World statistics on infection of the toenail plate with fungus provide disappointing figures.Every fifth person has nail damage, and every tenth person is a carrier of yeast fungal bacteria.In common parlance, nail damage is simply called “fungus”; the scientific term for the disease is onychomycosis or dermatophytic onychomycosis.Treatment is carried out at home, without hospitalization.The infection is resistant to external influences, does not go away for a long time, appears secondarily, and gives rise to inflammatory foci.
Symptoms
All fungal diseases have different symptoms and signs of damage.Thus, superficial onychomycosis immediately makes itself felt, after a short period of time after infection:
- The nail plate thickens.
- The plate becomes torn and fragile from the edge to the cuticle.
- The configuration is distorted, the structure of the surface changes - it becomes scaly.
- At the initial stage, the natural shine and elasticity of the nail plate is lost.
- Sometimes the nail turns black and cuts into the skin.
- In advanced cases, intestinal damage occurs - dysbiosis.General loss of strength, decreased immunity, lethargy and drowsiness.
- An itchy sensation appears between the toes and is most pronounced in children.
- The last stage is onycholysis.The plate peels off from the nail bed.A faint unpleasant odor appears.
- The skin on the finger and around the nail cracks until there is blood or ichor, and there are rashes.
- Depending on the type of fungus, an unpleasant circle of white or yellow mold appears under the nail.Brightness depends on the degree of damage: from dim to bright.
Oddly enough, but this fungal infection most often occurs in people leading a healthy lifestyle.Constant visits to public sports complexes, swimming pools, and saunas pose an increased risk of infection with toenail fungus.There are many reasons that create a positive environment for the fungus:
- The “favorite habitat” of the fungus is damp and fairly warm.The first source is your wet shoes.After any walking, immediately dry it inside.The choice of socks plays an important role in prevention.They should consist of more than 70% natural raw materials, and ideally – 100%.This is the only way to ensure optimal air access.
- Decreased general immunity.It is enough to walk barefoot and immediately pick up a fungus.Prevention - drink vitamins, preferably complex ones containing minerals and amino acids.
- The pursuit of beauty - nail extensions.Frequent corrections and procedures contribute to the thinning of the nail plate, which means it increases the risk of disease.
- Public swimming pools, showers, baths, solariums are all sources of active fungal spores.The defeat occurs instantly, and the treatment takes a long time.The spores penetrate deep into the epithelium of the hollow between the nail and fingers.At the initial stage, just “sleep”, and then begin a sharp “seizure”.
How to treat onychomycosis
Be patient right away.The treatment is long.Also, be prepared to “fork out” – treatment is expensive.
- Pharmacological drugs:
- External.Prescribed at the initial stage of nail fungus 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 fresh one is applied.Effect: the condition of the nail plate improves within a week.And the unpleasant smell disappears after the first or second application.
- Urea-based compounds.Available in the form of lotions, ointments or creams.They are prescribed in combination with oral medications and act as relapse preventers.
- Complex treatment without oral medications is not possible.Taking Itraconazole tablets will help cure acute, advanced forms of fungal infection of the toenail plate.
- Surgical method.The fungus that has taken root in the plate is removed along with the nail.
- Modern physiotherapy: cryotherapy, acid disinfection, laser removal of the upper part of the plate.The disadvantage is damage to the epithelium, but the removal of the fungus is 100%.
Traditional methods of combating foot nail fungus
- Iodine.Its action as an antiseptic has been known for a long time.You need to coat the plate and the skin between your fingers with the solution.Active spores are burned out, and the development of new foci is stopped.Remember, iodine dries out the epithelium and nail plate.Take breaks between treatments.
- Garlic.Grate the clove on a fine grater into a paste.Apply the liquid to the fungus-affected area.Better for the night.In the morning, rinse the area with an acidic solution.Apply compresses until improvement appears.
- Rub with apple cider vinegar.Do it twice a day.Lubricate the skin and plate.Make baths: 10 liters.water with a temperature of 30-32 C add 200 ml (glass) of vinegar.Hold for 10 minutes.This method is good at eliminating unpleasant foot odor.
- Grape vinegar.200 ml.vinegar 9%, half a stick of butter, one raw egg.Mix, shake.Place the resulting suspension in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours.Then use for compresses.
- Fresh celandine juice.Cut off a green bush and immediately burn the affected area with juice.The course is 7 days, then a break of 3 days and repeat.Continue treatment until visible improvement results.
- Coffee grounds.Natural antioxidant properties help cleanse the keratinized layers of the epithelium along with the fungus.
- Onion gruel.Grate the onion.Mix the gruel with a spoon of honey.Apply to the affected area, covering up to 5 cm. Leave for one hour.A moderate lesion can be cured in a week.
- Recipe for children.Mix chalk and soda.Add some water.Apply the mixture to the skin between your toes.A solution of methyl blue (blue) helps a lot.This method is also suitable for nursing or pregnant women.
- Soap.Laundry soap is rubbed with shavings and a hot bath is made.The legs are steamed, then wiped dry and lubricated with blue.
- Military recipe.Salidol.Apply to washed feet, leave for 2-3 hours, then remove with a dry cloth or wash with tar soap.
Measures to prevent onychomycosis
- Protect the skin of your feet from hypothermia and burns.Damaged areas become fertile ground for fungal spores.
- If someone in the family has acquired a fungus, immediately disinfect the floors in the rooms and bathroom.Provide everyone with slippers.Wear special shoe covers or flip-flops when taking a shower.Do not use the patient's equipment.
- Daily baths of mint and chamomile are an excellent prevention of any skin disease of the feet and nails.
- If one person in the family is sick, everyone needs to be examined by a doctor and have tests done.