Any fungal disease has an infectious medium. That is, it is caused by pathogenic fungi, which most often affect the skin or nails (nails, in essence, are modified, keratinized skin). But if fungal lesions of soft tissues (including skin) can be treated without any special problems, if it is chosen correctly, the nail fungus is treated much harder and longer. In particular, if it is in operation, that is, for a long time no one has paid due attention to the disease, hoping that it "goes away anyway". Therefore, rather than treating a neglected and already ingrained disease, it is much better to suppress it in the early stages of development. And even more optimal is to prevent infection! This article will help you with that.
The legs are no less aesthetically important part of the body than the arms or even the face. Especially in the hot season, when the open shoes and the bathing season arrive.
But, at a time when for some they become objects of pride, and even of general admiration, for others they can cause the strongest aesthetic discomfort.
It's about the mushroom. Striking your toenails, one by one, makes them not only unattractive, but aesthetically unacceptable.
The legs change color and structure, lose their integrity and may emit a fetid odor. These are all the results of the activity of pathogenic fungi. This cannot be allowed!
And the first thing that needs to be done is to assimilate the information on where exactly this ailment can be detected.
Methods of fungal infection
Since it is an infection, the infection itself occurs on contact with it: either with the direct carrier, or with the place where it touched. That is, you can get infected:
- In the bathroom, bathtub or swimming pool.
- When wearing shoes, socks or other items of a sick person.
- With direct physical (physical) contact with him.
- In the gym or on the river and so on.
If the situation has already occurred, it is important to know how to get rid of toenail fungus at home. It is important to know what pharmaceutical preparations are.
How does nail fungus infection occur?
There are many ways of infection. And if the mushrooms get into a humid and warm environment, then, for some time, they can also reproduce in it, outside of their biological vector, which will only increase their population (concentration) in this particular place and significantly increase therisk of infection of a healthy person with contact with such a place.
Therefore, if you visit public places, especially those, the examples of which have been given above, always pay attention to the quality of cleanliness in them, the degree of disinfection and the level of service provided in general.
And another point, also very important: carefully monitor your hygiene (foot hygiene).
After all, even if the mushrooms come to you, you have up to 24 hours to get rid of them, without negative consequences for your health, in general.
Hence, it is recommended to carry out preventive procedures whenever you are at risk (after visiting the gym, sauna, contact with a sick person, and so on). Choose for yourself the one that suits you best.
The best remedy for toenail fungus
Speaking of how to get rid of toenail fungus, one cannot fail to mention folk remedies, along with pharmaceutical preparations that have been used for a long time for different generations.
1. Acetic acid (9%)
This is normal table vinegar. For 1 liter of clean warm water, take 30, and for hardened skin of the legs - 45 milliliters of vinegar, dissolve it in water and soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes.
After that, if you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to rinse them under warm running water and make sure to dry them thoroughly.
Next, you can apply a nourishing moisturizer to your feet, or a special antifungal prophylactic cream or a remedy in another form.
2. Preparations
You can also use antifungal drugs, as well as their analogues, after any situation that increases the risk of your infection.
Still, it will be better, in terms of safety, if you use drugs from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry after pretreating your feet with one of the products prepared according to folk recipes, as in paragraph number 1, or in the following paragraphs. . .
3. Hydrogen peroxide
You can buy it in almost any pharmacy. For 1 liter of hot water, you will need about 15 milliliters of peroxide. Apply in the same way as vinegar. It is not recommended to resort to such procedures more often than once every 3-4 days.
4. Tea tree oil
It can be used in pure form (if your body accepts it well) or diluted (for 1 liter of water - up to 20 drops of oil).
In its pure form, the oil is applied to the foot, with special attention, to the nails and the surrounding area. It is not necessary to wash it off. If you decide to use the oil diluted with water, you can do this about once every two days.
You need to keep your feet in the solution for up to 20 minutes. Before using undiluted oil, the feet should be steamed in warm water, preferably with the addition of small amounts of laundry soap.
5. Natural strong coffee
A very unusual method, considering the fact that you shouldn't drink coffee, but keep your feet in it. It turns out that this drink, loved by many, has pronounced antifungal properties.
Do you want your feet to have the most pleasant smell of coffee and are not susceptible to fungal infections?
Then keep your feet in strong natural coffee for 15-17 minutes. The procedure can be done daily. The coffee should be slightly warm, but not hot!
Prevention measures
So, from the above, you can draw several conclusions that will definitely help in prevention:
- Avoid visiting potentially dangerous places (in terms of contamination).
- If the first rule was ignored, take all measures to reduce the risk of fungus (vinegar, peroxide, coffee, and so on).
But that is not all! These tips will help you protect yourself even more and complete the overall prevention picture:
- Strengthen your immune system in convenient ways: spend more time outdoors, avoid severe stressful situations, eat rationally.
- Get enough sleep and rest, exercise or keep fit.
Always wear clean and fresh shoes, socks, never lend them to other people, observe the prevention of feet (it is recommended to wash them with household soap or special bactericide, which will also help in the fight, prevention of fungus).
The shoes can also be treated (about once a week) with a special antifungal agent, or with vinegar, peroxide dissolved in water (if this does not damage the shoes).
At least once every six months, visit a dermatovenerologist for preventive examinations!
How to get rid of toenail fungus with medications
Despite the high effectiveness of those folk remedies currently available in the arsenal of alternative medicine, funds produced in pharmaceutical factories according to modern recipes are in great demand.
And last but not least, thanks to its really evident and proven effectiveness.
Let's take a look at the most popular, safe and fastest ones. They come in a variety of forms. Most often these are ointments, creams, sprays.
And also - it can be applied both externally and externally. If the fungus is neglected, it is better to combine the use of internal drugs with the use of external agents.
A qualified doctor will undoubtedly help you choose the best option for their combination. We will consider what options exist in general.
- Oral drugs (for oral administration). As a rule, they are not used for prophylaxis, but serve for the high-quality treatment of the fungus.
- Healing liquid. This is already quite old, but, nevertheless, it has proved its effectiveness, the means. Now it's not as popular as, let's say, several decades ago. However, some pharmacies still produce this liquid on demand, with a prescription. It can be used for both prevention (occasionally) and treatment.
- Paste. This drug, in general, does not have a direct destructive effect on pathogenic fungi and harmful microflora. But it excludes their reproduction, as it completely deprives them of a nutrient medium: the legs, with the regular use of this paste, do not sweat.
- Special antifungal nail polishes. Today they are an alternative remedy to many drugs, as they allow both to avoid infections and, at the same time, to take care of your nails.
- Spray for prophylaxis. They can be used both for treatment and to prevent the development of a disease. But, if you used the drug for prophylaxis, then you need to go through the entire shortened course, otherwise the remedy may be ineffective next time.
Disinfection of shoes for nail fungus
This is one of the important points: shoes must always be dry and clean. It must be cleaned, washed, dried on time. The above sprays can be used to treat the inside of the shoe.
Above in the article, recommendations were given on treatment with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solutions. You should have several pairs of shoes for the season so that you can change them for the next pair while the previous one is being disinfected.
Prevention is very important for maintaining healthy nails. But if you notice signs of infection: the nail plate has become thinner or, on the contrary, has thickened, changed color, started to exfoliate and so on, then it may already be advisable to talk about treatment.
But remember, the best remedy for nail fungus is to prevent it from appearing. Folk remedies will help you with this.
Check all medications with your doctor.
Take care of yourself and your health. Be healthy!