Fungus is a disease that affects the skin and nails. Fungal infections, called mycoses, cause itching, burning, irritation and flaking of the skin. If the fungus is not treated in time, it can spread to the nails. It is important to remember that fungal infections are highly contagious, you can spread the infection to other parts of your body, or you can infect someone else through direct contact. Therefore, it is very important to start treatment on time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating a fungus of the foot
Step 1. If you notice a foot fungus, try not to spread the infection
The fungus affects the skin of the soles and toes. Feet are in contact with the floor, and other people walk on the floor (for example, at home or somewhere in the gym). The infection can spread very quickly.
- Do not share shoes or towels with anyone.
- Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms, public areas, swimming pools, shared showers, gyms.
- Until you heal your foot fungus, wear rubber slippers when going to the shower or changing room.
- Try to wash your socks and sheets separately from other items.
- Keep your home and bath especially clean.
- Change your socks every day, or even several times a day (for example, after exercising).
Step 2. Start medication treatment
Over-the-counter medications are usually quite effective against the fungus. But if you have a rather severe case, your doctor may prescribe other medications for you.
- Apply an antifungal ointment, spray, or cream to your feet.
- Buy drugs such as Butenafine, Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Terbinafil, Tolnaftat.
- If you have a rather bad case, your doctor will write you a prescription for other drugs. For example, "Clotrimazole" and "Miconazole" are drugs for oral administration. These also include "Itraconazole", "Diflucan", "Lamisil". Keep in mind that some of these drugs cannot be taken with others (for example, they are incompatible with some anticoagulants, which are anti-clotting drugs).
Step 3. Try homeopathic remedies
Some natural medicines can also be effective against fungal infections of the skin and nails.
- Tea tree oil is considered to be quite effective against fungal infections. It should be applied in a thin layer to the affected areas 2-3 times a day.
- Grapefruit seeds have anti-fungal properties and are also effective against fungus. Grapefruit or grapefruit seed extract can be purchased at department stores or in the bath and shower section.
- Try to wear open shoes (sandals) to keep your feet fresh and dry and clean.
- Garlic has anti-fungal properties. Garlic is not only effective against fungal infections, but it can also help get rid of sweaty feet. Finely chop a few cloves of garlic, crush them into a gruel, add this gruel to a bowl or bath of water. Lower your legs there for 30 minutes. You can mix the same garlic gruel with olive oil and rub it into your skin with a cotton pad.
Method 2 of 3: Treating nail fungus
Step 1. Try to prevent contamination of your feet
The infection spreads easily in the gym, in communal showers and in other public places where people go barefoot. Fungal infections love warm, humid environments and can enter the body through wounds and cuts.
- Do not share towels or shoes with anyone.
- Do not go barefoot in changing rooms, public pools, shared showers, gyms.
- Throw away old shoes that may be infected with fungal infections.
- After touching a nail or fungus-affected area, be sure to wash your hands to prevent the infection from spreading to healthy nails and skin.
- Wear open shoes to keep your feet dry. Wear clean socks.
Step 2. Try starting treatment with antifungal drugs
The infection can start to spread slowly, but over time, it can change the color of the nail, destroy it. Fungal infection must be treated, do not think that it will go away on its own.
- See your doctor for a prescription for antifungal drugs to rub into infected nails. Rinse your nails with warm water.
- Your doctor may prescribe pills or other oral medications for you. Usually they need to be drunk for 6-12 weeks, while performing antifungal treatments.
Step 3. Try homeopathic treatment
Many of these drugs are quite effective in fighting the fungus early on.
- Apply tea tree oil to the affected nail. It needs to be applied 2-3 times a day.
- The milestone extract also has antifungal properties, and its effectiveness can be compared to that of conventional antifungal creams.
- You can use white vinegar baths for affected nails. White vinegar has anti-fungal properties. Then, gently file the top surface of the nail with a nail file and place a cotton pad soaked in undiluted white vinegar on it. This procedure should be performed 1-2 times a day.
Step 4. In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery
Most often, surgery is necessary when the nail is too much affected by the fungus. During the operation, the affected nail is removed, and then treatment with antifungal drugs is prescribed.
At the site of the removed nail, a new one will gradually grow, but this process can take about a year
Method 3 of 3: Preventive Measures
Step 1. Wear suitable shoes
Fungal infections spread easily in humid, poorly ventilated environments. Try to ventilate more often and wear shoes made from natural materials so that the skin of your feet breathes and does not sweat. Change your socks often.
- Throw away old shoes that may be infected with fungal infections.
- If you sweat a lot, change your socks twice a day.
- Socks should be made from natural materials such as wool or cotton. In synthetic socks, feet often sweat.
- In nice, warm weather, wear open shoes to let the sun shine on your feet. To keep your feet from sweating, they should be blown with fresh air.
Step 2. Keep your feet clean and dry
Wash your feet with antibacterial soap, rinse the spaces between your toes.
- Dry with a clean towel to avoid catching a fungal infection from the old towel.
- Use an antibacterial and antifungal foot cream. Apply the cream all over your foot and between your toes.
- Watch your toenails. Cut them in time.
Step 3. Try to strengthen your immunity
Weakened immunity makes your body more prone to developing fungal infections.
- Try to sleep more.
- Monitor your diet. Your diet should include vegetables, fruits, nuts.
- Take a vitamin complex several times a week.
- Take a walk in the fresh air. Fresh air and sunlight are essential for the synthesis of vitamin D.
- Try not to give in to stress and anxiety. Do special exercises, meditate, relax.
Step 4. It is very important to remember the benefits of exercise
Sports and exercise are not only good for your health. They help strengthen the immune system, which plays a key role in fighting infection. Blood flow through the vessels of the legs is much slower than in other parts of the body, making it harder for the immune system to detect and fight an infection.
- If you are not too into sports, start with the simplest exercises. Walk, swim, sign up for dancing or gymnastics.
- Light weight training can be done at home or in the gym.
- Try to use the stairs more often than the elevator. Park your car further from the place you want to walk some distance.
Warnings
- Think about those around you - do not go barefoot in public places and at home, because your relatives or other people walk there, who can also get infected with the fungus!
- Talk to your doctor before using antifungal medications. Some antifungal medications can cause side effects: irritation, skin rashes, and liver damage.