Treating Toenail Fungus

Nail fungus on the big toe presents as an unsightly thickened appearance. Statistics show that more than a quarter of the population is affected by onychomycosis.

Treatment is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the disease will recur after the course of the disease.

toenail fungus

Why do fungi appear

All factors that contribute to a fungal infection of the thumb are due to the fact that the pathogenic spores of the fungus penetrate the skin.

You can become infected when you come into contact with infected objects, for example, using other people's items - shoes, towels

People at high risk for onychomycosis include people with flat feet, excessive sweating, sloppy, sloppy homes.

Fungal infections are caused by:

  1. As sweating increases, wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes helps pathogenic flora develop and bacteria thrive. The largest toe is the most attacked. Fungal spores multiply, land on socks and other things, and spread across the floor. infect others.
  2. Shoes made of poor-quality man-made materials are dense and impermeable, which can "smother" the legs and encourage bacterial growth.
  3. Disregarding hygiene regulations in public places. Wear shoes when going to the sauna, swimming pool and shower - this will protect you from foreign germs.
  4. Never wear someone else's socks, tights, or shoes, or borrow your own. If you're trying on shoes, make sure you have your own socks to try on.
  5. Fungal infections are caused by immune problems. A weakened immune system has a hard time dealing with viruses and fungi. Difficult to treat fungus in people with diabetes, psoriasis, varicose veins, obesity, HIV infection.
  6. Neglecting basic rules like washing your feet with soap, changing your socks, and treating your nails every day can contribute to the development of a fungal infection.
  7. Improper treatment and care of corns, cracks, and corns can trigger the growth of fungal spores on the big toe.

Symptoms and signs of pathology

Fungal diseases occur due to infection of fungal spores. Infection is not fatal, but it can spread from the nails to the feet and adjacent fingers.

The disease is initially barely noticeable, and suspicion arises when the nails appear yellow, then brown with sealing and delamination. Compacted, flaky nails can cause severe discomfort when wearing shoes.

Medicine divides onychomycosis into three grades:

  1. Initial - The nail plate is covered with yellow spots and streaks, during which the foot has not been affected.
  2. Stage 2 - The gloss disappears, the color turns brown, and there is an unpleasant smell on the legs.
  3. Advanced - Nails peeling, loosening, chipping from the skin. There is pain. This stage is dangerous, the spores, shedding, spread into the surrounding space.

Symptoms such as peeling toes, periodic blisters, swelling, and cracking should be vigilant and preventive measures should be taken to prevent mycosis.

Characteristics of disease treatment

Fungal infections of the feet start in the thumb nails. Fungal spores are comfortable in the upper layer of the nail plate, from where they begin their path to the substrate.

Since the thumb nail is affected first, treatment begins at that site. The mode of action of the drug has both topical and systemic effects. The approach should be individualized, taking into account the pathological signs and the condition of the patient's internal organs.

Treatment is complicated. Use disinfectant, antifungal of bacterial type, pulse therapy.

Pulse therapy involves a long-term exposure regimen with periodic changes in the type of treatment. The schedule consists of one week of oral medication and repeats after 3 weeks.

Agents that inhibit the growth of pathogenic microflora are used daily.

Using a systems approach can increase the chance of full recovery from the disease. Combination therapy includes taking vitamins and immune-stimulating drugs.

Drug use is based on the principle of accumulation. The drug is concentrated and provides long-term protection against disease.

get rid of ointment

There are different ointments and more options for external preparations - varnishes and lotions.

The mechanism of action of the ointment is based on the disruption of the fungal spore cell membrane. The treatment process was long and continued until the final delivery. Dead layers are cleaned up with files.

Iodine is used as a lubricant. Results can be obtained if an infected person's shoes and socks are lubricated from the inside and then a medicated cotton swab is applied to the nail.

Tar and sulfur ointments have proven to be very effective antifungals.

All ointments give good results when applied. However, treatment should be prescribed by a specialist. Different ointments purposefully affect fungi of different properties. The most effective remedy can only be chosen by a doctor after research in the laboratory.

We get rid of it at home with the help of folk remedies

Traditional medicine offers many recipes for getting rid of fungal diseases. Treating onychomycosis of the big toe at home is done in the following ways.

using iodine

Onychomycosis was successfully treated with an iodine bath. Pour the water into a basin with a temperature of about 40-45 degrees, and pour the alcohol iodine into it drop by drop.

For 1 liter of water, you need 3 drops of iodine - depending on the volume of the container, you can calculate the appropriate amount.

Put your feet in the water and hold until the water cools. Cut off the affected part of the nail plate with peroxide-treated scissors. After surgery, treat the nail and the skin around it with peroxide. It works better if you use an antibacterial bandage with ointment.

