Despite all the achievements of science and progress, fungus cannot be eliminated as a disease.It is related to his survival and living conditions.Mushrooms need moisture and warmth.As long as they exist, the fungus will exist.
Types of nail fungus
Dermatophytes
They affect the body due to a decrease in immunity.In extremely rare cases - in a person with high immunity.
The source of infection is soil, sometimes people or animals.Mycelium is the basis of the whole colony.It is attached to the nail by processes (hyphae) that grow into the tissue and destroy the structure.
Subtypes of dermatophytes and features of the course of the disease:
- Trichophyton red.The disease proceeds according to the standard: the tip of the nail is infected, then it progresses to the root.The fungus tends to affect several fingers at once.The nail changes shape, thickens and becomes rough.Delamination is observed.The skin around the affected nail is also infected - it dries and peels;
- Trichophyton interdigitalis.The source of the disease is rooms with a high level of humidity.It most often affects the nails of the thumbs.It is localized on the surface of the nail and in the skin between the fingers.Whitish spots appear on the plates;
- Other types of dermatophytes affect the body against the background of other diseases in 5% of all cases.
Candida yeasts
They are actually present in human skin and mucous membranes.It is not necessary to encounter the carrier of the disease.It is enough to have a weakened immune system for fungi to occupy the nail plate.
The peculiarity of the course of the disease is that the nail grows not at the end, but at the base, in the direction of growth, because candida does not form a mycelium and cannot adhere to the surface at the edge.
Mold
The causative agent of onychomycosis is more than 40 species.It is difficult to determine the damage of this type of fungus - the symptoms are not very different from the symptoms of dermatophyte damage.
But the treatment is fundamentally different.The diagnosis of mold infection can be made only by bacteriological analysis.
The subtype is able to release hyphae and quickly destroy the nail.In addition, in conditions of critical reduction of the patient's immunity, mold fungi can penetrate the body and infect organs.
There are 2 additional classifications.
Classification according to the source of the disease:
- vesicular fungi.The lower part of the leg is affected first.Blisters and swelling appear on the skin.This type of fungus is easily associated with bacterial infection;
- the membrane is localized in the area between the little finger and the "ring" toe - the skin cracks and peels to a large extent.May be accompanied by bacterial infection;
- moccasinopods.The disease is localized in the heel or under the foot, gradually spreading upwards.
Classification according to the deformation form of the nail layer:
- normotrophic.The nail changes color but keeps its shape.Yellow and white streaks and/or spots appear;
- hypertrophic.The structure and shape of the nail is deformed: the nail thickens, begins to collapse and causes pain during movement;
- atrophic.The nail "loses weight".The plate becomes very thin, dull, white spots and streaks appear on it.
Nail fungus: signs of infection
Main visible and palpable symptoms:
- itching of the skin, especially after swimming;
- the appearance of an unpleasant smell;
- peeling of the skin;
- changed nail color.As a rule, the entire nail plate gets a uniform shade.The color depends on the subspecies of the fungus, but is often yellow;
- the surface of the nail becomes rough;
- separation along the tip of the nail.It occupies the entire open length of the nail and gradually deepens;
- white spots under the nail plate;
- numbness;
- many burrs;
- detachment of the entire nail;
- extensive destruction of the nail;
- small notches along the entire outer surface of the plate;
- the nail plate thickens and the underlying layers fall off.
Is it possible to cure nail fungus completely?It is possible, but not always.An irreversible hereditary disease is a vivid example of this.Over the years, it progresses and deforms the shape of the nail.
The fact of a hereditary disease can be confirmed only in a medical consultation.
How to effectively treat nail fungus: drug treatment
In order to choose drugs, it is necessary to accurately diagnose the type of fungus, the stage of the disease and the skin type.This can only be done by a doctor.
Depending on the test results and the stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe either local drugs - ointments or varnishes, or a complex of local and systemic drugs.
Systemic drugs suppress the pathogen, prevent reproduction.Local drugs act on the application site, destroy the fungus.
Systemic drugs put a high burden on the liver.You will have to give up everything that complicates the work of the body - alcohol, fatty foods.This is necessary to avoid double loading.
There are special tools to remove nails without surgery.
