In this article we will consider the symptoms of an advanced form of fungal disease of the toenails, treatment by medicinal and folk methods, indications for nail removal, recommendations for preventing infection.
Chronic toenail fungus is a reason why one should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment immediately.The disease is detected at a late stage if the first symptoms are confused with a simple mechanical injury to the nail.Sometimes the problem does not manifest itself at all at the initial stage.If it is not treated or carried out incorrectly without consulting a doctor, the disease progresses.Mushrooms are much more dangerous than many people think.Such an infection, accompanied by loosening and destruction of toenails, is a parasitic infection of the whole body, immunity is impaired, allergic manifestations are possible, and there is a risk of developing bronchitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis and conjunctivitis.
In old onychomycosis, the nail is opaque, white, yellow or bluish.In the most severe cases, it blackens, flakes, flakes, cracks, thickens and changes its shape.The adjacent skin is red, inflamed, pain, burning and itching are felt.The painful sensations are caused by mold and yeast-like fungi.Other varieties do not cause physical suffering or discomfort;they can only be identified by the shape and color of the nails.The inability to wear open shoes or walk barefoot causes difficulty.An unpleasant, foul odor becomes a constant companion.
Treatment methods
An advanced form can be treated only under the supervision of a doctor - a dermatologist or mycologist.He will take scrapings from the infected nails, classify the problem and prescribe treatment.Amateur activity is unacceptable here!It is impossible to cure the disease with home remedies.You can only drive the disease inside, temporarily removing the source of infection.But the more terrible the consequences will be.
When the disease is advanced, patience is required.The treatment is complex and complex.Failure to do so will inevitably lead to relapse.The advice is simple.You will be able to recover if you follow the rules for the simultaneous implementation of a set of measures:
- Use of external agents (varnishes, ointments, sprays, gels).
- Take oral medications (tablets, capsules).
- If necessary, the doctor will prescribe intravenous injections.
- Taking immunostimulating agents, vitamin and mineral complexes.
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Application of traditional medicine methods.
- If your feet sweat excessively, take foot baths every day, adding one tablespoon of sea salt to five liters of water.Before applying ointments, wash your feet with warm water to speed up the treatment.
- Regular treatment of shoes with antiseptic preparations.
If you follow these steps, curing mushrooms is not as difficult as it seems.
Topical preparations
Official medicine offers many different drugs for the external treatment of fungus on the legs.The doctor will prescribe those you need, no need to experiment, try everything.
Healing varnishes:
- Ciclopirox.Antimycotic agent.Destroys yeasts and molds.Apply every four days.Duration – six months.At the same time, take terbinafine tablets orally (it is safe for pregnant women).
- Varnish based on Terbinafine.Apply a coat of polish to affected nails every four days.The treatment lasts 9 to 12 months.
Antifungal ointments:
- Terbinafine.Stops the growth of parasitic yeasts and molds.With the simultaneous administration of tablets of the same name, it has a destructive effect on the fungus.
- Ketoconazole.Blocks the proliferation of the fungus and destroys it.Apply in the morning, in the evening, during - a month.It is not absorbed into the blood and is not detected in plasma, therefore it is recommended for pregnant women.Contraindicated for children under three years old.
- Naftifine - to destroy advanced toenail fungus, it is recommended to use it in the form of drops.Designed to combat dermatophyte fungi, yeasts and molds.
- Clotrimazole destroys advanced foot fungus at the cellular level.
Preparations for oral administration
Tablets are prescribed in short but frequent courses due to their negative effect on the human liver and kidneys.
- Fluconazole.Available in capsules.Take 150 milligrams.Duration of treatment – 56 days.The toenails are then scraped to determine if further treatment is needed.
- Itraconazole capsules.With their help, chronic onychomycosis can be cured within six months.
- Griseofulvin.Antifungal antibiotic.Accumulates in skin cells from which keratin is formed, making healthy growing nails immune to onychomycosis.The treatment lasts 8 months.
