Onychomycosis can manifest itself for several reasons: people get the infection in gyms, swimming pools, saunas, on the beach and when wearing shoes from a person infected with this pathology. As a result of the development of the disease, the nail plate is gradually destroyed, and other unpleasant symptoms appear. For the treatment of the disease, you need to choose extremely effective drugs that are easily tolerated and guarantee rapid action, and it is advisable to choose a cheap remedy for toenail fungus, since the therapy takes a long time.
What is toenail fungus?
Onychomycosis is a harmless but unpleasant disease that deforms the nail plate. At the same time, the nail loses its strength, becomes loose and becomes vulnerable to any infection. Fungal disease can be caused by several different pathogens, such as yeast, mold, dermatophyte, epidermophyte, etc. Since each drug has an effect on a specific type of infection, it is extremely important to diagnose the condition before starting treatment.
Symptoms of the disease.
After infection of the feet, it takes a while for the fungus to take root on the nail plates. The infection first affects the thumbs and, over the course of a year or more, destroys the structure of the nail. This process is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- plaque thickening (increases keratinization of tissues);
- color change (the plaque turns yellow, black or brown);
- crumbling of the edge (in the absence of treatment or if it is incomplete, the fungal infection spreads over the entire thickness of the nail, as a result of which it eats and crumbles);
- itchy skin around the nail;
- unpleasant odor coming from the feet.
Toenail fungus remedy
Modern antifungal drugs not only destroy pathogens, but also have the ability to accumulate in tissues and act long after the end of use of antifungal drugs. As a rule of thumb, toenail onychomycosis is comprehensively treated in several months (on average, 2 to 6). Therapy includes the use of external agents and the use of systemic drugs. The doctor will be able to determine exactly which medications are suitable to treat the fungus. Self-medication of onychomycosis can make the disease worse.
Inexpensive remedy for toenail fungus
Of great importance to patients with onychomycosis are third-party reviews of the efficacy of one or another antifungal drug. However, choosing an inexpensive toenail fungus remedy based solely on other people's answers is wrong, as each case of the disease is individual and requires the same treatment approach. It is better to leave the choice of the optimal therapy to a specialist, then the effect will come faster and you will avoid many possible problems, including the complication of the disease.
Medications intended for local treatment of the affected areas and that do not enter the systemic circulation are called external. They are an indispensable component of antifungal therapy, while systemic drugs are used exclusively in the advanced stage of the fungus. Local drugs show their efficacy especially clearly in the initial forms of onychomycosis. External drugs are suitable for the treatment of pathologies in children and patients with contraindications to the use of oral drugs.
Tablets
Systemic drugs against fungal infection in an adult are taken orally (by mouth with water). The active components of the tablets and capsules are transferred from the intestines into the bloodstream and enter the nail plate, where they gradually accumulate in concentrated amounts and destroy the fungus. It is better not to buy antifungal drugs at a pharmacy without a prescription, as most of them can cause serious side effects.
The duration of therapy is estimated between 2 and 6 months, but in advanced and severe cases, the treatment takes longer to accumulate in the body in sufficient quantities. A doctor can prescribe these inexpensive toenail fungus medications:
- FluconazoleThe tablets destroy the fungus from the inside by destroying its cells. The drug is prescribed in a dosage of 50 to 400 mg per day. The doctor determines the exact amount of the drug, taking into account the age, the severity of the pathology. Fluconazole eliminates the unpleasant symptoms of onychomycosis and suppresses the reproduction of harmful organisms. The disadvantage of the drug is the presence of side effects.
- Ketoconazole.Use of this inexpensive onychomycosis drug can take anywhere from 3 months to a year. They drink tablets with meals, 200-400 mg per day. The disadvantage of the drug is the prohibition of taking it in the presence of liver pathologies.
- Itraconazole.The medication is indicated to be taken until complete recovery, which can take a long time. The recommended dose is 200 mg per day. The drug is taken at intervals: the week of admission is replaced by the same duration of rest. The downside of the drug is side effects.
