In summer we travel a lot, we visit public beaches, we visit swimming pools and showers. Sometimes we are even transported on long journeys to the sea, where, whether we like it or not, we have to use public beaches or toilets. All of these are places of greatest accumulation of infections, where you can often get nail fungus. Your treatment is far from an easy process, but don't despair - you can still get rid of nail fungus!
Nail fungus is a common disease that usually starts with a small spot under the tip of the nail. It comes in white and yellow. Contrary to popular belief, the fungus occurs on both the legs and hands. If not noticed in time, the fungal infection starts to spread more deeply. Over time, the fungus can cause discoloration, thickening, and disintegration of the nail plate. This can affect several adjacent nails, even if only one was initially infected.
When the condition is mild and doesn't bother you, you may not need serious treatment. If you have severe pain caused by nail fungus, popular care tips and various medications can help. Pay attention to your feet, because even with a successful treatment, nail fungus usually returns. Another popular name for the fungus is onychomycosis (on-ih-koh-my-KOH-sis). And the condition where the fungus affects the area between the toes and the skin of the feet is called ringworm of the foot (tinea pedis).
Symptoms of Fungal Infection
Even if you've never found nail fungus and have no idea what it's like, you'll never miss that excruciating itch. It will not be superfluous to apply some type of infection prevention recipe, so that the process does not reach the execution stage. Therefore, many people recommend using vinegar to disinfect the area where the fungus can spread. The main symptoms of fungus on nails and feet are:
- Itching in the area of infection;
- The color of the nail plate has changed;
- Crack and fragility of the nail;
- Painful sensations in the foot.
Effective treatment should start at the very first symptoms of nail fungus; special creams and ointments with antifungal action will help you. The essence of professional remedies for getting rid of fungal foot infections is that they not only eliminate the symptoms but also destroy the very source of the infection.
Fungal infection can develop in people of any age, but it is more common in older people. With age, the nail can become brittle and dry. The resulting cracks in the nails allow fungus to penetrate inside. Other factors, such as decreased circulation in the legs, weakened immune system, can also play a significant role in increasing the likelihood of infection.
A fungal foot infection can start on athlete's foot (foot fungus) and then spread from one toe to the other. At the same time, you are unlikely to get infected with someone's fungus, you are more likely to catch it in a public place, in contact with the environment.
Risk factors and complications
Unpleasant factors that can increase your risk of getting a fungal infection are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes often causes circulatory disorders in the legs and can cause numbness due to nerve damage. Significantly increases the risk of cellulite, dry feet, cracks and injuries. Due to the poor condition of the skin, blood vessels and nerve fibers, any relatively minor injury to the foot, including a fungal infection of the nails, can lead to more serious complications. See your doctor if you have diabetes and suspect you have a fungus.
Factors that may increase the risk of developing nail fungus:
- Circulatory Disorders
- heavy sweating
- The story of a sporting foot
- Skin or nail damage
- Skin problems (such as psoriasis)
- any type of diabetes
- weak immunity
Do not start treatment because, after it gets worse, the fungus can be painful and cause irreversible damage to the skin and nail plate. Be especially careful if you suspect that the body's immune strength is low, as the damage caused by the fungus is very difficult to correct. Therefore, it is very important to cure the fungus in time as soon as possible.
The main methods of treatment
Unfortunately, problems like fungal infections of the nails and skin occur not only in adults, but also in children. Our grandmothers used the oldest and, it is believed, the fastest way to get rid of the infection - vinegar. For a bowl of water, you need a cup of 9% table vinegar. These baths are capable of killing mold spores, preventing their spread. Keep in mind that this procedure can be very painful for irritated or damaged areas of skin.
Contrary to popular belief, spores can affect not only the skin of the legs, but also easily remain on the arm or other part of the body. The sooner you adopt the most effective remedies for caring for a damaged area of your body, the sooner you can heal it. Fungal nail infections can be difficult to treat. Talk to your doctor if self-care strategies and over-the-counter products didn't help. Treatment depends on the severity of your condition and the type of fungus causing it. It can take months to see results. And even if the condition of your nails improves, reinfections are not uncommon.
