How to treat toenails from fungus at home folk remedies

20 June 2022

healthy feet after nail fungus treatment

Folk remedies for toenail fungus are effective in the early stages of the disease. It is better to get advice from a specialist with a more advanced form.

is the best tool for nail fungus

Few people know that with the help of vinegar you can solve a very difficult medical problem, such as the removal of nail fungus. There are many ways to treat toenail fungus with this product in a hardware store or market with table vinegar (9% acid solution) and even vinegar essence (70% acid solution).

Of course, self-treatment with vinegar should be carried out only if the disease has not developed, and it is advisable to combine it with specially formulated drugs. However, when there is an urgent need to treat nail fungus and there is no money and time to see a doctor and there is no medical treatment, it is possible to use vinegar on its own, provided that the relevant safety rules are followed. Rules.

Features of the use of vinegar for the treatment of fungi

The main effect of the use of vinegar is to create an acidic environment in the area of fungal infection, which prevents the growth of hyphae and the spread of spores. Gradually, the fungus dies without access to new food sources, and the absence of harder spores prevents the disease from recurring.

At first glance, everything is very simple - how to kill bacteria with antiseptic. But in fact, the fungus is very strong, because the body is not located on the surface of the nail or skin, but penetrates into the thickness of the tissues. In this regard, a positive outcome from the treatment of oncomycosis should be expected only with strict regularity of procedures, which will not leave the parasite time to rehabilitate and penetrate under the skin.

Before treating nail fungus, make sure that the concentration of acetic acid used is in accordance with the recipe. If the recipe mentions the essence of vinegar, it means a 70% solution that must be dissolved or applied to the spot. Food or table vinegar contains 6 and 9% acid, respectively. Neglect of this information can lead to the end of treatment with chemical burns.

Vinegar baths

Hot foot baths are an effective antifungal agent, regular use allows you to get rid of onychomycosis at an early stage without additional medication. Also, vinegar baths are an excellent prevention of fungal infections. The procedure requires a warm, approximately 50 ° C, water and a glass of table vinegar 9% concentration. The water level in the pool should not be high, but up to the ankles. The feet are immersed in the solution and kept there for 15 minutes.

Prior to the vinegar bath, it is desirable to perform a complete pedicure procedure, including the removal of the affected areas of the nail plate and dead skin layers, calluses on the feet and corns, but without applying a decorative coating to the nails. If you cut and join your nails yourself, then you should do it very carefully, because the microvessels on the skin can help spread the fungal infection.

Immediately after the vinegar bath, dry your feet with a towel and put on cotton socks. Repeat three times a week.

Vinegar lotions

In areas affected by fungus, lotions are best made after vinegar baths. For this, both pharmacy products and pure 9% vinegar are suitable, a cotton pad is moistened inside and applied to the nail for fifteen minutes.

A more complicated recipe: a mixture of vodka or forty degrees medical alcohol, glycerin and 70% acetic acid in equal proportions, mix until smooth. A cotton swab moistened with a solution is kept in the affected areas for fifteen minutes, after which cotton socks are put on. The course of treatment is one week, if necessary, can be repeated in a few days.

Ointment

Vinegar-based ointments are stored for a long time, it is more convenient to use products with a liquid consistency. To prepare the vinegar ointment, you need to take 70% acetic acid, dimethyl phthalate, glycerin and olive oil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1, respectively. Once all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, the ointment is ready for use.

To prevent the spread of a fungal infection and destroy its pathogens, the ointment should be applied to the affected areas daily with a cotton swab, kept for 8-10 hours and then washed with laundry soap. You can use this recipe not only for the treatment of oncomycosis of the toenails, but also for the affected nails of the hands.

Treatment of nail fungus with tea tree oil

Methods of using tea tree oil:

Foot bath with tea tree oil. Pour warm water up to the level of the ankle, add 15-20 drops of essential oil and keep the feet there for twenty minutes, maintaining a high water temperature (45-50 ° C). The course of treatment is two months, you need to take a bath every day. During the treatment procedure, the affected areas of the nail plate should be removed using a file, nail clippers or scissors.
Rub oil on the nail plate. If you do not have a reaction to undiluted tea tree oil, apply it to the affected areas of the nail in pure form to increase the effectiveness of the effect. First, the feet are steamed in hot water with the addition of laundry soap (it can be rubbed for a better solution). The oil is rubbed on the nail plate twice a day with a cotton swab, the product does not need to be washed.

How to quickly treat nail fungus?