Cream
In addition to systemic drugs, doctors prescribe local remedies that, in addition to the antifungal effect, help to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of the pathology. An inexpensive and effective remedy for nail fungus is:
- Bifonazole.The cream has a fungicidal and fungistatic effect, it is active against many pathogens of onychomycosis. Bifonazole easily penetrates the plaque structure and kills fungal cells. The advantage of the cream is that it has antiseptic properties. The disadvantage is the lack of effectiveness when used independently (it is recommended to combine with the intake of systemic drugs).
- Cream containing: stearic acid, propylene glycol, urea, triethanolamine, 100% tea tree essential oil.a folk remedy is applied until the healthy plate has fully grown. Before applying the cream, you must steam your nails and cut their top layer with a disposable tool. After that, wipe your feet with a towel. The cream is treated with nails, applying a thick layer of cream on the plates, which is covered with a plaster and left for 4 days. After this time, the legs float again and with the help of a file they remove the dead parts of the nail plate. Procedures are carried out until the affected tissues are completely removed.
- Terbinafine.Under the influence of the cream, a dysfunction of the metabolism of fungal cells occurs, which leads to death. Terbinafine is very effective in treating early stage onychomycosis. The affected tissue is smeared with a thin layer of cream twice in strokes. To enhance the effect, before this, the legs are raised in a soda bath, and then the plate is treated with a nail file, removing the stratum corneum.
Patch
At the beginning of the development of a fungal disease, special plasters with a peeling effect can be used. The most effective among the cheap antifungal agents are:
- A plaster with a special solution that accelerates the death of the plaque. The nail plates are treated with the liquid after the legs have been vaporized. The patch is removed only after 4 days, after which the procedure is repeated again. The downside of the patch is its relative effectiveness.
- A Chinese herbal patch for treating yeast infections at low cost. The drug helps to quickly and painlessly remove affected plaques. With advanced onychomycosis, the patch is recommended to be used in conjunction with systemic antifungal agents.
Mushroom solution
Among the cheap remedies for toenail fungus, solutions occupy a special place, since this form of drugs is better able to penetrate deeply into the tissues. Some of these medications are also used to treat shoes. Effective antifungal solutions include:
- Chloronitrophenol.The drug belongs to the group of arenes and contains undecylenic acid, which has an antiseptic effect and prevents the development of mycosis. The liquid is applied to the nail plates 2-3 times a day. Treatment is carried out until the healthy nail grows back completely. The advantage of the drug is its effectiveness and excellent penetration ability, the lack of the drug is a ban on use for the treatment of children under 2 years of age.
- A solution containing: boric acid, phenol, resorcinol, basic fuchsin.One of the cheapest antifungal agents with antiseptic and bactericidal effect, which is not always effective in the treatment of nail plates, is its main disadvantage. The advantage of the drug is the minimum price.
Cheap ointment
Topical antifungal agents in ointment or gel form are among the most popular in treating early onychomycosis. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following medications:
- Terbinafine.An inexpensive ointment for nail fungus is made based on allylamine, the active ingredient is terbinafine hydrochloride. The drug is used to treat fungus on the legs and arms at the initial stage of the development of pathology. Use the medicine after steam baths every day. The advantages of the drug are that it is cheap, proven and effective in treating the early stage of onychomycosis. The disadvantage of the product is that it is not very convenient for use (in order not to accidentally erase the ointment, a gauze bandage is applied to the upper part of the finger).
- Salicylic ointment.There are two ways to treat onychomycosis with this inexpensive universal remedy: Treat your nails with ointment a few times a day, or apply a layer on the affected plates and leave it as a compress overnight. In addition to salicylic ointment in its availability, the disadvantage - it will be effective only at the initial stage of infection with a fungal infection.
Healing varnishes
This drug dosage form is good because after evaporation of the solvent, the agent turns into a film, which is fixed on the affected plate. This property protects the nail for several days after using the varnish. Another advantage of these drugs is the ability to penetrate deep into the nail bed and provide a fungicidal and fungistatic effect for 7-10 days.
