Toenail fungus is manifested by thickening of inconspicuous appearance. Statistics show that more than a quarter of the entire population has onychomycosis.
The treatment of the disease is hard and long, and there will be a relapse after the course.
Why the fungus appears
All the factors that contribute to the infection with the fungus of the thumb are due to the fact that pathogenic spores of the fungus penetrate the skin.
You can become infected through infected objects when you come in contact with them, for example, by using other people's things - shoes, towels
The risk group for onychomycosis on the toes includes people who suffer from flat feet, who have excessive sweating, messy, messy at home.
Causes of fungal infection:
- The use of tight, uncomfortable shoes helps the development of pathogenic flora and the multiplication of bacteria, because sweating increases. The biggest toe is most attacked. Fungal spores, multiplying, fall on socks, other things and spread on the floor. Infecting others.
- Shoes made of low-quality artificial materials, thick, not breathable, "suffocating" the feet, contributing to the growth of bacteria.
- Ignoring hygiene rules in public places. Wear shoes when visiting saunas, swimming pools and showers - this will protect you from foreign bacteria.
- Never wear someone else's socks, leggings or shoes, or borrow your own. If you try on shoes, make sure you have your own sock to try on.
- Fungal infection is caused by immune problems. Weakened immunity is difficult to deal with viruses and fungi. It is difficult to treat the fungus in people suffering from diabetes, psoriasis, varicose veins, obesity, infected with HIV.
- Ignoring such basic rules as washing your feet daily with soap, changing socks, treating nails, helps develop fungal infections.
- Improper treatment and care of corns, cracks and corns can cause the spread of fungal spores on the big toe.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
Fungal disease is caused by infection with fungal spores. The infection will not be fatal, but it can go from the toenail to the toes and adjacent toes.
The disease is almost invisible at first, the suspicion occurs when a yellow tint appears on the nails, and then brown with seals and delaminations. Tight, peeled nails cause severe discomfort when wearing shoes.
Medicine divides onychomycosis into 3 levels:
- Initial - the nail plate is covered with spots and streaks of yellow hue, the feet are not yet affected during this period.
- The second phase - the shine disappears, the color becomes brown, an unpleasant odor comes from the feet.
- Advanced level - the nail peels off the skin, becomes loose, crumbles. There is pain. This phase is dangerous, slow, falling off, spreading to the surrounding area.
With symptoms such as peeling of the skin on the toes, periodic appearance of blisters, redness, cracks, one should be careful and take preventive measures to prevent mycosis.
Characteristics of disease treatment
Fungal infection of the feet begins with the toenail. Fungal spores are comfortably located in the upper layer of the nail plate, from where their path to the matrix begins.
Since the nail on the thumb is first affected, treatment begins at this site. The mode of action of drugs has local-external and systemic action. The approach should be individual, taking into account the signs of pathology and the condition of the patient's internal organs.
The approach to treatment is complex. Disinfectants, bacterial antifungals, pulse therapy are used.
Pulse therapy involves a long-term exposure regimen with periodic changes in treatment types. This schedule contains oral medications for a week with recurrence after 3 weeks.
Means that suppress the reproduction of pathogenic microflora are used every day.
Using a systematic approach allows you to increase your chances of complete recovery from illness. Complex therapy includes taking vitamins and immunostimulating drugs.
The use of drugs is based on the accumulative principle. The drugs are concentrated and provide long-term protection against disease.
Grease remover
Preparations for external use are different ointments and several options - varnishes and lotions.
The mechanism of action of fats is based on the destruction of the cell membrane of fungal spores. The course of treatment is long and is carried out until the final deliverance. Dead layers are cleaned with a file.
Iodinol is used as a lubricant. The result is obtained if the sock of the infected person's shoes is lubricated from the inside, and a cotton swab soaked in the medicine is applied to the nail.
Tar and sulfur ointments have proven to be quite effective as antifungal drugs.
All fats when used give a good result. But treatment should be prescribed by a specialist. Different fats intentionally affect the fungus of different nature. Only a doctor after laboratory research can choose the most effective drug.
Let's get rid of it at home with the help of folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers many recipes for eliminating fungal diseases. Treatment of onychomycosis of the big toe at home is carried out in the following ways.
With the use of iodine
Onychomycosis is successfully treated with iodine baths. Water is poured into the basin at a temperature of about 40-45 degrees, alcohol and iodine are poured into it drop by drop.
For 1 liter of water you need 3 drops of iodine - depending on the volume of the vessel, you can calculate the right amount.
Put your feet in the water and hold until the water has cooled. Peroxide-treated scissors cut off the affected part of the nail plate. After the procedure, the nail and the skin around it are treated with peroxide. The effect will be enhanced if an antibacterial ointment bandage is applied.
