When a fungal nail infection occurs, you should pay attention to their recovery 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 the treatment of nail fungus.
Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies
If an infection is detected on the sensitive surface of the skin of the hands or feet or damage to the nail plate, treatment should begin immediately, as the initial stages of the fungus can be cured quickly without resorting to the use of drugs.
There are three stages of fungal development: initial, active, advanced.During all three stages, the girl can use folk remedies against nail fungus, as they have a disinfecting effect that ensures the gradual elimination and destruction of pathogenic bacteria.However, in an active form of the fungus, drug treatment is prescribed, which includes two types of drugs:
- Externally (creams, ointments, sprays);
- Internally (tablets).
Regardless of the drugs you take to restore the natural manicure, you must accompany 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 spread of pathogenic bacteria.
- Destruction of microorganisms, which is associated with the destruction of their cell membrane.
- Normalizing the surface microflora and restoring its condition.
As a standard, natural components have a caring effect, therefore, simultaneously with the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, their use helps to moisturize and nourish the matrix.
What determines the effectiveness of treatment?
To increase the effectiveness of nail treatment, it is recommended to use traditional recipes.However, they do not always lead to a positive result.
Please note in advance that even when performing home technologies to restore the health of the coating, you should pay attention to contraindications.The main one is individual intolerance.If you are allergic to a component, using it in the fight against fungus will not lead to a good result.
In addition, the effect after the manipulation depends on the initial state of the natural manicure.If the girl had an advanced stage of disability, which implies the prescription of internal and external medicines, home remedies will not bring results.
The result also depends on the type of fungus, since some pathogenic organisms lead to the appearance of inflammatory processes in the body, which can only be eliminated by taking antifungal agents.
How to properly organize the treatment process
To ensure the rapid elimination of the fungus, you must first pay attention to the treatment regimen.It is recommended that you consult your doctor to choose medications that are right for you based on the type of fungus.
However, regardless of the form of damage, it is important to keep in mind that the treatment must be comprehensive.There should not be one method aimed at eliminating the fungus.
As a standard, 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 compresses, lotions or nail masks.
- Using a file, remove the overgrown part of the free edge and polish the upper stratum corneum.
Also, during the treatment, you should pay attention to the hygiene of the hands or feet, as this often leads to fungus on the nail plate.
To increase local immunity by accelerating the metabolism and removing the fungus, you should apply essential oils to the cuticle and, when applying ointments, do a light massage on your fingers.
Folk remedies for the treatment of nail fungus
In addition to drug treatment, it is recommended to influence the fungus by using folk recipes.Their main advantage is that they are safe, so there are usually no side effects.
However, keep in mind that to prevent irritation or inflammation in the treated area, make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components you use.
iodine
Iodine is a natural antiseptic, so it should be used daily on the nails.When applied to the nail, the solution envelops it and gradually penetrates the matrix, ensuring the destruction of pathogenic bacteria and normalizing the nail microflora.
It is allowed to be used in its pure form.To do this, use a brush or cotton swab to spread the solution on your 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 disinfecting solution.It has a gentle effect, so it is recommended to treat not only the nails, but also the skin, distributing the medicine several times a day, as it is quickly absorbed.
You can use peroxide for a quick compress:
- Apply the liquid to the surface of the skin of the feet or hands.
- Wrap the treated area from above with a cotton cloth pre-soaked with the solution.
- Cover the compress 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 compress overnight.
Potassium permanganate solution
Now it is not easy to get potassium permanganate, because it is prohibited, 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 need to add a little so that the water is slightly pink.
You can make lotions for which three ingredients are mixed:
- 1 tablespoon of propolis;
- 2 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 3-4 drops of potassium permanganate.
The mixture is thoroughly mixed and spread over the nails infected with fungus for 20-25 minutes.
Soda and propolis
The components can be used separately, as 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 food film on top.Leave the compress on for 15 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
Propolis is distributed separately on the nails at night, touching the area of the lateral edges and cuticles, as it has additional moisturizing and nourishing properties, increasing local immunity.
Herbs
Despite their availability and gentle effect on tissues, herbs are often used to eliminate fungi.The more herbs you mix, the more effective the solution will be.
Most pharmaceutical herbs are approved for use:
- calendula;
- chamomile;
- yellow flowers;
- propolis;
- burdock;
- Lilac.
They can be used as a regular potion.To do this, they are poured with boiling water and boiled for 20 minutes, after which they are filtered.The cooled liquid is applied to a cotton swab, applied to the fingertips and fixed with a plaster for half an hour.
