Such inconvenience as a fungus on the toenails is a common pathology that can cause various complications when ignoring treatment.The disease is poorly succumbed to therapy, but there are many medicines and alternative medicines that, when used properly, help to get rid of the disease.
Nail fungus - what is it?
In medical terminology, nail fungus is called onychomycosis.The nails are infected in contact with spores, then the rapid growth of the fungi begins, affecting the nail deeper and in width.
Most often, such a pathological condition is observed in people of the elderly.The following factors affect the onset of the disease:
- excessive body weight;
- digestive diseases;
- weakening of the immune system;
- impaired function of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands;
- Improper hygiene.
Experts define several stages and forms of fungal damage.
The first signs and symptoms
Damage to fungal nail damage is difficult to determine, since its clinical manifestations are gatherings with symptoms of other diseases.
The first signs of fungal infection pathology include:
- reducing nail glosses;
- itching near the toes;
- thickening of the plate;
- nail fragility;
- uneven edges of the plate;
- white, black or yellow spot on the surface;
- Nail blast.
If the nails become brittle, thin and often break up, then this symptom can also be an early symptom of the fungus.
Fungus
The symptoms of the disease depend on the shape of the fungi:
- Atrophic.There is a gray nuance of the nail, there is a pale and dumb plate.The nail begins to atrophy from the outer edges.
- Hypertrophic.As a result of the active growth of skin flakes, the nails thicken more than 2 millimeters.Deformation of the nail depends on the neglect of pathology.The shade is gray or dark yellow.One of the signs of such a fungus is similar to a bird's nail.
- Normorophic.The color of the nail with this variety of fungi changes, but the shine and thickness remain the same.In the first stages, spots from white to yellow are formed.If the disease is not treated, they become more in size.The plate in this case does not grow next to the nail bed.
- Proximal.This fungus spreads to the skin roll.Painful sensations in the area of the cuticles are possible.
- Total.This infection develops in case of ignoring the treatment of other types of mushrooms.It is accompanied by loss of color and shine, crushing and gloom.As a result, the complete destruction of the nails.
- Surface white fungus.It is characterized by the formation of white spots and stripes that are applied throughout the nail.
- Distal.The nail lesion is accompanied by dullness, loss of color and a change in the thickness of the nails.After the affected area dies, the nail deforms and breaks down.
- Side.There is swelling of skin rollers, their redness and a seal.It is characterized by pain of the region near the nail.When a bacterial infection is attached, a purulent process begins.
Depending on the severity of the pathology, appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Typical clinical picture
The clinical manifestations of nail fungal damage include:
- sensation of burning and itching of the skin near the destination;
- nail instability;
- swelling of the lesion;
- active exfoliation of the plate;
- Changes in color (black, yellow, gray, green, brown show the pathological process);
- a painful sensation of where the fungus is localized;
- Nail deformation.
In ignoring treatment or inappropriate therapy, keratinization of the plate is observed and increased seals.
Stages of fungal nail damage
Experts distinguish three stages of the disease.Each of them is characterized by certain symptoms:
- 1st.It is difficult to determine visually.It manifests with small pale spots on the nails.
- 2.The superiors are formed, the color of the slab begins to change, the shine is lost.
- 3rd.The skin near the nails begins to blush and become ill.There is stratification and deformation of the nail.
Spots to risk of infection
Only a qualified specialist can diagnose fungal damage.
The infection can occur in a wet and warm place where the fungus develops rapidly.Therefore, you must be careful and adhere to hygiene rules in the social environment:
- Sauna;
- shower;
- bathroom;
- gym;
- Solarium;
- public dressing room;
- beach;
- Pool.
You can pick up a nail sponge, try someone's shoes.In addition, the infection can occur in a beauty salon in the pedicure procedure if non -sterile instruments are used or the master has a fungus on the hands and manipulates gloves.
Diagnostic methods
If signs of the fungus appear, the patient should consult a dermatologist or mycologist.
The following laboratory tests include the diagnostic methods of the disease:
- Microsporia;
- cultural analysis;
- DNA studies.
If necessary, additional diagnostic methods may be prescribed.
Traditional treatment
As a result of the disease, various complications can develop, therefore appropriate therapy is needed.Only a specialist can prescribe drug drug treatment, given the following factors:
- form and stage of the disease;
- sections of the lesion;
- concomitant pathologies;
- Individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Most often, medicines are used for external use in such forms:
- cream or ointments;
- patch;
- Special antifungal lacquer;
- solution for lotions and compresses;
- sprays;
- Oil.
You can use medical lacquer based on ammonolphin from the fungus.This tool is suitable for both treatment and prevention.They help to get rid of the pathological process of nails and other varnishes.
