Fungus on human fingernails and feet is quite common.Onychomycosis means the impact on the structure of the nail (usually the big toe) through a parasitic fungus, followed by destruction.It causes a lot of trouble and the treatment itself: the need to carry out frequent treatment procedures, the possibility of surgical intervention, long recovery times and the possibility of relapse.Compliance with preventive measures will reduce the possibility of infection but does not guarantee complete safety from fungus.
Factors that contribute to the disease
Big toe nail fungus has gained more vitality.It exists outside the human body for a long time.Floors, sports and bathroom mats, benches, chairs, shoes represent the so-called “waiting place”.When in a favorable environment (high humidity, warmth, the appearance of small cracks, calluses and calluses on the lower limbs), the fungus quickly penetrates the tissues and begins to multiply intensively.
Strong immunity prevents fungal growth, quickly defeats foreign objects.In a weakened state, protection fails.The reasons for reducing the protective force are different:
- Failure to comply with hygiene standards.
- Disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system.
- Presence of skin lesions in the area of fingers and toes.
- Presence of dermatological diseases.
- Increased sweating in the lower extremities.
- Orthopedic diseases.
- Failure of metabolism.
- Varicose veins
- Positive reaction for HIV and immunodeficiency syndrome.
- Shoes made from poor quality materials, not properly selected.
Not the last place in the infection process is contact with a carrier of this pathogen.Personal belongings (towels, slippers, nail clippers) of the patient act as carriers of the fungus.The patient's immediate environment poses the highest risk.
Older people are more susceptible to nail fungus due to age-related changes.Violations of the circulatory system and weakened protective functions contribute to fungal invasion.The problem rarely affects children.
Symptoms and development
Symptoms of the disease are a burning sensation and itching at the site where the fungus invades.The skin on the big toe and on the surface of the foot is covered with blisters, which when ruptured form areas with scaly cracks and small ulcers.The fungus then moves to the subungual cavity, which contains nutrients that help develop parasitic mycelium.The consequence of the release of a certain enzyme is that the nail component is gradually destroyed.
Ingrown corners of the big toenail are additional symptoms of infection.This is how the deformation of the baleen appears.Pain occurs when walking, which can cause suppuration.With further development of the disease, the nail will lose its original shape.The surface of the nail becomes dull, thickens significantly, is covered with yellow, brown, or black spots or stripes and becomes brittle and easily broken.Without treatment, the nail in the big toe will be destroyed and separate from the nail bed.
The types of lesions are influenced by the strains of pathogenic bacteria.Yeast changes the appearance of the cushion and colors the thumbnail to yellow, brown tones, followed by its separation.Dermatophytes are characterized by the presence of longitudinal spots or stripes of a predominantly yellowish tone along the edges and middle of the nail.Mold appears as a color ranging from green to almost black.
Dermatologists divide toenail diseases into the following types:
- Normalize.Mild symptoms: the condition does not change, the first signs appear on the surface: white to yellow stripes or spots.Then the color changes completely.
- Hypertrophy.In addition to discoloration (gray-brown), there is also loss of luster, dullness, thickening and deformation with partial destruction mainly at the edges.
- Nail fungus.It is characterized by a dull gray-brown color of the affected nail, covering it with loose layers that have hyperkeratotic, atrophic and rejection properties.There is a maximum hazard due to large microbial spills on the floor surface of the premises in use.
This fungus not only harms the big toenail.The released toxins, as a result of the vital activity of the fungus, enter the lymphatic system, causing the appearance of allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), aggravating the causes of gastrointestinal disorders and the appearance of signs of intoxication.
Conservative treatment of thumb fungus and its varieties
The main treatment method for nail fungus on the thumb is complex therapy, combining local and external approaches.It is selected by a dermatologist taking into account the degree of development of the disease, the tolerance of each patient and the damaged area.The duration of the course depends on the degree of neglect and the complexity of the infection.
External use
At first, the fungus responds to gentle methods.Varnishes with special ingredients that fight the spread of nail fungus are sold in pharmacies without a prescription.Penetrating into the structure of the nail plate, they have an antiseptic effect, soften the stratum corneum and destroy infectious spores, destroying fungal mycelium.
The damaged area is treated with ointments, sprays or creams.It is necessary to begin treatment, as with varnish, with careful preparation of the infected area: maximum trimming of nails, thinning with a file, degreasing.Plan to use the product once or twice a day for 2 to 12 months.To avoid relapse, use of the medication should be continued for two weeks after recovery.
Ointments are used depending on the stage of infection.They contain different ingredients: ciclopiroxolamine, ketoconazole, naftifine and terbinafine.Based on these indicators, a specific drug that destroys the fungus will be selected for the patient.Based on the results, terbinafine derivatives were recognized as the most successful.The destruction is aimed at the membranes of fungal strains, leading to subsequent destruction from within.
When you need to remove the diseased nail on the big toe, apply a compress with a solution to soften the nail.Other medications (5% salicylic ointment) are also used for this purpose.
Internal medicine (pill)
For this type of nail fungus, complex treatment is prescribed.Along with external procedures, it is necessary to take systemic antifungal drugs.With oral medications, special attention should be paid because there are limitations and contraindications for use.Only a dermatologist can choose the right antifungal medication.
Dosage involves taking one tablet once a day or once a week, for 2-6 months.
Traditional medicine recipes
At the normal stage, proven folk recipes.At home, it is possible to do without expensive medications by treating the fungus yourself without harm to the general health of a person.
Iodine therapy
- For a week, the affected thumbnail is smeared with a cotton swab twice a day.Then there is a break of the same duration and the procedure is repeated in the same sequence until the fungus is eliminated.
- Pour three liters of hot water into the barrel, add eight drops of iodine tincture.After bathing, the steamed sheet is cut off, the skin is treated with hydrogen peroxide and bandaged with an antibacterial drug.The procedure should be done every day until the skin is renewed.
vinegar tricks
- In a glass bowl, mix equal parts vinegar, glycerin and water.Apply compresses for 20 minutes in the morning and evening, daily until the nail is completely replaced.
- In a bowl, dilute two parts water and one part 9% vinegar.Soak the affected limb for 15 minutes, then cut and file as much of the affected nail as possible.Do this every day for 2 consecutive weeks until the stratum corneum is renewed.