Nail fungus, or mycosis, is an extremely unpleasant disease and, unfortunately, very common. Mycosis 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 has been left 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 look for cures for nail fungus, suffer from itching, discomfort, and an unpleasant smell.
It is necessary to find effective drugs for the treatment of toenail fungus, not only because the affected feet do not look well-groomed and are repulsive. 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 an impetus for the development of other no less unpleasant and more dangerous pathologies. Pharmacies offer a large selection of various toenail fungus remedies at very different prices. All of them have a different composition and mechanism of action, which are the most appropriate, in most cases you have to determine by trial and error.
A good remedy for toenail fungus costs a lot. To avoid unnecessary expenses and not start the disease, it is advisable to prepare before going to the pharmacy. That is, 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 consult your doctor. Whether or not to comply with their recommendations is a personal matter for everyone, but at least it will accurately diagnose and identify the pathogen.
The main types of antifungal drugs
All drugs that are 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 best and most effective remedy for toenail fungus, you must identify the pathogen. Different fungi are sensitive to different medications, so it is very important to consult a doctor. Otherwise, the treatment can stretch indefinitely, causing 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 one in detail and evaluating the effectiveness of the most common drugs, based on the opinion of doctors and patient reviews.
Azole remedies for 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 thereby stops 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 on the nail plates in courses of the same duration.
Advantages of azoles
- Effective against almost all types of fungi: yeast, yeast, mold.
- Suitable for long-term treatment, up to three months or more.
- It is offered in a wide range of prices.
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. These drugs received the best reviews and recommendations.
Introduction
Only a comprehensive treatment can eliminate toenail fungus.
To get a positive result, you need to apply various methods to combat fungal injection.Only the right approach will quickly eliminate the disease.
Diagnosis of mycosis in the legs
Diagnosing the disease is easy and can be done 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 perform diagnostics in another way, dilute potassium permanganate to a light purple color and dip your nails in it; healthy nail plates will stain and patients will remain unchanged. As soon as the problem is discovered, the question arises of treating the fungus, and then everyone decides for themselves.
Start treating an illness at home with home 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 on 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.
- 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 flakes and particles are taken from a diseased nail 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 the action of each other.
A qualified specialist develops an individual treatment regimen, based on the characteristics of the patient's body, the type of pathogen, and the developmental stage of the fungal infection.
Improper treatment of nail fungus can have 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.
Rapid action to clear fungal infections from the body contributes to effective fungal treatment. There are many varieties of the disease-causing agent, andcan only be detected under laboratory conditions, therefore, when you contact a dermatologist, you pick up 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 nail plates become thicker and more brittle, and the skin around them becomes deformed. In this situation, recovery depends on the dermatologist's correct approach to treatment and the patient's own actions.
Antifungal varnishes and plasters: types and degree of effectiveness
Special plasters, which are often recommended by mycologists, will help to quickly destroy fungal spores.
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 should consult a specialist, since the use of a patch will not alleviate a relapse if the disease has penetrated deep into the body.
In addition to plasters, a large number of varnishes have been developed that 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 sought.
Preparations that painlessly remove the damaged nail
Now in the pharmacy you can buy drugs that help to remove a sore nail quickly and painlessly, but they must be used strictly according to the instructions.
Tablets against onychomycosis
If the fungal lesions have grown strongly, then the use of external drugs will only be useless, you need to carry antifungal drugs inside.
Creams and ointments
Medical studies have shown that ointments and creams in the treatment of nail fungus are not effective enough, since they practically do not penetrate the nail plate and wear out quickly.
But do not completely exclude these drugs from the treatment regimen, they can help significantly as additional treatment or as prophylaxis.
Doctors prescribe creams and ointments to prevent relapse.
Tea tree oil is often used in the treatment of fungus, 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 regularity of use.
Traditional therapy
Although many drugs have been developed to treat yeast infections, it is not so easy to get rid of this ailment. Therefore, popular methods of treating the fungus are often used in conjunction with drugs.
Garlic
This ingredient is often used in many popular recipes for treating mushrooms. It can be used alone or with some components.
The easiest way, but quite effective, is to rub freshly squeezed garlic juice on 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 continues, 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 vinegar essence on fungi and mycosis is penetration into the affected area and destruction of fungal infection spores.
As a result of prolonged use,the colonies of the fungus are completely destroyed by the acid.
8 times diluted acetic acid compresses are used for treatment, a bandage is applied at night.
Onions and lemon
There are many popular onion-based 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 have to grate the peeled onion, put the porridge on your feet, then wrap it in cellophane and put on warm socks. The compress is left overnight, and feet are washed with soap in the morning 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 into the porridge and add 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, lounges. To avoid this problem, you should take the following preventive measures:
- do not wear shoes that are out of size, this can cause the growth of the nail plate and the development of a fungal infection
- if you sweat your feet too much, you should not wear sneakers and trainers;
- don't try on shoes in the store without socks;
- do not wear slippers when visiting;
- dry and disinfect shoes regularly;
- do not wear synthetic socks;
- The pedicure or manicure should be done in professional salons, where special attention is paid to the disinfection of the instrument;
- for very dry skin on feet, apply emollient creams.
Top 10 home remedies for nail fungus
The early stages of yeast infections do not always require medication. Sometimes you can cope with them with the help of time-tested home remedies. These treatments are considered safe for human health. In parallel, 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, as it has excellent anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties. As for cosmetic oil (40%), it doesn't really have any effect. Using a cheap analog, you will only waste precious time, allowing the disease to spread further.
