Nail fungus on the big toe is manifested by a thickening of an unsightly appearance. Statistics show that more than a quarter of the entire population is affected by onychomycosis.
It is laborious and long to cure the disease, after the course there will be relapses.
Why does the fungus appear
All the factors that contribute to thumb fungus infection are due to the fact that the pathogenic spores of the fungus penetrate the skin.
You can get infected through infected objects when you are in contact with them, for example by using other people's things - shoes, towels
The risk group for onychomycosis of the thumbs includes people who suffer from flat feet, who have excessive sweating, sloppy, sloppy at home.
Causes of infection with a fungal infection:
- The use of tight and uncomfortable shoes helps the development of pathogenic flora and the reproduction of bacteria, with increased sweating. The bigger big toe is attacked more. Spores of the fungus, multiplying, fall on socks, other things and spread to the floor. Infect others.
- Shoes made of low-quality, dense, non-breathable artificial materials "choke" the legs, contributing to the growth of bacteria.
- Ignore the hygiene rules in public places. Wear shoes when visiting saunas, pools and showers - this will protect you from foreign bacteria.
- Never wear someone else's socks, tights, or shoes, or lend your own. If you are trying on shoes, make sure you have your own sock to try on.
- Fungal infection is caused by immune problems. Weakened immunity is difficult to cope with viruses and fungi. It is difficult to cure the fungus in people suffering from diabetes, psoriasis, varicose veins, obesity, infected with HIV.
- Abandoning basic rules such as washing your feet with soap every day, changing your socks, taking care of your nails, helps the development of fungal infections.
- Improper treatment and care of corns, cracks and corns can result in the reproduction of fungal spores on the big toe.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
Fungal disease occurs due to fungal spore infection. The infection will not lead to a fatal outcome, but it can go from the nail to the toe and neighboring toes.
The disease is initially almost not noticeable, suspicion arises when a yellow tint appears on the nails, and then brown with seals and delaminations. Firm and exfoliated nails cause severe discomfort when wearing shoes.
Medicine divides onychomycosis into 3 levels:
- Initial - the nail plate is covered with spots and streaks of a yellow tint, the feet are still not affected during this period.
- The second stage - the luster disappears, the color becomes brownish, an unpleasant smell comes from the legs.
- Advanced level: the nail exfoliates from the skin, loosens, crumbles. There are pains. This stage is dangerous, the spores, fall, spread into the surrounding space.
With symptoms such as peeling of the skin of the toes, periodic blistering, redness, cracking, one should be vigilant and take preventive measures to prevent fungal infections.
Features of the treatment of the disease
Fungal infection of the feet begins with the thumb nail. The spores of the fungus are at home in the upper layer of the nail plate, from where their path to the matrix begins.
Since the thumb nail is affected first, treatment begins at this site. The method of action of drugs has a local-external and systemic effect. The approach should be individual, taking into account the signs of pathology and the condition of the patient's internal organs.
The treatment approach is complex. Disinfectants, bacterial type antifungal agents, pulse therapy are used.
Pulse therapy involves a long-term exposure pattern with periodic changes in treatment types. This program contains oral medications for one week with a repeat after 3 weeks.
Agents that suppress the reproduction of pathogenic microflora are used every day.
Using a systematic approach allows you to increase the chances of complete recovery from the disease. Complex therapy includes taking vitamins and immunostimulating drugs.
The use of drugs is based on the cumulative principle. The drugs are concentrated and provide protection from the disease for a long time.
Ointments to get rid of
Preparations for external use are different ointments and more options - paints and lotions.
The mechanism of action of ointments is based on the destruction of the cell membrane of fungal spores. The course of treatment is long and is carried out until the final release. Dead layers are cleaned with a file.
Iodinol is used as a lubricant. The result is obtained if the sock of the infected person's shoe is lubricated from the inside, a cotton swab dipped in medicine is applied to the nail.
Tar and sulfur ointments have proven to be quite effective as antifungal drugs.
All ointments when used give a good result. But the treatment should be prescribed by a specialist. Different ointments intentionally affect the fungus of a different nature. Only a doctor after conducting research in the laboratory can choose the most effective remedy.
We get rid of the house with the help of folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers many recipes for getting rid of fungal diseases. Treatment of onychomycosis on the big toe at home is carried out in the following ways.
With the use of iodine
Onychomycosis is successfully treated with iodine baths. Water is poured into a basin at a temperature of about 40-45 degrees, iodine alcohol is poured drop by drop.
For 1 liter of water, 3 drops of iodine are needed: depending on the volume of the container, you can calculate the right amount.
Put your feet in the water and hold until the water cools. Peroxide-treated scissors cut the affected part of the nail plate. After the procedure, the nail and surrounding skin are treated with peroxide. The effect will be enhanced if an antibacterial bandage with ointment is applied.
