Nail fungus: detect and treat correctly

2 April 2024

Fungal diseases are the most common diseases on earth. We suggest considering how to treat toenail fungus, which professional preparations (tablets, ointments, creams, sprays, other medicines) and folk remedies are used for this.

Onychomycosis (also known as "dermatophytic onychomycosis" or "herpes zoster") is the most common nail infection, with one in ten people worldwide suffering from the disease. Despite the fact that the disease must be treated at home, this infection is very difficult to influence from the outside and often the infection is accompanied by relapse and inflammation.

Nail fungus - what is it?

In medical terminology, nail fungus is called onychomycosis. The nail plate is infected by contact with the spores, then the rapid growth of the fungal bodies begins, affecting the nail in depth and width.

This pathological condition is most often observed in the elderly. The appearance of the disease is influenced by the following factors:

excess body weight;
diseases of the digestive system;
weakening of the immune system;
impaired function of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands;
improper hygiene.

Experts identify several stages and forms of fungal infection.

Types and causes of toenail diseases

Diseases of the nail plate can be divided into three types:

fungal;
not fungal;
other diseases.

Non-fungal diseases

Here are the causes of diseases that are not associated with fungal infection:

illiterate care of the nail plate;
injury;
unbalanced diet;
the presence of infection in the body;
smoking;
hereditary predisposition;
the presence of dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, eczema;
acute and chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, nervous system, endocrine diseases.

Fungal diseases

Fungal problems occur due to infection by various types of fungi. This pathogen is very dangerous because of its rapid and easy spread. This disease must be treated. Fungus most often affects the nail plates of the lower extremities, since the feet are the most favorable environment for the spread of pathogenic bacteria.

There are factors that contribute to the appearance and development of the disease:

increased sweating of the feet;
shoes of poor quality: stuffy and hermetic, with poor durability;
the use of clothing made of synthetic materials;
neglect of personal hygiene;
visiting public places without individual shoes, for example baths, swimming pools, saunas, public showers.

To recognize the onset of the disease, you need to know what a healthy nail plate should look like:

flesh color pink;
the surface is smooth, without roughness;
has a homogeneous structure, without compaction or dilution;
The nails are intact at their ends and do not split.

If your nails do not match at least one point, then you should visit a doctor for consultation.

Mushroom shapes

Symptoms of the disease depend on the form of the fungus:

Atrophic. A gray tint appears on the nail, and the plate becomes pale and dull. The nail begins to atrophy from the outer edges.
Hypertrophic. As a result of the active growth of skin scales, the nail plate thickens by more than 2 millimeters. Deformation of the nails depends on the severity of the pathology. Shade - gray or dark yellow. One of the signs of such a mushroom is considered to be similar to the claws of a bird.
Normotrophic. The color of the nail with this type of mold changes, but the shine and thickness remain the same. In the first stages, white to yellow spots appear. If the disease is not treated, they become larger in size. In this case, the plate does not stick to the nail bed.
Proximal. This fungus spreads in the skin fold. Possible pain in the cuticle area.
Total. This infection develops if treatment for other types of fungus is ignored. Accompanied by loss of color and shine, crumbling and brittleness. The result is the complete destruction of the nail plate.
White superficial fungi. It is characterized by the formation of white spots and lines that spread throughout the nail.
Distal. The lesion is accompanied by numbness, loss of color and changes in the thickness of the nail plate. After the affected area dies, the nail deforms and crumbles.
Lateral. There is swelling of the skin ridges, their redness and thickening. It is characterized by pain in the area near the nail. When a bacterial infection is attached, a purulent process begins.

Depending on the severity of the pathology, the appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Practical advice

Preventing toe and toe fungus is a very important task. Immediately after getting rid of the disaster, you will find yourself in a high-risk area, because. . . The body will be very sensitive to this type of infection for a long time.

Drug treatment does not always give results, antibiotics kill the immune system, the body becomes more sensitive to fungi and spores, try to minimize the use of such drugs;
Any burns and frostbite need immediate treatment, otherwise the bacteria will be reduced very quickly;
Effective treatment is only half the battle, because you will need to disinfect absolutely all surfaces you have come into contact with: bed, floor, clothes, shoes, etc. ;
Traditional treatment is good, but it does not guarantee that there will be no relapse. It is advisable that before starting this fight you visit a doctor, who will do an analysis and tell you exactly what form of mold you have and how to fight it;
Do not treat yourself with medications;
Do not try to mask damaged nails with colored varnish - this will damage them even more and slow down regeneration;
The doctor advises to take regular foot baths with mint and chamomile, this will significantly reduce the chance of catching an infection;
A person who has already suffered from a fungal disease cannot be a blood donor;
Fungi are very contagious, so consult your loved ones and take them to the doctor.

