Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a fungal infection of the nail plates of the hands and feet. Most often this is due to lack of treatment for fungal skin diseases. This disease is most common in adults over the age of twenty and affects approximately one in ten people on the planet. Toenail fungus mainly affects men. In ninety percent of cases it is caused by fungi and dermatophytes, which can be transmitted both by direct contact and through various household items.
The disease is infectious in nature, in the absence of timely response measures leads to the complete destruction of a homogeneous surface. To prevent this, you need to carefully observe your own manicure, in time to switch to intensive therapy with drugs and alternative methods. If this is an alternative treatment, a steady positive trend is observed only at an early stage.
Manifestations of nail fungus
In fungal disease, the main manifestations are a change in the color of the nail, its thickening, as well as destruction or disintegration.
With a healthy nail, the base should be visible through the nail plate. With a fungal infection, the nail can change color and become yellow, gray, white, brown of any shade and even green or black. The nail plate also changes color and sometimes forms a cavity in which pathogens of this disease accumulate - fungi and various microbes, dead skin cells and other types of bacteria. In general, these accumulations are the cause of discoloration of the nail.
Thickening of the nail is often observed in fungal diseases, in which it is not the nail plate itself that thickens, but the nail bed. Such a strong keratinization of the nail bed occurs in connection with the reaction of the introduction of a harmful fungus in it. If timely treatment is not carried out, these excited masses increase in volume and subsequently make it more complex and long-term.
If the fungal disease is not treated in time, it spreads throughout the nail and penetrates inside the nail plate, leading to its stratification. Fungus on the nails of the feet and hands can penetrate into any part of the nail and destroy it, leading to its severe thinning or complete destruction. The edge of the nail can fall apart even in the initial stages of the disease. Usually in such situations the nail simultaneously shrinks at the edge and thickens closer to the base.
These are the main manifestations of nail fungus, but there are many other manifestations that can be described in different ways. But in any case, the main signs of fungal infection in the first place are the condition of the skin around the nail, the surface of the nail and its deformation. Millions of different cases of fungal diseases are discovered every day around the world, each with its own colors and halftones. Therefore, at first glance at the damaged nail, it is simply impossible to determine whether there is fungus here. This is done only by a doctor and even such a highly qualified specialist will make his diagnosis only after receiving the results of laboratory tests.
Diagnosis of nail fungus
First of all, these are changes in the appearance of the skin located around the nail plate and of course the nail itself. But there are many different diseases of the nails and skin, more than a hundred species that are not fungal. In any case, about fifty percent of nail-related diseases are fungal infections. And to check this, it is necessary to diagnose nail fungus.
Thirty percent of skin infections are fungal, mostly on the feet. But if the lesions on the skin or nails are on the hands, then it may not always be a fungal infection. Of course, this is because the hands are more often outdoors and ventilated, unlike the feet. Therefore, hand fungus is most often of the yeast type and is common among those whose hands are often in the water due to their work and occupation.
It is not recommended to diagnose the presence of fungus at home. Only an experienced doctor will be able to accurately determine the name of the disease and the degree of its development. Make sure that any fungal disease must be tested and confirmed in a laboratory.
Nail fungus treatment
As early as the middle of the last century, the problem of fungal diseases became very acute. There were no effective means to combat it in those days. Decades passed before there were effective methods to treat nail fungus on the hands and feet. Very slowly doctors have achieved results in the treatment of onychomycosis. That is why in those days the only way to treat the fungus was to remove the nail plate. But with the growth of a new nail, the fungus often reappears. To date, this method is almost never used anywhere. And not only because of the need to provide a special room, the use of anesthesia and the possibility of complications after such an operation, but also because of the rejection of this method of treatment by modern patients, for whom it comes first. everything, blood, pain and temporary incapacity.
Previously, nail fungus was treated with the simplest means - acids, dyes, sulfur, vinegar and iodine. From them were prepared various solutions, ointments, liquids, which led to the desired result, but of course not in as short a time as modern means of combating nail fungus. Treating toenail fungus with old antifungal drugs has been too long and burdensome for most patients, and only about fifteen years ago the situation changed. Fast and effective preparations appeared, which were rarely used and worked for a short time, giving good results.
Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies
Nail fungus should be treated with folk remedies so that it disappears forever or at least for a very long time. The desired result can always be achieved. One of the most popular remedies for nail fungus on the hands and feet are alternative treatments. They are safe, unlike medicines, because they are made only from natural ingredients and do not harm the body. In our time the folk treatment of nail fungus>remains popular. There are many effective ways to treat nail fungus on the hands and feet. So, how to get rid of nail fungus? Some of the most popular in our time are the following recipes:
Recipe. Iodine, as the first helper in the treatment of fungi
It is necessary to treat all areas affected by the fungus twice a day with 5% iodine solution. After a few days, a slight burning sensation should appear in the treated areas and the stronger it is, the better the effect. However, if the discomfort is too severe, you can continue to treat only once a day. The course of treatment takes twenty days.
