Nail fungus, or mycosis, is a very unpleasant disease and, unfortunately, very common. Mycosis refers to a chronic and elusive pathology-sometimes it is not possible to find an effective cure for toenail fungus for months or even years. The symptoms disappeared for a while, it seemed everything was left behind and the nails were healthy. But after a few weeks, the nail plate turns yellow again, thickens, starts to crumble - and again you have to find a cure for nail fungus, experiencing itching, discomfort, and an unpleasant odor.
Finding an effective remedy for the treatment of toenail fungus is necessary not only because the affected feet do not look neat and disgusting. The presence of fungal infections in the body continuously negatively affects the state of the immune system, the general well -being of a person and can be an impetus for the development of other pathologies, no less unpleasant and more dangerous. Pharmacies offer a large selection of various remedies for toenail fungus at very different prices. They all have different compositions and mechanisms of action, which one is most appropriate, in most cases you have to determine by trial and error.
A good remedy for nail fungus on the hands and feet requires a high cost. To avoid unnecessary expenses and not start the disease, it should be prepared before going to the pharmacy. That is - to find out what kind of antifungal drugs are available now, what the differences are, how they work and are used. And of course you must see a doctor. Adhering to his recommendations or not is a personal matter for everyone, but at least he or she will diagnose and identify the pathogen accurately.
The main types of antifungal drugs
All drugs offered in pharmacies for the treatment of athlete's foot are divided into two broad categories according to the method of administration:
- external - ointments, creams, varnishes;
- internal - tablets and capsules.
To find the most effective and best remedy for toenail fungus, you need to identify the pathogen. Different fungi are sensitive to different medications, so it is very important to see a doctor. Otherwise, the treatment can stretch forever, causing the condition of the nails to deteriorate and unnecessary waste.
Each group has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is necessary to consider each in detail and evaluate the effectiveness of the most common drugs, based on the opinion of doctors and patient reviews.
Azole Nail Fungus Remedy
This toenail fungus product may contain ingredients such as triazole or imidazole. They work in two directions:
- destroys fungal spores and thus stops their spread;
- destroys the fungal cells themselves.
This drug can be produced in different forms for external and internal use. Tablets and capsules are taken from 1 to 4-5 pieces a day for 3-14 days, ointments and creams are rubbed onto the nail plate in the same period.
Advantages of azoles
- Effective against almost all types of fungi - yeast, such as yeast, moldy.
- Suitable for long -term treatment - up to three months or more.
- Offered in a wide price range.
Cons
- Oral medications can have side effects.
- Some are expensive.
- Relapse is not excluded even after complicated treatment.
Even so, many patients in this category find the most effective remedy for nail fungus. Such drugs get the best reviews and recommendations.
Introduction
Only a comprehensive treatment can get rid of toenail fungus.
For a positive result, you need to use several methods to combat fungal injections.Only the right approach will quickly get rid of this disease.
Diagnosis of mycosis of the legs
Diagnosing the disease is easy, and you can do it at home. Carefully inspect the nails and the space between the fingers - itching, redness, transparency of the nail plate, burning sensation, discoloration of the nails are signs of the disease.
You can also run the diagnostic in another way, diluting potassium permanganate to a light purple color and wetting the nails in it - a healthy nail plate will be stained, and the patient will remain unchanged. Once the problem is discovered, the question of how to treat the fungus arises, and then everyone decides for himself.
Start treating the disease at home using folk remedies or medicines, or go to the doctor.Our advice is to see a specialist, only a doctor who can provide the right comprehensive treatment that will lead to positive results.
What to expect from a trip to a medical facility if there is a fungus:
- A dermatologist will carefully examine the fungus under a microscope.
- Indicates the focus of the infection.
- Identify the cause of this disease.
- Will make an accurate diagnosis according to the tests performed.
- Refer to treatment.
It should be noted that the diagnosis is not painful; skin scales and particles from diseased nails were taken for analysis.