Effective use of ordinary vinegar
The room temperature water is diluted with 9% vinegar in a ratio of 2 to 1. The bathing time is 15 minutes. Then the damaged nail must be filed or cut off. The duration of the manipulation is at least 2 weeks.
Lemons and potatoes help
- Fresh lemon should be covered with boiling water - so it will have more juice. Cut the slices and apply on the damaged nail. Citrus is fixed with plaster. A good result will be if the dressing is done every night and lasts all night.
- Peel the potatoes. The component is boiled, water is poured into a bowl and crushed to a puree. The legs are raised in the broth, and then the softened growths are cut off. After cleaning, the porridge is applied for half an hour and washed off.
Medicinal herbs in combat
- Celandine. The fresh juice of this wonderful plant can cure almost all types of fungal diseases. Within 2 weeks, the fresh plant (leaf and stem are kneaded) is applied to the affected nail plates and skin. If possible, change the pads every 2-3 hours.
- Aspen bark. Nail baths are prepared on the basis of 200 g of ingredients per liter of water. The manipulation is performed for 15 minutes in water that the foot can tolerate. After bathing, a mixture of mild laundry soap and baking soda is applied to the nails. The ratio is 1: 1. After 30 minutes, wash everything with warm water. The nail will start to regenerate after such a procedure.
Sea salt baths are used as additional prophylaxis.
The nail is removed from the thumb
Fungal nail disease is characterized by external manifestations such as peeling of the nail plate from the skin. The remaining part of the nail darkens or floods.
This is because an air layer accumulates in the cavity under the nail, which becomes larger over time.
The further the process develops, the more pain a person feels. The nail rises, pustules and bloody discharge appear.
In case of separation, the following treatment is used:
- The use of local treatment - ointments, together with drugs in tablet form, external and internal application will give the best result;
- You can use laser methods of treatment, such procedures are done in beauty salons;
- In case of complete separation, consult a surgeon immediately.
To treat nails, if the finger is left without fungus or with fungus, you must drink gelatin solutions, adhere to hygiene requirements and do not do pedicures.
Effective treatment of fungi
Medications recommended for these lesions:
- Means of local influence. General purpose medicines can be bought without a prescription. But you must use the rules of use listed in the instructions. Otherwise, there will be no effect.
- Means of systemic influence. These are tablets and pills that, in addition to ointments, are prescribed by a dermatologist.
- Laser treatment is quite effective. Treatment does not cause pain. The procedure does not harm the patient's body. There is no recurrence after laser cleaning.
- The hardware pedicure procedure is less popular than laser therapy, but the effect is wonderful. This method is more often used in advanced cases.
- Surgical manipulations have not yet gained enough popularity, but their effect is quite strong. The disadvantages of this manipulation are pain and a long period of rehabilitation.
Which tool is better
Medical varnishes and serums are recognized as effective and efficient drugs in antifungal therapy.
The cost of such drugs is higher than for conventional ointments, but the effectiveness of drugs is high.
Mycosis appeared on his arm
Fungal diseases on the fingernails are less common. The most common infection is caused by the fungus Candidiasis. Fingernails are also affected by filamentous fungi.
You can get infected even by shaking hands, through other people's infected gloves, even by yourself. By receiving spores from other parts of the body.
Treatment of fungal infections on the hands is prescribed depending on the type of fungus, the age of the infected person and the stage of the disease.
In the beginning, you have to get rid of the cause of the disease, strengthen the immune system, get rid of bad habits.
It is not necessary to treat with antibiotics during this period. The patient must change the diet - remove from the food used those that help multiply the fungus, these are sweets and plenty of carbohydrate foods.
The doctor prescribes research and, depending on the type of fungus, prescribes medication and prescribes the course of treatment. It is more often a combination therapy.
If the patient has an acute inflammatory process, local treatment should be avoided. Exacerbation must be removed.
It is necessary for the patient to eliminate the interaction with those means and household items that cause the development of the disease. Acute inflammation can be relieved by time-tested medications such as brilliant green, fucorcine, potassium iodide.
It is convenient to use nail polish for treatment. With a fungal infection of the nails on the hands, the spores spread quickly through the skin and fall into the folds between the fingers.
Antifungal drugs will enhance their effect if folk remedies are used in treatment. But they should be used only after consulting a doctor.
The most important and safest advice for those who do not want to get infected with this unpleasant infection or dream of getting rid of it forever is strict adherence to hygiene requirements and preventive measures to prevent the disease.
The result can be achieved if you follow the rules of personal prevention - do not get into such conditions that you can get infected with fungal spores - have a personal comb, personal slippers, never use other people's things.
If such a disorder has already occurred, then it should not be allowed to spread, but treatment should be started on time in the early stages. If you experience symptoms similar to a fungal infection, consult a doctor immediately.