The therapy of fungal infections of the feet with the use of local preparations is performed on an outpatient basis. For a speedy recovery, it is important to follow the medical recommendations, know how to treat foot fungus at home and how to properly perform the necessary procedures.
General rules
Therapeutic and hygienic measures should be carried out regularly, treatment can not be interrupted until the fungus is completely eliminated. The duration of the recovery process depends on the degree of neglect of the disease and the area of the lesion.
For a successful outcome of treating and preventing the infection of others, it is recommended to follow the basic rules:
- For the entire period of treatment, you should refuse to visit swimming pools, saunas, beaches, pedicure rooms.
- The patient must have individual tools for the hygienic treatment of the feet: folders, tufts, soap, towels, etc.
- Shoes should be disinfected and dried thoroughly. The poles and the inner surface of the shoe can be treated with special solutions or sprays.
- Feet should be kept dry at all times. The causative agents of fungal diseases are actively propagated in a warm and humid environment. After water procedures, feet should be wiped with a clean towel, and with excessive foot sweating, use talcum powder, powder and powder.
- Special attention is paid to socks. It is better to choose socks made of natural cotton. Such a material absorbs moisture well and provides normal ventilation of the skin of the feet. Socks should be changed as often as possible and used products should be washed.
- Drug treatment is carried out strictly in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician after confirmation of the diagnosis with the results of laboratory tests of the infected material.
Keratinized skin of the toes and feet should be removed constantly with a special foot brush or pumice stone. Otherwise, cracks can be created, through which the fungus will penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis and into the bloodstream.
Comfortable shoes made of natural materials should be preferred to prevent the accumulation of excess moisture.
Foot bath
Therapeutic baths are an indispensable element in the treatment of fungal diseases of the feet at any stage of development of the infectious process. Procedures for evaporation of feet in hot water with the addition of various active ingredients are a preparatory stage before the application of the main antifungal drugs.
Foot baths can be applied twice a day or every day before bedtime. The duration of the procedure depends on the composition of the bath, but does not exceed a half-hour threshold.
Healing plants
For antifungal foot baths, decoctions of medicinal herbs are used:
- delli;
- pelin;
- burdock;
- dairy;
- yarrow;
- calendula flowers.
Plants can be combined or harvested separately. For best effect, the boil should be strong enough. The required amount of plant raw materials should be poured with boiling water. Once the boiling temperature becomes tolerable for the skin, you can put your feet in the bath and steam your feet for 15-20 minutes.
Celandine
Celandine preparations are often used in the fight against foot fungus. For the preparation of foot baths, the use of dry celandine herb is recommended. You can buy it at the pharmacy or prepare it yourself.
The decoction is prepared in the amount of 8 tablespoons of grass per 2 liters of boiling water, then cooled to a temperature of 50 ° C and placed in a suitable container. The feet should be kept in the bath until cool. The course of treatment is 20 days.
vinegar
An acidic environment has a detrimental effect on the pathogenic microflora that causes mycoses. As an effective treatment for foot fungus at home, folk remedies use baths with vinegar essence.
Vinegar is taken in the amount of 100 ml of essence per 2 liters of warm water. The approximate duration of the procedure is one third of one hour. Such a home remedy for the fungus can significantly speed up the treatment carried out by modern pharmacists.
soda and salt
Salt and soda solutions for soaking feet allow you to fight foot fungus in the initial stage. There are many options for preparing foot baths with salt and soda at home. The simplest and most effective recipes:
- In two liters of warm water, dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt and baking soda, soak your feet for up to 20 minutes.
- In two liters of boiling water, add a similar amount of strong decoction of oak bark, a few drops of mint oil and tea tree essential oil, 2 tablespoons soda, 2 tablespoons sea salt. The cooking time is half an hour. The duration of treatment is 14 days.
- In warm water, mix 1 tablespoon with a slide of soda and coarse salt, add a few tablespoons of liquid soap with antibacterial effect (tar can be used). Boil the feet in the prepared solution for half an hour, at the end of the procedure, let the feet dry without wiping or rinsing with clean water.
Salt helps strengthen nails and regenerate epidermal tissue, and soda soothes the skin, cleansing and disinfecting the surface of the feet. Salt solutions with a mixture of iodine have a pronounced fungicidal effect.
Steaming the feet with vodka, ammonia, propolis, strong coffee, birch tar, hydrogen peroxide and garlic juice are a big help.
