use iodine that will help get rid of an unpleasant disease.Among them:
- Applications with iodine.A cotton swab is moistened in an iodine solution and treated with it on the surface of the damaged nail plate twice a day.Alternatively, one drop of the product is applied to the pathological area using a pipette.
- Iodine baths.This is the most effective means, which, together with pharmaceutical drugs, helps to eliminate the manifestations of the disease.The feet are placed in moderately hot water with the addition of iodine (the solution is colored light orange) and steamed for about 10 minutes.After that, the softened areas of the diseased nail are cut out, the surface is treated first with hydrogen peroxide (3%), and then with an antifungal cream, ointment or varnish.Iodine toenail fungus baths are a quick fix that gives good results at home.
- Compresses with iodine.This remedy for fungal infections shows excellent results due to its targeted effect on pathogens.The active components of iodine cause protein coagulation.The structure of the fungal cell contains protein, so compresses with iodine have a destructive effect on the pathogenic microflora.Compresses are applied to the affected areas in the area of the nail plate and feet.Gauze or a cloth soaked in iodine solution is applied to the sore spot and left for an hour.Hygienic procedures (washing the feet) are carried out 2-3 hours after applying the compress.
When using iodine to treat toenail fungus, it is important to observe the dosage and concentration of the solution.In people with excessively dry skin, this therapy can cause a chemical burn.It is also recommended to test beforehand for a possible allergic reaction.
Apple or wine vinegar therapy
Useful recommendations for dealing with nail fungus include effective recipes based on apple, wine or classic vinegar.The high acidity of these liquids has a detrimental effect on the pathogenic microflora.Pathogens cannot survive, much less reproduce, in an acidic environment, so the colony quickly dies.To achieve a strong therapeutic effect, it is necessary to carry out the procedures regularly until the traces of tissue damage completely disappear.Effective means:
- Bath with added vinegar.Patients interested in the best way to treat toenail fungus should pay attention to this simple but effective method.Pour water at a temperature of 45–50°C into a small basin and add apple cider vinegar.Recommended proportions: water - 1 liter, vinegar - 3 tablespoons.The feet are steamed in the prepared mixture for 10 minutes.After that, the softened areas are removed from the nail plate and the surface of the nail is lubricated with a pharmaceutical antifungal drug.Traditional healers advise to do the procedure daily until recovery.
- Compress based on vinegar and oil.Apple cider vinegar is mixed with vegetable oil in equal proportions.A bandage, folded in several layers, is moistened in the solution and applied to the sick nail.
- Compress of vinegar and glycerin.Take apple cider vinegar and glycerin in equal parts and mix.The mixture is applied to well-steamed feet, after removing the softened fragments of the nail plate.After that, the processed fingers are wrapped in cling film and wrapped on top with a bandage or a strip of fabric.They keep him for eight hours.
- Lotion with vinegar.This is a powerful folk recipe against toenail fungus.Mix 70% vinegar, glycerin and rubbing alcohol in a container in a ratio of 1:1:1.A piece of gauze or a cotton swab is abundantly moistened in the prepared solution, which is then applied to the affected area for 15 minutes.The disc is fixed with a plaster, and a sock is placed on top.The procedure is carried out daily for a week, after which a 7-day break is taken and the effective treatment is resumed.In this mode, you should continue to treat your nails until full recovery.
Treatment with folk remedies, which includes vinegar, in combination with the use of traditional medicine, makes it possible to quickly eliminate the disease.However, it should be remembered that all products containing vinegar for nail fungus can cause thermal burns if the dosage or exposure time is not observed.
Kombucha to fight pathology
People who are interested in how to treat fungus are advised to pay attention to other time-tested folk recipes.Kombucha for fungi has been used since ancient times.The active substances contained in kombucha have antiseptic and antifungal properties.For therapeutic purposes, a small fragment of the sponge is used, which is used to wipe the damaged surface of the nail.
You can also apply a kombucha compress.To perform the procedure, a layer of sponge is separated and soaked in water for 12 hours.Then it is applied to the sore spot, wrapped with nylon on top and socks are put on.The compress is made in the evening and stays all night.After removing the fungus, it is recommended to rinse your feet with warm water and remove the exfoliated, softened part of the nail.Then the surface is lubricated with iodine or a solution prepared from potassium permanganate.
Soda therapy
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) perfectly softens, disinfects and dries the affected tissues.Soda is used more often in solutions, less often in dry form or in combination with other active ingredients.A soda bath is prepared from 7 liters of water with a temperature of 45-50 ° C, three tablespoons of soda and the same amount of crushed tar (laundry) soap.Baths are done for four days.
Treatment of lesions located on the legs is carried out using soda paste.To prepare it, soda is diluted with water to a paste-like consistency.Place the paste on the nail plate and add a few drops of lemon juice on top.During the chemical reaction, bubbles form and the patient feels a slight tingling sensation in the affected area.After 5-7 minutes, the composition is washed off and the affected area is treated with antifungal ointment.
Effective salt products
Salt for toenail fungus is most often used in the form of solutions.The procedure is carried out daily until the traces of the disease disappear completely.Salt baths with the addition of vinegar are effective.Recommended proportions: 100 g of sea or table salt, 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 4 liters of water.To effectively combat a fungal infection, apply tampons soaked in a highly concentrated sea salt solution (1 tablespoon per glass of water) to the damaged area.
Traditional recipes based on medicinal herbs
Medicinal herbs for toenail fungus are extremely effective and are used in the form of infusions, baths and compresses.One of the most effective recipes is an infusion of celandines.To prepare the medicine, take 100 g of celandine herb, add 1 liter of boiled water and leave for 20 minutes.The infusion is filtered and diluted with warm water in a 1:1 ratio.Put your feet in it and soak for 15 minutes.
Many patients are interested in the question of what herbs can cure the fungus localized in the area of the nail plate.
For these purposes, baths with concentrated decoctions and infusions prepared from:
- calendula;
- St. John's wort;
- wormwood;
- oak
- yarrow;
- sage;
- thyme.
Peppermint essential oil helps well in the fight against pathology.