Traditional methods of treatment
- Celandine oil - freshly squeezed plant juice has a cauterizing effect and destroys the body of the fungus.Treat daily until completely healed.
- Acetic acid is an affordable and powerful remedy for old onychomycosis.A special solution is prepared based on vinegar.Mix equal parts vodka and 70% vinegar essence, add three raw chicken egg whites.Mix.Place in the refrigerator.Moisten a gauze pad and place it on the painful nail.Leave for a quarter of an hour.Doing this for six months is enough to cure the fungus.The product is aggressive and can cause burns to healthy tissues.Lubricate the skin around the affected nails with cream or sunflower oil.
- Alcoholic infusion of propolis at 20%.Sold in pharmacies.Wet gauze and make a compress.Do this daily until the fungus disappears.
- Golden mustache To prepare the dye, pour vodka over the golden mustache and hide it in a dark corner.On the fifteenth day, dilute three parts water with one part tincture.Treat the fungus in the morning and evening.Treatment lasts at least six months.
- Homemade antifungal ointment.Place a piece of butter (butter) weighing 200 grams, 100 milliliters of acetic acid (70%) and a raw chicken egg in the shell in a glass container.Do not stir.Place the mixture in a cool place.Wait a week.The shell will dissolve.Then you need to stir, spread, cover with cling film and bandage.
- Calamus rhizome tincture: 15 g.Infuse the root with a glass of boiling water.Leave for 30 minutes.A glass of tincture is drunk per day.At the same time, ten-minute baths are carried out daily.To do this, steam 30 grams of calamus rhizome with boiling water (one glass) and leave for 30 minutes.The nails will begin to crumble after seven days.And then lubricate with ointment.If you treat with this method, the fungus can be cured in a month and a half.In this case, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and vitamin preparations are taken internally.
- Squeeze toothpaste (with fluoride) the size of the knuckle of your little finger.Add the ashes of three cigarettes.Make a compress, leave it overnight and rinse it in the morning.
- Take equal parts of honey and onion juice and mix.Keep refrigerated.Treat neglected mushrooms daily.
- Lilac and calendula flowers - 30 grams each, celandine - 15 grams, oak bark - 45 grams.Add half a liter of water.Boil, leave for an hour and make a compress.Every day until the fungus is completely cured.
- One hundred milliliters of hydrogen peroxide, two liters of warm water - take a bath for a quarter of an hour.Blot with a paper towel and apply ointment.Repeat every day until it becomes evident that the fungus has receded.Hydrogen peroxide will protect healthy nails from infection and relieve healed nails from reinfection.
If traditional and folk medicine methods do not help, you can resort to laser therapy.Laser treatment is painless and gives an almost instantaneous effect.Four treatments are enough to kill the fungus.In this case, the periungual skin is not damaged.
Nail removal
Surgery to remove a nail is rarely used if conservative methods do not give the desired result.
- The surgical removal method is painful.The nail plate takes a long time to recover.
- The laser nail hair removal method is simple and painless.The downside is the high cost.
- Replace surgical nail removal with medication.Under the influence of medications, the nail plates soften and then are painlessly removed.The process is long and requires caution.
Treatment of onychomycosis during pregnancy
Treatment of chronic toe fungus with most medications is contraindicated during pregnancy!They can harm the intrauterine development of the fetus.A mycologist will prescribe safe remedies that will slow down the development of the disease and improve the appearance of the nails.And complete healing or withdrawal will have to begin after the birth of the child.
It is better for pregnant women to resort to proven methods of traditional medicine.They act more gently and have fewer side effects:
- Do foot baths with lukewarm water and sea salt.
- Wipe the skin around damaged nails with celandine juice.Continue for 3 months.
Recommendations and advice
An advanced fungus must be treated immediately!Do not let the infection affect the whole body, be patient and make sure you complete the treatment.Treat only after examination, under the supervision of a doctor.Traditional medicine methods should be combined with medications recommended by a specialist.Advice to members of the patient's family: observe good hygiene, take vitamins and drugs that increase immunity.