A fungal disease, which in medical practice is known as onychomycosis, affects the nail plate on the toes and causes a lot of discomfort to a person.The nail that has undergone pathological changes becomes exfoliated, takes on an unusual shade for healthy tissue, and the nail bed itches and hurts.Pathology develops as a result of pathogens entering 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 previously worn by a sick person.An effective remedy for toenail fungus will help 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 remove fungi in the shortest possible time.In addition, these drugs tend to accumulate in the body over time, which provides a therapeutic effect for a long period of time even after the cessation of taking the drugs.
To learn 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 the immune defense.The program, which is being developed with the aim of how 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 affecting the reproductive function of pathogenic microorganisms.These drugs actively destroy the cell membrane of the fungus localized in the toenails.The active substance penetrates the tissues of the nail plate, starting to remove pathogens after 2-3 months of taking the medicine.
- Local application of varnishes, ointments and drops.These medications 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, the complex treatment of nail fungus involves the mechanical removal of the damaged plate.For this purpose, a cutting or filing procedure is performed.As an alternative, special agents are prescribed that soften the pathologically changed tissues.The doctor develops a treatment regimen for toenail fungus individually, taking into account the patient's physiological condition and the stage of the disease.
Treatment of pathology with traditional methods
High therapeutic results can be achieved in a short time if you simultaneously use folk remedies for foot fungus and medications.Traditional healers have many effective treatment methods.
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 insignificant.The course of therapy lasts at least two months.There are several good ways to use iodine that will help you get rid of an unpleasant disease.Among them:
- Applications of iodine.A cotton swab is soaked in an iodine solution and the surface of the damaged nail plate is treated with it twice a day.Alternatively, a drop of the product is applied to the pathological area using a pipette.
- Iodine bath.This is the most effective drug that, 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 light orange) and steamed for about 10 minutes.Then the softened areas of the diseased nail are cut, the surface is treated first with hydrogen peroxide (3%), and then with an antifungal cream, ointment or spray.Iodine toenail fungus baths are a quick solution that gives good results at home.
- Compresses with iodine.This drug for the treatment of fungal infections shows excellent results due to its targeted effect on pathogens.The active components of iodine cause the coagulation of proteins.The structure of the fungal cell contains proteins, so iodine compresses have a destructive effect on pathogenic microflora.Compresses are applied to the affected areas in the area of the nail plate and feet.Gauze or cloth soaked in iodine solution is applied to the affected area and left for an hour.Hygienic procedures (washing the feet) are performed 2-3 hours after applying the compress.
When using iodine to treat toenail fungus, it is important to observe the dose and concentration of the solution.For people with extremely dry skin, this therapy can cause chemical burns.It is also recommended to do a preliminary test for a possible allergic reaction.
Apple or wine vinegar therapy
Useful recommendations on how to deal with toenail fungus include effective recipes based on apples, wine or classic vinegar.The high level of acidity of these juices has a harmful effect on 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 procedures regularly until the traces of tissue damage completely disappear.Effective means:
- Bath with added vinegar.Patients who are interested in the best way to treat toenail fungus should pay attention to this simple but effective method.Water at a temperature of 45–50°C is poured into a small basin and apple cider vinegar is added.Recommended proportions: water - 1 liter, vinegar - 3 tablespoons.The legs 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 an antifungal pharmaceutical drug.Traditional healers advise performing the procedure every day until recovery.
- Vinegar and oil based compress.Apple cider vinegar is mixed with vegetable oil in equal proportions.A bandage folded in several layers is soaked in the solution and applied to the injured nail.
- Compress made of vinegar and glycerin.Take apple cider vinegar and glycerin in equal parts and mix.The mixture is applied to thoroughly steamed feet, after removing softened fragments of the nail plate.Then the treated fingers are wrapped in cling film and wrapped on top with a bandage or fabric strip.They keep it for eight hours.
- Vinegar lotion.This is a powerful folk remedy for toenail fungus.Mix 70% vinegar, glycerin and medical alcohol in a container in a ratio of 1:1:1.A piece of gauze or a cotton pad is generously soaked in the prepared solution, which is then applied to the affected area for 15 minutes.The disc is fixed with adhesive plaster and a sock is placed on top.The procedure is carried out every day for a week, then a 7-day break is taken and the effective treatment is resumed.In this way, you should continue to treat your nails until full recovery.
Treatment with folk remedies, which include vinegar, in combination with the use of traditional medicine, makes it possible to quickly eliminate the disease.However, it should be remembered that any product containing vinegar for nail fungus can cause thermal burns if the dose or exposure time is not respected.
Kombucha to fight pathology
People who are interested in how to treat mushrooms are advised to pay attention to other time-tested folk recipes.Kombucha for mushrooms 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 fungus is used, which is used to wipe the damaged surface of the nail.
You can also apply a kombucha compress.To carry out the procedure, a mushroom layer is separated and soaked in water for 12 hours.Then it is applied to the injured area, wrapped with plastic wrap on top and socks are worn.The compress is made in the evening and left overnight.After removing the fungus, it is recommended to rinse the feet with warm water and remove the softened part of the exfoliated nail.Then the surface is lubricated with iodine or a solution prepared from potassium permanganate.
Soda therapy
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) softens, disinfects and perfectly 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 at a temperature of 45–50°C, three tablespoons of soda and the same amount of granulated tar soap (laundry).Baths are done for four days.
Treatment of localized lesions on the legs is carried out using soda paste.To prepare it, soda is diluted with water until a paste-like consistency is obtained.Place the paste on the nail plate and add a few drops of lemon juice on top.During the chemical reaction, blisters 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 every day 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 fight a fungal infection, apply tampons soaked in a highly concentrated sea salt solution (1 tablespoon per glass of water) to the affected 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 celandine.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 stand for 15 minutes.
Many patients are interested in the question of which plants can cure the fungus located 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;
- wise;
- thyme.
Peppermint essential oil helps well in the fight against pathology.