Recipe. Treatment of nail fungus with propolis solution
This tool easily defeats the fungus. Thanks to such an effective treatment of nail fungus, the diseased nail will gradually recede and in its place will grow beautiful and healthy. To do this, the site of the fungal lesion is lubricated with a 30% solution of propolis, best made of alcohol.
Recipe. Treatment of nail fungus with onion juice
This treatment is very effective and lasts for five days, no more. It is necessary to clean the onion, cut it in half and wipe the affected areas with the spilled juice.
Recipe. Onions as a remedy for fungus
Nail fungus is treated with folk remedies with onions. As you know, onion is a good antiseptic, it is this quality helps to quickly and painlessly get rid of the fungus. To prepare this recipe, you need to take 2-3 onions, peel them and crush them well. The resulting slurry is applied to the affected areas in the form of a compress for the night.
Recipe. Treatment of fungus on the feet with carrots and vinegar
In fungal disease of the feet it is necessary to mix carrot juice and vinegar essence in equal proportions. Apply a piece of cotton wool wrapped on a stick moistened with this mixture to the infected areas.
Also, for toenail fungus, you should wash your feet very well and dip your feet in a strong solution of wine vinegar. Lie down straight in socks well soaked in this vinegar.
Recipe. Garlic juice as the best antiseptic in the fight against fungal diseases
Another good way to folk remedies for nail fungus is garlic and all its components. Take two equal parts of garlic juice and 90% alcohol and mix them, add distilled water. This mixture is one of the strongest antiseptics, it is useful to use both externally against stubborn fungal and infectious skin lesions, and internally.
Garlic compress effectively treats nail fungus of any degree of complexity, even those that are extremely difficult to treat with other treatments. In addition to external treatment with garlic, it is necessary to take garlic tinctures inside. Garlic tea, decoction and tincture of garlic help well. The result is guaranteed for four days.
Recipe. Treatment of fungi with various herbs
One of the best remedies for toenail fungus is fresh mint. Mint leaves should be crushed and ground together with salt. Apply this mixture as a compress between the fingers or toes for an hour. This procedure should be repeated until the complete disappearance of the fungus.
How to get rid of toenail fungus? It is necessary to mix in equal proportions marigold flowers, verbena, horsetail grass, oak bark. Pour ten grams of the resulting mixture with a glass of water and cook for fifteen minutes, leave for two hours and strain well. Make lotions and compresses with this infusion, and take one tablespoon four times a day.
Lilac flowers are a good remedy for nail fungus. It is desirable that they are already a little withered. Pour ten grams of lilac flowers with half a glass of alcohol. Leave for about fifteen days. Apply the resulting infusion to the areas infected with the fungus.
And despite the fact that many doctors are against such "self-medication", most people, using these recipes, were able to completely eliminate nail fungus. For the treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies is very effective and also not expensive.
Prevention of nail fungus
Toenail fungus on the feet and hands can be avoided. And for this try not to get into situations that make possible the appearance of fungal disease. Antifungals can be used not only during the disease, but also for its prevention.
How to get rid of nail fungus or prevent it? To do this, it will be enough to follow the simplest rules of hygiene. You should only use your own shoes, both at home and outdoors, and also do not allow others to wear personal shoes. No need to walk barefoot in public places. When visiting the pool, it is necessary to use special means to treat the feet. If there is a patient with a fungal disease in the family, you need to make sure that he does not walk barefoot and uses only personal, special hand and foot care products that include a nail file, scissors and a towel. You should always remember the basics - healthy and well-groomed nails - the best tool in the fight against all kinds of fungi. Proper prevention in the fight against fungal diseases will be comfortable, not tight shoes and shoes without a greenhouse effect.
But if the risk of the disease is possible, it is necessary to carry out prevention with the help of special means. These may be the same drugs used to treat the fungus. But there are more convenient methods of prevention, such as sprays and aerosols. With their help it is easier to process the folds between the toes or the skin of the sole. Some prophylactics contain powder, which further helps to relieve heavy sweating of the feet.
It should be remembered that each fungus begins with a skin disease and only then goes to the nail plate. Therefore, at least peeling, cracks or itching in the interdigital folds is necessary to use an antifungal agent. To do this, you do not need to consult a doctor, but with the help of a good tool yourself do effective treatment of nail fungus. It is never necessary to start a fungal disease, as it will be much easier to get rid of it at an early stage of development.