Nail fungus, or mycosis, is an extremely unpleasant and, unfortunately, very common disease. Mycosis refers to chronic and intractable conditions - sometimes it is not possible to find an effective remedy for toenail fungus for months or even years. 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 have to seek cure for nail fungus, suffer from itching, discomfort and an unpleasant smell.
Finding effective drugs to treat toenail fungus is necessary not only because the affected feet don't look well groomed and repellent. The constant presence of a fungal infection in the body adversely affects the state of the immune system, the general well-being of a person and can become a stimulus for the development of other pathologies, no less unpleasant and more dangerous. Pharmacies offer a large selection of various toenail fungus remedies for a very different price. They all have a different composition and mechanism of action, which ones are most suitable, in most cases you have to determine by trial and error.
A good remedy for nail fungus on hands and feet costs a lot. In order to avoid unnecessary expenses and not to start the disease, it is worth preparing before going to the pharmacy. Namely: to find out what types of antifungal drugs exist today, what is their difference, 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 he will accurately diagnose and identify the pathogen.
The main types of antifungal drugs
All medicines offered in pharmacies for the treatment of athlete's foot are divided into two broad categories according to the method of administration:
- external - ointments, creams, varnishes;
- internal - tablets and capsules.
To find the most effective and best remedy for toenail fungus, you need to identify the pathogen. Different mushrooms are sensitive to different medications, so it's very important to see a doctor. Otherwise, the treatment can stretch indefinitely, lead to a deterioration in 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 evaluating the effectiveness of the most common drugs of them, based on the opinion of doctors and patient reviews.
Remedies for azole toenail fungus
These toenail fungus products may contain substances such as triazole or imidazole. They work in two directions:
- destroys the spores of the fungus and therefore blocks their spread;
- destroys the cells of the fungus itself.
These drugs can be produced in different forms for both external and internal use. Tablets and capsules are taken from 1 to 4-5 pieces per day for 3-14 days, ointments and creams are rubbed into the nails in cycles of the same duration.
Pro of azoles
- Effective against almost all types of fungi: yeast, yeast-like, moldy.
- Suitable for long-term treatments - up to three months or more.
- Offered in a wide price range.
Cons
- Oral medications can have side effects.
- Some are expensive.
- Relapses are not excluded even after complex treatment.
However, many patients in this category find the most effective remedy for nail fungus. Such drugs received the best reviews and recommendations.
Introduction
Only a comprehensive treatment can get rid of toenail fungus.
For a positive result, it is necessary to apply several methods to combat the injection of mushrooms.Only the right approach will quickly eliminate the disease.
Diagnosis of mycosis in 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, burning sensation, discoloration of the nail are signs of the disease.
You can also carry out diagnostics in another way, dilute the potassium permanganate in a light purple color and wet the nails - healthy nails will be stained and patients will remain unchanged. As soon as the problem is discovered, the question of treating the fungus arises, and then everyone decides for himself.
Start treating a disease at home using folk remedies or drugs, 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 found:
- A dermatologist will carefully examine the fungus under a microscope.
- Indicates the focus of the infection.
- Identifies the cause of the disease.
- Will make an accurate diagnosis based on the tests performed.
- Prescribe a treatment.
It should be noted that the diagnosis is completely painless; skin scales and particles of 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 enhance each other's action.
A qualified specialist develops 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.
Inappropriate 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.
Quick action to eliminate fungal infection from the body contributes to effective fungal treatment. There are many varieties of the causative agent of diseases, andcan only be detected in laboratory conditions, therefore, when contacting a dermatologist, he takes particles from a diseased nail.
In the last stage, it is very difficult to get rid of the infection, as it has penetrated deep enough into the body. At this stage, the nails become thickened and brittle, and the skin around them deforms. In this situation, recovery depends on the dermatologist's correct approach to treatment and the patient's own actions.
Paints and antifungal patches: types and degree of effectiveness
Special patches, often recommended by mycologists, will help to destroy fungal spores quickly.
The patch softens the affected nail, making it easier to remove later.
Removing the nails and treating the fungus with patches is quite effective, but before use it is necessary to consult a specialist, since the use of a patch does not relieve a relapse if the disease has penetrated deep into the body.
In addition to the patches, a large number of paints have been developed that effectively fight against nail fungus. The following popular and effective paints will help cure nail fungus:
If the fungus has not been cured, another treatment must be found.
