Nail fungus, or yeast infection, is an extremely nasty disease and, unfortunately, very common. Yeast infection refers to chronic and intractable pathologies - sometimes it is not possible to find an effective remedy for toenail fungus for months or even years. The symptoms disappear for a while, it seems that everything is behind and the nails are healthy. But after a few weeks the nail plate turns yellow again, thickens, begins to crumble - and again you need to look for remedies for nail fungus, itchy, discomfort and smellunpleasant.
Finding effective drugs for the treatment of toenail fungus is necessary not only because the affected feet do not look well groomed and disgusting. The constant presence of a fungal infection in the body negatively affects the state of the immune system, the general well-being of a person and can become an impetus for the development of other pathologies, no less unpleasant and more dangerous. Pharmacies offer a wide selection of various remedies for nail fungus at a very different price. All of them have different composition and mechanism of action, which are best suited. In most cases, you have to determine by trial and error.
A good remedy for nail fungus and toenail is expensive. In order to avoid unnecessary expense and not trigger the disease, it is worth preparing before going to the pharmacy. Namely - to find out what types of antifungal drugs exist today, what are their differences, how they work and are used. And, of course, you should definitely see your doctor. Whether or not to adhere to his recommendations is a personal matter for everyone, but at least they will accurately diagnose and identify the pathogen.
The main types of antifungal drugs
All drugs offered in pharmacies for the treatment of athlete's foot are divided into two main categories according to the mode of administration:
- external - ointments, creams, varnishes;
- internal - tablets and capsules.
To find the most effective and best remedy for nail fungus, you need to identify the pathogen. Different fungi are sensitive to different drugs, so it is so important to see a doctor. Otherwise, the treatment can stretch indefinitely, lead to deterioration of the condition of the nails and unnecessary waste.
Each group has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is worth considering each in detail and assessing the effectiveness of the most common drugs, based on the opinions of doctors and the opinions of patients.
Azole nail fungus remedies
These toenail fungus products may contain substances such as triazole or imidazole. They work in two directions:
- destroys the spores of the fungus and thus stops its spread;
- destroys the cells of the fungus itself.
These medicines can be produced in different forms for external and internal use. Tablets and capsules are taken from 1 to 4-5 pieces per day for 3 to 14 days, ointments and creams are rubbed into the nail plates in courses of the same duration.
Benefits of azoles
- Effective against almost all types of fungi - yeast, yeast, mold.
- Suitable for long term treatment - up to three months or more.
- Available in a wide price range.
Disadvantages
- Oral medications can have side effects.
- Some are expensive.
- Relapses are not excluded even after complex treatment.
Nevertheless, many patients in this category find the most effective remedy for nail fungus. These drugs have received the best reviews and recommendations.
Presentation
Only complete treatment can get rid of toenail fungus.
For a positive result, you need to apply several methods to combat the fungal injection.Only the right approach will quickly eliminate the disease.
Diagnosis of fungal infection on the legs
Diagnosing the disease is easy and you can do it at home. Carefully examine the nails and the space between the fingers - itching, redness, transparency of the nail plate, a burning sensation, discoloration of the nail are signs of the disease.
You can also perform diagnostics in another way, dilute potassium permanganate to a light purple color and wet your nails in it - healthy nail plates will be stained, and patients will remain unchanged. As soon as the problem is discovered, the question of how to treat the fungus arises, and then everyone decides for themselves.
Start treating illness at home using folk remedies or pharmaceuticals, or go to the doctor.Our advice is to consult a specialist, only a doctor can prescribe the correct and comprehensive treatment that will lead to positive results.
What to expect from a trip to a medical facility if a fungus is detected:
- A dermatologist will carefully examine the fungus under a microscope.
- Indicates the focus of infection.
- Identify the cause of the disease.
- will make an accurate diagnosis according to the tests performed.
- Prescribe treatment.
It should be noted that the diagnosis is completely painless; skin scales and particles from a diseased nail are taken for analysis.
