Onychomycosis is a fungal nail disease caused by dermatophytes and mushrooms of the genus Candida.Infection occurs in contact-household from infected people and animals.At first, the fungus of the nails develops slowly and imperceptibly, but after a while the symptoms of the disease are rapidly growing.
Ways of infection
The lesion of the fungus can occur under the following conditions:
- injuries, cuts, scratches, skin irritation on the fingers of the legs;
- Frequent or prolonged contact of the legs with water: when the density of the tissues decreases, the spores of mycosis freely penetrate into the deep layers of nails;
- Excessive sweating: tight shoes, synthetic socks create a warm and moist environment, optimal for the development of fungus on the legs;
- taking the course of antibacterial drugs;
- Varicosis, venous insufficiency, diabetes mellitus and other systemic diseases that negatively affect capillary blood circulation and lymph flow.
After the fungal infection penetrates the upper and deep layers of the nail, the mycelium begins to grow, destroying the nail plate.At this stage, using diagnosis, you need to determine the presence of a fungal infection and choose the optimal treatment method.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the disease can be divided into two categories: by changing the color and structure of the nail plate.
The color of the affected nail may differ depending on the pathogen:
- yellow strips that occur on the edge of the nail indicate epidermophytosis;
- With trichtophytics, the shade of nails becomes gray-grymal;
- White spots and white strips indicate Rubophytosis;
- In the case of favus infection, the shade of the entire surface becomes yellow, while at first the disease remains a smooth and shiny surface of the nail plate.
In the case of the growth of mycosis, the structure of the nails changes: the nail loses hardness and becomes loose, brittle, easily delays.When infected with epidermophytes, the thickness of the nail increases and in shape resembles a bird's claw.
The fungus of the nails can be accompanied by an unpleasant odor, allergic reactions on the legs, irritation, redness of the skin of the toes.In the case of the advanced stage of the disease, there is a risk of detachment and loss of nail.
How to treat nail fungus at home
For successful treatment of legs and nails, an integrated approach is important:
- the use of drug antifungal agents in the form of a cream, ointment, varnish;
- the use of traditional medicine recipes;
- Preventive measures after recovery.
Along with medications, home treatment prescriptions are quite effective in the fight against onychomycosis.Standard treatment of the nail fungus of the legs of the home includes the use of compresses and baths with natural fungistatic agents.
- Compress from garlic.Several cloves of garlic are crushed in mashed potatoes, which is placed on the affected nails on the legs.Garlic should be kept for 40 minutes every evening.
- Fir oil.Lubricate the affected areas with fir oil several times a day.The duration of treatment is 2-4 months.
- Bath with timyan.For the infusion, you will need to pour 100 grams of dry thyme grass with 2 liters of boiling water.When the solution becomes moderately hot, it is necessary to strain the liquid and steam the legs for 15-20 minutes.The procedure is carried out daily until recovery.
- Baths with salt and potassium permanganate.In hot water (3 liters) add 3 tbsp.l.Salt and several potassium permanganate crystals so that the solution acquires a pink color.The legs are steamed for 20 minutes, after which you should apply an antimycotic cream.
- Rowan leaves.100 grams of green leaves of mountain ash must be chopped and added 1 tablespoon of salt.The compress of rowan leaves is covered with polyethylene and kept all night.
Iodine
An alcohol solution of iodine is an excellent antiseptic that is successfully used in antifungal therapy with home methods.
To get rid of the fungus, use a 5% iodine solution.To do this, you need to drip iodine solution on the affected nail plates twice a day.A favorable result of treatment will be noticeable in a week.Continue with iodine treatment from 5 to 8 weeks.
Necessary baths with iodine.In moderately hot water, add 5 drops of 5%iodine and steam your legs for 10-15 minutes.The disinfecting effect of iodine solution acts on a fungal infection better if the nails and skin on the fingers are well steamed.
After the procedure, you need to wipe the legs with paper towels and treat hydrogen peroxide.After that, antifungal cream should be applied.
Ammonia
The solution of ammonia is successfully used to treat nail fungus, since it has not only antifungal, but also antibacterial properties.
The compress of ammonia consists of 200 ml of chilled boiled water and 1 tbsp.l.ammonia.For the procedure, cotton pads are used, which must be wetted in the solution and put on affected nails.The compress is left all night.To fix cotton pads on the fingers, you can wear attacks.
Therapeutic bath: In moderately hot water, you need to add 2-3 tablespoons of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and 1 tablespoon of soda.It is necessary to steam the legs in the solution for 10-15 minutes.Then the nails are cut off, and the top layer with a file is cut off on top.After that, you need to rinse your legs in clean water, wipe dry and use an antifungal ointment or varnish at night.
The nail fungus with this method should be treated every evening for 10-12 days.After the improvements become noticeable, the baths must be used in another 2-3 weeks.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent antiseptic and has proven itself in the treatment of different types of dermatophytes.Use a 3%solution of hydrogen peroxide, since a high concentration can adversely affect the nails and skin of the legs.
To prepare the compress, you will need a bath with hot soapy water, a 3%solution of hydrogen peroxide, cotton pads, polyethylene.The legs should be steamed in hot water for 10-15 minutes, and then attach cotton pads impregnated with hydrogen peroxide to damaged nails.On top you can cover the compress with polyethylene and insulate.