Preparations that painlessly remove damaged nail
Now in the pharmacy you can buy drugs that help to quickly and painlessly remove a sore nail, but they must be used strictly according to the instructions.
Tablets against nail fungus
If the fungal lesions have grown strongly, the use of only external drugs will be useless, it is necessary to take antifungal drugs inside.
Creams and ointments
Medical studies have shown that ointments and creams in the treatment of nail fungus are not effective enough, as they practically do not penetrate the nail plate and quickly fade.
But do not completely exclude these drugs from the treatment regimen, they can help significantly as an adjunct treatment or as a prophylaxis.
Doctors prescribe creams and ointments to prevent relapse.
Tea tree oil is often used in the treatment of fungi, which can be used alone or added to foot cream.
It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects. The course of treatment is very long, and the main rule for a positive effect is the regularity of use.
Traditional therapy
Although many drugs have been developed to treat fungal infections, it is not so easy to get rid of this ailment. Therefore, folk methods of treating the fungus are often used in a bunch of drugs.
Garlic
This ingredient is often used in many popular recipes for treating mushrooms. It can be used alone or with some components.
The simplest way, but effective enough, is to rub freshly squeezed garlic juice onto a sore nail. This process must 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 is ongoing, experts recommend taking additional nystatin tablets 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 the essence of vinegar on fungi and mycosis is the penetration into the affected area and the destruction of the spores of the fungal infection.
As a result of prolonged use,colonies of the fungus are completely killed by the acid.
Acetic acid tablets diluted 8 times are used for treatment, a bandage is applied at night.
Onions and lemon
There are many folk recipes based on onions for the treatment of nail fungus. You can take the onion, peel, squeeze the juice and work your nails. This method is often used at night, but since the product does not need to be rinsed, it can be applied in the morning.
There is another recipe, you have to grate the peeled onion, put the gruel on your feet, then wrap it in cellophane and wear warm socks. The compress is left overnight and in the morning they wash their feet with soap to remove the lingering onion smell.
And if you combine lemon and onion, you can enhance the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect of the drug. Grate the onion in the gruel and add the lemon juice. 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 bathrooms, saunas, salons. To avoid this problem, you need to take the following preventive measures:
- do not wear oversized shoes, this can cause internal growth of the nail plate and the development of a fungal infection;
- if you sweat your feet excessively, you shouldn't wear trainers and trainers;
- do not try on shoes in the store without socks;
- do not wear slippers during the visit;
- dry and disinfect shoes regularly;
- do not wear synthetic socks;
- pedicure or manicure should be performed in professional salons, where special attention is paid to the disinfection of the tool;
- for severe dry skin of the feet, apply emollient creams.
Top 10 Folk Remedies for Nail Fungus
The early stages of fungal infections do not always require medication. Sometimes you can cope with them with the help of time-tested folk remedies. These treatments are considered safe for human health. In parallel, they obviously demonstrate a clearly visible treatment effect, 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, as it has excellent anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties. As for the cosmetic oil (40%), it actually has no effect. Using an inexpensive analogue, you will only waste valuable time, allowing the disease to spread even more.
Treatment with tea tree oil is as follows:
- First you need to get rid of excessive sweating and clean your feet in general. To do this, prepare some warm water and add a few drops of oil there. The feet should be washed thoroughly, with particular attention to the fingers and nails. Don't lose a single area of your skin during the cleansing procedure.
- Feet should be dried thoroughly with a clean towel. Next, you need to apply the dosed oil on all affected nails and rub it gently. Wait for the product to dry completely. At this time, take no action, let your legs "breathe". For greater effectiveness, the oil should be applied to the skin around the nails.
Tea tree oil treatment is incredibly simple, but requires regularity. The product must be applied 2 times a day for two months. Before each rubbing in the oil, the legs must be steamed with warm water with the addition of a substance.
Vinegar, garlic, peroxide - Inexpensive home treatments
For the treatment of nail fungus, apple cider vinegarmost commonly used.Everyone knows that this solution perfectly disinfects and kills bacteria. Therefore, it is possible to carry out therapy with this tool with great success, but it is necessary to know some of the intricacies of its use, namely:
- The vinegar must be natural;
- Vinegar is not used to treat mushrooms in its pure form, it must be diluted without fail;
- if you have excessively sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions, it is best to refuse to use the product.
Aceto provides the best results in the following variants:
- Trays - To make 2-4 cups of vinegar, dilute in warm water. The procedure takes about 10-15 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 ball or sponge is dipped in diluted vinegar (ratio 1: 2) and applied to the affected nail. Such a type of compress must be repaired and kept for about 20-30 minutes.
