Currently, about 25% of the world's population suffers from fungal infections. Often the disease is expressed in the legs. The fungus on the nails of the big toe delivers many unpleasant moments, depriving a person of a normal, peaceful life. It can also spread to neighboring areas. How to cure fungus on the big toe? Which drugs are most effective? The answers to these questions are in our article.
Reasons for the appearance
Fungus on the skin of the big toe can be taken in public places (baths, saunas, swimming pools, water parks and other institutions where people walk without shoes). It should be noted that fungal spores often get on people's skin, but not everyone gets infected. In order for an infection to occur, the microorganism must enter the skin cells, attach itself there, and begin to multiply. This is facilitated by wounds and microcracks. We may not see them, but the door is wide open for fungi.
It is also possible to become infected with it if one of the family members already has mycosis. This is observed if people do not follow the rules of personal hygiene, use a common towel, sleep in the same bed, have common shoes and socks.
The threat of fungal infection in public places is reduced if a person has a strong immune system.
Mycosis of the miniature can also appear after trying on shoes in stores or on the market, if you do it barefoot.
Other factors contributing to fungal infection:
- Lack of foot hygiene.
- Excessive sweating (sweat is an excellent breeding ground for fungi).
- Flat steps.
- Wearing tight shoes.
- Old age (with age, blood circulation in humans is disrupted, immunity weakens).
- Perform a pedicure with tools that are not disinfected.
More often, the fungus first appears on the skin of the thumb, as it is easier to grow in the soft layers of the dermis. If the disease is not treated, it goes to the nails. However, in some cases onychomycosis is the main disease and already from the affected nail plate the microorganisms spread to the skin.
signs
The microorganisms that infect the nail plate secrete enzymes that contribute to its destruction. Thus, the fungus prepares space for its own reproduction and growth of colonies. The symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.
Mycosis of the skin manifests itself in severe itching. This is the first sign. Then a bubble filled with a slight exudate appears. The bladder bursts and a deep crack forms in its place. It is extremely painful, even painful to walk in shoes. In addition, the wound continues to itch. Dry, flaky skin forms around it. The crack may heal, but will soon reappear.
In the beginning, the disease does not appear on the nail plate. On individual whitish spots and streaks it is possible to suspect that there is fungus on the toenails. The photo above shows what the affected area looks like.
In the second stage, the nail fades (sometimes turns yellow), thickens significantly and curls. It can often grow into the skin, causing pain when walking and local inflammation.
In the third stage of onychomycosis, the nail loosens, it hurts to cut it. In some patients it may peel off the skin. At this stage, the patient poses a significant threat to others, as his nail plate becomes a container for fungal spores that are easily spread on surfaces.
Classification
Onychomycosis has three stages:
- The first is that there is no change in texture, changes in tone are not visible enough: streaks, spots may appear.
- The second - the plate becomes yellowish, ceases to shine, from the feet comes an unpleasant odor.
- Third - the plate loses its own texture, becomes loose, exfoliates from the nail bed.
By the color of the nail you can find out which fungus has taken over it:
- Yellowish spots indicate a dermatophytic lesion, while the changes are limited to areas in the center of the plate and at the edges.
- The location of the changes on the edges and peeling indicate damage by fungi from the yeast family.
- The darkening of the plate indicates a lack of blood circulation in the finger and the attachment of mold fungi.
Treatment
The success of nail fungus treatment depends entirely on how soon it is started. In the initial stages, local remedies can help cure mycosis, and only surgical therapy can help in the later stages and ingrown toenails.
Medicines
The fungus on the nails of the thumb is treated with special varnishes, ointments and medicines that are taken orally. In the initial stages the disease can be cured within 1-2 months, in the later stages it can take six months or even a year.
lucky
The action of therapeutic varnishes is associated with softening of the plate and the result of disinfection. The nail penetrates the nail plate and destroys the fungus.
Ointments, creams and sprays
Such drugs are used for dermatomycosis and onychomycosis. They are quite effective and side effects are extremely rare. It is recommended to apply these funds once or twice a day.
Oral preparations
The tablets for the treatment of fungus on the big toe are used in the later stages. Only complex treatment can help with mycosis. Oral preparations include tablets and capsules.
How to remove a nail
In the case of fungus on the big toe, the removal of the nail plate can give an effective result. To do this, use tools that help soften the nail: patches, ointments, creams.
Hardware pedicure
This is not a cosmetic procedure, but a medical one. Do it in medical institutions. The hardware pedicure is performed with a special nozzle with a sanding coating. With the help of this procedure you can get rid of the fungus on the big toe. The photo shows the implementation of a hardware pedicure.
How is the procedure:
- The affected area is disinfected.
- Soften with special drugs.
- Remove the outer layer with nozzles.
The procedure is performed very carefully, gradually removing the layers. If the healthy part of the nail is affected, it can provoke further spread of the fungus.
