How to treat foot fungus at home with folk remedies: recipes

One of the most common pathologies of the feet and toenails is fungus. Treatment of this ailment takes a long time, as getting rid of a fungal infection is not easy. In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies are used, which, even in advanced cases, give excellent results. In the early stages of the disease, you can cure the infection yourself at home with natural recipes.

What is foot fungus and how is it infected?

Mycosis or dermatomycosis is an infectious lesion of the skin of the legs, interdigital areas, fingers, nails. A predominantly fungal infection of the foot occurs in cultures where it is customary to wear closed shoes most of the time. Most often, the disease affects the elderly and people with weakened immunity due to any serious pathology (immunodeficiency, pemphigus, diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders in the limbs and others).

The causative agents of fungal infection parasitize in the stratum corneum of the skin. They produce enzymes that break down keratin. Their cell walls (membranes) contain mannan substances that suppress local immunity and contribute to the development of a chronic inflammatory process on the skin. Among the many pathogens of mycosis, the main ones are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum.

You can get infected with a fungus in two ways: direct or indirect. The first variant of the infection provides several versions:

• close contact with a sick person;
• contact with an infected animal;
• through the plants with which the sole comes into contact;
• through the soil in which the pathogen lives.

An indirect route of infection with mycosis of the foot occurs:

• when using household items or personal hygiene items belonging to a sick person;
• when using objects that have been touched by an infected animal.

Symptoms of the disease

Depending on the type of fungus, specific symptoms of the disease are distinguished. For example, for a long time dermatophytes do not manifest themselves in any way, penetrating deep at this time into the layers of the skin or under the nail bed. If the causative agent of mycosis is ringworm, the signs of infection are immediately visible: a yeast-like microorganism causes inflammation of the nails and skin, destroying the tissues in a short time. It is difficult even for an experienced dermatologist to tell what kind of infection a patient has without laboratory tests.

At an early stage of the disease, there are common symptoms of a foot fungus:

• cracks in the sole;
• itching, burning, dryness, peeling of the skin;
• unpleasant foot odor;
• discoloration and brittle nails;
• shiny skin surface;
• thickening and redness of the epidermis;
• increased sensitivity of the sole;
• the appearance at the site of inflammation of bubbles filled with fluid.

Forms of fungal infection

External manifestations of the fungus depend not only on the type of pathogen, but also on the degree of involvement in the inflammatory process of the skin, nails, leg hair. Dermatologists distinguish the following forms of mycosis of the feet:

1. Scaly (scaly) form. In the initial stage, redness and peeling of the skin are observed. The affected areas have different areas.
2. Hyperkeratotic stage. Severe roughness of the sole, deep cracks in or near the heels. Both legs are affected at the same time.
3. Intertriginous form. It is considered the most common. It affects the area between 4 and 5 fingers, less often it develops between 3 and 4. Cracks are replaced by erosion, which begins to get wet, itching, burning occurs. Streptococci penetrate the loose structure of tissues, causing pustular inflammation.
4. Dyshidrotic form. The watery blisters that appear on the epidermis merge. After they are hidden, extensive ulcers develop. Mycosis spreads to the hands.

Foot fungus treatment with folk remedies

All folk remedies against foot fungus have several tasks: destruction of the fungal mycelium, elimination of symptoms of inflammation, restoration of skin integrity, increase of local immunity, prevention of relapse of the disease. For this purpose, decoctions and infusions for oral administration are used, as well as solutions, ointments and compresses for external use.

Numerous plants, minerals, chemical compounds (copper sulfate) and even gunpowder have antifungal properties - this is proven by scientific research. More than 1000 names of representatives of the flora have been identified that have a pronounced fungicidal and antifungal effect. The composition of such plants includes benzoic and salicylic acid, furocoumarin, novoimanin and other substances that have a therapeutic effect on fungal infection.

Rules and principles of treatment

Before you start treating foot fungus on your own with folk remedies, you need to consult a doctor to prevent further development of the pathology. It is very difficult to cure mycosis of an advanced form, therefore, if a few days after the start of the use of one or another method of positive dynamics did not come, then you should consult a doctor.

There are many popular recipes based on the use of plant and natural ingredients. Foot fungus home treatment is recommended before bedtime to allow time for the drug to take effect. Regardless of the chosen method of getting rid of mycosis, it is necessary to adhere to the basic rule - to carry out therapy not only until the symptoms completely disappear, but also for some time later. During therapy it is necessary:

• follow a diet low in sugar in the diet, that is, remove sweet and starchy foods from the daily menu;
• exclude the use of cosmetic paint, which creates a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria;
• carry out regular iodine treatment of nails affected by a fungal infection (with onychomycosis);
• disinfect floors and footwear to prevent relapse.

