If the free edge of the nail is covered with uneven white or yellow spots, this indicates an unpleasant medical and cosmetic problem - onychomycosis.Treating nail fungus with home remedies is the first step the patient takes.The reasons for such a decision may be different, but the most important condition is trust in traditional medicine and alternative healing methods.
How does a fungal infection get to the nail?
The color, shape and appearance of the horny plates on the fingers are a reflection of the health of the human body.At the same time, nail fungus negatively affects the body: it causes allergies, exacerbation of asthma, allergic dermatitis and complications of diabetes.Furthermore, nails affected by a fungal infection do not have an aesthetically pleasing appearance and cause discomfort to the person.
In any case, it must be remembered that parasites prefer humid places where spores germinate better.They persist in nails, shoes and towels, and on the floors of showers, swimming pools and saunas.
The infection can penetrate the nail anywhere, but more often the free edge of the horny plate serves as a "gate" for the fungus.It then begins to spread to the nail bed.The food of microscopic fungi is the building material of nails: keratin.As a result, strength is lost, color and structure change.
The pharmaceutical market offers various fungicidal drugs, but many people prefer to treat toenail fungus with proven home remedies.
Superficial mycoses are easier to cure with home remedies.However, the fungus can spread, which results in an increase in the size of the stain, sagging and thickening of the nail, loss of shine and transparency.Fragility of the nail plate, peeling of the skin, pain when walking and at rest occurs.Fungal infection is usually accompanied by bacterial superinfection, which is very difficult to deal with at home.
Steam and soften then treat affected nails
A natural antifungal remedy is apple cider vinegar.You will need a large amount of healing liquid, so it is best to make it yourself at home from apples, peels, apple juice or wine (cider).Therapeutic use consists of mixing vinegar with the same amount of warm water and soaking the feet in the solution for a quarter of an hour.The fingers and soles are not cleaned, but rather left to dry.The procedure is repeated daily until healthy nail plates begin to grow.
Many combination home remedies for toenail fungus contain ethanol, a strong antiseptic.A solution to treat fungus can be prepared using vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, and glycerin purchased from a pharmacy (2:2:1).All liquids are mixed well and used to apply on the affected areas for a month.
Nail fungus is treated with home remedies and other simple products.A salt bath has a calming effect on the affected area.Add 80 to 100 g of sea or kitchen salt to a liter of warm water.Then it is recommended to massage the feet using vegetable oil and 5 drops of lavender (or oregano) essential oil.The blood supply to the legs improves and the fight against infections is more active.Tar soap is whipped into foam, table salt is added and applied to the nails under a bandage for 7-9 hours (overnight).
A foot bath with baking soda (one tablespoon per 1 liter of water) softens and loosens damaged keratin.
Propolis has a strong antifungal and antibacterial effect.You can buy a ready-made alcohol tincture at a pharmacy and lubricate your nails daily.To prepare the product yourself, take propolis and alcohol in a ratio of 1:10.Infuse the product for at least a week, drain it of the sediment and use it as a medicine.Make sure to steam your feet well and cut the soft areas of the nails, only then apply propolis tincture and let the liquid dry completely.
Recipes from time immemorial
Treating toenail fungus with home remedies made from green plants is best done during summer vacations.It should be possible to stay home and replace it with a new one as the leaf or berry compress dries.Make foot baths with a hot infusion of celandine.After steaming for 30 minutes, it is recommended to apply antifungal varnish to the affected nails.
Rowan leaves and berries are used, rich in organic acids, triterpene compounds and essential oils.Fresh raw materials are ground to a pasty state and the resulting suspension is applied to a piece of bandage on the nails affected by the fungus.
Nail mycosis is treated at home with nettle or burdock leaves.They wrap the sore nails with them, as if they were a bandage, and leave them on overnight.On top you should wear cotton socks.Garlic juice is rubbed on the nails after steaming them and removing the softened areas of the nail affected by the fungus.These procedures are carried out daily for 14 days.Onion juice is used in the same way.
Pharmacy preparations and folk remedies for toenail fungus should kill or weaken only the causative agents of the disease and not disturb the beneficial microflora of the skin.With any treatment option, it is worth remembering that the disease does not disappear instantly.Once the fungus is destroyed or its development stopped, it takes 8 to 12 months until new keratin grows in place of the damaged part.More attention should be paid to personal hygiene.For example, every day, wipe your feet with a cotton swab moistened with 9% table vinegar or formaldehyde solution (1%).
It is important to avoid visiting the pool, sauna, bathhouse during fungal treatment and reduce the consumption of sweets.It is necessary to abandon detergents with high pH in favor of baby soap or intimate hygiene gel (pH 5.5).The fact is that fungi and bacteria do not like an acidic environment.