Despite all the achievements of science and progress, the fungus as a disease cannot be eliminated.This is due to its survivability and living conditions.The fungus needs dampness and warmth.As long as they exist, the fungus will exist.
Types of nail fungus
Dermatophytes
They affect the body due to decreased immunity.In extremely rare cases - in a person with a high level of immunity.
The source of infection is soil, sometimes people or animals.The basis of the entire colony is the mycelium.It is attached to the nail by processes (hyphae), which grow into the tissue and destroy the structure.
Subspecies of dermatophytes and features of the course of the disease:
- Trichophyton red.The disease proceeds according to the standard: the tip of the nail becomes infected, followed by progression to the root.The fungus tends to affect several fingers at the same time.The nail changes shape, thickening and becoming rough.Delamination is observed.The skin around the affected nail also becomes infected - it dries and peels;
- Trichophyton interdigitalis.The source of the disease is rooms with high humidity levels.Most often it affects the nails of the big toes.Localized on the surface of the nail and the skin between the fingers.Whitish spots form on the plates;
- Other types of dermatophytes affect the body against the background of other diseases in 5% of all cases.
Yeasts of the genus Candida
They are in fact present on human skin and mucous membranes.It is not necessary to encounter a carrier of the disease.It is enough to have a weakened immune system for fungi to occupy the nail plate.
The peculiarity of the course of the disease is that the nail is affected not at the end, but at the base, growing in the direction of growth, since candida does not form mycelium and cannot attach to the surface at the edge.
Mold
The causative agents of onychomycosis are more than 40 species.It is difficult to diagnose damage by this type of fungus - the symptoms are not much different from the symptoms of damage by dermatophytes.
However, the treatment is fundamentally different.Diagnosis of mold infection can only be done through bacteriological analysis.
The subspecies is capable of releasing hyphae and quickly destroying the nail.In addition, in conditions of a critical decrease in the patient’s immunity, mold fungi are able to penetrate into the body and infect organs.
There are 2 additional classifications.
Classification according to the source of the disease:
- vesicular fungi.The lower part of the foot is primarily affected.Blisters and swellings appear on the skin.This type of fungus is easily associated with a bacterial infection;
- membraneLocalized in the area between the little finger and the “ring” toe - the skin cracks and peels off in large scales.May be accompanied by a bacterial infection;
- moccasinopods.The disease is localized on the heel or sole of the foot, gradually spreading upward.
Classification according to the form of deformation of the nail layer:
- normotrophic.The nail changes color, but retains its shape.Stripes and/or spots of yellow and white shades appear;
- hypertrophic.The nail structure and shape are deformed: the nail becomes thick, begins to crumble, and causes pain during movement;
- atrophic.The nail “loses weight.”The plate becomes very thin, dull, and white spots and stripes appear on it.
Toenail fungus: signs of infection
Main visible and tangible symptoms:
- itching of the skin, especially after swimming;
- the appearance of an unpleasant odor;
- peeling of the skin;
- the nail has changed color.As a rule, the entire nail plate acquires a uniform shade.The color depends on the subspecies of the fungus, but most often it is yellow;
- the surface of the nail becomes rough;
- separation along the tip of the nail.Occupies the entire open length of the nail and gradually deepens;
- white spots under the nail plate;
- dullness;
- many burrs;
- detachment of the entire nail;
- destruction of the nail on a large scale;
- small notches along the entire outer surface of the plate;
- the nail plate thickens, and the lower layers crumble.
Is it possible to completely cure toenail fungus?It is possible, but not always.A hereditary disease that cannot be changed is a living example of this.It progresses over the years, deforming the shape of the nail.
The fact of a hereditary disease can only be confirmed at a medical consultation.
How to effectively cure toenail fungus: drug treatment
To select medications, it is necessary to accurately diagnose the type of fungus, stage of the disease and skin type.This can only be done by a doctor.
Depending on the test results and the stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe either local drugs - ointments or varnishes, or a complex of local and systemic medications.
Systemic medications suppress the pathogen, preventing reproduction.Local medications have an effect in the area of application, destroying fungi.
Systemic medications put a high load on the liver.You will have to give up everything that complicates the work of the organ - alcohol, fatty foods.This is necessary to avoid double the load.
There are special means for removing nails without surgery.
