Mushroom.Anyone who has ever come into contact with it will probably not remember the children's sandbox when they hear this word.An image immediately comes to mind: terribly crumbling nails, the inability to walk in open shoes in the summer, an unpleasant smell... I could list them for a long time, but it's no use.Let's better talk about how to cure toenail fungus.
First, make sure it is exactly the disease.To do this, you need to go to the doctor so that he can do a curettage for analysis.People often mistake the slightest change in nail color for a fungal infection.But there can be many reasons for this, from shoes that are too tight to a banal injury.
Sometimes particularly impressive comrades reach the point of absurdity in their desire to get rid of pseudofungi.And then, after such unfortunate doctors, you have to restore the remains of the nails.
General questions
Most people who develop toenail fungus for the first time become frightened and take drastic measures, including removing the affected nail completely.We believe this is premature and unwarranted.Why run to the surgeon if the fungus has just started and the nail bed is not affected?Become incapacitated for several weeks?Eventually, walking will be nearly impossible due to the pain.
Nail removal cannot be done alone.It should be prescribed by a doctor and only under strict indications.In other cases, it is quite possible to manage the disease at home.
Another warning: daily disinfection is required from the start of treatment:
- Shoes, indoors and outdoors
- Socks, stockings, tights
- footcloths
- Bedding
- Pedicure tools for home
Some people don't have the opportunity to disinfect their bed every day.In this case, you can cover half of the bed with old, unnecessary fabric to disinfect it.This is a more viable option than boiling all the laundry.
The next rule is persistence.Toenail fungus is not a cold;it won't go away in a week.It must be destroyed long and systematically.Preferably without interruptions.Of course, when treatment is planned, omissions must also be made.In all other cases, regularity should come first.Otherwise, some people apply the oil to their nails for three days and then tell people on every corner, “It doesn’t help them, it’s all a lie.”
We recommend steaming your feet as often as possible and, if possible, filing down the damaged part of the nail.This allows each product to more easily penetrate the plate and under the skin and destroy pathogenic spores.
By the way, don't forget: although the fungus is the same, people are all different.Therefore, some manage to cope with the problem within three months, others take years to get rid of the infection, and after some time it returns again.
And fungal spores get used to various aggressive agents very quickly.In this case, mycologists recommend changing the medicine every 3 weeks so that the fungus does not have time to adapt.This speeds up the healing process.
Advice.Before applying ointments, lotions, tinctures, or drops to affected nails, always try the medication on the inside of the elbow first.If the allergy is not visible after a day, you are welcome to start treatment.If you neglect this procedure, there is a high risk of exacerbation instead of recovery.You can do without nails completely.
Traditional methods
We will not specifically list the names of medications here.Why?Because:
- All of them can only be prescribed by a qualified dermatologist, but not "the neighbor drank it and applied it, it helped her."
- This is not a promotional item.
- The price range for mycological drugs is quite wide.And if the medication doesn't help you, then we don't want to hear curses directed at us.
Let's take a closer look at the most common “grandmother” methods.Just don't rush to laugh ironically.There are many recipes, some will certainly help.Well, it certainly won't hurt.In addition, according to reviews, these products sometimes fight toenail fungus much more effectively than medicines.
Vinegar
There are many recipes based on it.By the way, very effective.The fungus cannot tolerate an acidic environment at all.We will tell you the most effective way:
- Place 1 chicken egg in a jar (factory or homemade, it doesn't matter).
- Enough 70% acetic acid is poured onto it so that the contents are completely covered.
- Cover with paper or a lid and leave in a cool, dark place for 7-8 days.
- After this time, carefully remove the remaining foil from the egg with a wooden spoon.
- Add about a teaspoon of good butter and grind thoroughly until smooth.
- Store the mixture in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator.No metal!
How to use.Everything is very simple.You should steam your nails in salt water twice a day and then file them down as much as possible.Apply a small amount of ointment to it and cover it with a cotton pad or a piece of bandage.To ensure a secure attachment, you can use a fingertip during the day or cling film at night.
You need to keep this compress for at least 20 minutes.Then everything is washed off with clean, warm water without soap and they go about their work.
The well-known kombucha also has a similar effect.It contains a large number of acidic bacteria that perfectly eliminate fungi.It is enough to attach a small piece of fungus to the nail plate overnight.To prevent the compress from drying out any longer, we recommend wearing a fingertip.
