When a fungal infection appears on the nails, you must pay attention to their renewal in order to prevent the disease from progressing and spreading 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 or damage to the nail plate is detected, treatment should be started immediately, because the initial stages of the fungus can be quickly cured without resorting to drugs.
There are three stages of fungal development: initial, active, advanced.In all three stages, the girl can use folk remedies against nail fungus, because they have a disinfecting effect that ensures the gradual elimination and 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).
Regardless of the drugs you take to restore your natural manicure, you must follow 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:
- Preventing the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
- Destruction of microorganisms, which is associated with the destruction of their cell membrane.
- Normalization of surface microflora and restoration of its condition.
As a standard, natural components have a care effect, therefore, simultaneously with the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, their use helps to moisturize and nourish the matrix.
What determines the effectiveness of treatment?
In order to increase the effectiveness of nail treatment, it is recommended to use traditional recipes.However, they do not always lead to a positive outcome.
Keep in mind in advance that even when implementing home technologies to restore the health of the coating, you must pay attention to contraindications.The main one is individual intolerance.If you are allergic to the component, its use in the fight against fungi will not lead to a good result.
In addition, the effect after manipulation depends on the initial state of the natural manicure.If the girl had an advanced stage of damage, which implies the prescription of internal and external drugs, home remedies will not bring results.
The result also depends on the type of fungus, because some pathogenic organisms lead to the appearance of inflammatory processes in the body, which can only be eliminated by taking antifungal drugs.
How to properly organize the treatment process
To ensure a quick removal of the fungus, you must first pay attention to the treatment regimen.It is recommended that you consult your doctor to choose the right medicine for you based on the type of fungus.
However, regardless of the form of damage, it is important to consider that the treatment must be comprehensive.It should not have one method aimed at eliminating fungus.
By default, several techniques are used simultaneously:
- Preliminary preparation of the skin for manipulation using a steam bath.
- Application of external drugs (lacquers, ointments, serums).
- Using medicated wraps, lotions or nail masks.
- Remove the healed part of the free edge with a file and polish the upper stratum corneum.
Also, during the treatment, you should pay attention to the hygiene of your hands or feet, because this often leads to fungus on the nail plate.
To increase local immunity by accelerating metabolism and removing fungi, it is necessary to apply essential oils to the cuticle and, when applying ointment, gently massage the 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, so there are usually no side effects.
However, keep in mind that in order to prevent irritation or inflammation in the treated area, check that there is no allergic reaction to the components you are using.
Iodine
Iodine is a natural antiseptic, so it should be applied to the nails daily.When applied to the nail, the solution envelops it and gradually penetrates the matrix, ensuring the destruction of pathogenic bacteria and the normalization of the microflora of the nail.
It is allowed to use in its pure form.To do this, use a brush or cotton swab to apply the solution to the nail every day in a thin layer 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 5-7 drops per liter.
Hydrogen peroxide
In addition to iodine, hydrogen peroxide is also used as a disinfection solution.It has a mild effect, so it is recommended to treat not only the nails, but also the skin, by distributing the medicine several times a day, because it is quickly absorbed.
For a quick poultice, you can use peroxide:
- Apply the liquid to the surface of the skin of the feet or hands.
- Wrap the area to be treated from above with a cotton cloth previously soaked in the solution.
- Cover the wrap with a plastic bag or cling film.
- After 15 minutes, remove the auxiliary elements and wait until the solution is completely absorbed.
Because hydrogen peroxide is gentle, it can be used several times a day.However, it is not recommended to leave it as a poultice overnight.
Potassium permanganate solution
Now it is not easy to get potassium permanganate because it is banned, but it is a good disinfectant that quickly stops the reproduction of microorganisms on the surface.
Potassium permanganate is used, like iodine, as an additional component when performing steam baths.You have to add a little to make the water slightly pink.
You can make lotions for which three ingredients are mixed together:
- 1 spoon of propolis;
- 2 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 3-4 drops of potassium permanganate.
The mixture is mixed well and spread over nails infected with fungus for 20-25 minutes.
Soda and propolis
The components can be used separately, because they have strong disinfecting properties, or in one recipe.
To do this, they are mixed in equal proportions, applied to the damaged area of the skin or nails and wrapped with transparent film on top.Leave the compress on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Propolis is especially distributed on the nails at night, touching the area of the side ridges and cuticles, because it additionally has moisturizing and nourishing properties, increasing local immunity.
Herbs
Despite their availability and mild effect on tissue, plants are often used to remove fungi.The more herbs you mix, the more effective the solution will be.