Each drug acts only on a certain type of mycosis.Even the most advanced remedies will not work if they are not “paired” with a fungus.
How to cure toenail fungus: folk remedies
Vinegar is the most effective method in the initial stages.
Baths: a glass of table vinegar (9%) per bath of water.As a rule, a basin is used in which the feet are placed.Water is poured ankle-deep.Firstly, this ensures the proper concentration of vinegar in the water.
Secondly, the skin is exposed to a chemical burn.Before the bath, you need to trim your nails and remove the top layers of skin with a pumice stone or brush.This will ensure maximum “impregnation”.
If there are microdamages on the legs, the procedure will cause pain.Duration – 15 minutes.
Vinegar lotions - soak a cotton pad/cotton pad in vinegar and apply to the problem area for 10-15 minutes. It is more effective to use after baths.
Ointment: 2 portions of acetic acid (70%) mixed with glycerin, olive oil and dimethyl phtholate, one portion of each.Apply with a cotton swab for 8 hours every day on clean feet.Wash off with laundry soap.
To combat the advanced stage, hydrogen peroxide is used.The feet are steamed in a soda bath (1 tsp for 1 liter), then cotton wool soaked in peroxide is applied to problem areas, covered with polyethylene and wrapped with a bandage.The duration of the compress is 40-60 minutes.
Ammonia.For a glass of water - 1 tbsp.l.alcoholSoak cotton wool or a piece of gauze and apply overnight as a compress.
Boric acid.Before going to bed, the feet are steamed, sprinkled with powder, and clean socks are put on.
Baking soda.Add a little water to it until a paste forms and apply the mixture to the problem area for 15-20 minutes.
Garlic.Rub the affected area with a cut clove of garlic.The vegetable pulp can be used as a compress.
Iodine.Just lubricate the problem area thoroughly.
How to quickly cure toenail fungus
Complex treatment will be required, consisting of systemic antimycotic drugs and local agents.Medicines are prescribed by a doctor.
It is recommended to combine traditional medicine and medications.
Features of treatment of neglected fungus
First of all, diagnosis and consultation with a doctor.
Complex treatment will be required, which means:
- taking broad-spectrum drugs orally;
- narrow focus directly on the nail;
- strengthening the immune system;
- taking medications that support the body while taking essential medications;
- strictly adhere to the instructions.
Medicine is designed in such a way that when treating one disease, a blow is struck to a healthy organ.Most often - the liver and intestines.You need to be prepared for the consequences and discuss the side effects of medications with your doctor in advance.Some cause allergies or are inadmissible for certain diseases, during pregnancy.
If the stage is critical and nothing helps, the last option remains - complete removal of the nail plate, but this does not always guarantee relief from the disease.
What is the danger of untreated onychomycosis?
The disease may progress to a stage when most of the available remedies cease to act on the fungi - the spores will penetrate deep into the tissues and the drugs simply will not be able to reach them.
Deformation of the shape of the plate leads to deep ingrowth into the skin of the nail, even cutting tissue.
The result is hellish pain and inflammation in the tissues of the toes.Both the nail and the tissue around the nail will begin to rot.
An advanced stage of deformation of the nail plate makes it impossible to wear shoes.Any shoes that even slightly squeeze your toes will cause severe pain.Even just walking around the house barefoot will hurt.
In addition:
- general decrease in immunity;
- spread of fungus into the blood;
- the occurrence of dermatitis and eczema;
- inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Prevention
Antifungal prophylaxis is based on the following factors:
- personal hygiene.You need to wash your feet daily with soap.Trim your nails in a timely manner, do not pull out hangnails, and use only personal pedicure tools.If you had to take strangers, sterilize them.Wear clean socks.Do not use used shoes;
- shoe care.Shoes need to be dried in a timely manner, thereby preventing the formation of conditions favorable for the growth of fungi.Take out the insoles and dry them separately, dry the shoes themselves with special dryers or completely unlace them and place them under the radiator;
- Of course, not visiting baths and saunas is not an option.Give preference to those establishments that have reviews.If possible, ask what and how often the floors are washed.Be sure to use only your own things, and especially replaceable rubber slippers;
- To avoid re-infection, throw away the shoes that the patient wore during the illness.If this is not possible, sterilize it from the inside;
- if your immune system is weakened or there are microdamages on your feet, try not to walk barefoot and avoid situations in which the fungus could get on you.