Fungal disease can affect various tissues of the body, even internal organs. If the disease has affected the nail, it is called onychomycosis. Its appearance is caused by fungal microorganisms.
They are subdivided into different genera: candida, moldy fungi, dermatophytes. Parasites literally feed on the nail plate, which leads to its early destruction. Mycosis itself does not go away. This is possible only with the most powerful work of the immune system and the first stage of the disease, when the symptoms are not visible. If signs of illness appear, you can be sure that they will not go anywhere without therapy.
Reasons for the appearance
Fungal microorganisms belong to the class of irritants. They are extremely tenacious. They quickly penetrate tissues, adapt to various conditions. This is due to the complexity of the treatment of the disease. If you use the same drug for a long time, parasites may stop responding to it.
The only reason for the appearance of the disease is the ingress of fungus on the nail plate. However, there are factors that favor its early introduction inside and subsequent reproduction. Microorganisms are more likely to penetrate the tissues if they have corns. Even dry skin can lead to microcracks, through which fungus can easily penetrate. The microorganism "loves" wet conditions, and therefore actively spreads in people who prefer tight shoes made of poor materials that do not allow air to pass through.
Often, toenail fungus on the big toe occurs against the background of various pathologies:
- Endocrine diseases;
- Psoriasis;
- Varicose veins;
- Vascular ailments;
- HIV and AIDS;
- Problems with metabolic processes;
- Eczema;
- Dermatitis;
- Skin infectious processes.
Fungal microorganisms can enter the plate in the following ways:
- Contact with a carrier of infection;
- Visiting public baths, saunas, showers;
- Putting on other people's slippers (for example, at a party);
- Living with a person with mycosis;
- Trying on shoes;
- Using pedicure tools that have not been disinfected;
- Visiting beauty parlors.
The factors that provoke the appearance of mycosis are also:
- Lack of adequate personal hygiene;
- Preference for synthetic items;
- Wearing tight shoes that do not allow the skin to "breathe";
- Excessive obesity;
- Frequent alcohol consumption;
- Elderly age.
The disease will have more striking manifestations if a person has circulatory disorders in the feet area. Also, a change in the acid balance observed when taking antibiotics can lead to pathological processes.
Stages of the disease
The surface under the nails is very favorable for the growth of fungal microorganisms. It contains many nutrients that parasites feed on. Gradually, due to the effects of bacteria, the destruction of the nail plate occurs. Voids begin to form, in which the mycelium of the fungus multiplies. There are the following stages of the disease:
- Initial.Refers to the type of normotrophic damage. The main damage affects the center or edge of the plate. Spots and stripes appear, which gradually begin to grow;
- Average.Represents hypertrophic changes. This stage is characterized by thickening of the nail, changes in its structure, direction of growth. Pathological processes gradually spread throughout the plate;
- Dystrophy stage.To the listed processes, inflammation in the area of the nail fold is added. Discharge of pus is possible. The lesion reaches the nearby skin. Additional bacterial infections accelerate the destruction of the nail. It begins to crumble, may flake off from the nail bed.
At the very beginning, the symptoms are insignificant, and therefore people often take the disease lightly. However, it is progressing rapidly. Very soon, the spots that have arisen will begin to grow. The disease can spread from the thumb to others.
If only the thumbnail is affected, it is usually mild to moderate. Therapy should be carried out immediately.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary greatly depending on the stage of the disease. At the very beginning, the signs of a threat are almost impossible to notice. With the development of the disease, the following symptoms can be observed:
- Slight itching;
- Redness in the area of the thumb;
- Burning sensation.
But the pathological process does not stand still. Its growth can be judged by the following features:
- Plate fragility, loss of natural shine;
- Acquisition of a yellow, blue or green tint (depending on the type of fungal microorganisms that affected the nail);
- Pronounced spots and stripes appear;
- The nail grows with its corners into the roller, which is evidence of the deformation of its growth.
In advanced stages, the following symptoms are likely:
- Pain syndrome when walking;
- The appearance of swelling of the finger, its significant redness;
- Discharge of pus from under the edges.
