Onychomycosis on the big toe is a common occurrence.Being the largest in area, the nail of this finger most often attracts a fungal infection, which creates an environment for nutrition and development, destroying the structure of the nail tissue.Treating toenail fungus at home requires patience and care.
Causes
Onychomycosis develops due to the activity of pathogenic fungal organisms.Onychomycosis develops due to the activity of pathogenic fungal organisms.There are certain conditions under which fungus appears on the big toe:
- Contact with a sick person.It is unacceptable to share shoes, towels and other household items with an infected person.
- Weakening of the body's immune system.This occurs when a person suffers from inflammatory diseases or endocrine disorders.
- Nail injuries.Violation of the integrity of the nail plate can trigger the development of fungus.These same reasons include damage caused by wearing very tight shoes or cosmetic procedures.
- Excessive sweating of the feet.This may be due to both endocrine disorders and poor-quality shoes.But it can also be a congenital feature.
- Trophic skin changes, which are the lot of older people.Because of them, the percentage of fungal infections among elderly and senile people is much higher.
- Flat feet can also be a prerequisite for the development of the disease.
- Insufficient foot hygiene or its complete absence.
Important!
The risk of fungal infection increases greatly when visiting places of high humidity (swimming pools, baths, saunas, etc.) without shoes.
Signs of nail damage
The initial stage of the fungus will not attract the attention of an infected person, since it has no symptoms.In rare cases, slight itching, mild burning or redness of the skin may occur.All this will not cause any concern to the patient.
Symptoms intensify as the mycelium grows.The structure changes.The nail becomes dull and brittle.Its plate becomes covered with spots and stripes, the color of which may vary depending on the type of causative agent of the disease.Photos of nail fungus on the big toe will help determine who exactly “settled” on it.
Affected nails are characterized by thickening of the plate and ingrowth of its corners into the roller.So it becomes deformed under the influence of fungus.The following signs appear:
- pain during movement (when walking);
- The big toe becomes red and swollen;
- purulent exudate is released from under the corners of the nail plate.
As fungi go through their life cycle in the nail plate, they release toxins that enter the vessels of the lymphatic system and spread throughout the body.Under the influence of these substances the following occur:
- skin rashes like urticaria;
- functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- intoxication symptoms.
The route of entry of the fungus can be determined by external signs.If the infection has penetrated through the roller, then the nail undergoes dystrophic changes.And if the free edge becomes the entrance gate, then the pathogen settles under the nail plate.
Stages of onychomycosis
Treatment of fungus on the big toe nail will depend on the stage of the process, of which there are only three:
- Initial.
- Intensive (Progressive).
- Neglected (Destructive).
Initial
This stage is characterized by normotrophic damage.The nails look healthy, but upon careful examination, small spots or stripes of a whitish or yellowish tint are revealed.There may be destruction of the nail along the edge or in the center.The plate loses its shine and becomes dull.At this stage it is easiest to get rid of the fungus.
Intensive (Progressive)
This stage is characterized by hypertrophic changes.The plates change color and configuration.The pathogen spreading over the entire surface makes them thickened and loose.The toes look as if they have been injured.The edge of the nail crumbles and breaks.There is an unpleasant odor coming from the feet.
It is more difficult to cure second-stage fungus.Use local external antifungal drugs and tablets in case of low immunity.
Neglected (Destructive)
The nail loses the remnants of its healthy appearance, crumbles and peels off from its bed.The inflammatory process begins in the periungual fold.The infection spreads to the surrounding tissues and pain appears in the finger.Fighting the fungus at this stage requires only comprehensive measures.
Methods for treating onychomycosis
How and with what to treat fungus on the thumb is best determined by a dermatologist.And even if you decide to use traditional methods for treatment, you first need to make sure that your fingers are affected by the fungus.A large number of medicines of various release forms, as well as folk recipes, have been used in the treatment of fungal infections.
The following groups of medications are used:
- Pills.
- Lucky.
- Ointments.
- Solutions.
- Plasters.
- Gels.
Surgical methods are used in advanced cases.Laser therapy is also widely used.
Application of external agents
Products intended for external use against fungal infections are sold in pharmacies and belong to the category of medications available without a doctor's prescription.All of them are applied both to the nail itself and to the surrounding tissues after preliminary cleansing of the feet.The standard frequency of application of these products is 1-2 times within 24 hours.
Note!
Treatment of nail fungus on the thumb lasts from several months to a year.It depends on how severe the pathological process is.
Lucky
An effective remedy in the fight against fungus is antifungal nail polish.It contains cyclopiroxolamine or amorolfine.It is used if the nail plate is damaged by no more than a third and the infection itself occurred less than 12 months ago.This method of treatment is effective when the nail is not hypertrophied.
- The varnish should be applied twice a week for six months.
- Before application, the part of the nail that is affected by the fungus is removed using a file and degreased with alcohol.
- The next time you use it, remove the remaining varnish with a swab soaked in alcohol, and again clean the plate from damaged areas.
The varnish destroys fungal spores by penetrating deep into the nail structure.The drugs have high penetrating power and are destructive to many types of fungus.
Important!
The varnish is applied until a completely healthy nail plate grows on the finger.
Cream, gel or solution
There are many external antifungal agents found on pharmacy shelves.These include gels, ointments, creams, and even solutions.Anti-fungal ointment, like gel and cream, is applied to a well-cleaned, or better yet, steamed surface.
Important!
It is necessary to treat the nail plates of both the thumb and all the others with external means.And even on the little toe.This is done to prevent the spread of infection.
Preparations for internal use
Only a doctor can choose the right medications for oral administration.Many of these drugs have entire lists of restrictions and contraindications.Treatment of nail fungus with tablets is contraindicated for people with a history of kidney and liver disease, as well as for pregnant women and children.The course of tablet treatment ranges from 2 to 6 months.The doctor develops the dosage regimen.
Traditional medicine recipes
The fungus can be treated with folk remedies in addition to the main treatment regimen or in the very early stages of the disease.They help, first of all, to remove its manifestations, and without pharmaceutical therapy, onychomycosis returns again and again.There are several simple treatment options.
- Mix honey and freshly squeezed onion juice in equal parts and lubricate the nails on the thumb and all other fingers once before going to bed until a healthy nail grows completely.Store the mixture in the refrigerator in a glass container.Treatment period is 4-12 months.
- Grind the thyme.Take 4 tablespoons, pour a glass (200 ml) of boiling water and leave for 60 minutes.Soak a bandage in the tincture and apply to the nails for 2 hours.Repeat treatment twice daily for three weeks.
- Iodine is added to water heated to 45°C at the rate of 3 drops per 1 liter of water.Keep your feet in the solution until it cools completely.After the bath, cut off the damaged nail with scissors treated in hydrogen peroxide and apply a bandage with antifungal ointment.
- Pour boiling water over lemon and glue the slices to your nails using adhesive tape.Leave the compress overnight for best results.
- Steam your feet in hot water, dry your nails and attach a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide to them for 30 minutes.After the procedure, scrape off the softened areas and lubricate the nails with an antifungal agent.
The key to successful therapy
In order for the treatment to be as effective as possible, you need to follow some simple rules:
- While treatment is ongoing, do not go to swimming pools, saunas and other places where the microclimate is humid and warm.
- Regularly treat all shoes with antifungal drugs (sprays).
- Change socks four times a day.Used steam must be disinfected.
- Under no circumstances should you skip medications or procedures.Strictly follow doctor's instructions.
- Get rid of overgrown plates in a timely manner, as they prevent the penetration of medications.