Solutions are often prescribed for the treatment of fungi that effectively deal with the disease.
For painlessly getting rid of the affected nail, a special adhesive plaster is used.The feet should be stewed in hot water before using it.Apply the product for four days.To remove the patch again, you need to make a hot bath.The exposed nail is carefully removed with scissors.If necessary, the procedure is repeated several times.
With neglected form of fungi, medication for internal use can be prescribed.
Severe nail damage is used surgical removal.It is also possible to use acid disinfection, laser treatment, cryotherapy.Usually these methods are considered if drug therapy does not work.
During treatment, to prevent re -infection, it is necessary to disinfect surfaces with which there were contacts of damaged nails.
It is important to remember that a specialist should prescribe medication.Suicide can worsen the situation and provoke the development of complications.
Alternative products in the fight against nail fungus
There are a large number of alternative methods for combating a fungal infection.
In folk medicine, popular and effective procedures are considered to help eliminate the fungus:
- compress;
- Foot bath;
- lotions;
- Application of plant products.
Effective antifungal agents of alternative therapy are:
- Garlic ointment.To prepare it, the oil is mixed with grated garlic.Apply for a few hours for the nails affected.
- Bath with sea salt.Make a warm solution and keep your feet in it for thirty minutes.After the procedure, it is recommended to apply olive oil to the nails.
- Legs bath with decoction of calendula, cellanne, field horsetail or milk algae.
- Mint compression.A spoonful of salt is mixed with a crushed plant and applied to the problem area for several hours.
- Propolis lotion.The cotton pad is wet in a tincture and applied to an affected nail.
- Lubrication of diseased nails with Selndine juice.
- A mixture of eggs.Add regimes, birch tar and sulfur to the protein.Mix thoroughly and apply to the nails.
- Ammonia compression.A spoonful of ammonia is diluted in a glass of water.The procedure material is moistened in the liquid.
- Small apricot.The tincture of the alcohol is prepared from the resin wood, taking the ingredients in equal parts.Using this tool, they make a compress.
- Coffee bath.Make strong coffee, pour it into a lung.In this tool, it is recommended to stew your feet for twenty minutes.
- Tar compress.Take birch tar for this procedure.
- Bath based on bleach for the oral cavity, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
- Compress from hydrogen peroxide.It is recommended to make a bath with soda before using it.
- Attachment to the diseased Calf's nail of the onion.
An effective folk remedy for fungal damage is considered a means of soda and apple cider vinegar.The following ingredients are necessary for its preparation:
- Apple cider vinegar - 250 ml;
- nutritional soda - 150 g;
- Water (hot) - 3 L.
Foot baths are made with this medicine.The peculiarity of such a procedure is that at the beginning the feet are placed in a solution of vinegar for twenty minutes.Then, after a while, a bath with soda.It is recommended that you do the procedure several times a day.
- Compresses can also be made from such ingredients:
- crushed horseradish (root);
- Sunflower oil and vinegar (1: 1 products ratio);
- tea sponge;
- Mandarin juice;
- Tea tree oil;
- Washed mountain ash.
These agents are recommended to be applied in the affected area at night.
Phytotherapists are advised to fill the crushed medicinal herbs in socks with fungus on the feet:
- mint;
- chamomile;
- nettle;
- A sage.
The first signs of the disease can be defeated if you rent your feet in a solution of soap.
Prevention measures
It is important to remember that you can only use alternative medicines on well -washed legs.Dead layers must be removed every time using a file or scissors.
In order to prevent the onset of the disease, the following recommendations must be followed:
- Avoid contacts with infected people.
- In the sauna, the bathroom, the gym, the pool, place disposable rubber slippers.
- Strengthening the immune system.
- Dry the shoes after walking.
- Use sterile tools for pedicure.
- Wear clean socks made of cotton material.
- Wipe your legs dry after the bathroom and shower.
- Do not escape from someone else's shoes.
- Do not allow burns and frost.
- After visiting public places like dressing room, sauna, bathroom, you should wash your feet well.To do this, it is advisable to use laundry soap.You can hold a little foot in a warm unconscious solution of ration or soda.
- Choose shoes comfortable, natural.
- Follow the right nail hygiene: remove dirt and haircut.
- Take medicines for medical prescription only.
- Have individual household items (towel, pumice, slippers).
It is recommended to use a special antifungal lacquer to prevent the infection.
In this way it is easy to get infected with fungi in public.In order to avoid the development of the disease, prevention rules must be observed.
The pathology can be treated with the help of drugs and folk remedies.However, therapy should only be performed with the doctor's approval.