Application of essential oils
In addition to a moisturizing and nourishing effect, oils are also used to gradually break down the cell membrane of pathogenic bacteria, which ensures their death.
Different oils are used:
- eucalyptus;
- tea tree;
- propolis;
- yellow flowers;
- rosemary;
- Lavender.
You can also use ordinary edible oils - butter, vegetable, olive oil.They will also be effective against microorganisms.
It is recommended to apply them separately, spreading a thin layer on the nails at night.In order not to stain the bedding, you can wear cotton gloves or socks on top.
Tar soap
The soap contains tar, so it has an aggressive effect 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 wash it off.You can also make a compress, which involves applying a small amount of liquid soap to the nail and then sprinkling it with sea salt or baking soda.The tips of the fingers should be bandaged and left in this condition overnight.
Instead of tar soap, you can use laundry soap, but it must have a concentration of the active substance of 72%.
Kombucha
Kombucha is often used in the presence of inflammatory processes in the body or externally.It is safe and usually no allergic reaction to the component occurs.
For the compress, you need to cut a thin slice of the ingredient - it should be slightly translucent, then apply it to the cleaned nail and attach it with a plaster.After that, cotton gloves are put on the hands, socks on the feet, and the lotion is left in this position overnight.
You can use recipes that include the use of kombucha every day.
Folk recipes
In addition to the separate use of natural ingredients for baths or compresses, you can make homemade masks, ointments or serums.They take more time, but help to create a strong antibacterial effect, which makes it possible to stop the use of drugs.
Applications with vinegar essence
Commonly used in anti-fungal recipes are table, apple or wine vinegar.However, when treating advanced forms of nail lesions, you can use vinegar essence, which destroys some pathogenic microorganisms at first use.
For the application, you need to mix four components:
- 3 tablespoons of vinegar;
- 3 tablespoons 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 gauze on top.After 15 minutes, the previous mixture dries and a second compress is made.
The remaining mixture can be stored in the refrigerator, and the procedure is done a maximum of twice a week.
Ointment with o-phthalic acid dimethyl ester, glycerin and vinegar
This recipe also includes the use of vinegar essence, the concentration of which is 70%.Therefore, the recipe is not recommended for use in the initial stage of a fungal infection, as well as for sensitive skin around the nails.
The ointment includes four components:
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar;
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil;
- 1 teaspoon o-phthalic acid dimethyl ester;
- A chicken egg or a teaspoon of glycerin.
The components are thoroughly mixed, it is recommended to beat them with a blender and then put them for a day in a dark and cool place.After that, the ointment is spread 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 tablespoon of alcohol 90%;
- A glass of distilled water.
Garlic and onion should be grated on a fine grater and then the juice should be squeezed out using cheesecloth.The mass is then mixed with alcohol and water.After preparation, you can store the product in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator.
Cotton swabs are soaked in the liquid, then applied to the nail and secured with a plaster for 25-30 minutes.
Decoction of yellow flowers
It is recommended to use a mixture of herbs against fungi, and celandine is one of the most effective types that ensure the restoration of the nail microflora.
To make a decoction of celandines, you need to pour boiling water in a ratio of 1:5 for half an hour, then strain and cool.Cotton swabs are soaked in the decoction and applied to the fungus-infected areas for several hours or overnight.
You can use the recipe every day as it is absolutely safe.
Ointment based on copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is a chemical substance that is used for cosmetic purposes to nourish the natural manicure and prevent the re-formation of fungus.
However, keep in mind that you can't use it often because the plant is poisonous, so overdosing can lead to nail damage and skin irritation.
You should carefully use vitriol:
- Clean the surface, preparing it for work.
- Apply the concentrate to the coating and wait until it hardens.
- Grate the onion on a fine grater and spread the paste on your 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 antifungal treatment, it is recommended to take steam baths so that the applied product penetrates the structure faster, which leads to a positive result.
You can add auxiliary components to the baths that will increase their efficiency.Salt and oils are often used for this:
- Add a tablespoon of sea salt to a cup 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 the bath, dry the skin with dry towels and apply an antifungal ointment.
Baths are allowed every day to quickly remove the fungus.
Conclusions
To eliminate the fungus, doctors prescribe standard drug treatment, which includes the use of ointments, creams and pills.However, some lesions can be eliminated with folk remedies, while at the same time increasing local immunity.However, be careful when using homemade solutions as they also have health and dosage limitations.