When a fungal infection appears on the nails, attention should be paid to their restoration in order to prevent the progression of the disease and its spread to the sensitive skin of the hands or feet.
For treatment, you can use drugs for external or internal use, and to increase the effectiveness of manipulations, it is recommended to use folk remedies for nail fungus.
Treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies
If an infection of the sensitive surface of the skin of the hands or feet is detected, or damage to the nail plate, treatment should be started immediately, since the early stages of the fungus can be quickly cured without resorting to medications.
There are three stages of fungal development: initial, active, advanced.During all three stages, the girl can use folk remedies for nail fungus, since they have a disinfectant effect that ensures the elimination and gradual destruction of pathogenic bacteria.However, with an active form of the fungus, drug treatment is prescribed, which includes two types of drugs:
- External (creams, ointments, sprays);
- Internal (tablets).
Whatever medications you take to regain a natural manicure, you must accompany the treatment with the use of traditional recipes.
If you treat nail fungus with folk remedies, the most effective of them usually have three directions of action:
- Prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
- Destruction of microorganisms, associated with the destruction of their cell membrane.
- Normalization of surface microflora and restoration of its condition.
As a rule, natural components have a caring effect, therefore simultaneously with the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, their use helps to moisturize and nourish the matrix.
What determines the effectiveness of treatment?
To increase the effectiveness of nail treatment, it is recommended to use traditional recipes.However, they do not always lead to a positive result.
Please keep in mind in advance that even when implementing household technologies aimed at restoring the health of the coating, you should pay attention to contraindications.The main one is individual intolerance.If you are allergic to any component, its use in the fight against fungus will not give good results.
In addition, the effect after manipulation depends on the initial state of the natural manicure.If the girl has damage in the advanced stage, which involves the prescription of internal and external medications, home remedies will not bring any results.
The result also depends on the type of fungus, since some pathogenic organisms lead to the appearance of inflammatory processes in the body, which can only be eliminated by taking antifungal drugs.
How to organize the treatment process correctly
To ensure rapid elimination of the fungus, you must first pay attention to the treatment regimen.It is recommended to consult your doctor to choose the right medications for you based on the type of fungus.
However, whatever the form of the damage, it is important to consider that the treatment must be comprehensive.There should not be a single method aimed at eliminating the fungus.
As standard, several techniques are used simultaneously:
- Preliminary preparation of the skin for manipulation using a steam bath.
- Application of external medications (varnishes, ointments, serums).
- Use medicinal compresses, lotions or nail masks.
- Using a file, remove the overgrown part from the free edge and polish the upper stratum corneum.
In addition, during treatment, you should pay attention to the hygiene of your hands or feet, as this often leads to the appearance of fungus on the nail plate.
To increase local immunity by accelerating the metabolism and elimination of fungi, you need to apply essential oils to the cuticle, and when applying ointments, perform a light massage on your fingers.
Folk remedies for nail fungus
In addition to drug treatment, it is recommended to influence the fungus using folk recipes.Their main advantage is that they are safe and therefore generally do not cause any side effects.
However, keep in mind that in order to prevent irritation or inflammation of the treated area, make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components you are using.
Iodine
Iodine is a natural antiseptic, so it should be used on your nails daily.When applied to the nail, the solution envelops it and gradually penetrates into the matrix, ensuring the destruction of pathogenic bacteria and the normalization of the nail microflora.
Its use is permitted in its pure form.To do this, use a brush or cotton swab to spread the solution on your nail in a thin layer every day and let it dry a little.In the morning, the color will become paler as most of the liquid is absorbed.
Iodine is often added to baths to enhance the effect of antifungal treatments.To do this, add 5 to 7 drops per liter.
Hydrogen peroxide
Besides iodine, hydrogen peroxide is also used as a disinfectant solution.It has a mild effect, so it is recommended to treat it not only with nails, but also with skin, distributing the drug several times a day, as it is quickly absorbed.
You can use peroxide for a quick compress:
- Apply the liquid to the skin surface of your feet or hands.
- Wrap the area to be treated with a cotton cloth previously soaked in the solution.
- Cover the compress with a plastic bag or cling film.
- After 15 minutes, remove the auxiliary elements and wait until the solution is completely absorbed.
Since hydrogen peroxide is gentle, it can be used several times a day.However, it is not recommended to leave it in a compress overnight.
Potassium permanganate solution
It is not easy to obtain potassium permanganate today because it is banned, but it is a good disinfectant which quickly stops the proliferation of microorganisms on the surface.
Potassium permanganate is used, like iodine, as an additional component when carrying out steam baths.You need to add a little so that the water turns slightly pink.
You can make lotions for which three ingredients are mixed:
- 1 tablespoon of propolis;
- 2 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 3-4 drops of potassium permanganate.
The mixture is thoroughly mixed and distributed over the nails infected with fungus for 20-25 minutes.
Soda and propolis
The components can be used separately, as they have strong disinfectant properties, or in a single recipe.
To do this, they are mixed in equal proportions, applied to the damaged area of skin or nails and wrapped with cling film on top.Leave the compress on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Propolis is distributed separately on the nails at night, touching the area of the side ridges and cuticles, as it additionally has moisturizing and nourishing properties, increasing local immunity.
Herbs
Despite their availability and gentle effect on tissues, herbs are often used to eliminate fungus.The more herbs you mix, the more effective the solution will be.
Most pharmaceutical herbs can be used:
- Calendula;
- Chamomile;
- Celandine;
- Propolis;
- Burdock;
- Lilac.