Foot bath for mycosis of the feet

In the initial stage of the disease, therapeutic foot baths are very helpful in relieving symptoms. Traditional medicine offers many of the ingredients from which these treatments are made. These are decoctions and infusions of herbs (celandine, wormwood, yarrow, oak bark and others), vinegar, soda and other components. Fight the infection with trays every day by soaking your feet in a warm, freshly prepared solution for 15-20 minutes.

The average course of treatment for adults is 2 weeks, but if necessary, the procedure can be carried out longer. Foot baths help not only to stop the growth of the fungus, but also to eliminate unpleasant odors, eliminate excessive sweating of the feet. With proper lower limb hygiene, the positive effect will become evident within a few days of starting treatment. Examples of easy-to-make home trays to get rid of foot fungus:

• Take 3 liters of warm water, mix 200 g of sea salt. For efficiency, you can add ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon), a decoction of chamomile or pine needles (250 ml).
• Pour warm water into a basin, add 50 ml of table or apple vinegar and a few grains of potassium permanganate. After the procedure, lubricate the affected skin with tea tree oil.

Tablets and lotions

In complex home therapy of mycosis of the feet, it is advisable to use compresses or lotions. For these procedures, celandine oil, garlic, onions, alcoholic tinctures, iodized salt and peppermint are used. Kombucha, pumpkin pulp, fresh burdock leaves are applied to the sore spots. The selected substances are crushed, applied to the area between the toes and on the feet for 40-50 minutes and wrapped on top with a plastic bag (cling film). The course of treatment is 1-2 times a day until complete recovery.

Essential oils and natural pastes

Effective treatment of foot fungus at home using natural plants and essential oils. An extract of tea tree (soothes the skin, eliminates itching), lemon (strengthens nails, increases local immunity), cinnamon (prevents the multiplication of fungi), rosemary (regenerates tissues) proved to be excellent. An effective natural antiseptic lavender oil, which has an analgesic and healing effect, thus removes the symptoms of mycosis much faster than other folk remedies.

You can apply the essential oil in its pure form (after an allergy test) or make natural pastes by mixing a few drops with any vegetable oil (coconut, cocoa, olive, jojoba). Manipulations need to be carried out 3 times a day for several weeks. If the nails are affected by mycosis of the feet, this treatment lasts until the complete renewal of the plaque (several months).

Herbal decoctions and tinctures

The popularity of medicinal herbs in the treatment of fungal infections is due to their high efficiency and availability. Herbal medicine is used not only to eliminate the fungus, but also to prevent infection. The main methods of treating mycosis at home are the use of tinctures (infusion of medicinal herbs with ethyl alcohol), decoctions (herbs are heat treated by languishing in a steam bath so as not to boil) and infusions (herbs are poured with boiling water and infused).

The method and duration of therapy depend on the patient's age, concomitant diseases and the severity of symptoms. Average duration of use: 2-3 times a day for 14-30 days. The most effective antifungal herbs for treating fungal infections are:

• birch buds;
• cold mint;
• aloe;
• eucalyptus;
• walnut leaves;
• medicinal chamomile;
• Japanese sofora;
• puppeteer;
• celandine;
• runnico;
• Kalanchoe;
• common juniper.

How to cure a foot fungus at home?

Traditional methods of getting rid of the fungus have proven to be effective. To forget about mycosis of the feet forever, it is necessary during the treatment and subsequently properly care for the foot area. For a quick recovery you will need:

• dry the skin thoroughly after bathing;
• wear only dry and clean shoes;
• do not overheat the legs, avoid heavy sweating;
• in hot weather, wear sandals with open toes;
• wearing socks made from natural fabrics that have high levels of air permeability and hygroscopicity;
• Always wear your personal slippers when showering in a public place.

Practical tools and products in the kitchen

It is easy to find folk remedies at home to get rid of the fungus. Every housewife, among the tools available in the kitchen or in the refrigerator, has some sort of cure for mycosis. Cheaper:

• Coffee. In this case, the aromatic drink is for external use. Regular foot baths of freshly brewed strong coffee will help to cope with the disease.
• Garlic. There are many options for using the plant, but the simplest is garlic juice, which is rubbed into the affected tissues. The process is done with a cotton ball 3 to 5 times a day until the symptoms disappear.
• Onion. Fresh onion gruel should be placed in a plastic bag that is worn on the foot. The edges of the bag must be tied so that the arch does not touch the sole and the leg is in an improvised air chamber and steam all night. As a rule, 5 sessions are enough to eliminate foot fungus.

