When a fungal infection appears on the nails, attention must be paid to its restoration 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 in order to increase the effectiveness of manipulations, it is recommended to use folk remedies for nail fungus.
Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies
If an infection or damage to the nail plate is detected on the sensitive surface of the skin of the hands or feet, treatment should be started immediately, as the initial stage of the fungus can be quickly cured without medication.
There are three stages of fungal development: initial, active, and advanced.In all three stages, the girl can use folk remedies against nail fungus, as they have an antiseptic effect, which ensures the gradual destruction and destruction of pathogenic bacteria.However, with the active form of the fungus, drug treatment is prescribed, which includes two types of drugs:
- External (creams, ointments, sprays);
- Internal (tablets).
Regardless of what drugs you take to restore your natural manicure, you should 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 types of effects:
- Preventing the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
- The destruction of microorganisms, which involves the destruction of their cell membranes.
- Normalization and restoration of the surface microflora.
Basically, the natural ingredients have a nurturing effect, so their use simultaneously with the destruction of pathogenic bacteria helps to hydrate and nourish the matrix.
What determines the effectiveness of the treatment?
In order to increase the effectiveness of nail treatment, it is recommended to use traditional recipes.However, these do not always lead to a positive result.
Please remember in advance that even when performing home technologies to restore the health of the coating, you need to pay attention to contraindications.The most important thing is individual intolerance.If you are allergic to an ingredient, its use in the fight against fungus will not lead to good results.
In addition, the effect after manipulation depends on the initial state of the natural manicure.If the girl had an advanced stage of damage, which means prescribing internal and external drugs, 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 drugs.
How to properly organize the treatment process
In order to quickly remove the fungus, you must first pay attention to the treatment regimen.We recommend that you consult your doctor to choose the right medicine for you based on the type of fungus.
However, regardless of the form of damage, it is important to consider that the treatment must be comprehensive.You can't have just one method to get rid of fungus.
As a standard, several techniques are used simultaneously:
- Preliminary preparation of the skin for manipulation with a steam bath.
- Application of external medicines (lacquers, ointments, serums).
- Use of medicated compresses, lotions or masks on nails.
- Using a file, remove the overgrown part of the free edge and polish the top horn layer.
In addition, during treatment, you should take care of the hygiene of your hands or feet, as this often leads to nail plate fungus.
In order to increase local immunity, by accelerating the metabolism and removing the fungus, essential oils should be applied to the cuticle, and when applying ointments, a light massage should be performed on the fingers.
Folk remedies against nail fungus
In addition to drug treatment, it is recommended to influence the fungus using folk recipes.Their main advantage is that they are safe, so they usually have no side effects.
However, keep in mind that in order to prevent irritation or inflammation in the treated area, make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the ingredients you are using.
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 the normalization of the microflora of the nail.
Its use is allowed in its pure form.To do this, use a brush or cotton pad to spread the solution in a thin layer on your nails every day and let it dry a little.By morning, the color will be lighter as most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Iodine is often added to baths to enhance the effectiveness of antifungal treatments.To 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 mild 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 skin of your feet or hands.
- Wrap the area to be treated with a cotton cloth previously soaked in the solution.
- Cover the poultice with a plastic bag or cling film.
- After 15 minutes, remove the auxiliary elements and wait until the solution is completely absorbed.
Since hydrogen peroxide is gentle, it can be used several times a day.However, it is not recommended to leave it as a poultice overnight.
Potassium permanganate solution
Potassium permanganate is not easy to obtain now, because it is prohibited, but it is a good disinfectant that quickly stops the growth of microorganisms on the surface.
Potassium permanganate, like iodine, is used as an additional component when taking steam baths.You need to add a little to make the water slightly pink.
You can make creams by mixing three ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of propolis;
- 2 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 3-4 drops of potassium permanganate.
Mix the mixture thoroughly and spread it on the fungal nails for 20-25 minutes.
Soda and propolis
The components can be used separately, as they have strong antiseptic properties, or in a recipe.
To do this, mix it in equal proportions, apply it to the damaged area of the skin or nail, and wrap it on top with adhesive film.Leave the poultice on for 15 minutes, then wash off with cold water.
Propolis is distributed separately on the nails at night, touching the area of the lateral ribs and cuticles, as it also has moisturizing and nourishing properties, increasing local immunity.
Herbs
Despite their availability and gentle effect on tissues, herbs are often used to remove fungi.The more herbs you mix, the more effective the solution will be.
The use of most pharmaceutical herbs is allowed:
- marigold;
- Chamomile;
- St. John's wort;
- Propolis;
- Burdock;
- Pale purple.
They can be used as a regular decoction.To do this, pour boiling water and cook for 20 minutes, then filter.The cooled liquid is transferred to a cotton pad, applied to the fingertips and fixed with glue for half an hour.
