Toenail fungus: how to treat it

Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are infectious in nature of infection, as a result of which the infection of a healthy person occurs through the household contact route with the patient. Nail and skin fungus is a fairly common disease, although many are not even aware of the infection.

After all, the disease manifests itself primarily not at the stage of development, but at the stage of exacerbation, when the patient has symptoms of the disease. The disease is quite serious, therefore it requires immediate treatment, without which a general infection of the skin can occur. We learn from the material what a nail fungus is, what are the symptoms of its manifestation, as well as the features of home treatment.

What is a dangerous fungus?

Skin and nail fungus causes great harm to the body, so it is necessary to treat the disease as soon as possible in order to avoid serious consequences. What are the consequences of a fungus?

The main danger of fungal diseases lies in the fact that parasites provoke the development of complications of such serious diseases as diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma and allergies. Fungal infections that have fallen on the skin contribute to the defeat of the epidermis and nail plates (often the big toes). As a result, inflammatory processes on the skin, suppuration, delamination of the nail plates and skin discoloration are observed.

In addition to the fact that the fungus is the cause of complications, it also contributes to a decrease in immunity. Against this background, the penetration of fungal infections into the internal organs and their defeat are noted. The release of toxins by most types of parasites leads to the fact that the patient's body is poisoned not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

The fungus also affects the well-being of a person. Untimely treatment leads to the fact that the disease spreads throughout the body, reaching vital organs. Physical discomfort in the patient provokes an apprehensive attitude towards himself, due to which a person does not take care of himself, and sometimes even finds a way out in alcohol.

A fungus is a disease in which there is a slow suppuration of the skin, starting mainly from the legs. If you do not carry out the fight against a dangerous disease, it will gradually kill its "victim". To combat fungal infections, there are many different ways, both medically and with the help of home remedies. Today we will pay attention to the consideration of the main and effective means of treating nail fungus.

Symptoms and signs of appearance

To start treating toenail fungus, you need to make sure that the infection is present in the body. The fungus is dangerous because it is not visible to the human eye, but it can be defeated with the help of special preparations.

It is quite easy to get infected with a fungus. It is enough to visit a sauna, bathhouse, gym, swimming pool or other such institutions once, where the probability of infection is 95%. If you do not follow the rules of hygiene and use third-party things, shoes or a towel, then you can be sure that the first signs of illness will soon appear. On the legs, the symptoms of the disease do not appear immediately after infection, as, for example, with a cold.

The fungus after contact with the skin of a person begins its active reproduction and spreads. As a rule, the duration of such parasitic actions lasts from several weeks to a month. If the patient's immune system is weakened, the fungus affects the skin and nails quickly enough, and the first symptoms appear within a week. If the body is able to fight the infection, the first symptoms of the disease may appear even after a month.

The first stage of the disease passes without the slightest signs, with the exception of increased sweating of the legs and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. Subsequently, the nail fungus manifests itself as the first signs of a change in the color of the nail plates. At the same time, the feet quickly dry out and begin to peel off. Initially, microcracks appear on the heels, and then large scar formations. The person begins to complain of constant symptoms of itching and redness of the feet and fingers. Most often, the disease manifests itself with peeling of the skin between the toes.

Symptoms in the form of constant diaper rash on the legs lead to the formation of blisters and itchy calluses. Initially, the color of the nails changes, and then their shape. Predominantly the first toes are affected, located on the edges, that is, the thumb or little finger. Fungal spores penetrate deep into the nail plates and infect them. The nails initially start to turn white, then turn yellow and exfoliate. Nails begin to crack, become brittle and brittle. Under the nail plates, gaps are formed into which dirt enters and an infection of the fingers occurs.