Most pharmaceutical herbs are allowed for use:
- Calendula;
- Chamomile;
- Celandine;
- Propolis;
- Velcro;
- Lilac.
They can be used as a regular decoction.To do this, they are poured with boiling water and boiled for 20 minutes, then filtered.The cooled liquid is applied to a cotton pad, applied to the fingertips and secured with an adhesive plaster for half an hour.
Application of essential oils
In addition to the moisturizing and nourishing effect, oils are also used to gradually break 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 ordinary edible oils - butter, vegetable, olive.They will also be effective against microorganisms.
It is recommended to apply them separately, apply a thin layer over the nails at night.To avoid stains on the bedding, you can wear cotton gloves or socks on top.
Tar soap
The soap contains tar, so it acts aggressively 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 do a wrap, which involves applying a small amount of liquid soap to the nail, then sprinkling it with sea salt or baking soda.The tips of the fingers should be wrapped and left 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 there is usually no allergic reaction to the component.
For the wrap, you need to cut a thin piece of the ingredient - it should be slightly transparent, then apply it to the cleaned nail and fix it with an adhesive patch.After that, cotton gloves are put on the hands, socks on the feet and the lotion is left in that position overnight.
You can use recipes that include daily use of kombucha.
Folk recipes
In addition to the separate use of natural ingredients for baths or wraps, you can also make homemade masks, ointments or serums.They take more time, but they help to create a strong antibacterial effect, which makes it possible to stop using drugs.
Applications with vinegar essence
Commonly, anti-fungal recipes use table vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or wine vinegar.However, with advanced forms of nail lesions, you can use vinegar essence, which destroys some pathogenic microorganisms already at the first use.
For the application, you need to mix four components:
- 3 spoons of vinegar;
- 3 spoons of vodka (or medical alcohol);
- 2 egg whites;
- A teaspoon of glycerin.
The components are mixed well, cooled a little and applied to the nails, and wrapped with cheesecloth on top.After 15 minutes, the previous mixture is dried and the second dressing is applied.
You can store the remaining mixture in the refrigerator, and the procedure is done at most twice a week.
Ointment with o-phthalic acid dimethyl ester, glycerin and vinegar
This recipe also includes the use of vinegar essence, whose concentration is 70%.Therefore, the recipe is not recommended for use in the initial stages of a fungal infection, as well as on sensitive skin around the nails.
The ointment contains four components:
- 1 spoon of vinegar;
- 1 spoon of vegetable oil;
- 1 teaspoon o-phthalic acid dimethyl ester;
- A chicken egg or a teaspoon of glycerin.
The components are mixed well, it is recommended to beat them with a blender, and then leave for a day in a dark and cool place.After that, the ointment is distributed over the affected nails and wrapped in polyethylene for 20 minutes;it must first be partially rubbed into the epidermis.
Garlic and onion compress
The compress can also be used in the treatment of advanced forms of lesions, as 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 spoonful of alcohol 90%;
- A glass of distilled water.
It is necessary to grate garlic and onion on a fine grater, and then squeeze out the juice with 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 secured with an adhesive patch for 25-30 minutes.
Decoction of celandine
It is recommended to use a mixture of anti-fungal plants, and celandine is one of the most effective types that ensure the restoration of nail microflora.
To make a decoction of celandine, pour boiling water in a ratio of 1:5 for half an hour, then strain and cool.Cotton pads are soaked in the decoction and applied to the fungal areas for several hours or overnight.
You can use the recipe every day, because it is absolutely safe.
Grease based on copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is a chemical substance used for cosmetic purposes to nurture the natural manicure and prevent the re-formation of fungi.
However, keep in mind that you can't use it often, because the plant is poisonous, so exceeding the dose can lead to nail destruction and skin irritation.
Vitriol must be used carefully:
- Clean the surface, prepare 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 the nails.
- Wrap your fingertips in cellophane and secure.
- After 6-7 hours, wash 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 any anti-fungal treatment, it is recommended to take steam baths so that the applied product penetrates the structure faster, which would lead to a positive result.
You can add auxiliary components to the baths that will increase their effectiveness.Salt and oils are often used for this:
- Add a spoonful of sea salt to a glass of boiling water and dissolve it.
- After 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 taking a bath, dry the skin with dry towels and apply an antifungal ointment.
Baths are allowed every day for quick removal of fungus.
Conclusions
In order to remove the fungus, doctors prescribe standard drug treatment, which includes the use of ointments, creams and tablets.However, some lesions can be eliminated with folk remedies, while at the same time strengthening local immunity.However, be careful when using homemade solutions, as they too have health and dosage limitations.