Fungal infection can affect absolutely every part of the body.Fungi, like other bacteria and microorganisms, are always present in the human body and on its skin in strict balance.When the number of mushrooms for various reasons increases, infection can start.
Onychomycosis, also called fungal onichia, is a fungal infection that affects the nails either on the legs or on the hands.It develops slowly, so it is very difficult to notice signs of the disease at first.
Why is it developing?
The fungal nail infection begins from the moment when the number of fungi inside, under or on the nails increases sharply.The fungus loves a warm and humid environment, so during each appropriate environment they begin to multiply intensively.The nail fungus occurs due to the same fungi that cause borderlines with eczema, mycosis and cutting of lichen.
Mushrooms, calmly living and in the body of absolutely every person, can cause nail infection.If you are in contact with someone who has this disease, it can be handed over to you.According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fungal infections often affect the feet on the legs than on the hands, because the toes are more often in a warm and humid environment.
If you are used to doing a manicure and pedicure in the cabin, then it is worth understanding how staff disinfect the tools and how often it does.Goodbye cases for manicure and pedicure, such as plays and nails of the nails, can be a source of infection, which in any case, without appropriate disinfection, will be transmitted to another person.
Who can get infected?
There are many causes of fungal nail infection and each of them is treated in its own way.Most of these causes can naturally be prevented, but there are some factors that significantly increase the risk of this infection.The highest risk of developing nail fungus is people who:
- They are patients with diabetes;
- have a disease that weakens blood circulation;
- over 65 years;
- have above ground nails;
- Visit public bathrooms, swimming pools;
- have nail injury;
- are injured in the skin around the nails;
- The legs are constantly in moisture or constant sweat;
- have a weak immune system;
- They wear tight and tight shoes like tennis shoes and boots.
Fungal infection is more common in men than in women, and more often in the elderly than in children.If someone is sick in your family with a sponge, then you will most likely have it in the future.Older people have the most important risk of developing this infection as blood circulation worsens with age and nails grow more slowly and become more childish.
What does the nail fungus look like?
The fungal infection can affect part of the nail, the whole nail or a few nails at once.
Signs
The explicit symptoms of nail fungus are:
- Nail stratification, called pure grandmother hyperkeratosis;
- white or yellow stripes of the nail, which are called lateral onychomycosis;
- destroying edges of nails or angles called distal onychomycosis;
- Excessive white spots on the nails, after which the holes remain;
- the appearance of yellow spots near the hole of the nail, which is called proximal onychomycosis;
- Loss of the nail.
Common signs
The common symptoms of a fungal infection are considered:
- Deformation of the nails, the nail does not hold well in place;
- unpleasant odor of an infected nail;
- collapsing or bold nail.
How do I know if I have a nail sponge?
The only way to confirm the diagnosis is to consult a doctor, as some other infections can also affect the nails and have symptoms similar to fungi.In such cases, the nail is usually done, which is sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis and clarification of the diagnosis.
When is the time to see a doctor?
In most cases, nail sponge is considered a purely cosmetic problem.However, in some people, fungal infection can cause serious complications.So in people with diabetes, nail fungus can further lead to foot ulcers or other leg problems.According to the 2012 study, chronic toenail fungus is considered one of the main risk factors and a key condition for the development of bacterial cellulite of the feet.
Therefore, if you have diabetes or weakened immune system, you should not use home remedies to treat nail fungus.Contact your doctor for help to find out how to treat your fungus on your feet and how to treat.
How to cure your toenails?
Usually, overcomplex drugs are not recommended for the treatment of fungal nail infections as they do not produce reliable results.Instead, your doctor prescribes oral antifungal medicines.These drugs are very effective, but have many side effects of stomach disorder and dizziness to skin and jaundice problems.
You can use other antifungal agents such as antifungal lacquer or nail base.It is applied to the nail in the same way as ordinary nail polish.Depending on the type of fungus, as well as the degree of nail damage, this tool may need to be used for several months.
Unfortunately, treatment does not guarantee quickly to get rid of a fungal infection.In almost half of the cases, the nail fungus returns again.Complications are not excluded.Maybe therefore many people are more likely to resort to traditional medicine.
Folk remedies
The fungus of the toenails are not at all that you would like to see on your feet, especially in the summer during the season on the beach.So we decided to collect the 10 most popular and effective tools of traditional medicine to understand how to treat our toenails.