Antifungal medications are available both topically and orally. They are often the first choice because they clear the infection faster than topical medications. The action of these funds aims to accelerate the growth of the nail plate and faster detachment of its affected part. It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks for the fungus to completely disappear. The end result will be noticed when the healthy nail grows back. Furthermore, the older the patient is, the weaker the treatment outcome will be. Adults over 65 years of age may have a longer recovery time and may need additional topical medications.
Oral antifungal medications are not commonly used because they can cause a variety of side effects. Therefore, if the disease is not at an advanced stage, doctors try to do it with external agents. Blood tests are recommended to determine the exact dose of medication. Doctors may not recommend oral medications for people with liver disease, heart failure, or those taking certain medications. After all, frequent side effects are skin rashes and liver damage.
Another remedy to eradicate the disease is antifungal enamel. You apply it to infected nails and surrounding skin once a day. After seven days, you clean the applied layers with alcohol and start new applications. You may need to use this nail polish daily for almost a year.
Another treatment option is an antifungal cream, which should be rubbed onto the infected nails after soaking. To improve the effect of the creams, it is best to thin your nails first. The thinner layer will help the medicine penetrate and destroy the fungus. For this procedure, the stratum corneum is diluted with urea and then removed with a file or other instrument.
The most effective folk remedies
homemade vinegar ointment
The most powerful remedy that will help get rid of fungus is vinegar and an egg. With them, an excellent ointment is obtained, which promotes tissue healing and softening of the affected area of the nail. A raw chicken egg is placed in a glass of vinegar and then placed in a dark cupboard until the essence dissolves the shell. Next, you need to remove the film and mix in the vinegar, oil and egg. The ointment is applied to the steamed legs, the cellophane advances and the effect of a bath is created. Then the softened affected area is removed and the next day the ointment is applied again.
garlic lotion
Garlic is a powerful natural antibacterial and antifungal agent. It helps to remove fungal lesions in the gentlest way, even in advanced cases. Garlic juice is mixed with alcohol at a ratio of 1: 1 and diluted with distilled water. With this lotion, it is necessary to lubricate all affected areas of the skin and nails at night until the fungus is completely dead. This lotion is effective even in advanced cases.
Mint compress
Peppermint is an excellent remedy for fungus. Peppermint essential oils have been shown to be effective against fungi, lamblia and staphylococci. Traditional medicine believes that treating the fungus with herbs is the same effective method as ointments. Fresh plant leaves or essential oil are best for making a compress. If it's made from fresh leaves, you'll need to grind the mint with salt and apply it to the painful nail. If the fungus is in an uncomfortable spot on your arm or leg, it is best to secure it with a bandage. Essential oil is suitable for lubricating damaged areas.
copper sulphate ointment
Another popular way is to use copper sulfate to fight fungus and infections. It forms part of many antifungal ointments, but it can also be used as a stand-alone remedy. If you don't have the opportunity to buy an ointment at the pharmacy, you can make it yourself. Use tar or goose fat to create a greasy base, add a teaspoon of sulfur and copper sulfate. Copper sulphate must be calcined in a skillet before that, until it turns white or gray. It is necessary to rub the painful parts of the legs or hands with this ointment every night.
Iodine against toenail fungus
In emergencies, common iodine, which can always be found in the home, will help to deal with the fungus. It works great on wounds, but few people know that just a drop of iodine can prevent the development of fungal foot infections. This is the best remedy for the first manifestations of nail fungus. It is applied directly to the nail plate at night, then put on the socks; in the morning, the iodine is absorbed by the nail. The procedure must be repeated for at least two weeks.
Foot fungus prevention
Remember that you can prevent fungus with folk foot remedies, so if you suspect fungus, use vinegar or iodine. The following habits can help prevent nail fungus or reinfection:
- Wash your hands and feet regularly. Wash your hands after touching an infected nail. Moisturize your nails after washing.
- Trim the nails straight, smooth the ends with a file, file the thickened areas. Disinfect the nail clipper after each use.
- Wear sweat-absorbing socks or change them throughout the day.
- Choose shoes made from breathable materials.
- Throw away old shoes or treat them with disinfectants and antifungals.
- Wear shoes near the pool, changing rooms and public areas.
- Choose a salon that uses sterilized nail tools for each client.
- Discard artificial nail polish and nails.