Nail fungus - how to treat

Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are infectious in nature, as a result of which infection of a healthy person occurs through the contact-household 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 mainly 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, so it requires immediate treatment, in the absence of which a general infection of the skin can occur. What is nail fungus, what are the symptoms of its manifestation, as well as the features of home treatment, we learn from the material.

What is a dangerous fungus?

The fungus of the skin and nails 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 is that parasites cause the development of complications in such serious diseases as diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma and allergies. Fungal infections that have fallen on the skin contribute to the destruction 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 discoloration of the skin 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 the fight against them is observed. 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 adversely affects a person's well-being. Untimely treatment leads to the fact that the disease spreads throughout the body, reaching the vital organs. Physical inconvenience in the patient leads to a squeamish attitude towards himself, so 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, which starts mainly from the legs. If you do not carry out the fight against a dangerous disease, then he will gradually kill his "victim". To combat fungal infections, there are many different ways, both medicinal and with the help of folk remedies. Today we will deal with the main andmost effective ways to treat nail fungus.

Symptoms and signs of occurrence

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

It's pretty easy to get infected with a fungus. It is enough to visit a sauna, bathhouse, gym, swimming pool or other facility of this type once, where the probability of infection is 95%. If you do not follow the rules of hygiene and use someone else's things, shoes or a towel, then you can be sure that the first signs of illness will soon appear. The symptoms of the disease do not appear on the legs immediately after infection, such as with a cold.

The fungus begins its active reproduction and spread after contact with a person's skin. 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 can appear even after a month.

The first stage of the disease proceeds without the slightest signs, except for increased sweating of the legs and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. Subsequently, the fungus on the nails manifests itself as the first signs of a change in the color of the nail plates. At the same time, the feet dry out quickly and begin to peel off. Microcracks first appear on the heels, followed by large scarring. The person begins to complain of constant symptoms of itching and redness of the feet and fingers. Very often the disease is manifested by peeling skin between the toes.

Symptoms in the form of constant diaper rash on the legs lead to the formation of itchy blisters and corns. First, the color of the nails changes, and then their shape. The first toes, which are located at the edges, i. e. thumb or little finger, are mainly affected. Fungal spores penetrate deep into the nail plates and infect them. The nails first begin to turn white, then turn yellow and flake off. Nails begin to crack, become brittle and brittle. Cavities are formed under the nail plates, dirt gets into them and infection of the fingers occurs.

If you notice the first symptoms of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor to start the right treatment. At the initial stage, mycosis can be treated with the help of special ointments, creams or traditional medicine, but when the disease has progressed to the acute stage, surgical intervention, during which the doctor decides to remove the nail plate, cannot be avoided.

A mycosis can be complicated by eczema or psoriasis, so you should not miss such consequences, but 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 prolonged walking, a person feels severe pain in his feet. How to treat toenail fungus and what drugs are available to combat the disease, read on.

How to treat

Fungal mycosis is often treated at home. On the toenails, the advanced form of mycosis is treated 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 intended for both local and general treatment. Recently, such a procedure as pulse therapy has become popular, which involves the implementation of therapeutic procedures in a short time. Antifungal drugs are used for treatment, which are prescribed in certain dosages depending on the stage of mycosis.

How to cure toenail fungus when the disease is in its early stages? First of all, you should visit a dermatologist, who will make an accurate diagnosis and, based on such factors as the type of fungal pathogen, the type of skin and the degree of pathology, will prescribe the appropriate method of therapy.

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

How to treat nails with mycosis? Special varnishes, creams and ointments are mainly used for this. These funds are not applied to the nail plate, but to the skin under it. To do this, it is necessary to remove the affected areas of the nail plate so that you can process the finger 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 medicines. This allows you to overcome the disease in the shortest possible time and with greater efficiency.

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

If the use of the ointment does not bring any positive changes for a period of two weeks, you need to change the ointment or inform your doctor about it. The fact is most likely that fungal parasites have developed resistance to the drug. In order for a new nail to grow in, funds are used for a long period of time, up to 1 year.

