Toenail fungus is a difficult to treat common disease that affects one in four people around the world.In medicine, terms are used to refer to fungal infections of the nails of the lower extremities - onychomycosis or epidermophytosis.In the latter case, there are foci of infection on the skin.
Causes of big toe fungus
Infection occurs through contact with an infected person, his belongings, or in public places.The moist, warm environment of swimming pools, saunas and baths is most favorable for fungal growth.Walking barefoot on the beach can also cause fungal spores to enter the big toenail and foot.
Most often, onchomycosis affects the big toes and little toes of both feet, which can be explained by microtraumas when walking, opening the gates to fungal spores.As a result of contact, infection occurs, which the body is sometimes unable to cope with.
Reasons leading to the development of the disease:
- Decreased immunity due to acute viral illness, HIV or immunodeficiency.
- Diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, which disrupts the acid reaction of the skin.The natural barrier that prevents the development of infections disappears.
- Varicose veins and atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities cause deterioration of blood circulation in the lower extremities.
- Wearing tight shoes, leading to scuffs and calluses.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules creates a favorable environment for the development of fungus.
- Non-compliance of footwear with sanitary and hygienic requirements.Feet sweat in it and remain wet for a long time.
- Professions involving prolonged exposure to dampness or wearing rubber shoes.
- Hyperhidrosis, in which the skin of the foot is constantly wet.
Men aged 35-75 years are most susceptible to foot and nail fungus.Children under 15 years of age practically do not suffer from athlete's foot.
Important.To remove toenail fungus, treatment must be carried out systematically and regularly.Onychomycosis is known for frequent relapses.
Symptoms of fungus on the big toe nail
When fungal spores penetrate the skin or under the nail, they begin to actively grow and reproduce.Mycelium threads penetrate deep into tissues, feeding on the cells of the human body.
Characteristic symptoms in the first stage are:
- the appearance of red, scaly spots on the skin of the legs;
- small whitish stripes and dots appear on the surface of the nail;
- the nail plate becomes covered with tubercles and irregularities.
Further development of the fungus has the following signs:
- nail color changes;
- the nail plate thickens;
- the skin of the finger swells and itches.
If there is no treatment, the nail will collapse or completely peel off.This is accompanied by cracking of the skin on the finger, itching and pain.
Fungus on the thumb cannot be cured only with folk remedies.Complex treatment is required to destroy the mycelium and prevent recurrence of the disease.
Diagnosis of big toe nail fungus
If you notice symptoms of a fungal infection on your big toe nail, you should consult a doctor.A mycologist deals with the treatment of epidermophytosis.
Not every clinic has such a highly specialized specialist, so most often treatment is prescribed by a dermatologist.
The doctor conducts a visual examination and takes a sample of the affected tissue to determine the type of parasite.There are several forms of fungus that affect the nail plates of human fingers:
- white superficial fungus;
- normotrophic;
- hypertrophic;
- atrophic;
- proximal;
- total.
Tissue analysis is necessary to prescribe the correct treatment method.The specialist will determine the type of infection based on the color of the nail, structure, nature of destruction and condition of the skin of the foot.He will tell you how and how to treat fungus on the big toe.
How to cure toenail fungus
Treatment of epidermophytosis is carried out comprehensively:
- oral medications;
- external means;
- methods of traditional medicine.
The attending physician prescribes medications in tablets that need to be taken orally according to a specific regimen.This leads to the accumulation of active substances in the cells of the human body and has a detrimental effect on the causative agent of the disease.
Drugs aimed at destroying fungal infections are effective.Some of them have side effects and restrictions associated with age, pregnancy, breastfeeding and chronic diseases.Therefore, you need to take the pills strictly as prescribed by your doctor.
For external treatment, ointments, sprays, varnishes, patches and serums with substances that inhibit the development of mycelium are used.Such products are applied to cleaned and dried nails from 2 times a week to 2 times a day.It is necessary to follow the instructions and read the contraindications.
Folk remedies, as a rule, have no contraindications, but their effectiveness is significantly lower than that of medications.Their action is aimed more at symptoms than at treating toenail fungus.But they clean well, relieve itching, and disinfect the affected area.Their action is most effective at the initial stage of the disease.
Such folk remedies as baths with soda, vinegar or sea salt are known.Dry the rub with iodine and fresh celandine juice.Potato peel masks, lemon compresses, garlic gruel with olive oil are good for relieving itching.
Radical treatment of omnichomycosis on the big toe is removal of the nail plate.The operation is performed under local anesthesia, the wound is treated with an antifungal disinfectant.After a few months, a healthy nail grows.
In cases of intolerance, ineffectiveness of medications and an advanced form of the disease, a new method of treating fungus using a laser is used.The beam burns mycelium to a depth of 7 mm.Healthy cells do not suffer, and sick cells quickly regenerate.This method has contraindications; you should consult your doctor.
Treatment with folk remedies for toenail fungus
At home, the following is widely used to treat nail plate fungus:
- Vinegar baths or rubbing.Table or apple cider vinegar is dissolved in warm water in the proportion of 200 ml of 9% acid per 3-4 liters of liquid.The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.Then the feet are dried and socks are put on.Rubbing is carried out with undiluted table vinegar for 15 minutes.
- Soda baths.Three liters of solution should contain 3 tablespoons of baking soda.You can add grated laundry soap.
- Tea tree oil.A small amount of essential oil is added to the bath water.
- Iodine.Used in the form of lotions.Apply to the surface of diseased and healthy nails to prevent mutual infection.
- Celandine, tar and whiteness are excellent antibacterial agents.Lubricate the nail plate, avoiding contact with the skin.Use with caution.
- Juice and gruel from onions and garlic.Mix with oil or alcohol, apply as a compress or lubricate the surface of the nail.Mixtures can cause burns and irritation of surrounding tissues, so they are used very carefully.
Folk remedies are good for their accessibility and simplicity.But you should not forget about visiting a doctor.Complex systematic treatment gives the most tangible results.
Consequences of nail fungus on the big toes
Onychomycosis is not a dangerous disease.You can live for many years suffering from discomfort and unsightly appearance of your nails.But if immunity decreases with age or after an illness, the fungus will “bloom in full bloom.”
Fungal spores can infect neighboring nails.And this is an additional unpleasant sensation.The progression of the disease leads to complete destruction of the nail plate.Sometimes a person cannot walk due to pain.We have to resort to surgical intervention.
Important.Untreated onychomycosis is a source of infection for others.Horny particles and cells with mycelial spores can lead to infection of other people.
Prevention of nail fungus of the big toes
Prevention of fungal diseases involves:
- avoiding contact with an infected object;
- strengthening the immune system to protect against infections.
Personal hygiene must be maintained.Do not use other people's personal belongings and do not let others use them.Walk in swimming pools, baths, showers and saunas only in personal slippers.Wear disposable socks when trying on shoes.
Feet should be washed at least once a day with soap and socks should be changed daily.Dry and ventilate shoes.Special liquids and sprays for disinfecting shoes are sold.
It is necessary to monitor your health, eat right, and observe a work and rest schedule.Do not start chronic diseases.Sports and walks strengthen the immune system well.
If you become infected with a toenail fungus, you need to be diagnosed and treated with medications prescribed by your doctor.Properly use external means and traditional methods.The duration of treatment is usually 3-6 months.With regular treatment and prevention of re-infection, relapse of athlete's foot is almost impossible.