Dull, pitted, and rough nails are common symptoms for people with 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 polymyositis (which is destroyed by several fungi at the same time), high resistance to pathogens, penetration of fungiinto the blood and lymphatics. Is there any chance to get rid of nail fungus permanently? Yes, I have! You need to consult your doctor, and strictly follow his instructions.
Traditional treatment for nail fungus
It is better to start the fight against the fungus as soon as the problem is discovered, while the pathogen has not yet attacked the nails of all toes and fingers. At first, the infection affects only the edge of one nail, then the entire nail. If left untreated, all fingers can be damaged and fall off completely. The treatment of the disease in the advanced stage will be much more difficult than in the early stages.
Therapeutic nail polish
In the first stage of onychomycosis, when the nail or its edge has changed color, the disease manifests itself by thickening and keratinization of the nail: the nail becomes thick, begins to peel off and crust over. As soon as you notice these symptoms, you should see your doctor. In the early stages, therapeutic varnishes related to topical therapy are successfully used against the fungus. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to conduct an analysis to identify a specific causative agent.
To increase the therapeutic effect, before the procedure of varnishing, it is necessary to remove the upper keratinized layers of the nail by mechanical means. The stratum corneum affected by the fungus should be carefully removed 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 onychomycosis. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment, it is necessary to treat the nails with varnish regularly, until they have completely healed.
In addition to nail plaques, the fungus commonly affects the skin of the feet and palms. This is evidenced by symptoms such as burning, itching, a characteristic odor. So, at the same time as treatment, preventive measures are taken to destroy pathogens: disinfect shoes, socks, treat feet with antifungal drugs.
Antifungal creams and ointments
As an effective treatment for nail fungus, especially in its early stages, creams and ointments have been proven. Unlike polish, creams and ointments are easily removed from the surface of the nail, so you need to make sure that the nail is covered with the active ingredient for a long time, or the medicine will not have time to penetrate. into the nail. affected nails. To enhance the effect, it is necessary to use a file to remove the upper keratinized layers of the nail to allow the active substance to penetrate deeper into the nail.
Tablet
If the fungus has affected more than 3 fingers, or the disease is at an advanced stage, doctors will prescribe oral antifungal tablets. The intake of these drugs should be carried out according to the prescription of a doctor and under the supervision of a doctor: drugs of this group are very toxic, have an adverse effect on internal organs. Such drugs are taken in cycles with breaks. For the treatment of fingers, 2 cycles are needed, toes of the feet - 3 cycles.
To increase the effect of tablets, it is better to combine their intake with topical treatment with varnish or cream. This combination therapy promotes rapid recovery. To reduce the harmful effects of drugs on the liver, doctors recommend taking hepatoprotective drugs. At the same time, it is necessary to take measures to prevent secondary infections - treat shoes and other things with antifungal drugs.
Folk remedies to get rid of nail fungus
Many people are interested in the question: is it possible to cure nail fungus by folk methods? The answer is positive: in some cases, folk methods can get rid of the fungus on the nails. Doctors do not encourage the abuse of self-medication: if the disease is just starting, it will be much more difficult to get rid of the fungus. The effectiveness of the following products of natural origin has been proven: propolis tincture, iodine, bath vinegar, etc. v. Such popular recipes are very popular:
- Applications based on apple cider vinegar. Mix apple cider vinegar and vegetable oil in a ratio of 1 - 1. Moisten a cotton pad with the resulting mixture, and apply adhesive tape to the affected area. The disc should be kept for 3-4 hours, the procedure is carried out daily until complete recovery.
- Shower with apple cider vinegar. Dilute 1 liter of vinegar in 3 liters of warm water, add a little potassium permanganate. Shower daily for 30 minutes.
- Propolis tincture. Moisten cotton pads with tincture, wipe nails with this alcohol several times a day - both sick and healthy people.
- 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 alcohol, apply to the affected area for several hours. This procedure is done daily, until the nail grows healthy.
- Iodine. Clean the nail from the keratinized layers, apply an iodine solution. It is recommended to treat healthy nails, skin near the fingers. If there is a burning sensation after applying the solution, the solution must be diluted. The solution is applied daily until complete cure.
- Coniferous royal lien. Dilute celandine infusion in a ratio of 1 - 1. Dip your finger in a bath of solution, keep it 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 will turn out to be a nasty surprise. The risk of infection is people who go to public places: baths, saunas, swimming pools, people who come into contact with people with the fungus. If there is a patient in the family, all preventive measures must be observed: do not wear other people's shoes, wipe daily with a fungicide. Dermatologists make the following recommendations for preventing fungal infections:
- When visiting saunas, baths, swimming pools and other public places where people are barefoot, always change into your own shoes, preferably closed ones.
- After visiting such places, wash your feet thoroughly, including the skin between your toes.
- If your feet sweat, use talcum powder or deodorant.
- Try to comply with hygiene requirements, change socks daily.
- Do not wear other people's shoes and shoes that are tight.
- When trying on new shoes in the store, wear new socks.