Toenail Fungus - How to Treat

Mycoses of the skin and nails are infectious, so infection in healthy individuals occurs through household contact with the patient. Nail and skin fungus is a fairly common condition, although many people don't even know about the infection.

toenail fungus

After all, the manifestations of the disease are mainly not in the developing stage, but in the exacerbation stage, when the patient presents with symptoms of the disease. The disease is very serious and therefore requires immediate treatment, otherwise a general infection of the skin may occur. What is nail fungus, what are its symptoms, and the characteristics of home treatment, we learn from the material.

What are dangerous fungi

Skin and nail fungus can be very harmful to the body, so treat it as soon as possible to avoid serious consequences. What are the consequences of fungi?

Development of toenail fungus

The main danger of fungal diseases is that parasites can cause complications of serious diseases such as diabetes, bronchial asthma and allergies. Fungal infections that land on the skin cause failure of the epidermis and nail plate (usually the big toe). As a result, inflammatory processes on the skin, suppuration, delamination of the nail plate and skin discoloration were observed.

In addition to the fungus being the cause of complications, it also leads to decreased immunity. In this context, the penetration of fungal infections into the gut and their failure are observed. Most types of parasites release toxins that poison the patient's body not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

Fungi can also affect a person's health. Left untreated, the disease can spread throughout the body while reaching vital organs. The patient's physical inconvenience leads to a squeamish attitude toward oneself, so one does not take care of oneself and sometimes even finds a way out in alcohol.

Fungus is a slowly purulent disease of the skin, mostly starting on the legs. If you don't fight against dangerous diseases, then he will gradually kill his "victims". There are many different ways to fight fungal infections, including medical and folk remedies. Today we will focus on the main effective means of treating onychomycosis.

Symptoms and signs of appearance

To start treating toenail fungus, you need to make sure the infection is present on the body. This fungus is dangerous because the human eye cannot see it, but it can be overcome with the help of special preparations.

When feet are affected by fungus, feet begin to peel

Easily infected with fungus. One visit to a sauna, hammam, gym, swimming pool or other such establishment is enough, where the probability of infection is 95%. If you don't follow hygiene rules and use third-party items, shoes, or towels, you can be sure that the first signs of illness will soon appear. In the legs, symptoms of the disease do not appear immediately after infection, such as a cold.

The fungus begins to multiply and spread actively after contact with human skin. Typically, the duration of this parasitism varies from a few weeks to a month. If the patient's immune system is weakened, the fungus can quickly affect the skin and nails, and the first symptoms can appear within a week. If the body is able to fight off the infection, the first symptoms of the disease may appear even after a month.

Other than increased sweating in the legs and an unpleasant odor, there are no signs of the first stage of the disease. Subsequently, fungus on the nails appears as the first sign of a change in the color of the nail plate. At the same time, the feet quickly dry out and start to shed. Initially, microcracks appear on the heel, and then large scars form. The person began to complain of persistent symptoms of itching and redness of the feet and fingers. Many times, the disease manifests as peeling of the skin between the toes.

Symptoms in the form of persistent diaper rash on the legs lead to the formation of itchy blisters and corns. Initially, the color of the nails will change, then their shape. Affected mainly is the first toe, which is located on the edge, that is, the thumb or little finger. Fungal spores penetrate deep into the nail plate and infect them. The nails start to turn white, then turn yellow and fall off. The nails start to crack and become brittle and brittle. A void forms under the nail plate, dirt gets in, and a finger infection occurs.

If you notice the first symptoms of the disease, you should see your doctor right away to start proper treatment. In the initial stage, mycosis can be treated with the help of special ointments, creams or traditional medicines, but if the disease has entered the acute stage, surgical intervention cannot be avoided and the doctor decides to remove the nail plate.

Eczema or psoriasis can be complicated by mycosis, so you should not miss such consequences and take appropriate action immediately. With the development of mycosis complications, not only a general deterioration in health is observed, but also problems in the legs. The patient had difficulty moving, prolonged walking, and severe pain in the feet. We'll learn more about how to treat toenail fungus, and what medicines are available to fight the disease.

how to treat

Fungal diseases are usually treated at home. On toenails, advanced forms of mycosis need to be treated with the help of surgical intervention, when the process of cutting the nail plate is carried out under local anesthesia. This treatment is rare, but some people are in no rush for fungal disease.

There are many types of medications used for topical and general treatment. Recently, methods including pulse therapy in which the treatment is performed in a short period of time have become popular. For treatment, drugs of the antifungal type are used, prescribed in doses according to the stage of mycosis.

How to cure toenail fungus if the disease is in its early stages? First, you should see a dermatologist who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate treatment based on factors such as the type of fungal pathogen, skin type and degree of pathology.

Fungal treatment between the toes involves the use of a special suspension. The suspension treats not only the affected area of the skin between the fingers, but also all the gaps. To speed up the effect, the toes are wrapped in a plastic bag.

How to treat fungal nails? For this purpose, special varnishes, creams and ointments are mainly used. These funds are not applied to the nail plate, but to the skin beneath it. For this, it is necessary to remove the affected area of the nail plate, so that you can work on your fingers inside. Usually, the treatment of toenail fungus at home is carried out with the help of complex therapies using topical and general medicines. This allows you to defeat the disease with greater efficiency in the shortest possible time.

Important to know! If the affected area of the nail does not exceed 50%, then you can cope with the disease with the help of special ointments.

