Toenail fungus: what to treat at home?

With the arrival of warm summer days, women and girls begin to think about the beauty of beautiful legs. Of course, I want to wear open sandals, sport barefoot on the beach, with pride and pleasure to go to the sea. And if the dead skin can be cleaned, and the cuticle is cut off, then nail fungus brings a lot of inconvenience. In fact, the fungus is not particularly dangerous to human health. Most patients worry about the aesthetic side of the issue. When the form of onychomycosis is running, the patient feels a severe itching, burning, the skin begins to crack. In this article we will talk about the nail fungus on the legs - how and why it appears, what are its first symptoms and methods of treatment.

How onychomycosis develops

A fungus on the legs affects the skin and nails rather slowly - a person may not notice the onset of the disease. Even if you do not suffer from onychomycosis, you need to regularly inspect the foot while cutting your nails for infection. Here are some symptoms and changes that should alert you.

1. Colour. As a rule, infection begins with a change in the color of the nail plate. Most often, the first is infected with the big toe. The nail may become gray or yellow, dull. In some cases, the nail becomes so thin that blood capillaries appear through it. With serious infections, the nail turns brown and even black.
2. The structure of the nail is also changing. It thickens, moves away from the skin, the gap under the nail plate increases. In many cases, the fungus-affected plate begins to crumble and collapse. Over time, the nail dies off, it becomes literally horny.
3. Leather. The fungus lives well not only on the nails, but also on the skin. First, the defeat of the epidermis is manifested by itching and burning, especially when wearing shoes. Then the skin begins to crack, it becomes dry and painful, scaling appears.

If the feet are seriously damaged, local hyperthermia may develop in a person, the patient cannot wear his usual shoes due to pain and discomfort, and an unpleasant smell emanates from the skin and nails. If a person has been ill for more than a year, his immunity is reduced, he often suffers from colds, allergic reactions appear more clearly.

Where does the fungus on the legs

Infection with fungus occurs through contact with affected tissue particles. Pieces of the epidermis or nail, falling on the skin of a healthy person, develop under favorable conditions - moisture and high temperature. But where and how can a person get onychomycosis?

1. Most often, people become infected with a fungus from relatives and friends with a similar diagnosis. Infection in this case occurs through common household items - slippers, a washcloth, socks, a towel, a bath, and even the floor, if a sick person walks on it with his bare feet.
2. Very often, infection occurs where high humidity is combined with bare feet. These are swimming pools, saunas and baths, stripped gyms, public showers, etc.
3. The fungus is a very resistant microorganism that does not die even at high and low temperatures.This means that nail fungus can become infected even on the beach if you like walking barefoot on the sand.
4. In some cases, you can get a fungus through pedicure tools and accessories if they have not been properly disinfected.
5. It is important to understand that the fungus, falling on the skin of a healthy person, is not attached to everyone. A healthy immunity can repel a pathogen. The risk of infection increases if the patient is weak after an illness, if he has additional chronic diseases, he takes antibiotics or oral contraceptives, etc.

If the skin on the legs of a person flakes off, if there are wounds and abrasions, the probability of infection increases many times as the fungus immediately gets inside the wound, bypassing the protective skin barrier. Persons with sweating feet are also at risk - fungi on moist skin multiply much faster. But what if the insidious microorganisms have already struck the skin and nails?

Drug treatment of onychomycosis

In general, the treatment of nail fungus is a very long and laborious process, which must be approached with the utmost responsibility. Only with regular and comprehensive therapy can you achieve a real result.The duration of treatment is associated with a complete lesion of the nail plate. That is, until the diseased nail is completely replaced by a healthy one, there can be no talk of final recovery. And the growth rate of nails is different for everyone, sometimes the time for complete plate replacement can take up to 4-6 months. But how to achieve this recovery? In the fight against nail fungus using various forms of medicines, which we will discuss in more detail.

1. Drops. Before using the drug, nails must be prepared. The nail plate should be cut as much as possible to the root, and the upper keratinous part should be cut with a file. This is done so that the medicinal fluid penetrates the affected tissues as deeply as possible. After that, you need to thoroughly wash and dry the feet and drip the medicine not only on the nails, but also on the affected skin around. Carefully handle the side edge of the nail - in the crease with the skin. Use drops should be twice a day, until the nail is completely replaced.
2. Ointments, gels, creams. This dosage form is very convenient for treating not only the nail plate, but also the skin around it.A convenient form of medicine perfectly relieves itching and burning on the skin, suppressing unpleasant symptoms almost immediately. Before applying the cream or gel, the skin should be thoroughly washed and dried. Apply the drug on the skin and nails, rub into the nail plate and epidermis for at least three minutes. Use the cream every day until the nail and skin are completely restored.
3. Sprays This dosage form is easy to use. Spray is a liquid form of medicine that quickly penetrates the structure of the skin and instantly relieves the symptoms of burning and itching. However, it is important to understand that spray is, most often, preventive care. It can be used after visiting public places - swimming pools and changing rooms, where the risk of onychomycosis is high.
4. Varnish This is the most convenient to use dosage form, which is becoming increasingly popular. Before applying the treatment varnish, the feet should be washed and dried, the nail plate should be cleaned as much as possible from the parts affected by the fungus - both in length and thickness of the nail. Before applying the varnish, the nail should be degreased with any alcohol compound.Then medicinal varnish is plentifully applied, in one layer. When it dries, a decorative varnish can be applied on top of it - the effectiveness of the treatment does not deteriorate. Some medicinal varnishes already have a tint color. This allows women not only to be treated, but at the same time to hide their shortcoming. Apply medicinal varnishes need a day, especially at the initial stage of treatment. The previous layer of medication must be removed with a special compound. As the condition of the nail improves, the interval between application can be increased.
5. Preparations for the use inside. In case of serious lesions with onychomycosis, in addition to local treatment, drugs are prescribed to suppress the fungus from the inside. Such funds must be used simultaneously with local treatment. It is very important to choose the right dosage and regimen of medication. Preparations against nail fungus treat already affected tissues and prevent the spread of the disease. But for this they need to take a few months. Remember, antifungal drugs can cause some side effects, so you need to take them only after consulting a doctor.The most popular remedies for treating the fungus from the inside are Fluconazole, Irunin, Diflucan, Fucis, Lamisil, Terbizil, Rumikoz, etc.

