Among fungal infections, nail disease (onychomycosis) is the most common. The insidiousness of the fungus is that it does not go away on its own; with inconsistent treatment, it tends to persist even in individual skin flakes. From the first symptoms you should think about treating nail fungus with vinegar.
If you leave everything as it is, it will cover all the nails and then spread to the skin. As fungi multiply, they release toxins that enter the bloodstream, poison the body, and suppress the immune system. It is known that you can get rid of an unpleasant phenomenon easier and faster if you use folk remedies, combining them with modern antifungal drugs.
Features of the disease
Nail fungus, or scientifically onychomycosis, is a frequently occurring problem faced by people of different ages and both sexes. The cause of discoloration and deformation of nails is rapidly multiplying dermatophytes (about 300 species of these pathogens are found in nature!), which easily penetrate the nail, corroding its top layer.
Important! The fungus affects the nail plates of the toes and hands with almost equal frequency.
The first signs of parasitic microorganisms:
- dry cuticle;
- cracking skin near the nail;
- cracks, inclusions, spots, grooves on the horny surface;
- redness and roughness of the skin around the nail plate;
- severe itching, feeling of discomfort in the affected area.
Sometimes pain may appear under the affected nail.
With the further development of pathogenic spores, the following occurs:
- separation of the nail plates;
- changes in the structure of the nail, its thickening;
- crumbling of the upper stratum corneum;
- a change in the shape and color of the nail from greenish-yellow to brown and even black, which indicates its peeling and death.
In parallel with these manifestations of the disease, an unpleasant odor may appear, and a white or yellowish coating often appears on the subungual bed.
Why is nail fungus dangerous?
One of the main dangers of onychomycosis is a high degree of infection and rapid spread. For parasitic microorganisms to get into the nail and begin their destructive effect, it is enough to put on the shoes of a sick person (for example, slippers), use his towel, or simply walk on the same carpet (floor).
Important! As a result of the vital activity of the fungus, metabolic products are released that have toxic and allergenic properties, causing local and general reactions in the form of inflammation and intoxication of the entire body. If treatment is not timely, it will be much more difficult to cope with this insidious disease.
Visible manifestations of this process are expressed:
- allergic reactions;
- weakening of the protective functions of the immune system;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Therefore, it is necessary to treat onychomycosis. It is advisable to do this from the appearance of the first alarming symptoms.
Preparatory procedures
The infection can spread throughout the entire thickness of the nail.
In order for the vinegar to penetrate as deeply as possible, you need to prepare your nails for its effects. In addition, vinegar should not be used if the skin of the feet or hands is also significantly affected by fungus, irritated and inflamed. First you need to relieve inflammation.
To eliminate inflammation and swelling, use baths with infusions of chamomile and calendula, which are brewed at the rate of a glass of crushed flowers per 2 liters of boiling water. After such baths, you can lubricate the irritated skin with sulfur or tar ointment.
To eliminate various types of keratinization on the skin, as well as to steam the nail plates, before treatment with vinegar, hot baths for the feet or hands with a 2% soda solution are prescribed. After this, all calluses and growths are removed with pumice, the nails are cut off as much as possible and filed with a nail file.
Can vinegar cure nail fungus?
Vinegar has been used for nail fungus for a very long time. Despite the emergence of a large number of new drugs, this method does not lose its relevance.
Traditional medicine recommends this spice as an independent remedy in the initial stages of the disease. Experts often prescribe solutions of acetic acid as part of complex treatment. In advanced forms of onychomycosis, recovery occurs with regular procedures over a long period of time. It is necessary to carry out treatment courses until the signs of the disease completely disappear.
Features of treatment
When using vinegar against nail fungus, you need to pay attention to the specifics of its use.
This will protect you from unwanted side effects and ensure the desired treatment result.
First of all, be patient. For the final death of a pathogenic fungus, exposure to acetic acid should not be one-time, but repeated and regular. Therefore, treatment procedures must be carried out even after the symptoms of the disease disappear - until the healthy nail grows completely.
Secondly, note that the acid concentration can be different (6, 9 and 70%). The higher the strength of the solution, the stronger the effect of the acid.
Important! Under no circumstances should 70% pure essence be applied to the skin or nails!! It must be diluted with other ingredients included in the medicinal product.
Since the risk of burns increases with increasing strength of the solution, it is necessary to carefully monitor the sensations during the procedure. If you experience a tingling sensation and, especially, a burning sensation, it is necessary to dilute the remedy to a lower concentration of acetic acid.
To avoid discomfort, experts advise starting the procedure with the weakest vinegar solution (9%). After a few days, if the skin reaction is normal, you can try products prepared on the basis of a diluted 70% essence.
Note! If during the procedure irritation, swelling, or rash still appears on the skin, this indicates the development of an allergic reaction. In this case, treatment must be stopped.
Reviews
I had a fungus for a long time, very neglected. I didn’t pay much attention right away, but when the whole nail turned yellow, I went to the hospital. They prescribed medications and advised me to keep my feet in a vinegar solution to speed up the process. As they said, after the baths I applied the cream, and soon the old, painful nail fell off on its own.
Alexey, 46 years old.