Drug treatment is the most important. Therefore, if the doctor prescribes this or that remedy, then his recommendations should not be neglected. Treatment with folk remedies is an additional way to fight the fungus, which is also very effective.

treatment at home

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

1. A drug based on the antifungal drug ciclopiroxolamine that comes in the form of nail polish and should be applied directly to the affected area every other day. Damaged areas should be removed with a blade or nail file. The duration of using varnish to treat fungus depends on the stage of the disease.
2. Varnish of medicinal origin, which is applied according to a specific scheme: every two days for a month. In the next month, the treatment involves the use of varnish every third day. Treatment lasts until the nail plate is fully restored.
3. The drug is presented in the form of a serum based on rye enzyme filtrate, intended to combat pathogenic parasites. In addition to effectively fighting parasites, the serum prevents their further development in this area. Serum is intended for long-term treatment of the disease, so the minimum course is at least 28 days. The serum is applied 2 times a day while the nail plate is being prepared for the procedures.
4. A treatment product with urea, ginkgo biloba extract and beeswax is said to be able to remove growths and affected nails. The solution contains a whole complex of various additives, which ensures not only the removal of the nail plate, but also the growth of a new one. The agent is applied by spreading it in a thick layer on a previously prepared board. Avoid getting the product on your skin as it may cause minor burns.
5. A drug from the group of allylamines, well known to many people. An ointment is used to treat fungi at different stages of its exacerbation. The ointment is used 2 times a day after cleaning the nail plates.
6. Allylamine Ointment is used through 2 single applications. It disinfects areas of the skin and nails, leading to recovery. The duration of treatment is no more than 2 weeks.
7. A spray preparation with a wide range of applications for the treatment of mycoses and onychomycoses.
8. Ointment from the group of azoles with a fungicidal effect, which relieves the symptoms of mycoses. The ointment should be applied twice a day, and the course of treatment lasts up to 4 weeks.
9. An effective drug from the class of allylamines that helps to overcome not only the symptoms of mycoses, but also pathogens. The cream has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. The duration of treatment can be up to 6 months.

If the means of treating toenail fungus do not have the right effect, then the use of oral drugs in the complex is prescribed, such as:

• A synthetic antifungal from the triazole group can cure the symptoms of even old fungal species. The medicine is used once a week, and the duration of the course is no more than 30 weeks.
• triazole derivative. Ideal for treating symptoms of advanced disease. 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

The fastest way to treat nail fungus at home is to use drugs from 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 remedies. Homemade products and ingredients such as garlic, iodine, vinegar, peroxide and lemon are excellent drugs to combat the disease.

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

1. Garlic.To treat mycosis, garlic should be crushed and combined with alcohol in equal proportions. Before use, the mixture should be diluted with distilled water, and then applied to the surface of the plate.
2. Iodine.This folk remedy has better healing properties than any ointment or cream. For proper use, iodine should be applied to the nail plate 1 drop 2 times a day. The use of iodine is not only effective, but also safe.
3. Vinegar.Homemade vinegar will help to quickly cure the signs of fungus. To do this, you need to bathe with vinegar. A 15-minute bath session is enough for the symptoms of mycosis to disappear within a week.
4. hydrogen peroxide. At an early stage of the disease, you can use peroxide, for which baths are taken. You should soak your feet in a solution of water and peroxide 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 apply it to the affected nail. Then wrap with a bandage and cellophane. keep 8-10 hours. The course of treatment lasts up to 12 days. The effectiveness has been proven by numerous test reports.

Treatment of interdigital fungi is carried out with the help of aloe juice 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, which you can use to make the legs fly up.

There are many effective methods of treating fungus, but the safest is to prevent the disease from developing. But even if this happens, measures should be taken immediately, without waiting for the development of complications.

reviews

So, we have analyzed the main symptoms and treatment of nail fungus disease. Now let's pay attention to the feedback from our readers.

• "I discovered nail fungus not so long ago, but at first I didn't understand at all that this is a disease. I visited a doctor who prescribed me to take pills and put cream on the nail. I started doing this until my mother-in-law found out about the problem. A new recipe was immediately prescribed, which included various homemade products: honey, alcohol, herbal teas, lemon, vinegar and much more. In general, she prepared various home remedies that I applied only to the affected area. A month later, the symptoms of the disease completely disappeared, 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 there is simply no need to buy expensive products when you can be cured with ordinary iodine.
• "Wearing closed-toe shoes in winter and summer helped me catch the fungus. At first the disease manifested itself between the fingers, but I did not pay due attention to it, but when the nail began to peel, I took action. The doctor prescribed me different types of ointments, but I chose one cream, which cured me after 2 months.