Compresses, rubs, lotions
You can remove foot fungus with the help of various compresses and rubs according to the recipes of alternative medicine. The procedure is performed after careful treatment and evaporation of the feet.
The healing mass is applied to the affected area, fixed with a gauze bandage and insulated from above with clean socks. Provided there are no aggressive substances in the composition of the compress, the compresses are left overnight.
The most popular recipes for home-made antifungal compresses for the treatment of foot fungus:
- Freshly chopped fresh rowan leaves are applied to the infected skin, covered with a burdock leaf on top and wrapped in cellophane.
- Apply salicylic ointment 35% evenly on fungal lesions, wrap with adhesive film. Change the bandage once a day.
- Pass a few cloves of garlic through a press, mix with an equal amount of butter until smooth. Apply the resulting mass on the injured area, wrap in a film, leave overnight. Garlic will sting, but it is a good way to quickly cure foot fungus.
- Onion paste is used for compresses in its pure form, you just need to change the bandages as often as possible. If the itching becomes unbearable, you can dilute the onion with Vaseline in a 1: 1 ratio.
- Night acetic compresses show good results. It is more convenient to use a cotton pad soaked in a weak solution of vinegar essence.
- Alcohol swabs help with foot fungus. A small piece of linen cloth soaked in an aqueous solution of ammonia is wrapped around a sore foot and insulated with polyethylene. The course is designed for 7-10 days.
- Mashed potato cabbage insist on vodka for a day. Ready-made noise is used for foot compresses before you go to bed.
- If the fungus is localized in the interdigital folds, you can apply a peppermint juice and salt to the affected skin. This medicine perfectly fights the manifestations of itching, removes an unpleasant odor and other symptoms.
The method of rubbing the affected skin with birch tar, an alcoholic solution of iodine, garlic juice, tea tree oils and celandine helps to quickly get rid of foot fungus at home.
Many topical antifungal pharmaceutical drugs are recommended to be used in the form of compresses if the mycosis has reached an advanced stage.
Antifungal medicinal agents
The fastest way to cure a fungal infection is the right combination of folk remedies and antifungal medications. Medicines for fungal diseases are divided into two main groups: for local and systemic use.
Oral antifungals are prescribed for the treatment of fungal infections in an advanced form in the absence of contraindications. Taking tablets is associated with a risk to the liver, they should be taken only in the dose indicated by the doctor.
The choice of local medication depends on the type of causative agent of the disease and the patient's financial capabilities. It may take several months to remove the fungus and not everyone can buy expensive medicines.
Preparations for external use are available in the form of creams, gels, ointments, sprays, varnishes and solutions. Well-known pharmaceutical companies produce a whole range of products for the complex treatment of fungi.
Regardless of the form, brand and price category, the main difference is the type of active ingredient in the medicine. It is this criterion that determines the effectiveness of the drug in relation to a particular type of infectious agent.
Antifungal drugs contain fungistatic substances: sertocanazole, bifonazole, ketoconazole, oxyconazole, terbinafine, cyclopiroxalamine, amorolfine.
It is easier to defeat the fungus on the feet with the help of local preparations in the early stages of disease development, when the first signs of infection appear, if the treatment is carried out continuously in accordance with the attached instructions.
Personal hygiene rules as a prevention against foot fungus
Prevention of foot fungus is, first of all, personal hygienic measures aimed at preventing infection, creating an environment hostile to microorganisms.
It is important to remember that fungal lesions of the feet can persist for a long time, almost without appearing, they are characterized by a chronic course of relapse.
The pathogenic microorganisms that affect the foot are extremely persistent, they love moisture, wet airless interdigital folds of the foot, bottom and side surfaces of the foot.