Snake Highlander extract
Snake Highlander extract is a natural antifungal agent.Highland of the snake refers to the plants of the Sunflower family.A study conducted in 2008 showed that the extract was also effective against the nail sponge, such as a cyclopirox medicine prescribed by the recipe.To get rid of the fungal foot infection with this method, you should stick to the following regimen: During the first month of treatment, apply an extract to the affected area every third day, in the second month twice a week and within the third month of 1 time a week.
Tea tree
Tea tree oil, also called melaleuka, is an essential oil that has an antifungal and antiseptic effect.It is also recommended for the treatment of nail fungus.You just have to apply tea tree oil directly on the inflammation nail twice a day with a cotton swab.
Oregano Oil
Ordinary oil contains thymol.Timol has an antifungal and antibacterial effect.To treat the fungus on your toenails, apply the oil twice a day with a cotton swab.Some people usually use 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
The active substance in the olive leaf extract is thought to have antifungal, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects.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 use of olive oil extract.Take 1-3 capsules with food 2 times a day.During treatment, drink plenty of fluids.
Ozone
Ozone oils, such as olives and sunflower, are obtained by saturation with gas ozone.According to a 2011 study, the effect of ozone at low concentrations over a short period of time can kill many microorganisms such as fungi, yeast and bacteria.Another study found that ozonated sunflower oil proved to be more effective in the treatment of a fungal infection of the nails on the legs than the antifungal remedy for ketoconazole sold according to the recipe.
To treat the fungus on your feet with ozonated oil, treat the nail twice a day.
Vinegar
There is no scientific evidence that vinegar helps in the treatment of fungi.However, this is a pretty safe home home that you can try.To do this, make baths with warm feet for the feet with vinegar, diluting 1 part vinegar in 2 parts water.The procedure should be performed daily for 20 minutes.
Oral freshener
The composition of the freshener includes menthol, thymol and eucalyptus, which have antibacterial and antifungal properties.Maybe that's why it is so popular with people in the treatment of nail fungus on the feet.You just have to hold a problem with your foot in a pool with a freshener 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 sliced garlic cloves to problem nails for 30 minutes each day.If you do not like the smell, you can try garlic capsules.Take strictly according to the instructions.
Make a diet adjustments
Our health depends on what you eat.The more useful the food you consume, the more likely your body is to deal with various adverse factors and diseases, including nail fungus.
Eat the food needed for the body for normal functioning, namely:
- Yogurt enriched with probiotics;
- Enough protein for normal nail growth;
- Enough iron to prevent the tenderness of the nails;
- food rich in essential fatty acids;
- Food rich in calcium and vitamin D (low -fat dairy products).
In this case, home remedies for home can be more effective than medicines released according to the recipe in the treatment of mild and moderate stages of the course of the disease.It is obvious that the means of traditional medicine have less side effects, but their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven.Many factors should be taken into account in the treatment of fungal nail infection, such as nail permeability, the seriousness of the disease and the general health.
Treatment with the help of traditional medicine usually lasts longer than medication treatment.The first results can only occur in a few months.It is often the case that the problem is back.
How to prevent 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 on time and keep them clean.Try not to damage the skin around your nails again.If the hands are often in contact with water, place rubber gloves.
Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from the fungus:
- Use regular antifungal sprays and powders;
- Wash your hands after contact with infected nails;
- Wipe your legs dry after shower, especially in the area between your toes;
- Make a manicure and pedicure in proven salons;
- Use only your manicure and pedicure tools;
- Wear socks for the season to prevent the skin from suffocating;
- Do not go barefoot in public places;
- Give up artificial nails and paint your nails with varnish.
What to expect in the future?
Don't expect an immediate result.In some people, treatment may not help immediately and will require several courses or replacement of the medicine.Fungal infection is considered to be cured only if a new nail has grown without signs of a fungus.But this does not guarantee that the fungal infection will no longer return.In more advanced cases, the nail is subjected to a constant infection with a fungus and will need to be removed.
The main complications of fungal infection are:
- re -infection;
- Removal of an infected nail, both once and forever;
- Avoiding the nail affected by the fungus;
- the spread of infection in other parts of the body and even in the blood;
- The development of a bacterial skin infection called cellulite.
In any case, you should consult a doctor, especially if you have diabetes and nail fungus.People with diabetes are at great risk of developing serious complications, so don't waste time and make a doctor.