Onychomycosis is a common infectious disease of the nails, which manifests itself not only as cosmetic defects, but can also cause a lot of inconvenience: itching, peeling of the skin, inflammation of the periungual cavities. The infection can be cured with the help of medications, but available methods and folk remedies for fungus on toenails or fingernails will solve the task no worse.
What is nail fungus
Onychomycosis appears as a result of dermatophyte fungi entering the nail plate and their active multiplication. The characteristic symptoms of the infection are the appearance of diaper rash between the toes, swelling of the epidermis, cracking of the skin, peeling and an unpleasant odor.The appearance of the nail first acquires a yellowish or brownish tint, and over time the nail plate completely changes its shape.The disease is dangerous because it is easily transmitted through common objects from a sick person to a healthy person.
What determines the effectiveness of fungal treatment?
Pharmaceutical products help to eliminate the fungus, but often official medicine recommends including folk recipes for nail fungus in the treatment regimen. To completely get rid of this problem, you must follow the main rule - taking medications and folk remedies must be done without skipping, otherwise all efforts will be in vain.
Removing nail fungus with folk remedies is not a matter of one day. Sometimes it takes weeks or even months to completely get rid of the bacteria. It is worth noting that unilateral therapy will only be effective in the case of primary infection, when the disease is in its acute form. Chronic onychomycosis is best treated comprehensively: combining antibacterial tablets with antifungal creams and folk recipes.
Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies
There is no quick way to cure onychomycosis. However, with due diligence, you can achieve not only good results but also get rid of the infection completely. Folk remedies for treating nail fungus can be combined with pharmaceutical medications or used independently. Among popular recipes, the most effective in the fight for beautiful nails are those that include the following components:
- iodine;
- essential oils;
- tea tree oil;
- beekeeping products;
- apple cider vinegar;
- celandine;
- garlic;
- birch tar;
- Kombucha
Iodine
An alcoholic solution of iodine is an excellent remedy, a strong antiseptic with fungicidal properties. The medicine is suitable for the treatment of acute forms of fungal infection. Try these popular nail fungus remedies using iodine:
- Recipe number 1. During the first two weeks, treat your nails with fucorcin solution twice a day. Then the nail plate is lubricated with iodine for two weeks. Apply iodine with a cotton swab, lightly touching the skin. To completely cure the fungus and remove residual symptoms of the disease, 9% vinegar lotions are applied to the nail plate for another 2 weeks. The general course of therapy is 6 weeks.
- Recipe number 2. Add 15-20 drops of iodine to a bowl of hot water. Steam the skin of your feet well and then cut off the softened pieces of the nail with tweezers. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the skin and cover the affected area with an antiseptic bandage.
- Recipe number 3. Apply 1 drop of an alcoholic iodine solution to the affected nail twice a day for 1-2 months. To prevent the spread of the fungus, it is recommended to treat healthy nails with iodine tincture, but at a dosage of 1 drop every two days.
Propolis
Beekeeping products have long been famous for their bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. People's reviews say that it is best to use propolis to treat mycoses. Perfectly relieves itching and inflammation, activates the growth of a healthy nail plate. For fungal symptoms, try the following recipe:
- Buy propolis tincture with 20% alcohol at the pharmacy.
- Dip a cotton swab in the solution and apply it to the plate.
- Place a dry cotton swab on top and secure with a bandage or plaster.
- After a day, remove the compress and remove the softened layer with a nail file.
- The affected areas of the feet or hands are treated with a propolis mixture until complete recovery.
Therapeutic baths
The purpose of these procedures is to soften the plaque as much as possible and then carefully remove the affected layer with tweezers or scissors. Traditional medicine recommends taking hot baths at least 2 to 3 times a week. To prepare the solution, you can use soda, sea or table salt, as well as herbal decoctions of chamomile, calendula or oak bark. Try this popular nail fungus remedy:
- Prepare a bowl with five liters of hot water.
- Add 4 teaspoons of coarse soda or salt to the water.
- Pour into a glass of any antiseptic herbal decoction, you can add a few tablespoons of vinegar essence.
- Steam your feet or hands in the basin for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Then dry your feet well and trim the affected area.
Vinegar baths
Everyone knows that fungal infections die in an acidic environment, which is why vinegar is very popular in the treatment of onychomycosis. The easiest way to get rid of an affected toenail is to make a vinegar bandage and put natural fabric socks on your feet. For those who have a little more time, traditional healers recommend trying a vinegar bath:
- Pour 250 ml of apple or table vinegar into a bowl of water.
- Soak your feet in the solution and steam for 10-15 minutes.
