According to research, every third person is confronted with nail fungus diseases. In addition, a few decades ago, the fungus on the nails was quite rare.
According to the researchers, the disease has gained such prevalence due to the advantages of civilization: the high availability of swimming pools, public saunas, gyms - which were created to improve human health. But when building muscle mass or losing excess weight, a person rarely pays attention to the threat standing next to him: pathogenic fungi just waiting to become one with the new "master".
The consequences (not only of an aesthetic nature) are not long in coming. Darkened, loose, peeling nails, an unpleasant smell from feet and shoes are far from the worst manifestations of the disease. Without treatment, the fungus can spread to neighboring areas of the body, reducing local immunity and promoting secondary infections - the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into tissues and blood, and also cause infection of others. The patient's family members are at risk - people whose skin comes in contact with surfaces that leave microscopic particles of infected skin. For this reason, it is a good idea to get yourself an effective home remedy for nail fungus, especially if you visit the gym, swimming pools and other public places where the chances of getting infected with a fungus are high.
So what are the best remedies for nail fungus that modern pharmaceutical industry and traditional medicine offer us?
The best remedies for toenail fungus
Solution based on naftifine
The active substance of the drug - naftifine - has a high "cumulative" effect. This means that when using the drug, naftifine accumulates in the tissues of the nail plate and gradually reaches its maximum concentration, which is harmful to fungi. The excipients that make up the drug facilitate the penetration of naftifine into the nail tubes, through which the fungus actually spreads.
Advantages. In addition to the antifungal effect, the drug prevents secondary infection of the affected tissues, relieves itching, and in a short time relieves the inflammatory processes provoked by a fungal infection.
Disadvantages. Clinical trials of the drug that would confirm or refute its safety have not yet been conducted. Therefore, today the drug is contraindicated for the treatment of children, pregnant and lactating women, as well as people with intolerance to any component of this drug.
Class. The complex action of the drug is its only, albeit significant, advantage, which earned the drug 9 out of 10 points in the ranking of the best remedies for nail fungus.
From the reviews: "I treated the fungus on my nails and on the skin between my fingers. Honestly, the fungus is survivable, but not the itch it causes. This drug literally got rid of the itch in a day, although the actual fungus was treated according to the instructions - until the nail grew completely.
Drugs based on ketoconazole
The active ingredient - ketoconazole - has a strong antifungal effect and is effective against most yeast-like, mold and other fungi. Ketoconazole penetrates into the nail tissue affected by the fungus, disrupts the metabolism of these organisms and destroys their cell membrane, which becomes a stopping factor for the formation of fungal colonies and their further reproduction.
Advantages. High effectiveness is confirmed by clinical studies, but the percentage of healing of nail lesions was considered last: the main focus was on fungal diseases of the skin. For this reason, it is difficult to say whether the cream is as effective in onychomycosis as it is in scalp seborrhea. What has really been proven, however, is that when the cream is applied locally, its active ingredients are not detectable in the blood, even if the product is used for a long time. Therefore, this cream is permissible for the treatment of lactating, pregnant women and people with kidney and liver diseases.
Disadvantages. A not very convenient scheme for using the cream (twice a day) in combination with its consistency - not thick and oily - can be difficult. This is especially true for those being treated on the go or away from home.
Class. In general, the drug deserves 10 out of 10 points. But too few large-scale clinical studies on the topic that interests us here and now - the treatment of nail fungus - still lower their rating. Therefore we will stop at 9 points.
From the reviews: "I liked the shampoo with ketoconazole when I was treating seborrhea on an oily scalp. So when I discovered the fungus on my nails, I immediately bought the cream of the same name. I haven't noticed any obvious results on the nail yet - I only started the treatment a week ago but the skin around the nail started to look healthier. "
Terfinafine-based drugs
The active ingredient - terbinafine - inhibits the growth and activity of various types of fungi, including those that cause nail damage. With the correct use of the drug according to the instructions, a concentration of terbinafine is created in the nail, which for a long time prevents re-infection.
Advantages. The convenience of the drug lies in the ability to choose a dosage form in the form of a spray, solution, gel or cream. All forms of release are equally effective. With proper use of the drug, obvious improvements are observed after 2 weeks.
Disadvantages. The quality treatment that this remedy offers is due to the powerful effects of terbinafine. But precisely for this reason, the treatment of nail fungus is contraindicated in lactating women, pregnant women and in children under 12 years old.
Class. One of the best remedies for nail fungus, popular around the world, but requires strict adherence to the "rules of the game". Deserves 10 out of 10 points.
From the reviews: "I think that the price of the drug is too high, although it is very convenient to use it in the form of a spray. The fungus passed as the nail grew, I used the solution for about a month.
