Toenail fungus: detecting and treating them correctly

2 April 2024

Fungal diseases are the most common ailments on earth. We suggest considering how to treat toenail fungus, what professional preparations (tablets, ointments, creams, varnishes, other medications) and folk remedies are used for this.

Onychomycosis (also known as "dermatophytic onychomycosis" or "shingles") is the most common nail infection, with one in ten people worldwide suffering from the disease. Despite the fact that the disease must be treated at home, it is very difficult to influence this infection from the outside and it is usually accompanied by relapses and inflammation.

Nail fungus: what is it?

In medical terminology, nail fungus is called onychomycosis. The nail plate becomes infected upon contact with the spores, then the rapid growth of fungal bodies begins, affecting the nail in depth and breadth.

This pathological condition is most often observed in elderly people. The appearance of the disease is influenced by the following factors:

excessive body weight;
Diseases of the digestive system;
weakening of the immune system;
impaired function of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands;
inadequate hygiene.

Experts identify several stages and forms of fungal infection.

Types and causes of toenail diseases.

Nail plate diseases can be divided into three types:

fungus;
non-fungal;
other diseases.

Non-fungal diseases

These are the causes of diseases not associated with fungal infection:

illiterate care of the nail plate;
injury;
unbalanced diet;
presence of infection in the body;
of smoking;
hereditary predisposition;
the presence of dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, eczema;
acute and chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, nervous system, endocrine diseases.

fungal diseases

Fungal problems occur due to infection by various types of fungi. This pathogen is very dangerous due to its rapid and easy spread. This disease must be treated. The fungus most often affects the nail plates of the lower extremities, since the feet are the most favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

There are factors that contribute to the appearance and development of the disease:

increased sweating of the feet;
poor quality shoes: stuffy and airtight, poor durability;
wearing clothing made of synthetic materials;
abandonment of personal hygiene;
Visit public places without individual footwear, for example baths, swimming pools, saunas, public showers.

To recognize the onset of the disease, it is necessary to know what a healthy nail plate should look like:

pink flesh color;
the surface is smooth, without roughness;
It has a homogeneous structure, without compaction or thinning;
The nails are intact at their ends and do not separate.

If your nails do not meet at least one point, you should consult a doctor.

mushroom shapes

The symptoms of the disease depend on the form of the fungus:

Atrophic. A gray tint appears on the nail and the plate becomes pale and dull. The nail begins to atrophy from the outer ends.
Hypertrophic. As a result of the active growth of skin scales, the nail plate thickens by more than 2 millimeters. Nail deformation depends on the severity of the pathology. Shade: gray or dark yellow. One of the signs of this type of fungus is considered to be similar to a bird's claw.
Normotrophic. The color of the nail with this type of fungus changes, but the shine and thickness remain the same. In the early stages, spots ranging from white to yellow appear. If the disease is not treated, they increase in size. In this case, the plate does not adhere to the nail bed.
Proximal. This fungus spreads to the skin fold. Possible pain in the cuticle area.
Total. This infection develops if treatment for other types of fungus is ignored. Accompanied by loss of color and shine, crumbling and fragility. The result is complete destruction of the nail plate.
Superficial white fungus. It is characterized by the formation of white spots and stripes that extend throughout the nail.
Distal. The lesion is accompanied by dullness, loss of color and changes in the thickness of the nail plate. After the affected area dies, the nail becomes deformed and crumbles.
Side. There is swelling of the skin ridges, redness and thickening. It is characterized by pain in the area near the nail. When a bacterial infection occurs, a purulent process begins.

Depending on the severity of the pathology, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

practical advice

Preventing fungus on thumbs and feet is a very important task. Immediately after getting rid of misfortune, you will find yourself in a high-risk zone, because. . . The body will be very susceptible to this type of infection for a long time.

Drug treatment does not always give results, antibiotics kill the immune system, the body becomes more susceptible to fungi and spores, try to minimize the use of such drugs;
Any burns and frostbite need immediate treatment; otherwise the bacteria will be reduced very quickly;
Effective treatment is only half the battle, because it will be necessary to disinfect absolutely all surfaces with which it has come into contact: bedding, floors, clothing, shoes, etc. ;
Traditional treatment is good, but it does not guarantee that there will be no relapses. It is advisable to visit a doctor before starting this fight, who will carry out an analysis and tell you exactly what form of fungus you have and how to combat it;
Do not treat yourself with medications;
Do not try to hide damaged nails with colored varnish; This will damage them even more and slow down regeneration;
The doctor advises doing foot baths with mint and chamomile regularly, this will significantly reduce the likelihood of getting an infection;
A person who has already suffered from fungal diseases cannot be a blood donor;
The fungus is very contagious, so also consult your loved ones and take them to the doctor.