- Dry your feet without rinsing.
- Apply the antifungal ointment prescribed by your doctor.
- Repeat the procedure every 2 days until complete recovery.
Celandine
Traditional methods of treating nail fungus often include recipes using celandine. This plant is capable of dealing with infections even at an advanced stage. Celandine has pronounced bactericidal, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. To eliminate the symptoms of the fungus, you can prepare healing baths with celandine juice, make an ointment, alcohol or oil tincture.
Juice
During the celandine flowering season, cut the stems of the plant at least 10 centimeters away from the road and follow the instructions:
- Pass the plant through a meat grinder.
- Squeeze the juice from the pulp.
- Repeat the procedure until approximately 200 ml of liquid has been collected.
- Combine celandine juice with 70% alcohol.
- Let it rest for at least 24 hours.
- Lubricate the affected area with the prepared tincture.
- It is best to carry out the procedure after steaming.
- The course of treatment is 1 month.
Oil
Celandine oil is considered an effective antifungal agent.It is best applied topically as a compress to steamed feet or hands.To prepare celandine oil, you must use the following recipe:
- Dry the plant stems and crush them with your hands.
- Place the raw materials in a glass jar and pour the oil so that it is 2-3 centimeters above the grass.
- Let the mixture sit for about an hour at room temperature and then place it in a cool, dark place for a week.
- After a while, add the same amount of oil to the jar as the first time.
- The mixture is applied to the affected areas of the nail plates for 3-4 weeks.
Garlic juice
Onion and garlic are two roots that save you from many infectious diseases. Traditional craftsmen believe that garlic juice can help eliminate fungus if you prepare it in the following way:
- Pass the garlic head through a press.
- Squeeze the juice from the pulp using cheesecloth.
- Mix the juice with water and pure medical alcohol in a 1-1-1 ratio.
- The resulting solution is used to wipe the affected nail plates twice a day until they completely heal.
Kombucha
From this plant and sugar syrup, healers prepare a sweet and sour drink that can combat many problems. You can use kombucha to treat your nails like this:
- Remove the films from a small piece of kombucha.
- Grind the ingredient until you get a pasty consistency.
- Pre-steam your feet. Rub the fresh mixture onto the fungus-affected areas 3-4 times a day.
- It is recommended to carry out home treatments for 4-6 weeks.
Birch tar
Traditional methods of treating nail fungus often include the use of pure birch tar. It has an excellent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect and softens keratinized plaque well. Try this homemade recipe:
- Apply natural birch tar to feet previously treated with tar soap, rubbing lightly into the skin of the foot.
- For an hour and a half, try not to move, don't wear shoes.
- When the volume is absorbed, put on thick socks.
- After 2-3 days, wash off the remaining mixture with soap and water.
- Repeat the procedure until the fungus disappears completely.
hydrogen peroxide
This remedy is best used as a supplement to official treatment methods. Hydrogen peroxide has disinfectant properties, softens the nail and helps medications easily penetrate the site of inflammation. You can use the drug like this:
- Prepare a cotton pad. Before treating your feet with antifungal medications, steam them in a salt bath.
- Then, apply a cotton pad dipped in peroxide solution to the affected area.
- Leave for 2-3 hours, then cut the affected areas of the nail with scissors and lubricate the clean plate with bactericidal ointment.
- It is best to repeat the procedure 2 to 3 times a day for 2 to 3 weeks.
Sea and kitchen salt
For auxiliary therapy, you can prepare products based on two types of salt: sea and table. The first helps to soften the nail and the second acts as an antiseptic. Here are some recipes:
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda and the same amount of salt in cold water. Soak your nails in the solution for 10 minutes. Then rinse in warm water, dry and apply an antifungal.
- Make a concentrated solution with a glass of water and a tablespoon of salt. Moisten a cotton ball and apply it to the nail for a few minutes. Then wash the affected area with water and baking soda. The course of treatment procedures is 10 days.
Nail fungus prevention
It is not difficult to treat nail fungus with traditional methods, but it is better to prevent its occurrence. To avoid fungal infections, doctors recommend following simple preventive measures:
- If your palms or feet become sweaty, use an antibacterial spray or regularly clean your hands and feet with a chlorhexidine solution. To consolidate the effect, it should also be used to treat shoes, socks and gloves.
- Wear only comfortable shoes, avoid tight shoes and sneakers.
- Never use other people's personal belongings or hygiene products.
- Always wear shoes on the beach, in the changing room or at the pool.
- Avoid manicures in beauty salons with questionable reputations and do not apply nail polish or other cosmetics to damaged nails.