The best varnishes for nail fungus
Varnishes for the treatment of nail fungus use different active substances, and the cost of such preparations varies greatly.
Advantages. Each of the active ingredients - amorolfine, ciclopiroxolamine, etc. - is a powerful antifungal drug that inhibits the growth and activity of fungi. The convenience of using varnishes leaves no doubt - regular or one-time treatment of the affected nail before the first (or each) use of the product, and after that it remains only to follow the instructions: "tint" the nail once or twice a day oreven once a week.
Disadvantages. Unfortunately, with all the effectiveness of the antifungal substances that make up the varnishes, they are ineffective in deep fungal infections, as well as in the localization of the fungus under the nail plate. This disadvantage is partially offset by the nail's ability to accumulate drugs that spread more deeply over time. But even taking this into account, there is no guarantee that the fungus will not appear "out of nowhere" a few months after the end of the treatment. It is known from where: from the areas of the nail where the active substances could not penetrate.
Class. The inability to predict the effectiveness of the treatment immediately deprives even the best nail fungus treatment varnishes of several rating points. Those who visit public swimming pools, saunas and fitness studios will be interested in the "double" rating of varnishes: we give them 7 out of 10 points for treating and 10 out of 10 points for preventing nail fungus.
Tea tree oil is the best home remedy for toenail fungus
The composition of tea tree oil includes terpenes, which serve as the basis for the antiseptic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of the agent. And viridoflorene, the most powerful antimicrobial substance, has only been found in tea tree oil, making it truly unique.
Advantages. Due to the 100% natural origin of the oil, it can be indicated in the treatment of fungal diseases of the nails and skin of the feet, also in pregnant women, nursing mothers and children. It has a pronounced antifungal effect, inhibits the growth of fungi and, due to the antimicrobial effect, does not allow secondary infection of areas weakened by the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms.
Disadvantages. A strong odor that some describe as pleasant and fresh, while others find it a bit "medicinal". The spectrum of action of tea tree oil is wide, but some species of fungi are resistant to viridoflora, which makes this remedy useless in the treatment of a number of fungal infections. Also, the oil is not recommended for people with individual intolerance to the components of this product.
Class. The almost complete absence of contraindications, effectiveness, complex action - all this allows us to call tea tree oil the best folk remedy for nail fungus and give it 10 points out of 10.
From the reviews: "I had to treat a recurring fungus on my legs during pregnancy. I was afraid to use synthetic preparations, I preferred tea tree oil. I can say that I have never had a better remedy for nail fungus in my hands: from the "root" the nail began to grow evenly and pink. Now I constantly disinfect street and indoor shoes with this oil from the inside - got the fungusI already forgot for 7 years.
What do you have to consider when treating nail fungus?
The effectiveness of remedies against nail fungus can be significantly increased if you use the following "tricks":
Before applying the product, wash your feet thoroughly in moderately warm water with soap (it is better to use baby or regular linen), then change the water to hot and steam the affected nail for at least 5-7 minutes. Such a procedure "opens" the cells of the nail, which allows the varnish or cream to penetrate deeper into the tissues. Just do not forget that hot foot baths are contraindicated for varicose veins, hypotension and increased body temperature. Make sure the ingrown nail is cut off in time. The protruding, "free" part of the nail plate should be removed during regrowth to free access of the drug to the soft tissues of the nail bed. Treat not only the nail, but also the areas of healthy tissue surrounding it.
Attention! There are contraindications, you need to consult a specialist
Today, the pharmacy network presents a wide range of modern products for the treatment of nail fungus - tablets, creams, gels, varnishes. At the same time, mankind has gained great experience in fighting this disease using natural, natural medicines. Let's consider the most effective of them.
garlic and onion
To treat nail fungus with garlic at home, you need only a few cloves of this plant. You can remove the mycosis of the nail plate with pap or garlic juice. First you need to steam your nails well so that they become soft. Garlic is crushed and gruel is applied to the dry surface of the nail plate. A bandage is applied at the top or fingertips applied. The product is left overnight and washed off with soapy water in the morning. The procedure is carried out every other day until the fungus is completely cured.
Treatment with garlic juice is also carried out after a foot bath. The juice is rubbed into the nails and left to dry. How to quickly cure onychomycosis with garlic? Traditional healers say that fighting the disease can take up to two months.
What is the easiest way to remove a fungal nail infection? Phytotherapists claim that this disease can be cured quite easily and quickly using onions even at home. Grate the onion and squeeze the juice. It is necessary to treat the affected areas with juice and let the nails dry. No rinsing necessary!
