Treatment of nail and foot fungus, if the disease is not advanced, can be done at home and with home remedies.There are time-tested traditional medicine recipes that are simple and easy to prepare.If you methodically and carefully follow the instructions for them, it is quite possible to get rid of an unpleasant disease.
Fungal infection on the skin and toenails is not just a cosmetic problem.If this problem is not resolved in time, it can lead to serious human health problems.That is why various types of nail fungus treatment with folk remedies are so popular today.We will look at the simplest and safest recipes that can be made at home.
Manifestations of fungal diseases of the feet
The fungus usually affects the skin of the legs, feet and interdigital spaces - it is called athlete's foot.But in overwhelming cases, fungal infections settle on the nail plates, and this is called in the scientific world as onychomycosis.
How to recognize nail fungus
Nail fungus is characterized by localization mainly on two fingers - the thumb and little finger.The nails on these fingers become irregular, protruding and have white or yellowish spots.The nail plate, with a long course of the disease, can separate from the bed in the area of the spots.It is completely deformed and has a tendency to jam.
Manifestations of foot fungus
Redness appears on the foot, followed by scaling, itching (mild to intense), pustular rashes, hyperhidrosis and an unpleasant odor may appear.Heels also tend to crack and peel.
Risk factors for fungal development
- impaired metabolism;
- increased body weight, diabetes mellitus;
- gastrointestinal tract diseases;
- problems with the thyroid gland and adrenal glands;
- skin diseases (psoriasis);
- insufficient blood flow to the extremities;
- diseases associated with the immune system;
- increased sweating (including feet);
- family medical history;
- age.
Before you start treating fungus at home
For the treatment to be effective, the following must be done:
- Before taking any action, you must first steam your feet with hot soap and sparkling water (50°C).The bath lasts from 15 minutes to an hour (if your nails are very hard).
- Treat the instruments you will use with alcohol and the procedure area with a product that contains chlorine or bleach.
- If the nail plates are affected by the fungus, cut or file the affected nails.
- Exfoliate dead skin from your feet.
Remember:areas affected by fungus should not be lubricated with moisturizing creams!
Toenail fungus: treatment with folk remedies
Without a doubt, the most effective treatment will be prescribed by a mycologist.But if the condition of the legs is not very advanced, the disease has not gone far, then you can try the following folk recipes.
1 recipe using apple cider vinegar
We will need apple cider vinegar.We moisten a cotton swab with it and apply it to the nail affected by the fungus.Wrap the compress in plastic wrap and walk for 3 hours every day.We continue to do these procedures until we notice that a new, clean plaque is growing.
Recipe 2 – a mixture of essential oils and olive oils
We will need:
- tea tree oil or oregano oil (1 teaspoon);
- olive oil (½ teaspoon).
Mix the two ingredients and apply to nails affected by fungus.Let them dry naturally.The procedure must be done morning and evening until the symptoms disappear.
Recipe 3 – celandine treatment
Another popular remedy against nail fungus is celandine.This plant is poisonous, so it must be used in doses.But it is believed to help well even in cases of advanced nail fungus.We will need celandine juice.
How to prepare celandine juice
Freshly harvested, washed and dried celandine is passed through a meat grinder.The pulp is transferred to cheesecloth, folded in 3-4 layers and squeezed.We need 200 ml of juice, which is combined with 200 ml of 70% alcohol.The liquid is infused for a day.
The resulting tincture should be used to clean affected nails after steaming them.Do the procedure 3-4 times a day every day until a healthy nail grows.
Foot fungus: treatment at home
Now let's look at some time-tested recipes that will help deal with foot fungus.
1 recipe with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
We will need:
- baking soda (2-5 teaspoons);
- 3% hydrogen peroxide – you need enough to make a liquid paste.
Apply the paste to a cotton pad and apply to the affected areas of the skin (including the heel).We wrap everything with a bag or plastic film and a sock on top.The more advanced the form of the disease, the longer you need to keep the compress on - at least up to 30 minutes.After removing the compress, the feet must be washed, dried thoroughly, apply oil (vegetable, olive, coconut) on top and put on the sock again - until morning.
Recipe 2 – fungus ointment
We will need:
- Vinegar 9% (half-liter bottle) or vinegar essence;
- butter - 30-40 g;
- egg in shell - 1 pc.
Place a plain egg with the shell in a jar of vinegar.If it is very dirty, it must be washed first.Leave in vinegar for 3-5 days.After 5 days it will become soft and the shell will completely dissolve.The only thing that doesn't dissolve is the egg film, which can, for example, wrap around the affected nail.However, we don't need it for the ointment.
- Remove the egg to a plate.The yolk should be almost boiled.If we use the essence, the yolk will be like a rubber ball.
- Rub well.
- Add butter.If we have essence, we will need more oil - 150 g.Stir everything well until smooth.
- Add a few drops of vinegar to the pulp.
- Apply to the entire foot, wrap with film and put on socks.
The ointment should be applied daily, walking with it for 1 to 2 hours in the morning or evening.The course of procedures lasts until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Both recipes are also suitable for treating nail fungus.
3 recipe using garlic
You can also cure foot fungus at home using garlic.
Finely grate the garlic and apply it to the feet affected by the fungus, then wrap the feet in cellophane and put on a sock.
This procedure may not be very comfortable and some may experience throbbing and cramping pain.Therefore, it is recommended to apply a compress at night.If the sensations are completely unpleasant, you can use onions instead of garlic.In fact, together they “work” even better.
Tips to Help You Recover Faster from Fungus
Before using any prescription or treatment method, you must:
- ironing bed linen, sheets, socks with a hot iron;
- Treat the inside of the shoes with a 40% acetic acid solution, place them in a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight.
These manipulations must be carried out at the beginning and end of treatment.If the treatment is long-term, it must be done monthly.
Preventing fungal infections
These rules will help you avoid getting a fungal infection, so they must be followed throughout your life.
- Don't wear someone else's shoes.
- Do not use other people's manicure devices.
- Wash your feet every day and dry your nails and the spaces between your toes well.
- Wear clean socks and tights every day.
When things are bad
Treating foot fungus at home and using folk remedies is the most convenient, safe and non-toxic way, but not always the most effective.It must be remembered that if relief does not occur, the disease progresses, so you should seek help from a specialist.In most cases, drug antifungal therapy is required, which consists of taking medications orally and using local antifungal drugs (ointments, creams).