The main types (schemes, courses) of complex therapy for onychomycosis
In the treatment of fungi, only complex therapy is used with the use of various drugs and means that will improve the action of each.
A qualified specialist draws up an individual treatment regimen, based on the characteristics of the patient's body, the type of pathogen and the state of development of the fungal infection.
Untimely treatment of nail fungus can lead to the following consequences:
- decreased immunity;
- the appearance of eczema on the skin of the legs;
- allergies;
- If an infection enters the bloodstream, the fungus can infect internal organs.
Prompt action to eliminate fungal infections from the body contributes to effective fungal treatment. There are many varieties of the causative agent of diseases, andcan only be detected under laboratory conditions, therefore, on contacting a dermatologist, it picks up particles from a diseased nail.
In the last step, it is very difficult to get rid of the infection, because it has penetrated deep enough into the body. At this point, the nail plates thicken and break, and the skin around them becomes deformed. In this situation, recovery depends on the correct approach of the dermatologist to treatment and on the actions of the patient himself.
Antifungal varnishes and plasters: types and degree of effectiveness
Special plasters, often recommended by mycologists, will help destroy fungal spores quickly.
The patch softens the affected nail, making it easier to remove later.
Removing the nail plates and treating the fungus with patches is quite effective, but before use you need to consult a specialist, since using a patch will not relieve a relapse if the disease has penetrated deep into thebody.
In addition to dressings, a large number of varnishes have been developed to effectively fight against nail fungus. The following popular and effective varnishes will help cure onychomycosis:
If the fungus has not been cured, another treatment should be found.
Preparations that painlessly remove damaged nails
Now in the pharmacy you can buy drugs that help to quickly and painlessly remove a sore nail, but they should be used strictly according to the instructions.
Onychomycosis tablets
If the fungal lesions have developed strongly, the use of only external drugs will be unnecessary, you need to take antifungal drugs inside.
Creams and ointments
Medical studies have proven that ointments and creams in the treatment of nail fungus are not effective enough, as they hardly penetrate the nail plate and wear out quickly.
But do not exclude these drugs completely from the treatment regimen, they can help considerably as an additional treatment or as a prophylaxis.
Doctors prescribe creams and ointments to prevent relapses.
Tea tree oil is often used in the treatment of fungi, which can be used on its own or added to foot cream.
It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects. The treatment is very long, and the main rule for a positive effect is the regularity of use.
Traditional therapy
Despite the fact that many drugs for the treatment of fungal infections have been developed, it is not so easy to get rid of this disease. Therefore, traditional methods of treating the fungus are often used in a bunch of drugs.
Garlic
This ingredient is often used in many folk recipes to treat mushrooms. It can be used alone or with certain components.
The easiest way, but quite effective, is to rub freshly squeezed garlic juice into a sore nail. This process should be repeated at least 5 times a day - apply the juice with a cotton swab. The course of treatment is long - until complete recovery. If the disease persists, experts recommend taking additional tablets of nystatin and Clotrimazole ointment.
Acetic acid
Vinegar not only effectively fights fungal infections, but also has the following properties:
- antimicrobial effect;
- disinfection of the skin around the nail;
- fungistatic and antiseptic action.
The principle of action of vinegar essence on fungi and mycoses is the penetration into the affected area and the destruction of the spores of the fungal infection.
After prolonged use, thecolonies of the fungus are completely destroyed by the acid.
Compresses of acetic acid diluted 8 times are used for treatment, a bandage is applied at night.
Onions and lemon
There are many popular onion recipes for treating nail fungus. You can take the onion, peel, squeeze the juice and process the nail plates. This method is often used at night, but since the product does not require rinsing, it can be applied in the morning.
There is another recipe, you need to grate the peeled onion, put the oatmeal on your feet, then wrap it in cellophane and put on warm socks. The compress is left overnight, and in the morning they wash their feet with soap to remove the lingering smell of onion.
And if you combine lemon and onion, you can enhance the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect of the drug. Grate the onion into the oatmeal and add lemon juice to it. Apply these masks at night. An improvement in the condition can be observed after a few days. But the main thing is the frequency - the use of the remedy for a long time, until it is completely cured.
