Big toe nail fungus: treatment with home remedies and medications.

Toenail fungus is called onychomycosis. Initially, the infectious process affects the thumb, but as it develops it spreads to others. The disease goes through several stages. The sooner treatment is started, the easier it will be to deal with the problem. This is especially true in relation to the big toe of the lower limb - it has a large area and size, so the degree of injury is significant.

Stages of onychomycosis

Nail fungus goes through several stages of development, each of which is characterized by certain symptoms. The following stages of the development of the disease are distinguished:

• Original.At this stage, no visible pathological deviations are observed: the changes are still external. The nail plates of the fingers of the lower extremities lose their shine. White spots or streaks appear on the surface. In general, the nail looks healthy, the person does not feel pain or discomfort. If you identify nail fungus at this stage, you will be able to get rid of it quickly.
• Moderate or progressive.The structure of the nail is already undergoing pathological changes. The nail acquires a pronounced yellowish tint, peels off and disintegrates. There is also an unpleasant odor coming from the affected foot.
• Advanced or dystrophic stage.Deep damage occurs to the nails. In this case, the infectious process passes from the thumb to the rest. The entire surface of the nail plate is affected by the fungus, detaches from the bed and becomes loose. The patient is bothered by intense itching. When pressing the affected areas, a painful and stinging sensation is produced. For this reason, the patient should not wear closed shoes.

At the third stage of the development of the infectious process, infection of the skin of the foot is possible. In this case, the fungus can be cured only with the help of complex therapy, which involves the use of both local and systemic medications (tablets for oral administration).

Reasons for the development of fungus on the big toe.

The main reasons provoking the development of onychomycosis are:

• contact with a person carrying a fungal infection;
• abandonment of hygiene rules;
• wearing foreign or narrow shoes that do not fit well;
• weakened immune system;
• visiting a bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool or beauty salon, where undisinfected instruments can be used;
• trauma to the nail and surrounding skin;
• flatfoot;
• long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
• hyperhidrosis (increased sweating in the feet);
• the presence of endocrine or immune lesions;
• disturbances in the circulatory system, which is especially important for elderly patients;
• phlebeurism;
• diabetes.

An important factor that increases the risk of developing onychomycosis is old age. Older people suffer from poor blood supply to the extremities, which also increases the risk of developing fungal infections.

The causative agent of the disease reaches the nails or skin through infected objects or through contact with a carrier. The pathogen spreads quickly and invades new areas. The fungus enters the subungual space through damaged areas of the nail plate or surrounding skin.

The fungus quickly spreads to the nail bed. The rate of advancement exceeds the rate of plate growth. Soon the pathogenic microorganism reaches its target and causes changes in the structure of the nail. It has been found that men suffer from fungus 3 times more often. Nail plates are affected by types of fungi such as dermatophytes, mold and yeast.

When should you see a doctor?

You should see a doctor at the first sign of a fungal infection. You should not wait for obvious signs of the disease to appear: the formation of white spots and even slight itching in the foot area should be a reason to contact a specialist - a mycologist or dermatologist.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic measures to identify the disease and its stage include:

• visual inspection of nail plates;
• take a tissue sample from the affected nail;
• cultural examination: inoculation of the material received by the patient into a nutrient medium to identify the type of microorganisms that have affected the nails.

In some cases, a specialist makes a differential diagnosis and separates onychomycosis from diseases such as lichen planus, psoriasis and keratoderma.

Treatment of fungal nail infection at an early stage of development.

If the disease is detected at an early stage, it will be much easier to deal with it. In this case, it is usually sufficient to use local agents that directly affect the affected nail.

In the first stage of mycosis, if more than 50% of the nail plate is not affected, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Varnish that should be applied to the affected nail surface. This should be done twice a day, the total course of treatment will be one month. The product has contraindications, so it can only be used according to medical prescription.
• Product made in the form of cream. The main active ingredient kills almost all types of fungi. The cream is applied 3 times a day, the course of treatment lasts about a month.
• A product that is plaster impregnated with a special composition. The adhesive strips are left on for 3 days and then removed. Special substances covering the surface of the plaster help to soften the nail plate, so it can be easily removed with manicure tools or scissors.
• Medicine that contains a substance that destroys the fungus and stops its proliferation. It is recommended to smear the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the nail plate and can range from two to four weeks.

Any medication intended to treat even mild forms of nail fungus should be prescribed by a doctor.

Advanced therapy for onychomycosis.

