Onychomycosis is a fungal disease that affects the nail plates.This infection can appear on any nail, but most often the first toes are affected.If the disease is not treated, the infection will spread further, affecting the remaining nails.If nail fungus is detected on the big toe, the treatment will be long-term, but the course must be completed to the end to reduce the risk of relapses.
In the first stages, onychomycosis is perceived by many people as an aesthetic problem.The disease does not cause any discomfort, but the appearance of the affected nail changes.
But if the disease is not treated, it will progress, and physical discomfort will join aesthetic problems.Let's figure out what symptoms would suggest onychomycosis and how to treat it.
Why does the disease develop?
Onychomycosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms - fungi.You can get an infection if you try on someone else's shoes or walk barefoot on the floor in a pool or sauna.
The fact is that the pathogens that cause onychomycosis multiply quickly in a humid and warm environment.Therefore, baths and swimming pools are the places where it is easiest to “catch” the fungus.
Advice!Another place where you can easily become infected is manicure and pedicure salons, if the staff is negligent in disinfecting tools and equipment.
The fungus enters the body especially easily if there is damage to the skin - abrasions, scratches.For this reason, the infection most often affects the big toe, since this place on the foot is often damaged when wearing shoes that are too tight.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease
Every person can encounter pathogenic microflora, but the disease does not develop in every case.The spread of the pathogen is counteracted by the body's immune system.But as the immune system weakens, the disease will begin to progress.The following factors contribute to the development of the disease:
- hormonal imbalances and pathologies of the hormonal system;
- primary or secondary immunodeficiency;
- injuries to the nail and skin around it;
- peripheral circulatory disorders;
- various dermatological diseases - dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.;
- chronic diseases due to which the immune system does not work at full strength;
- flat feet;
- increased sweating and diaper rash that occurs as a result.
Advice!Not only diseases, but also certain habits contribute to the development of fungal infections.For example, wearing shoes that are too tight, choosing socks and shoes made from artificial materials, and insufficient hygiene.
According to medical statistics, the risk group for the development of onychomycosis on the big toe includes:
- older people;
- visitors to public gyms, swimming pools, baths;
- cosmetologists;
- medical personnel;
- people with excessive sweating.
Signs
The effectiveness of treating fungus on the big toe nail largely depends on the stage of the disease.If you start taking adequate measures as soon as the first symptoms appear, then coping with the disease will be relatively easy.If the process is started, treatment will require patience and time.The course can last more than six months.
The peculiarity of this disease is that at an early stage the symptoms are subtle.Indeed, few people will sound the alarm when they see a small spot on the nail of the first toe.Many simply do not notice such changes or, even having noticed, do not pay attention to such symptoms, because physical discomfort does not arise at this stage.
But in the absence of treatment, the process will develop and progress.A small spot will begin to grow, completely changing the appearance of the plate.The infection can affect the skin near the nail and also spread to other fingers.You can suspect a fungus if the following symptoms appear;
- white or yellowish spots on the nail, often at the initial stage they are located in the upper corner of the nail, but this is not necessary.Localization depends on the place of introduction of pathogenic microorganisms;
- the surface of the nail has changed, it has become thicker, lost its smoothness, and grooves have appeared on it;
- the nails have become very brittle, the regrown part crumbles and breaks off.
Advice!The listed signs do not allow an unambiguous diagnosis.If you suspect a fungus, you need to get tested.This will not only identify the presence of the pathogen, but also determine its type.
Stages
As already noted, the development of nail fungus on the thumb occurs gradually.The speed of development of the process depends on the type of fungus.Onychomycosis, provoked by infection with yeast-like fungi, progresses most rapidly.It is customary to distinguish three stages:
- Initial.At this stage, the signs are weakly expressed; the main symptom is the appearance of spots or stripes on the nail that differ in color from the main tone of the nail.
- Moderate.At this stage, the entire plate changes its color and loses its smoothness.At this stage, an unpleasant foot odor may appear.
- Launched.The lesion begins to spread to other nails, and the thumbnail begins to deteriorate.At this time, bacterial infections are often associated with onychomycosis, causing inflammation and suppuration on the skin of the fingers.
How to treat?
Fungal infection is difficult to treat.Many patients who self-medicate do not achieve the desired results, but only trigger the disease.Therefore, it is better not to try to cure yourself, but to consult a dermatologist.
After the tests, the specialist will select the drugs that are most effective in combating the pathogen.After all, there are different types of fungi, so there is no single treatment regimen.In addition, when prescribing a treatment regimen, the stage of development of the process must be taken into account.
Treatment of onychomycosis should be comprehensive.The specialist will prescribe products for external use, systemic drugs (tablets) that help treat the infection from the inside, as well as products to support the immune system and generally strengthen the body.
Lucky
This is a very easy to use treatment.Varnishes are colorless and with the addition of coloring pigments.The last option will undoubtedly be appreciated by women.
Apply healing varnish to a previously prepared plate.You need to wash your foot and take a hot bath to soften the nails.Then remove the top layer from the diseased nail using a disposable nail file.
The varnish is applied not only to the diseased nail, but also to healthy ones, this is done to prevent the spread of infection.The frequency of application depends on the type of preparation; the varnish should be used until the nail is completely renewed.
Ointments and solutions
External treatment products are also produced in the form of ointments or solutions (sprays).Before applying the product, carry out the same preparation as before applying varnish.Treatment is carried out 1-2 times a day.
A doctor should prescribe a remedy for external treatment, since different drugs are active against different groups of pathogens.Here are some of the most commonly prescribed medications:
Pills
In advanced stages, it is necessary, along with external treatment, to use drugs taken orally.As a rule, they contain the same active ingredients as topical agents.
Taking antifungal tablets puts a strain on the liver, so they are not prescribed in long courses.To achieve results, pulse therapy is used.The drugs are taken in short, periodically repeated courses until complete recovery.This approach allows you to reduce the load on the liver and achieve an effective effect on pathogenic microflora.
So, only a dermatologist after an examination can answer the question of how to cure toenail fungus.During the analysis, the type of pathogen is identified, as well as its sensitivity to various types of drugs.This approach allows you to choose the most effective treatment path.In addition, the patient should not forget about the necessary hygiene measures.It is necessary to regularly disinfect shoes, and wash socks at high temperatures and iron them on the wrong side.