Onychomycosis is a fungal disease that affects the nail plates.This infection can appear on any nail, but the first toes are most often affected.If the disease is not treated, the infection will spread further and affect the remaining nails.If nail fungus is detected on the big toe, the treatment will be long-term, but the course should be completed to the end to reduce the risk of relapse.
In the first stages, onychomycosis is considered by many people as an aesthetic problem.The disease does not cause any discomfort, but the appearance of the affected nail changes.
But if the disease is not treated, it will progress, and physical discomfort will join aesthetic problems.Let's understand what are the symptoms of onychomycosis and how to treat it.
Why does the disease develop?
Onychomycosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms - fungi.You can get an infection if you try to wear someone else's shoes or walk barefoot on the floor in a pool or sauna.
The fact is that the pathogens that cause onychomycosis multiply quickly in a humid and warm environment.Therefore, baths and swimming pools are the easiest places to "catch" the fungus.
Advice!Another place where you can easily get infected is in manicure and pedicure salons if staff are negligent in sanitizing tools and equipment.
If there are skin damage - scrapes, scratches, the fungus enters the body especially easily.For this reason, the infection most often affects the big toe, because this part of the foot is often injured when wearing very tight shoes.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease
Every person can encounter pathogenic microflora, but the disease does not develop in every case.The spread of the pathogen is met by the body's immune system.But as the immune system weakens, the disease will begin to progress.The following factors contribute to the development of the disease:
- hormonal imbalance and pathologies of the hormonal system;
- primary or secondary immunodeficiency;
- damage to the nail and the skin around it;
- peripheral blood circulation disorders;
- various dermatological diseases - dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.;
- chronic diseases in which the immune system does not work at full capacity;
- straight legs;
- increased sweating and resulting diaper rash.
Advice!Not only diseases, but also certain habits contribute to the development of fungal infections.For example, wearing too narrow shoes, choosing socks and shoes made of artificial materials, not following hygiene rules.
According to medical statistics, the risk group for the development of onychomycosis in the thumb includes:
- elderly people;
- visitors to public gyms, swimming pools, baths;
- beauticians;
- medical staff;
- people with excessive sweating.
Signs
The effectiveness of the treatment of fungus on the nail of the big toe depends mainly on the stage of the disease.If you start taking adequate measures as soon as the first symptoms appear, it will be relatively easy to fight the disease.If the process has started, the treatment will require patience and time.The course can last more than six months.
The peculiarity of this disease is that the symptoms are subtle in the initial stage.Indeed, few people will be alarmed when they see a small spot on the nail of the first finger.Many people simply do not notice such changes, or even ignore the symptoms after they notice them, because at this stage there is no physical discomfort.
But in the absence of treatment, the process will develop and progress.A small spot will begin to grow, completely changing the appearance of the plate.The infection can affect the skin near the nail and spread to other fingers.If the following symptoms appear, you may suspect a fungus;
- white or yellowish spots on the nail, often at the initial stage they are located in the upper corner of the nail, but this is not necessary.Localization depends on the place of introduction of pathogenic microorganisms;
- the surface of the nail has changed, thickened, lost its smoothness, and grooves appeared on it;
- the nails became very brittle, the re-growing part splits and breaks.
Advice!The listed symptoms do not allow making an unambiguous diagnosis.If you suspect a fungus, you should get tested.This will not only determine the presence of the pathogen, but also its type.
Stages
As already mentioned, the development of nail fungus on the thumb occurs gradually.The speed of development of the process depends on the type of fungus.Onychomycosis, caused by infection with yeast-like fungi, progresses most rapidly.It is customary to distinguish three stages:
- Primary.At this stage, symptoms are poorly expressed;the main symptom is the appearance of spots or stripes on the nail that differ in color from the main tone of the nail.
- Medium.At this stage, the entire plate changes its color and loses its smoothness.An unpleasant foot odor may appear at this stage.
- It started.The lesion begins to spread to other nails and the small pattern begins to deteriorate.At this time, bacterial infections are often associated with onychomycosis, causing inflammation and suppuration in the skin of the fingers.
How to treat?
Fungal infection is difficult to treat.Many patients who self-medicate do not get the desired result, but trigger the disease.Therefore, it is better not to try to treat yourself, but to consult a dermatologist.
After the tests, the specialist will select the drugs that are most effective in fighting the pathogen.After all, there are different types of fungi, so there is no single treatment regimen.In addition, when determining the treatment regimen, the stage of development of the process should be taken into account.
Treatment of onychomycosis should be comprehensive.The specialist will prescribe products for external use, systemic drugs (tablets) that help treat the infection from the inside, as well as products to support the immune system and strengthen the body in general.
Lucky
This is a very easy treatment to use.Lacquers are colorless and coloring pigments are added.The last option will certainly be appreciated by women.
Apply a healing varnish to the previously prepared plate.To soften the nails, you should wash your feet and take a warm bath.Then remove the top layer from the diseased nail using a disposable nail file.
Lacquer is applied not only to the sick nail, but also to healthy ones, this is done to prevent the spread of infection.Application frequency depends on the type of preparation;varnish should be used until the nail is completely renewed.
Ointments and solutions
External treatment products are also produced in the form of ointment or solution (spray).Before applying the product, perform the same preparation as before applying varnish.Treatment is carried out 1-2 times a day.
The doctor must prescribe a remedy for external treatment, because different drugs are active against different groups of pathogens.Some of the most commonly prescribed medications include:
Tablets
In advanced stages, in addition to external treatment, it is necessary to use oral medications.As a rule, they contain the same active ingredients as local agents.
Taking antifungal tablets puts a burden on the liver, so they are not prescribed for long courses.Pulse therapy is used to achieve results.Medicines are taken in short, periodically repeated courses until complete recovery.This approach allows to reduce the load on the liver and to achieve an effective effect on the pathogenic microflora.
So, only a dermatologist can answer the question of how to treat nail fungus after an examination.During the analysis, the type of pathogen is determined, as well as its sensitivity to different types of drugs.This approach allows you to choose the most effective treatment.In addition, the patient should not forget about the necessary hygiene measures.Shoes should be regularly disinfected, and socks should be washed at high temperature and ironed on the wrong side.