Fungal diseases can affect various tissues in the body, even internal organs. When the disease has attacked the nail, it is called onychomycosis. Its appearance is caused by fungal microorganisms.
They are divided into different genera: Candida, molds, dermatophytes. Parasites literally feed on the nail plate, which leads to its early destruction. The mycosis itself does not go away. This is possible only with the strongest work of the immune system and the first stage of the disease, when the symptoms are not visible. If signs of illness appear, rest assured that without therapy, they will not go anywhere.
Reasons for appearing
Fungal microorganisms belong to the class of irritants. You are extremely persistent. They quickly penetrate the tissue and adapt to different conditions. This is due to the complexity of treating the disease. If you use the same drug for a long time, parasites may stop responding to it.
The only reason for the appearance of the disease is the penetration of fungi on the nail plate. However, there are factors that favor early introduction to the interior and subsequent reproduction. Microorganisms are more likely to invade tissues when they have corns. Even dry skin can cause microcracks that fungi can easily penetrate. The microorganism "loves" humid conditions and therefore actively spreads in people who prefer tight shoes made of poor materials, through which air cannot penetrate.
Toenail fungus on the big toe often occurs against the background of various pathologies:
- Endocrine diseases;
- Psoriasis;
- Varicose veins;
- Vascular diseases;
- HIV and AIDS;
- Problems with metabolic processes;
- Eczema;
- Dermatitis;
- Skin infection processes.
Fungal microorganisms can enter the plate in the following ways:
- Contact with a carrier of infection;
- Visiting public baths, saunas, showers;
- Put on other people's slippers (for example at a party);
- Living with a person with mycosis;
- Trying on shoes;
- Use of pedicure tools that have not been disinfected;
- Visiting beauty salons.
The factors that provoke the appearance of mycosis are also:
- Lack of adequate personal hygiene;
- Preference for synthetic objects;
- Wearing tight shoes that do not allow the skin to "breathe";
- Excessive obesity;
- Frequent alcohol consumption;
- Older age.
The disease will have more noticeable manifestations when a person has poor blood circulation in the foot area. A change in the acid balance observed when taking antibiotics can also lead to pathological processes.
Stages of the disease
The surface under the nails is very favorable for the growth of fungal microorganisms. It contains many nutrients that parasites feed on. Gradually, due to the action of bacteria, the nail plate is destroyed. Cavities begin to form in which the mycelium of the fungus multiplies. There are the following stages of the disease:
- Initial.Refers to the type of normotrophic damage. The main damage affects the center or the edge of the plate. Spots and streaks appear and gradually begin to grow.
- Average.Represents hypertrophic changes. This stage is characterized by a thickening of the nail, a change in its structure and direction of growth. Pathological processes gradually spread across the plate;
- Stage of dystrophy.In addition to the processes listed, there is also inflammation in the area of the nail fold. Pus discharge is possible. The lesion reaches the nearby skin. Additional bacterial infections accelerate the destruction of the nail. It starts to crumble, it can flake off the nail bed.
At first, the symptoms are insignificant and therefore people often take the disease lightly. However, it is progressing rapidly. Very soon the resulting spots will start to grow. The disease can spread to others from the thumb.
If only the preview image is affected, it is usually mild to moderate in severity. Therapy should be carried out immediately.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary widely depending on the stage of the disease. At first, the signs of a threat are barely noticeable. With the development of the disease, the following symptoms can be observed:
- Slight itching;
- Redness in the area of the thumb;
- Burning feeling.
However, the pathological process does not stand still. Its growth can be judged by the following characteristics:
- Brittle plate, loss of natural luster;
- Acquisition of a yellow, blue or green tint (depending on the type of fungal microorganisms that have attacked the nail);
- Pronounced spots and stripes appear;
- The nail grows into the roller with its corners, which is evidence of the deformation of its growth.
In advanced stages, the following symptoms are likely:
- Pain syndrome when walking;
- The appearance of swelling of the finger, its significant reddening;
- Pus emerges from under the edges.