- Ointments: show good results when combined with other products. For the preparation, you need to take olive oil, glycerin and dimethyl phthalate and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The ingredients must be mixed thoroughly. Apply this ointment to treat the fungus 2 times a day until it is completely eliminated.
Garlicis a rather specific remedy for the treatment of fungi, which is not suitable for everyone and not for everyone. Garlic-based gruel helps best. It must be applied to the affected nail and tightly wrapped with polyethylene for 1-2 hours. However, such a remedy quite often causes burns and redness on sensitive skin. You can get rid of nail fungus using this method of treatment in 2 months.
Nail fungus therapywith hydrogen peroxideis an inexpensive method, which, unfortunately, does not always give significant results. This method of treatment is preferable in the initial stage of the disease. In order for the peroxide to work properly, the legs must first be well steamed with hot water with the addition of soda (1 teaspoon of the substance per 1 liter). In the future, each affected nail must be carefully treated with peroxide. It is necessary 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 of damage to the cortex, it accumulates and solidifies in the form of small transparent drops of dark yellow color. The resin must be collected by cutting it carefully with a knife.
Resin is an excellent cure for fungi 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
It has excellent medicinal properties. Only real coffee beans are suitable for fungal therapy. The soluble version of this drink is not suitable for treatment. The coffee bean based trays show the best efficiency.
Ground coffee beans need to be prepared at a strong force. Wait for the water to cool slightly and dip your feet into the resulting solution. You need to hold out 10-15 minutes. Do not dry your feet after the procedure, but wait for the liquid to be completely absorbed and dry. This treatment is carried out at least once a day.
Lotions with anesthetic solution
It allows to stop the spread of mycosis in the early stages. For therapy, it is enough to buy anesthetic drug in ampoules at the pharmacy and use it as a lotion on the affected area of the nail. Several procedures 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 carried away, as this remedy has a detrimental effect on the skin condition. It is recommended to lubricate adjacent fingers with petroleum jelly to avoid irritation.
Celandine
Celandine juice is an aggressive substance that can literally burn mushrooms. It is necessary to use a fresh plant, after lubricating the 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.
Tricks to successfully fight toenail fungus
To fight the fungus quickly and effectively, there are some simple but very important rules to know:
- Wash your feet.Before applying the medicine to the affected nail, the feet should be thoroughly rinsed with warm water and laundry soap. Next, you need to steam the leg with the affected nail in warmer water for 5-7 minutes. This will allow the medicines to penetrate the steamed tissue as deeply as possible. The important thing is to remember that feet steaming in hot water are contraindicated in case of 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 tissues damaged by the fungus.
- Leather processing.Processing requires not only the nail, but also the soft tissues located around it. The treatment should extend 1 cm around the nail. It is necessary to apply the medicine carefully, smearing all the most inaccessible places.
- Timely visit to a doctor.In particularly difficult situations, when the fungus returns many times, it is worth contacting a doctor. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to cure this ailment on your own. In addition, some types of medicines may simply not be suitable and it is quite difficult to choose the necessary medicines yourself.
- Care of the instrument.When performing a manicure or pedicure, in addition to cutting a sore nail, only sterilized tools should be used. These tools must be treated with an antiseptic "before" and "after" each procedure. In addition, nail scissors, pliers and files used to care for a sick nail must be kept strictly separate from other manicure tools.
Using these simple rules, you can cure nail fungus much faster.
Conclusion
Fungus is an unpleasant disease and it is quite difficult to cure it if complex therapy is not applied. For the best effect, it is necessary to use not only external, pharmaceutical and popular drugs, but also treatment with pills. The correct approach and treatment regimen will help get rid of the fungal infection forever.
Nail fungus can significantly affect a person's quality of life. The disease leads to severe itching, burning in the affected area and even loss of the nail. That is why, remedies for toenail (hand) fungus should be applied immediately after the problem is discovered. In this way, you can get the best and most effective treatment.
Making the right choice isn't always easy. Many who have encountered a fungus for the first time are negligent and use little proven folk remedies as a therapy.
Only a doctor can prescribe a truly effective remedy for nail fungus. Then the likelihood of getting rid of the problem increases significantly. However, there are a number of proven remedies that ensure the elimination of nail fungus in the shortest possible time. This applies not only to medicines, but also to traditional medicine.