Main types (schemes, courses) of complex therapy for onychomycosis
In the treatment of fungi, only complex therapies are used with the use of various drugs and means that will mutually enhance the action.
Qualified specialists develop individual treatment regimens, based on the patient's body characteristics, the type of pathogen and the state of development of the fungal infection.
Timely nail fungus treatment can lead to the following consequences:
- decreased immunity;
- the appearance of eczema on the skin of the feet;
- allergies;
- if the infection enters the bloodstream, the fungus can infect internal organs.
Rapid action to get rid of fungal infections from the body contributes to effective fungal treatment. There are many types of disease -causing agents, andcan only be detected in laboratory conditions, so, when contacting a dermatologist, he takes particles from a sore nail.
At the last stage, it is very difficult to get rid of the infection, because it has already enough to get into the body. At this stage, the nail plate becomes thick and brittle, and the surrounding skin becomes deformed. In this situation, recovery depends on the right approach from the dermatologist to the treatment and the patient’s own actions.
Antifungal varnishes and plasters: types and levels of effectiveness
Special plasters, often recommended by mycologists, will help destroy fungal spores quickly.
The patch softens the affected nail, making it easier to remove later.
Removing nails and treating fungus with spots is quite effective, but before using them, you need to consult a specialist, because the use of a patch will not relieve recurrence if the disease penetrates deep into the body.
In addition to plaster, a large number of varnishes have been developed that are effective against nail fungus. The following popular and effective varnishes will help cure onychomycosis:
If the fungus has not healed, other treatments must be found.
Preparations that remove damaged nails without pain
Now in pharmacies, you can buy medicines that help get rid of sore nails quickly and painlessly, but they must be used strictly according to instructions.
Tablets against onychomycosis
If the fungal lesion has grown strongly, then the use of only external drugs will not be useful, you need to take antifungal drugs in them.
Creams and ointments
Medical studies prove that ointments and creams in the treatment of nail fungus are not effective enough, because they practically do not penetrate the nail plate and quickly disappear.
But do not exclude these drugs completely from the treatment regimen, these drugs can help as an adjunct treatment or as prophylaxis.
Doctors prescribe creams and ointments to prevent relapses.
Tea tree oil is often used in the treatment of fungus, which can be used on its own or added to foot creams.
It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal effects. The course of treatment is very long, and the main rule for a positive effect is the regularity of use.
Traditional therapy
Although many drugs for the treatment of fungal infections have been developed, it is not easy to get rid of the disease. Therefore, folk methods of treating fungus are often used in stacks with drugs.
Garlic
This ingredient is often used in many folk recipes to treat fungus. It can be used alone or with several components.
The easiest way, but quite effective, is rubbing freshly squeezed garlic juice onto sore nails. This process must be repeated at least 5 times a day - apply the juice with a cotton swab. The course of his treatment is long - until full recovery. If the disease progresses, then experts recommend taking additional Nystatin tablets and Clotrimazole ointment.
Acetic acid
Vinegar not only fights fungal infections effectively, but also has the following benefits:
- antimicrobial effect;
- disinfection of the skin around the nail;
- fungistatic and antiseptic action.
The principle of action of vinegar essence on fungi and mycosis is penetration into the affected area and destruction of spores of fungal infections.
As a result of prolonged use,fungal colonies die completely by acid.
Diluted acetic acid compress 8 times is used for treatment, bandage is applied at night.
Onions and Lemon
There are many popular onion -based recipes for treating nail fungus. You can take onions, peel, squeeze the juice and process the nail plate. Often this method is used at night, but since the product does not require rinsing, it can be used in the morning.
There are other recipes, you have to grate the peeled onion, put the gruel on your feet, then wrap it with cellophane and wear warm socks. The compresses are left overnight, and in the morning they wash the feet with soap to get rid of the persistent onion smell.