Traditional medicine pharmacy

If there is no time to look for a remedy for foot fungus at home, you can buy effective medicine of natural origin at the pharmacy. Between them:

• Potassium permanganate. The remedy, popularly known as potassium permanganate, is effective for the treatment of mycoses. To cope with the problem, it is necessary to apply a compress soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate on the leg every night until the problem disappears.
• Iodine. The areas of the skin affected by the fungus are treated with a 5% alcohol solution 2 times a day. The contraindication for such treatment is the high sensitivity of the skin and individual intolerance to the ingredients.
• iodinol. With onychomycosis, a universal blue solution is used to soften the nail plate, which has managed to become very rough. Iodinol is used to clean the tissues affected by the fungal infection 2 to 4 times a day.
• propolis. For the treatment of mycosis, alcoholic tincture is often used. You can prepare a homemade solution by infusing propolis with vodka or alcohol, but this will not affect the effectiveness. For the treatment and prevention of fungus, you need a cotton swab dipped in dye, apply to the infected area and wait for complete drying 1-2 times a day.
• Ammonia. One tablespoon of the product should be diluted in a glass of distilled water, then saturate the fabric with the resulting solution, wrap the feet, fix with adhesive plaster and withstand the compress overnight.
• Boric acid. For antifungal therapy, you will need a powder, which is sprinkled on the feet in the right dose after steaming and worn over the socks. The procedure is carried out every evening. Boric acid is left overnight.

Herbal medicine for mycosis of the feet

Some plants are a natural antibiotic, while others have a complex effect on the affected area. For the treatment of mycoses, poisonous herbs are often used, the ingestion of which is unacceptable. The destruction of the membrane cells of pathogenic fungi occurs due to the presence of an aggressive plant environment, which leads to a rapid neutralization of the pathology. Powerful herbs include:

• black nightshade;
• cheremitsa;
• male fern;
• low back pain blackening.

Effective folk remedies for foot fungus

In order for the folk remedies for mycoses to help, the treatment process should be properly organized. Before starting any procedure, it is necessary to steam the legs, trim overgrown nails, grind loose tissues, remove rough and dead skin. Only then can folk recipes be successfully applied. The natural ingredients not only completely destroy the fungal infection, but also restore a healthy look to the nails and skin. The most effective folk remedies should be discussed in more detail.

Garlic tablets

An old home remedy for foot fungus is garlic wraps. The effectiveness of this simple and inexpensive method is due to the composition of the plant. In addition to vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins, garlic contains ascorbic acid, which is harmful to harmful microorganisms. You should be aware that if you use the garlic wrap carelessly, you can burn your skin. For this reason, during treatment, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage and duration of therapy. Recipe of the garlic wrap:

• melt 50 g of butter, add 1 minced head of garlic, 2 tbsp. L. coarse rock salt and mix thoroughly;
• apply the resulting mass on sterile gauze in an even layer and apply to the affected areas for 1 hour;
• treat with a compress several times a day, leaving the limbs immobile during the procedure;
• the recommended course of treatment is 1 month.

Vinegar

You can fight mycosis with any essence of vinegar: wine, apple, rice, malt or cane. The principle of action of vinegar is the penetration of its substances into infected tissues and the destruction of the cell membranes of the fungus. Mycosis does not develop under the influence of an acidic environment, since colonies of pathogenic microflora die under its influence. At the initial stage of treatment, a low concentration of vinegar (from 3%) should be used, which gradually increases.

Before being treated with this method, it is necessary to check the infected area of the skin for abrasions and cracks so as not to cause inflammation or chemical burns of the epithelium. If they are not there, you can start using the vinegar compress:

• mix until smooth 2 tbsp. L. 9% vinegar, 1 tbsp. L. glycerin and 2 tbsp. L. Vodka;
• dip pieces of bandage into the finished mixture and apply to the localization site;
• after the dressing has dried, moisten the bandages again in the medicinal mixture;
• the time of use of the tablets should not exceed 1 hour / day;
• course duration - 2 weeks.

Sodium bicarbonate

Treatment of foot fungus with baking soda at home gives good results. At the first suspicion of a fungal infection, it is necessary to use sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), which lowers the acidity of the epidermis. In addition to the antiseptic effect, baking soda softens the skin and nails, allowing drugs to penetrate more easily after use. Under the influence of alkalis, the affected tissues become more susceptible to the action of any other treatment.

With mycosis, soda can be used dry, diluted with water and in combination with other natural or non-natural ingredients. With nail fungus, soda paste will be more effective. To prepare it you will need:

• 3 tbsp. L. soda mixture with 1 tbsp. L. water until a dense and homogeneous mass is obtained;
• then the soda paste must be applied to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the skin;
• after that, the mass must be acidified with freshly prepared lemon juice, which will immediately react with soda;
• the solution should be removed 5-7 minutes after application and wash the feet with soap;
• the procedure is carried out every day before bedtime until the condition of the nail improves.

