Nail fungus is a disease that affects both men and women, and it is found in people of all ages.
My good friend recently returned from a vacation, which she spent by the pool, and became a victim of this seemingly fungus. At first, she did not attach much importance to it, until the fungus began to progress. The first attempts at treatment with ointments turned out to be unsuccessful.
Having gone to the village to visit her grandmother, she learned a wonderful way that helped her to eliminate this unpleasant phenomenon. The method is quite simple and accessible to everyone, and the result is truly pleasant and impressive.
We decided to share with you this effective folk remedy for treating fungus.
The method is suitable for both foot and hand fungus.
Treatment of foot fungus at home: The recipe is based on apple cider vinegar and baking soda.
Treating nail fungus with vinegar is already as well-known as the nail fungal disease itself. And despite the fact that today there are many modern medications to fight this disease, the use of this method is still relevant.
Vinegar blocks the vital activity of fungal spores and completely kills the pathogens. Therefore, dermatologists recommend making vinegar baths for anti-onychomycosis and prophylactic purposes.
And soda wonderfully neutralizes acids, normalizes the acid-alkaline balance.
By using this remedy for fungus on the feet 2 times a day, you will completely cure the disease even without pharmaceutical preparations!
You will need:
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 5 tbsp baking soda
- 3 L of hot water
Preparation:
- To prepare the bath, pour hot water into a basin (temperature about 50–60 degrees) and add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar.
- Wait until the mixture cools down to 40-45 degrees and place your feet in the basin of water for 15-20 minutes.
- After using the bath, rinse your feet with clean water and dry them with a paper towel.
- After one hour, repeat this procedure, but with the addition of five tablespoons of soda to the solution. To achieve a quick result, it is recommended to use such baths several times a day.
The essence of the method lies in the fact that the fungus dies in an acidic environment, and soda prevents its further spread.
As you can see, this cheap, accessible, and effective remedy can be of great help in the fight against this unpleasant disease. It can also be used for prevention.
Nail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, appears when a tiny, microscopic fungus gets underneath your fingernail or toenail and begins to grow.
The Main Culprit: A Fungus
The infection is caused by a type of fungus, most commonly a group called dermatophytes. These fungi are the same ones that can cause athlete’s foot and ringworm. Less commonly, yeasts and molds can also be the cause.
These tiny organisms are everywhere in our environment, but they thrive in one specific type of place: warm, dark, and moist environments. This is the key to understanding why nail fungus appears.
How the Infection Starts
The fungus needs an entry point. It usually gets into the nail through:
- A tiny cut in the skin around the nail.
- A crack in the nail itself.
- The small space between your nail and the nailbed.
Once it’s in, if the conditions are right (warm and moist), it starts to feed on the keratin—the protein that makes up your nails. This is what causes the nail to become thick, discolored (yellow or brown), brittle, and crumbly.
Key Risk Factors (The “Why” It Happens to Some People)
So, why do some people get it while others don’t? It’s all about providing the perfect opportunity and environment for the fungus to grow.
Environmental Exposure: This is a major factor. Walking barefoot in public places where fungi thrive, such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and communal showers, dramatically increases your risk of exposure.
Poor Footwear Choices: Wearing shoes that are tight and don’t allow your feet to breathe (like heavy work boots or non-breathable athletic shoes) creates a perfect dark, sweaty, and warm incubator inside your socks for fungus to grow.
Increasing Age: As we get older, our blood circulation becomes less efficient, our nails grow more slowly and become thicker, and our immune systems can weaken, all of which make us more susceptible.
Underlying Health Conditions:
- Poor Circulation: Conditions like diabetes or peripheral artery disease reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder for your body to detect and fight off an infection.
- Weakened Immune System: People with compromised immune systems (due to illness or certain medications) are more vulnerable.
- Heavy Sweating (Hyperhidrosis): If you naturally sweat a lot, your socks and shoes are more likely to be damp.
- Nail or Skin Injury: Any trauma to the nail, even a minor one, can create an opening for the fungus to enter.
- Pre-existing Athlete’s Foot: If you have a fungal infection on the skin of your feet (athlete’s foot), it can easily spread to your toenails.
In short, nail fungus appears when a common environmental fungus finds the perfect opportunity—an entry point into the nail and a warm, moist environment—to grow and thrive.
Disclaimer: While home remedies can be tried, nail fungus is notoriously difficult to treat. For an effective and lasting solution, it is best to consult a doctor or a podiatrist who can prescribe stronger topical or oral antifungal medications.
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