Fungal toenail disease can occur for a variety of reasons. Onychomycosis is fraught with many problems, ranging from an unsightly appearance to a constant feeling of pain and itching. It is very easy to get it, but not so easy to cure. In this article, we will talk about effective medications for toenail fungus.
About onychomycosis
Fungal diseases are infectious in origin and usually affect certain areas of the nails and skin. Onychomycosis can be contracted in household contact, that is, after the widespread use of socks, shoes, as well as in the pool, sauna, gym, etc.
Symptoms of toenail fungus appear gradually. The first signs can be noticed immediately:
- nails change color: they turn gray, yellow, black, gray or white;
- begin to fall apart;
- the plate is delaminated;
- the skin near the nail begins to itch;
- affected areas hurt.
With the progression of the disease, keratinization of the nail is observed, as well as pronounced compaction.
Those who treat the fungus should know that this infection is highly resistant. Even if the injury led to the removal of the nail, there is a possibility that repeated inflammation will develop from a small focus, which went unnoticed. Therefore, it is very important to carry out the treatment correctly so that in the future you do not worry about the consequences in the form of relapses. It is better to immediately consult a doctor, specifically a mycologist. If no such specialist exists, a dermatologist can help you.
There are several treatments for onychomycosis. Today in pharmacies you can find many preparations for toenail fungus: ointments, creams, tablets and varnishes. Doctors advise practicing both oral medication and topical therapy at the same time. So the treatment will be the most complete, as well as complex. It should be noted that the therapy will take a long time, about 2-4 months.
Medications for nail fungus
The treatment regimen must be selected by the doctor. Self-medication is not worth it, since improper use of drugs can provoke the development of resistance to them in fungal agents, as well as lead to further progression of the disease. Also, antifungal medications are quite "strong" and have several contraindications. A wide range of drugs are used against onychomycosis:
- topical medications (creams, ointments, solutions, varnishes);
- medicines for oral administration (tablets, capsules).
Topical preparations
They are a medicine for external use against fungi. They are prescribed in the initial stage of onychomycosis, that is, when the fungus has infected less than 30% of the nail surface in 1-2 fingers.
The use of these drugs is associated with some peculiarities. In order for the active substances to penetrate deep into the structure of the nail and have a therapeutic effect, it must go through 2 stages:
- Removal of areas of the nail plate affected by the fungus. To do this, it is necessary to steam the nails in a soda soap solution for 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the softened top layer with a file and treat it with a disinfectant. The solution is prepared simply: add 1 tablespoon to 2 liters of water. l. baking soda and 5 g of laundry soap.
- Treatment with an antifungal fungicidal preparation. A remedy (ointment, gel, varnish) should be applied to the affected nail.
An antifungal medicine in the form of a varnish is popular. It is only necessary to apply it to the affected area of the nail 2 times a week. The course of treatment is until the symptoms of onychomycosis completely disappear.
Also among local preparations, keratolic ones should be distinguished. It is a painless and inexpensive alternative to hardware removal of the affected nail. With the help of these funds, you can smooth the stratum corneum of the nail plate, which is subsequently rejected. These drugs should be used when the area of the fungus is greater than 40%. The application method looks like this:
- steam your feet in a soda and soap solution;
- sand the surface of the plate with a file;
- generously grease with the selected composition;
- cover the treated area with masking tape.
These actions must be carried out every 3-4 days. As a result, healthy nails should grow instead of diseased nails.
Oral medications
These are nail fungus medications, available in tablets or capsules for oral administration. These remedies for treatment are prescribed in advanced cases, when the fungus has infected more than 50% of the nail plate and is actively progressing.
Oral medications for fungi are toxic and have many contraindications. In particular, they should not be drunk during pregnancy, lactation, kidney and liver diseases. To reduce the risk of side effects, these drugs are prescribed for short courses.
We strongly recommend that you verify the dosage of the medications and the course of treatment with your doctor. All cases are individual.
Folk remedies against nail fungus.
Folk recipes against onychomycosis on toenails can only help in the initial stage of the disease. Antifungal properties are inherent in many plants, makeshift remedies from the first aid kit and from the refrigerator.
The following home remedies are popular:
- Iodine.It has pronounced antiseptic and fungicidal properties. The solution should be used to treat diseased nails and skin twice a day (1 drop per nail). Course: month. True, this method has disadvantages: the fingers turn yellow, sometimes a burn can occur.
- Tea mushroom. . . Peel a piece of mushroom and chop it. Rub the porridge on the affected nails, do not rinse. Then apply a bactericidal patch and put on tight socks. The procedure needs to be done three times until the diseased nail plate falls off and a new nail grows.
- Vinegar 9%. . . Dampen your nails with acetic acid overnight and put on your socks. Leave it until the morning. You can also do baths. Pour a glass of vinegar into a bowl of warm water and steam your nails for 15 minutes. Each procedure should be done daily until the symptoms of the fungus have disappeared.
- Birch tar. . . With onychomycosis, you need pure tar. If not, tar soap will do. The product should be rubbed into the nails, secured with a compress and left overnight. Rinse in the morning. And so on every day until complete recovery.
- Celandine. . . Prepare dried herb with 1 liter of boiling water and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Then mix with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Keep your fingers in the resulting solution for 30 minutes. Do it daily.
- Onion peel. . . 4 tbsp. L. pour the onion leaves with a glass of vodka, cover with a lid and leave to infuse in a dark place for 2 weeks. 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 bed, wearing socks.
Although many positive reviews about the use of these home remedies can be found in the vastness of the web, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. If you practice them, only as a complement to pharmacological treatment. Of course, the doctor should be warned about this.
Onychomycosis is a disease caused by nail fungus that is difficult to get rid of. Only with an integrated approach to therapy can a positive result be achieved. You should not play "doctor" and come up with a treatment plan for yourself. Most drugs are contraindicated and can cause side effects. The best way to treat the fungus can only be suggested by a specialist. The above-described drugs and their analogues are suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis that occurs on the fingers not only of the feet, but also of the hands.