Fungal nail disease can occur for various reasons. Onychomycosis is fraught with many problems, from an unpleasant appearance to constant pain and itching. It is very easy to catch, but not so easy to treat. In this article, we will talk about effective drugs against nail fungus.
About onychomycosis
Fungal diseases are contagious and generally affect certain areas of the nails and skin. Onychomycosis occurs in a home contact, ie after the general use of socks, shoes, in the pool, sauna, gym, etc.
Symptoms of nail fungus appear gradually. The first symptoms can be noticed immediately:
- nails change color: gray, yellow, black, gray or white;
- start to fall apart;
- the plate was delaminated;
- the skin near the nail begins to itch;
- the affected areas ache.
As the disease progresses, keratinization of the nail and obvious compression are observed.
Those who treat fungus should be aware that this infection is highly resistant. Even if the lesion leads to nail removal, recurrent inflammation is likely to develop from a small, unnoticed focus. Therefore, it is very important to carry out the treatment correctly so that you do not worry about the consequences in the form of relapses in the future. It is better to consult a doctor immediately, especially a mycologist. If you do not have such a specialist, a dermatologist can help you.
There are various treatments for onychomycosis. Today you can find many preparations for nail fungus in pharmacies: ointments, creams, tablets and varnishes. Doctors recommend both oral medication and topical therapy. Thus, the treatment will be the most perfect and at the same time complex. We must not forget that the therapy will take a long time - about 2-4 months.
Remedy for nail fungus
The treatment regimen should be chosen by a physician. It is not worth treating itself, because improper use of drugs can lead to the development of resistance to fungal agents and lead to further development of the disease. In addition, antifungal drugs are quite "strong" and have a number of contraindications. A wide range of drugs is used against onychomycosis:
- local medicines (creams, ointments, solutions, varnishes);
- medicines for oral administration (tablets, capsules).
Local preparations
It is a medicine for external use against fungi. It is prescribed in the early stages of onychomycosis, ie when the fungus infects less than 30% of the nail surface on 1-2 fingers.
The use of these drugs is associated with some features. You need to go through 2 stages for the active ingredients to penetrate deep into the nail structure and have a therapeutic effect:
- Removal of the affected areas of the nail plate from the fungus. To do this, you need to steam the nails in a soda-soap solution for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the top softened layer with a file and treat with disinfectant. The solution is simply prepared: add 1 tablespoon to 2 liters of water. l. soda and 5 g of laundry soap.
- Treatment with antifungal fungicide. An agent (ointment, gel, varnish) should be applied to the affected nail.
Antifungal drugs in the form of a varnish are popular. Only apply to the affected area of the nail twice a week. The course of treatment is until the symptoms of onychomycosis disappear completely.
Keratolytics should also be chosen among local drugs. It is a painless and inexpensive alternative to removing the affected nail with the device. With the help of these funds, you can soften the stratum corneum of the nail plate, which is subsequently rejected. These drugs should be used when the area of the fungus is more than 40%. The method of application looks like this:
- steam your feet in a soda and soap solution;
- sand the surface of the board with a document;
- lubricate a large amount with the selected composition;
- cover the treated area with adhesive tape.
Such actions should be performed every 3-4 days. As a result, healthy nails should grow instead of diseased ones.
Oral medications
These are nail fungus medications and are available as tablets or capsules for oral administration. These remedies are prescribed in advanced cases when the fungus infects more than 50% of the nail surface and grows more actively.
Oral medications for fungi are toxic and have many contraindications. They should not be drunk, especially during pregnancy, lactation, kidney and liver disease. To reduce the risk of side effects, such drugs are prescribed for short courses.
We recommend that you check the dose and course of treatment with your doctor. All cases are individual.
Folk remedies against nail fungus
Folk recipes against onychomycosis of the nails can help only in the early stages of the disease. Antifungal properties are characteristic of many plants, from home first aid kits and improvised means from the refrigerator.
The following folk remedies are popular:
- Iodine.Has antiseptic, fungicidal properties. The solution should be used twice a day to treat diseased nails and skin (1 drop per nail). Course: ay. However, this method has its disadvantages - the fingers turn yellow, and sometimes burns can occur.
- Tea fungus. . . Peel a squash, grate it and chop finely. Apply the oil to the affected nails, do not rinse. Then paste a bactericidal patch and wear tight socks. The procedure should be repeated three times until the diseased nail plate falls off and a new nail grows.
- Vinegar 9%. . . Soak your nails in acetic acid overnight and wear your socks. Leave until morning. You can also take baths. Pour a glass of vinegar into a glass of warm water and steam your nails for 15 minutes. Each procedure should be performed daily until the symptoms of the fungus subside.
- Birch resin. . . With onychomycosis, you need a clean resin. If not, make tar soap. The product should be rubbed into the nails, fixed with a compress and left overnight. Wash in the morning. And so on every day until full recovery.
- Celandine. . . Cook dried herbs in 1 liter of boiling water and keep for 15-20 minutes. Then mix with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Keep your fingers in the solution for 30 minutes. Do it every day.
- Onion peel. . . 4 tbsp. l. Pour onion peel with a glass of vodka, cover with a lid and leave to infuse for 2 weeks in a dark place. The resulting tincture should be lubricated with nails 4 times a day.
- Lavender oil, tea tree oil and olive oil.Mix in equal proportions, apply the composition to the affected nail plate. You should use this home remedy every day before going to bed wearing socks.
Although you can find many positive reviews about the use of this folk remedy in the network, its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. If you apply them, only in addition to drug treatment. Of course, the doctor should be notified.
Onychomycosis is a fungal nail disease that is difficult to eliminate. Only with an integrated approach to therapy can a positive outcome be achieved. You should not play "Doctor" and make a treatment plan for yourself. Most medications are contraindicated and can cause side effects. The best way to treat fungus can only be suggested by a specialist. The drugs and analogues described above are suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis, which occurs not only on the fingers, but also on the hands.