General antifungal prophylaxis
The fungus can be infected in public places such as baths, saunas, living rooms. To avoid this problem, you should take the following preventive measures:
- do not wear oversized shoes, it may cause nail plate growth and development of fungal infection;
- if you sweat excessively on your feet, you should not wear sneakers or trainers;
- do not try on shoes in the store without socks;
- do not wear slippers when visiting;
- dry and disinfect shoes regularly;
- do not wear synthetic socks;
- pedicure or manicure should be carried out in professional salons, where special attention is paid to the disinfection of the instrument;
- for severe dry skin of the feet, apply emollient creams.
Top 10 best folk remedies for nail fungus
The early stages of fungal infections do not always require medication. Sometimes you can cope with it with the help of time-tested folk remedies. These treatments are considered safe for human health. At the same time, they demonstrate a clearly visible treatment effect, of course, provided they are used correctly.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an incredibly powerful natural antiseptic that can fight fungal pathogens. It is more effective to use natural oil because it has excellent anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties. As for cosmetic oil (40%), it actually has no effect. Using a cheap analogue, you will only waste valuable time, allowing the disease to spread even more.
The tea tree oil treatment is as follows:
- First you need to get rid of excessive sweating and clean your feet in general. To do this, prepare lukewarm water and add a few drops of oil to it. The feet should be washed thoroughly, paying special attention to the fingers and nails. Do not miss a single area of your skin during the cleansing procedure.
- The feet should be dried well with a clean towel. Then you need to apply metered oil on all affected nail plates and rub it gently. Wait for the product to dry completely. At this time, do not take any action, let your legs "breathe". For greatest effectiveness, the oil should be applied to the skin around the nails.
The tea tree oil treatment is incredibly simple, but it takes some consistency. The product should be applied twice a day for two months. Before each rubbing in oil, the legs should be steamed with lukewarm water with the addition of a substance.
Vinegar, Garlic, Peroxide - Inexpensive Homemade Treatments
For the treatment of nail fungus, apple cider vinegarMost commonly used.Everyone knows that this solution perfectly disinfects and kills bacteria. So, it is possible to perform therapy with this tool with great success, but you should know some of the subtleties of its use, namely:
- The vinegar should be natural; Vinegar
- is not used to treat fungi in its pure form, it must be diluted without fail;
- if you have overly sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions, it is best to refuse to use the product.
Vinegar works best in the following variations:
- Trays
- - To prepare 2 to 4 cups of vinegar, dilute in lukewarm water. The procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes. It should be done at least 2 times a day for two weeks. In the future, the procedure is repeated once every 3 days until complete recovery. Lotions
- - a cotton swab or sponge is soaked in diluted vinegar (1: 2 ratio) and applied to the affected nail. Such a type of compress should be fixed and kept for about 20-30 minutes.
- Ointments - give good results when combined with other products. For the manufacture you need to take olive oil, glycerin and dimethyl phthalate and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The ingredients should be thoroughly mixed. Apply this ointment to treat the fungus 2 times a day until it is completely eliminated.
Garlicis a fairly specific remedy for treating fungi that is not suitable for everyone and not everyone. Garlic oatmeal helps the best. It should be applied to the affected nail and tightly wrapped in polyethylene for 1 to 2 hours. However, such a remedy quite often causes burning and redness on sensitive skin. You can get rid of nail fungus using this treatment method in 2 months.
Treating nail funguswith hydrogen peroxideis an affordable method which, unfortunately, does not always give significant results. This method of treatment is preferable at the very beginning of the disease. In order for the peroxide to work accurately, the legs must first be thoroughly steamed with hot water with the addition of soda (1 teaspoon of the substance per 1 liter). In the future, each affected nail should be carefully treated with peroxide. You need to repeat this procedure at least 2-3 times a day. It should be noted that this method gives the best results in combination with other methods of therapy.