Tea tree oil

In dermatology, tea tree oil has been used for more than a dozen years because it has established itself as a highly effective remedy for skin conditions. The natural composition of the essential liquid determines its cytotoxic activity, that is, the ability to fight pathogenic microorganisms. Treatment options vary depending on whether the infection is the skin or the nail.

You can heal the nail plate if you drip 1 drop of tea tree oil every day on the affected area. It will take about 2 months to fully recover and strengthen the nail. It is best to use a diluted extract for treatment only. To do this, you need to take vegetable oil (3 parts), mix with essential oil (1 part), shake and apply to the skin 2-3 times a day for 1. 5 months. It is better to adjust the course of treatment with a doctor. Clove essential oil can be used as an analog.

Hydrogen peroxide

In the fight against fungal infection, hydrogen peroxide helps, which is considered the best antiseptic with a pronounced antibacterial effect. The drug is widely used both in medicine and at home for the treatment of mycoses. Hydrogen peroxide does not accumulate in the body, so the development of any allergic reactions is excluded. With mycoses, baths are effective, which help soften the affected epithelium for the further flow of antifungal gels, ointments, creams or sprays prescribed by a doctor.

Making a hydrogen peroxide foot bath at home is easy:

• pour lukewarm water into a basin and add a 3% preparation at the rate of 100 ml per 2 liters of water;
• lower your feet into a container and hold for 20 minutes;
• so that the solution does not cool down, the addition of small portions of boiling water is required;
• after the procedure with a pumice stone, remove the softened tissue;
• remove moisture with a sponge and apply the prescribed drug to the surface of the skin;
• take baths every day until conditions improve.

Laundry soap or tar

For more than a dozen years, people at home have been cured of a fungal infection with the help of tar or laundry soap. Observing the rules for treating affected skin, you can quickly get rid of itching and unpleasant odor of the feet. To accelerate tissue healing, it is necessary to combine soap with salt or iodine. The following recipe will help improve blood circulation in the tissues:

• steam your legs in warm water before going to bed;
• then soap them thoroughly with laundry soap;
• treat soapy feet with a towel, then with a pumice stone;
• then dry, grease with cream;
• treat areas of infection with a fungus with birch tar;
• soak it for 1, 5 hours, then remove with cotton pads;
• wear clean socks on your feet and do not take off for 2 days;
• repeat the procedure once a week until the problem is eliminated.

Salicylic ointment

The main advantage of the treatment of mycosis with salicylic ointment is its high antifungal activity. The drug kills pathogens, prevents their reproduction, eliminates the keratinized layers of the epidermis and rarely causes side reactions. With mycosis of the legs, apply salicylic ointment in the form of compresses. On the softened skin or nail plate, the drug in a concentration of 5 or 10% is applied in a thin layer, after which the leg is placed in a plastic bag and stockings are put on top. The procedure lasts 1 hour 2 times a day for 10 days.

propolis

As already mentioned, propolis for mycosis is effective as a tincture. The alcohol component also has a positive effect on pathogenic microorganisms. It is possible to prepare an ointment with a beekeeping product, which should be rubbed overnight into the affected areas for 10-14 days. Its recipe is simple:

• mix 20 g of crushed propolis (without wax) and 100 g of sea buckthorn oil;
• heat the ingredients in a water bath for 30 minutes;
• cool the mixture, strain through cheesecloth, use as directed.

Celandine and chamomile

Medicinal herbs, especially chamomile and celandine, are believed to eliminate a fungal infection more quickly. It is best to use them together. To get a quick effect, you need to drink chamomile broth or tea (to increase general immunity) and take baths with infusion of celandine. You should know that the fresh juice of the latter is burning, so it should be used in its pure form with extreme caution.

For the infusion, crushed stems of a dried plant are needed. In a glass of boiling water, you need to brew 1 tbsp. L. celandine, leave for 1 hour, then dilute with a little hot water. With mycoses, the solution is used for therapeutic baths, which are performed every day for 15 minutes. As a rule, such treatment relieves the initial stage of the disease in 14 days.

Infusion of calendula

The flowers of this plant contain a large group of biological substances that have a strong antimicrobial effect. Especially quickly, calendula infusion copes with onychomycosis. Before using the drug, the nails must be steamed and processed. After mechanical cleaning of the nail plate from fungal plaque and dead tissue, it is necessary to moisten a cotton swab in the infusion and apply it to the affected area. The procedure is carried out every day for 4-8 weeks. It is easy to prepare the product at home:

• pour a glass of boiling water on 1 tbsp. L. dried or fresh marigold flowers;
• insist not in a water bath for 10 minutes;
• cool, filter, store at a temperature not exceeding 4 ° C.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not require self-treatment. Only a qualified physician can diagnose and make recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.