Typical clinical picture.

Clinical manifestations of fungal nail infections include:

burning and itching sensation on the skin near the affected area;
nail fragility;
swelling of the affected area;
active plaque detachment;
color changes (black, yellow, gray, green, brown tint indicates a pathological process);
painful sensation in the place where the fungus is located;
nail deformation.

If treatment is ignored or inadequate therapy is observed, plaque keratinization and increased compaction are observed.Only a qualified specialist can diagnose a fungal infection.

Places at risk of infection

Infection can occur in a warm, moist place where the fungus grows rapidly. Therefore, it is advisable to be careful and respect hygiene rules in a public environment:

sauna;
bath cabin;
bathroom;
gym;
solarium;
public clothing;
beach;
pool.

You can get nail fungus by trying on someone else's shoes. Also, infection can occur in a beauty salon during a pedicure procedure if non-sterile instruments are used or if the master has fungus on his hands and performs manipulations without gloves.

Alternative remedies to combat nail fungus

There are a large number of alternative methods to combat fungal infections. In folk medicine, popular and effective procedures that help eliminate fungus are:

compress;
foot bath;
lotions;
apply ointments from herbal products.

Effective alternative antifungal therapies are:

Garlic ointment. To prepare it, mix butter with grated garlic. Apply for several hours on affected nails.
Bath with sea salt. Prepare a warm solution and keep your feet in it for thirty minutes. After the procedure, it is recommended to apply olive oil to your nails.
Foot bath with decoction of calendula, celandine, horsetail or milkweed.
Mint and salt compress. A tablespoon of salt is mixed with the crushed plant and applied to the problem area for several hours.
Propolis lotion. A cotton pad is moistened in the dye and applied to the affected nail.
Lubricate the diseased nail plate with celandine juice.
Egg and honey mixture. Honey, birch tar and sulfur are added to the egg white. Mix well and apply to nails.
Ammonia compress. A tablespoon of ammonia is diluted in a glass of water. The material intended for the procedure is soaked in the liquid.
Apricot resin. An alcohol tincture is prepared from tree resin using the ingredients in equal parts. With this remedy, make a compress.
Coffee bath. They make strong coffee and pour it into a basin. It is recommended to soak your feet in this product for twenty minutes.
Tar compress. For this procedure, take birch tar.
Bath based on Listerine, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
Hydrogen peroxide compress. Before use, it is recommended to do a foot bath with soda.
Apply onion pulp on the sore nail.

An effective folk remedy for fungal infections is a remedy made with baking soda and apple cider vinegar. To prepare it you need the following ingredients:

apple cider vinegar – 250 ml;
baking soda – 150 g;
water (hot) – 3 l.

Foot baths are made with this medicine. The peculiarity of this procedure is that the feet are first placed in a vinegar solution for twenty minutes. Then after a while they bathe with soda. It is recommended to perform the procedure several times a day.

Compresses can also be prepared with the following ingredients:
chopped horseradish (root);
sunflower oil and vinegar (product ratio 1: 1);
tea mushrooms;
tangerine juice;
tea tree oil;
rowan puree.

It is recommended to apply these products to the affected area at night. Herbalists recommend putting crushed medicinal herbs in socks for foot fungus:

mint;
chamomile;
nettle;
sage.

The first signs of the disease can be overcome by soaking the feet in a laundry soap solution. It is important to remember that alternative medicines should only be used with well-washed feet. Dead layers must be removed each time with a nail file or scissors.

Other diseases

This section includes diseases that can be signs of fungal or non-fungal pathology, but in this case they are independent.

Hypertrophy

Most often, hypertrophy is inherited.

This disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

the nail thickens;
it lengthens up to several centimeters;
very long legs begin to bend, resembling the claws of a bird;
the color of the nail changes from yellow to dirty yellow;
rarely, in this condition, the nail grows into the skin located on the sides;
If the ingrowth is not treated, the inflammatory process begins.

To combat the disease, vitamins and physiotherapy are prescribed.If there is inflammation, rinse with peroxide and chlorhexidine.