The compress is placed for 40-50 minutes, after which the antifungal cream is applied to the surface of the nails on the legs.The course of treatment is 15-20 days.
Vinegar and egg
Vinegar and acetic acid are often used to combat fungal infections at home, since the acidic environment inhibits the development of all types of mycosis.The recipes use vinegar 3% and 9% concentration, vinegar essence, apple cider vinegar.In this case, the product is mixed with other components to soften the effect of the acidic environment on the skin.
- Treatment with vinegar and egg.It is necessary to take 3 raw proteins and 2 tbsp.l.vinegar and alcohol.The product is thoroughly stirred until a homogeneous state and applied to the affected nails on gauze or cotton pads.After 20 minutes, the used cotton pads are thrown away, and the compress must be repeated again with new discs.Then you need to wash your legs in clean water and apply antifungal varnish.During the procedure, you can feel a slight burning sensation, the redness of the skin is possible - this is how the effect of vinegar is manifested.If the burning sensation is very strong, the concentration of vinegar in the recipe should be reduced.To cure the fungus at home with vinegar, it will take 2-3 months of daily procedures.
- Iodine and apple cider vinegar.These ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and the product is applied cotton.For each nail, use a new stick.Since the recipe includes iodine, the nail plate will be brown.The medical mixture can also be applied to the skin affected by the fungus.The solution is used 2-3 times a day for 10 days with a break for a week.At the end of the course of treatment, the procedure is repeated several times a week for a month for preventive purposes.
Folk methods of treatment
External treatment of the fungus at home is carried out using decoctions of healing herbs and tinctures.The only condition when it is necessary to stop the treatment of the nail fungus with the indicated agents is the appearance of allergic reactions.
- Tincture from lilacs.Lilac has a strong antibacterial effect.Tincture will require 10 grams of dry lilacs and 100 ml of alcohol.The product needs to be insisted in a dark place.Store tincture in a vessel of dark glass.To eliminate the nail fungus, grease the affected areas with tincture of lilac 2-4 times a day until a complete cure.
- Cheeric water.Chezieric is a toxic grass that is used only externally to destroy dermatophytes, losing, lice.Alcohol solution of Cheeritsa is sold in a pharmacy.The product is applied to the affected nails and skin on the legs several times a day.Cheeritsa can also be used as a preventive agent after the destruction of onychomycosis.
- Antifungal collection.For a decoction, it will require ruta grass, fencing fruits and noodles root.It is necessary to take 1 tablespoon of each plant and pour a glass of boiling water.After the liquid is inflated and cooled, it can be used as a compress 2-3 times a day.
- Dill decoction.Dill grass has a strong disinfectant effect.For cooking, you will need to boil 2 tablespoons of dry dill in two liters of water using a water bath for 15-20 minutes.During this time, part of the water is evaporated, so you should add boiling water to the decoction to bring the amount of liquid to 2 liters.A dill decoction is used for daily foot baths for onychomycosis and dermatomycosis of the stop.This home treatment method is used daily for a month.
- Celandine.The grass of celandine is quite poisonous and has bactericidal and antifungal properties.To prepare the infusion, you will need 3 tbsp.l.Celandine and half a liter of boiling water.The resulting liquid after cooling must be filtered.The infusion of celandine is used for wiping and compresses on areas with a fungus 2-3 times a day.
- Peppermint.A decoction of peppermint relieves inflammation and itching, and is used for foot baths for onychomycosis.It is necessary to prepare the right amount of the decoction based on the proportion: 2 tbsp.l.Dry grass of peppermint and 1 cup boiling water.The cooking time is 15 minutes in a water bath.
What can be the consequences
If you do not treat the disease, then the advanced form of nail fungus can cause serious consequences, which can significantly worsen the general condition of the body and nails on the legs.The main consequences of onychomycosis include the following conditions:
- Perenogue hyperkeratosis is a complication of onychomycosis, in which the nail plate is significantly thickened.
- Onicholysis of the nails - detaching the nail from the nail bed, when a void forms under a solid layer.
- Destruction of the nail plate.In this case, it may be necessary to remove the nail surgically.
- Epidermophydides are allergic consequences of the nail fungus, which periodically manifest the rashes throughout the body.
- There is a probability of spreading infection throughout the body.Mycosis can hit significant areas of the skin of the legs, arms, faces, as well as hair follicles and, in rare cases, nervous and lymphatic systems.
Prevention
The prevention of onychomycosis is aimed at maintaining the body's protective functions at a high level, this requires the following measures:
- take vitamin and mineral complexes;
- consume enough vegetables;
- minimize the use of foods with a high sugar content, since the high level of glucose in the blood helps to multiply mycosis;
- eliminate intestinal dysbiosis;
- Avoid stressful situations.
You also need to monitor the integrity of the skin and hygiene of the legs.This follows:
- Treat the wounds and scuffs on time;
- get rid of hyperhidrosis of the legs;
- Do not use other people's shoes and hygiene products.
For the prevention of fungus on the legs, you can use medications that are used once a week.For this purpose, antimycotic varnishes are used, on top of which it is allowed to apply color varnish.