How to deal with toenail fungus

Toenail fungus, or as it is also known, onychomycosis, is a very common disease transmitted by contact. It is caused by epidermophytes, which are actually pathogenic microorganisms. Getting on the human skin, the fungus affects the upper layers of the epidermis of the feet and the nail plate. In addition to the fact that this disease causes aesthetic discomfort, if it is not treated for a long time, it can provoke the appearance of complications.

The main symptoms of the disease

Before you decide how to get rid of nail fungus, you need to make sure that the diagnosis is correct. There is a complex of symptoms that are characteristic only of this disease. It includes the following characters:

• change of the usual color of the nail plate to white, yellow, green, gray or even black;
• itching sensation between the toes, on the feet;
• fragility and separation of nails;
• irritated skin on the feet, there may be peeling, blisters or sores;
• uncharacteristic thickening and irregularities of the nail plate.

In the initial stages of the disease, nail fungus appears almost imperceptibly. After all, some people may not even pay attention to slight itching and slight discoloration. But if you do not get rid of toenail fungus in time, it leads to complete destruction of the plaque. That is why it is very important to immediately contact a specialist when alarming symptoms appear. This will help to quickly remove the fungus and restore the previous health of the nails.

Medical treatment of omnichomycosis

Using medication is an effective way to get rid of nail fungus quickly. Now there are a large number of drugs in various forms of release. The most common among them are:

• medical varnishes - their use is effective only in the initial stage, when the fungus has not had time to spread to the growth line of the nail plate. Such means are quite easy to use and very effectively help to get rid of the disease in a short time;
• ointments and creams are the most common topical preparations. With the help of such tools, you can remove the fungus that develops under the nails. Thanks to their texture, creams and ointments envelop the affected area, contributing not only to blocking the progression of mycosis, but also to tissue regeneration;
• pills - unfortunately, fungi affect not only the nails, but also negatively affect the state of the human immune system in general. Medicines that must be taken orally help to forget about the disease for a long time. But it should be understood that they can negatively affect the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

Treatment of fungus with vinegar

Acetic acid will help you get rid of nail fungus at home. This method is one of the most widespread in traditional medicine. Its meaning is that epidermophytes die under the influence of an acidic environment. To achieve the best effect, it is necessary to dilute the vinegar with water in the correct proportion. In the fight against nail fungus at home, an acidic solution with a low concentration will be sufficient.

Before proceeding with the procedure, you need to clean and steam the skin of the feet. Dead and fungal areas on the nails should be removed with small scissors. This will allow the acid to penetrate deeper. There are several ways to remove nail fungus with vinegar, they include:

• baths - 9% vinegar solution should be heated to a temperature of approximately 36-37 degrees. The affected fingers are immersed in a warm liquid for 15 minutes. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure and do not rinse them with water;
• compresses - you need to fold the bandage several times and wet it abundantly with vinegar. Then such a compress is applied to the affected areas. To achieve a better effect, you can wrap your feet with a bandage, put on warm socks and leave them overnight;
• ointments - vinegar can be an integral part of the remedy, for example, it can be mixed with vegetable oil and dimethyl phthalate in equal proportions. Apply this mixture before going to bed.

In addition to the fact that the lesions are treated with vinegar, special attention should also be paid to the patient's shoes. It should be wiped regularly with a slightly acidic solution.

Treatment of fungus with iodine

Iodine solution is excellent for nail fungus. It has an antiseptic effect, which is why it is often used to disinfect the affected skin areas. Also, iodine exhibits cauterizing properties, which is important to prevent further spread of infection. Sometimes it is used for preventive purposes.

To understand how to deal with toenail fungus with iodine, you need to understand the mechanism of its effect on mycosis cells. In fact, the work of the solution is based on the coagulation (coagulation) of proteins. Based on the fact that fungal cells have a protein structure, iodine, falling into the affected areas, destroys them and prevents further spread. It is through this that complete healing is obtained.

You can use iodine to fight toenail fungus in several ways:

1. Spot - the agent is applied directly to the focus of the infection. In this case, the probability of a quick recovery is quite high.
2. Baths - iodine is added to clean and boiled water, after which the feet are raised for 10 minutes. This method can be used as a disease prevention. After all, it is much easier to prevent a problem than to think about how to remove the fungus later.

Other folk remedies

Alternative medicine is very popular today. That is why there are many recipes that will help alleviate the course of the disease and ensure a quick recovery. In the fight against fungal diseases of the nails, the following methods are most often used:

• tar soap - has an antimicrobial effect. For medicinal purposes, it is used by smearing the sore spot. To increase the effectiveness, you can put on a warm sock and leave it overnight;
• Tea tree oil is a powerful natural antiseptic. This method is best used in combination with others to speed recovery. The oil can be used for baths, compresses or lotions;
• garlic is a very simple but very effective remedy. After a week of regular procedures, the result will be noticeable. Garlic mash or a compress with its juice should be applied to the lesions;
• celandine - usually make herbal infusion baths. The procedure should be repeated every two days until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely;
• kombucha - used as a lotion. On a sick finger, you need to put a small piece of peroxide sponge and fix it well with a film. This medicine has a softening effect. After the procedure, you can easily cut the affected nail;
• use of smoke - the inflamed finger is smoked with smoke from a cotton cloth. As a result of the procedure, the nails that were affected by mycosis fall off and after some time grow healthy ones in their place;
• propolis - used as an infusion for a compress. To prepare it, mix alcohol and grated propolis. After the mixture is infused, it is applied to clean gauze and wrapped around the affected finger.

Toenail fungus very often appears for no apparent reason. It brings considerable inconvenience in one's life. That is why you should not delay its treatment for a long time. To learn how to get rid of toenail fungus, you should consult a dermatologist. This will help you choose those means that will have a quick and positive effect.