Traditional medicine suggests using olive oil massages. In case of significant deformation, which greatly spoils the appearance of a person, cosmetic correction is resorted to.

Atrophy

Toenail diseases, in which the nails are subject to atrophy, are usually congenital in nature.

Already in a newborn baby you can see symptoms:

deformation of the nail plates on one or several fingers, they are smaller, fragile, distorted in shape;
the color of the nails is whitish, cloudy;
the surface has defects: roughness, microcracks;
absence of nails on one or more fingers;
the presence of webbing between the fingers;
deformation of the fingers;
low hair growth rate and they also grow sparsely.

These congenital pathologies are difficult to treat. It is recommended to take vitamins, ingest substances rich in collagen and eat a balanced diet. Patients should take care of their nails and avoid injuries and contact with aggressive substances.

peel nails

The most common problem that people face.

Here are the reasons for its appearance:

improper manicure, use of low-quality decorative cosmetics;
This problem is faced by half of women who regularly carry out the shellac procedure;
lack of vitamins;
endocrine disorders, in particular decreased thyroid function;
chronic diseases that exhaust the body;
synthetic clothing and inappropriate shoes.

This problem can be eliminated by a set of measures:

Cosmetic productsSpecialized creams and oils for nails.
Paraffin therapyyou should buy paraffin and melt it until it is liquid, but not hot. First you have to wash and dry your feet well. Dip your fingers into the paraffin, then let it harden and then dip it again. The sequence should be repeated several times until 3 to 5 layers of paraffin remain on the nails. Next, you need to wrap it in plastic and put warm socks on top. Keep this compress for 30 minutes. Afterwards, the paraffin must be carefully removed and a rich cream applied to the nails.

Traditional medicine recommends massages with sea salt. It should be dissolved in a proportion of 2 teaspoons per 200 ml of warm water. The feet should be kept in the liquid for at least 15 minutes. Then you should massage the skin around the nails. Afterwards, you can apply olive oil or other unrefined vegetable oil.

Pterygium

This word refers to the thin film found on the nail in the crescent area. It is the lower layer of the cuticle. It performs physiological protective functions and is not a pathology.

It has different lengths and thicknesses for different people. When performing a professional manicure, pterygium begins to create problems. It especially interferes with coatings that harden under an ultraviolet lamp.

If a woman decides to remove it, she must do it correctly so as not todamage the cuticle and avoid introducing dirt into the delicate layers of the epidermis:

soften the pterygium in water;
remove excess carefully with an apricot sprig;
Treat the area with an antiseptic: chlorexidine or miramistin.

In order for the pterygium to always remain soft and easy to remove, every night before going to bed, it is necessary to treat the nail plate and cuticle with a special oil from pharmacies and cosmetic stores.

Untreated nail diseases can have serious consequences. Complications include suppuration, abscess, panaritium and malignant formations on the legs. If you have any change in the appearance of your nails, you should consult a dermatologist.

General treatment regimen

Successful therapy will require several months of complex treatment. This includes medications for local and systemic use, diet and strengthening the immune system. Treatment of fungal diseases of the toenails is carried out by the following methods:

systemic antifungal medications;
a course of physiotherapy that improves blood flow in the feet and hands;
affected areas are treated with local anti-infective agents (varnishes, ointments, antifungal gels) and the surrounding skin is covered for prevention;
removal of affected tissues conservatively or surgically if severe thickening or total damage is confirmed;
the use of medications that improve blood flow to the hands and peripheral tissues of the legs.

Taking systemic antifungals.

For reliable and effective treatment of fungal diseases, it is necessary to use systemic antifungal drugs. Its action aims to destroy the pathogen. Fungal spores can remain in the incubation period in the growth zone for a long time, while remaining viable, so it is very important to ensure their destruction.

Fungal diseases: symptoms and treatment
Toenail fungus: effective treatments
Fungus under the nails: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention methods.

As the plaque grows, the spores rise and enter the active phase, continuing to cause the pathological process. For this reason, treatment with systemic antifungal drugs is carried out for a long time so that a new, healthy nail plate can fully grow. This will indicate that the germinal zone is free of spores.

Local treatment

This is another component of a complex treatment that is carried out while taking systemic medications and does not replace it. Local therapy alone will not help achieve a complete recovery, so there is no way to avoid the need to take antifungal medications in the form of tablets, solutions or capsules. This is due to the ability of spores to remain viable for a long time in destroyed tissues. Topical medications cannot penetrate these areas.

