Mycosis, or foot fungus, is a rather unpleasant problem. This is dryness, redness, burning, cracking of the skin, peeling of the nail plate. This is exactly what can be encountered if timely preventive treatment of shoes is not carried out. Disinfecting shoes from a fungus at home is an integral part of self-care and your he alth. It needs to be done regularly. Various means can be used for this. It can be both specialized preparations and folk remedies that are available in every home.
Need for disinfection
Treatment of mycosis is a complex and rather lengthy process. You can take medications for months, try many folk remedies on yourself, but still not get rid of the problem. It is much easier to carry out preventive work. Disinfecting shoes at home will help solve this problem.
Disinfection is most often used by those who belong to the so-called risk group. This is mainly a contingent of people who stand for a long time at work in a damp warm room (cooks, workers in baths and saunas, and so on), buyers of second-hand shoes. This group also includes people whose body is weakened for various reasons (old age, prolonged illness, reduced immunity, and so on).
Processing Features
Disinfection of shoes (clothes) is not a difficult process. But still, before starting processing, you need to familiarize yourself with general tips and procedures. Processing involves the use of chemicals. Therefore, in order to comply with safety regulations, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment (gloves, medical mask).
Before proceeding with processing, it is necessary to check the effect of the product on shoes. To do this, apply a drop of the composition to a hidden area. This will make sure that the tool does not spoil the color, texture of the material. Shoes must be clean and dry. Only then can it be processed. Shoes are disinfected from the inside and outside. It is important to treat the entire surface, including hard-to-reach places, the bottom of the insoles.
After complete processing, a pair of shoes is placed in a sealed bag, which is tightly tied and hung in a dry, warm place, where it should be kept for a day. After the time has elapsed, the shoes are taken out and given to her.get some air.
Experts recommend disinfection at least 2 times a month.
Ways to process shoes
Today, disinfection of shoes for fungal diseases can be carried out in one of several ways:
Sprays. This method is good because the agent penetrates into the most inaccessible places, due to which the processing efficiency increases
Antiseptics. These are substances that are able to defeat the fungus. They can be special or non-core
Electrical appliances. They not only disinfect, but also dry the shoes. To do this, they simply need to be placed inside the shoe for 8-10 hours. After that, it can be worn immediately
Folk methods
From these methods, everyone can choose the most suitable for themselves.
Types of funds
Shoe disinfection for fungal diseases can be carried out using the following tools:
Formalin solution with a concentration of 15%
1% chlorhexidine bigluconate solution
Vinegar solution 40%
Wet wipes with a disinfectant effect
Sprays from various manufacturers
Before you start using expensive products, you can try more affordable folk remedies. They can be much more efficient, not to mention the environmental side of the issue.
Vinegar in the fight against fungus
Disinfection of shoes from the fungus is carried out not with ordinary table vinegar, but with a concentrated solution of acetic acid. Its contentshould be at the level of 40-70%. Such a liquid is aggressive and dangerous for the skin. Therefore, you can work with it only in latex (rubber) gloves. In addition, acetic acid can damage shoes. Therefore, first you need to check the resistance of shoes to the solution. To do this, the product is applied to an inconspicuous area in small quantities. If all is well, you can start processing.
The whole process is carried out according to the following plan:
clean and dry shoes;
put on gloves;
prepare the solution;
remove the insole, laces;
dip a cotton pad in the solution;
treat the inside of the shoe;
cotton soaked in solution is left in the toe of shoes;
clean the insoles with a tissue;
treat the laces (you can just dip them in the solution);
hide a couple in a sealed bag;
tie the bag tightly and leave in a warm place overnight;
clean up work area and remove gloves
After work, it is necessary to ventilate the room. After at least 12 hours have elapsed, shoes are taken out of the bag and allowed to air out.
Chlorhexidine
Disinfection of shoes from fungus at home using chlorhexidine is a more gentle option. The product can be applied to shoes with a spray bottle. And you can use a cotton pad (tampon). When working with this tool, there is oneimportant point. The pharmacy sells a solution whose concentration is only 0.05%. But to combat fungal diseases, a 1% solution is needed. You can buy it only in specialized medical stores.
Chlorhexidine is suitable for frequent use. The composition is odorless. Thanks to this, the ventilation time can be reduced.
Using sprays
Manufacturers offer a large selection of all kinds of sprays. Disinfection of shoes with their help allows you to suppress the development of fungal flora, destroy spores, and remove other types of microorganisms. Thus, this treatment allows you to completely protect shoes from the manifestations of pathogens.
Simultaneously with the removal of the fungus, the spray allows you to get rid of the unpleasant odor. It has an antiseptic effect.
Using the spray is easy. It is enough to spray the contents of the bottle on the inside of the shoe and the insole. As in other cases, shoes are left for a day in a sealed bag. Some manufacturers offer a two-component product that must be mixed before use. Details of use must be indicated on the instructions for each specific drug.
Use of electrical appliances
Shoe disinfection using electrical appliances is perhaps the easiest method. They work on the basis of ultraviolet light, which destroys fungal microorganisms and other pathogenic bacteria. No dangerous effect on surrounding people (or animals)the device does not render.
For disinfection, the device is placed inside the shoe. The time depends on the manufacturer. Some need up to 8-10 hours, while others need 5 minutes.
In addition, a separate category of electrical devices for disinfecting shoes also has a drying function. After using the appliance, shoes can be put on immediately, without additional cleaning or airing.
Folk remedies
Acetic acid is not the only thing that helps in the fight against fungus. Disinfection of shoes can be carried out using other means, for example, ammonia, tar.
It is necessary to use folk remedies in the same way as purchased ones. After processing the cleaned shoes, a moistened cotton swab is placed in the toe of the shoes. A pair of shoes - in a bag for a day. In the case of tar, of course, it is not necessary to rub it. Simply put a cotton pad with the product inside.
An important point in such disinfection is a persistent unpleasant odor. Therefore, processing is best done in a well-ventilated area, and even better - on the balcony.
You can use other means:
Hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3%. Shoes can be wiped from the inside, or simply pour the product inside (if the type of shoes allows)
Baking soda, which is poured into shoes and left there for a day. After the time has elapsed, the powder must be carefully removed
Flour used in the same way as baking soda
Potassium permanganate, that is, its weaksolution
Alcohol (vodka) will get rid of harmful microorganisms and bad smell
To achieve a greater effect, disinfection of shoes can be carried out in several ways at the same time. Complex processing will show the best results. This will be a good preventive work to prevent the appearance of fungal diseases. In addition, disinfection will have a beneficial effect even at the stage of treatment of the fungus.
