Every 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, keratinized skin). But if soft tissue fungal lesions (including skin) can be treated without any particular problem, if solved correctly, then nail fungus is treated much harder and longer. In particular, if it is working, that is, for a long time no one paid due attention to the disease, hoping that "it will disappear anyway. "Therefore, instead of treating a neglected disease, already entrenched, it is much better to suppress it in the early stages of development. And even more optimal is the prevention of infection! This article will help you with that.
The legs are no less aesthetically pleasing part of the body than the arms, or even the face. Especially in the warm season, when open-toed shoes and beach season come.
But at a time when for some they become an object of pride, even general admiration, for others they may cause the strongest aesthetic concern.
It’s all about the fungus. Affecting the toenail plates, one by one, makes them not only unattractive, but aesthetically unacceptable.
The feet change color and structure, lose their integrity, and may emit a foul odor. These are all results of the activity of pathogenic fungi. This can not be allowed!
And the first thing to do is to get the information on where exactly this disease can be contracted.
Methods of Fungal Infection
Since this is an infection, the infection itself occurs by contact with it: either by the direct carrier, or otherwise - by the place where it touched. That is, you can become infected:
- In the bath, toilet or pool.
- When wearing shoes, socks or other items of a sick person.
- By direct bodily (physical) contact with him.
- In the gym or in the river etc.
If the situation has already occurred, then 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 nail fungus infection occur?
There are many ways of infection. And if the fungi enter a humid and hot environment, then, for some time, they can also reproduce in it, outside of their biological carrier, which will only increase their population (concentration) in this particular placeand significantly increases the risk of infecting a healthy person by contact with such a site.
Therefore, if you visit public places, especially those, examples of which are 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 another point, also very important: carefully monitor your hygiene (foot hygiene).
After all, even if the fungus comes to you, then you have up to 24 hours to get rid of them, without any negative consequences for your health, in general.
So, it is recommended to perform preventive procedures whenever you are in danger (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, we can not fail to mention the folk remedies, along with pharmaceutical preparations that have been used for a long time by different generations.
1. Acetic acid (9%)
This is common table vinegar. For 1 liter of clean warm water, take 30, and for hardened skin of the feet - 45 milliliters of vinegar, dissolve it in water and soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes.
After that, if you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to rinse them under warm running water and make sure they are completely dry.
After that, you can apply a nourishing moisturizer on your feet, or a special prophylactic antifungal cream, or a medicine in another form.
2. Preparations
You can also use antifungal medications as well as their analogues after any situation that increases your risk of infection.
And yet, it will be better, in terms of your safety, if you use medicines from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry after you have pre-prepared your feet with one of the products prepared according to popular recipes, such as in paragraph number 1, orin the following paragraphs. . .
3. Hydrogen peroxide
You can buy it in almost any pharmacy. For 1 liter of warm water, you will need about 15 milliliters of peroxide. Apply in the same way as vinegar. It is not advisable to use such procedures more often than once in 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 feet, especially carefully - on the nail plates and the area around them. You do not need to wash it. If you decide to use oil diluted with water, then you can do this about once every two days.
It is necessary to keep your feet in the solution for up to 20 minutes. Before using the undiluted oil, the feet should be steamed in warm water, preferably with the addition of small amounts of laundry soap.
5. Strong natural coffee
A very unusual method, given 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 emit the most pleasant smell of coffee and not be susceptible to fungal infections?
Then keep your feet in strong natural coffee for 15-17 minutes. The procedure can be performed daily. The coffee should be a little warm, but not hot!
Preventive measures
So, from the above, you can draw some conclusions that will definitely help prevent:
- Avoid visits to potentially dangerous places (in terms of pollution).
- If the first rule is lost - take all measures to reduce the risk of fungi (vinegar, peroxide, coffee, etc. ).
But, and that is not all! These tips will help you protect yourself even more and complete the big look of prevention:
- Strengthen your immune system in affordable ways: spend more time in the fresh air, avoid severe stressful situations, eat rationally.
- Get enough sleep and rest well, exercise or stay in shape.
Always wear shoes, clean and fresh socks, never borrow them from other people, observe foot prevention (it is advisable to wash them with household soap or special bactericidal soap, which will also help in the fight, preventionof mushrooms).
Shoes can also be treated (about once a week) with a special antifungal agent, or with vinegar, water-soluble peroxide (if this does not damage the shoes).
At least once every six months, visit a dermatovenerologist for preventative examinations!
How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus With Medication
Despite the high effectiveness of those folk remedies that are currently available in the arsenal of alternative medicine, funds produced in pharmaceutical factories according to modern prescriptions are in high demand.
And last but not least - thanks to its really clear and proven effectiveness.
Let's take a look at the most popular, safest and fastest. They come in a variety of forms. Most often these are oils, lotions, sprays.
And also - can be applied both externally and externally. If the fungus is neglected, then it is better to combine the use of internal drugs with the use of external agents.
A qualified doctor will definitely help you choose the best option for their combination. We will examine which options generally exist.
- Oral drugs (for oral administration). They, as a rule, are not used for prophylaxis, but serve for high-quality treatment of fungi.
- Healing juice. This is already quite old, but, nevertheless, has proven its effectiveness, the tools. Now it is not as popular as, say, a few decades ago. But some pharmacies still make this juice on demand - with a doctor's prescription. Can be used for both prevention (occasionally) and treatment.
- Climb. This drug, in general, does not have a direct destructive effect on pathogenic fungi and harmful microflora. But, he excludes their reproduction, as it completely deprives them of a nourishing medium: the feet, with regular use of this paste, do not sweat.
- Special antifungal varnishes. Today they are an alternative medicine for many pharmacists, as they allow both to avoid infection and, at the same time, take care of their nails.
- Spraying for prophylaxis. They can be used both to treat and prevent the development of a disease. But, if you have used the medicine for prophylaxis, then you should switch to the full cut course, otherwise the next time the medicine may be ineffective.
Disinfection of shoes for nail fungus
This is one of the important points: shoes should always be dry and clean. Must be cleaned, washed, dried on time. The above sprays can be used to treat the inside of the shoe.
Above in the article, tips were given for its treatment with solutions of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. You need to have several pairs of shoes for the season so that you can change them using the other pair while the previous one is in the disinfection stage.
Prevention is very important to keep your nails healthy. But if you notice signs of infection: the nail plate has become thinner or, conversely, has thickened, changed color, started to exfoliate, and so on, then it may be advisable to talk about treatment.
But remember, the best remedy for nail fungus is to prevent its occurrence. Folk remedies will help you in this.
Check all medications with your doctor.
Take care of yourself and your health. Be healthy!