Fungal disease is very often diagnosed in dermatology. Walking barefoot on the beach, the lack of changeable shoes when visiting saunas and baths, trying on shoes, boots, etc. from other people contribute to the wide spread of the disease in the toes. According to statistics, damage to the nail plates most often begins with the thumb. This is due to the peculiar anatomical structure of the nail and an important subungual space. If you seek medical help in a timely manner, the disease will not bring much discomfort and will turn out to be nothing more than a temporary cosmetic defect.
disease symptoms
Getting under the nail plate, the fungal infection quickly finds a nutrient medium for itself and begins active reproduction. During this period, a person may not experience any symptoms, or a slight itching, redness appears in the nail area. Also, the growth of colonies of pathogens leads to more pronounced signs, they are the reason to seek advice from a medical institution. If you treat the nail fungus on the big toe at the initial stage, you can avoid many unpleasant complications. The main symptoms include:
- change in nail color;
- the appearance of spots under it;
- lack of natural shine;
- increased fragility;
- nail deformity.
The longer the disease is not treated, the more negative the effect of the fungus is: the nail body becomes thick, and its shape changes a lot. Such a finger causes pain when trying to put on tight shoes or in case of accidental mechanical injury. In the future, the nail completely loses its healthy appearance, collapses, exfoliates and can detach from the nail bed.
Causes of fungus in the big toe.
The causative agent of the disease are three groups of pathogenic fungi: yeasts, molds and dermatomycetes. Its prevalence in the environment is extremely high, so there can be many ways of infection. However, not all people become infected with dangerous contact, since immunity acts to protect health. Big toe fungus treatment is often required for people with reduced resistance to infections of this type. In addition, the disease can be provoked by:
- frequent thumb injury;
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- the presence of fungal skin lesions;
- diabetes;
- over weight;
- vascular diseases;
- varicose veins of the lower extremities.
Weak immunity occupies a special place among the predisposing factors. Past viral infections, frequent colds, sore throats, and poisonings rob the body of its defenses against a fungal infection and increase the risk of infection. In addition, the lack of nutrients and the frequent formation of cracks and other injuries in the area of the big toe reduce local immunity and can lead to disease.
Which doctor should I contact?
If you have begun to worry about unpleasant symptoms associated with toenails, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Itching, redness, and discoloration may indicate impending illness. Qualified assistance in this matter will be provided by a doctor.
He specializes in various skin diseases and will help to competently treat the nail fungus on the big toe. First, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out, which includes the collection of anamnesis, examination and the passage of some laboratory tests. For a more complete evaluation of the patient's condition, the dermatologist can establish several
questions:
- How long have you noticed changes in your nails?
- What was the first thing to worry about?
- Has the nail plate changed color?
- How long did it take for the shape to change?
- What kind of activity are you doing?
- Do you often visit saunas, baths?
- Have you ever had a yeast infection in your body?
After passing additional examinations, the patient will have to visit a dermatologist again. Based on the results obtained and the clinical picture, the doctor prescribes the therapy of the disease.
Treatment
The effectiveness and duration of therapy for the disease directly depend on the early search for medical help and the correct scheme. At the initial stage of the disease, ointments and gels for external use that contain an antifungal component are effective means. In this case, it is important to correctly identify the pathogen and treat it. Other treatments are also possible:
- complex therapy;
- physiotherapeutic effect;
- laser therapy;
- nail removal;
- Elimination of comorbidities.
In more complex cases of pathology, an integrated approach is shown, which includes antifungal drugs for local and internal use, general tonic. An adjunct to drug treatment is a low-sugar diet. It is he who creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of parasitic fungi. For a faster recovery process, we recommend:
- take vitamin complexes;
- live an active lifestyle;
- carry out daily disinfection procedures;
- strictly follow the treatment regimen;
- refuse bad habits.
An important place in the final stage of therapeutic measures is the prevention of relapse and strengthening of immunity. Patients are not advised to walk barefoot on the beach, try on other people's shoes and allow frequent sweating of the feet.
Possible complications
An aesthetic defect is far from everything that a fungus is capable of. In advanced conditions, the nail becomes excessively large, extremely painful, grows into the adjacent skin, secondary infection and purulent lesion may join. Treatment of toenail fungus in this case will be a long and laborious process. In addition to the local negative impact, pathogens have a devastating effect on the entire organism, the following is possible:
- allergies;
- dermatitis;
- blood poisoning;
- poisoning;
- somatic diseases.
When fungal strains reach large numbers, their waste products turn into poison, poisoning a person and depriving their immune system of defenses. In this state, the probability of various viral or bacterial lesions is very high. There is a marked deterioration in general health and performance.