The advantages of this method include:
- Quick elimination of the affected parts of the nail.
- Lack of pain.
- Obtaining good permeability for medical ointments and varnishes.
But this type of pedicure has drawbacks:
- Allergic reactions may occur.
- There is a risk of infection.
Laser
Laser technology is much more promising than other methods of removing fungus. The beam is spot heated and destroys harmful microorganisms without touching healthy tissues.
Laser nail plate removal takes several minutes. If more than one finger is infected, the laser procedure will take longer. It may take several sessions to remove the nail with the fungus, depending on the degree of damage. Healthy nails will grow back in just six months.
Surgery
With this type of procedure, the diseased nail is completely removed. Use this method only in cases where other methods can not help get rid of the disease. Removal of the big toe can destroy the fungus only if after the operation the patient undergoes a complex treatment prescribed by the doctor.
The operation is contraindicated:
- People with poor blood clotting.
- Presence of infectious and other diseases in the acute phase.
- Intolerance to anesthesia.
- Suffering from diabetes.
- Those with immune diseases.
- With varicose veins and permeable capillaries.
How the operation is performed
The procedure itself is painless for the patient, as it is performed under anesthesia. The nail and the skin around it are treated with iodine. The doctor puts a special tool under the nail plate and isolates it from the skin. If a small part of the nail is affected, only that part is removed.
After the procedure, an antibiotic drug is applied to the wound and bandaged. The healing process takes several weeks. Requires ligation. The process of growing a new nail can take several months.
Possible consequences:
- Cutting, pain after the procedure.
- Infection.
- Uneven nail growth.
Recovery
The doctor usually gives personalized advice on wound care. However, there are some general tips:
- Bed rest after surgery for at least 1 month.
- The open wound should be treated regularly, new sterile dressings should be applied and medications (ointments, creams) should be used.
- After the procedure, the doctor prescribes drugs (anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal).
Prevention
To reduce the risk of onychomycosis infection, the following recommendations should be followed:
- The fungus can be infected in a beauty salon. This happens in case of insufficient sterilization of manicure and pedicure tools. You should visit salons that have a good reputation and a large number of positive reviews.
- At home pedicure accessories, it is advisable to have your own, not to use strangers.
- If your feet sweat a lot, you should sprinkle them with talc or powder, and also wipe them dry after a bath or shower.
- It is recommended to take vitamins that increase immunity.
- Frequent pedicure operations thin the nail plate, disrupt its structure, which contributes to fungal infection.
- Acetone nail polish remover can also damage the nail plate.
- It is forbidden to wear foreign shoes.
- The towel must be personal.
- Cracks in the legs are a risk condition for mycosis, so they must be treated promptly.
Folk remedies
Those who are interested in how to treat fungus on the big toe, should remember that there are methods of traditional medicine that also show good results.
Use such recipes more often:
- Lotions based on table vinegar. Take half a glass of water, glycerin and vinegar, stir. In the resulting liquid gauze napkin is moistened and applied to the nails affected by the fungus for 25 minutes. The procedure should be performed 2 times a day.
- Bath with coffee. Make strong coffee (preferably natural) in such a way that the drink comes out strong, then wait until it cools down a bit. The legs should be immersed in the mixture for 25 minutes. The operation should be performed daily for 5 days.
- iodine. It is a cheap medicine, but is considered a strong antiseptic. They lubricate the affected areas with a cotton swab. It is necessary to perform the procedure for a week, then take a break of 7 days and start the course again.
- Baths with sea salt. Add a tablespoon of salt to a bowl of warm water and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes.
- Horseradish dressing. It is necessary to take fresh horseradish roots, grate them on a fine grater. One teaspoon of grated mass is enough for a compress. It is necessary to apply a bandage at night.
- Compress and bath with potatoes. You need potato peelings. They must be washed and boiled, mashed. The broth in which the cleanings are prepared should be used for the bathroom. Then the prepared puree is applied to the affected nails. Bandage. When the product has cooled, rub the inner lard into the nails.
Folk remedies have an effect only in the initial stages of the disease. They can be used as prophylaxis and in complex therapy.
Reviews
People suffering from foot fungus write that ointments, varnishes, sprays and any other external means help only with ringworm in the initial stage. They are not suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis, as they are not able to destroy all the spores of the fungus. Therefore, relapses will certainly occur during treatment after visible improvement.
It is recommended that patients do not spare shoes, socks, tights and throw them away during or after therapy.
Also, patients are advised to go home in socks at all times to those people who have caught the fungus. Otherwise, the fungal spores will spread throughout the apartment.
According to those who are trying to get rid of nail fungus, this disease is very difficult to treat. The course of therapy should be long. The most effective means for oral administration, but they all have many side effects and contraindications.
All patients agree that it is better to follow preventive measures than to treat the disease.