They can be used as a regular decoction.To do this, they are poured with boiling water and infused for 20 minutes, then filtered.The cooled liquid is applied to a cotton pad, applied to the fingertips and fixed with an adhesive bandage for half an hour.
Application of essential oils
In addition to their moisturizing and nourishing effect, oils are also used to gradually destroy the cell membrane of pathogenic bacteria, which ensures their death.
Different oils are used:
- Eucalyptus;
- Tea tree;
- Propolis;
- Celandine;
- Rosemary;
- Lavender.
You can also use regular edible oils - butter, vegetable, olive.They will also be effective against microorganisms.
It is recommended to apply them separately, spreading a thin layer on the nails in the evening.To avoid staining your bedding, you can wear gloves or cotton socks on top.
Tar soap
The soap contains tar and therefore has an aggressive effect on fungal nail infections.
You need to use soap in its pure form - to do this, wash your feet or hands with it until a thick foam forms, then rinse it off.You can also make a compress, which involves applying a small amount of liquid soap to the nail, then sprinkling it with sea salt or soda.The fingertips should be bandaged and left in this state overnight.
Instead of tar soap, you can use laundry soap, but it must have an active substance concentration of 72%.
Kombucha
Kombucha is often used in the presence of inflammatory processes in the body or externally.It is safe and no allergic reactions to the component usually occur.
For the compress, you need to cut a thin slice of the ingredient - it should be slightly translucent, then apply it to the cleaned nail and fix it with an adhesive bandage.After that, cotton gloves are put on your hands, socks on your feet and the lotion is left in this position overnight.
You can use recipes that involve using kombucha daily.
Folk recipes
In addition to the separate use of natural ingredients for baths or compresses, you can make homemade masks, ointments or serums.They take more time, but they help create a strong antibacterial effect, which makes it possible to stop taking medications.
Applications with vinegar essence
Generally, table, apple or wine vinegar is used in antifungal recipes.However, when treating advanced forms of nail damage, you can use vinegar essence, which, from the first use, destroys some pathogenic microorganisms.
For application you need to mix four components:
- 3 tablespoons of vinegar;
- 3 tablespoons of vodka (or medical alcohol);
- 2 egg whites;
- A teaspoon of glycerin.
The components are thoroughly mixed, cooled a little and applied to the nails and wrapped with gauze on top.After 15 minutes, the previous mixture dries and a second compress is applied.
The remaining mixture can be stored in the refrigerator and the procedure is carried out no more than twice a week.
O-phthalic acid dimethyl ester, glycerin and vinegar ointment
This recipe also involves the use of vinegar essence, the concentration of which is 70%.For this reason, the use of the recipe is not recommended in the early stages of a fungal infection, as well as on sensitive skin around the nails.
The ointment includes four components:
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar;
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil;
- 1 teaspoon o-phthalic acid dimethyl ester;
- Chicken egg or a teaspoon of glycerin.
The components are mixed thoroughly, it is advisable to beat them with a blender, and then store them for a day in a dark cool place.After that, the ointment is distributed on the affected nails and wrapped in polyethylene for 20 minutes;first of all, it must be partially rubbed into the epidermis.
Garlic and onion compress
The compress can also be used in the treatment of advanced forms of lesions, since it involves mixing the main ingredients with alcohol, which has a strong antiseptic effect.
The recipe combines 4 components:
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- Half an onion;
- A tablespoon of 90% alcohol;
- A glass of distilled water.
Garlic and onion should be grated on a fine grater, then squeeze out the juice using cheesecloth.Then the mass is mixed with alcohol and water.After preparation, you can store the product in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator.
Cotton pads are soaked in the liquid, then applied to the nail and fixed with a plaster for 25-30 minutes.
Celandine decoction
It is recommended to use a mixture of herbs against fungus, and celandine is one of the most effective types to ensure the restoration of nail microflora.
To make a decoction of celandine, you need to pour boiling water in a ratio of 1:5 for half an hour, then strain and leave to cool.Cotton pads are soaked in the decoction and applied to areas infected with the fungus for several hours or overnight.
You can use the recipe every day because it is absolutely safe.
Copper sulfate ointment
Copper sulfate is a chemical substance used for cosmetic purposes to nourish the natural manicure and prevent the re-formation of fungus.
However, keep in mind that you cannot use it often, because the plant is toxic, so exceeding the dose can lead to nail destruction and skin irritation.
You should use vitriol with caution:
- Clean the surface, preparing it for work.
- Apply the concentrate to the coating and wait for it to harden.
- Grate the onion on a fine grater and spread the pulp on your nails.
- Wrap your fingertips in cellophane and secure it.
- After 6-7 hours, rinse off the solution.
You should not use vitriol more than 2 times a week to ensure the safety of its effects.
Baths with sea salt and essential oils
Before almost every antifungal treatment, it is recommended to do steam baths so that the applied product penetrates the structure faster, leading to a positive result.
You can add auxiliary components to baths that will increase their effectiveness.Salt and oils are often used for this:
- Add a tablespoon of sea salt to a glass of boiling water and dissolve it.
- Once the liquid has cooled to the optimal temperature, add 5-6 drops of essential oils (several types can be added).
- Soak your feet or hands in the solution for 20 minutes.
- After bathing, dry your skin with dry towels and apply antifungal ointment.
Baths are allowed every day to quickly eliminate the fungus.
Conclusions
To eliminate the fungus, doctors prescribe standard drug treatment, which includes the use of ointments, creams and pills.However, some lesions can be eliminated with folk remedies, while increasing local immunity.However, be careful when using homemade solutions as they also come with health and dosage restrictions.