If you experience an unpleasant phenomenon such as a fungal infection, you should start treatment immediately. From,how to cure a funguswe will talk in this article.
First, you need to understand what a fungal infection is. These diseases belong to the class of infectious diseases. Infections caused by mycoses or fungi are very varied, but most commonly affect the skin and nails. Mycoses are contagious and spread from person to person.
Nail fungus
This disease (onychomycosis) is caused by a fungal infection that can also be obtained from a sick person. Often, this disease spreads within the family as it spreads through common objects such as slippers or towels.
Mushrooms are very fond of humid, warm environments, so swimming pools, showers, gyms, baths are ideal places for infection. Predisposing factors for the disease are excessive sweating of wet shoes and feet.
The fungus is a very hardy microorganism. They tolerate the dry conditions of existence, temporarily stopping their reproduction. But as soon as the environment becomes favorable, violent activities begin again.
If the nails are infected with a fungus, they change their appearance. The color of the nail plate changes to white, gray, yellow, brown, green, and even black. Nails thicken, crumble, lose their natural shine. Nail plate thickening is a reaction to the proliferation of nail bed infection. Keratinization increases and significantly interferes with treatment.
In advanced cases, the fungus affects the entire thickness of the nail. The nail is peeling, crashing.
Laboratory testing of nail samples should be performed to make a correct diagnosis.
Medicinal treatment of nail fungus
Both topical and oral agents are used to treat nail fungus. External medications include ointments, creams, gels, nail polishes and special exfoliating patches.
Antifungal varnishes include compounds that penetrate deep into the nail plate and the nail bed. To use the varnish, you must first cut off the affected area of the nail with a nail file and degrease it with alcohol.
Keratolytic ointments and patches are used to remove areas of the nail affected by the fungus. As a result of these agents, the nail becomes soft and can be easily removed for later treatment. Patches and ointments contain antiseptic, salicylic acid or acetic acid. It may also contain antifungal components. Plaster is applied to the affected nail, with a layer of ordinary adhesive plaster and a layer of bandage on top. The bandage is removed after 2-3 days. The softened areas of the nail are removed and fresh keratolytic patch is applied again. The treatment is carried out until the nails affected by the fungus are cleansed. Treatment with patches or keratolytic ointments is a lengthy process.
There are special kits for treating nail fungus. These include keratolytic antifungal ointment, a special scraper for cleaning nails and a patch.
The use of antifungal creams is indicated. The cream should be applied daily to the affected nails until complete healing.
Internal drugs
If the nail fungus responds poorly to treatment, especially in advanced cases, your doctor will prescribe antimycotics - medicines in the form of capsules and tablets. These amounts should be used between 2 and 4 months. But many of them can have a negative effect on the human body precisely because of the duration of intake. Therefore, a new systemic treatment method called pulse therapy has been developed. The essence of the treatment is gentle medication: two tablets or capsules a day for a week. Then you need to take a break for 21 days. The general process of pulse therapy is 3 times for 7 days.
Antifungals prevent the recurrence of the disease and effectively fight infection. The doctor will prescribe the medication that the patient needs most.
Folk remedies to combat nail fungus
If the disease has not started, medicines based on herbs and plant ingredients can be taken to help with medication.
- Grind the peppermint leaves and mix with salt. Apply the composition on your nails and place it between your fingers for an hour.
- 20 gr. pour purple flowers in half a glass of alcohol. Let it cook for two weeks. Rub the composition on the affected area several times a day.
- Mix the butter and crushed garlic in a 1: 1 ratio. Apply to the nails once a day with a bandage and duct tape. Replace the product every day. Apply until complete recovery.
- It is recommended to walk barefoot in the morning dew. It is considered to be one of the best treatments.
- Mix the garlic juice, pure rubbing alcohol and distilled water in a ratio of 1: 1: 10. Regularly rub the composition into the nails affected by the fungus.
- Fresh rowan leaves, crushed to bruise, should be applied to the affected areas for 1 hour. Apply the recipe until complete recovery.
- Pour half a glass of poplar buds 0, 5 liters of vodka. Let it cook for 10-12 days. Compact at night with tincture. Your nails will soften overnight. In the morning, the nails should be cleaned of mild keratinization and the tincture should be rubbed thoroughly.
- Wrap the affected nails with the rubbed leaves of a golden mustache. Confirm the compress with foil. Compresses can also be done at night. In the morning, you need to clean your nails from softened keratinization.
Disease prevention
If you follow simple rules, you will never encounter an unpleasant disease like nail fungus.
- Never wear other shoes.
- Always dry your shoes when you get home.
- If you regularly visit the spa, pool, gym, apply antifungal agents topically.
- At home, it is better to refuse porous or woolen rugs in the bathroom as these are carriers of infection, including nail fungus.
- If you forgot to change shoes at home when you visited public places and the antifungal medicine ran out, when you get home, treat your feet and nails with tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, propolis tincture.
See your doctor at the first signs of nail fungus. Even if you are wrong, do not regret the time lost because there is nothing more important than your health.