Toenail 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 toenail fungus is often of interest to people who lead an active lifestyle. It is easier to get the disease in public places, such as changing rooms, bathrooms, swimming pools or beaches. Treatment of onychomycosis can take several months and be accompanied by various complications. Therefore, patients suffering from toenail fungus should know how to treat this unpleasant ailment as soon as possible and what means should be used.
Fast and effective treatments.
It is possible to cure a fungal disease, regardless of its stage, with the help of drugs and folk remedies. A mycologist must 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 they 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 initial stages, doctors prescribe varnishes that help to quickly get rid of toenail fungus. Lacquers must be applied to a clean nail plate, from which the upper layers are removed by 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 must disinfect their 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 effective in treating fungal nail infections. The patient should be prepared for the fact that getting rid of nail fungus can take several months. At the same time, applying an antifungal drug, it is impossible to defeat the disease. This disease passes with relapses and after passing a course of treatment it can reappear.
Antifungal drugs in the form of tablets.
It is difficult to get rid of nail fungus, often the disease enters an advanced stage. To prevent the spread of infection, patients are prescribed antifungal tablets for complex oral administration.
Important!
The effect of taking tablets should be maximum, so they must be combined with therapy with topical preparations. The combination of different drugs significantly reduces the time of treatment.
So that getting rid of toenail fungus with the help of tablets does not worsen liver function, doctors recommend taking hepatoprotective drugs. The first course of treatment of a fungal disease with tablets is at least 7 days and must be carried out in several cycles with a break of at least 3 weeks. If we are talking about the fingers, the patient will have to go through 2 cycles, the nail plates of the feet are treated for 3 cycles.
popular methods
Many traditional medicines help to cure foot fungus quickly and cheaply at home. You must select recipes individually, as some natural ingredients can cause allergies. Below is a list of popular ways to get rid of a yeast infection.
- Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. The two components must be mixed in equal proportions and applied to the affected nail. Hold until the end of the mixture hiss on the nail plate. Then submerge the foot in a container of water mixed with a small amount of bleach and keep it there for no more than 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 wrapped with a sterile bandage. The procedure is repeated daily.
- Iodine. Several layers of iodine are applied to clean and trimmed nails, which need to lubricate the nail plates and wait until the product is absorbed. Then the legs are lowered into a bowl 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 nails several times a day to clear the infection.
- propolis tincture. A cotton pad is moistened with 20% propolis tincture and applied to the nails for 2-3 hours. Compresses should be applied every day and the procedure repeated until the patient grows 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 to pay attention to some useful tips:
- when visiting public places, including swimming pools, baths and saunas, you must wear clean, 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 every day;
- you can't wear someone else's shoes; when trying on a pair in a store, be sure to wear socks.
These simple ways will help prevent insidious onychomycosis and other fungal diseases that affect the nails and skin of the feet.