Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease of the feet and nails caused by dermatophytes. It is contagious in nature, a pathogenic parasite - the causative agent of the infection, which spreads throughout the body through the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
Nail fungus, like many diseases, can be effectively treated with folk remedies. The advantages of treatment with such means are obvious - availability, safety, effectiveness. Apple cider vinegar for nail fungus works as any antiseptic for parasites:
- Vinegar creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nails.
- High acidity damages fungal spores, stops the process of growth and reproduction.
Treatment Options
Depending on the stage and type of disease, there are different treatment options for nail fungus:
- In the early stages, when there is a change in the color of the nails, the initial destruction of the structure is ensured by the use of adequate treatment folk remedies: lotions, baths, ointments.
- If the fungus develops for a long time, a negligent form is diagnosed, the plate becomes dirty yellow, gray, swollen, collapses along the incisions of the nails, oral antifungal drugs should be added to folk remedies.
Basic rules for using the drug
Such a simple mechanism makes the treatment of mycosis with apple cider vinegar effective by following the rules:
- Carefully choose the essence: raw material - apple cider vinegar - should be natural, free of impurities, chemical additives. Apple essence is easy to prepare at home.
- Take the necessary measures: prevent the spread of fungi by strengthening hygiene requirements, use personal items (towels, slippers), wash towels and socks after use.
- Strictly follow the prescription and options for using the drug.
Method number 1: baths
Baths filled with a composition harmful to fungi are a proven method for the treatment of the disease. Apple cider vinegar is highly destructive to fungi.
Training
Therapeutic baths for the treatment of fungus are prepared as follows:
- Take vinegar (400-800 ml. ), Pour into a container for the procedure.
- Wash my feet thoroughly, the areas that damage the nails should first be strongly steamed, the seals should be cut.
Procedure
- Immerse your feet in a full container, take a bath for 10-15 minutes, dry your feet with a towel, put socks made of natural materials (preferably cotton).
- For the treatment to be effective, the first 7 days should be taken in the morning and evening, then a bath every 3 days.
- If there are wounds or cracks in the legs, the procedure can be painful. To reduce the burning sensation, dilute apple cider vinegar with water (2: 1).
The towel should be washed thoroughly after use to prevent the spread of infection.
Method number 2: compresses
Apple cider vinegar compresses and other substances are effective against the growth of fungi.
Compression options
There are several ways to treat an infection with lotions:
- A cotton swab (gauze) is moistened with apple cider vinegar and applied to the damaged areas of the nails.
- You can treat the infection with a mixture of paste consistency. Combine apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons) with baking soda (until desired consistency).
- Glycerin is mixed in equal proportions with apple cider vinegar (can be replaced with vegetable oil). Treatment with this fungal mixture is recommended not only for damage to the nails, but also the skin.
- Alcohol tincture compress of iodine (3 drops) with apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon) helps well.
- Good results are obtained by treating fungi with iodine lotions, as well as a mixture of lemon, soda and water.
Application features
It is recommended to apply compresses to the affected area at night. You can put lotions during the day - in this case, keep at least three hours.
- As a result of the compress, the toenail plate softens, which allows you to remove it with scissors.
- If there is an initial form of nail disease, lotions are effective.
- Due to the drying effect of vinegar, it is important to use a cream to moisturize the skin of the feet after a session of lotions and other procedures.
Method number 3: ointments and mixtures
Ointments based on apple cider vinegar are effective in treating fungus. Treatment with ointments with vinegar, like other folk remedies, requires adherence to instructions.
Ointment options
Empirically tested ointments against fungi, the main component of which is apple cider vinegar:
- Finely chop the kalanchoe leaves (100 g) and add vinegar (1 teaspoon), honey (10 g), eucalyptus oil (30 g). Keep the mixture in a dark place for 3 days before starting the treatment of the fungus. The treatment is performed by lubricating the affected nail.
- To get rid of onychomycosis, you can use the following ointment: dimethyl phthalate, olive oil, glycerin mixed with vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the ointment at night, wash with laundry soap in the morning.
Vinegar mixture
With the help of these recipes, our distant ancestors successfully fought the infection of the nails, defeated the fungus.
- A mixture of vinegar and honey. You can mix equal parts of honey and vinegar and apply on damaged areas for 20 minutes. Then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Alternate baths with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water).
- A mixture of vinegar with colloidal silver - to increase the effect on fungi, after a vinegar bath, a suspension with metal particles is applied to dry feet and the mixture is stored until dry.
When healing the fungus, it is recommended to apply the ointment twice a day. The therapy will be more effective if you steam your feet thoroughly before applying the ointment and get rid of the thickened part of the nails.
Prevention
Onychomycosis is difficult to treat, a painful process that requires a lot of time and patience. Complicating the fight against the disease are the difficulty of early diagnosis and the viability of the fungus.
Consequences of inadequately treated onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is not a cosmetic problem, the consequences of a fungus for a sick person are as follows:
- Nail infections cause a number of complications: allergic skin diseases, bronchial asthma, all kinds of rashes.
- The Academy of Mycology has conducted research proving that fungi have a negative impact on the quality of life of a sick person. This is not due to the aesthetic appearance of the affected nails, but due to psychological problems.
- If you do not fight the disease at the first signs of the fungus, the immune system will suffer.
- There is a risk of erysipelas.
- The fungus complicates the course of chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease).
- If you do not start treatment for this nail infection in time, then the fungus is more likely to spread to the skin of the hands, family members and people around the patient.
How to prevent relapse
It is important to take the following preventive measures to prevent mycosis infection or recurrence in the legs:
- Avoid wearing tight, friction shoes. Keep shoes dry - the risk of pathological fungus increases in a humid environment.
- When visiting public saunas, swimming pools, beaches, wear rubber slippers, and after returning home, disinfect both shoes and feet in a vinegar bath.
- If your feet are sweaty - wear socks made of natural materials, use cosmetics.
- Socks, tights, socks should be changed every day.
- Pay close attention to immunity - this is a common cause of mycosis. Take regular multivitamin courses: twice a year and after illness, when the body is weak, take antibiotics.