Below is a short list of personal hygiene practices (known but not always followed) to avoid catching this compulsive infection:
- Keep your feet dry and fresh;
- Do a pedicure at the right time regularly using tools that have undergone proper disinfectant treatment, using modern auxiliary and care products;
- Wash feet with warm soapy water daily, use antibacterial soap if necessary, wash feet several times a day;
- Wipe the toes from the base to the tip, the skin between the toes, the entire foot;
- Fight sweaty feet
- Use anti-fungal powders for feet, if necessary - cosmetic and medicated antifungal creams, gels, nail polish;
- Walk barefoot, barefoot at least at home, in the countryside;
- Keep your toes slightly apart;
- In locker rooms, showers, gyms, fitness clubs and other public places, do not go barefoot - wear flip flops (rubber slippers, waterproof slippers);
- Do not use sponge, washing cloth, towels, someone else's slippers (even within the family);
- In case of infection, distribute a separate towel to the affected area or use disposable paper towels;
- Wear comfortable and appropriate shoes made of leather and other natural materials;
- Avoid rubber and plastic shoes - a favorable environment for the growth of dermatomycetes;
- Keep shoes clean and dry, aerate them, treat the inside of the shoes with an antifungal powder or aerosol;
- In summer, wear light and well-ventilated shoes;
- Change your sneakers at the right time; if they can be washed, wash them at least once a month;
- Change socks more often (knee socks, socks, tights), especially in case of hyperhidrosis, if necessary - more often;
- Wear socks made of hygroscopic materials (special natural or synthetic fibers);
- Wash socks to kill fungal spores in very hot water twice; rinse socks thoroughly after washing with washing powder so as not to worsen the condition of the skin;
- For proper sanitary and hygienic condition of sinks, showers, bathtubs, basins, wash them regularly, use special products;
- Do not self-medicate, consult a doctor in the early stages of a fungal disease; do not expose others to the risk of infection;
- Be especially careful in the presence of fungal diseases in the family;
- Help elderly family members to comply with the dermatologist's prescription and the necessary sanitary and hygienic requirements aimed at treating this disease.
Giving up bad habits is an important contribution to preventing foot mold
Bad habits (excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, drug addiction), improper waking - sleep, work - rest, inappropriate behavior in stressful situations usually lead to a serious decline in immunity, circulatory disorders.
Unbalanced diet unreasonable, excessive consumption of light carbohydrates, physical inactivity - up to obesity. Against the background of weakened immunity, circulatory disorders and obesity, a favorable climate is created for infection and the development of infection in a dangerous generalized disease.
This indicates an urgent need to give up bad habits.
Folk remedies and pharmacy for the prevention of foot fungus
When choosing folk remedies for the prevention of foot fungus, it should be borne in mind that the fungus does not like an acidic environment; a slightly acidic environment (pH 5. 5) is sufficient to stop the growth of fungi. For preventive purposes, it is advisable to periodically:
- Treat feet with diluted lemon juice or fermented milk products (kefir, fermented milk, etc. )
- Take a bath with salt water (2 tablespoons of salt in 0. 5 liters of water) or light water with vinegar (1 cup of vinegar in 3 to 4 liters of water) or soda water (1 tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate in 1 liter of water).
Almost every person has experienced a fungal infection and knows that it is very difficult to get rid of it. To cure the disease, you have to spend a lot of time, effort and money, especially at an advanced stage of the disease development. Consider how to treat a foot fungus at home, so you forget about the disease as soon as possible.
What you need to know about mushrooms
Foot fungus is a contagious infectious disease that affects a person's skin and nails. Most often, this disease affects adults and the elderly. The infection takes root perfectly in warm and humid places: in baths, saunas, showers. You can become infected when you visit public places barefoot, when you try on shoes and during a pedicure, with insufficient sterilization of instruments.
On a note!
Mycosis develops with a weakened immune system and when an infection enters the wound or incision.
The fastest way to get rid of the fungus is to start treatment when the first signs of the disease appear. It is quite difficult to diagnose mycosis yourself, especially in the initial stage. Usually the infection does not manifest itself in any way, then itching, unpleasant odor from the feet, itching and nail stain appear. As soon as you notice any of these symptoms, contact a dermatologist immediately. He, after a visual examination and tests, will be able to confirm the correct diagnosis and then write a detailed treatment plan.
If you do not start fighting the disease, you may be completely without nails. In the initial stage, the doctor will prescribe alternative medicines and methods that can be used at home to treat fungal infections.
Medications for the treatment of fungi
There are various medications to eliminate mycosis. You can quickly cure foot fungus using modern pharmacy products. They kill the causative agent of the disease and prevent further reproduction of the infection. Medications come in different release forms, depending on the location of the fungus and the size of the affected area, the type of medication is chosen.
Before using the tools for the treatment of fungus, consult a doctor, he will show you how to quickly get rid of the fungus on your feet at home, taking into account your condition and possible contraindications.
