World statistics on fungal infection of the nail plate present disappointing figures.Every fifth person has nail damage and every tenth person is a carrier of yeast fungus bacteria.In common parlance, nail lesions are simply called "fungus";the scientific term of the disease is onychomycosis or dermatophytic onychomycosis.Treatment is carried out at home without hospitalization.The infection is resistant to external influences, does not pass for a long time, appears secondary and causes foci of inflammation.
Symptoms
All fungal diseases have different symptoms and signs of damage.Thus, superficial onychomycosis makes itself felt shortly after infection:
- The nail plate thickens.
- The plate becomes ragged and brittle from the outside to the cuticle.
- The configuration is disturbed, the structure of the surface changes - it becomes scaly.
- At the initial stage, the nail plate loses its natural shine and elasticity.
- Sometimes the nail turns black and cuts into the skin.
- In advanced cases, intestinal damage occurs - dysbiosis.General loss of strength, reduced immunity, lethargy and drowsiness.
- An itching sensation occurs between the toes and is most common in children.
- The final stage is onycholysis.The plate is peeled from the nail bed.There is a faint unpleasant smell.
- The skin around the finger and nail cracks until it becomes bloody or ichorous, and there is a rash.
- Depending on the type of fungus, an unpleasant white or yellow circle of mold appears under the nail.The brightness depends on the degree of damage: from weak to bright.
It is strange, but this fungal infection occurs most often in people who lead a healthy lifestyle.Frequent visits to public sports complexes, swimming pools and saunas increase the risk of toenail fungus.There are many reasons that create a positive environment for fungus:
- The mushroom's "favorite habitat" is moist and fairly warm.The first source is your wet shoes.Dry immediately inside after any walk.The choice of socks plays an important role in prevention.They should consist of more than 70% natural raw materials, ideally 100%.This is the only way to ensure optimal air intake.
- Decreased general immunity.It is enough to walk barefoot and immediately pick up a mushroom.Prevention - drink complexes with vitamins, preferably minerals and amino acids.
- The pursuit of beauty - nail extensions.Frequent corrections and procedures contribute to the thinning of the nail plate, which means that the risk of disease increases.
- Public pools, showers, baths, solariums are sources of active fungal spores.Defeat occurs immediately and treatment takes a long time.Spores penetrate deep into the epithelium of the space between the nails and fingers.In the initial stage, just "sleep" and then a sharp "seizure" begins.
How to treat onychomycosis
Be patient immediately.Treatment is long term.Also, be prepared to "go out" - treatment is expensive.
- Pharmacological preparations:
- Foreign.It is prescribed in the initial stage of nail fungus infection.These are antifungal drops, varnishes or oils.The most popular are Ciclopirox drops.Apply to the affected nail once a day.Subsequent application: first the old film of the drug is removed, then a new one is applied.Effect: the condition of the nail plate improves within a week.And the unpleasant smell disappears after the first or second application.
- Urea-based compounds.Available as lotions, ointments or creams.They are prescribed together with oral medications and act as relapse prevention.
- Complex treatment is impossible without oral medications.Taking itraconazole tablets will help to treat acute, advanced forms of fungal infection of the toenail plate.
- Surgical method.The fungus rooted in the plate is removed together with the nail.
- Modern physiotherapy: cryotherapy, acid disinfection, laser removal of the upper part of the plate.The disadvantage is damage to the epithelium, but the removal of fungi is 100%.
Traditional methods of combating toenail fungus
- Iodine.Its activity as an antiseptic has been known for a long time.You need to cover the plate and skin between your fingers with the solution.Active spores are burned and the development of new foci is stopped.Remember, iodine dries the epithelium and nail plate.Take breaks between treatments.
- garlic.Grind the mixture into a paste.Apply the liquid to the area affected by the fungus.Better for the night.In the morning, wash the area with an acid solution.Apply compresses until improvement is seen.
- Rub with apple cider vinegar.Do it twice a day.Oil the skin and the board.Prepare a bath: 10 liters.Add vinegar to 200 ml (glass) of water at a temperature of 30-32 C.Hold for 10 minutes.This method is good for eliminating unpleasant foot odor.
- Grape vinegar.200 ml.vinegar 9%, half a stick of butter, one raw egg.Mix, shake.Put the resulting suspension in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours.Then use for compresses.
- Fresh celandine juice.Cut a green bush and immediately burn the affected area with its juice.The course is 7 days, then take a break for 3 days and repeat.Continue treatment until visible improvement results.
- Coffee court.The natural antioxidant properties together with the fungus help to clean the keratinized layers of the epithelium.
- Onion puree.Grate the onion.Gruel is mixed with a spoonful of honey.Cover the affected area up to 5 cm.Leave for an hour.A moderate lesion can be treated within a week.
- Recipe for children.Mix chalk and soda.Add some water.Apply the mixture between your toes.A solution of methyl blue (blue) helps a lot.This method is also suitable for nursing or pregnant women.
- Soap.Laundry soap is rubbed with shavings and a hot bath is prepared.Feet are steamed, then wiped dry and oiled with blue.
- Military recipe.Salidol.Apply to washed feet, leave for 2-3 hours, then remove with a dry cloth or wash with tar soap.
Measures to prevent onychomycosis
- Protect the skin of your feet from hypothermia and burns.Damaged areas become fertile ground for fungal spores.
- If someone in the family got fungus, immediately disinfect the floors in the rooms and bathrooms.Provide everyone with slippers.Wear special shoe covers or flip-flops when showering.Do not use the patient's equipment.
- Daily baths of mint and chamomile are an excellent prevention of any skin disease of the feet and nails.
- If one person in the family is sick, everyone should be examined by a doctor and undergo tests.