World statistics on toenail fungal infections present disappointing numbers.One in five people have damaged nails, and one in ten people are carriers of yeast bacteria.In common parlance, nail lesions are simply called “fungus”;The scientific term for this disease is onychomycosis or dermatological onychomycosis.Treatment is performed at home, no hospitalization is required.Infections are resistant to external influences, do not go away for a long time, appear secondary and give rise to foci of inflammation.
Symptom
All fungal diseases have different symptoms and signs of damage.Therefore, immediate superficial onychomycosis appears after a short time after infection:
- The nail plate thickens.
- The sheet becomes torn and fragile from the edge to the cuticle.
- The profile is deformed, the surface structure changes - it becomes flaky.
- In the early stages, the natural shine and elasticity of the nail plate is lost.
- Sometimes the nails turn black and cut into the skin.
- In severe cases, intestinal damage occurs - physiological disorders.General weakness, decreased immunity, lethargy and drowsiness.
- The itching sensation appears between the toes and is most pronounced in children.
- The final stage is nail fungus.The plate peels off the nail bed.A faint unpleasant odor appeared.
- The skin on the fingers and around the nails cracks until there is blood or yellow fluid and a red rash appears.
- Depending on the type of fungus, an unpleasant white or yellow moldy circle will appear under the nail.Brightness depends on the degree of damage: from dim to bright.
Oddly enough, this fungal infection occurs most often in people with a healthy lifestyle.Frequent visits to public sports facilities, swimming pools and saunas increase the risk of toenail fungus infection.There are many reasons that create a favorable environment for fungi:
- The “favorite habitat” of mushrooms is moist and quite warm.The first source is your wet shoes.After walking, dry the inside immediately.Sock selection plays an important role in prevention.They must consist of more than 70% natural raw materials and ideally 100%.This is the only way to ensure optimal air access.
- Reduced general immunity.It is enough just to go barefoot and immediately pick up mushrooms.Prevention - take vitamins, preferably complex ones containing minerals and amino acids.
- Pursuit of beauty - nail extensions.Frequent correction and application contributes to thinning of the nail plate, which means increasing the risk of disease.
- Public swimming pools, showers, bathtubs, and solariums are all sources of active fungal spores.Failure occurs immediately and treatment takes a long time.Spores penetrate deeply into the epithelium of the depression between the nail and finger.In the early stages, just “sleep”, then a sharp “convulsions” begin.
How to treat nail fungus
Be patient at once.The treatment process is long.Also, be prepared to “spend” – treatment is expensive.
- Pharmacological drugs:
- Outside.Prescribed in the early stages of fungal nail infection.These are drops, varnishes or oils with antifungal ingredients.The most popular are Ciclopirox drops.Apply to the affected nail once a day.Subsequent application: first the old film of the drug is removed, then a new film is applied.Effect: the condition of the nail plate improves within a week.And the unpleasant smell will disappear after the first or second application.
- Urea-based compounds.Available in lotion, ointment or cream form.They are prescribed in combination with oral medications and act as relapse preventatives.
- Complex treatment without oral medications is impossible.Taking Itraconazole tablets will help cure acute, progressive forms of toenail fungal infections.
- Surgical method.Fungi that have taken root in the dish will be removed along with the nail.
- Modern physiotherapy: cryotherapy, acid disinfection, laser removal of the upper part of the plate.The disadvantage is epithelial damage but fungus removal is 100%.
Traditional method of fighting toenail fungus
- Iodine.Its antiseptic effect has been known for a long time.You need to cover the sheet and the skin between your fingers with the solution.Active spores are burned and the development of new foci is stopped.Remember, iodine dries out the epithelium and nail plate.Take breaks between treatments.
- Garlic.Grind the cloves in a fine grinder into a paste.Apply the liquid to the area affected by the fungus.Better for the night.In the morning, wash the area with an acid solution.Apply compression until improvement appears.
- Rub with apple cider vinegar.Do it twice a day.Lubricate the leather and plate.Making a bath: 10 liters.Water with a temperature of 30-32 C add 200 ml (glass) of vinegar.Keep for 10 minutes.This method is effective in eliminating unpleasant foot odor.
- Grape vinegar.200ml.9% vinegar, half a stick of butter, one raw egg.Mix, shake.Place the resulting suspension in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours.Then use for compression.
- Fresh celandine juice.Cut off a green bush and immediately burn the affected area with juice.The course is 7 days, then break for 3 days and repeat.Continue treatment until there is noticeable improvement.
- Ground.Natural antioxidant properties help clean the keratinized layers of the epithelium along with fungi.
- Onion porridge.Grate the onion.Mix porridge with a spoonful of honey.Apply to the affected area, covering a maximum of 5 cm.Leave for one hour.A moderate injury can be cured in a week.
- Recipes for children.Mix chalk and soda.Add some water.Apply the mixture to the skin between the toes.Methyl blue (blue) solution helps a lot.This method is also suitable for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant.
- Soap.Laundry soap is rubbed with shavings and bathed in hot water.The legs are steamed, then dried and greased with blue.
- Military formula.Salidol.Apply to washed feet, leave for 2-3 hours, then wipe off with a dry cloth or wash with tar soap.
Measures to prevent nail fungus
- Protects foot skin from hypothermia and burns.Damaged areas become fertile ground for fungal spores to grow.
- If someone in the family has fungus, immediately disinfect the floors in the room and bathroom.Provide everyone with slippers.Wear special shoes or flip-flops when taking a bath.Do not use patient equipment.
- Daily mint and chamomile baths are an excellent prevention of any skin diseases on the feet and nails.
- If someone in the family is sick, everyone needs to be examined by a doctor and have tests done.