The fungus has tormented me. I bought various ointments at the pharmacy, my nails seemed to go away, but later the fungus still returned. And then my wife read somewhere and made an ointment herself with vinegar and dissolved egg. And it helped! I recommend it to everyone.
Valery, 65 years old.
I got rid of the fungus with vinegar and iodine.
As written in the recipe, I mixed them in a bottle and applied them to the nail every day, morning and evening. It was a long story, almost six months, but now there is no fungus, and there were no adverse reactions. Valentina, 37 years old.
Methods for treating nail fungus with vinegar
Traditional medicine suggests treating nail fungus with vinegar in several ways. In this case, you can use either 9% table vinegar or 6% apple cider vinegar, or diluted 70% essence.
The most well-known and used methods:
- compresses and lotions;
- ointments;
- baths.
The big advantage is the ease of preparation, low price and availability of the constituent ingredients with a good visible treatment result.
Compresses with vinegar
One of the popular formulations, which includes glycerin and vinegar, has been used for several decades to get rid of nail fungus.
Note! When carrying out this procedure, after applying the treatment to the affected area, a film is applied on top and heat is created (a woolen sock, gloves, etc. are put on, depending on the part of the body being treated).
There are several ways to prepare this mixture.
First recipe
- 2 tablespoons vinegar;
- 2 tablespoons of vodka;
- 1 tablespoon glycerin.
Prepare the mixture by moistening a small piece of cotton cloth, gauze folded in several layers or a cotton pad. Apply to the affected area and secure with a bandage. Make a compress for 20 - 30 minutes. Repeat daily until complete recovery.
Second recipe
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar;
- 1 tablespoon glycerin;
- 2 drops of 5% iodine solution.
Mix the ingredients well. Apply a compress to the affected areas at night. Carry out the procedures for another 1.5-2 weeks after the symptoms of the disease disappear.
In addition to glycerin, other ingredients can be added to vinegar to prepare compresses:
- Tea tree oil has strong antifungal properties. Its use together with acetic acid enhances the damaging effect on the fungus. For a compress, add 4 drops of oil to 1 tablespoon of 9% vinegar.
- Egg white. To prepare the composition, take 2 tablespoons of slightly warmed water, vinegar essence and vodka. Add 3 egg whites and 1 tablespoon of glycerin to the resulting solution.
Mix all ingredients until smooth.
Third recipe
- Beat 1 raw egg with 1 teaspoon of dimethyl phthalate, 1 teaspoon of olive oil and acetic acid.
Note! Egg mixtures must be stored in the refrigerator.
Vinegar-based ointments for nail fungus
Traditional medicine offers many recipes for ointments made with vinegar. The components that form the basis of the product also have a therapeutic effect, improving the distribution of the ointment on the affected area.
With honey
- 1 tablespoon honey;
- 1 tablespoon vinegar;
- 2 tablespoons olive oil;
- 1 tablespoon Kalanchoe juice.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Apply a compress with ointment to the affected areas at night (7-8 hours). The procedures are continued until complete recovery.
Store the remedy in the refrigerator for no more than 2 weeks.
Precautions during treatment
Despite the positive effect that acetic acid has in the fight against fungus, precautions must be taken when using these traditional medicine methods.
Even in the weakest concentration, vinegar exhibits its acidic properties. Therefore, if you handle it carelessly or fail to comply with the dilution proportions, you can get a chemical burn and add another one to your problem.
Also, you should not use vinegar as a remedy for fungus:
- during pregnancy;
- against the background of severely reduced immunity;
- There are abrasions, wounds, cuts and cracks on the skin.
Side effects and contraindications
Some people are intolerant to vinegar and other components. Therefore, if side effects appear in the form of a small rash, itching and burning, you must stop all procedures and consult a doctor.
Vinegar therapy has certain contraindications:
- children under 10 years of age;
- pregnancy;
- the presence of open wounds and damage to the tissues adjacent to the nail;
- psoriasis;
- eczema.
Women during breastfeeding can use vinegar for treatment, but only in consultation with their doctor.
Additional measures to combat fungus
Treatment of nail fungus with vinegar essence will be successful if re-infection is prevented. Instruments used to treat affected nails and skin areas must be thoroughly washed and treated with alcohol or vinegar solutions after each use.
As a preventative measure, try to follow these recommendations:
- Wear special shoes (for example, rubber slippers) in public places, swimming pools, baths, saunas.
- Do not use other people's things, shoes, personal hygiene products.
- Carry out regular disinfection of places where infection is possible (baths, showers, etc.).
- Don't wear tight shoes. This increases foot sweating and creates good conditions for the rapid growth and spread of fungus throughout the foot.
We recommend reading: Apple cider vinegar for weight loss
Causes
Toenail fungus is considered a public disease. You can make a list of specific places where infection most often appears and nail plates become infected:
- Saunas, public baths, swimming pools. Infected skin flakes are found on the floor, gratings, paths, and benches. When indoor humidity is high, fungi actively multiply.
- Bathroom in the apartment. Here, intra-family infection occurs when using shared washcloths, towels, rugs, and grills.
- Poorly processed manicure tools.
- Shoes in stores when customers try them on on their bare feet.
- Beach - sand infected with contaminated skin particles settles on the nails. This method of infection is especially common in fresh water bodies.
Another important point: in most cases, the infection affects those who have a predisposition to onychomycosis.