Typical clinical picture

Clinical manifestations of fungal nail infections include:

a burning sensation and itching of the skin near the affected area;
fragility of nails;
swelling of the affected area;
active plate detachment;
color changes (black, yellow, gray, green, brown color indicates a pathological process);
painful sensation in the place where the fungus is located;
nail deformity.

If the treatment is ignored or inappropriate therapy is observed, keratinization of the plaque and an increase in compression are observed.Only a qualified specialist can diagnose a fungal infection.

Places at risk of infection

Infection can occur in a moist and warm place where the fungus grows quickly. Therefore, you should be careful and adhere to the rules of hygiene in a public environment:

sauna;
shower cabin;
bathroom;
Gym;
sun room;
public dressing room;
beach;
swimming pool.

You can catch toenail fungus by trying on someone else's shoes. In addition, infection can occur in a beauty salon during a pedicure procedure if non-sterile instruments are used or the master has a fungus on his hands and performs the manipulation without gloves.

Alternative remedies to fight nail fungus

There are a large number of alternative methods to fight fungal infections. In folk medicine, popular and effective procedures that help eliminate fungi are:

compress;
foot bath;
creams;
application of ointments from herbal products.

Alternative effective antifungal therapies are:

Garlic ointment. For its preparation, butter is mixed with minced garlic. Apply it for several hours on the affected nails.
Sea salt bath. Make a warm solution and keep your feet in it for thirty minutes. After the procedure, it is recommended to apply olive oil to your nails.
Foot bath with a decoction of calendula, celandine, horsetail or milkweed.
Compress with mint and salt. A spoonful of salt is mixed with the crushed plant and applied to the problem area for several hours.
Propolis lotion. A cotton pad is soaked in the solution and applied to the affected nail.
Lubrication of the diseased nail plate with celandine juice.
Egg-honey mixture. Honey, birch tar and sulfur are added to the egg white. Mix well and apply on the nails.
Compress with ammonia. A spoonful of ammonia is diluted in a glass of water. The material intended for the procedure is soaked in liquid.
Apricot resin. An alcohol solution is prepared from the resin of the tree using the ingredients in equal parts. Using this medicine, make a compress.
Coffee bath. They make strong coffee and pour it into a basin. It is recommended to soak your feet in this product for twenty minutes.
Tar compress. For this procedure, take birch tar.
Listerine-based bath, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
Compresses with hydrogen peroxide. Before use, it is recommended to make a foot bath with soda.
Applying onion pulp to the injured nail.

An effective folk remedy for fungal infections is a remedy made from baking soda and apple cider vinegar. To prepare it you need the following ingredients:

apple cider vinegar - 250 ml;
baking soda - 150 g;
water (hot) - 3 l.

Foot baths are made with this medicine. The special feature of this procedure is that the feet are first placed in a vinegar solution for twenty minutes. Then after a while they take a soda bath. It is recommended to perform the procedure several times a day.

Compresses can also be made from the following ingredients:
chopped horseradish (root);
sunflower oil and vinegar (product ratio 1: 1);
tea mushroom;
tangerine juice;
tea tree oil;
Rowan puree.

It is recommended to apply these products to the affected area at night. Herbalists advise putting crushed medicinal herbs in socks for toenail fungus:

mint;
chamomile;
nettle;
calm.

The first signs of the disease can be overcome by soaking the feet in a soapy solution. It is important to remember that alternative medicines should only be used on well-washed feet. Dead layers should be removed each time using a nail file or scissors.

Other diseases

This section includes diseases that can be signs of fungal or non-fungal pathology, but in this case are independent.

Hypertrophy

Most often, hypertrophy is inherited.

This disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

nails thicken;
extends up to several centimeters;
very long legs begin to bend, resembling the claws of a bird;
the color of the nail changes from yellow to dirty yellow;
rarely, in this condition, the nail grows into the skin located on the sides;
If the growth is not treated, the inflammatory process begins.