If you find the first symptoms of the disease, you should immediately visit a doctor to start the appropriate treatment. In the initial stages, mycosis can be treated with the help of special ointments, creams or traditional medicine, but if the disease has passed into the acute stage, surgical intervention cannot be avoided, in which the doctor decides to remove the plaque of the nail

Mycosis can be complicated by eczema or psoriasis, so you should not be without such consequences, but you should immediately take appropriate measures. With the development of complications of mycosis, not only a general deterioration in well-being is observed, but also problems with the legs. It is difficult for the patient to move, and with a long walk a person feels severe pain in the feet. We will learn more about how to treat toenail fungus, as well as what medications exist to combat the disease.

How to deal with

Fungal mycosis is often treated at home. On the toenails, the advanced form of mycosis is subject to treatment with the help of surgical intervention, when the procedure for cutting the nail plate is performed under local anesthesia. This method of treatment is rare, but there are people who are in no hurry to treat mycosis.

There are many types of drugs that are intended for both local and general treatment. Recently, such a method as pulse therapy has become popular, which includes the implementation of therapeutic methods in a short time. For treatment, antifungal types of drugs are used, which are prescribed in certain dosages depending on the stage of mycosis.

How to cure toenail fungus if the disease is in the initial stage? To begin with, you need to visit a dermatologist who will make an accurate diagnosis and, based on such factors as the type of fungal pathogen, skin type and degree of pathology, prescribe the appropriate method of therapy.

Treatment of fungus between the fingers includes the use of special suspensions. Suspensions are processed not only in the affected areas of the skin between the fingers, but also in all gaps. To speed up the effect, the toes are wrapped in a plastic bag.

How to treat nails for mycosis? For this, special varnishes, creams and ointments are mainly used. These funds are applied not to the surface of the nail, but to the skin under it. To do this, it is necessary to remove the affected areas of the nail plate, which allows you to process the finger from the inside. Often, the treatment of toenail fungus at home is carried out with the help of complex therapy in the form of the use of local and general drugs. This allows you to overcome the disease in the shortest possible time and most effectively.

It is important to know! If the nails have affected areas that are not more than 50%, then you can cope with the disease with the help of special ointments.

If the use of the ointment for a period of two weeks does not produce positive changes, then you should change the ointment or inform your doctor about it. Most likely, the fungal parasites have developed resistance to the drug. In order for a new nail to grow in its place, the funds are used for a longer period of up to 1 year.

Drug treatment is the main one, so if the doctor prescribes this or that remedy, his recommendations should not be neglected. Treatment with folk remedies is an additional way to combat the fungus, which is also highly effective.

home treatment

Treatment of nail fungus at home is carried out with medication. Let's consider some of them.

1. Medicine based on the antifungal substance ciclopiroxolamine, presented in the form of nail polish, which must be applied directly to the affected area on alternate days. Damaged areas should be removed with a blade or nail file. The duration of the use of varnish for the treatment of fungus depends on the stage of the disease.
2. Lacquer of medical origin, which is applied according to a certain scheme: once every two days for a month. The next month, the treatment includes the use of varnish every third day. The treatment lasts until the nail plate is fully restored.
3. The medicine is presented in the form of serum based on enzymatic filtrate of rye, intended to combat pathogenic parasites. In addition to effectively combating parasites, the serum prevents their further development in this area. The serum is intended for long-term treatment of the disease, so the minimum course is at least 28 days. Serum is applied 2 times a day, while preparing the nail surface for procedures.
4. A treatment product with urea, ginkgo biloba extract and beeswax is intended to be able to remove the growths and affected nails. The solution includes a whole complex of various additives, as a result of which not only the removal of the nail plate is ensured, but also the growth of a new one. The agent is applied by applying it in a thick layer on a previously prepared plate. Avoid getting the product in contact with the skin as it may cause a slight burn.
5. A drug from the group of allylamines, which many people know. An ointment is used to treat fungus at various stages of its exacerbation. The ointment is used 2 times a day, after cleaning the nail plates.
6. Allylamine ointment is used in 2 individual applications. Disinfects areas of the skin and nails, achieving their recovery. The duration of treatment does not exceed 2 weeks.
7. Spray preparation with a wide range of applications, intended for the treatment of mycosis and onychomycosis.
8. Ointment from the group of azoles with fungicidal property that relieves the symptoms of mycosis. The ointment should be applied twice a day, and the course of treatment lasts up to 4 weeks.
9. An effective drug belonging to the class of allylamines, which helps to overcome not only the symptoms of mycosis, but also pathogens. The cream has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. The duration of treatment can be up to 6 months.

