Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, has deservedly earned its title as the most insidious and prevalent disease of the 21st century. The answer to the question of how to get rid of toenail fungus is often of interest to those who lead an active lifestyle. It is most common to catch the disease in public places such as locker rooms, bathrooms, swimming pools or beaches. Treating onychomycosis can take several months with various complications. Therefore, patients with toenail mycosis need to know how to deal with this unpleasant little ailment as soon as possible, and what means to use.
fast and effective treatment
With the help of medicines and folk remedies, fungal diseases can be cured regardless of the stage. Mycologists should choose treatment options based on the physical characteristics of a particular patient. The drugs have their own contraindications and therefore cannot be taken in the presence of certain diseases, pregnancy and lactation. Traditional medicine methods have achieved good results, but cannot completely replace traditional medicines.
Creams and Ointments
Immediate action should be taken after primary symptoms are identified. In the initial stages, a doctor will prescribe a varnish that will help remove toenail fungus quickly. The varnish must be applied to a clean nail plate, and then the upper layer must be removed from the nail plate using mechanical methods. This procedure can be done independently or in consultation with a doctor who will remove the tissue affected by the fungus.
important!
Patients should also disinfect their skin, socks and shoes while taking the medicine. If the fungus is present not only on the nails, but also on the skin of the legs, additionally treat with dermatological creams and ointments.
Creams have proven to perform well in treating fungal nail infections. Patients should be prepared that getting rid of nail fungus can take several months. At one point, it was impossible to beat the disease with an antifungal drug. The disease goes away with relapse and can reappear after a course of treatment.
Antifungal drugs in tablet form
Nail fungus is difficult to get rid of, and usually the disease is advanced. To prevent the spread of infection, patients take antifungal tablets for complex oral administration.
important!
The effect of taking tablets should be maximized, so they should be combined with treatment with topical preparations. The combination of different drugs significantly reduced the treatment time.
To get rid of toenail fungus with the help of tablets without worsening liver function, doctors recommend taking hepatoprotective drugs. The first course of treatment of mycosis with tablets is at least 7 days and should be carried out in several cycles, separated by at least 3 weeks. If we talk about fingers, the patient will need to go through 2 cycles and 3 cycles of nail plate treatment on the feet.
folk method
Many traditional remedies can help cure foot fungus quickly and inexpensively at home. You need to choose recipes individually, as some natural ingredients can cause allergies. Below is a list of popular ways to get rid of fungal infections.
- Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar. The two ingredients must be mixed in equal proportions and applied to the affected nail. Hold until the mixture on the nail plate fizzes. Then place your feet in a basin of water with a small amount of chlorine gas for no more than 3 minutes. After surgery, feet or hands should be rinsed and towel dry.
- garlic. Peel and chop the garlic cloves. Put the crushed substance on gauze and compress the infected nail. Then wrap the finger with a sterile bandage. This process is repeated every day.
- iodine. Apply several coats of iodine to cleaned and trimmed nails, lubricating the nail plate and waiting for the product to be absorbed. Then put the legs into a basin of warm water. This procedure is effective against many types of fungi.
- tea tree oil. Natural tea tree oil should be applied to the affected nail several times a day to clear the infection.
- Propolis tincture. Moisten a cotton pad with 20% propolis tincture and apply to nails for 2-3 hours. The compression must be performed daily and the process repeated until the patient grows healthy nails.
Precaution
Nail fungus is always easier to prevent with standard hygiene. Fighting an existing disease is much more difficult because, even with complex treatment, it doesn't go away forever. Experienced dermatologists recommend heeding some helpful tips:
- Visits to public places, including swimming pools, baths and saunas, must wear clean, changeable shoes and must be closed;
- In case of excessive sweating of the feet or palms, it is worth using ordinary talc and special deodorants with antiseptic ingredients;
- Wash your feet with warm water and soap or antibacterial gel at least twice a day and wear clean socks every day;
- You can't wear someone else's shoes; be sure to wear socks when trying on a pair at the store.
These simple remedies will help prevent occult onychomycosis and other fungal diseases that affect the skin of the nails and feet.