A fungal infection can absolutely affect any part of the body.Fungi, like other bacteria and microorganisms, are always present in the human body and their skin in a strict balance.When the number of mushrooms for various reasons increases, an infection can start.
Onychomycosis, also called Onichia Fungal, is a fungal infection that affects nails on the legs or hands.It develops slowly, so it is very difficult to see any signs of the disease at first.
Why are you developing?
The fungal nail infection begins from the moment the number of fungi inside, below or in the nails increases markedly.Fungi love a warm, damp environment;Therefore, during any appropriate environment, they begin to multiply intensely.Nail fungus occurs due to the same fungi that cause border eczema, ringworm and cutting lichen.
Mushrooms, living calmly and in the body of absolutely anyone, can cause nail infection.If you are in contact with someone who has this disease, it can be transmitted to you.According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fungal infections often affect legs in the legs than in the arms, because the fingers are more often in a warm and humid environment.
If you are used to doing manicure and pedicures in the cabin, it is worth finding out how the team disinfects the tools and how often it does it.A manicure and pedicure farewells, such as nail and ends files, can be a source of infection, which, in any case, without proper disinfection, will be transmitted to another person.
Who can be infected?
There are many causes of a fungal nail infection, and each is treated in its own way.Most of these reasons can be prevented naturally, but there are some factors that significantly increase the risk of this infection.The biggest risk of developing nail fungi is people who:
- They are sick of diabetes;
- have a disease that weakens blood circulation;
- over 65;
- It has air nails;
- Visit public baths, swimming pools;
- have nail injury;
- They are injured on the skin around the nails;
- The legs are constantly in moisture or sweat constantly;
- have a weak immune system;
- They wear narrow and tight shoes such as sneakers and boots.
A fungal infection is more common in men than in women and, more often, in older people than in children.If someone is sick in your family with a fungus, you will probably have it in the future.The elderly have the highest risk of developing this infection, as blood circulation gets worse with age and nails become slower and becomes thicker.
How is the nail fungus?
A fungal infection can affect part of the nail, the whole nail or several nails at once.
Visible signs
The explicit symptoms of nail fungus are:
- Stratification of nails, which is called pure hyperteratosis;
- White or yellow stripes on the nail, which are called lateral onychomycosis;
- Frames in nail or corner ruins, which are called distal onychomycosis;
- Excessive white spots on the nails after the holes remain;
- The appearance of yellow spots near the nail hole, which is called proximal onychomycosis;
- Loss of nail.
General signs
Common symptoms of fungal infection are considered:
- Nail plate deformation, the nail does not remain well in its place;
- an unpleasant odor of an infected nail;
- ruined nail or thickened.
How to find out if I have a nail fungus?
The only way to confirm the diagnosis is to consult a doctor, because some other infections can also affect nails and have fungal similar symptoms.In these cases, a nail scraping is usually removed, which is sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis and clarification of the diagnosis.
When is the time to consult a doctor?
In most cases, nail fungus is considered a purely cosmetic problem.However, in some people, a fungal infection can cause serious complications.Thus, in people with diabetes, nail fungus can further carry foot ulcers or other leg problems.According to the 2012 study, a chronic nail fungus on the legs is considered one of the main risk factors and a -jave condition for the development of bacterial cellulite of the legs.
Therefore, if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you should not use home remedies to treat nail fungus.Contact your doctor to get help to find out how to treat the fungus on your legs and how to treat.
How to heal nail fungus on your feet?
Excessive medications are generally not recommended to treat fungal nail infections because they do not provide reliable results.Instead, your doctor prescribes oral antifungal medications.These medications are very effective, but have many side effects of the stomach disorder and dizziness on skin and jaundice problems.
You can use other antifungal agents such as antifungal varnish or nail base.It is applied to the nail just as the common enamel.Depending on the type of fungus, as well as the degree of nail plate damage, this tool may have to be used for several months.
Unfortunately, the treatment does not guarantee complete quickly to get rid of fungal infection.In almost half of the cases, the nail fungus returns again.Complications are not excluded.Perhaps, therefore, many people are more likely to resort to the help of traditional medicine.
Popular Remedies for Fungi
The fungus on the leg nails is nothing you would like to see on your feet, especially in summer during the beach season.Therefore, we decided to collect the 10 most popular and effective media of traditional medicine to find out how to treat nail fungus on the legs.