Apricot resin
Not many people know that apricot gum really has beneficial and healing properties. Most often, this substance can be found in places damaged by the bark, it accumulates and solidifies in the form of small transparent drops of dark yellow color. Resin should be collected by carefully cutting it with a knife.
Resinis an excellent remedy for fungus when used correctly. 1 tablespoon of the substance is infused in 250 ml. vodka for 3 days. The resulting product is used to lubricate the nails that have been affected by the disease.
Strong coffee
Has excellent medicinal properties. Only real coffee beans are suitable for fungal therapy. The soluble version of this drink is not suitable for processing. Trays made from coffee beans show the best efficiency.
Ground coffee beans should be brewed at a high intensity. Wait for the water to cool slightly and immerse your feet in the resulting solution. You have to endure 10 to 15 minutes. Do not wipe your feet after the procedure, but wait until the liquid is completely absorbed and dry. Such treatment is carried out at least once a day.
Lotions with anesthetic solution
Helps stop the spread of mycosis in the early stages. For therapy, it is enough to buy an anesthetic drug in ampoules from a pharmacy and use it as a lotion on the affected area of the nail. There are several procedures that allow you to completely get rid of the disease.
Effective only in the early stages of fungal infection. It is necessary to lubricate the affected nail plate with iodine. You should not get too carried away, as this remedy has a detrimental effect on the condition of the skin. It is recommended to lubricate the adjacent fingers with petroleum jelly to avoid irritation.
Celandine
Celandine juice is an aggressive substance that can literally burn mushrooms. You should use a fresh plant, after lubricating your nails with hydrogen peroxide. If you are afraid of burns, it is recommended to use celandine oil, which can be successfully purchased at any pharmacy.
Tips for successfully fighting toenail fungus
To fight the fungus quickly and effectively, there are a few simple but very important rules to know:
- Wash the feet.Before applying the drug to the affected nail, the feet should be thoroughly rinsed with lukewarm water and laundry soap. After that, you need to spray the leg with the affected nail in warmer water for 5-7 minutes. This will allow the drugs to penetrate as deeply as possible into the steamed tissue. The main thing is to remember that steaming feet in hot water is contraindicated with hypotension, varicose veins and high temperatures.
- Nail care.It is very important to monitor the regrowth of the diseased nail. As the nail plate grows back, it will need to be trimmed. Thus, it is possible to provide maximum access to the drug to the tissues damaged by the fungus.
- Leather treatment.The treatment requires not only the nail, but also the soft tissues around it. The treatment should extend 1 cm around the nail. You need to apply the drug carefully, smearing all the most inaccessible places.
- Timely visit to a doctor.In especially difficult situations, when the fungus returns several times, it is worth contacting a doctor. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to cure this disease on your own. In addition, some types of drugs may simply not be suitable, and it is quite difficult to choose the necessary drugs on your own.
- Instrument maintenance.When performing a manicure or pedicure, as well as cutting a sore nail, you should only use sterilized instruments. These instruments should be treated with an antiseptic “before” and “after” each procedure. In addition, nail scissors, pliers and files used to treat a diseased nail should be strictly separated from other manicure tools.
By using these simple rules, you can cure nail fungus much faster.
Conclusion
The fungus is an unpleasant disease and it is quite difficult to cure it if you do not apply complex therapy. For the best effect, you should use not only external, pharmaceutical and traditional drugs, but also treatment with pills. The correct approach and treatment regimen will help get rid of the fungal infection forever.
Nail fungus can seriously affect a person's quality of life. The disease results in severe itching, burning in the affected area and even loss of the nail. That is why, nail fungus remedies should be applied immediately after finding the problem. In this way, the best and most effective treatment can be obtained.
Making the right choice is not always easy. Many who have encountered a fungus for the first time are careless and use few proven folk remedies as therapy.
Only a doctor can prescribe a truly effective remedy for nail fungus. Thus, the likelihood of getting rid of the problem greatly increases. However, there are a number of proven remedies that guarantee the removal of nail fungus in the shortest possible time. This applies not only to drugs, but also to traditional medicine.