To fight the disease, vitamins and physical therapy are prescribed. If there is inflammation, rinse with peroxide and chlorhexidine.

Traditional medicine suggests using olive oil massage. In case of significant deformation, which greatly spoils a person's appearance, they resort to cosmetic correction.

Atrophy

Diseases of the toenails, in which the nails are subject to atrophy, are often congenital in nature.

Already in a newborn child you can see symptoms:

deformation of the nail plates on one or several fingers, they are smaller in size, brittle, distorted in shape;
the color of the nails is white, cloudy;
the surface has defects: roughness, microcracks;
absence of nails on one or several fingers;
the presence of membranes between the fingers;
deformation of the fingers;
low rate of hair growth, and they also rarely grow.

Such congenital pathologies are difficult to treat. It is recommended to take vitamins, eat substances rich in collagen and have a balanced diet. Patients should take care of their nails and avoid injuries and contact with aggressive substances.

Nail peeling

The most common problem that people face.

Here are the reasons for its appearance:

improper manicure, use of low-quality decorative cosmetics;
This problem is encountered by half of the women who regularly perform the shellac procedure;
lack of vitamins;
endocrine disorders, in particular decreased thyroid function;
chronic diseases that deplete the body;
synthetic clothing and wrong shoes.

This problem can be eliminated using a number of measures:

makeupspecialized nail creams and oils.
Paraffin therapyyou need to buy paraffin and melt it until liquid but not hot. The feet must first be washed and dried completely. Dip your fingers in the paraffin, then let it harden and then lower it again. The sequence must be repeated several times until there are 3 to 5 layers of paraffin on the nails. Then you need to wrap it in plastic and put warm socks on top. Keep this compress for 30 minutes. Then, the paraffin should be carefully removed and a rich cream should be applied to the nails.

Traditional medicine recommends massage using sea salt. It should be distributed in the proportion of 2 teaspoons per 200 ml of warm water. Feet should be kept in the liquid for at least 15 minutes. Then you should massage the skin around the nails. Then, you can apply olive oil or other unrefined vegetable oil.

Pterygium

This word refers to the thin layer that lies on the nail in the crescent area. It is the bottom layer of the cuticle. It performs protective physiological functions and is not a pathology.

There are different lengths and thicknesses for different people. When performing a professional manicure, pterygium begins to create problems. It especially interferes with coatings that harden under an ultraviolet lamp.

If a woman decides to remove it, it must be done correctly so that it does nothurt the cuticle and avoid getting dirt into the delicate layers of the epidermis:

soften pterygium in water;
carefully remove the excess with an apricot stick;
treat the area with an antiseptic - chlorhexidine or miramistin.

To ensure that the pterygium always remains soft and easy to remove, every evening before going to bed you should treat the nail plate and cuticle with special oil from pharmacies and cosmetic stores.

Untreated nail diseases can cause serious consequences. Complications include suppuration, abscess, panaritium and malignant formations in the leg. For any change in the appearance of the nails, you should consult a dermatologist.

General treatment regimen

Successful therapy will require several months of complex treatment. This includes drugs for local and systemic use, diet and strengthening the immune system. Treatment of fungal diseases of the toenails is carried out using the following methods:

systemic antifungal drugs;
a course of physiotherapy that improves blood flow in the legs and hands;
affected areas are treated with local agents against infection (antifungal varnishes, ointments, gels) and the surrounding skin is covered for prevention;
removal of affected tissue conservatively or surgically if severe thickening or total damage is confirmed;
the use of medications that improve blood circulation in the hands and peripheral tissues of the feet.

Taking systemic antifungals

For the reliable and effective treatment of fungal diseases, it is necessary to use systemic antifungal drugs. Their action is aimed at destroying the pathogen. Fungal spores can remain in the incubation period in the growing area for a long time, while they remain stable, so it is very important to ensure their destruction.

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As the plaque grows, the spores rise and enter the active phase, continuing to cause the pathological process. For this reason, treatment with systemic antifungal drugs is carried out for a long time so that a new nail plate grows completely. This will indicate that the germ zone has been cleared of spores.

Local treatment

This is another component of complex treatment, which is carried out while taking systemic medications and does not replace it. Only local therapy will not help to achieve complete recovery, so there is no way to avoid the need to take antifungal drugs in the form of tablets, solutions or capsules. This is due to the ability of spores to remain stable for a long time in destroyed tissues. Local medications are unable to penetrate these areas.

