Fungus on the nails of the big toe: treatment with folk remedies and medicines

Toenail fungus is called onychomycosis. Initially, the infectious process affects the thumb, but with development it spreads to others. The disease goes through several stages. The earlier treatment begins, the easier it is to deal with the problem. This is especially true with regard to the big toe of the lower limb - it has a large area and size, so the degree of injury is significant.

Stages of onychomycosis

Nail fungus goes through several stages of development, each of which is characterized by certain symptoms. The following stages of disease development are distinguished:

• Original.At this stage, no visible pathological deviations are observed: the changes are still external. The nail plates of the toes of the lower limbs lose their shine. White spots or streaks appear on the surface. In general, the nail looks healthy, the person does not experience pain or discomfort. If you identify nail fungus at this stage, you can quickly get rid of it.
• Moderate or progressive.The structure of the nail already undergoes pathological changes. The nail acquires a pronounced yellowish tint, peels off and falls apart. There is also a foul smell coming from the affected leg.
• Advanced or dystrophic stage.Deep damage to the nails occurs. In this case, the infectious process passes from the thumb to the others. The entire surface of the nail plate is affected by the fungus and peels off from the bed and loosens. The patient is worried about severe itching. When pressure is applied to the affected areas, a painful and throbbing sensation appears. For this reason, the patient should not wear closed shoes.

At the third stage of the development of the infectious process, an infection of the skin of the feet is possible. In this case, the fungus can be cured only with the help of complex therapy, which includes the use of both local and systemic drugs (tablets for oral administration).

Causes of toe fungus

The main reasons provoking the development of onychomycosis are:

• contact with a person who is a carrier of a fungal infection;
• neglect of hygiene rules;
• wearing foreign or narrow shoes that do not fit;
• weakened immune system;
• visiting a bath, sauna, swimming pool or beauty salon where non-disinfected instruments may be used;
• trauma to the nail and surrounding skin;
• flat feet;
• long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
• hyperhidrosis (increased sweating of the feet);
• the presence of endocrine or immune lesions;
• disorders in the circulatory system, which is especially important for elderly patients;
• phleberism;
• diabetes.

An important factor that increases the risk of developing onychomycosis is advanced age. Elderly people suffer from poor blood supply to the extremities, which also increases the risk of developing fungal infections.

The causative agent of the disease falls on the nails or skin from infected objects or through contact with a carrier. The pathogen spreads rapidly, invading new areas. Fungi enter the under-nail space through damaged areas of the nail plate or the surrounding skin.

Fungi quickly spread in the nail bed. The rate of advance exceeds the rate of plate growth. Soon the pathogenic microorganism reaches its goal and causes changes in the structure of the nail. It was found that men suffer from fungus 3 times more often. Nail plates are affected by types of fungi such as dermatophytes, mold and yeast.

When should you see a doctor?

You should consult a doctor at the first signs of a fungal infection. You should not wait for obvious signs of the disease to appear - the formation of white spots and even a slight itching in the area of the legs should be a reason to contact a specialist - a mycologist or a dermatologist.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic measures to identify the disease and its stage include:

• visual inspection of nail plates;
• taking a tissue sample from the affected nail;
• cultural research - inoculation of the material obtained from the patient on a nutrient medium to identify the type of microorganisms that affected the nails.

In some cases, the specialist makes a differential diagnosis and separates onychomycosis from diseases such as lichen planus, psoriasis and keratoderma.

Treatment of fungal nail infection in the early stages of development

If the disease is detected at an early stage, it will be much easier to deal with it. In this case, it is usually sufficient to use local remedies that directly affect the affected nail.

In the first stage of mycosis, if no more than 50% of the nail plate is affected, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Varnish to be applied to the surface of the affected nails. This should be done twice a day, the total course of treatment will be one month. The product has contraindications, so it can only be used according to a doctor's prescription.
• A product produced in the form of a cream. The main active ingredient kills almost all types of fungi. The cream is applied 3 times a day, the course of treatment lasts about a month.
• A product that is plaster impregnated with a special composition. The adhesive strips are left on for 3 days and then removed. Special substances covering the surface of the plaster help to soften the nail plate, so it can be easily removed with manicure tools or scissors.
• A drug that contains a substance that destroys fungi and stops their spread. It is recommended to smear the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the nail plate and can vary from two to four weeks.

All medications intended to treat even mild forms of nail fungus must be prescribed by a doctor.

