Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease of the feet and toenails caused by dermatophytes. The pathology is of an infectious nature, a pathogenic parasite - the causative agent of the infection spreads throughout the body through the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Nail fungus, like many diseases, can be effectively cured by folk methods. The advantages of treatment with such means are obvious: availability, safety, effectiveness. Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus works like any antiseptic for parasites:
- Vinegar creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nails.
- High acidity is detrimental to fungal spores, it stops the process of growth and reproduction.
treatment options
Depending on the stage and type of the disease, there are different treatment options for nail fungus:
- In the early stages, while there is a change in the color of the nails, the initial destruction of the structure, sufficient treatment is provided by using folk methods - lotions, baths, ointments.
- If the fungus has been developing for a long time, a neglected form is diagnosed, the plate has become dirty yellow, gray, has become bumpy, crumbles along the nail cuts, drugs will have to be added oral antifungals to folk methods.
Basic rules for the use of the drug
Such a simple mechanism makes the treatment of mycosis with apple cider vinegar effective, subject to the rules:
- Careful choice of essence: the raw materials, apple cider vinegar, must be natural, without impurities, chemical additives. Apple essence is easy to make at home.
- Take the necessary precautions: avoid the risk of fungal spread by reinforcing 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 that is harmful to the fungus are a proven way to cure the disease. Apple cider vinegar has a high level of destructive effect on the fungus.
Training
Healing baths are preparing for the treatment of fungus as follows:
- We take vinegar (400-800 ml. ), pour it into a container for the procedure.
- Wash my feet well, the damaged places on the nails must first be steamed hard, cut the seals.
Procedure
- Dip your feet in a filled container, take a bath for 10-15 minutes, dry your feet with a towel, put on socks made of natural materials (preferably cotton).
- For the treatment to give results, the first 7 days of bathing should be done in the morning and at night, then every 3 days.
- If there are wounds, cracks on the legs, the procedure may be painful. To reduce the burning sensation, dilute apple cider vinegar with water (2: 1).
After using the towel, it must be washed thoroughly to prevent the spread of infection.
Method number 2: compresses
Compresses with apple cider vinegar and in combination with other ingredients are effective against the development of the fungus.
compress 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 places where the nails are damaged.
- You can cure the infection with a mixture that has the consistency of a paste. In its composition, apple cider vinegar (two tablespoons) is combined with soda (until the desired density is obtained).
- Glycerin is mixed in equal proportions (it can be replaced with vegetable oil) with apple cider vinegar. Treatment with this fungal mixture is recommended for injuries not only to the nails, but also to the skin.
- A compress of alcohol tincture of iodine (3 drops) with apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon) helps well.
- Good results are obtained by treating the fungus with iodine lotions, as well as with a mixture of lemon, soda and water.
App Features
It is recommended to put compresses at night, fixing them on the damaged area. You can put lotions during the day; in this case, keep them for at least three hours.
- As a result of the compress, the toenail plate softens, which makes it possible to remove it with scissors.
- Lotions are effective if there is an initial form of nail disease.
- Since vinegar has a drying effect, it is important to use a cream to moisturize the skin of the legs after the end of the session of lotions and other procedures.
Method number 3: ointments and mixtures.
In the treatment of fungus, the use of ointments based on apple cider vinegar is effective. Treatment with vinegar ointments, like other folk remedies, requires compliance with the instructions.
ointment options
Empirically tested ointments against the fungus, the main component of which is apple cider vinegar:
- Finely chop Kalanchoe leaves (100 g) and add vinegar (1 teaspoon), honey (10 g), eucalyptus oil (30 g). Before starting the treatment of the fungus, keep the mixture for 3 days in a dark place. Treatment is carried out by lubricating the affected nail.
- To get rid of onychomycosis, you can use the following ointment: dimethyl phthalate, olive oil, glycerin are mixed with vinegar in equal proportions. Apply the ointment in the evening, wash off with laundry soap in the morning.
vinegar blends
With the help of these recipes, our distant ancestors successfully fought nail infection and defeated the fungus.
- A mixture of vinegar and honey. You can mix honey and vinegar in equal parts and apply to the affected areas for 20 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.
- Alternating baths with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide (2 parts 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water).
- A mixture of vinegar with colloidal silver - to enhance the effect on the fungus, a suspension with metal particles is applied to dry feet after a vinegar bath and kept until the mixture dries.
When curing the fungus, it is recommended to apply the ointment twice a day. The therapy will be more effective if, before applying the ointment, you thoroughly steam the legs and remove the thickened part of the nails.
Prevention
It is difficult to treat onychomycosis, it is a laborious process that requires a lot of time and patience. What complicates the fight against the disease is the difficulty of early diagnosis and the viability of the fungus.
Consequences of untreated onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is not a cosmetic problem, the consequences of the fungus for a sick person are as follows:
- Nail infection causes a number of complications: allergic skin diseases, bronchial asthma, all kinds of rashes.
- The Academy of Mycology conducted studies that showed that the fungus negatively affects the quality of life of a sick person. This is due to psychological problems, not the cosmetic appearance of the affected nails.
- If you don't fight the disease at the first sign of the fungus, the immune system will suffer.
- There is a risk of erysipelas.
- The fungus complicates the course of chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases).
- If you do not start timely treatment of this nail infection, there is a high probability of spreading the fungus to the skin of the hands and infecting family members and people around the patient.
How to avoid relapse
To prevent infection or recurrence of fungal infections in the legs, it is important to take the following preventive measures:
- Refuse to wear tight shoes that rub. Keep shoes dry - in a humid environment, the risk of pathological fungus will increase.
- 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 sweat, wear socks made of natural materials, use cosmetics.
- Socks, stockings, stockings should be changed daily.
- Pay close attention to immunity - this is a common cause of mycosis. Take regular courses of multivitamins - twice a year and after illness, take antibiotics when the body is weakened.