According to the results of recent studies, it was revealed that every third inhabitant of the earth is infected with nail fungus in one form or another. At the same time, half a century ago, yeast infections weren't that common. This is mainly explained by the high population density, due to which the pathogen stands up in swimming pools, changing rooms and other public places.
Due to the widespread occurrence of the disease, a large number of drugs have been invented for it. Medications are classified into three main groups. Popular recipes also stand out. Let's consider the various options in more detail and try to find out if there is a better remedy for toenail fungus.
Effective pharmacy products
Therapy against toenail fungus can be carried out both with the help of sprays and smearing with a paste, and by ingesting antifungal tablets with capsules. Modern pharmacology offers a wide variety of substances from both groups. As for their effectiveness, they differ in their effect on the pathogen. Some will have a better effect on yeast, while others will deal with mold better. There are also effective universal remedies for toenail fungus, however, quality treatment is impossible without understanding a clear diagnosis.
Azole group
The therapeutic complexes of this group have a double effect on parasitic organisms:
- They interfere with the reproductive activity of microorganisms by destroying their spores.
- These antifungal nail drugs affect the cellular structure of parasites, dissolve the cell membrane, leading to their death.
A similar drug against the fungus can be produced in any form: tablets, capsules, in the form of suspensions, ointments and gels. An azole remedy is best for treating yeast and yeast infections.
Each of the drugs has its own analogues. In general, the substances of this group are quite widespread and it is not difficult to buy them in a pharmacy.
Morpholine group
A common characteristic feature of such formulations is the presence of amorolfine, as the main active ingredient. Its effect leads to the disruption of intracellular processes in fungal spores, therefore, the parasitic forms stop reproducing and eventually die.
Allylamine group
A feature of the drugs of this group is the rapid elimination of the irritating symptoms of nail fungus - itching, burning and peeling of the skin. They are used only when a fungal infection has affected only part of the plaque, without affecting the internal tissues. Most of these drugs are local substances, so they are most often prescribed in the initial stages, when you can do without pill treatment.
The best effect of allylamine preparations is achieved against candida, dermatophytes and mold. Fungus gels and tablets on the feet and nail tissue more quickly destroy the cellular structure of these parasites.
How to choose the best remedy
All the groups of drugs listed for the fungus can be purchased without a prescription, but this should not be done. The fact is that it is possible to effectively cure the fungus only by knowing the specific type of pathogen, and the patient cannot determine it himself. Therefore, the best option would be to seek medical help promptly and undergo a diagnosis.
The negative consequences of incorrect diagnosis and violations during treatment can be expressed as follows:
- Usually with onychomycosis, the course of treatment takes from one to several months. In severe forms, it can take years to get rid of the fungus. Treatment during this period with the wrong drugs will not bring a positive result, it will take a lot of time and money.
- If, in the process of self-medication, even effective pills for nail fungus and medicinal ointments are constantly changed, then instead of a positive effect, the parasite, on the contrary, will acquire immunity to substances and only will intensify.
- After an interrupted course of therapy, symptoms of the infection usually reappear and the disease progresses even more severely, although recently the medication may appear to be helping.
These main factors determine the need to contact a dermatologist or mycologist so that the doctor can prescribe an effective treatment for onychomycosis.
Effective home remedies
In addition to medications, toenail fungus can be treated with home remedies. However, it is still preferable to trust specialists, since:
- the concentration of the active substance in drugs is always higher than in home methods;
- pharmacological preparations for the treatment of infections are specially adapted to maximize the effect on the pathogenic organism;
- Treating nail fungus with vinegar, iodine, tar, and other substances can cause skin irritation and other related complications.
In general, traditional medicine recipes are best used as additional treatment for a toenail infection. Which one is better depends on the pathogen, but several of the most common can be distinguished, the action of which is quite effective.
A common method is the kombucha treatment. It is an effective remedy against nail fungus. At the same time, several recipes are popular:
- You can take a two-month organism tincture from the tea and boil it. Then the liquid is brought to room temperature. Before going to bed, a cotton swab soaked in this tincture is applied to the infected nail. The bandage is removed in the morning. The softened area of the nail is shortened with scissors and sanded with a file. Then the procedure is repeated again.
- There is another way to use the mushroom itself. A small amount is ground into a puree and spread on the infected nail. The procedure is repeated 2-3 approaches a day. This method tops the ranking of methods for using kombucha.
Other popular home remedies are based on vinegar. You can bathe in this substance and elevate your feet. But before the procedure, you should definitely prepare the nail:
- needs to be sanded with a file;
- cut the edge destroyed by the fungus;
- soften in hot water.
When using this method, it is important to ensure that the vinegar concentration in the bathroom is not high. Otherwise, skin irritation may occur. The leg can even be scalded.
And before going to bed, be sure to wash your feet, put on socks soaked in vinegar. In an acidic environment, the spores of the microorganisms will die, which will significantly slow down the spread of the disease.
There are also a number of recipes for traditional medicine based on natural birch tar:
- You can smear the affected nail plate with tar soap.
- Another option involves the application of a liquid substance.
- Still grated soap is applied at night, making a bandage or gluing the nail with a plaster. After a few months, this will allow you to forget about the fungus.
Alternative treatment methods for nail pathologies are universal. However, to improve the results of therapy, it is better to negotiate its use with the attending physician. Only a specialist can tell you the best way to treat nail fungus.
There are many medications available to treat toenail fungus. They differ in the form of release, type of active ingredient, cost and duration of therapy. The best cure for toenail fungus is extremely difficult to find, because each of these types is effective to varying degrees against certain pathogens of fungal infection. Therefore, it is better to entrust the choice of the course of treatment to specialists.