The toenail fungus (onychomycosis) are a common infection that begins as a white or yellowish spot under the tip of the nail and, as it deepens, it can cause discoloration, thickening and deterioration of the nail. The main symptoms are thickened nails, color change to white or yellow, brittle and irregular, abnormal shape and slightly unpleasant odor.
This infection it may start from foot fungus or athlete’s foot and spread from one nail to another, but it is rare to get an infection from another person. The mushrooms They thrive in damp areas like pools, gyms, or showers.
Risk factor’s
The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that people with any of the following factors are at higher risk for a fungal nail infection:
• Diabetes
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Peripheral neuropathies
• Minor injuries to the skin or nails
• Nail deformity or disease
• Wet skin for a long time
• Immune system problems
• Family background
• Wear footwear that does not allow feet to stay airy
Are home remedies to eliminate fungus really effective?
Fungi can be treated with special products for sale in pharmacies, but there are also certain natural products that have antifungal effects and can be applied in cutaneous mycoses. These exert a direct antifungal action or vary the conditions of the substrate and hinder the growth of fungi. Thus, you can resort to any of these remedies with prior authorization from your doctor:
1
Sodium bicarbonate
The sodium bicarbonate It is one of the most used home remedies to treat fungi, since it has a fungicidal effect and antifungal, alkaline, and antiseptic properties.
Still, experts warn that baking soda has a abrasive effect that can affect the area where it is applied and cause dryness, irritation and flaking.
2
Apple cider vinegar
Remedy capable of eliminating nail fungus thanks to its antifungal properties. Thus, soaking your feet daily in a vinegar bath can help treat this condition.
There is not enough scientific evidence that vinegar is useful for this treatment, however, it is relatively safe if used in moderate amounts and diluted in water.
3
Garlic
There are those who use garlic as part of a remedy to eliminate fungi since, as some studies indicate, it has antibacterial and antifungal power thanks to some of the compounds found in its nutritional composition, such as allicin and the garlic. The easiest way to apply it is to cut a garlic clove in half and rub the affected nail or nails with it directly. You can also make a garlic infusion and dip your feet in it or apply garlic oil.
4
Essential oils
Another widely used resource are essential oils aromatic plants, which have a antifungal action, associated with a great penetration capacity. They are used in pure form and, in case the essential oil is aggressive for the skin, diluted in alcohol or vegetable oils, such as coconut, St. John’s wort or calendula oil.
Some of the most used are tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, palmarosa or thyme, which are used in local applications twice a day, for periods of at most 6 months.
Prevention and non-propagation are two key aspects, so that this does not happen it is essential to use appropriate footwear in the pool or public showers, not to use the same nail clippers if one of them is infected, not to wear very tight shoes or with difficult perspiration, to use cotton socks and avoid false nails or poor quality nail polish.
The nail fungus are not a significant problem for most people, even so, those who suffer diabetes and the ones that have the weakened immune system they are those with the highest risk of complications. In this case, they should avoid home remedies and go to the doctor so that he is the one who indicates the treatment to follow.
This information does not replace in any case the diagnosis or prescription by a doctor. It is important to go to a specialist when symptoms occur in case of illness and never self-medicate.
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