Signs of big toenail fungus can vary depending on the type of fungus that is causing the infection. For example, if these are moldy fungi, the disease will be very pronounced. The nail can literally turn black. There is swelling, the appearance of silvery scales, yellow edges. The plate begins to move away from the bed, which causes severe discomfort. However, in 95% of cases, the cause of infection is dermatophytes. They are characterized by a relatively moderate course of the disease.
The disease affects not only the nail, but the entire body. This is due to the fact that toxins enter the lymphatic channels. This provokes the following changes:
- Allergic reactions, the appearance of skin rashes;
- Gastrointestinal problems;
- Signs of intoxication.
If nothing is done with the advanced stage of mycosis, the lesion can spread to the internal organs. This is extremely dangerous.
How is the treatment carried out?
How to Cure Toenail Fungus? Pathogenic microorganisms are distinguished by enviable resistance to various influences. They quickly take root inside and begin to multiply actively. Therefore, it is desirable to carry out a full-fledged antifungal therapy. It includes:
- Using local funds. It can be ointments, drops, medicated varnishes, solutions. They are required in order to defeat the disease at a superficial level. Among the local remedies are varnish, serum;
- Systemic drugs. They are used for significant lesions of the nail plate. The tablets are used daily. Pulse therapy is effective. It consists in taking short-term medications with a long break from them. Then the course is repeated. It should be borne in mind that pills can not be taken in all cases. Do not use them at the initial stage of the disease. These funds are quite powerful, and therefore have contraindications: pregnancy, childhood, renal failure, intolerance to the components.
The disease is often accompanied by bacterial complications. You can also be safe from them. Antifungal varnish is perfect for this purpose. It creates a film on the surface of the plate through which bacteria do not penetrate.
Additionally, it is necessary to stimulate the body's defensive goals, which will be directed to fight infection. For this, vitamin complexes, immunomodulatory drugs are used.
Most medicines have a cumulative effect. It is not enough to take them once and forget about therapy. Complete course required.
It does not end even if all symptoms have disappeared. Active substances accumulate in the integument and continue to act even after the end of the medication intake.
Another additional procedure is nail removal. Relevant for strong pathological processes. Removal can be done using special urea-containing products. If the plate is stiff, several procedures will be required to completely remove it. Removal should not be feared, as it is painless. After removal, you need to treat the surface with antiseptics. Removal is convenient because, after it, local remedies can be applied directly to the nail bed. This greatly improves their efficiency.
Traditional methods
Folk remedies cannot replace medicines. But they are suitable for additional help. The following components help from the fungus:
- Iodine.The affected area should be lubricated with iodine twice a day. If there is a burning sensation, you need to remove all excess and reduce the dosage;
- Lemon.A slice of lemon is applied to the affected area, after which it is fixed with a bandage. Cellophane is put on top;
- Hydrogen peroxide.A cotton pad is moistened in hydrogen peroxide, after which it is fixed on the nail for 30 minutes. Those areas that are softened can be removed.
After all these procedures, treatment with antimicrobial topical agents is desirable.
Preventive measures
It is important to observe preventive measures not only for a person who does not want to get infected with mycosis. They are fundamental for people who have just got rid of the disease. Prevention consists in the following rules:
- Compliance with personal hygiene;
- Daily foot bath;
- Lubrication of feet with moisturizers, pedicure;
- Use of personal slippers;
- Treatment of nails with prophylactic agents before visiting baths, showers. You can replace the special product with lemon juice.
Prevention measures for people who have recently had mycosis are even more stringent:
- Using once a week a local remedy for fungus;
- Regular use of hot foot baths with the addition of sea salt;
- Treatment of shoes with antifungal compounds;
- Boiling socks, in which there is a complete destruction of microorganisms;
- You should continue taking vitamins;
- The bath surface is disinfected. It is advisable to treat all other surfaces in the house as well.
Prevention with a high degree of probability protects against mycosis. You just need to monitor the state of your feet. If unclear signs reappear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication is not recommended, since mycosis is easily confused with other problems. In this case, the wrong treatment will be chosen, and the disease will continue to progress. All this is fraught with big problems in the future. Reception of systemic funds, without fail, is performed under the supervision of a physician.