If we talk about specific drugs for local use, then on the modern market, drugs for nail fungus are presented in a wide range. The most effective and popular ones are Exoderil, Nizoral, Lamisil, Fluconazole, Lotrilil, Naftifine, Oflomil, etc. Most drugs are available in several dosage forms so that the patient uses what is convenient for him. To choose an effective tool that will help you, you must visit a doctor. After all, the fungus has many varieties, in each case, you need to use different groups of drugs.

Folk remedies against nail fungus

In some cases, nail fungus is effectively treated at home, with the help of folk recipes. It is important to understand that the effectiveness of such treatment is justified only if the damage to the nail and skin is not very large. In addition, for a real result, therapy should be regular.

Before applying any drug, the skin of the feet must be prepared. Steam your feet for at least 20 minutes each day before treatment. When the skin and nail become soft, the penetration of the medicinal composition into the deeper layers of tissue is facilitated. Be sure to add a tablespoon of soda to hot water - an alkaline environment inhibits the development of fungus. After that, cut and cut the affected nails as much as possible. After each pedicure, be sure to sanitize scissors, nail files and other tools to avoid reinfection. Steamed skin should be thoroughly dried and proceed directly to the treatment.

1. Vinegar. Acidic environment perfectly kills spores of fungi, blocks their reproduction. Vinegar can be added to the bath, mix it with glycerin and get ointment. However, it is most effective to make lotions on steamed skin. Moisten cotton pads in strong vinegar, apply to affected nail and fix with film and bandage, leave lotion for the night.
2. Onion and garlic. The juice of these vegetables contains volatile, which inhibit the reproduction of the fungus. Onions or garlic need to grind in a meat grinder or blender, squeeze the juice.They should lubricate the affected parts of the nails and skin, not forgetting about the side fold. You can make lotion out of juice at night - the effect of the procedure will be much more pronounced.
3. Hydrogen peroxide. To suppress the multiplication of spores of the fungus can be using hydrogen peroxide. To do this, you need to steam the legs, be sure to add baking soda to the water. Then you need to cut off the small edge of the nail so that the tubules of the nail plate are exposed. From above and side of the nail, right on the cut, you need to drop hydrogen peroxide, carefully handle the nail plate and skin. If you carry out a similar treatment every day, after a few weeks you will begin to notice that the affected nail grows back, and a healthy plate appears in its place.
4. Propolis. Propolis tincture inhibits the development of nail fungus, disinfects the skin, relieves itching and relieves burning. You can simply treat the steamed skin with an alcohol tincture or make lotions for the night.
5. Tea tree oil. A quality product is effective against nail fungus. Every day, in the morning and in the evening, drip oil from the pipette onto the nail. The structure of the oil gently envelops the nail plate, penetrates into hard-to-reach folds.Wait until the oil is completely absorbed, and then wear a cotton sock. You can wash your feet only in the morning.

These simple remedies are effective if they are processed every day, and in some cases twice a day. Only regular and thorough procedures will give the expected result.

How to protect against infection

In the fight against nail fungus is very important to pay attention to preventive measures. A person with nails affected by onychomycosis should think about their loved ones - you cannot walk barefoot on the floor and carpets, you need to have your own slippers. Be sure to disinfect the bath after water treatments. A sick person should have personal hygiene products - a foot towel, socks, scissors, shoes, a washcloth, etc. In the process of struggle, you should regularly treat socks, shoes, etc. with alcohol or chlorine compounds to prevent re-infection. It is very important to monitor the quality of your shoes - your feet should not rub or sweat. Socks should be made only from natural fabrics.

Nail fungus is a completely harmless health condition, but it brings a lot of discomfort to its owner, especially if it is a woman. Treatment against fungus and compliance with preventive measures is not always enough. The fungus does not infect a strong body with strong immunity. You need to eat right, move more, become tempered, lead a healthy lifestyle, do not take medicine without a doctor's prescription, respond to any changes in the body in time, go to a doctor for a routine examination. And then not only the fungus, but other diseases will pass you by!

Video: a simple way to get the fungus on the foot and nails