Effective use of regular vinegar

Water at room temperature is diluted 2 to 1 with 9% vinegar. Bath time is 15 minutes. Damaged nails must then be filed or cut off. The duration of the operation is at least 2 weeks.

Lemons and potatoes help

  1. Fresh lemons should be soaked in boiling water - so that it will have more juice. Cut a slice and apply to damaged nails. The citrus is fixed with plaster. If you compress every night and leave it on overnight, it works great.
  2. Peel the potatoes. Bring the components to a boil, pour the water into a bowl and crush to a puree. The legs soar through the broth, and then the softened growth is cut off. After cleaning, apply gruel for half an hour and wash off.

Medicinal plants in battle

  1. Celandine. The fresh juice of this amazing plant can cure almost all types of fungal diseases. Within 2 weeks, apply the fresh plant (leaves and stems kneaded) to the affected nail plate and skin. If possible, change the compress every 2-3 hours.
  2. Poplar bark. The nail bath is prepared according to the composition of 200 grams per liter of water. Do it for 15 minutes in water that your legs can tolerate. After bathing, apply a mixture of mild laundry soap and soda to your nails. The ratio is 1: 1. After 30 minutes, rinse everything off with lukewarm water. After such a procedure the nails will begin to renew themselves.

As an extra precaution, use a sea salt bath.

nail falling off thumb

Nail mycosis is characterized by external manifestations, such as the peeling of the nail plate from the skin. The lagging part of the nail becomes dark or blue.

This is because a layer of air builds up in the cavity under the nail, which becomes larger over time.

The deeper the process develops, the more pain a person feels. Nail lifts, pustules appear and blood drains.

Along with separation, treatment is used to:

  • The use of topical treatments - ointments, as well as drugs in the form of tablets, external and internal use will give the best results;
  • You can use laser treatments, such procedures are performed in beauty salons;
  • You should contact your surgeon immediately after complete detachment.

To treat the nails, if the fingers are free of fungus or have fungus, it is necessary to drink a gelatin solution, observe hygiene requirements, do not pedicure.

effective fungal treatment

Medications recommended for these lesions:

  1. means of local influence. Generic medicines are available without a prescription. But you need to use the usage rules specified in the instructions. Otherwise, there will be no effect.
  2. means of systemic influence. These are pills and pills, along with creams, prescribed by dermatologists.
  3. Laser treatment is very effective. The treatment does not cause pain. The procedure does not cause harm to the patient's body. No recurrence after laser cleaning.
  4. The hardware pedicure procedure is not as popular as laser therapy, but it works great. More commonly, this approach is used for advanced situations.
  5. The surgical technique has not been widely used yet, but the effect is quite strong. The disadvantage of this technique is soreness and long recovery period.

which tool is better

Medical varnishes and serums are considered effective and effective in antifungal treatment.

The price of such drugs is higher than that of conventional ointments, but the effectiveness of the drugs is high.

fungal disease on the arm

Fungal diseases on fingernails are less common. The most common infection is caused by fungal candidiasis. Nails are also affected by filamentous fungi.

You can even get infected by shaking hands, through someone else's infected gloves, or even yourself. By receiving spores from other parts of the body.

Treatment of hand fungal infections depends on the type of fungus, the age of the infected person, and the stage of the disease.

Initially, you need to get rid of the cause of the disease, strengthen your immune system, and get rid of bad habits.

Treatment with antibiotics is not necessary during this period. Patients must make changes to their diet - removing from food those that help the fungus multiply, these are sweets and carbohydrate-rich foods.

Doctors prescribe studies and prescribe medication and courses of treatment based on the type of fungus. More commonly, it is a combination therapy.

Topical therapy should be avoided if the patient has an acute inflammatory process. Deterioration must be eliminated.

For the patient, it is necessary to eliminate interactions with those means and household items that trigger the development of the disease. Acute inflammation can be eliminated with tried-and-true medications like Brilliant Green, Fucoxin, and Potassium Iodide.

For nails, it is convenient to treat with varnish. As the nails on the hands become infected with the fungus, the spores quickly spread through the skin and settle into the folds between the fingers.

If folk remedies are used in the treatment, antifungal drugs will enhance their effects. But they should only be used after consulting a doctor.

For those who do not want to contract this unpleasant infection or dream of getting rid of it forever, the most important and reliable advice is to strictly observe hygiene requirements and precautions to prevent disease.

You can get results if you follow the rules of personal prevention - don't put yourself in an environment where you can get fungal spores - have a personal comb, personal slippers, never use other people's stuff.

If such a nuisance has already occurred, there is no need to let it spread, but to start treatment on time at an early stage. If you experience any symptoms similar to a fungal infection, seek medical attention immediately.