Effective treatment of foot fungus. Fungus on the feet is a fairly common disease, according to statistics, affects at least a quarter of the people living on earth. The condition is also aggravated by the fact that most people do not even suspect that they are carriers of the fungus as it breaks down and develops unnoticed.
The fungus brings not only aesthetic and physical discomfort, but also synthesizes toxic substances that can accumulate in the body and poison it. It is therefore very important to know about the prevention and ways to fight this disease to maintain your health. How does the fungus affect the feet and what contributes to it?
Causes of foot fungus
An easy way for the parasitic fungus to penetrate the skin may be cracks and abrasions between the toes caused by excessive sweating or, conversely, dry feet, abrasions of all kinds by wearing very narrow shoes, poorly cleansing the feet after water treatments. . In addition, various endocrine and vascular diseases, varicose veins, diabetes, flat feet, as well as impaired immunity or stress can lead to fungal infection.
The fungus is transmitted through close contact with the patient, with items he used - towels, detergents, shoes, clothes, manicure tools and even a comb. Particularly dangerous in this regard are common areas such as baths and swimming pools, as heat and humidity are ideal. Conditions for the development of fungi. Once in the nail plate, which is almost entirely composed of keratin, the fungus begins to grow and multiply slowly. It gradually takes the place of the nail, opens it and begins to spread further around the skin. During a fungal infection, cracks and peeling appear between the fingers, and later the skin begins to redden and itch.
Signs of foot fungus
Characteristic signs of foot fungus are:
- Nail darkening
- The nail plate becomes brittle and flakes off
- The shape of the nail itself is deformed
- Pain in the tips of the feet
- bad smell
Therefore, at the first manifestation of a fungal infection, measures should be taken immediately to combat the fungus to stop its further spread on the skin. If the fungus is not treated at all, then it will move from one nail to another and then to the surrounding areas of the skin, in very advanced cases even the internal organs are damaged.
If you doubt whether you have fungus, then you can conduct such a screening test at home: Mix potassium permanganate crystals in warm water to get a purple solution. Put your feet in it and stand for a while. The damaged areas of the nail will remain light while the undamaged areas will turn brown.
You can contact a dermatologist - a dermatologist, who will most likely send you an analysis - scraping to determine the type of fungus, after which you will be prescribed the necessary treatment.
Treatment of foot fungi with folk remedies
You can effectively treat fungus on the feet with folk methods, especially this treatment can be successful at the beginning of the disease. In the past, when such powerful anti-fungal remedies were not available in pharmacies, people were able to cope with fungal infections without them using folk remedies:
- Treatment of foot fungus with onions. The easiest way to treat it is onion. Grate the onion head and squeeze the juice and rub it on the areas damaged by the fungus on the feet. When the juice dries, washing the feet is not necessary, the procedure is best before bedtime.
- Sea salt. Sea salt solution will help cure the fungus in 10 days. Twice a day - morning and evening, wash your feet in baths with sea salt (1 teaspoon to 1 cup of water). Then soak a cotton ball in saline solution, apply a cotton ball to the affected area and let it dry. Then wash your feet with a soda solution (the proportion is the same as for a sea solution) and dry your feet.
- With garlic. A good effect is the treatment of foot fungus with an infusion of garlic salt. Prepare a table salt solution (take 1 teaspoon of salt per 1 liter of water). Take 1 tablespoon of this solution and add 1 large clove of crushed garlic. Squeeze and squeeze in a cloth, add to the resulting mixture another 4 tablespoons of saline solution. Lubricate the areas damaged by the fungus with the prepared solution 2 times a day. Each time it is necessary to prepare a new solution for treatment.
- Clay treatment. Another aid to foot mycosis is clay. Mix clay powder (sold at the pharmacy) with cold water to a thick sour cream consistency and apply a thick layer on the damaged areas, rinse with a linen cloth. Before drying the clay you will need to remove the bandage and then rinse your feet with lemon solution (1 tablespoon lemon juice in 1 glass of water). Clay lotions should be done at least 2 times a day and preferably 3 times, each time preparing a new piece of clay.
- Celandine juice. In summer, if celandine grows in your cottage, then you can use the juice of this plant, as it has a strong anti-fungal effect. It is necessary to remove the plant, it will immediately appear orange juice and lubricate the damaged areas. Just keep in mind that the procedure is not very pleasant, itching is felt, but if the juice is absorbed, it will pass. After a couple of minutes, lubricate the place again with the juice and do it 3-4 times. You should repeat the procedure twice a day for a month. In addition, you can prepare celandine oil for yourself, which you can also use against foot fungus all year round and not just in summer when this plant is in bloom.