Important!The smell of vinegar will haunt you for some time.You will have to be patient or start treatment while on vacation.
oils
Many people are aware of the antibacterial properties of some essential oils.These are in particular:
- lavender
- eucalyptus
- Tea tree
Popular wisdom suggests using them to treat toenail fungus.Quite successful, by the way.There are 2 possible applications:
- Hot, clean water (+48-52°C) is poured into the foot bath.Add 21 drops of your chosen oil.Nails are steamed for 38-40 minutes.Do not rinse afterwards, but wipe dry immediately.
- After a regular salt bath, the essential oil is applied undiluted.You can simply drip it from a pipette directly onto the damaged nail.
And don't be afraid of grease stains.High quality oils do not leave them.But there is always a pleasant smell.
Important!Make sure you test for an allergic reaction.Essential oils are highly concentrated and sometimes suffer from this.
Celandine
A plant known for its orange juice.It has been used to treat warts for centuries.The principle of use to eliminate toenail fungus is similar.Gently lubricate the damaged areas with the juice of a freshly picked stem.Morning and evening.
This method has one disadvantage: fresh juice is only available in summer.However, the treatment process cannot be stopped.What to do?Buy celandine oil at the pharmacy.It is applied twice a day according to the principle described above.A new, healthy nail will soon be visible and will gradually grow back.At this time it is advisable to file the old patient as much as possible (not to the point of pain).
Important!Use celandine juice with caution, it contains toxic substances.
Garlic and onion
Let's be honest, this method did not inspire us with confidence at first.But numerous reviews are full of positive emotions, so here is this simple recipe:
- Grind onion or garlic into a paste.
- Gently apply a small amount of the mixture to the steamed nail.
- Cover the top with foil or polyethylene.
This bandage should be applied at night.Because during the day it can slip down when walking and cause severe inconvenience.In addition, the strongest amber will turn all your friends and acquaintances away from you.
Important!Be sure to lubricate the skin around the nail with a rich cream.The sap of these plants causes severe burns upon prolonged contact with the skin.
lemonade
Yes, yes, simple baking powder.No, you should not sprinkle it directly on the nail.It won't do any good.All you need to do is steam your nails in a soda bath twice a day.In addition, regularly cut off as much of the damaged layer as possible.
The disadvantage of this method is that it works very slowly.This means you need to bathe your feet in a hot bath for at least three months in a row.But it turns out to be cheap and effective.All you need is hot water – 1 liter and baking soda – 1 tbsp.l.The duration of the procedure is at least 30 minutes.
iodine
The method, like the one described above, works quite slowly.Sometimes you need to use it for 8-9 months in a row.But it is accessible to absolutely every group of people, since it only costs a few cents.Using iodine is very simple.All you need to do is grease clean, dry nails with it every morning.
Of course, this method is not suitable for summer, as the nail plates then have a beautiful orange-brown color.However, if you have fungus, you are unlikely to wear open-toed shoes.
Important!Apply iodine very carefully, being careful not to get it on the periungual fold.The drug causes skin burns.
Other methods
Maybe some people find them strange.But what's stopping you from trying them out for yourself?In the end, you have nothing to lose.And the result may be surprising.
- Washing powder.It is recommended to steam your feet once a day in the following composition: 100 g of detergent per 1 liter of water.Repeat for 10 days, then take a break for 3 days.And so on until full recovery.
- Ammonia.Add 15 ml of ammonia to 200 ml of normal water (can be measured with a syringe).A piece of cloth or cotton wool is soaked in the resulting mixture and then applied to the infected nail.Place polyethylene or a finger cap on top.The procedure is carried out once a day, the compress is left for 45 minutes.
- Coffee.You need to make strong natural coffee.Allow to cool slightly until the skin tolerates it.Steam your nails in the broth once a day without diluting it with water.Repeat daily until recovery is complete.
- Fresh horseradish.It is grated or passed through a meat grinder.The resulting porridge is stored in the refrigerator.After each cutting or filing of an infected nail, a little grated horseradish is placed directly on the plate.Cover the top with a compress and leave it overnight.According to rumors, the method helps to cure the fungus in record time.By the way, the roots can also be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer for the winter.
Advice.Some methods may cause slight pain in the nail plate.This is within normal limits.If pain worsens, stop treatment immediately.This means that the method is not suitable for you.Choose another medicine.
How to cure toenail fungus?Only methodically and over a long period of time.This disease doesn't go away overnight.It is better to contact specialists.