Treatment of onychomycosis with this method aims to treat the bed or nail with products that come in the form of lotion, varnish, cream, ointment or spray. Recommended at this stage.

Removal of nail plate

There are two options for this procedure - conservative and surgical. The first method is performed using keratolytic patches that can soften the tissue. After using these products, it is possible to painlessly and easily remove the affected area using a soft scalpel or ordinary scissors. For conservative removal, patch options are currently used.

Such products can be purchased at a pharmacy or ordered from the prescription department. Before using the composition against a fungal disease, apply a regular adhesive plaster to the healthy areas of the skin near the affected areas to protect against the action of keratolith. Then, apply a layer of 2 mm of the mixture and secure it with a simple plaster for 2-3 days. Then peel, remove the remaining product and remove the softened tissue with a scalpel. The procedure is repeated until the entire surface of the nail is removed and only the bare bed remains.

The surgical method is considered more effective than the conservative one, because it not only removes the affected areas, but also allows the bed to be cleaned of keratinized scales, where the mold spores can continue to live and cause the disease to return. Clinical studies confirm that with surgical removal the effectiveness of the treatment is significantly higher; the procedure is carried out as follows:

Apply a tourniquet to the base of the finger.
Treat the surface with an antiseptic (any).
A local anesthetic is injected into the lateral surfaces of the finger.
Tweezers are inserted under the free edge from the left or right corner.
Advance the instrument to the base.
The plate is separated using a continuous motion.
The bed is cleaned of hornblende accumulations.
The nail bed is irrigated with a powdered sorbent with an antibiotic.
A sterile bandage is applied on top.

Shoe processing

The issue of disinfecting shoes during the treatment of onychomycosis is very important, because they contain fungal pathogens, which in the future will cause a relapse of the disease. To eliminate them, you must use chemical disinfectants. This cleaning procedure should be performed at least once a week. Disinfection can be carried out using the following compounds:

25% formalin solution.
Chlorhexidine bigluconate solution 1%.
Acetic acid 40%, etc.

As a preventive measure, you should regularly use special equipment designed for drying shoes at home. Fungus thrives in moist environments, so you shouldn't leave your shoes wet.

To eliminate the disease, you must strictly follow all the doctor's instructions. Medicines must be used exactly as directed. Home remedies can help speed up the treatment process for onychomycosis, but only if used as an adjunctive solution in combination with traditional drug treatment.

Possible complications

Pessimists who do not believe that onychomycosis is curable should note that, fortunately, they are mistaken. However, if the disease is ignored or self-medicated without being sure of the correct diagnosis, problems can arise.

Possible complications include:

the appearance of fungal eczema with a large area affected by the fungus;
burns caused by improper use of keratolytic plaster;
dysfunction of the liver and gastrointestinal organs, caused by the accumulation of toxins in the body;
the development of an allergic reaction, which also occurs due to the fact that the body is "overloaded" with substances harmful to it;
psychological problems caused by the fact that a person cannot live an ordinary life - for example, without hesitation, visit the bathroom, go to the beach.

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Laser treatment

This is an additional physiotherapeutic technique aimed at improving blood circulation. The procedure is performed as part of complex therapy together with the use of antifungal drugs. The use of the laser alone will not help cure the disease, because it only improves blood flow to the tissues. This is necessary for effective delivery of the antifungal agent to hard-to-reach cells. If you do not take systemic medications, laser therapy will not bring any therapeutic results.

Disinfection and personal hygiene

Noticing that the nail has changed color and suspecting the initial form of the fungus, comparing the symptoms with the photo, it is necessary to participate in a complex treatment. To effectively get rid of fungus, you need to:

thoroughly disinfect socks and shoes every day;
bed linen and towels;
Clean the tub thoroughly after bathing.

All items of clothing that came into contact with the affected nails during the day should be boiled in a soapy solution in the evening. It is better to use laundry soap. Shoes should be wiped daily with an antiseptic or a special antifungal solution.

The disease of onychomycosis of the nails is often observed within the same family due to constant contact with the causative agent of a fungal infection, as well as due to general hygiene products. If a person scratches the affected areas and then touches household objects with his hands, then fungal spores and the pathogen spread to things at this time and the risk of infection increases.