Thumbnail fungus is an infectious pathology. It is manifested by weakened body's protective function and non-compliance with hygiene measures. Fungal microorganisms infect the nail plate and move to nearby areas.
Thumbnail photos of fungi
Causes of thumb nail fungus
Poor hygiene is the main cause of infection. You can usually get it from another person. Therefore, if preventive measures are not taken, everyone around the infected person may develop pathology. The photo shows an example of toenail fungus.
The thumb plate is prone to onychomycosis due to its structural characteristics. The mycelial filaments spread faster in it than in other environments. The reason is a large number of blood vessels and nerve endings.
Failure may develop in the context of certain incentives:
- Endocrine Pathology;
- Varicose veins; Hormonal imbalance;
- Slow metabolism (especially the elderly);
- Blood circulation disorders;
- Psoriasis;
- Dermatitis (inflammation);
- Eczema;
- Pathology of the immune system;
- Severe pathologies, such as hepatitis and HIV;
- General purpose of sanitary products;
- Often wear inappropriate shoes (tight-fitting, low-quality materials).
Onychomycosis is rare in children. The main population susceptible to the disease is the elderly. This is due to changes in the body and a decline in its protective ability. The second group includes pregnant and lactating women, as well as menopausal women.
People who live in humid climates or in clubs, bathrooms, swimming pools and saunas where they often exercise are also at risk. Approximately 30% of cases are contaminated by non-sterile instruments used for pedicure.
Thumbnail symptoms of fungus
Although toenail fungus types have specific characteristics, the symptoms are similar in all cases. The main manifestations of infection are severe itching, burning, and peeling of the skin at the lesion. As the infection progresses, cracks and bubbles will appear between the fingers, forming open lesions.
The following failure stages can be distinguished:
- White or yellow spots (sometimes streaks) appear on the nail plate, the steel plate is thickened and itchy;
- The color of the board thickens and becomes dull, an unpleasant smell appears, and the surrounding skin becomes red, inflamed and swollen.
- Damaged nails, sores in the surrounding area, uncomfortable walking.
The affected nail may begin to grow inside the mat. Pus often appears at the corners of the nails. If this disease is ignored, the nails will fall off completely.
The color changes vary depending on the type of pathogen:
- Skin plant-light yellow or white stripes, and eventually become uniform color;
- Yeast type-light brown, flat plate with wavy structure;
- Mold type-black or green nails.
When a fungal infection occurs, the top layer becomes rough and harmful microorganisms immediately move to other parts of the body. They penetrate deep inside and infect the rest of the skin and feet. The pathological form becomes chronic. Other people are more susceptible to infection.
Thumb Fungus Treatment
How to cure fungus on the big toe, only a doctor can know. In the hospital, the nature of the disease, the degree of infection, and the specific characteristics of the patient's body are determined. Based on the data obtained, experts can formulate a set of treatment measures. When formulating a treatment plan, please consider the following factors:
- Affected area;
- Infection penetration depth;
- The duration of the disease; The fungus's
- character.
The treatment process may include:
- Varnishes and solutions. Antifungal agent. Suitable for the initial stage of infection. The composition is used to cover the affected area and temporarily forget it. The drug is used 3-5 times a week. Then take a break and apply the same remedy again. The total duration of treatment ranges from 6 to 12 months.
- Ointments, gels, sprays and creams. Anti-fungal purpose. They are suitable for the affected area and can be used at any stage of infection.
- Internal medicine. Antifungal drugs and tablets are prescribed at a later stage of pathological development. They have many contraindications and side effects. Must be appointed by a doctor.
- Immunostimulants and vitamins. Recommended as an adjuvant to external and internal antifungal drugs. These include supplements and preparations containing magnesium and iron, B-vitamins, folic acid, and zinc and selenium. They stimulate the body's protective functions. Useful in all stages of thumb nail fungus.
- Laser. Used for ingrown toenails. It cannot completely eliminate the fungus, but it can prevent ingrown.
Fungal medicine is designed to completely eliminate the infection. They destroy harmful microorganisms and prevent their rapid spread. Generally, they have a cumulative effect and speed up the treatment process. When used correctly, it can prevent recurrence.