When treating with onions, onion skins can come in handy. Numerous recipes allow you to prepare onion oil or tincture for lubricating nails. To get onion oil you need to do the following:
Grind two tablespoons of zest. Pour the peel with vegetable oil (three tablespoons). Leave for three weeks. Shake the container regularly.
This remedy is applied to the nails three times a day.
To make onion tincture yourself at home, you need to chop 4 tablespoons of onion peel. Add a glass of vodka. Insist in a cool place without access to light for two weeks.
Lubricate the nails with this drug four times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.
The use of copper sulfate
Copper sulfate is a crystal containing sulfur, copper, and oxygen. Traditional healers have been using this remedy in the fight against nail fungus for two hundred years.
Important! It is necessary to use vitriol for medicinal purposes with great caution, since the drug can be harmful to health.
The substance is able to penetrate the skin, so in its pure form it can only be applied to the nail plate.
Copper sulfate is very dangerous when ingested or inhaled. Prolonged skin contact can cause severe allergic reactions. In case of eye contact - conjunctivitis.
Copper sulfate is used to prepare a foot bath. It is necessary to treat the disease according to this scheme: dissolve a teaspoon of vitriol in a liter of water at room temperature. Better not to use metal utensils! The solution is poured into a basin of water with a tablespoon of the product per 1. 5 liters of liquid. Duration of acceptance - 10 - 25 minutes. Copper sulfate can cause skin tingling. If there is severe discomfort, you need to stop the procedure and wash your feet. Wash your feet with warm water. Apply an antifungal ointment to the nails.
Traditional medicine claims that copper sulfate is an effective remedy that can cure a fungal disease at home. But don't forget to take precautions! It is not recommended to use vitriol to treat children and pregnant women, as well as breastfeeding.
How to be treated with salt and soda
Salt is a fairly popular and effective tool in the fight against onychomycosis. You can use it in its pure form, prepare a therapeutic solution for lubricating nails or take a foot bath.
Salt has a negative effect on the fungus, drying it out and preventing it from spreading.
At home, you can treat the symptoms of the disease with both ordinary table salt and sea salt. The easiest way to use salt to fight nail fungus is with regular salt baths. For the procedure, you need to add salt to the water at the rate of one tablespoon of salt per liter of liquid. It is better to add a little potassium permanganate. Duration of acceptance - 15 - 20 minutes. A fungal disease can be cured in a week, but the procedures must be continued for at least 10 days. It is worth noting that salt is effective at the initial stage of the lesion. In more advanced cases, this method must be supplemented with antifungal ointments.
Folk methods of preparing brine are very diverse. According to one of them, salt and vinegar are needed to prepare the bath. Dissolve 100 grams of sea or common salt in 4 liters of water. Add 4 tablespoons of vinegar to the solution. The duration of the procedure is 10-20 minutes. Cut off the loose part of the nail plate.
It is necessary to treat the fungus until it completely disappears.
An effective tool in the fight against onychomycosis is sea salt. It is necessary to prepare a concentrated solution - a spoonful of sea salt per 200 ml of water. A cotton swab is abundantly moistened with this solution and applied to the affected nails for 3-5 minutes. Each panel requires a separate applicator. After the procedure, the feet are rinsed with water and soda. Even if the symptoms have disappeared, you need to continue treating the nails for 10 days.
In advanced cases, salt alone cannot remove the fungus. To prepare the bath, it is supplemented with essential oil (per liter of water): sea salt - 1. 5 tablespoons; tea tree oil - 1 teaspoon; Instead of oil, you can use freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 teaspoon) or iodine (0. 25 ml).
Onychomycosis must be treated according to the following scheme: dissolve salt in hot water, observing the proposed proportions. Add essential oil or any other ingredient of your choice. Baths are taken daily for 15 - 20 minutes. The course lasts 10 days, after which you need to take a break for a few days.
At home, salt treatment can be supplemented with garlic. To prepare the product you need to do the following: prepare a saline solution - a tablespoon of salt per glass of liquid. Put a chopped garlic clove in hot salted water. Let the mixture cool and strain. Add 4 tablespoons of salt.
Dampen a cotton swab with garlic water and gently treat sore nails. Such treatment with salt is carried out in the morning and in the evening for at least 10 days.
Salt is also used to treat household and other shoes. The insoles and the inside of the shoes are rubbed with a saturated saline solution to kill the fungus and its spores.
birch tar
At home, nail fungus can be treated with tar. Birch tar is a dark green, oily substance derived from wood. Treatment with this remedy is effective at the initial stage of onychomycosis, and the advanced form requires the use of additional antifungal drugs.