Important!
Self-medication is undesirable, if the means used are not appropriate, then complications may occur and the situation may worsen.
To remove the fungus from the soles of the feet, it is best to use ointments, it is convenient to use suspensions on the skin between the toes and lotions and nail polishes.
Important!
The scheme of drug use depends on the type of pathogen and the depth of the lesion. It may take 9-12 months to defeat the mycosis in the advanced stage.
Folk remedies for the treatment of foot fungus
Traditional recipes help remove mycosis in the initial stage of disease development. Numerous home remedies for treating toenail fungus allow the use of common products that are easily found in any home.
The main thing is to follow the recommendations for use and do not stop therapy until a stable result is achieved.
Important!
Before using ointments and compresses, the feet should be steamed in a bath of salt or soda. To do this, add 1 tablespoon to 1 liter of hot water. l. salt and soda. Warm the feet for 10-15 minutes, treat the feet and toes with pumice stone and nails with a soft lime. After that, continue further care.
Jodi
An alcoholic solution of iodine is a powerful antiseptic, with a pronounced antifungal effect. Destroys the protein structures that make up the causative agent of mycosis.
Before using iodine prescriptions, be sure to test for an allergic reaction. Many people suffer from intolerance to this drug. The drug should not be used by people with thyroid disease.
Before going to bed, you can use an iodine bath. To do this, distribute 3 tablespoons. l. iodine in 5 liters of hot water, hold the feet for 20 minutes and dry the feet thoroughly with a towel. The treatment is performed every other day.
Mix alcohol and iodine in equal proportions, apply the resulting liquid only on the affected areas, contact of the solution with healthy tissues can cause burns of the epidermis. Treat your feet for 5-10 days before bed.
Hydrogen peroxide
The tool is known for its antiseptic properties and ability to soften tissues. Used in many recipes, including to fight a fungal infection.
Hydrogen peroxide bath against nail fungus. Pour 100 ml of peroxide in 2 liters of warm water, boil the feet with steam for 15-20 minutes, then wipe and treat the skin with pumice stone or brush, cut the nails.
Apply a 3% peroxide solution to a gauze bandage and apply for 30-40 minutes on the affected area. The procedure should be repeated twice a day.
vinegar
Mycosis has a protein structure, so it is afraid of deviations from the normal level of acidity. Acetic acid destroys the cells of the causative agent of the disease, due to which it turns out to remove the fungus on the feet.
For treatment, 9% apple cider vinegar diluted with water in equal proportions is used. Wet a sock or cotton ball (depending on the size of the affected area) and place or place on the foot. The compress is kept for 20 minutes, the procedure is repeated twice a day for 10 days.
Mix 70% vinegar and vegetable oil in equal proportions. Massage the resulting mass daily for a month or until complete recovery.
Add 1 egg 30 g water and vinegar, mix thoroughly. Lubricate the affected areas of the foot with this medicine every other day until the manifestations of the fungus are completely eliminated.
The tool should be used with caution: before use, it is recommended to apply a greasy cream on healthy areas of the skin to protect the cover from burns.
Celandine
Medicinal plants help to get rid of many diseases, including skin. A home remedy for fungus with celandine will effectively eliminate the disease in the initial stage of development and will be a kind of effective therapy for removing an old form of mycosis. This poisonous plant inhibits the activity of the causative agent of the disease, due to which fungal cells die. Both folk flowers and celandine leaves are used in popular recipes.
Apply fresh celandine juice to cracks, blemishes and redness. It eliminates infection and helps speed up the recovery process. Treat the feet every three days until the symptoms of the disease are completely eliminated.
Pour the dried celandine with a glass of boiling water and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Pour the resulting liquid into a container and lower your feet there in the steam for 20 minutes. This bath soothes the skin and relieves swelling.
Mix the dry celandine and tea tree oil well until a liquid is obtained. Apply the resulting mass on the affected area of the foot and fix with a bandage. The compress is done before you go to bed. Rinse feet in the morning with warm water.
Fungal infection is the most common type of disease, it affects about 20% of the world's population. Getting rid of the disease is not so easy, but with the right therapy it is possible. Treatment of foot fungus at home is most effective in the initial stage of disease development. There are many ways to eliminate mycosis at home: pharmaceutical preparations or folk recipes. It is best to start therapy only after consulting a doctor, he will help you choose the most effective treatment.