The signs of large toenail fungus can vary depending on the type of fungus causing the infection. For example, if it is moldy mushrooms, then the disease is very pronounced. The nail can literally turn black. There is puffiness, the appearance of silver scales, yellow edges. The plate begins to move away from the bed, causing severe discomfort. In 95% of cases, dermatophytes are the cause of infection. They are characterized by a relatively moderate course of the disease.
The disease affects not just the nail, but the entire body. This is due to the fact that toxins enter the lymphatic channels. This leads to the following changes:
- Allergic reactions, the appearance of rashes;
- Gastrointestinal problems;
- Signs of poisoning.
If nothing is done in the advanced stages of the mycosis, the lesion can spread to the internal organs. It's extremely dangerous.
How is the treatment carried out?
How To Cure Toenail Fungus? Pathogenic microorganisms are characterized by enviable resistance to various influences. They quickly take root inside and begin to actively multiply. Therefore, it is desirable to conduct a full-fledged antifungal therapy. It contains:
- Use of local funds. It can be ointments, drops, medical varnishes, solutions. You are required to superficially defeat the disease. Local remedies include varnish, serum;
- Systemic drugs. They are used for significant lesions of the nail plate. The tablets are used daily. Impulse therapy is effective. It consists in taking short-term drugs with a long break from them. Then the course is repeated. It should be noted that pills cannot be taken in all cases. Do not use them in the initial stages of the disease. These funds are very powerful, so they have contraindications: pregnancy, childhood, kidney failure, intolerance to the components.
The disease is often associated with bacterial complications. You can be safe from them too. Antifungal varnish is perfect for this purpose. A film is created on the surface of the plate through which bacteria cannot penetrate.
Additionally, it is necessary to stimulate the body's defense goals, which are aimed at fighting infection. For this purpose, vitamin complexes, immunomodulatory drugs are used.
Most drugs have a cumulative effect. It is not enough to take it once and forget about therapy. Full course required.
It doesn't end even if all symptoms are gone. Active ingredients accumulate in the integument and continue to have an effect even after the drug has been stopped.
Another additional procedure is nail removal. Relevant for strong pathological processes. The removal can be done with special urea-containing products. If the panel is stiff, several procedures are required to completely remove it. Removal should not be feared as it is painless. After removal, you need to treat the surface with antiseptics. Removal is convenient as local agents can then be applied directly to the nail bed. This greatly improves their efficiency.
Traditional methods
Folk remedies cannot replace drugs. However, they are suitable for additional help. The following components help the fungus:
- Iodine.The affected area should be lubricated with iodine twice a day. If there is a burning sensation, you need to remove all the excess and reduce the dosage;
- Lemon.A lemon wedge is applied to the affected area and then fixed with a bandage. Cellophane is placed on top;
- Hydrogen peroxide.A cotton pad is moistened with hydrogen peroxide and then fixed on the nail for 30 minutes. The areas that are softened can be removed.
After all of these procedures, treatment with topical antimicrobial agents is desirable.
Precautions
It is important to observe preventive measures not just for a person who does not want to get infected with mycosis. They are fundamental to people who have just got rid of the disease. Prevention consists of the following rules:
- Compliance with personal hygiene;
- Daily foot bath;
- Foot lubrication with moisturizers, pedicures;
- Use of personal slippers;
- Treatment of nails with prophylactic means before visiting baths, showers. You can replace the special product with lemon juice.
Preventive measures for people who recently had mycosis are even stricter:
- Use a local remedy for fungi once a week;
- Regular use of hot foot baths with the addition of sea salt;
- Treatment of shoes with antifungal drugs;
- Boiling socks, in which microorganisms are completely destroyed;
- You should keep taking vitamins.
- The bath surface is disinfected. It is advisable to treat all other surfaces in the house as well.
Prevention with a high probability protects against mycosis. All you need to do is monitor the condition of your feet. If unclear signs reappear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication is not recommended because mycosis can easily be confused with other problems. In this case, the wrong treatment is chosen and the disease continues to progress. All of this is fraught with great problems in the future. Reception of systemic funds is necessarily carried out under the supervision of a doctor.