And if you combine lemon and onion, you can enhance the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect of the drug. Grate the onion into the gruel and add the lemon juice into it. Apply this mask at night. An improvement in the condition can be seen after a few days. But the main thing is frequency - the use of the drug for a long time, until completely cured.
General antifungal prophylaxis
Fungi can be transmitted in public places such as baths, saunas, salons. To avoid this problem, you need to take the following precautions:
- do not wear shoes that are not too big, this can cause regrowth of nail plates and the emergence of fungal infections;
- if you sweat excessively, you should not wear shoes and boots;
- don't try on shoes in the store without socks;
- do not wear slippers while visiting;
- dries and disinfects shoes regularly;
- don't wear synthetic socks;
- pedicures or manicures should be performed in professional salons, where special attention is paid to the disinfection of tools;
- for severe dry skin on the feet, apply an emollient cream.
10 best folk remedies for nail fungus
The early stages of a fungal infection do not always require medication. Sometimes you can overcome it with the help of time-tested folk remedies. This treatment is considered safe for human health. In parallel, they show a clear treatment effect, provided it is used correctly.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a very powerful natural antiseptic that can fight fungal pathogens. Most effective use natural oils, because they have excellent anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties. As for cosmetic oils (40%), it actually has no effect. By using a cheap analogue, you will only be wasting precious time, letting the disease spread even more.
The treatment of tea tree oil is as follows:
- First, you need to remove excess sweat and clean your feet in general. To do this, prepare warm water and add a few drops of oil there. Feet should be washed thoroughly, with special attention to fingers and nails. Do not miss a single part of your skin during the cleansing procedure.
- Feet should be well dried with a clean towel. Next, you need to apply a dose of oil on all the affected nail plates and rub them in gently. Wait for the product to dry completely. At this point, don’t take action, let your feet “breathe”. For greater effectiveness, the oil must be applied to the skin around the nail.
Tea tree oil treatment is very simple, but requires frequent. The product must be used 2 times a day for two months. Before rubbing the oil, the feet should be steamed with warm water with the addition of substances.
Vinegar, Garlic, Peroxide - Cheap Home Remedies
For nail fungus treatment, apple cider vinegaris the most commonly used.Everyone knows that this solution disinfects and kills bacteria perfectly. Therefore, it is possible to carry out therapy with this tool successfully, but you need to know some of the complexities of its use, namely:
- Vinegar must be natural;
- Vinegar is not used to treat fungus in its pure form, it must be diluted without fail;
- if you have skin that is too sensitive or prone to allergic reactions, then you better refuse the use of the product.
Vinegar gives the best results in the following variations:
- Tray - To prepare 2-4 cups of vinegar, dilute in warm water. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes. It must be carried out at least 2 times a day for two weeks. In the future, the procedure is repeated once every 3 days until full recovery.
- Lotion - a cotton swab or sponge soaked in dilute vinegar (ratio 1: 2) and applied to the affected nail. Such a type of compress must be fixed and kept for about 20-30 minutes.
- Ointment - shows good results when combined with other products. To make, you need to take olive oil, glycerin and dimethyl phthalate and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The ingredients must be mixed thoroughly. Apply this ointment to treat the fungus 2 times a day until it is completely eliminated.
Garlicis a fairly specific remedy for treating fungus, which is not suitable for everyone and not for everyone. Gruel made from garlic helps the best. It must be rubbed on the affected nail and wrapped tightly with polyethylene for 1-2 hours. However, medications like these often cause burns and cause redness on sensitive skin. You can get rid of nail fungus using this method of treatment in 2 months.
Nail fungus therapywith hydrogen peroxideis an affordable method, which, unfortunately, does not always give significant results. This method of treatment is very popular in the early stages of the disease. In order for peroxide to work properly, the legs must first be steamed with hot water with the addition of soda (1 teaspoon of the ingredient per 1 liter). In the future, each affected nail must be carefully treated with peroxide. You need to repeat this procedure at least 2-3 times a day. It should be noted that this method gives the best results in combination with other methods of therapy.