In severe cases of fungus, as well as in the case of an ongoing infectious process, complex treatment is indicated. Systemic antifungal agents should be prescribed if there are no contraindications. The patient is prescribed the following medications:

• Systemic antibiotic from the triazole group in the form of tablets. The active substance of the drug reaches the location of pathogenic microorganisms and has a fungicidal effect.
• Medication from the imidazole group that inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms and destroys them. The course of treatment and dosage are determined by the treating doctor. The product causes adverse reactions.
• Medication from the allylamine group that has a fungicidal effect. The active substance gradually accumulates in the layers of the nail plate, which makes it possible to destroy even those fungi that are located quite deep.

Additionally, with advanced nail fungus, the procedures are effective in removing infected plaque. This can be done in the following ways:

• Surgical excision.This method involves lifting the plate with a sharp surgical instrument and removing it from the bed. After the operation, a bandage is applied. The surgical method is traumatic and is rarely used. Instead, minimally invasive methods are practiced.
• Remove plaque with chemicals., promoting rapid exfoliation of the affected nail. In this case, the problem area is treated with a special solution, waiting until the drug takes effect, and then using products that help quickly separate the plate from the nail bed.
• Laser treatment.This is a modern and painless method that will quickly eliminate nail fungus. The laser acts on the plate, bringing it to high temperatures as quickly as possible. The beam penetrates deeply and neutralizes pathogens. The method does not require blood and is absolutely safe, as it does not cause burns.

In advanced stages of onychomycosis, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, since the lack of adequate treatment increases the risk of widespread damage to the body from a fungal infection.

Traditional methods

Toenail fungus can also be cured with traditional medicine. These methods are additional in nature and cannot be the basis of therapy. The most popular home remedies include:

• Onion pulp.It is necessary to grate several onions and apply the resulting mass to the affected nails. Secure the top with a bandage. Leave to act for 15-20 minutes, rinse.
• Hydrogen peroxide.First, soak the affected feet in a water bath to soften the nails as much as possible. Then remove the top layer from the plate. Dip a piece of gauze in hydrogen peroxide and wrap the phalanx of the finger with the affected nail, capturing the immediate injury. Leave to act for 40-50 minutes. You can repeat the procedure up to two times a day.
• Apple vinager.It is important to use a natural product. Take 2 tablespoons of vinegar and add the same amount of vodka and a tablespoon of glycerin. Dip a cotton swab into the resulting mixture and apply it to your nails for 15 minutes. Repeat 4 times a day.

Traditional recipes help alleviate the severity of the symptoms of the disease and eliminate discomfort, but cannot destroy the causative agents of the disease.

The course of the disease and features of treatment of nail fungus in children.

Onychomycosis is rare in children. The main cause of the disease is weak immunity due to incomplete training. The symptoms of onychomycosis in children are:

• the plate loses its natural pink color, gray or white spots appear on the surface;
• irregularities and tuberosity of the nail plates;
• brittle and brittle nails;
• redness and swelling of the skin around the child's infected nail.

To treat nail fungus in children, only topical preparations, such as sprays, varnishes or creams, are usually used. If necessary, systemic agents are also prescribed. Antifungal medications for oral administration should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Features of treatment in pregnant and lactating women.

During pregnancy there is a high risk of developing onychomycosis if the woman has already suffered from the disease and has not been completely cured. This is due to the weakening of the immune system that occurs during pregnancy.

It is important to treat the fungus in a timely manner, since in severe cases it creates a risk of bacterial infection that threatens the health of both the mother and the fetus. Systemic drugs should not be used during pregnancy, as they have a high level of toxicity.

Topical medications should be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but only those that are safe for the expectant mother and her baby. These include sulfur and salicylic ointments.

Treatment of the elderly

In older people, decreased immunity is a natural age-related phenomenon that creates additional risks for the development of onychomycosis. In this case, the specialist is also cautious when choosing a remedy to treat nail fungus.

Systemic medications are prescribed if the disease lasts a year or more, as well as for extensive lesions and degenerative changes in the nails.

Most often, elderly patients are prescribed systemic antifungal agents from the group of allylamines and triazoles.

Precautionary measures

If you have signs of fungus on your pinky or thumb, see your doctor immediately. But steps can be taken to prevent the development of this disease. The following recommendations must be observed:

• wash your feet at least once a day;
• wash socks every day and wear clean ones;
• if you sweat excessively, use special foot deodorants;
• Wear shoes of the right size, they should not be too tight and should be washed daily;
• use only personal hygiene products, as well as manicure and pedicure tools;
• when visiting the pool, beach, sauna, wear personal rubber shoes;
• After visiting the pool, sauna, wash your feet with soap and water, if necessary, use pharmaceutical preparations for prevention.

Toenail fungus is a disease that is quite difficult to cure in an advanced stage. At the first symptoms you should consult a doctor. Treatment depends on the stage of development of onychomycosis: at the initial stage, local medications are sufficient; when initiated, systemic antifungal agents are required.