Application of essential oils
In addition to their 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;
- St. John's wort;
- Rosemary;
- Lavender.
You can also use ordinary cooking oils - butter, vegetable, olive oil.They will also be effective against microorganisms.
We recommend that you apply them separately, spreading a thin layer over the nails at night.You can wear cotton gloves or socks on top to avoid soiling the bedding.
Tar soap
The soap contains tar, so it has an aggressive effect on fungal nail infections.
Soap should be used in its pure form - for this, wash your feet or hands until a thick lather is formed, then wash it off.You can also make a poultice by 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 overnight.
You can use laundry soap instead of tar soap, but it must have an active ingredient concentration of 72%.
Kombucha
Kombucha is often used in the presence of inflammatory processes in the body or externally.It is safe and there is usually no allergic reaction to the ingredient.
For compression, you need to cut a thin slice of the ingredient - it should be slightly translucent, then apply it to the cleaned nail and fix it with an adhesive patch.After that, we put cotton gloves on our hands and socks on our feet, and leave the cream in this position overnight.
You can use recipes that use kombucha every day.
Folk recipes
In addition to using the natural ingredients separately for baths or poultices, you can also make homemade masks, ointments or serums.It takes more time, but they help to create a strong antibacterial effect, which allows you to stop using drugs.
Applications with vinegar essence
Antifungal recipes usually use table vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or wine vinegar.However, when treating advanced forms of nail damage, you can use vinegar essence, which kills some pathogenic microorganisms during the 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.
Mix the components thoroughly, cool down a bit and apply to the nails, wrapping gauze on top.After 15 minutes, the previous mixture dries and a second compaction is applied.
The remaining mixture can be stored in the refrigerator, and the procedure is carried out no more than twice a week.
Ointment with o-phthalic acid dimethyl ester, glycerin and vinegar
This recipe also contains vinegar essence with a concentration of 70%.For this reason, the recipe is not recommended in the initial stages of a fungal infection, as well as on the sensitive skin around the nail.
The ointment contains four ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar;
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil;
- 1 teaspoon o-phthalic acid dimethyl ester;
- A chicken egg or a teaspoon of glycerin.
Mix the components thoroughly, it is advisable to beat them with a blender, and then put them in a dark, cool place for a day.After that, the ointment is distributed 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 poultice can also be used to treat advanced forms of lesions, as the main ingredients are mixed with alcohol, which has a strong antiseptic effect.
The recipe consists of 4 ingredients:
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- Half an onion;
- One tablespoon of alcohol 90%;
- A glass of distilled water.
Grate the garlic and onion on a fine grater, then squeeze out the juice with a cheese cloth.The mass is then mixed with alcohol and water.After preparation, you can store the product in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
The cotton pads are soaked in the liquid, then applied to the nail and fixed with glue for 25-30 minutes.
Celandine decoction
It is recommended to use a mixture of herbs against the fungus, and celandine is one of the most effective types, which ensures the restoration of the nail microflora.
To prepare celandine decoction, pour boiling water in a ratio of 1:5 for half an hour, then filter and cool.Cotton balls are soaked in the decoction and placed on the fungal areas for several hours or overnight.
You can use the recipe every day as it is completely safe.
Ointment based on copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is a chemical used for cosmetic purposes to nourish the natural manicure and prevent the re-growth of the fungus.
However, remember that you can't use it often, as the plant is poisonous, so exceeding the dose can lead to the destruction of nails and skin irritation.
Vitriol should be used with caution:
- Clean the surface, prepare it for work.
- Apply the concentrate to the coating and wait for it to harden.
- Grate the onion on a fine grater and spread the pulp on your nails.
- Wrap your fingertips in cellophane and secure.
- Wash off the solution after 6-7 hours.
To ensure the safety of its effects, vitriol should not be used more than 2 times a week.
Baths with sea salt and essential oils
Before almost any antifungal treatment, it is recommended to take a steam bath so that the applied product penetrates the structure faster, which leads to a positive result.
You can add auxiliary components to baths that increase their efficiency.Salt and oils are often used for this:
- Add a tablespoon of sea salt to a glass of boiling water and dissolve.
- After the liquid has cooled to the optimal temperature, add 5-6 drops of essential oil (several types can be added).
- Soak your feet or hands in the solution for 20 minutes.
- After bathing, dry the skin with a dry towel and apply an antifungal ointment.
A bath is allowed every day in order to quickly remove the fungus.
Conclusions
To remove the fungus, doctors prescribe the usual medical treatment, which includes the use of ointments, creams and tablets.However, some lesions can be eliminated with folk remedies, while at the same time they increase local immunity.However, be careful when using homemade solutions as they have health and dosage restrictions.