Any fungal disease has an infectious soil. That is, it is caused by pathogenic fungi, which most often affect the skin or nails (nail plates, in essence, are modified and keratinized skin). But, if fungal lesions of soft tissues (including skin) can be treated without any special problems, if chosen correctly, nail fungus is treated much more difficult and prolonged. In particular, if it is working, that is, for a long time no one paid due attention to the disease, hoping that it will "go away anyway". Therefore, rather than treating a neglected and already entrenched disease, it is much better to suppress it in the early stages of development. And even more optimal is to prevent infections! This article will help you with this.
The legs are no less aesthetically important part of the body than the arms, or even the face. Especially in the warm season, when open shoes and beach season arrive.
But, at a time when for some they become objects of pride, and even general admiration, for others they can cause the strongest aesthetic discomfort.
It's about the fungus. By affecting the nail plates of the feet one by one, it makes them not only unattractive, but aesthetically unacceptable.
The legs change color and structure, lose their integrity, and can emit a foul odor. These are all the results of the activity of the pathogenic fungi. This can not be allowed!
And the first thing to do is assimilate the information about where exactly this ailment can be detected.
Fungal infection methods
Since it is an infection, the infection itself occurs when it comes into contact with it: either with the direct carrier or with the place it touched. That is, you can get infected:
- In the bathroom, bathtub or pool.
- When wearing shoes, socks or other items of a sick person.
- With direct bodily (physical) contact with him.
- In the gym or on the river, etc.
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 fungal nail infection occur?
There are many forms of infection. And if the fungi enter a humid and warm environment, then for some time they can reproduce even in it, outside of their biological carrier, which will only increase their population (concentration) in this particular place and significantly increase the risk ofinfection of a healthy person in contact with such a place.
Therefore, if you visit public places, especially those whose examples were given above, always pay attention to the quality of cleaning in them, the degree of disinfection and the level of service provided in general.
And one more point, also very important: carefully monitor your own hygiene (foot hygiene).
After all, even if fungi do get to you, you have up to 24 hours to get rid of them, without negative consequences for your overall health.
Therefore, it is recommended to carry out preventive procedures every time you are at risk (after visiting the gym, sauna, contact with a sick person, etc. ). Choose for yourself what suits you best.
The best remedy for toenail fungus.
Speaking of how to get rid of toenail fungus, one cannot fail to mention home remedies, along with pharmaceutical preparations that have been used for a long time by different generations.
1. Acetic acid (9%)
This is ordinary table vinegar. For 1 liter of warm clean water, take 30, and for hardened skin on the legs - 45 milliliters of vinegar, dissolve it in water and immerse your feet in this solution for 15 minutes.
After that, if you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to rinse it with warm running water and make sure to dry it well.
After that, you can apply a nourishing moisturizing cream on your feet, 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 infection.
And yet it will be better, in terms of your safety, if you use drugs from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry after having pretreated your feet with one of the products prepared according to popular recipes, as in paragraph number 1, or in the following paragraphs. . .
3. Hydrogen peroxide
You can buy it at almost any pharmacy. For 1 liter of warm water, you will need approximately 15 milliliters of peroxide. Apply in the same way as vinegar. It is not advisable to resort to such procedures more 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 care, to the nail plates and the area around them. You don't need to wash it. If you decide to use the oil diluted with water, you can do it 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 should not 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 give off the most pleasant coffee smell and 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 pollution).
- If the first rule was overlooked, take all measures to reduce the risk of fungus (vinegar, peroxide, coffee, etc. ).
But, and that's not all! These tips will help you protect yourself even more and complete the prevention overview:
- Strengthen your immune system affordably: spend more time outdoors, avoid severe stress situations, eat rationally.
- Get enough sleep and good rest, exercise, or keep fit.
Always wear clean and fresh shoes, socks, never borrow them from other people, observe the prevention of the feet (it is advisable to wash them with homemade soap or special bactericide, which will also help in the fight, prevention of fungus).
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 exams!
How to get rid of toenail fungus with medicine
Despite the high effectiveness of folk remedies that are 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, safest, and fastest. They come in a variety of forms. Most often it comes from 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.
Without a doubt, a qualified doctor will help you choose the best option for your combination. We will consider what options exist in general.
- Oral medications (for oral administration). As a rule, they are not used for prophylaxis, but they serve for the high-quality treatment of the fungus.
- Healing liquid. This is already quite old, but, nevertheless, it has proven itself, means. Now it is not as popular as, say, several decades ago. However, some of the pharmacies still make this liquid to order, 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, since it completely deprives them of a nutritious medium: the legs, with regular use of this paste, do not sweat.
- Special antifungal nail varnishes. Today they are an alternative remedy to many drugs, since they allow both to avoid infections and, at the same time, take care of your nails.
- Prophylaxis sprays. They can be used both for treatment and to prevent the development of an ailment. But, if you used the drug for prophylaxis, then you need to follow the full abbreviated course; otherwise, the next time the remedy is ineffective.
Shoe disinfection for nail fungus.
This is one of the important points: shoes must always be dry and clean. It should be cleaned, washed and dried in time. The above sprays can be used to treat the inside of the shoe.
In the previous article, tips were given on how to treat it with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solutions. You should have several pairs of shoes for the season so that you can change them into the next pair while the previous one is in the sanitizing stage.
Prevention is very important to keep your nails healthy. But, if you notice signs of infection: the nail plate has thinned or, on the contrary, has thickened, changed color, started to exfoliate, etc. , it may already be wise to talk about treatment.
But remember, the best remedy for nail fungus is to prevent it from appearing. Home remedies will help you with this.
Consult all medications with your doctor.
Take care of yourself and your health. Be healthy!