Toenail fungus is a difficult-to-treat common disease that affects one in four people worldwide.In medicine, the terms are used to refer to fungal infections of the nails of the lower extremities: onychomycosis or epidermophytosis.In the latter case, foci of infection are present on the skin.
Causes of big toe fungus
Infection occurs through contact with an infected person, with their personal effects or in public places.The humid and warm environment of swimming pools, saunas and baths is the most favorable for the growth of fungi.Walking barefoot on the beach can also cause fungal spores to enter your toenail and foot.
Most often, onchomycosis affects the big toes and little toes of both feet, which can be explained by microtraumas during walking, which open the door to fungal spores.As a result of contact, an 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 disease, HIV or immunodeficiency.
- Diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, which interrupts 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, causing scratches and calluses.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules creates an environment favorable to the development of fungi.
- Non-compliance of footwear with hygienic-sanitary requirements.Feet sweat and stay wet for a long time.
- Professions that involve prolonged exposure to humidity or the use of rubber shoes.
- Hyperhidrosis, in which the skin of the foot is constantly wet.
Men between the ages of 35 and 75 are more susceptible to foot and nail fungus.Children under 15 years old practically do not suffer from athlete's foot.
Important.To remove toenail fungus, treatment must be done systematically and regularly.Onychomycosis is known for frequent recurrences.
Symptoms of fungus on 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.
The characteristic symptoms of the first phase 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 presents the following signs:
- nail color changes;
- the nail plate thickens;
- the skin on the finger swells and itches.
If no treatment is done, the nail will collapse or peel off completely.This is accompanied by cracking of the skin of the finger, itching and pain.
Fungus on the thumb cannot be cured with folk remedies alone.Complex treatment is required to destroy the mycelium and prevent recurrence of the disease.
Toenail Fungus Diagnosis
If you notice symptoms of a fungal infection on your toenail, you should see a doctor.A mycologist deals with the treatment of epidermophytosis.
Not every clinic has such a highly specialized specialist, so most often the treatment is prescribed by a dermatologist.
The doctor does a visual examination and takes a sample of the affected tissue to determine the type of parasite.There are several forms of fungi that affect human finger nails:
- 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, the structure, the nature of the destruction and the 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 drugs in tablet form that must 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 limitations related to age, pregnancy, breastfeeding and chronic diseases.Therefore, you need to take the pills strictly as prescribed by your doctor.
For external treatment, ointments, sprays, paints, plasters and serums with substances that inhibit the development of mycelium are used.Such products are applied to clean and dried nails from 2 times a week to 2 times a day.You must follow the instructions and read the contraindications.
Folk remedies, as a rule, have no contraindications, but their effectiveness is significantly lower than that of drugs.Their action is aimed more at the symptoms than at the treatment of toenail fungus.But they clean well, relieve itching and disinfect the affected area.Their action is most effective in the initial phase of the disease.
Folk remedies such 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 useful for relieving itching.
Radical treatment of omnimycosis of the big toe consists of 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 case of intolerance, ineffectiveness of drugs and advanced form of the disease, a new method of fungal treatment using a laser is used.The beam burns the mycelium to a depth of 7 mm.Healthy cells do not suffer and diseased cells regenerate quickly.This method has contraindications;you should consult your doctor.
Treatment with folk remedies for toenail fungus
At home, to treat nail plate fungus, the following is widely used:
- Vinegar baths or rubs.Table or apple 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.
- Onion and garlic juice and gruel.Mix with oil or alcohol, apply as a compress or lubricate the nail surface.Mixtures can cause burns and irritation to surrounding tissues, so they are used very carefully.
Folk remedies are good for their accessibility and simplicity.But you should not forget to visit 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 unpleasant appearance of your nails.But if immunity wanes with age or after an illness, the fungus will “bloom in full bloom.”
Fungal spores can infect nearby nails.And this is another 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 surgery.
Important.Untreated onychomycosis is a source of infection to others.Horny particles and cells with mycelial spores can cause infection of other people.
Prevention of big toe nail fungus
Prevention of fungal diseases includes:
- avoid contact with an infected object;
- strengthen the immune system to protect against infections.
Personal hygiene must be maintained.Do not use other people's belongings and do not allow others to use them.Enter swimming pools, bathrooms, showers and saunas only with your 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 the shoes.Special liquids and sprays are sold to disinfect shoes.
It is necessary to monitor your health, eat right and observe a schedule of work and rest.Do not start chronic diseases.Sport and walking strengthen the immune system well.
If you become infected with toenail fungus, you need to be diagnosed and treated with medications prescribed by your doctor.Appropriately use external means and traditional methods.The duration of treatment is usually 3-6 months.With regular treatment and prevention of reinfection, recurrence of athlete's foot is almost impossible.