The internal and external use of hydrogen peroxide for the treatment of infectious and other diseases is described by Professor Neumyvakin in a book based on personal experience. He notes hydrogen peroxide as a prophylactic agent with antibacterial properties.

External use of hydrogen peroxide for the treatment of fungal infections is carried out after steaming the feet in warm water with soda dissolved in a teaspoon per liter. When the nail plates soften, squeeze a small part of the affected area of the nail with a manicure tongs and stick it on the nail plate after soaking it in 3% peroxide solution. Leave on for 10-15 minutes on nails or 40 minutes to an hour on feet. Perform the procedure twice a day until the symptoms of the fungal infection disappear.

To reduce the evaporation of peroxide and increase the intensity of exposure, the nail plate is wrapped with plastic wrap with lotion. At the end of the exposure period, wash your toes and hands thoroughly under running water.

For therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, it is recommended to instill hydrogen peroxide into the nail cavity three times a day.

Good results are given baths for hands and feet with hydrogen peroxide (depending on the location of onychomycosis). Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide in water at a temperature of 40-50 ° C at the rate of two tablespoons per liter of water. The duration of the procedure is fifteen minutes, the regularity of the procedure is twice a day for a week.

In this recipe, negative redox dead water, also called anolyte water, can be used instead of hydrogen peroxide. Anolyte water is safe for use on sensitive skin, but has antiseptic properties that reduce the growth rate of fungi.

An effective treatment for advanced nail fungus

This extreme method of treating a fungal infection is used for severe damage to the nail plate and should be used with caution to avoid damaging the skin.

To get rid of the fungus, the nail is treated with rust neutralizer (available at a car parts store). This product contains phosphoric acid, which effectively kills fungi, but can damage skin tissue if used carelessly. Therefore, it is necessary to observe safety measures during its use - work in a well-ventilated area, wear glasses and rubber gloves to avoid contact with skin and mucous membranes.

A safer way would be to use kerosene, which has a high penetration power and a great effect on fungi.

Other folk remedies for toenail fungus

Comprehensive treatment of toenail fungus using hydrogen peroxide-based folk recipes allows you to destroy the fungus and permanently get rid of unpleasant odors and other symptoms associated with it.

Two effective folk remedies against fungal infections:

Peroxide recipe 1. To prepare the therapeutic mixture, you need baking soda (0. 5 cups), warm water (4 cups), 3% hydrogen peroxide (0. 25 cups) and half a cup of magnesium sulfate or Epsom salts. Mix all ingredients well and pour another quarter cup of vinegar. Soak a cotton swab in the resulting solution and apply a patch to the nail plate affected by the fungus. The bandage should be renewed every ten hours, the course of treatment is one month.
Recipe with peroxide 2. According to this recipe, the procedure for the treatment of fungi consists of three stages. First you need to prepare a solution for the treatment of fungal nails and skin surfaces - mix 3% vinegar and peroxide in a 1: 1 ratio of 3%. This mixture is treated feet while squeaking. The second step is to soak the fingers of the nail with a fungal infection in a weak bleach solution for half a minute, then wash it thoroughly under running water and dry it with a towel. Finally, apply tea tree oil mixed with Vaseline in equal proportions on the nail plate. Wear warm socks or gloves (if this method is used to treat nail oncomycosis). The course of treatment is one week.
Novocaine lotion. A very simple but effective folk remedy for the treatment of fungus is novocaine lotion. We simply soak a piece of cotton wool with novocaine and apply it to the mushrooms at night. Only two of these lotions are enough to permanently get rid of the fungus.
Apricot resin tincture: 1 tablespoon resin is removed from the tree, pour a glass of vodka, insist three days. Lubricate the skin of the feet and nails with this solution. Shake before each use. Our treatment lasted a month, the damaged nails were cut as they cooled, and new, healthy ones grew. During the examination, the doctor confirmed the fact of recovery. In this case, I can recommend the use of old, concentrated sunflower oil.
Garlic applications: I took a clove of garlic, squeezed it with a garlic press, pulled the mass on the nail, covered it with cellophane, wrapped it with a bandage or put it on your fingertip. I left the bandage until the morning, and for the first few days I felt a throbbing pain like an abscess, but I had to put up with it. The procedures are repeated every day and new nails grow.
Strong coffee. Few people know that ordinary but strong coffee is a very good folk remedy for the treatment of fungi. Make your coffee stronger and simply dip your hands or feet into the cup, depending on where you are mushrooming. This procedure is best done in the evening, before bedtime. After several such evening procedures, the fungus disappears completely. At the same time, the skin becomes smooth and the pain disappears quickly.

