Toenail fungus: detect and treat correctly

2 April 2024

Fungal diseases are the most common diseases on earth. We suggest you think about how to treat toenail fungus, professional preparations (tablets, ointments, creams, varnishes, other drugs) and folk remedies used for this purpose.

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

Nail fungus: what is it?

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

This pathological condition is most often observed in older people. The occurrence of the disease is influenced by the following factors:

excessive body weight;
diseases of the digestive system;
weakened immune system;
dysfunction of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands;
poor hygiene.

Experts identify several stages and forms of fungal infection.

Types and causes of toenail diseases

Nail plate diseases can be divided into three types:

fungal;
non-fungal;
other diseases.

Non-fungal diseases

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

illiterate care of the nail plate;
injury;
unbalanced diet;
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 due to its rapid and easy spread. This disease must be treated. The fungus most often affects the nail plates of the lower extremities, since the feet are the most favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

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

increased sweating of the feet;
poor quality shoes: stuffy and tight, not very durable;
use of clothing made from 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 pink color;
the surface is smooth, without roughness;
has a homogeneous structure, without compactions or thinning;
The nails are intact at their ends and do not separate.

If your nails do not meet at least one point, then you need to consult a doctor.

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 ends.
Hypertrophic. Due to the active growth of skin scales, the nail plate thickens by more than 2 millimeters. Nail deformation depends on the severity of the pathology. Shade – gray or dark yellow. One of the signs of such a fungus is considered to be similar to a bird's claw.
Normotrophic. The color of the nail with this type of fungus changes, but the shine and thickness remain the same. In the early stages, white to yellow spots appear. If the disease is not treated, their size increases. In this case, the plate does not adhere to the nail bed.
Proximal. This fungus spreads to the skin fold. Possible pain in the cuticle area.
Total. This infection develops if treatment for other types of fungi is ignored. Accompanied by loss of color and shine, crumbling and fragility. The result is complete destruction of the nail plate.
Superficial white fungus. Characterized by the formation of white spots and stripes that extend over the entire nail.
Distal. The lesion is accompanied by dullness, loss of color and changes in the thickness of the nail plate. After the affected area dies, the nail becomes deformed and crumbles.
Lateral. There is swelling of the skin ridges, their redness and thickening. Characterized by pain in the area near the nail. When a bacterial infection sets in, a purulent process begins.

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

Practical advice

Preventing thumb and foot fungus is a very important task. Immediately after getting rid of misfortune, you will find yourself in a high-risk zone, because. . . The body will be very susceptible to this type of infection for a long time.

Drug treatment is not always profitable, antibiotics kill the immune system, the body becomes more sensitive to fungi and spores, try to minimize the use of these drugs;
Any burns or frostbite require prompt 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 with which you came into contact: bedding, floors, clothes, shoes, etc.
Traditional treatment is good, but it does not guarantee that there will be no relapse. It is advisable to consult a doctor before starting this fight, who will carry out an analysis and tell you exactly what form of fungus you have and how to combat it;
Do not self-medicate;
Do not try to hide damaged nails with colored varnish - this will damage them even more and slow down regeneration;
The doctor advises regular foot baths with mint and chamomile, this will significantly reduce the risk of catching an infection;
A person who has already suffered from fungal diseases cannot donate blood;
The fungus is very contagious, so also consult your loved ones and take them to the doctor.

Typical clinical picture

Clinical manifestations of fungal nail infections include:

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

If treatment is ignored or inappropriate treatment is observed, keratinization of the plaque and increased compaction are observed.Only a qualified specialist can diagnose a fungal infection.

Places at risk of infection

Infection can occur in a moist, warm place where the fungus grows quickly. It is therefore advisable to be careful and respect hygiene rules in a public environment:

sauna;
shower cabin;
bath;
gym;
solarium;
public locker room;
beach;
pool.

You can get toenail fungus from trying on someone else's shoes. In addition, an 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 combat nail fungus

There are a large number of alternative methods to combat fungal infections. In traditional medicine, popular and effective procedures that help get rid of fungus are:

compress;
foot bath;
lotions;
apply ointments based on herbal products.

Effective alternative antifungal therapies are:

Garlic ointment. To prepare it, butter is mixed with grated garlic. Apply for several hours on the affected nails.
Sea salt bath. Prepare 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.
Mint and salt compress. 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 moistened in the tincture and applied to the affected nail.
Lubricate the diseased nail plate with celandine juice.
Egg-honey mixture. Honey, birch tar and sulfur are added to the egg white. Mix thoroughly and apply to nails.
Ammonia compress. A spoonful of ammonia is diluted in a glass of water. The equipment intended for the procedure is soaked in the liquid.
Apricot resin. An alcoholic tincture is prepared from tree resin using the ingredients in equal parts. Using this remedy, make a compress.
Coffee bath. They brew strong coffee and pour it into a basin. It is recommended to soak your feet in this product for around twenty minutes.
Tar compress. For this procedure, take birch tar.
Bath based on Listerine, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
Hydrogen peroxide compress. Before using it, it is recommended to perform a soda foot bath.
Apply onion pulp to the painful nail.

An effective folk remedy for fungal infections is a remedy based on 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 carried out with this medicine. The peculiarity of this procedure is that the feet are first placed in a vinegar solution for twenty minutes. Then after a while they take a bath with soda. It is recommended to perform the procedure several times a day.

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

It is recommended to apply these products to the affected area in the evening. Herbalists advise putting crushed medicinal herbs in your socks against foot fungus:

mint;
chamomile;
nettle;
wise.

