Toenail fungus - how to treat and how to recognize

Nail fungus can cause a lot of trouble not only to an infected person, but also to his loved ones. This disease is transmitted both through personal contact, and in general living conditions. This fact means only one thing - the fungus should be treated necessarily, and the measures should be complex: if the problem arose on the nails, then it is also present on the skin of the feet. Moreover, local remedies must be combined with oral medication. This is the only way to defeat the disease at home. About the methods and ways to get rid of toenail fungus, I will discuss in the article.

Preparation and Precautions

Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease caused by fungi - dermatophytes, microsporia, etc., therefore it is very important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. After the examination, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations to confirm the diagnosis and choose effective therapy. If you want to use also folk remedies, you need to discuss this with your doctor. Consultation with a specialist will allow you to deal with the problem effectively and safely.

It is important to use the medicine according to the instructions and recommendations of the doctor, as some drugs may cause a negative result in contact with the skin.

If you or someone in the family has a nail fungus, you need to pay special attention to hygiene in order to avoid infection of those who are still healthy.

Why does the fungus and its species appear

The spores of the fungus are microscopic and live where a person lives. About 70,000 fungi are known, but those that cause disease are the most dangerous.

How does it turn out that one person is healthy, and the other “picked up” the fungus? The following reasons may contribute to this:

Sores on the legs, abrasions, corns.
Violation of personal hygiene.
Decreased body defenses.
Increased sweating of the feet (hyperhidrosis).

The type of fungus that hit the nail plate can only be determined by a dermatologist after taking the tests. Sometimes it is possible to understand by visual inspection which species caused the disease:

Dermatophytes. The lesion appears in the form of yellowish spots or stripes. The progressive stage is characterized by the acquisition of a brighter shade and damage to the entire plate.
Yeast Affect the color and structure of the nail ridges, causing inflammation and suppuration.
Moldy. Penetrate not very deep and appear dark and black spots.

It should be noted that the stronger the lesion, the brighter the symptoms and signs of the fungus.

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Symptoms and signs of damage

Successful treatment depends directly on the correct and timely diagnosis. If you are attentive to yourself, be sure to notice the manifestations of the fungus on the toenails. The following symptoms and signs should alert:

Plate color change. Color may indicate the type of fungus that caused the disease. You may notice yellow, gray, black, green and blue spots or stripes on the nails.
Change the density of the nail. If you see a thinning or, conversely, a thickening of the nails, you must visit a doctor.
Itching and burning. They arise systematically and cause discomfort.
Violation of the integrity of the plate. The nail may become cracked. Also, dry skin on the heels indicates a fungal infection.

Unpleasant sensations arise due to the effects of fungal toxins on the skin and nails, so the sooner you see a doctor and the sooner you start treatment, the faster the full recovery will come. If you do not treat the fungus, you can completely lose the nail or several nail plates. Toxins also poison the body and can provoke eczema.

Effective folk methods of struggle

Alternative methods will help get rid of the fungus, especially at the initial stage. Presenting the most common recipes for fighting the disease.

Vinegar

Used for baths. Preparing for the procedure is simple: take 5 liters of water at a temperature of 50 degrees, add 9% acetic acid and place your feet in a container. The procedure lasts 15 minutes, after which the legs are wiped dry and put on cotton socks.

Hydrogen peroxide

First, the feet are steamed in a soda bath, after which the damaged areas of the nail plate are removed. Next, a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide is applied to the nail and coated with polyethylene. Such a compress should remain for an hour. The procedure is carried out twice a day.

Iodine

Iodine tincture of nail platinum is lubricated 2 times a day. You can also make baths by adding 3 liters of water and 2 teaspoons of iodine.

Propolis

Propolis has an antimycotic effect on the skin of the legs and nail plates both when using tinctures, and as part of ointments, baths. In a basin of water add a tablespoon of propolis. After the procedure, you can apply the product for half an hour to the focus of the disease.

Potassium permanganate and vinegar

Baths with potassium permanganate and vinegar also cope well with the fungus. To prepare the product, add a liter of table vinegar and a little potassium permanganate to 3 liters of water. The course of treatment is 7 days.

Essential oils

Apply a little oil on your wrist to test for allergies. If after 12 hours no strange signs appear, you can use a tool to combat the fungus. The most effective option is tea tree oil. 5 drops of oil are needed per liter of liquid. And the extract itself is applied to the nail plate after the cleansing procedure.

Decoctions of herbs

Sage and Mint. It can be taken orally in the form of tea or used for baths. The infusion is drunk throughout the day, and the bath is done before bedtime.
Calamus root. Take 250 g of ground root in 250 ml of water. A decoction helps fight a variety of infections. They drink it for a month.
Sophora Japanese. It has established itself as a tool that effectively improves immunity, helps to normalize the work of internal organs. To prepare the tincture, take 0.5 vodka and add 50 g of Sophora fruit to it. Take a teaspoon before meals. The course is 2 months.
Oak bark. Adversely affects mold and helps get rid of fungus. Baths are prepared as follows: 1 liter of fluid to connect with 5 tbsp. tablespoons of bark and boil for 20 minutes. Use for baths when the temperature of the broth reaches 40 degrees. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.

Tar

Sold in the form of an ointment. You can purchase a 10 or 30% remedy to achieve the effect. Use it after water procedures before bedtime. Ointment covers the affected nail.

Tea mushroom

A small piece is applied to the affected nail and fixed with a bandage. In the morning, the bandage is removed, the nails are washed with warm water, the damaged areas are cut off and the fingers are treated with hydrogen peroxide.