Each drug affects only a certain type of mycosis.Even the most advanced tools will not work if they are not "paired" with a fungus.
How to treat nail fungus: folk remedies
Vinegar is the most effective method at the initial stage.
Baths: a glass of table vinegar (9%) in a water bath.As a rule, a basin is used in which the feet are placed.The water is up to the ankles.First, it ensures the proper concentration of vinegar in the water.
Second, the skin is exposed to chemical burns.Before the bath, you need to cut your nails and remove the top layers of the skin with a pumice stone or a brush.This will provide maximum "impregnation".
If there are microdamages in the legs, the procedure will cause pain.Duration - 15 minutes.
Vinegar lotions - soak a cotton pad/cotton pad in vinegar and apply to the problem area for 10-15 minutes. It is more effective to use after bath.
Ointment: 2 parts acetic acid (70%), mixed with glycerin, olive oil and dimethyl phthalate, one part each.Apply to clean feet with a cotton swab every day for 8 hours.Wash with laundry soap.
Hydrogen peroxide is used to fight the advanced stage.Feet are steamed in a soda bath (1 tsp per 1 liter), then cotton wool soaked in peroxide is applied to problem areas, covered with polyethylene and wrapped with a bandage.The duration of the compress is 40-60 minutes.
Ammonia.For a glass of water - 1 tbsp.l.alcohol Soak cotton or a piece of gauze and apply overnight as a compress.
Boric acid.Before going to bed, feet are steamed, dusted, and clean socks are put on.
Baking soda.Add some water to it until it forms a paste and apply the mixture on the problem area for 15-20 minutes.
garlic.Rub the affected area with chopped garlic.Vegetable pulp can be used as a compress.
Iodine.Lubricate only the problem area thoroughly.
How to cure nail fungus fast
Complex treatment consisting of systemic antimycotic drugs and local agents will be required.Medicines are prescribed by a doctor.
It is recommended to combine traditional medicine and medicines.
Features of the treatment of neglected fungus
First of all, diagnosis and consultation with a doctor.
Complex treatment will be required, namely:
- taking a wide range of drugs by mouth;
- narrow focus directly on the nail;
- strengthening the immune system;
- to take drugs that support the body while taking the main drugs;
- follow the instructions strictly.
Medicine is designed in such a way that when treating a disease, a healthy organ is attacked.Most often - liver and intestines.You should be prepared for the consequences and discuss the side effects of the drugs with your doctor in advance.Some cause allergies or are unacceptable for certain diseases during pregnancy.
If the stage is critical and nothing helps, the last option remains - the complete removal of the nail plate, but this does not always guarantee getting rid of the disease.
What is the danger of untreated onychomycosis?
The disease can go to a stage where most of the existing remedies stop affecting the fungus - the spores will penetrate deep into the tissues, and the drugs simply will not be able to reach them.
Deformation of the shape of the plate leads to a deep growth into the nail skin, even tissue cutting.
The result is hellish pain and inflammation in the tissues of the toes.Both the nail and the tissue around the nail will begin to rot.
An advanced stage of nail plate deformation makes it impossible to wear shoes.Any shoe that squeezes your toes even a little will cause severe pain.Even walking barefoot around the house will hurt.
In addition:
- general decrease of immunity;
- the spread of fungi into the blood;
- formation of dermatitis and eczema;
- inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Prevention
Antifungal prophylaxis is based on the following factors:
- personal hygiene.Wash your feet with soap every day.Trim your nails on time, don't remove nails and use only personal pedicure tools.If you must take in strangers, sterilize them.Wear clean socks.Do not use used shoes;
- shoe care.It is necessary to dry the shoes in time, thereby preventing the creation of favorable conditions for the development of fungi.Remove the insoles and dry them separately, dry the shoes themselves with special dryers or open them completely and put them under the radiator;
- Of course, not visiting baths and saunas is not an option.Give preference to businesses with reviews.If possible, ask what and how often the floors are washed.Make sure you only use your own stuff and especially replaceable rubber slippers;
- To avoid re-infection, throw away the shoes worn by the patient during the illness.If this is not possible, sterilize it from the inside;
- If you have a weakened immune system or if you have microdermabrasion on your feet, try not to walk barefoot and avoid situations where the fungus can infect you.