Nail fungus or onychomycosis has deservedly earned the title of the most insidious and widespread disease of the 21st century. The answer to the question of how to get rid of nail fungus is more often of interest to people who lead an active lifestyle. It is easier to catch the disease in public places, such as locker rooms, baths, swimming pools or beaches. Treatment of onychomycosis can take several months and be accompanied by various complications. Therefore, patients suffering from nail fungus need to know how to treat this unpleasant disease as soon as possible and what means should be used.
Fast and effective treatments
It is possible to cure a fungal disease at any stage with the help of medicines and folk remedies. A mycologist should select a treatment regimen taking into account the characteristics of the body of a particular patient. Medicines have their own contraindications, so they can not be taken in the presence of certain diseases, pregnancy and lactation. Traditional medicine methods give good results, but do not completely replace traditional medicines.
Creams and ointments
It is necessary to take measures immediately after the detection of the primary symptoms. In the early stages, doctors prescribe varnishes that help quickly get rid of nail fungus. Lacquers should be applied to a clean nail plate, the upper layers of which are removed using mechanical methods. This procedure can be done independently or consult a doctor who will remove the tissues affected by the fungus.
Important!
Along with taking medication, the patient should disinfect the skin, socks and shoes. If the fungus is present not only on the nails, but also on the skin of the legs, dermatological creams and ointments are also used for treatment.
Creams have proven themselves in the treatment of nail fungus. The patient should be prepared for the fact that getting rid of nail fungus can take several months. At some point, applying an antifungal drug, it is impossible to defeat the disease. This disease passes with relapses and after passing treatment can reappear.
Antifungal drugs in the form of tablets
It is difficult to get rid of nail fungus, often the disease reaches an advanced stage. To prevent the spread of infection, patients are prescribed antimycotic tablets for complex oral administration.
Important!
The effect of taking tablets should be maximum, so they should be combined with treatment with topical preparations. The combination of different drugs significantly reduces the treatment time.
So that the removal of the nail fungus with the help of tablets does not worsen liver function, doctors advise taking hepatoprotective drugs. The first treatment of a fungal disease with tablets lasts at least 7 days and should be carried out in several cycles with a break of at least 3 weeks. If we talk about the fingers, the patient will have to go through 2 cycles, the nail plates of the feet are treated for 3 cycles.
Folk methods
Many traditional medicines help to cure foot fungus quickly and inexpensively at home. You should select recipes individually, as some natural ingredients can cause allergies. A list of popular ways to get rid of a fungal infection is presented below.
- Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Both components should be mixed in equal proportions and applied to the affected nail. Keep until the end of the hissing of the mixture on the nail plate. Then lower your foot into a basin of water mixed with a small amount of chlorine and hold it for a maximum of 3 minutes. After the procedure, the feet or hands should be rinsed and dried with a towel.
- Garlic. Peel and finely chop the garlic clove. Put the crushed mass on gauze and apply a compress to the infected nail. Then the finger is bandaged with a sterile bandage. The procedure is repeated daily.
- Iodine. Several layers of iodine are applied to the cleaned and trimmed nails, which should lubricate the nail plates and wait for the product to be absorbed. Then the legs are lowered into a basin of hot water. This procedure is effective against many types of fungi.
- tea tree oil. Natural tea tree oil should be applied to the affected nails several times a day to clear the infection.
- Tincture of propolis. A cotton ball is moistened with 20% propolis tincture and applied to the nails for 2-3 hours. Compresses should be applied daily and the procedure repeated until the patient has healthy nails.
Preventive actions
Nail fungus is always easier to prevent with standard hygiene practices. It is much more difficult to fight an existing disease, because even after undergoing complex therapy, it does not go away forever. Experienced dermatologists advise paying attention to a few useful tips:
- when visiting public places, including swimming pools, baths and saunas, you must wear clean and changeable shoes, which must be closed;
- in the presence of excessive sweating of the feet or palms, it is worth using ordinary talcum powder and special deodorants with antiseptic components;
- feet should be washed with warm water and soap or antibacterial gel at least twice a day and clean socks should be worn daily;
- you can't wear someone else's shoes; when trying on a pair in a store, be sure to wear socks.
These simple means will help prevent insidious onychomycosis and other fungal diseases that affect the nails and skin of the feet.