Treatment of onychomycosis with this method aims to treat the nail bed or nail with products that come in the form of lotion, varnish, cream, ointment or spray. Recommended at this stage.

Nail plate removal

There are two options for this procedure: conservative and surgical. The first method is carried out using keratolytic patches that can soften the tissue. After using these products, it is possible to easily and painlessly remove the affected area with a soft scalpel or ordinary scissors. For conservative removal, patch options are currently used.

These products can be purchased at a pharmacy or ordered in the prescription department. Before using the composition against a fungal disease, apply an ordinary adhesive plaster to healthy areas of the skin near the affected areas to protect against the action of the keratolytic. Then apply a 2mm layer of the mixture and secure it with a simple band-aid for 2-3 days. Then remove it, remove the remaining product and scrape away the softened tissue with a scalpel. The procedure is repeated until the entire nail surface is removed and only the bare nail bed remains.

The surgical method is considered more effective than the conservative one, because it not only eliminates the affected areas, but also allows the bed to be cleaned of keratinized scales, where fungal spores can continue to live and cause a relapse of the disease. Clinical studies confirm that with surgical removal the effectiveness of the treatment is significantly greater; The procedure is carried out as follows:

Apply a tourniquet to the base of the finger.
Treat the surface with an antiseptic (any).
A local anesthetic is injected into the lateral surfaces of the finger.
Tweezers are inserted under the free edge from the left or right corner.
Advance the instrument to the base.
The plate is separated by an eversion movement.
The bed is cleaned of accumulations of horny plaques.
The nail bed is irrigated with an antibiotic powder absorbent.
A sterile bandage is applied on top.

Footwear processing

The issue of disinfecting shoes during the treatment of onychomycosis is very important because they contain fungal pathogens that in the future will cause a relapse of the disease. To eliminate them it is necessary to use chemical disinfectants. This cleaning procedure should be done at least once a week. Disinfection can be carried out using the following compositions:

25% formalin solution.
1% chlorhexidine bigluconate solution.
Acetic acid 40%, etc.

As a preventive measure, it is worth periodically using special devices designed for drying shoes at home. Fungus thrives in humid environments, so you should not leave your shoes wet.

To eliminate the disease, it is necessary to strictly follow all the doctor's instructions. Medications should be used exactly as directed. Home remedies can help speed up the treatment process of onychomycosis, but only if they are used as an adjuvant solution in combination with traditional drug treatment.

Possible complications

Pessimists who do not believe that onychomycosis is curable should note that, fortunately, they are wrong. However, if the disease is ignored or self-medicated without being sure of the correct diagnosis, problems can arise.

Possible complications include:

the appearance of fungal eczema with a large surface area affected by the fungus;
burns caused by improper use of keratolytic plaster;
dysfunction of the liver and gastrointestinal organs, caused by the accumulation of toxins in the body;
the development of an allergic reaction, which also occurs due to the fact that the body is "overloaded" with substances harmful to it;
Psychological problems caused by the fact that a person cannot live a normal life; for example, without hesitation, visit a bathhouse, go to the beach.

In this material you can find information about the manifestations and treatment, classification and photographs of the symptoms of Coxsackie virus in children.

Causes and symptoms, treatment methods and photos of anthrax - all this is in the following article.

laser treatment

This is an additional physiotherapy technique that aims to improve blood circulation. The procedure is carried out as part of complex therapy along with the use of antifungal drugs. Using a laser alone will not help cure the disease, because it only improves blood flow in the tissues. This is necessary for effective delivery of the antifungal agent to hard-to-reach cells. If you do not take systemic medications, laser therapy will not produce any therapeutic results.

Disinfection and personal hygiene.

When you notice that the nail has changed color and suspect the initial form of the fungus, comparing the symptoms with the photo, it is necessary to resort to complex treatment. To effectively get rid of fungus, you need:

thoroughly disinfect socks and shoes every day;
boil bedding and towels;
Clean the bathtub well after bathing.

All items of clothing that came into contact with the affected nails during the day should be boiled in a soapy solution at night. It is better to use soap for washing. Shoes should be cleaned daily with an antiseptic or special antifungal solution.

The disease of onychomycosis of the nails is often observed within the same family due to constant contact with the causative agent of a fungal infection, as well as general hygiene products. If a person scratches the affected areas and then touches household objects with his hands, fungal spores and pathogens spread to things at this time and the risk of infection increases.