The first signs of the disease can be overcome by soaking your feet in a solution of laundry soap. 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 may be signs of fungal or non-fungal pathology, but in this case are independent.

Hypertrophy

Most often, hypertrophy is hereditary.

This disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

the nail thickens;
elongates up to several centimeters;
very long legs begin to bend, resembling a bird's claw;
the color of the nail changes from yellow to dirty yellow;
rarely, in this state, the nail grows into the skin located on the sides;
If the internal growth is not treated, the inflammatory process begins.

To combat the disease, vitamins and physical therapy are prescribed. In case of inflammation, rinse with peroxide and chlorhexidine.

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

Atrophy

Toenail diseases, in which the nails are prone to atrophy, are often congenital in nature.

Already in a newborn you can see symptoms:

deformation of the nail plates on one or more fingers, they are smaller, fragile, deformed in shape;
the color of the nails is whitish, cloudy;
the surface has defects: roughness, microcracks;
absence of nails on one or more fingers;
the presence of membranes between the fingers;
deformity of fingers;
low hair growth rate, and they also grow sparsely.

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.

Peeling nails

The most common problem that people face.

Here are the reasons for its appearance:

improper manicure, use of poor-quality decorative cosmetics;
This problem is faced by half of the women who regularly perform the shellac procedure;
lack of vitamins;
endocrine disorders, especially decreased thyroid function;
chronic illnesses that exhaust the body;
synthetic clothing and bad shoes.

This problem can be eliminated using a set of measures:

Beauty productsSpecialized nail creams and oils.
Paraffin therapyyou need to buy paraffin and melt it until it is liquid, but not hot. The feet must first be washed and dried thoroughly. Dip your fingers in the paraffin, let it harden, then lower it again. The sequence should be repeated several times until there are 3-5 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 applied to the nails.

Traditional medicine recommends a sea salt massage. It should be dissolved at the rate of 2 teaspoons per 200 ml of warm water. The feet must remain in the liquid for at least 15 minutes. Then you need to massage the skin around the nails. Then you can apply olive oil or other unrefined vegetable oil.

Pterygium

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

It has different lengths and thicknesses for different people. During a professional manicure, the pterygium begins to create problems. It especially interferes with coatings that cure under an ultraviolet lamp.

If a woman decides to remove it, it must be done correctly so as not toinjure the cuticle and avoid introducing dirt into the delicate layers of the epidermis:

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

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

Untreated nail diseases can have serious consequences. Complications include suppuration, abscess, panaritium and malignant formations on the legs. For any changes in the appearance of your nails, you should consult a dermatologist.

General treatment regimen

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

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

Taking systemic antimycotics

For 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 for a long time in the growth zone, while remaining viable, 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 healthy nail plate fully develops. This will indicate that the germinal zone is clear of spores.

Local treatment

This is another element of complex treatment, which is carried out along with taking systemic medications and does not replace it. Local therapy alone will not achieve complete cure, so there is no way to avoid taking antifungal drugs in the form of tablets, solutions or capsules. This is due to the ability of spores to remain viable for a long time in destroyed tissues. Topical medications cannot penetrate these areas.

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

Removing the nail plate

There are two options for this procedure: conservative and surgical. The first method is carried out using keratolytic patches to soften the tissues. After using these products, it is possible to easily and painlessly remove the affected area using a soft scalpel or regular scissors. For conservative removal, patch options are currently used.

These products can be purchased at a pharmacy or ordered from the prescription service. Before using the composition against a fungal disease, apply an ordinary adhesive bandage to healthy areas of the skin next to the affected areas to protect against the action of the keratolytic. Then apply a 2mm layer of the mixture and fix it with a simple bandage for 2-3 days. Then peel it off, remove the remaining product and scrape off 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 method, since it not only eliminates the affected areas, but also allows you to rid the bed of keratinized scales, where fungal spores can continue to live and cause a relapse of the disease. Clinical studies confirm that with surgical removal, the effectiveness of 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 of the left or right corner.
Advance the instrument to the base.
The plate is separated by a turning movement.
The bed is cleared of accumulations of horny plaques.
The nail bed is irrigated with a powdered sorbent containing an antibiotic.
A sterile dressing is applied on top.

Shoe treatment

The question of disinfection of shoes during the treatment of onychomycosis is very important, since 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 carried out at least once a week. Disinfection can be carried out using the following compositions:

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

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

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

Possible complications

Pessimists who do not believe that onychomycosis is curable should keep in mind that they are fortunately wrong. However, if the condition is ignored or if one self-medicates without being sure of the correct diagnosis, problems can arise.

Possible complications include:

the appearance of mycotic 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, also 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 bathhouse, go to the beach.

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Laser treatment

This is an additional physiotherapeutic technique aimed at improving blood circulation. The procedure is carried out as part of complex therapy accompanied by the use of antifungal drugs. Using a laser alone will not help cure the disease, as it will only improve blood circulation in the tissues. This is necessary for the antifungal agent to be delivered effectively to hard-to-reach cells. If you do not take systemic medications, laser therapy will not bring any therapeutic results.

Disinfection and personal hygiene

After 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 carry out complex treatment. To effectively get rid of fungus, you must:

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

All wardrobe items that came into contact with the affected nails during the day should be boiled in a soapy solution in the evening. It is best to use laundry soap. Shoes should be wiped daily with an antiseptic or 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 fungal infection, as well as due to general hygiene products. If a person scratches the affected areas and then touches household objects with their hands, the fungal spores and pathogen then spread to the objects and the risk of infection increases.