How does iodine affect fungus?
Onychomycosis occurs as a result of infection with saprophyte fungi. Parasitic microorganisms use keratin for their life support. This substance is protein in nature. It is produced in the skin and nails.
Treating fungus with iodine is a safe way
To effectively get rid of fungus, use iodine. The high efficiency of the substance is due to the ability to coagulate (fold) proteins. Under the influence of an aggressive substance, the mycelium is deprived of its nutrient medium. External use of iodine, in addition to its fungicidal effect, has an antiseptic and cauterizing effect.
It is not possible to quickly cure onychomycosis, since fungi tend to accumulate nutrients inside the cells. If they do not come from outside, then microorganisms begin to use deposited food reserves.
Remember! The longer you delay treatment, the more reserves pathogenic microorganisms will make and the more difficult it will be to cure the fungus.
The use of an alcohol antiseptic solution helps to destroy harmful microorganisms, restore damaged areas and strengthen the nail plates.
Rules for the treatment of onychomycosis
Before carrying out procedures aimed at treating fungal nail infections, it is necessary to carry out preliminary preparation, which consists of the following steps:
- Steaming. Heat 2 liters of water to 350C, then add soda and soap. Legs and arms are immersed in the solution for 15 minutes.
- Drying and cleaning. Remove the limbs from the water and dry with a towel. Then the keratinized areas of the skin are removed and the affected nail plates are trimmed. The remains of cut nails and skin are washed off with water.
- Final processing. An alcohol solution of iodine and other necessary substances are applied to dried nails.
Throughout the entire period of treatment of onychomycosis, it is necessary to carry out special treatment of clothing and shoes with antimycotic sprays. They can be purchased at any pharmacy. Boiling socks and tights helps prevent the spread of infection.
If the fungus affects not only the nails, but also the skin, then after steaming the feet, the flaky skin must be carefully removed and treated with an iodide mesh. This procedure is suitable for preventive purposes. The frequency of manipulation is 1 time every 3 days.
Iodine is a quick way to get rid of fungus
Clinical manifestations of pathology
The standard symptomatic picture of skin lesions is characterized by the following conditions:
- redness of the epithelium, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process,
- persistent itching of the skin. Irritation, peeling and discomfort in the area where the fungus is located,
- the surface of the dermis becomes particularly scaly and prone to cracking,
- with foot fungus, pain occurs when walking and thickening of the skin on the sole,
- the appearance of a blistering rash filled with liquid, and the formation of ulcers and erosions.
It is worth noting that depending on the type of skin fungus, the manifestations of the disease may vary.
Treatment methods
To cure a fungus, it is not at all necessary to use an alcohol solution of iodine in its pure form. The effectiveness of therapy can be improved by using a combination of an antiseptic drug and other home remedies.
- Baths
To carry out the procedure, you need to take a container and pour 2 liters of warm water with 20 drops of antiseptic into it. The liquid temperature should be 450C. If a person suffers from vascular disease, then the water should not be hotter than 350C. Limbs should be kept in the bath for 15 minutes. Then the feet are removed, dried and the affected areas are wiped with a solution of hydrogen peroxide. After baths with iodine, apply a compress to the nail plates.
- Compresses
To prepare a compress, you will need to take 1 teaspoon each of nitrofungin, iodine and vinegar. The medicine must be mixed thoroughly. The resulting mass is applied to a bandage. Then, using a plaster, the compress is fixed to the nails. To achieve maximum effect, the bandage is applied in the evening and removed in the morning.
Baths for the treatment of nail fungus
Contraindications and side effects
Since many medications have their own contraindications, iodine also has them.
- Iodine preparations cannot be combined with medications to lower blood pressure. This may cause shortness of breath, palpitations and weakness.
- Should not be taken by women during menstruation.
- With prolonged use and fairly large doses of iodine-based drugs, symptoms of intoxication may develop, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, runny nose, cough, photophobia, and conjunctivitis.
How to treat nails with iodine
An alcohol solution of an antiseptic is applied in the following ways:
- With a pipette. This method is the simplest, but you must be extremely careful. Excessive application of iodine may cause soft tissue burns. Before the procedure, the skin around the nail must be treated with a thin layer of cream. Apply 1 drop of medicine per day to each nail plate. After treatment, a person may feel a slight burning sensation. If painful sensations appear, the procedure must be carried out every other day.
- With a cotton swab. This method involves performing the procedure 2 times a day. Take a cotton swab, dip it in iodine and apply a thin layer of the substance to the nail.
- Cotton wool. A piece of cotton wool is moistened with iodine, then placed on the nail and fixed. The compress must be applied for 1 hour, no more than once a day.
Before applying the medication, it is necessary to pre-steam and treat the plate. Iodine should be applied even to those nails that seem healthy. To avoid infection, a separate instrument is used for each finger. If only one person in a family is sick, and all other family members are healthy, it is important to prevent the disease.
The positive effect of therapy is noticeable within a week. The course of treatment of fungus with iodine is 1 month. In more severe cases, it may take longer.
Note! When treating with iodine, it is strictly forbidden to increase the dosage of the drug.