Apricot resin
Not many people know that apricot gum really has nourishment and healing. Often, this substance can be found in places of damage to the bark, it accumulates and compacts in the form of small droplets of dark yellow color. The resin must be collected by cutting it carefully with a knife.
Resin is an excellent fungicide when used properly. 1 tablespoon of the material is put in 250 ml. vodka for 3 days. The resulting product is used to lubricate nails that have been affected by this disease.
Strong coffee
Has excellent medicinal properties. Only natural coffee beans are suitable for fungal therapy. The soluble version of this drink is not suitable for treatment. Trays based on coffee beans show the best efficiency.
Ground coffee beans must be brewed vigorously. Wait for the water to cool a bit and dip your feet into the resulting solution. You need to last 10-15 minutes. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure, but wait until the fluid is completely absorbed and dry. Such treatment is carried out at least once a day.
Lotion with anesthetic solution
Allows stopping the spread of mycosis at an early stage. For therapy, it is enough to buy anesthetic drugs in ampoules at the pharmacy and use them as a lotion on the affected nail area. Some procedures allow you to get rid of the disease completely.
Only effective in the early stages of fungal infections. You need to lubricate the exposed nail plate with iodine. You should not get carried away, because this medicine has a bad effect on the condition of the skin. It is best to lubricate the fingers next to petroleum jelly to prevent itching.
Celandine
Celandine juice is an aggressive ingredient that can literally burn fungi. You need to use fresh plants, after lubricating the nails with hydrogen peroxide. If you are afraid of burns, it is recommended to use celandine oil, which is successfully purchased at any pharmacy.
Tricks to successfully fight toenail fungus
To fight fungus quickly and effectively, there are some simple but very important rules to know:
- Washing feet.Before applying the medicine on the affected nails, the feet should be rinsed thoroughly with warm water and laundry soap. After that, you need to steam the feet with the affected nails in warm water for 5-7 minutes. This will allow the drug product to enter the steaming tissue as deep as possible. The main thing is to remember that steaming the feet in hot water is contraindicated in case of hypotension, varicose veins and high temperature.
- Nail care.It is very important to monitor the regrowth of diseased nails. When the nail plate grows back, it needs to be cut. Therefore, it is possible to provide maximum drug access to tissues damaged by the fungus.
- Skin processing.Processing requires not only the nail, but also the soft tissue found around it. The treatment should extend 1 cm around the nail. You need to use the drug carefully, wetting all the most impassable places.
- Timely visits to the doctor.In very difficult situations, when the fungus returns many times, it is a good idea to contact a doctor. Unfortunately, this disease cannot always be done on its own. In addition, some types of medications may not be appropriate, and it is quite difficult to choose for yourself the medication needed.
- Instrument care.When doing a manicure or pedicure, as well as cutting sore nails, you should use only sterile tools. The instrument must be treated with antiseptics “before” and “after” each procedure. In addition, nail clippers, forceps and files used to treat sore nails must be kept strictly away from other manicure tools.
By using this simple method, you can cure nail fungus faster.
Conclusion
Fungus is an unpleasant disease and it is quite difficult to cure it if you do not use complex therapies. For best effect, you need to use not only external drugs, pharmacies and folk remedies, but also treatment with pills. The right approach and method of treatment will help get rid of the fungal infection forever.
Nail fungus can significantly affect a person's quality of life. The disease causes severe itching, burning in the affected area and even loss of nails. That is why, remedies for toenail (hand) nail fungus should be used as soon as the problem is discovered. In this way, the best and effective treatment can be achieved.
Making the right choice is not always easy. Many who suffer from the fungus for the first time are negligent and use little-proven folk remedies as therapy.
Only a doctor can prescribe a truly effective remedy for nail fungus. So the likelihood of getting rid of the problem increases significantly. However, there are a number of proven remedies that can ensure the elimination of nail fungus in the shortest possible time. This is true not only for medicines, but also for traditional medicine.