Apple cider vinegar for toenail fungus is an inexpensive but effective treatment for treating infections, even in the most advanced cases. But, based on apple cider vinegar, a wide variety of compounds are prepared and have a detrimental effect on fungal colonies. To achieve a quick replacement of the affected nail plate with a new one, it is necessary to take into account all the characteristics of the application of the folk method.
Effects of apple cider vinegar on fungi
Nail fungus or onychomycosis is a difficult disease to treat. Fungal spores can become infected in any public place where humidity is always high and heat is maintained. The microorganism easily penetrates the subcutaneous layers through skin cracks, abrasions and scratches. Normally, the fungus starts its activity on the skin, causing itching, redness, burning and peeling.
Ringworm causes a decrease in local immunity, which leads to rapid spread of the fungus along the foot and its penetration into the thickness of the nail bed. Onychomycosis develops gradually and disease manifestations are largely determined by the type of fungus.
The affected nail at first becomes opaque, grayish, then gradually starts to thicken and expand in width. Over time, the nail plate starts to disintegrate and break, there is a pain around the bed, an unpleasant odor.
All changes in onychomycosis can affect either the entire nail, its edges or the area located in the growth zone. In advanced cases, a fungal infection from one nail spreads to the neighboring nail and passes to the other leg. The easiest way to treat nail fungus is in the early stages of the pathology. If the disease is detected early, then you can only do it with the use of external antifungal agents, and methods popular in an early stage of onychomycosis are no less effective compared to pharmaceutical preparations.
Applying apple cider vinegar to the nail fungus can kill the parasites. The use of apple cider vinegar-based recipes creates an acidic environment in the thickness of the nail and under the plate itself, which damages the parasite's spores. The increase in acidity makes the process of reproduction and subsequent growth of the fungus to be interrupted.
Apple cider vinegar also has antiseptic and disinfectant properties, which makes it useful in preventing fungal infections. Disease prevention is necessary in cases where nail fungus is found in a family member.
External use of apple cider vinegar in its pure form or in combination with additional components will allow relatives to remain uninfected during the period when the main "source" of mold spores is being treated.
Apple Cider Vinegar Fungus Treatment Options
How to treat identified onychomycosis depends on the stage of infection? In advanced cases, external agents should be combined with oral administration of antifungal medications prescribed by a dermatologist. Using only traditional ointments, lotions, or methods will not be beneficial, especially if changes in the nail bed of the legs have been observed for several years.
To cure a fungal infection with apple cider vinegar, you can use various remedies prepared based on this product. They can be lotions, ointments of different compositions, foot baths. It is essential to strictly observe the proposed recipe, as increasing the amount of vinegar or additional components can cause irritation to the skin around the nail, pain and burns.
apple cider vinegar bath
Trays with the addition of various components with antifungal activity are widely used against nail fungus. Apple cider vinegar is also one of them.
The bath is easy to prepare. It is necessary to heat two to four glasses of apple cider vinegar and pour it into a bowl, after which the legs are dipped in the liquid. Treatment effectiveness increases when multiple conditions are met:
- Before the procedure, the legs must be rinsed, all dead cells must be removed. The affected nails must be vaporized and part of the nail plate must be cut.
- The duration of the bath is 10 to 15 minutes.
- In the first week of treatment, baths should be done twice a day. Thereafter, the procedure is performed once every three days.
- Do not rinse your feet after bathing in vinegar. They can only be towel dried and worn with cotton socks.
Pure apple cider vinegar can cause severe burns. Especially if there are sores on the feet. To reduce sensitivity, you can dilute it with water in a 2: 1 ratio.
compresses
Apple cider vinegar against nail fungus is also used as a base for compresses. The simplest compress is to moisten a cotton swab in vinegar and then fix it to the affected nail. There are other lotion options:
- Apple cider vinegar in the amount of two tablespoons must be mixed with regular soda to obtain a pasty mixture. It is applied to the nail, covered with a tampon on top and fixed with a fingertip or plastic wrap.
- Apple cider vinegar is mixed in equal proportions with glycerin or vegetable oil. In the resulting solution, the disc is moistened and placed on the affected nails. It's best to fix the pad with plastic wrap, and you can put a sock on top. Apple's Glycerin Blend is also ideal for lubricating the entire foot. This application of the solution soothes rough skin, kills all microbes, promotes softening of the calluses, and can be used when onychomycosis is combined with ringworm, that is, with a fungus that reaches the surface of the skin.
- Vinegar with iodine. Three drops of alcoholic tincture of iodine should be added to a tablespoon of apple essence. The resulting medicine is applied to the entire surface of the nail, then the finger is wrapped in polyethylene and the swab is fixed with a plaster. You can also use iodine as a separate ingredient to fight fungus.
Compresses with apple cider vinegar on the nail should be kept for at least three hours, it is best to do the procedure at night, and remove the dressing in the morning. The nail bed becomes softer under the influence of the lotion components, so it can be easily cut.
ointments
For nail fungus, it is recommended to use ointments that contain apple cider vinegar as the main ingredient.
- One hundred grams of crushed Kalanchoe leaves should be combined with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 10 grams of liquid honey and 30 grams of eucalyptus oil. The prepared mixture is kept in a dark place for three days, after which it can be used to lubricate the nail affected by the fungus.
- Two tablespoons of apple essence should be mixed with equal amounts of dimethyl phthalate, glycerin and olive oil. The resulting ointment is applied to the nail; to increase the effect, the finger can be wrapped with plastic wrap on top. In the morning, the feet and nails are washed well with soap and water.
Nail ointment can be applied twice a day. Treating nail fungus with apple cider vinegar will be effective if the nails are sprayed before the procedures and their large, thick part is cut. But it must be remembered that, in advanced cases, even pharmaceutical preparations with high antifungal activity for topical application will not help if their use is not combined with systemic antimycotic drugs.
The treatment of nail fungus is a long process that takes from several weeks to a year and a half to two years. And complete destruction of the fungus can be achieved if drug administration and its external nail treatment are used throughout the entire period of therapy without interruption.