If two weeks of use of the ointment does not bring about a positive change, then you need to change the ointment or inform your doctor. Most likely, fungal parasites have developed resistance to the drug. Funds can be used for up to 1 year in order for new nails to grow in place.

Medication is the mainstay, so if a doctor prescribes this or that medication, his advice should not be ignored. Treating with folk remedies is another way to fight the fungus, which is also very effective.

treatment at home

Treatment of nail fungus at home is carried out using medicines. Let's consider some of them.

  1. A drug based on the antifungal substance cicloprazolamide, in the form of nail polish, should be applied directly to the affected area every other day. Damaged areas should be removed with a blade or nail file. The duration of treatment of fungi with varnish depends on the stage of the disease.
  2. Medicated lacquer, applied according to a certain schedule: once every two days for a month. For the next month, treatment consists of applying varnish every three days. Treatment continues until the nail plate has fully recovered.
  3. The drug is in the form of a serum based on rye enzyme filtrate and is designed to combat pathogenic parasites. In addition to being effective against parasites, the serum also prevents their further development in the area. Serum is designed to treat the disease long-term, so the minimum course of treatment is at least 28 days. Use the serum 2 times a day while preparing the nail plate for surgery.
  4. A treatment product containing urea, ginkgo biloba extract and beeswax designed to remove growing and affected nails. The solution includes a complete complex of various additives, thus ensuring not only the removal of nail plates, but also the growth of new ones. The agent is applied by applying it in a thick layer on a pre-prepared plate. Avoid getting the product on the skin, it can cause minor burns.
  5. Allylamines known to many. Ointment is used to treat the fungus at all stages of its exacerbation. After cleaning the nail plate, use the ointment 2 times a day.
  6. Allylamine ointment is used in 2 single applications. It sanitizes the skin and nail area, thus promoting recovery. The duration of treatment should not exceed 2 weeks.
  7. Has a widely available spray formulation for the treatment of fungal diseases and onychomycosis.
  8. Ointment from azoles, with bactericidal properties, reduces symptoms of fungal diseases. The ointment should be used twice a day for a course of up to 4 weeks.
  9. An effective drug belonging to the class of allylamines, which helps to overcome not only the symptoms of mycosis but also the pathogen. The cream has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The duration of treatment can be up to 6 months.

If medications for toenail fungus do not have the appropriate effect, then use oral medications in complexes, such as:

  • Synthetic antifungal drugs of the triazole class can even cure symptoms of older types of fungus. The drug is used once a week for no more than 30 weeks.
  • Triazole derivatives. Ideal for managing symptoms of advanced disease. The duration of the course of treatment is at least 3 months, in which there is a special regimen for taking capsules, which is stated in the instructions.

fastest way

The quickest way to treat nail fungus at home involves the use of traditional medicine remedies. Folk remedies, although a minor type of treatment for fungal infections and onychomycosis, depend on folk medicines for a reliable and quick victory over the disease. Homemade products and ingredients like garlic, iodine, vinegar, peroxide, and lemon are excellent medicines for fighting this disease.

Folk remedies for treating big toenail fungus involve the use of the following ingredients:

  1. garlic.For the treatment of fungal diseases, garlic should be mashed and mixed with alcohol in equal proportions. Before use, the mixture should be diluted with distilled water and applied to the surface of the board.
  2. iodine.This folk healer works better than any ointment or cream. For proper use, iodine should be placed on the nail plate as a drop 2 times a day. The use of iodine is not only effective but also safe.
  3. Bitchy.Homemade vinegar can help heal signs of fungus quickly. For this, you need to bathe with vinegar. A 15-minute bath is enough time for mycosis symptoms to start disappearing within a week.
  4. hydrogen peroxide. In the early stages of the disease, you can use peroxide, for bathing. You should soak your feet for 15 minutes in a solution of water and peroxide. You can repeat this process 2-3 times a day.
  5. lemon.Lemons are not only used for nutrition, but also for fungal treatment. A slice of lemon needs to be cut and applied to the affected nail. Then wrap it in a bandage and cellophane. Keep it on for 8-10 hours. The course of treatment lasts up to 12 days. Efficiency has been proven by numerous reviews.

Treatment of interdigital fungus with the help of aloe vera juice or celandine. To do this, apply the sap of the plant to the affected area along with the nail, and then apply a compress. You can prepare a solution of celandine and use it to soar your legs.

There are many effective ways to treat the fungus, but the most reliable is preventing the development of the disease. But even if this happens, action should be taken immediately rather than waiting for complications to develop.

Comment

Therefore, we analyzed the main symptoms and treatment of nail mycosis. Now let's focus on reader feedback.

  • "I discovered nail fungus not long ago, but at first I didn't understand it was a disease at all. I went to a doctor who prescribed pills and creams on my nails. I started doing it all until IMother-in-law discovered the problem. Immediately wrote a new prescription, which included various homemade products: honey, alcohol, herbal infusions, lemons, vinegar, etc. In general, she prepared various home remedies, while I onlyThey are applied to the affected area. After a month, the symptoms of the disease have completely disappeared and the nails have recovered.
  • "I tried many different medicines but it turns out that regular iodine saves me. I used iodine on my nails every day and after 2 months the symptoms of the disease started to subside like pencils on white paper. Sometimes regular iodineIodine cures, no need to buy expensive products at all.
  • "The fact that wearing closed shoes in winter and summer helped me get fungal infections. At first, the pain was in the fingers, but I didn't give it the attention it deserved, but when the nails started falling off, I took action. The doctor prescribed me several ointments, but I chose one for myself and it healed after 2 months.