The treatment of 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 warm water and add a few drops of oil there. The feet should be washed thoroughly, paying special attention to the fingers and nails. Don't miss a single area of your skin during the cleansing procedure.
- The feet should be dried thoroughly with a clean towel. Next, you need to apply dosed oil on all the affected nail plates and rub it gently. Wait for the product to dry completely. At this time, do not do any action, let your legs "breathe". For maximum effectiveness, the oil should be applied to the skin around the nails.
Tea tree oil treatment is incredibly simple, but requires regularity. The product should be applied 2 times a day for two months. Before each rub in the oil, the legs should be steamed in warm water with the addition of a substance.
Vinegar, garlic, peroxide: inexpensive home treatments
For the treatment of nail fungus, the most widely usedapple cider vinegar.Everyone knows that this solution perfectly disinfects and kills bacteria. Thus, it is possible to perform therapy with this tool with great success, but it is necessary to know some of the complexities of its use, namely:
- The vinegar must be natural;
- Vinegar is not used to treat fungus in its pure form, it must be diluted without fail;
- if you have overly sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions, then it is better to refuse to use the product.
Vinegar offers the best results in the following variations:
- Trays: To prepare 2 to 4 cups of vinegar, dilute with warm water. The procedure takes between 10 and 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 (ratio 1: 2) and applied to the affected nail. This type of compress should be groomed and held for about 20-30 minutes.
- Ointments: show good results when combined with other products. To make it, you need to take olive oil, glycerin and dimethyl phthalate and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The ingredients must be mixed well. Apply this ointment to treat the fungus 2 times a day until its complete elimination.
Garlicis a fairly specific remedy for the treatment of fungi, which is not suitable for everyone or for everyone. Porridge made with garlic helps better. It should be applied to the affected nail and wrapped tightly with polyethylene for 1-2 hours. However, such a remedy often provokes burns and causes redness on sensitive skin. You can get rid of nail fungus with this treatment method in 2 months.
Nail fungus therapywith hydrogen peroxideis an affordable method that, unfortunately, does not always give significant results. This method of treatment is most preferable in the initial stage of the disease. For the peroxide to work accurately, the legs must first be thoroughly steamed in 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. You must repeat this procedure at least 2-3 times a day. It should be noted that this method offers 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 crust, it accumulates and solidifies in the form of small transparent drops of dark yellow color. The resin must be collected by carefully cutting it with a knife.
Resin is an excellent cure for fungus when used correctly. 1 tablespoon of the substance is infused into 250 ml. vodka for 3 days. The resulting product is used to lubricate the nails 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. Coffee bean trays show the best efficiency.
Ground coffee beans should be brewed with strong force. Wait for the water to cool down a bit and soak your feet in the resulting solution. You need to hold out for 10-15 minutes. Do not clean your feet after the procedure, wait until the liquid is completely absorbed and dries. Such treatment is carried out at least once a day.
Lotions with anesthetic solution
Allows you to stop the spread of mycosis in the early stages. For therapy, it is enough to buy an anesthetic drug in ampoules at a pharmacy and use it as a lotion on the affected area of the nail. Various procedures allow you to get rid of the disease completely.
It is only effective 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 need to use a fresh plant, after having lubricated 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.
Tricks to successfully combat nail fungus
To fight the fungus quickly and effectively, there are some simple but very important rules that you should know:
- Wash your feet.Before applying the medicine to the affected nail, the feet should be thoroughly rinsed with warm water and soap for washing. After that, you need to steam the leg with the affected nail in warmer water for 5-7 minutes. This will allow the medications to penetrate the vaporized tissue as deeply as possible. The main thing is to remember that steaming feet in hot water is contraindicated in case of hypotension, varicose veins and high temperatures.
- Nail care.It is very important to control the growth of the diseased nail. As the nail plate grows back, it will need to be trimmed. Thus, it is possible to provide maximum access of the drug to the tissues damaged by the fungus.
- Leather processing.Processing requires not only the nail, but also the surrounding soft tissues. The treatment should extend 1 cm around the nail. You need to apply the drug carefully, staining all the most inaccessible places.
- Timely visit to a doctor.In especially difficult situations, when the fungus returns many times, it is worth contacting a doctor. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to cure this ailment on your own. Also, some types of drugs may simply not be suitable, and it is quite difficult to choose the necessary drugs yourself.
- Care of the instrument.When performing a manicure or pedicure, in addition to trimming a sore nail, you should use only sterile instruments. These instruments must be treated with an antiseptic "before" and "after" each procedure. Also, nail scissors, tweezers, and files used to care for a diseased nail should be kept strictly separate from other manicure tools.
With these simple rules, you can cure nail fungus much faster.
Conclusion
Fungus is an unpleasant disease and it is quite difficult to cure without complex therapy. For the best effect, you need to use not only external, pharmacy and popular drugs, but also a pill treatment. The correct approach and treatment regimen will help to get rid of the yeast infection for good.
Nail fungus can significantly affect a person's quality of life. The disease causes intense itching, burning in the affected area and even loss of the nail. That is why toenail fungus remedies should be applied immediately after the problem is discovered. In this way, the best and most effective treatment can be achieved.
Making the right decision is not always easy. Many of those who have encountered a fungus for the first time are negligent and use few proven home remedies as therapy.
Only a doctor can prescribe a truly effective remedy for nail fungus. So, the probability of getting rid of the problem increases significantly. However, there are a number of proven remedies that guarantee the removal of nail fungus in the shortest time possible. This applies not only to medicines, but also to traditional medicine.