Modern therapy for onychomycosis

Complex treatment is indicated in case of a severe course of the fungus, as well as in an ongoing infectious process. In the absence of contraindications, systemic antifungal agents should be prescribed. The patient is prescribed the following drugs:

• A systemic antibiotic from the triazole group in the form of tablets. The active substance of the drug reaches the location of pathogenic microorganisms and has a fungicidal effect.
• A drug from the group of imidazoles, which inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms and destroys them. The course of treatment and the dosage are determined by the attending physician. The product causes adverse reactions.
• A drug from the group of allylamines, which has a fungicidal effect. The active substance gradually accumulates in the layers of the nail plate, which makes it possible to destroy even those fungi that are located quite deeply.

Also, with advanced nail fungus, the procedures are effective to get rid of the infected plate. This can be done in the following ways:

• Surgical excision.This method involves lifting the plate with a sharp surgical instrument and removing it from the bed. A bandage is applied after the operation. The surgical method is traumatic and is rarely used. Instead, minimally invasive methods are practiced.
• Plaque removal using chemicals, promoting rapid exfoliation of the affected nail. In this case, the problem area is treated with a special solution, wait until the drug works, and then use products that help to quickly separate the plaque from the nail bed.
• Laser treatment.This is a modern, painless method that will quickly get rid of nail fungus. The laser acts on the plate, heating it to high temperatures as quickly as possible. The beam penetrates deeply and neutralizes pathogens. The method is bloodless and absolutely safe, as it does not cause burns.

In an advanced stage of onychomycosis, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, since the lack of adequate treatment increases the risk of generalized damage to the body from a fungal infection.

Traditional methods

Toenail fungus can also be cured using traditional medicine. Such methods are complementary in nature and cannot be the basis of therapy. The most popular folk remedies include:

• Onion pulp.It is necessary to grate a few onions and apply the resulting mass on the affected nails. Fix on top with a bandage. Leave on for 15-20 minutes, rinse.
• Hydrogen peroxide.First, soak the affected feet in a water bath to soften the nails as much as possible. Then remove the top layer from the plate. Dip a piece of gauze in hydrogen peroxide and wrap the phalanx of the finger with the affected nail, grasping the immediate lesion. Leave for 40-50 minutes. You can repeat the procedure up to twice a day.
• Apple vinegar.It is important to use a natural product. Take 2 tablespoons of vinegar and add the same amount of vodka and one tablespoon of glycerin. Dip a cotton pad in the resulting mixture and apply to your nails for 15 minutes. Repeat 4 times a day.

Traditional recipes help to alleviate the severity of the symptoms of the disease and eliminate discomfort, but they are not able to destroy the causative agents of the disease.

The course of the disease and the features of the treatment of nail fungus in children

Onychomycosis is rare in children. The main cause of the disease is weak immunity due to incomplete formation. Symptoms of onychomycosis in children are:

• the plate loses its natural pink color, gray or white spots appear on the surface;
• bumps and tubercles on the nail plates;
• crumbling and brittle nails;
• redness and swelling of the skin around the child's infected nail.

For the treatment of nail fungus in children, only topical preparations, such as a spray, varnish or cream, are usually used. If necessary, systemic agents are also prescribed. Oral antifungal drugs should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Features of treatment in pregnant and lactating women

During pregnancy, there is a high risk of developing onychomycosis if the woman has already suffered from the disease and has not completely cured it. This is due to the weakening of the immune system that occurs during pregnancy.

It is important to treat the fungus promptly, because in severe cases it creates a risk of bacterial infection, which endangers the health of both the mother and the fetus. Systemic drugs should not be used during pregnancy as they have a high level of toxicity.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, topical medications should be used, but only those that are safe for the expectant mother and her baby. These include sulfur-salicylic ointment.

Treatment of elderly people

In the elderly, reduced immunity is a natural age phenomenon, which creates additional risks for the development of onychomycosis. In this case, the specialist is also careful when choosing a drug to treat nail fungus.

Systemic drugs are prescribed if the disease lasts a year or more, as well as for extensive lesions and degenerative changes in the nails.

Most often, elderly patients are prescribed systemic antifungal agents from the group of allylamines and triazoles.

Precautions

If you have signs of fungus on your pinky or big toe, see your doctor right away. But measures can be taken to prevent the development of this disease. The following recommendations should be followed:

• wash your feet at least once a day;
• wash socks every day and wear clean ones;
• if you sweat excessively, use special foot deodorants;
• Wear shoes of the right size, they should not be tight and should be washed every day;
• use only personal hygiene products, as well as manicure and pedicure tools;
• when visiting a pool, beach, sauna, use personal rubber shoes;
• After visiting the pool, sauna, wash your feet with soap and water, if necessary, use pharmaceutical preparations for prevention.

Toenail fungus is a disease that is quite difficult to treat in an advanced stage. At the first symptoms, you should consult a doctor. Treatment depends on the stage of development of onychomycosis: in the initial stage, local drugs are sufficient, when it starts, systemic antifungal agents are needed.