Compresses and tinctures

Garlic. To treat nail fungus on the legs, you can use the pulp from the plant. You need to cook it every evening and apply for 40 minutes.
Rowan leaves. Grind and apply all night.
Thyme. Tincture is prepared from a dry plant. It will take 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water. You need to steam your legs every day until recovery comes.
Lilac. Tincture will also help eliminate fungus. For 100 ml of alcohol, 10 g of lilac is required. Affected areas are lubricated until the problem disappears.

Pharmaceutical preparations and creams

When symptoms of the fungus appear, local treatment should be started as soon as possible. For this, pharmacy creams, varnishes, drops will go.

Creole. Means in the form of a solution for local treatment. Penetrates deep into the nail plate, therefore, provides a good result. Suitable for eliminating an old fungus. It should be applied 2 times a day. The cost of 75 rubles.
"Dimexide". The solution is applied after preliminary bathing 2 times a day until complete cure. The price is about 80 rubles.
"Clotrimazole". An ointment that helps inhibit the development of the disease. Apply to damaged skin and nails. Usually, the treatment lasts about 5 weeks. The price is about 80 rubles.
Special varnishes against nail fungus penetrate well into the nail plate. Apply such funds 2 times a day. Among the common varnishes are Betrofen, Lotseril, Demikten. The nails are pre-cleaned and degreased. The average price is 300 rubles.

To achieve maximum effectiveness in the fight against the disease and tablets will help. They are combined with external drugs. In the pharmacy you can buy products of different prices and efficiencies, below I will present the most popular ones.

"Flucanazole." It is taken once a week at a dosage of 150 mg. Treatment lasts until the fungus disappears completely. Patients should pay attention to the condition of the kidneys with prolonged therapy. The price is 120 rubles.
"Rumikoz". One course lasts a week. The patient takes 2 capsules in the morning and 2 in the evening. If this does not help, you should extend the appointment to 21 days. The price is about 500 rubles.
Lamisil. Causes the death of fungal enzymes. Treatment lasts at least 2 months. The cost is about 2000 rubles.

Removal of affected nails

Means for removing affected nails are also used, but already in critical condition.

Chemical. Carried out in a dermatological office. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. The doctor removes the stratum corneum with a special nail file and scalpel. Then the doctor treats the entire surface of the foot and nails with an antiseptic, and then applies an ointment paste. Sterile material is applied on top, the affected fingers are bandaged. After 4 days, these areas are sanitized with an antiseptic and treated with an antifungal agent.
Mechanical. A mycologist or dermatologist removes affected nails with a special device. Before and after the procedure, the feet are treated with an antiseptic solution.
Surgical. It is considered obsolete in medical practice. Manipulation is carried out by the surgeon. The patient is given local anesthesia with a lidocaine solution. After removal, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide, an antiseptic ointment, a sterile dressing are applied, followed by fixation with a bandage. In the evening, fingers must be kept in saline. Dressing is done in a clinic.

Video consultation

What is the best way to treat a running foot fungus

One of the modern methods of getting rid of fungus on the feet and nails is treatment with laser therapy. This technique is used in cases where traditional topical treatment and treatment with drugs for oral administration have not yielded results. The advantages of this procedure are very impressive:

painlessness;
lack of side effects;
performance.

But laser removal of the fungus has contraindications:

Diabetes.
The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
Violation of the functioning of internal organs.
Pregnancy and lactation.
The presence of skin diseases.
Oncological diseases.
Tan.
Chemical peeling.

Preparation for laser exposure is carried out as follows: steam the damaged nail and trim as much as possible. Preliminary to pass analyzes. The duration of treatment is about 6 procedures.

Features of the treatment of fungus during pregnancy

Treatment of a fungus during the period of bearing a child has its own characteristics. It is necessary to take into account the fact that pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on the expectant mother, therefore, only local drugs are used to eliminate the problem.

Among these drugs are ointments "Mikozan", "Lamisil", funds in the form of a spray, cream. The drug “Batrafen” has proven itself, which not only fights against fungus, but also provides an anti-inflammatory effect. The use of therapeutic varnishes is recommended. First of all, the expectant mother should consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and receive recommendations for upcoming treatment.

If a pregnant woman has previously suffered from a fungus, she should be given prophylaxis to avoid exacerbation of the disease during this critical period.

Opinions and reviews of doctors about home treatment

Toenail fungus is a medical problem, and it must be solved in conjunction with a qualified specialist. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner to clarify the diagnosis, which also focuses on precautions when visiting public baths and saunas, pools, showers in hotels. It is these places that often become a source of infection.

Self-diagnosis with subsequent self-medication, according to experts, can exacerbate the situation, especially when you consider that some fungi are resistant to certain drugs. Only the right therapy will ensure a quick recovery and achieve a lasting result.

Doctors focus the attention of patients who are expecting a child on a mandatory visit to a specialist before the pregnant woman begins to use folk remedies and buy drugs at the pharmacy.

Fungal Prevention

Avoid the appearance of nail fungus is possible only with systematic prevention. The following measures will help to achieve good results:

Wash your feet with soap every day.
Use antiseptics in the form of sprays or talcum powder.
Dry your wet shoes thoroughly.
Periodically treat the inside of the shoe with a chlorhexidine solution.
If you visit public baths, pools, take personal hygiene items, replaceable shoes with you.
Manicure set periodically treat with an antiseptic.

Compliance with these simple recommendations will help protect against fungus feet and nails.

Your health completely depends on your personal attitude to your body. If you have previously had a fungus or have unusual symptoms, visit your doctor to confirm or deny the diagnosis.

Pay attention to the appearance of itching of the feet, peeling, a change in the structure and color of the nail plates, the appearance of spots or stripes. This will not only identify the disease, but also effectively deal with it. But the neglected stages of the fungus bring not only additional discomfort, but also have a negative effect on the health of the whole organism. In addition, there is an aesthetic side: the affected nails eventually fade, exfoliate, and an unpleasant odor emanates from the legs.