The treatment of nail fungus and athlete's foot can be carried out at home and with home remedies if the disease has not yet progressed.There are proven and traditional medicine recipes that are simple and easy to prepare.If you follow the instructions methodically and carefully, it is quite possible to get rid of an unpleasant disease.
Fungal infection of the skin and nails of the feet is not just an aesthetic problem.If this problem is not addressed in time, it can cause serious problems to human health.That is why various types of treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies are so popular today.We will look at the easiest and safest recipes that can be prepared at home.
Manifestations of athlete's foot disease
The fungus often affects the skin of the legs, feet and between the toes - it is called athlete's foot.But in the vast majority of cases, fungal infections settle on the nail plates, which in the scientific world is called onychomycosis.
How do you recognize nail fungus?
Nail fungus is characterized by the fact that it is mainly localized on two fingers - the big and little fingers.The nails on these fingers become uneven, lumpy, and have dull white or yellowish spots.If the disease progresses for a long time, the nail plate in the area of the spots can detach from the nail bed.It is completely deformed and tends to grow in.
Manifestations of athlete's foot
Redness appears on the foot, followed by peeling, itching (from mild to severe), pustular rashes, hyperhidrosis and an unpleasant odor.Cracks and peeling also often occur on the heels.
Risk factors for the development of fungi
- impaired metabolism;
- increased body weight, diabetes mellitus;
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Thyroid and adrenal gland problems;
- skin diseases (psoriasis);
- insufficient blood flow to the extremities;
- diseases related to the immune system;
- increased sweating (including feet);
- family history;
- Age.
Before you start treating the fungus at home
In order for the treatment to be effective, the following must be done:
- Before any action, you should first steam your feet in hot soapy and soda water (50°C).The bath lasts between 15 minutes and an hour (for very hard nails).
- Treat the instruments you are using with alcohol and the surgical area with a product containing chlorine or bleach.
- If the nail plates are affected by the fungus, cut or file the affected nails.
- Exfoliate dead skin on feet.
Remember:Areas affected by fungus should not be lubricated with moisturizers!
Fungus on toenails: treatment with folk remedies
Undoubtedly, a mycologist will prescribe you the most effective treatment.However, if the condition of the legs is not yet very advanced and the disease has not progressed far, you can try the following folk recipes.
1 recipe with apple cider vinegar
We 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 cling film and walk for 3 hours every day.We carry out these procedures until we notice that a new, clean plate is growing.
Recipe 2 – a mixture of essential oils and olive oils
We need:
- tea tree oil or oregano oil (1 tsp);
- Olive oil (½ tsp).
Mix both ingredients and apply to nails affected by fungus.Let them dry naturally.The procedure should be performed morning and evening until symptoms subside.
Recipe 3 – Treatment with celandine
Another folk remedy for toenail fungus is celandine.This plant is poisonous and must therefore be used in doses.But it is also said to help with advanced nail fungus.We need celandine juice.
How to prepare celandine juice
Freshly picked, washed and dried celandine is passed through a meat grinder.The pulp is transferred to gauze, folded in 3-4 layers and squeezed.We need 200 ml of juice mixed with 200 ml of 70% alcohol.The liquid is infused for a day.
The resulting tincture, after steaming, should be used to wipe the affected nails.Carry out the procedure 3-4 times a day until a healthy nail grows.
Athlete's foot: treatment at home
Now let's look at some proven recipes that will help cope with athlete's foot.
1 recipe with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
We need:
- baking powder (2-5 tsp);
- 3% hydrogen peroxide – you need enough of this to make a liquid paste.
Put the paste on a cotton pad and apply to the affected skin areas (including the heel).We wrap everything with a bag or cling film and put a sock on top.The more advanced the form of the disease, the longer you need to keep the compress - at least up to 30 minutes.After removing the compress, the feet must be washed, dried well, oil (vegetable, olive, coconut) applied to them and the sock put on again - until the morning.
Recipe 2 – ointment against fungus
We need:
- 9% vinegar (½ liter jar) or vinegar essence;
- butter - 30-40 g;
- Egg with shell - 1 pc.
Place a plain egg with shell in a jar of vinegar.If it is very dirty, it should be washed first.Leave it in vinegar for 3-5 days.After 5 days it becomes soft, the shell completely dissolves.The only thing that doesn't dissolve is the film from the egg, which can be wrapped around the affected nail, for example.However, we don't need it for the ointment.
- Remove the egg to a plate.The yolks should be cooked almost soft.When we use the essence, the yolk becomes like a rubber ball.
- Rub it in well.
- Add butter.If we have essence, we need more oil – 150 g.Mix everything well until a smooth mixture forms.
- Add a few drops of vinegar to the pulp.
- Apply to the entire foot, wrap with foil and put on a sock.
The ointment should be applied daily and left on for 1-2 hours in the morning or evening.The procedure lasts until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Both recipes are also suitable for treating nail fungus.
3 recipe with garlic
You can also cure athlete's foot with garlic at home.
Finely grate the garlic and apply 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 pain and cramping.It is therefore advisable to apply a compress at night.If the sensations are completely unpleasant, you can use onions instead of garlic.By the way, they “work” even better together.
Tips to help you recover faster from a fungus
Before using any prescription or treatment method, you must:
- Go over bed linens, laundry and socks with a hot iron.
- Treat the inside of the shoes with a 40 percent acetic acid solution, then place them in a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer overnight.
These manipulations should be carried out at the beginning and at the end of treatment.If it is a long-term treatment, it should be done monthly.
Prevention of fungal infections
These rules will help you avoid a fungal infection and therefore should be followed throughout your life.
- Don't wear someone else's shoes.
- Do not use other people's manicure tools.
- Wash your feet daily and dry your nails and between your toes thoroughly.
- Wear clean socks and tights every day.
When things go badly
Treating athlete's foot at home and using folk remedies is the most convenient, safe and non-toxic method, but not always the most effective.You must remember that if there is no relief and the disease progresses, you should consult a specialist.In most cases, antifungal drug therapy is required, which consists of taking medications orally and using local antifungal agents (ointments, creams).