Treating shoes with vinegar
It is recommended to use essence to disinfect faux leather models
Treatment of the patient's shoes is necessary, since fungi leave spores in the shoes used by the patient. The traditional method of treating with vinegar is not suitable for all types of boots and shoes: it is not recommended to use essence to disinfect models made of artificial leather or rubber, as the coating may deteriorate.
For processing, a composition of 40-70% is required. A piece of fabric soaked in it is used to treat all the outer and inner surfaces of the shoe. You need to be especially careful when disinfecting your toe, as this is where spores accumulate. In order for all microorganisms to die, it is necessary to put several layers of cloth soaked in acetic acid inside the shoe and push it up to the toe. After this, the shoes are wrapped in polyethylene, which prevents the composition from weathering, and put away in a warm place for 2 days.
Recipes for the best solutions
Treatment with antiseptic and apple cider vinegar
Treatment of fungus with iodine and strengthening of the nail plate
The simultaneous use of iodine and vinegar can improve treatment results. To prepare the solution, take iodine and table vinegar in equal proportions. The resulting mixture can be applied with a pipette or made into compresses. The rubbing method is less popular. It will take about 10 minutes. Rubbing the solution can be done using a toothbrush. Iodine and apple cider vinegar work well in treating the disease and help restore the protective properties of the skin.
How to cure fungus with iodine and olive oil
You need to prepare a mask from these components. Take 20 grams of slightly warmed oil and add 3 drops of iodine. In the evenings, apply the mask to the affected nails for 15 minutes. After it has dried, you can put on socks and go to bed. The next morning you need to wash your feet.
Treatment of onychomycosis with iodine and lemon
To prepare the composition, take 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil and citrus juice. Three drops of an alcohol solution are added to this mass. Using a cotton swab, the mask is applied to the nails.
Therapy of onychomycosis with iodine and celandine
The simultaneous use of iodine and celandine helps to enhance the effect of treatment. Both products can be applied simultaneously or alternately to the nail plate. The alternate method is more popular. At the first stage, you need to keep your feet in a bath with celandine infusion. To prepare it, you will need to take 2 glasses of hot water and 20 grams of crushed herbs of a medicinal plant. Then dry your feet and lubricate the nail plates with iodine.
Prevention of fungus with iodine
According to the simultaneous method, 20 grams of celandine leaves and a 5% alcohol solution of iodine are taken. A compress is made from the resulting thick pulp. This recipe can also be used to prevent fungal infections. Iodine and celandine reduce suppuration and have wound-healing properties.
To treat fungal nail infections, you can also use an oil solution of celandine and iodine. The cotton wool is moistened with a two-component mixture, applied to the nail and fixed. The procedure is performed in the morning. A person should walk around with the cotton wool fixed all day, and remove it in the evening.
Iodine solution with salt and soda
If you follow the recipe, you can quickly get rid of fungal nail infections. To prepare the solution, dissolve 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of sea salt in 1 liter of warm water. It is necessary to dip your hands and feet in this solution for 40 minutes. Then the dead skin is removed using pumice and scissors. The procedure is completed by applying iodine to the affected nail plates. Repeat twice a day.
Note! Iodine in combination with baths of soda and salt help not only effectively get rid of fungus, but also helps strengthen nails.
How to cure onychomycosis with iodine, vinegar and Fukortsin
It is necessary to begin treatment of mycosis with an alcohol solution of iodine. Every day before going to bed, treat with iodine. The course of treatment should be 14 days. Then for the next two weeks the iodine is replaced by vinegar. At the final stage, the affected areas are treated with fucorcin for half a month.
Therapy using iodine and hydrogen peroxide
Treatment of nail fungus with drugs
To prepare a solution for steaming, take 1 liter of water and 1 teaspoon of antiseptic. You need to steam your feet in this solution, then dry them and cut off the overgrown plates. After the procedure, take a small piece of cotton wool and moisten it with peroxide.
How to treat fungus with iodine and antibiotic ointment
Before applying antiseptic and ointment, steam your feet. For this purpose, take a container with warm water and add a few drops of antiseptic. Then the nails are dried, the infected areas are cut off and wiped with hydrogen peroxide. Bandages with ointment are applied to the damaged plates. The manipulation must be carried out in the morning, lunchtime and evening.
When does the result appear?
With properly selected therapy, the first changes are noticeable after 7 days. However, more noticeable effectiveness can be seen only after a month. During this period, the nail plate grows and takes on a healthy appearance.
If therapy is carried out with several drugs, the result will become noticeable after 5 days. Full recovery should be expected in about a month. In severe cases, the duration of the course can last up to 3 months.
Remember! Iodine is not intended for self-therapy. To achieve maximum effect, the antiseptic must be used as an additional substance to treat the disease.
Onychomycosis is a dangerous fungal disease that requires immediate treatment. Systematic use of iodine and other antiseptics increases the chances of recovery.
Forecast
With regular and systematic use, results can be seen within 2-3 weeks. It is important to continue therapy until the nail plate is completely renewed to avoid re-spread of the infection. After completing the course, prevention should be carried out, especially in case of malfunctions of the immune system and visiting places with an increased risk of infection.
Alcohol iodine solution is an inexpensive means of combating onychomycosis. With timely initiation of treatment, it can destroy the source of infection and stop the development of the disease. In difficult cases, the drug is used in combination with stronger drugs.
