Nail fungus or onychomycosis has deservedly earned 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 most often of interest to people who lead an active lifestyle. The disease is easier to catch in public places, such as locker rooms, baths, swimming pools or beaches. Treatment of onychomycosis can take several months and be associated with various complications. Therefore, patients suffering from toenail fungus should know how to deal with this unpleasant disease as soon as possible and what tools should be used.
Quick and effective treatments
It is possible to cure a fungal disease, regardless of its stage, with the help of folk remedies and remedies. A mycologist should choose a treatment regimen, taking into account the body characteristics of a particular patient. Medications 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 replacement of traditional medicine.
Creams and ointments
It is necessary to take measures immediately after the detection of primary symptoms. In the initial stages, doctors prescribe varnishes that help in quick removal of nail fungus. Varnishes should be applied to a clean nail plate, from which the top layers are removed using mechanical methods. This procedure can be performed independently or you can consult a doctor who will remove the tissue affected by the fungus.
Important!
Along with taking the medication, the patient should disinfect the skin, socks, and shoes. If the fungus is present not only on the nails but also on the skin of the feet, dermatological creams and ointments are also used for treatment.
Creams have proven themselves well in treating 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 passes into 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.
In order that the removal of toenail fungus with the help of tablets does not worsen the function of the liver, doctors advise taking hepatoprotective drugs. The first course of treatment of a fungal disease with tablets is at least 7 days and should be performed in several cycles with a break of at least 3 weeks. If we are talking about the toes, the patient will have to go through 2 cycles, the toenail plates are treated for 3 cycles.
Popular methods
Many traditional remedies help cure foot fungus quickly and cheaply at home. You need to choose the recipes individually, as some natural ingredients can cause allergies. A list of popular ways to get rid of a fungal infection is presented below.
- Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Both ingredients should be mixed in equal proportions and applied to the affected nail. Hold until the end of the whistling mixture on the nail plate. Then lower your foot into a basin of water, which is 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 a squash, grate it and squeeze the juice. Place the crushed mass on gauze and apply a compress to the infected nail. The finger is then bandaged with a sterile bandage. The procedure is repeated every day.
- Jodi. Several layers of iodine are applied to the cleaned and cut nails, which must lubricate the nail plates and wait until the product is absorbed. Then the legs sit in a tub of warm water. This procedure is effective against many types of fungi.
- Tea tree oil. Tea tree natural oil should be applied to the affected nails several times a day to clear the infection.
- Propolis tincture. A cotton pad is soaked in 20% propolis solution and applied to the nails for 2-3 hours. Compresses should be applied daily and the procedure repeated until the patient has healthy nails.
Preventive actions
Nail fungus is always easier to prevent with standard hygiene practices. It is much harder to fight an existing disease because even after a complex therapy, it does not disappear forever. Experienced dermatologists advise you to pay attention to some useful tips:
- when visiting public places, including swimming pools, baths and saunas, you should wear clean, changeable shoes, which should 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 ingredients;
- 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 not wear someone else's shoes; when trying on a pair at 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.