World statistics on the infection of the toenail plate with fungi give disappointing figures.Every fifth person has nail damage and every tenth is a carrier of fungal yeast bacteria.In common parlance, nail damage is simply called "fungus";the scientific term for the disease is onychomycosis or dermatophytic onychomycosis.The treatment is carried out at home, without hospitalization.The infection is resistant to external influences, does not go away for a long time, appears secondarily and creates inflammatory foci.
Symptoms
All fungal diseases have different symptoms and signs of damage.Thus, superficial onychomycosis is felt immediately after a short period of time after infection:
- The nail plate thickens.
- The plaque becomes torn and brittle from the edge to the cuticle.
- The configuration is distorted, the surface structure changes - it becomes scaly.
- In the initial stage, the natural shine and elasticity of the nail plate is lost.
- Sometimes the nail turns black and cuts into the skin.
- In advanced cases, intestinal damage occurs - dysbiosis.General loss of strength, decreased immunity, lethargy and sleepiness.
- The itching sensation appears between the toes and is more pronounced in children.
- The last stage is onycholysis.The plate peels off from the nail bed.A faint unpleasant smell appears.
- The skin on the finger and around the nail cracks until it bleeds or oozes and is red.
- Depending on the type of fungus, an unpleasant circle of white or yellow mold appears under the nail.The brightness depends on the degree of damage: from dim to bright.
Strangely enough, this fungal infection most often occurs in people who lead a healthy lifestyle.Frequent visits to public sports complexes, swimming pools and saunas pose an increased risk of toenail fungus infection.There are many reasons that create a positive environment for fungi:
- The "preferred habitat" of mushrooms is moist and quite warm.The first source is your wet shoes.After each walk, dry immediately inside.The choice of socks plays an important role in prevention.They should consist of more than 70% natural raw materials, and ideally - 100%.This is the only way to ensure optimal air access.
- Decreased overall immunity.It is enough to walk barefoot and immediately catch a mushroom.Prevention - drink vitamins, preferably complexes containing minerals and amino acids.
- The pursuit of beauty - nail extension.Frequent corrections and procedures contribute to the thinning of the nail plate, which means it increases the risk of disease.
- Public swimming pools, showers, baths, solariums are all sources of active fungal spores.The loss happens immediately, and the treatment takes a long time.The spores penetrate deep into the epithelium of the cavity between the nail and the fingers.In the initial stage, you simply "sleep" and then start a sharp "crisis".
How to treat onychomycosis
Be patient immediately.The treatment is long.Also, be prepared to "finish" - treatment is expensive.
- Pharmacological drugs:
- External.Prescribed in the initial stage of nail fungus infection.These are drops, varnishes or oils with antifungal ingredients.The most popular are Ciclopirox drops.Apply to the affected nail once a day.Subsequent application: first the old grass film is removed, then a fresh one is applied.Effect: the condition of the nail plate improves within a week.And the unpleasant smell disappears after the first or second application.
- Urea-based compounds.Available in the form of creams, lotions or creams.They are prescribed in combination with oral medications and act as relapse prevention.
- Complex treatment without oral medications is not possible.Taking Itraconazole tablets will help cure acute, advanced forms of fungal infection of the toenail plate.
- Surgical method.The fungus that has taken root in the plate is removed together with the nail.
- Modern physiotherapy: cryotherapy, acid disinfection, laser removal of the upper part of the plaque.The disadvantage is the damage to the epithelium, but the removal of the fungus is 100%.
Traditional methods of combating toenail fungus
- Iodine.Its action as an antiseptic has been known for a long time.You need to paint the plate and the skin between the fingers with the solution.Active spores are burned and the development of new foci is stopped.Remember, iodine dries the epithelium and nail plate.Take breaks between treatments.
- Garlic.Finely grate the cloves into a paste.Apply the liquid to the area affected by the fungus.Better for the night.In the morning, rinse the area with an acid solution.Apply compresses until improvement appears.
- Rub with apple cider vinegar.Do it twice a day.Lubricate the skin and plate.Take a bath: 10 liters.water with a temperature of 30-32 C, add 200 ml (glass) of vinegar.Keep it for 10 minutes.This method is good at eliminating unpleasant foot odor.
- Grape vinegar.200 ml.9% vinegar, half a stick of butter, one raw egg.Mix, shake.Place the resulting suspension in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours.Then use it for compresses.
- Fresh celandine juice.Cut a green bush and immediately burn the affected area with the juice.The course is 7 days, then a break of 3 days and repeats.Continue treatment until visible improvement results.
- Types of coffee.The natural antioxidant properties help to clean the keratinized layers of the epithelium along with the fungus.
- Onion woman.Grate the onion.Mix the chicken with a spoonful of honey.Apply to the affected area, covering up to 5 cm.Leave it for an hour.A moderate lesion can heal within a week.
- Recipe for children.Mix chalk and soda.Add some water.Apply the mixture to the skin between your fingers.A solution of methyl blue (blue) helps a lot.This method is also suitable for pregnant or lactating women.
- Soap.Laundry soap is rubbed into the shaver and made into a hot bath.The legs are steamed, then wiped dry and lubricated with blue.
- Military recipe.Salidol.Apply to washed feet, leave for 2-3 hours, then remove with a dry cloth or wash with tar soap.
Measures to prevent onychomycosis
- Protect the skin of your feet from hypothermia and burns.Damaged areas become fertile ground for fungal spores.
- If someone in the family has contracted a fungus, immediately disinfect the floors in the rooms and bathrooms.Provide everyone with slippers.Wear special shoe covers or mats when showering.Do not use patient equipment.
- Daily baths with mint and chamomile are an excellent prevention of any disease of the skin of the feet and nails.
- If one person in the family is sick, everyone should be examined by a doctor and have tests done.