If the remedies for the treatment of toenail fungus do not have the proper effect, then the use of oral drugs in the complex is prescribed, such as:

• A synthetic antifungal drug from the group of triazoles can cure symptoms even of ancient fungal types. The drug is used once a week, and the duration of the course does not exceed 30 weeks.
• Triazole derivative. Ideal for controlling the symptoms of advanced disease. The duration of the course of treatment is at least 3 months, for which there is a special scheme for taking capsules, which is indicated in the instructions.

the fastest way

Treatment of nail fungus at home in the fastest way involves the use of drugs of traditional medicine. Folk methods, although they belong to the secondary types of treatment of fungal infections and onychomycosis, but if you want to overcome the disease not only reliably, but also quickly, then you cannot do without folk drugs. Homemade products and ingredients such as garlic, iodine, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and lemon are excellent drugs to combat the disease.

Treatment of nail fungus on the big toe folk methods involves the use of such components:

1. Garlic.For the treatment of mycosis, garlic must be crushed and combined in equal proportions with alcohol. Before use, the mixture must be diluted with distilled water, and then applied to the surface of the plate.
2. Iodine.This healer has better healing properties than any ointment or cream. For proper use, a drop of iodine should be applied 2 times a day to the surface of the nail. The use of iodine is not only effective, but also safe.
3. Vinegar.Homemade vinegar helps to quickly cure signs of fungus. To do this, you need to take baths with vinegar. A 15-minute bath session is enough for the symptoms of mycosis to begin to disappear in a week.
4. Hydrogen peroxide. At an early stage of the disease, you can use peroxide, for which baths are taken. In a solution consisting of water and peroxide, you need to soak your feet for 15 minutes. You can repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.
5. Lemon.Lemon is useful not only for nutrition, but also for the treatment of fungus. It is required to cut a slice of lemon and attach it to the affected nail. Then wrap it with a bandage and cellophane. Keep for 8-10 hours. The course of treatment lasts up to 12 days. The efficiency has been proven by numerous reviews.

Treatment of interdigital fungus is carried out with the help of juice of aloe or celandine. To do this, the affected area, along with the nail, is smeared with the juice of the plant, after which a compress is made. You can prepare a solution of celandine, with which to raise the legs.

There are many effective ways to treat fungus, but the safest is to prevent the development of the disease. But even if this happens, action should be taken immediately, without waiting for the development of complications.

Reviews

For this reason, we have analyzed the main symptoms and treatment of nail mycosis disease. Now let's pay attention to the comments of our readers.

• "I discovered mycosis of the nail not long ago, but at first I did not understand at all that it was a disease. I visited a doctor who prescribed me to take pills and spread cream on the nail. I started doing all this until my mother-in-law heard about the problem. Immediately a new prescription was prescribed that included several home products: honey, alcohol, herbal teas, lemon, vinegar and much more. In general, she prepared several home remedies and I only applied them to the affected area. One month later, the symptoms of the disease disappeared completely and the nail has already recovered.
• "I tried many different drugs, but as a result I found salvation in ordinary iodine. I smeared the nail with iodine every day, and after 2 months the symptoms of the disease began to fade, like a pencil from a white sheet. Sometimes just there is no need to buy expensive products when you can cure with ordinary iodine.
• "Wearing closed shoes in winter and summer contributed to the fact that I caught the fungus. At first, the ailment manifested itself between the fingers, but I did not pay due attention to it, but when the nail began to exfoliate, I took action. The doctor prescribed various kinds of ointments, but I chose a cream for myself, which cured me after 2 months.