Such funds can be combined with laser therapy procedures and treat the fungus both at an early stage of development and at a later stage. Cheap varnishes with antifungal action include: varnishes with the active ingredient amorolfine.
Cheap antifungal serums and sprays
It is convenient to treat onychomycosis with sprays and serums, which are also cheaper than varnishes. Such media are used twice a day after preliminary cleaning of the affected plates with disposable files that are attached to the preparations. These cheap drugs include:
- Nail serum including: water; rye enzyme filtrate; pentylene glycol; dimethyl isosorbide and hydroxyethylcellulose.This agent is used to cover the tissues affected by the fungus 2-3 times a day. Disposable nail files are included with the serum, allowing you to painlessly remove the top layer of your nails. The advantage of the serum lies in its effectiveness, the disadvantage is that in order to completely cure an advanced fungus, it is necessary to combine the use of serum with systemic drugs.
- Terbinafine Hydrochloride.The drug is produced in the form of a spray, which treats the nail plates 1-2 times a day, having previously steamed and filed them. The advantage of the drug is its low cost and effectiveness, the disadvantage is the risk of an allergic reaction.
A penny remedy for nail fungus
Almost a third of people suffer from fungal diseases of the feet and nails, which require complex treatment. However, many people try to cope with the problem on their own, assuming that when they go to a specialist, they will be given a list of expensive drugs that they cannot buy. This opinion is wrong, since pharmacies also offer cheap and inexpensive antifungal drugs, for example:
- Cypermethrin.This is the cheapest remedy for toenail fungus and is often used to treat animals, but it is also great as an antifungal medication. Also, the solution is cheap and effective in fighting fungal infection. The downside is the risk of damaging the skin near the nails when processing the plates.
- FluconazoleThe drug is very effective against many types of fungi. The tablets have a powerful systemic effect, so when taking them, it is extremely important to be careful with the dosage.
Expensive product analogs
Cheap drugs include the same active ingredient as expensive drugs, without being in any way inferior in effectiveness to the latter. Such antifungal drugs are similar in their pharmacological therapeutic action, however, before replacing the drug with a more budgetary analog, it is better to consult a doctor. Cheap antifungals include:
- Clotrimazole.The ointment and solution are distinguished by a high degree of penetration into the tissues and provide a quick healing effect.
- Itroconazole.Capsules with antifungal components have proven to be excellent in treating various types of mycoses. Itroconazole effectively destroys spores, gradually accumulating in nail tissues. If the dosage is observed, the agent rarely causes side effects.
- Terbinafine.The broad-spectrum tablets are effective against most onychomycosis pathogens. The disadvantage of the drug is a large list of contraindications.
Medicines against nail fungus for pregnant women.
Many antifungal medications are strictly prohibited during pregnancy, as they can harm the baby. Onychomycosis therapy during this period is complicated by the fact that antifungal medications have many side effects. With a mild severity of the pathology, doctors limit themselves to local treatment, prescribing the following drugs for a woman:
- Cream containing: stearic acid, propylene glycol, urea, triethanolamine, 100% tea tree essential oil. . . Before using the product, the legs are steamed in soda water. The plates are then cleaned with a disposable nail file, covered with a layer of cream and covered with a plaster for 4 days. After that, you can easily remove the dead nail tissue. The procedure is carried out until the fungal infection is completely eliminated.
- Bifonazole.The cream is rubbed on the place affected by the fungus. It is recommended to use bifonazole a couple of times a day, while the duration of therapy is at least 12 weeks.
- Grapefruit seed extract.The medicine is available in the form of drops that are applied to the affected nails after steaming and filing the top layer. Onychomycosis therapy in pregnant women lasts about 16 weeks.
Price
The choice of the right drug should be entrusted to a specialist, since with self-medication she is likely to waste money and time in vain. Also, pathogenic spores can develop immunity to certain drugs, after which it will be much more difficult to cope with the fungus. Once the doctor prescribes the drugs, she can buy them at the pharmacy or buy them from the online store by requesting directed delivery.