What causes nail fungus infection

Nail fungus, or as it is called in medicine, onychomycosis, is a disease caused by parasitic fungal microorganisms that cause damage to the nail plates and adjacent areas. This is one of the subtypes of mycoses. Onychomycosis is the most common of all diseases that can only affect the feet.

This can be caused by several groups of fungi:

epidermophyte;
dermatophyte;
microsporia.

You can become infected in public places where there is excessive humidity. This includes baths, steam rooms, swimming pools, beaches.

Wooden items (benches, sun beds, etc. ) are widely used here. Due to the porosity of the tree, it is difficult to kill fungi there.

In addition, doctors distinguish several risk groups. People who belong to one of them are more likely to become infected.

older people;
cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy;
after a course of treatment with antibiotics or steroids;
HIV-infected;
diabetics.

It is not always possible to get rid of the disease quickly. The speed of treatment depends on the variety of parasites that cause it, the stage of development of the disease, the area of damage, the presence of complications and concomitant diseases, and the general condition of the body.

Symptoms of onychomycosis

Damage to the nails by parasitic fungi can not be ignored. The symptomatic changes in the nail plates are very obvious and boil down to the following.

It has lost its natural radiance and transparency.
The color changes. It can be yellowish, brown, whitish, blue, greenish, grayish.
The surface appears rough.
Stripes, spots and thickenings are clearly different.
Folding is observed.
There is peeling from the nail bed.
Different areas are painted and crushed.
The surrounding tissues become red, swollen and itchy.
There are feelings of pain.
An unpleasant odor spreads from the feet.

Despite all this, self-diagnosis can be difficult. At the beginning of development, the symptoms of onychomycosis are similar to the symptoms of some other lesions:

damage to the nail area;
age changes;
onycholysis;
nail psoriasis;
paronychia;
pseudomonic onychia.

How to quickly get rid of toenail fungus with folk remedies and medicines

You need to be realistic and understand that fungal infections of the nails and nail areas are not cured within a week. According to doctors, the recovery period can last from 6-8 weeks to six months, and sometimes up to 8-12 months.

It depends on many factors, as well as the growth activity of nails. In the hands, this process is faster than in the feet, and therefore treatment comes earlier.

If you follow the following recommendations, the best and fastest possible positive results can be obtained.

Use a variety of therapeutic measures in the complex. Do not rely on the effectiveness of any miracle tool. Skillfully combine pharmacological drugs and traditional medicine prescriptions.
Treatment should be active, but mild - aggressive agents, often used for therapeutic purposes, should not affect healthy areas of the body located near the affected ones.
Strictly follow the hygiene requirements to prevent the spread of the fungus, as well as to prevent re-infection immediately after treatment. And the probability of this is very high.
Pay attention to the dryness of the affected extremities. Remember that humidity and heat are ideal conditions for active growth of the fungus.
Eliminate all the causes that cause the appearance of onychomycosis and eliminate them.
Every day, carefully, but as much as possible, cut the edge of the growing nail affected by the disease. If possible, undergo a laser exposure procedure that effectively inhibits the pathological activity of pathogens.

Pharmacological agents

Drugs that act against pathogens are usually divided into three subgroups depending on the active ingredients. Each of them has in its arsenal both external ointments and tablets that have a general effect on the whole body.

It should be noted that the latter has an extensive list of side effects. Therefore, you should not prescribe medication. To minimize the risks, it is necessary to undergo an examination, determine which types of fungi cause the disease and act on the "target" drugs.

Subgroups of antifungal drugs

Azole agents. They are based on triazole or imidazole, as well as their derivatives. Depending on the concentration, they have a fungistatic or fungicidal effect. They are effective in combating fungi such as mold and yeast.
allylamine agents. The active ingredients can be terbinafine, naftifine, butenafine. They are able to stop the growth of fungi, as well as have anti-inflammatory effect.
Other medications. They act on the basis of flucytosine, morpholine, griseofulvin, chlornitrophenol supplements. They differ in a narrower activity aimed at certain types of fungal pathogens.

Foreign funds

At the beginning of the development of onychomycotic lesions should seek only the help of ointments. Tablet antifungals are used only if they are ineffective.

The difference between creams and ointments:

has a direct effect on lesions;
relatively harmless;
has fewer contraindications;
adverse reactions are limited.