Highlander Cobra Extract
Highlander Snake Extract is a natural antifungal agent.The highlander of the snake refers to the plants of the sunflower family.A study conducted in 2008 showed that the extract is also effective against nail fungus in the legs, such as a cyclopirox medicine prescribed by the prescription.To get rid of the fungal infection on the legs with this method, you need to join the following scheme: In the first month of treatment, apply an extract to the affected area every third day, in the second month twice a week and within a third month 1 time a week.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil, also called melaleuka, is an essential oil that has an antifungal and anti -space effect.It is also recommended for the treatment of nail fungus.You just need to apply tea tree oil directly to the painful nail twice a day with a cotton swab.
Common oregano oil
Common oil contains thymol.Timol has an antifungal and antibacterial effect.To treat the fungus to the leg nails, apply the oil twice a day with a cotton swab.Some people use ordinary oregano oil along with tea tree oil.Both products have a powerful effect and can cause irritation and allergic reactions;Therefore, it is not recommended to combine these oils.
Olive leaf extract
It is believed that the active substance in olive sheet extract, oleuropero has antifungal, antimicrobial and immunomodulators.You can apply an olive leaf extract directly to the nail fungus or drink in the form of capsules.Despite the fact that capsule treatment is considered more effective than the application of olive oil extract.Take 1-3 capsules with food 2 times a day.Throughout treatment, drink many liquids.
Ozone
Ozone oils, such as olive and sunflower, are obtained by saturation with a gaseous ozone.According to the 2011 study, the effect of ozone at low concentrations for a short time can kill many microorganisms such as mushrooms, yeast and bacteria.In another study, it was found that ozone sunflower oil turned out to be more effective in the treatment of fungal nail infection on the legs than the ketoconazole antifungal drug sold according to prescription.
To treat the fungus on the nails of the legs with ozone oil, treat the nail twice a day.
Vinegar
There is no scientific evidence that vinegar helps in the treatment of fungus.However, this is a very safe home remedy you can try.To do this, make hot legs for the legs with vinegar, diluting 1 part of vinegar in 2 parts of the water.The procedure should be performed daily for 20 minutes.
Second to oral cavity
Purifier composition includes menthol, thymol and eucalyptus, which have antibacterial and antifungal properties.Perhaps that is why it is so popular with people in the treatment of nail fungus on the legs.You just need to hold a troubled foot in a bowl with a purifier for 30 minutes.The procedure is performed daily.
Garlic
As you know, garlic has an antifungal and antimicrobial effect.To get rid of a fungal infection, apply minced garlic cloves to troubled nails for 30 minutes a day.If you don't like the smell, you can try garlic capsules.Take strictly according to the instructions.
Make adjustments to the diet
Our health depends on what you eat.The more useful the food you consume, the more likely your body deal with various adverse factors and diseases, including nail fungi.
Eat the food required for the body for normal operation, namely:
- enriched yogurts with probiotics;
- enough protein for normal nail growth;
- Enough iron to avoid nail fragility;
- food, rich in indispensable fatty acids;
- Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D (low fat dairy products).
In this case, home remedies may be more effective than drugs released according to the prescription in the treatment of light and moderate internships of the disease course.Obviously, the means of traditional medicine have fewer side effects, but its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven.Many factors should be taken into consideration in the treatment of fungal nail infection, such as nail permeability, seriousness and general health.
Treatment with the help of traditional medicine usually lasts longer than drug treatment.The first results may appear only after a few months.Often it happens that the problem returns again.
How to avoid a fungal nail infection
Just a few simple lifestyle changes will protect you from this serious and annoying infection.Take care of your nails, cut them at the right time and keep them clean.Try once again not hurt the skin around the nails.If the hands are usually in contact with the water, put rubber gloves.
Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from the fungus:
- Use sprays and antifungal posts regularly;
- Wash your hands after contact with infected nails;
- Clean your legs after a bath, especially in the area between your fingers;
- Make manicure and pedicure in proven halls;
- Use only your tools for manicure and pedicure;
- Wear socks for the season to avoid skin accommodation of the legs;
- Do not barefoot in public places;
- Refuse artificial nails and paint your nails with varnish.
What to expect in the future?
Do not expect an instant result.In some people, treatment may not help immediately and several courses or replacement of the drug will be required.The fungal infection is considered healed only if a new nail grows without signs of fungus.But this does not guarantee that the fungal infection no longer returns.In more advanced cases, the nail is subjected to constant infection with a fungus and will have to be removed.
The main complications of fungal infection are:
- Reinfection;
- Removal of an infected nail, both one and forever;
- Nail bleaching affected by the fungus;
- the dissemination of infection to other parts of the body and even in the bloodstream;
- The development of a bacterial skin infection called cellulite.
You need to consult a doctor in any case, especially if you have diabetes and nail fungi on your legs.People with diabetes expose themselves to a great risk of developing serious complications;Therefore, do not waste time and make an appointment with a doctor.