The fungal infection can be completely cured within 2-4 months. Sometimes, treatment takes more than six months.
If the damage to the nail tissue is severe, the nail may be removed. Use special aggressive compounds or surgical intervention for removal. This is the most reliable method that can completely eliminate pathology.
The process has no side effects. The algorithm can be described as follows: Treat fingers with damaged nails with preservatives. After that, the doctor applies a tourniquet and injects anesthetic.
After removing the nail plate with various surgical instruments, remove the dead tissue from the nail bed, and treat the site with an iodine solution. Finally, apply the antibacterial compress to the finger.
During the carefully selected treatment process, the manifestations of the disease should weaken, the skin should get rid of the lesions, and the nail plate should restore its natural and healthy appearance. However, only with the help of laboratory tests can we reliably understand the distribution of parasites. They were performed 14 days and one month after the course of treatment.
The traditional method of treating fungi
Regardless of the type of toenail fungus, traditional folk remedies are not recommended for treatment. In most cases, it is ineffective, has little effect, or exacerbates the situation. Especially if the treatment is only done through independent efforts.
However, there are many ways to reduce the progression of the disease. The most common tools are:
- Tea tree oil. Proven preservative. Partially eliminates harmful bacteria and has anti-fungal effect.
- Potato soup. Prepared from peeling potatoes. Foot bath with the composition for 20 minutes. The process is daily.
- Lemon. Cut the citrus into thin slices and spread on the contaminated surface. It can be fixed with a cellophane bag and a sterile bandage. Course time-8-10 days.
- A mixture of water and acid. Mix 70% acetic acid and purified water in the same ratio. The composition is kneaded into a dough and applied to the infected area for 10-20 minutes. The course duration is 3-5 days. Help remove affected nails.
- Salt bath. Take 20 grams of sea salt per liter of hot water. Mix there and lower your legs. Do it every day for 14 days.
- Aspen broth. Take 100 grams of poplar bark, grind, pour half a liter of water and boil. In the composition, steam the affected leg. In order to enhance the effect, the skin can be pre-coated with a mixture of baking soda and ordinary laundry soap without adding additives. The procedure is daily.
Need to pay special attention to:Women are not allowed to wash their feet. High water temperature can cause blood to flow to the pelvic organs. This may lead to premature birth. It is best to use propolis or tea tree oil.
Traditional methods can produce results in the early stages of the disease. In this case, the fungus can be eliminated by topical treatment with a simple natural preservative.
For example, herbal tea, bright green, iodine or hydrogen peroxide. If onychomycosis persists for a long time, the patient needs a comprehensive treatment of system-wide and locally acting drugs. Unknowingly, many patients only resort to external antifungal drugs, limiting themselves to folk recipes, gels and ointments. However, in most cases, this path is invalid.
Preventive measures
Fungus prevention measures are divided into two types-primary and secondary.
The first task is to prevent infections in healthy individuals. The suggestions are as follows:
- Observe personal hygiene practices. Especially when choosing shoes and pedicure tools.
- Don't wear other people's clothes. Shoes and socks should belong to you only.
- Avoid walking barefoot in public places (such as bathhouses or beaches).
- Avoid damaging the nails and the area around the plate.
- Treat your hands with antiseptic. Especially if the skin is damaged.
- If you suspect a fungal infection, go to the hospital immediately.
Secondary prevention measures are designed to prevent the recurrence of the disease. In order to avoid a second infection with nail fungus, you should follow these suggestions:
- Strictly follow the medical instructions;
- limits the time spent in the water;
- Do not go to public places such as the beach or sauna;
- Disinfect personal manicure tools;
- Discard shoes and socks that come in contact with the body contaminated by fungus;
- Use special compounds to disinfect footwear.
In addition, you should monitor the correctness of your diet, avoid prolonged stress, and try not to neglect physical exercise.
Therefore, it is not difficult to obtain fungi and cause diseases. But treatment may take a lot of time, energy and materials. During the first symptoms of failure, you should not delay seeing a doctor. Early treatment is easier and faster. If the disease starts, the nails must be removed.