Nail fungus is ugly and painful. What is important in the treatment of whether to use folk remedies in order not to catch an infection.
How to understand that it is a fungus
Suspected onychomycosis by symptoms:
- Change the color of the nails. It all starts with small spots, the nail lighter or yellow. Later can be more dark and even green.
- The form of change. The growing nails, there is, on the plate, the waves appear.
- Discomfort, especially if you press on the nail.
- The fragility. The nail begins to flake, become brittle. It is remarkable that he change the structure of the plate.
But best of all, with the diagnosis to cope with the testing laboratory, to be directed by a dermatologist: the nail that though, you need to scrape and examine under the microscope.
Where did not fungus
Everything around us are living microorganisms, including various fungi. Usually do not interfere with us. But if the fungus gets into favorable conditions, it will begin to multiply rapidly.
The perfect environment for fungi — the place where it is warm and humid. For example, tight shoes in the gym locker room or in the shower, in the shower or in the pool.
Why show your nails to the doctor
It was found that it is certainly a fungus. Without research it is not always clear, especially if the infection only began to spread.
Perhaps the nails have changed due to an injury, bacteria or psoriasis — then antifungal medicines purchased on its own, does not help.
As a treatment of nail fungus
Now pharmacies very fungicides that kill fungus and even in the nails, which are sold under different names. To treat the skin around the nail is easier to use medication in the form of ointments, for the treatment of plaque — drops or a special antifungal nail Polish.
The only difficulty in the treatment of nail fungus: you have to take medicines a few months to half a year. So the main thing is patience and perseverance.
If the fungus is very deformed nails, you must visit a specialist that deals with the health of the feet, you can try the infected nail so that it does not interfere with direct. And it would be good to change or, at least, for disinfection of the inside of the shoes that contact with the affected nails.
In exceptional cases, you need to remove the nails.
If to treat fungus folk remedies
All those folk remedies — this is a dubious alternative to pharmaceutical antibiotics. The iodine, vinegar, herbal teas, fruit juices, salt — everything is weak antiseptics that can kill fungi on the surface of the nail, but not completely lime infection.
The most effective of these tools is also very dangerous, because burn the skin and only aggravate the situation.
Much easier to buy drugs and not to suffer, inventing the next tray with the brigade of homicides. The only advantage of the warm baths of the feet — nail is a bit weak, so that there is a possibility that antifungal ointments and drops will work best.
What is the danger of fungus, if left untreated
Fungal infections are treated for a long time, so many people forget to use the products or not to buy a new pack when the old one was left without, and the treatment is not complete.
If the fungus is not stopped, it spreads, the entire nail becomes thick and hard, begin to yellow and crumble. The skin around the nail and under it can hurt, it increases the risk of injury, ingrowth of the nail and its stratification.
If the infection moves to the skin between the toes and in the foot, you will present cracks, which also hurts.
How not to catch a nail fungus
Fungi often attack people the immune system can not cope with the infection: for example, their bodies weakened by chronic diseases. Therefore, people who suffer from diabetes or psoriasis need to be especially attentive to the health of the nails.
- Follow the rules of hygiene. Clean and dry the hands and the feet, the fungus are not attracted. So wash the limbs and shoes, change of socks every day (and, if necessary, even several times a day), don't forget to clean and cut the nails.
- Carefully choose the fabric that will be in contact with the nail. Cotton socks, gloves and mittens — made from natural materials.
- Wearing Slippers and flip-flops, especially in the changing rooms and showers.
- Bring second pair of shoes. Don't sit all day in the same shoes that walk on the street, especially when we talk about winter boots and footwear: do not let the feet to sweat.
- Not to share towels. Is personal hygiene items, like toothbrush.
- Do not do manicure and pedicure at home or salon where they do not well handle the tools — so not only can catch the fungus, but something worse.