If you catch the disease at the beginning of its development, it will be possible to cope with it within a month.

The most popular antifungal creams and ointments

Ointment zinc. Allows you to eliminate inflammation, dry the affected areas, get rid of itching, achieve an adsorption effect.
Based on Naftifi. Fights inflammation, has antimicrobial effectThe agent tends to accumulate on the treated surfaces. Use the ointment no more than twice a day. The tool is not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Use of tablets

The doctor prescribes oral tablets to have a systemic effect on the whole body. Broad-spectrum drugs are prescribed.

based on fluconazole. It is enough to take it once a day. Funds are well tolerated. In rare cases, intestinal disorders and rashes may occur. The course of treatment can be 1-4 weeks.
Based on terbinafineIt can accumulate on the skin and its horny forms (hair, nails). The course of treatment is at least 6 weeks. 1 tablet per day is required. The drug is not given to young children, pregnant and lactating women. May cause migraines, muscle and joint pain, allergies, anorexia.

All medications for nail fungus on the hands or feet should be taken only after consulting a doctor.

How to treat nail fungus at home with folk remedies

First of all, you should strictly follow all medical advice, do not skip medication and do not end treatment, and especially do not stop the course after the elimination of nervous symptoms.

In addition, you need:

use local baths regularly;
apply a special varnish that prevents the spread of fungi, as well as has a therapeutic effect;
remove protruding parts of the growing nail affected by the disease on a daily basis;
use special softeners to remove the nail plate;
steam your hands or feet before using external topical means;
take measures to prevent household infection.

Special varnishes

Stains have a number of advantages. The active ingredients penetrate well into the affected nails, but at the same time harden and do not leave marks on clothes, sheets and shoes.

The hardened layer reliably blocks the supply of oxygen to pathogens, which prevents their activity. However, varnish products are effective only in the early stages of onychomycosis.

Before using varnishes, you should use a warm local bath. Soaked tiles affected by a fungus are cut to the maximum, treated with a file or other grinding device. The surface dries

Varnish is also recommended to cover healthy nails. The procedure is repeated every evening for a long time - from several months to six months.

Help from a surgeon

Both the part and the whole plate can be removed. However, this does not guarantee complete recovery from the disease. There is a very high probability of further spread of fungal infections.

After the operation, the finger recovers for a long time. In addition, pus may develop. A newly growing nail may be deformed. An alternative to such a method is laser therapy.

Traditional medicine

The following remedies are used to treat nail fungus:

garlic. Apply garlic gruel in the form of applications to painful nails. A fixation bandage is placed on top. The procedure is repeated at night. You can use squeezed garlic juice mixed with alcohol. Nails are treated with balm twice a day.
vinegar. Acetic acid acidifies the environment, neutralizing pathogens. This product lubricates damaged nails every day. You can use vinegar compresses. To do this, cotton wool pieces are moistened with vinegar and fixed to the desired fingers on the affected area. The compresses stay on all night and are removed in the morning.
Peroxide. Like vinegar and other similar products, apply directly to nails or cotton swabs. Peroxide acts as an antiseptic.
Alcohol solution of iodine. They can cover nail plates 1-2 times a day, including healthy ones. In addition, iodine supplementation is suitable for any bath. To do this, just add a few drops of the product.
Propolis tincture. It can be used for lotions and also applied to local baths for hands or feet. The compresses stay on the nails overnight. You can prepare an ointment with a mixture of propolis and oil. The composition is placed on gauze and placed on the desired area. The agent is released for 10 hours.
Vegetable burning remedies. Onion or horseradish is suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis. They have antimicrobial activity. Herbal products are used in the form of gruel. You can also make a kind of ointment by mixing liquid puree with butter or grated chicken oil.
Basic extracts. These drugs have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, restorative effects. Oils can be used for the preparation of local baths or as part of mixtures for compresses:

cedar;
tea tree;
rosemary;
lavender;
fir and some others.

The main extract is mixed with Vaseline in a 1: 1 ratio. It should be rubbed on damaged nail plates. As always, in such cases, when the nails are pre-evaporated, the tool will have a stronger effect.

Prevention measures

The risk of re-infection with the fungus after recovery is very high. Therefore, you must strictly follow the simple rules:

follow foot hygiene;
get rid of shoes, towels and socks used during treatment;
Avoid sharing such things with other family members;
avoid excessive moisture of the feet, use talcum powder;
treat the inner surfaces of shoes with antiseptics.

Remember to take all medications for nail fungus after consulting your doctor.