Birch tar can be used during pregnancy and lactation. Recipes for using this remedy are different, but most recommend starting the tar treatment with steaming of the legs. Baths with laundry soap have the best effect. The procedure is as follows:
In a bowl of hot water, dissolve the laundry soap grated on a coarse grater. Take a bath for 15 minutes. Cut off as much of the fungus-affected areas as possible. wipe your feet dryApply tar to nails, toes and feet.
The procedures are repeated daily. Treatment continues until symptoms are completely eliminated.
At home, onychomycosis is effectively treated by combining tar soap and soda. The method is as follows: rub soap on a coarse grater. Dilute it slightly with water to get a thick slurry. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to the mixture and stir. Rub this ointment into the nail plates daily.
At home, this remedy will help get rid of nail fungus in a week. The launched form takes two or more weeks.
Folk recipes for ointments that help against onychomycosis often contain birch tar. Here is the simplest of them: prepare a fat base - a neutral cream or visceral fat. Add birch tar to the base. Initially, the ratio of tar and cream should be 5 and 95%. Then the tar volume is adjusted to 20%.
The ointment is rubbed into the nail plates every evening.
At home, nail fungus can be treated with an ointment made from the following components: birch tar - 3 teaspoons; fat base - 10 teaspoons; Sulfur powder - 2 teaspoons.
All ingredients are heated and thoroughly mixed. Such an ointment with tar is applied to the nails and fixed with a plaster.
Tar is used to make porridge at home. To do this, you will need the following components: birch tar - 50 ml; alcohol - 70 ml; Glycerin - 50 ml.
All components must be mixed, preferably in a container with dark walls. The solution is stored without access to light. This remedy is applied to the nails several times a day.
Birch tar can be used to disinfect shoes.
use of urea
What folk remedy can get rid of a nail fungus disease as quickly as possible? Urea is a chemical compound capable of removing water from all tissues of the body. And the fungus cannot develop without moisture, so eventually it dies. The most effective pharmacy antifungal ointments contain urea in their composition. But at home you can prepare a medicine based on it.
Urea is added to the thick fat cream. The resulting mass is applied to the nails and left for a day. Then the product is washed off and the affected part of the nail plate is removed. After that, you need to apply an iodine solution to the nails for 5 days. The initial form is treated in about a week, and the advanced stage requires repeating the procedure.
Simple medicines from the first aid kit: potassium permanganate and peroxide
What drugs are the easiest to remove from nail fungus? At home, treating fungal nail infections with peroxide is effective. To take a foot bath, you need to prepare an aqueous solution of peroxide - add 8 tablespoons of peroxide to three liters of hot water. The duration of the procedure is no more than 5 minutes. Then a slurry of peroxide and soda is applied to the nails.
At home, potassium permanganate is suitable for preparing a steam bath. Potassium permanganate powder is added to water. The duration of the procedure is at least 10 minutes. For two liters of water you need to add 2 - 3 pinches of potassium permanganate. It is better not to increase the dosage so that the potassium permanganate solution does not burn the skin. After the bath, cut off the affected nails and apply an ointment against nail fungus.
herbal treatment
Some herbs also have powerful antifungal properties. Golden mustache can also effectively treat onychomycosis at home. Application of the juice of this herb helps soften the nail and facilitate the penetration of the drug into the plate. Golden mustache is crushed until juice appears. The resulting slurry is applied to the nails and a compress made of polyethylene and a bandage. In the morning, the compress is removed and the affected areas are cut off. The initial form of the disease is treated in about a week.
At home, herbal teas help well in the fight against nail fungus. Most often, their recipes based on celandine include:
Grind meadowsweet (1 tablespoon) and celandine (2 tablespoons). Pour boiling water over the herbs. Insist for half an hour and strain yourself.
Cotton applicators are moistened with infusion and applied to steamed nails. Home treatment should be continued for at least 14 days.
To quickly cure nail fungus, you can take a bath with celandine. To do this, you need to prepare an infusion of dry grass:
Pour boiling water over celandine in the following proportions: a liter of water per 100 grams of vegetable raw materials. stay covered for 20 minutes. Burden.
An infusion of celandine is added in equal parts to water. The duration of the procedure is up to 25 minutes.
Unusual Salve
Recipes for home remedies for onychomycosis are sometimes unusual. Traditional healers claim that the disease can be cured with one egg in a week. The ointment is prepared in this way:
Wash one raw chicken egg and put in a half-liter jar. Pour 70% vinegar essence into a jar so that the egg is covered with liquid. Place the jar in the refrigerator and keep it there until the peel dissolves. Mix the solution with 200g of butter or other fat.
The ointment is applied to the nails and socks are put on.