Fungus (mycosis) is a common skin disease caused by parasitic fungi. One of the most common types, especially in adults, is foot fungus. It is very easy to get infected with them - the scales are constantly separated from the skin affected by the fungus, which has many pathogens. How to get rid of foot fungus? Traditional medicine does not always deal with this unpleasant disease, so a significant proportion of people turn to the money box with folk remedies for the treatment of fungus on the feet.
What you need to know about the fungus
In humid conditions, the fungus on the feet multiplies well. Therefore, the most common places of infection are swimming pools, saunas and showers. Excessive sweating of the feet and wet shoes are prone to the development of fungus on the feet. If there is a sick person in the family, then there is a high probability of infection in healthy family members. Therefore, you cannot use foreign towels, shoes, combs, clothes, etc.
The causative agents of the fungus tolerate dry conditions and low temperatures - under these conditions they do not die, but only stop their growth and development. In the scales of the skin affected by the disease, the fungus remains viable for a very long time. These scales can be in clothes, shoes, carpets for years. Then, getting on the skin of a healthy person, the pathogenic fungus begins to grow and multiply again, causing the disease.
The fungus spreads rapidly in slightly alkaline and neutral environments (6-6, 5 RN). Healthy skin has a slightly acidic environment - pH - 5, 5. This protects us from fungal diseases. But sweaty feet and uncomfortable synthetic shoes violate this protection. That is why vinegar is often used in the treatment of fungi with folk remedies.
For disinfection of the patient's clothes and underwear, boiling is recommended - the fungus dies when boiled for 3-4 minutes. 1% formalin solution is used to treat shoes, and chloramine solution is used to disinfect household items. This should be done because after the complete cure of the fungus you can get it again through your own shoes and clothes.
Symptoms of infection
Symptoms of foot fungus may include the following:
- One or more cracks between the toes
- Skin peeling;
- Itching, burning;
- Thickening of the skin, the appearance of scales;
- Redness of the skin;
- Bubbles with clear liquid.
These symptoms may be present simultaneously or separately.
A treasure trove of folk recipes
If the fungus is severe, with ulcers and erosions, then before using folk remedies to treat fungus on the feet, it is necessary to make a foot bath with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. During this procedure, try to remove as many flakes from the skin as possible. If the skin of the feet affected by the fungus is thickened and aroused, it is advisable to remove all scales before treatment. This is easily done with salicylic Vaseline, applied 2 times a day. To speed up the process, you can make compresses with this tool. Once the scales are removed, the fungal treatment will act directly on the affected area of skin.
Herbal medicines
Celandine
Celandine has long been considered one of the most effective herbal remedies in the fight against fungus.
4 tbsp. l. herbs should be poured into 1, 5 liters of hot water and boil for 3 minutes. Soak your feet in chilled broth for 30 minutes. At night, make compresses of this broth, adding a little vinegar to it. The course of treatment is 15-20 days in a row.
If for some reason your celandine is unpleasant, it is allowed to replace it with wormwood.
Burdock leaves
Take a burdock leaf, beat it with a hammer or roll it with a rolling pin so that the juice comes out. Wrap your legs with burdock, secure with a bandage and put on a sock. Change the compress 2 times a day. The course is 3 weeks. It is recommended to use this medicine at night.
Rowan leaves
Knead fresh rowan leaves, attach to the affected area of skin and secure with a bandage, or better yet - first with a burdock leaf and then with a bandage. It is recommended to keep the bandage around the clock, changing it once a day.
Birch tar
Steam your feet in soapy water, remove excess skin with pumice stone, wipe well and smear birch tar on the skin between fingers, nails, cracks. After an hour and a half, wipe the tar, but do not wash your feet. Take a walk like this for two days. Then repeat the procedure. It is enough to apply this folk remedy 3-4 times to pass the fungus. But don't forget to disinfect your shoes.
marigold
Pour 1 cup of marigold flowers with 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, then strain. Apply this infusion to the feet affected by the fungus at night.
Recipes with garlic
- Mix the garlic puree and the oil in a ratio of 1: 1. Make compresses from the resulting mixture overnight. Course - until full recovery.
