Anyone familiar with the fungal infection, know how much trouble it brings this disease. In summer, there is no possibility to wear sandals, but at home legs have shamefully hide in your socks. In addition to aesthetic problems, onychomycosis brings problems and physical, so it is important to "treat" the disease is still in the beginning.
The list of places where you can get infected with fungus is infinite, so we list those where the risk to catch a fungus the most high:
- At home, when using manicure implements "the whole family" (some scissors or tweezers at all, for example).
- In the beauty salon (and at home) during a manicure/pedicure session, nails, etc. under the condition of insufficient quality machining tools.
- In the pool — when walking barefoot near the swimming pool or in public showers.
- In public baths, saunas, and gyms.
- When you use shared towels.
- If you use a Mat for the bathroom with the whole family.
- When wearing tight or poor quality shoes.
- In SPA-salons, fitness clubs.
- When a "swap" shoes (one friend gives to vilify another, or give to guests to wear Slippers someone from the family).
- With frequent use of socks/tights of synthetic fibers.
- Frequent contact (and further injury to the nail plate) with household chemicals.
- When taking oral contraceptives or antibiotics.
What treatment can be prescribed by a doctor – the most effective drugs
As soon as you detect signs of incipient fungal infection, should go to the dermatologist or mycologist.
Specialist determines the type of fungus and studies prescribes treatment. It is usually sufficient examination, tests, scrapings of tissue for research, evaluation of the thickness/structure of the nail, determine the type of fungus.
What is the treatment?
- At the initial stage sometimes it is enough antifungal lacquer and removing those parts of the nails that were affected by the fungus.
- In the local treatment using conventional antifungal drugs (from of ointments and plasters to solutions and sprays), usually twice a day.
- Application of drug to the nail occurs only after treatment of the feet. First a softening of the nails/skin in a warm soda solution and using soap. After application of the drug at the right time. Then again hygienic procedures.
- How much to treat? It depends on the stage of the disease. To cope with the fungus, as with the common cold, will not work. You have to treat long — stocked with patience. As a rule, is spent on this process from 2 months to 1 year.
- The ineffectiveness of local treatment specialist appoints antifungals common actions (inside). But only after special/examination and in the absence of contraindications. Also they do not combine with other drugs/medications. Contraindications: breast-feeding, and of course, pregnancy and hormonal contraception, diseases of the kidneys/liver.
- Accompanying actions. In the treatment process will have to handle all the shoes (and socks etc) spec/solution that the doctor ordered.
- At the end of treatment (i.e., when to grow healthy nails) will be carried out control tests. Their result and show the treatment was successful or dermatophytes still present.
Note the nail fungus is extremely tenacious "infection". Moreover, it is known for its high resistance to antifungal drugs. So be sure to cure the disease until the end, otherwise when re-treatment the effect will be very low.
And, of course, should not self-medicate. All drugs — only for the specialist appointment!
The 10 best folk remedies for nail fungus
If you suspect the nail fungus at the same time as treatment with a specialist, you can apply one of the traditional methods. It is not recommended instead of treatment at the doctor — you risk to aggravate the problem and then the healing process will be long and tedious.
So, what tools came to us from our grandmothers and great-grandmothers?
- Ointment for fungus. Mix vinegar (1 tbsp/l 70% th) + raw egg + dimethyl phthalate (1 h/l) + vegetable oil (1 tbsp/l). Apply the mixture on the affected area of the nails from the top wrap the polyethylene, from top to wear cotton socks. This compress should be worn for 4 days.
- Regular treatment of nails in one of the following means: propolis tincture, antiseptic tea tree oil, Apple cider vinegar.
- The foot bath. You can use sea salt (preferably without additives), infusion of celandine, yarrow, Hypericum, oak bark, chamomile, calendula etc. After the bath should lubricate the nails with lemon juice, iodine or Apple cider vinegar.
- Iodine. The essence of treatment: twice a day apply it on the damaged nails (over 20 days) 1-2 drops of iodine. If successful, the treatment then go for the treatment for 1 every 3 days.
- Kombucha. Its infusion is used as compresses. It is sufficient to impregnate the gauze, apply a compress and leave on overnight under plastic and socks. Also can be applied directly to the part of the tea fungus to the nails, after which they should be bandage and leave for a couple of hours. After you steam the feet and apply a mixture of Apple cider vinegar (part 1), alcohol 96% (2 parts), glycerin (2 parts). To leave for the night. The course of treatment — 2 weeks.
- The garlic oil. Pour the grated garlic in hot oil to fully cover the garlic. All mix, cover and leave for 2 days. The essence of treatment: wetted swab in the oil applied to the sore area, put a bandage protected the top with polyethylene, put on socks and leave overnight. The course is 2 weeks.
- Vinegar. Wetted swab in vinegar (9%), applied on the affected area, wrap with plastic, fix with a bandage and leave overnight. In the morning we repeat.
- Soda with celandine. Soar feet in a solution (3 liters of water + 1 tbsp/l of soda), wipe the feet with affected areas together with the fingers oil celandine (look in the pharmacy). The course is 2 weeks.
- Birch tar. Up feet with the use of household/Soaps (about 20 min), clean the feet with a pumice stone, nails are cut, wipe dry the legs and lubricates the nails with your fingers birch tar. Feet put on the newspaper by 1.5 hours and read the book. Next, remove the excess tar with a bandage, wear cotton socks and forget at the legs for a couple of days. After my feet again with khoz/soap in cool water. In the evening repeat the procedure. The course is 2 weeks.
- Kalanchoe. Treatment: on the unpainted nail glue with patches of the leaves of Kalanchoe to cover them with holes. Patches leaves are changing daily. Course — 2-3 weeks.
The use of traditional methods only after consultation with a specialist!
Prevention of nail fungus – how to protect yourself from adversity?
To protect yourself from fungus can be a simple observance of rules of hygiene and preventive measures.
Remember:
- In all public areas (beaches, shower, locker room, pool, Spa-salons and other) wear washable Slippers. Do not go barefoot where there is a risk of catching an infection!
- Do not wear other people's shoes (including Slippers away — better to walk around in socks).
- Do not use other people's towels and manicure instruments.
- Getting out of the bath, put his feet on common (and often wet, not the first freshness) the Mat and on his own towel (pre-select it for such a purpose).
- Regularly inspect the feet and nails on the subject of signs of the fungus. At the slightest symptoms (there were cracks/itching between the fingers, change the color of the nail, etc.) measures. That is, acquire ointments, special/lucky, etc
- Try not to use tight, narrow shoes and shoes made from poor quality materials.
- Regularly treated your shoes inside antiseptics.
- To feet did not sweat, use deodorants, talc, etc
- Use only cotton socks. If you want to use tights/stocking (manufacture of nylon and other synthetic fabrics) they must remove the house, up the legs treated.
- In the heat wear open shoes — for ventilation and free air exchange. Sweaty feet — soil for bacteria.
- Do not measure for footwear without socks on bare feet.
- Wipe feet dry after the bath including between your toes — that's where the fungus starts.
- Don't allow cracks on the feet, use moisturizers.
- My feet with antibacterial soap.
- At high risk of infection (for example, on holiday or in the pool) used antifungal creams, powders or sprays.
- Thoroughly dry the shoes, if it got wet. Put on wet shoes/boots.
- Choose only proven salons for a pedicure/manicure.
- Do not allow ingrowth and nail deformation — measures in a timely manner.
Is not so difficult. Enough personal hygiene — and you are protected from fungus.
Adequate diagnosis and treatment of the disease possible only under the supervision of a conscientious doctor. If you experience anxiety symptoms of nail fungus consult a specialist!