- Treatment with celandine compresses. If you have dry celandine grass, grind it into a powder and mix it with tea tree oil to get a thick emulsion. Apply daily in the form of a compress on the affected areas of the feet. Continue like this until the old mushroom nail is cut out and a new one grows in its place.
- Propolis. Alcoholic tincture of propolis is an effective and affordable remedy against fungus, it can always be bought at the pharmacy. Propolis with anti-itch, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, restorative and anesthetic action is harmful to the fungus. Moisten a cotton swab with 20% propolis tincture and apply on the damaged area, wrap your feet in polyethylene and fasten everything with a bandage, the procedure is best done at night. After about a month of treatment, the nail infected with the fungus will be cut out and a new one will grow in its place.
- Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is another effective remedy for foot fungus, lubricate the affected areas several times a day and the fungus will recede. You can do this, for example, while sitting in front of the TV and watching your favorite show. Apply a cotton swab soaked in apple cider vinegar to the problem areas of the feet and then, when dry, replace with a new one. Over time, the fungus will arrive on the feet.
- Herbal balm. You can prepare a medicinal herbal balm against the fungus: pour 0. 5 liters of sunflower oil in an enamel bowl and add 1 tablespoon chopped dry herbs: mint, comfrey and golden root (Rhodiola rosea). Put on a small fire and preheat, but not more than 65 degrees. Turn off the stove and leave for 12 hours, then drain. Add oil solutions of vitamins A, E and D to the balm, 1 tablespoon each, mix everything and lubricate the affected areas with the balm at least 2 times a day. You should store the balm in the refrigerator, the shelf life of not more than six months.
- Birch tar. The birch tar, which is sold in pharmacies, is another powerful enemy of the foot fungus. Every time after showering, lubricate the damaged areas on the toes and nail plates and do not rinse. After a few such procedures you will not even notice how the fungus will disappear without a trace. Personally, this method has helped me a lot in dealing with foot fungus, which I took once while visiting the pool.
If anyone in your family has the fungus, then you need to take precautions to prevent infection.
- Until the patient is cured of the fungus, he should not walk around the house barefoot, nor sit on the couch or chairs with his feet.
- Before taking a bath it should be thoroughly rinsed with any liquid product with chlorine that kills the fungus.
- Scissors, nail files and other items for pedicures and manicures should be cleaned with alcohol.
- If the fungus is found in one of the spouses, then he should sleep in clean, ironed cotton socks and change the beds every week.
- Be sure to treat the inside of the shoes with apple cider vinegar, 40% acetic acid or formalin solution.
Prevention of foot fungus
- Never wear someone else's shoes, and when visiting - offer slippers. It is better to change your shoes or go to the room with socks.
- In the cold season, always replace your shoes with changeable shoes, do not allow your feet to overheat, as the fungus starts to attack when the feet sweat.
- When visiting a solarium, swimming pool, sauna, bath or therapeutic bath in the sanatorium, do not forget to take rubber slippers with you. Pour boiling water on the bench and pool in the bathroom, put a sheet or towel on the shelf, only you can start and sit on them.
- Do not walk barefoot in hotels, sports dressing rooms, train compartments and other public places, as well as on the beach without slate. The last precaution is not superfluous, wet wet sand is a breeding ground for fungal infections, it hides a lot of fungus-infected bark and nail debris.
- Replace bath and shower mats from fabric and sponge to rubber. Moisture remains in their folds, skin flakes and nail fragments get stuck and the rubber carpet can always be easily moistened with hot water.
- After taking a shower or bath, thoroughly clean your feet until they are dry and be especially careful between the toes so that no moisture remains and there is a chance of the fungus falling behind.
- Change socks, stockings or tights every day. Do not allow anyone, even temporarily, to use files, manicure tools, sponges, wipes.
- Do not wear the same pair of shoes for more than two days in a row. Allow to dry well during the day.
- When buying shoes never try them on bare feet.
- Monitor the condition of the feet, take proper care of the feet - take timely measures against sweating, dryness, rashes and prevent cracks on the feet.
- If, nevertheless, you suspect that you may catch a fungus while swimming in the pool or on the beach, then when you get home, clean your feet with a cotton swab soaked in a 6% solution of table vinegar or wash your feet. Container with soap.
Follow these precautions, remember that disease prevention is always easier than later treatment.