Any fungal disease has an infectious soil. That is, it is caused by pathogenic fungi, which most often affect the skin or nails (the nail plates, in essence, are modified, keratinized skin). But, if fungal soft tissue lesions (including the skin) can be treated without special problems, if chosen correctly, then nail fungus is treated with much more difficulty and for longer. In particular, if you are running, that is, for a long time no one has given due attention to the disease, hoping that "it will go away anyway". So, instead of treating a neglected and ingrained disease, it is much better to suppress it in the early stages of development. And even more ideal is to prevent infection! This article will help you with that.
The legs are no less aesthetically important part of the body than the arms, or even the face. Especially in the hot season, when open shoes and the beach season arrive.
But, at a time when for some they become objects of pride and even general admiration, for others they can cause the strongest aesthetic discomfort.
It's all about the fungus. By affecting the nail plates of the feet, one by one, it makes them not only unattractive, but aesthetically unacceptable.
The legs change color and structure, lose their integrity and can emit a foul odor. All of these are results of the activity of pathogenic fungi. This cannot be allowed!
And the first thing that needs to be done is to assimilate information about exactly where this disease can be detected.
Yeast infection methods
Because it is an infection, the infection itself occurs when in contact with it: either with the direct carrier, or else - with the place where it touched. That is, you can be infected:
- In the bathroom, bath or pool.
- When wearing shoes, socks or other items from a sick person.
- With direct (physical) body contact with him.
- At the gym or on the river and so on.
If the situation has already occurred, it is important to know how to get rid of nail fungus at home. It is important to know what pharmaceutical preparations are.
How does nail fungus infection occur?
There are many forms of infection. And if the mushrooms enter a humid and warm environment, then, for some time, they can reproduce even in it, outside of their biological carrier, which will only increase their population (concentration) in this particular location and significantly increase the risk ofinfection of a healthy person in contact with such a place.
Therefore, if you visit public places, especially those whose examples were given above, always pay attention to the quality of their cleaning, the degree of disinfection and the level of service provided in general.
And one more important point: monitor your own hygiene (foot hygiene) carefully.
After all, even if the mushrooms come to you, you have up to 24 hours to get rid of them, without negative consequences for your health in general.
Therefore, it is recommended to carry out preventive procedures whenever you are at risk (after going to the gym, sauna, contact with a sick person, etc. ). Choose the one that best suits you.
The best remedy for nail fungus
Speaking of how to get rid of nail fungus, one cannot fail to mention folk remedies, along with the medicines that have been used for a long time by different generations.
1. Acetic acid (9%)
This is common table vinegar. For 1 liter of clean warm water, take 30, and for the hardened skin of the legs - 45 milliliters of vinegar, dissolve in water and soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes.
After that, if you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to rinse it under warm running water and dry well.
After that, you can apply a nourishing moisturizing cream to your feet, or a special antifungal prophylactic cream, or a remedy in another way.
2. Preparations
You can also use antifungals, as well as their analogues, after any situation that increases the risk of your infection.
And yet, it will be better, in terms of safety, if you use medicines from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry after pre-treating your feet with one of the products prepared according to popular recipes, as in paragraph number 1, or inthe following paragraphs. . .
3. Hydrogen peroxide
You can buy it at almost any pharmacy. For 1 liter of warm water, you will need about 15 milliliters of peroxide. Apply in the same way as vinegar. It is not advisable to use such procedures more often than once every 3-4 days.
4. Tea tree oil
It can be used pure (if your body accepts it well) or diluted (for 1 liter of water - up to 20 drops of oil).
In its pure form, the oil is applied to the foot, especially with care - on the nail plates and the area around them. You do not need to wash it. If you decide to use the oil diluted in water, you can do this once every two days.
It is necessary to keep your feet in the solution for up to 20 minutes. Before using undiluted oil, the feet should be sprayed in warm water, preferably with the addition of small amounts of washing powder.
5. Strong and natural coffee
A very unusual method, considering the fact that you shouldn't drink coffee, but keep your feet on it. It turns out that this drink, enjoyed by many, has pronounced antifungal properties.
Do you want your feet to smell more pleasantly of coffee and not be susceptible to yeast infections?
Then, keep your feet in strong natural coffee for 15-17 minutes. The procedure can be performed daily. The coffee should be slightly warm, but not hot!
Prevention measures
Thus, from the above, you can draw several conclusions that will certainly help in prevention:
- Avoid visiting potentially dangerous locations (in terms of contamination).
- If the first rule has been overlooked - take all measures to reduce the risk of fungi (vinegar, peroxide, coffee and so on).
But, and that is not all! These tips will help you to protect yourself even more and complete the big picture of prevention:
- Strengthen your immune system in accessible ways: spend more time outdoors, avoid serious stressful situations, eat rationally.
- Get enough sleep and rest, exercise or keep fit.
Always wear clean, fresh shoes, socks, never borrow from other people, observe foot prevention (it is advisable to wash them with household or special bactericidal soap, which will also help in fighting, preventing fungi).
Shoes can also be treated (about once a week) with a special antifungal agent, or with vinegar, peroxide dissolved in water (if that doesn't damage the shoes).
At least once every six months, visit a dermatologist for preventive exams!
How to get rid of nail fungus with medications
Despite the high efficacy of folk remedies currently available in the arsenal of alternative medicine, the resources produced in pharmaceutical factories according to modern recipes are in high demand.
And last but not least - thanks to its really obvious and proven effectiveness.
Let's take a look at the most popular, safe and fast. They come in a variety of forms. Most of the time, they are ointments, creams, sprays.
And also - it can be applied externally and externally. If the fungus is neglected, it is best to combine the use of internal medications with the use of external agents.
A qualified doctor will undoubtedly help you choose the best option for your combination. Let's consider what options there are in general.
- Oral medications (for oral administration). They, as a rule, are not used for prophylaxis, but are used for high-quality treatment of the fungus.
- Healing liquid. This is already quite old, but nevertheless, it has proved its effectiveness, kind of. Now it is not as popular as, say, several decades ago. But, some pharmacies still make this liquid when requested - with a prescription. It can be used both for prevention (occasionally) and for treatment.
- Necklace. This drug, in general, does not have a direct destructive effect on pathogenic fungi and harmful microflora. But, it excludes its reproduction, since it deprives them completely of a nutrient medium: the legs, with the regular use of this paste, do not sweat.
- Special antifungal varnishes for nails. Today they are an alternative remedy to many drugs, as they allow you to avoid infections and, at the same time, take care of your nails.
- Sprays for prophylaxis. They can be used both for treatment and to prevent the development of a disease. But, if you used the medicine for prophylaxis, you need to follow the full shortened course, otherwise, the next time, the medicine may be ineffective.
Disinfection of shoes for nail fungus
This is one of the important points: the shoes must always be dry and clean. It needs to be cleaned, washed and dried in time. The sprays above can be used to treat the inside of the shoe.
Above in the article, advice was given on how to treat it with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solutions. You must have several pairs of shoes for the season so that you can exchange them for the next one while the previous one is in the disinfection phase.
Prevention is very important to keep nails healthy. But, if you notice signs of infection: the nail plate has become thinner or, on the contrary, has thickened, changed color, started to exfoliate and so on, then it is advisable to talk about the treatment.
But remember that the best remedy for nail fungus is to prevent it from appearing. Folk remedies will help you with this.
Check all medications with your doctor.
Take care of yourself and your health. Be healthy!