Faded, pitted and uneven nails are common symptoms for people suffering from onychomycosis, a fungal nail disease. It is not easy to get rid of the fungus under the nails: in many cases, the treatment is complicated by polymycosis (simultaneous defeat by several varieties of the fungus), the high resistance of the pathogen, the entry of fungi into the bloodstream and lymphatic tract. Are there chances to get rid of onychomycosis for good? Yes I have! You need to consult a doctor and strictly follow his instructions.
Traditional treatments for onychomycosis
It is better to start the fight against the fungus immediately after discovering the problem, while the pathogen has not yet managed to reach the nails on all toes and fingers. At first, the infection only affects the edge of a nail and then the entire nail. If left untreated, there is a possibility of damage and complete detachment of the nail plates in all fingers. It is much more difficult to treat a disease at an advanced stage than at an early stage.
therapeutic enamels
In the first stage of onychomycosis, when the nail plate or its edge changes color, the disease is manifested by thickening and keratinization of the nail: it becomes thick, begins to peel and crumble. Immediately after detecting these symptoms, you should consult a doctor. In the initial phase, therapeutic varnishes related to local therapy are successfully used to fight the fungus. Before starting the procedures, it is necessary to carry out an analysis to identify a specific pathogen.
To enhance the therapeutic effect, before the varnish application procedure, it is necessary to remove the keratinized upper layers of the nail plate by mechanical methods. It is necessary to carefully remove the keratinized layers affected by the fungus so as not to injure the diseased nail. Medicinal varnishes, penetrating deep into the tissues, contribute to the rapid destruction of the causative agent of onychomyosis. To increase the therapeutic effect, it is necessary to treat the nails with varnish regularly, until they are completely cured.
In addition to the nail plates, fungi often affect the skin of the feet and palms. This is evidenced by symptoms such as burning, itching, a specific smell. Therefore, simultaneously with therapy, preventive measures are taken to destroy the pathogen: disinfection of shoes, socks, treatment of feet with antifungal drugs.
Antifungal creams and ointments
As an effective treatment for nail fungus, especially in its early stages, creams and ointments have proven themselves. Unlike varnish, creams and ointments are easily erased from the surface of the nail, so you need to ensure that the nail plate is covered with the active substance for a long time, otherwise the drug will not have time to penetrate deeply into the nail. . affected nails. To enhance the effect, it is necessary to remove the keratinized upper layers of the nail plate with a file so that the active substance penetrates deeper into the nail.
pills
If the fungus has affected more than 3 fingers or the disease is in an advanced stage, doctors prescribe oral antifungal pills. Ingestion of such drugs should be carried out as directed by a doctor and under his supervision: drugs in this group are toxic, which adversely affect the internal organs. Such drugs are taken in cycles with a break. For the treatment of fingers, 2 cycles are needed, toes - 3 cycles.
To enhance the effect of the tablets, it is better to combine their intake with local treatment with varnish or creams. This combination therapy promotes a quick recovery. To reduce the harmful effects of pills on the liver, doctors recommend taking hepatoprotectants. At the same time, measures must be taken to prevent secondary infections - to treat shoes and other things with antifungal drugs.
Folk remedies to get rid of nail fungus
Many are interested in the question: is it possible to get rid of nail fungus using folk methods? The answer is positive: in some cases, folk methods can get rid of nail fungus. Doctors do not recommend abusing self-medication: if you start the disease, it will be much more difficult to get rid of the fungus. The effectiveness of the following natural-based products has been proven: tinctures of propolis, iodine, vinegar baths, etc. These popular recipes are popular:
- Applications based on apple cider vinegar. Mix apple cider vinegar and vegetable oil in a ratio of 1 to 1. Moisten a cotton pad with the resulting mixture, secure it to the affected area with tape. The disc should be kept for 3-4 hours, the procedure is carried out daily until complete recovery.
- Apple cider vinegar baths. Dilute 1 liter of vinegar in 3 liters of warm water, add a little potassium permanganate. The bath is taken daily for 30 minutes.
- Propolis tincture. Moisten a cotton pad with dye, clean your nails several times a day - sick and healthy.
- Tea tree oil. Lubricate the affected nails with oil. The procedure is carried out several times a day.
- Propolis tincture. Moisten a cotton pad with 20% propolis tincture, apply it to the affected area for several hours. The procedure is performed daily until a healthy nail plate grows.
- Iodine. Clean the nail plate from the keratinized layers, apply an iodine solution. It is recommended to treat healthy nails, skin near the fingers. If you feel a burning sensation after applying the solution, it should be diluted. The solution is applied daily until complete healing.
- Celandine tincture. Dilute the celandine infusion in a ratio of 1 to 1. Soak your fingers in a bath with a solution, keep for 20-25 minutes. The course of treatment lasts 20 days.
How to prevent fungus: advice from a dermatologist
A fungal infection that requires careful and skilled treatment becomes an unpleasant surprise. At risk are people who visit public places: baths, saunas, swimming pools, who have contact with people with fungal diseases. If there are patients at home, all preventive measures must be observed: do not wear someone else's shoes, clean daily with drugs that destroy fungi. Dermatologists give the following recommendations to prevent fungal infection:
- When visiting saunas, baths, swimming pools and other public places where people walk barefoot, always wear your own change of shoes, preferably closed.
- After visiting these places, wash your feet thoroughly, including the skin between your toes.
- If your feet sweat, use talcum powder or deodorants.
- Try to comply with hygiene requirements, change socks daily.
- Don't wear tight shoes and someone else's shoes.
- When trying on new shoes at the store, wear new socks.