Effective use of ordinary vinegar
Water at room temperature is diluted with 9% vinegar in a ratio of 2 to 1. The bath time is 15 minutes. Then the damaged nail needs to be filed or trimmed. The duration of the manipulations is at least 2 weeks.
Lemon and potatoes help
- Fresh lemon should be sprinkled with boiling water, so it will have more juice. Cut the slices and apply on the damaged nail. The citrus is fixed with a plaster. A good result will be if the compress is done every evening and kept all night.
- Peel the potatoes. The component is boiled, water is poured into a bowl and mashed to the state of puree. The legs hover in the broth, then the softened growths are cut off. After cleaning, gruel is applied for half an hour and washed off.
Medicinal plants in struggle
- celandine. The fresh juice of this amazing plant can cure almost all types of fungal diseases. Within 2 weeks, a fresh plant (leaves and stem are kneaded) is applied to the affected nails and skin. If possible, change the compress every 2-3 hours.
- Aspen bark. Nail baths are prepared on the basis of 200 g of ingredient per liter of water. Manipulation is carried out for 15 minutes in water that the leg can tolerate. After the bath, a mixture of mild laundry soap and soda is applied to the nails. The proportion is 1: 1. After 30 minutes, everything is washed off with warm water. The nail after such a procedure will begin to renew itself.
As an additional prophylaxis, baths with sea salt are used.
The nail comes off the thumb
Fungal nail disease is characterized by external manifestations such as exfoliation of the nail plate from the skin. The lagging part of the nail darkens or turns blue.
This is because a layer of air builds up in the cavity under the nail, which gets bigger over time.
The more the process develops, the more pain a person feels. The nail lifts, pustules and blood secretions appear.
With detachment, the treatment is used:
- The use of local treatment - ointments, along with drugs in the form of tablets, external and internal use will give the best result;
- It is possible to use laser treatment methods, such procedures are carried out in beauty salons;
- With complete detachment, you should immediately contact the surgeon.
To cure the nail, if you leave your finger without a fungus or with a fungus, you need to drink gelatin solutions, follow the hygienic requirements and do not take a pedicure.
Effective treatment of fungi
Recommended medications for these injuries:
- Means of local influence. Generic drugs can be purchased without a prescription. But it is necessary to use the rules of use specified in the instructions. If not, there will be no effect.
- Means of systemic influence. These are tablets and pills, which, together with ointments, are prescribed by a dermatologist.
- Laser treatment is quite effective. The treatment does not cause pain. The procedure does not cause harm to the patient's body. There are no relapses after laser cleaning.
- The hardware pedicure procedure is less popular than laser therapy, but the effect is wonderful. Most often, this method is used in advanced cases.
- Surgical manipulations have not yet received sufficient popularity, but their effect is quite strong. The disadvantages of this manipulation are pain and a long rehabilitation period.
Which tool is better
Paints and medical serums are recognized as effective and effective drugs in antifungal therapy.
The price of such drugs is higher than that of conventional ointments, but the effectiveness of the drugs is high.
Mycosis appeared on the arm
Fungal diseases on the nails of the fingers are less common. The most common infection is caused by the Candidiasis fungus. The nails are also affected by filamentous fungi.
You can also get infected by shaking hands, through other people's infected gloves, even by yourself. Receiving spores from other parts of the body.
Treatment of fungal infections on the hands is prescribed based on the type of fungus, the age of the infected person and the stage of the disease.
Initially, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of the disease, strengthen the immune system, get rid of bad habits.
It is not necessary to be treated with antibiotics during this time. The patient must change the diet - remove from the foods used those that help the reproduction of the fungus, these are sweet and an abundance of carbohydrates.
The doctor prescribes research and, depending on the type of fungus, prescribes drugs and prescribes a course of treatment. More often than not, it is a combination therapy.
If the patient has an acute inflammatory process, local treatment should be avoided. The exacerbation must be removed.
For the patient, it is necessary to eliminate interaction with those household means and objects that provoke the development of the disease. Acute inflammation can be removed with time-tested drugs such as bright green, fukortsin, potassium iodide.
For nails, it is convenient to use varnishes for treatment. With a fungal infection of the fingernails, the spores quickly spread through the skin and fall into the folds between the fingers.
Antifungal drugs will increase their effect if folk remedies are used in the treatment. But they should be used only after consulting a doctor.
The most important and safest advice for those who do not want to contract this unpleasant infection or dream of getting rid of it forever is strict compliance with hygiene prescriptions and preventive measures to prevent the disease.
The result can be achieved if you follow the rules of personal prevention - do not put yourself in such conditions as to be infected with fungal spores - have a personal comb, personal slippers, never use other people's things.
If such a nuisance has already occurred, then it is not necessary to allow it to spread, but to start treatment on time in the early stages. If you experience symptoms similar to a fungal infection, see a doctor immediately.