- Mix in 1 tbsp garlic juice and 90% alcohol, add 2 tbsp water. Lubricate sore spots every night. The course is 2-3 weeks.
Onions
Put 300 g of onion puree in two plastic bags. Put the feet in bags so that the skin does not come into contact with the onion. Tie the bags around the ankles. The result is a "steam-air chamber". Course - 5 sessions.
Potato sprouts
Pour half a cup of chopped potato sprouts with alcohol, insist and make compresses of this mash overnight on the affected skin.
Lemon
- Thinly slice the lemon into several slices, then cut them in half and attach to the damaged area. Cover with a bandage and foil on top. Hold for 20 minutes.
- A simple rub with lemon can also help with your problems. But remember that it is not necessary to wash your feet after such a procedure.
aloe
Pour 2 tablespoons chopped aloe leaves with a liter of boiling water. When the infusion reaches room temperature, strain and use as a base for a foot bath. The recommended duration of the procedure is 10 minutes.
If desired, sage and calendula can be added to the solution - in the same proportions as aloe.
Other means
Apple vinegar
- Soak well-washed feet in water with apple cider vinegar. Choose the concentration at your discretion - the stronger, the faster the treatment will pass, but only so that you can endure.
- Vinegar will also be useful in combination with carrot juice. Mix 1 tablespoon of two liquids and lubricate the affected skin with a swab moistened with this composition.
- Wash the chicken egg, dry it, put it in a glass and pour 100 g of vinegar essence. Insist in a dark place for 5-7 days until the shell dissolves, discard the remaining film. Add 100 g of softened butter, beat. You will get an emulsion in the form of mayonnaise. Every night, steam your feet and apply the ointment on the affected area of skin in the form of a compress, wrapping it with plastic on top. When the nail is soft, cut it. Course - until full recovery.
Carbonated drinks
Dilute the soda with water and make a slurry. Rub the affected skin with this paste. After 15 minutes, rinse with water, wipe your feet and sprinkle with starch.
Salicylic ointment
You can use 35% salicylic ointment from the pharmacy to quickly soften and remove fungal areas from the skin. In the morning, lubricate your feet and put a plastic bag, then socks, wear everything until the evening. Repeat the procedure in the evening. And do it in a week. After three days of treatment, the skin on the feet will begin to whiten and peel off, the young skin underneath will be healthy and fresh, without any signs of fungus.
ammonia
Add 1 tablespoon to a glass of water. l. ammonia. Soak a piece of cloth in this solution and wrap your legs, put a plastic bag and a sock on top. Do it before bed. Course - 5-10 procedures.
Hydrogen peroxide
Mix equal parts warm water and hydrogen peroxide and soak pre-trimmed and cleaned nail in the solution for 20 minutes.
It is not recommended to lower the whole leg, as this is fraught with skin irritation.
Once the correct time has elapsed, dry the nail well. After the procedure, refrain from wearing both socks and closed shoes for as long as possible.
It is recommended to repeat the baths every day until the desired result is achieved.
propolis
Dip 20% propolis tincture (you can buy it at the pharmacy) in a cotton swab, apply it on the infected area and fix it tightly with a bandage. It is recommended that the dressing be worn within 24 hours and then replaced with a new one.
Clay BF
Wash your feet and apply BF-88 glue to the affected areas. Do this once a day for a week. The fungus will disappear completely.
copper sulphate
Dissolve one teaspoon of copper sulfate in a liter of boiled water, mix well and put your feet there for 10 minutes.
Never use a metal container, as copper sulphate is very corrosive.
Tar soap
Pour two tablespoons of grated soap with two liters of boiling water and bring to a complete dissolution. When the solution has cooled, put your feet in it for 10-15 minutes. When you're done, wipe your feet with a towel until dry.
Alternative treatment with warm water
Open a faucet for hot water in the bathroom - the kind that your hands can barely stand. While standing in the bathroom, place your foot under running water for a moment. Repeat this 5-7 times. Then, spreading your toes, allow to dry. Immediately spray 6% vinegar between your fingers and allow to dry again.
Among all the recipes we have listed, you will surely find something suitable for yourself and you will say goodbye to such an unpleasant disease as foot fungus.