Toenail fungus can happen for a variety of reasons. Onychomycosis has a lot of problems, from an unsightly appearance to the constant pain and itching sensation. Very easy to get, but not so easy to treat. In this article, we will talk about the effective medicines to cure toenail fungus.
About onychomycosis
Fungal diseases are contagious and often affect certain areas of the nails and skin. Onychomycosis can be spread by indoor contact, that is, after sharing socks, shoes, as well as in swimming pools, saunas, gyms, etc. v.
The symptoms of toenail fungus appear gradually. The first signs are immediately noticeable:
- nails that change color: they become gray, yellow, black, gray or white;
- begins to crumble;
- laminated plates;
- the skin near the nail begins to itch;
- affected areas of damage.
With the progression of the disease, keratinization of the nail is observed, as well as a pronounced compaction.
Those who treat the fungus should be aware that the infection is highly resistant to the drug. Even if the damage leads to the removal of the fingernail, it is still possible that repeated inflammation may develop from a small spot without going unnoticed. Therefore, it is very important to perform treatment correctly so that in the future you do not worry about consequences in the form of a relapse. It is better to immediately consult a doctor, in particular a therapist. Without such an expert, a dermatologist can help.
There are different types of onychomycosis treatments. Today in pharmacies you can find many preparations for toenail fungus: ointments, creams, tablets and varnish. Doctors recommend practicing both oral and topical medications at the same time. So the treatment will be the most complete, as well as complex. It should be noted that therapy will take a long time - about 2-4 months.
Nail fungus treatment
Treatment regimens must be selected by a physician. Self-medication is not worth it, as improper use of the drug can induce the development of resistance to fungal agents, as well as lead to further progression of the disease. In addition, the antifungal drug is quite "strong" and has a number of contraindications. A variety of medications are used to fight onychomycosis:
- ointment (creams, ointments, solutions, varnishes);
- medicine for oral administration (tablets, capsules).
Preparations for topical application
They are a drug for external use against fungi. They are prescribed in the early stages of onychomycosis, which is when the fungus has infected less than 30% of the nail surface on 1-2 fingers.
The use of these drugs has been associated with a number of particularities. In order for the active ingredients to penetrate deeply into the structure of the nail and have a healing effect, you need to go through 2 stages:
- Get rid of fungal nail areas. To do this, it is necessary to steam the nails in the soda soap solution for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the soft upper layer with a file and treat with an antiseptic. The solution is prepared simply: add 1 tablespoon to 2 liters of water. l. baking soda and 5 grams of laundry soap.
- Treatment with antifungal fungicidal preparations. It is recommended to apply medication (ointment, gel, varnish) to the affected nail part.
An antifungal drug in the form of a varnish is popular. It only needs to be applied to the affected area of the nail 2 times a week. The course of treatment is until the onychomycosis symptoms completely disappear.
Also among local preparations, keratolics should be differentiated. This is a painless and inexpensive alternative to hard removal of the affected nail. With the help of these funds, you can soften the horny layer of the nail, which is subsequently rejected. These drugs should be used when the area of the fungus is more than 40%. The applied method looks like this:
- foot sauna in soda and soap solutions;
- sanding the surface of the sheet with a file;
- free grease with the selected ingredient;
- cover the treated area with tape.
Such actions must be performed every 3-4 days. As a result, healthy nails will grow in place of sick nails.
Drug
These are nail fungus medications, available in tablets or capsules to take by mouth. These treatments are indicated in severe cases, when the fungus has already infected more than 50% of the nail surface and is actively progressing.
Oral antifungal drugs are very toxic and have many contraindications. Especially should not drink alcohol during pregnancy, lactation, liver and kidney diseases. To reduce the risk of side effects, these drugs are prescribed for short courses.
We strongly recommend that you check your medication dosage and course of treatment with your doctor. All cases are individual.
Folk remedies against nail fungus
The onychomycosis on the toenail antifungal recipes may only help in the early stages of the disease. Antifungal properties inherent in many plants, home remedies and home first aid remedies.
The following folk remedies are common:
- Iodine.Has obvious antiseptic and fungicidal properties. The solution should be used to treat affected nails and skin twice a day (1 drop per nail). Course: months. Yes, this method has drawbacks - the fingers turn yellow, sometimes burns can occur.
- Mushroom tea. . . Peel a small mushroom and chop it. Rubbing into the affected nails, do not rinse. Next, put on an antibacterial patch and put on tight socks. This procedure must be done three times until the diseased nail plaque falls off and a new nail grows.
- Vinegar 9%. . . Soak your nails with acetic acid overnight and put on socks. Leave it until morning. You can also take a bath. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into a bowl of warm water and steam your nails for 15 minutes. Each procedure should be performed daily until symptoms subside.
- Birch resin. . . For onychomycosis, you need to take pure ringworm medicine. If not, then tar soap will work. The product must be rubbed into the nail, fixed with a gauze and left overnight. Wash off in the morning. And so on every day until full recovery.
- The royal tree. . . Heat the hay with 1 liter of boiling water and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Then mix with water at a 1: 1 ratio. Keep your fingers in the solution for 30 minutes. Do it every day.
- Onion peel. . . 4 tbsp. l. Pour the onion skin with a glass of vodka, cover with a lid and let steep in the dark for 2 weeks. The resulting alcohol should be lubricated with the nail 4 times a day.
- Lavender oil, tea tree oil and olive oil.Mix in equal proportions, apply the composition to the affected nail area. You need to use this home remedy every day before going to bed, wearing socks.
Although on the vast network you can find many positive reviews of the use of these folk remedies, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. If you practice them, then only as an adjunct to drug therapy. Of course, doctors should be warned about this.
Onychomycosis is an onychomycosis that is very difficult to cure. Only with an integrated approach to therapy can positive results be achieved. Don't play the role of "doctor" and come up with your own treatment plan. Most medicines are contraindicated and may cause side effects. The best way to treat the fungus can only be recommended by a specialist. The drugs described above and their analogues are suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis that occurs on not only the fingers of the feet but also of the hands.