Fungal disease can affect various tissues in the body, including internal organs. If the disease has affected the nail, it is called onychomycosis. Its appearance is caused by fungal microorganisms.
They are subdivided into different genera: candida, moldy fungi, dermatophytes. Parasites literally feed on the nail plate, which leads to its early destruction. The fungal infection itself does not go away. This is possible only with the most powerful work of the immune system and the first stage of the disease, when the symptoms are not visible. If signs of illness appear, you can be sure that they will not go away without therapy.
Reasons for the appearance
Fungal microorganisms belong to the class of irritants. They are extremely tenacious. They quickly penetrate tissues, adapt to various conditions. This is due to the complexity of treating the disease. If you use the same drug for a long time, the parasites may stop responding to it.
The only reason for the appearance of the disease is the entry of fungus into the nail plate. However, there are factors that favor its early introduction inside and its subsequent reproduction. Microorganisms are more likely to enter tissues if they have corns. Even dry skin can lead to micro-cracks, through which fungi can easily penetrate. The microorganism "loves" humid conditions and therefore actively spreads in people who prefer tight shoes made of poor materials that do not allow air to pass through.
Often, toenail fungus on the big toe occurs against the background of various pathologies:
- Endocrine diseases;
- Psoriasis;
- Varicose veins;
- Vascular ailments;
- HIV and AIDS;
- Problems with metabolic processes;
- Eczema;
- Dermatitis;
- Skin infectious processes.
Fungal microorganisms can enter plaque in the following ways:
- Contact with a carrier of infection;
- Visit public baths, saunas, showers;
- Putting on other people's shoes (for example, at a party);
- Living with a person with mycosis;
- Try on shoes;
- Using pedicure tools that have not been disinfected;
- Visit beauty salons.
The factors that cause the appearance of mycosis are also:
- Lack of proper personal hygiene;
- Preference for synthetic articles;
- Wear tight shoes that do not allow the skin to "breathe";
- Excessive obesity;
- Frequent consumption of alcohol;
- Advanced age.
The disease will have more striking manifestations if a person has circulatory disorders in the area of the feet. Also, a change in acid balance observed when taking antibiotics can lead to pathological processes.
Stages of the disease
The surface under the nails is very favorable for the growth of fungal microorganisms. It contains many nutrients that parasites feed on. Little by little, due to the effects of bacteria, the destruction of the nail plate occurs. Gaps begin to form, in which the mycelium of the fungus multiplies. There are the following stages of the disease:
- Initial.It refers to the type of normotrophic damage. The main damage affects the center or edge of the plate. Spots and stripes appear, gradually beginning to grow;
- Average.Represents hypertrophic changes. This stage is characterized by thickening of the nail, a change in its structure, direction of growth. The pathological processes gradually spread throughout the plaque;
- Stage of dystrophy.To the listed processes, inflammation is added in the area of the nail fold. Pus discharge is possible. The lesion reaches the nearby skin. Additional bacterial infections accelerate the destruction of the nail. It begins to crumble, it can peel off the nail bed.
At first, the symptoms are insignificant, and therefore people often take the disease lightly. However, it is progressing rapidly. Very soon, the spots that have emerged will start to grow. The disease can be transmitted from the thumb to other people.
If only the thumbnail is affected, it is usually mild to moderate. Therapy should be done immediately.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary greatly depending on the stage of the disease. At first, the signs of a threat are almost impossible to notice. With the development of the disease, the following symptoms can be observed:
- Mild itching;
- Redness in the thumb area;
- Sensation of burning.
But the pathological process does not stop. Its growth can be judged by the following characteristics:
- Brittle plaque, loss of natural shine;
- Acquisition of a yellow, blue or green tint (depending on the type of fungal microorganisms that affected the nail);
- Pronounced spots and stripes appear;
- The nail grows with its corners on the roller, which is evidence of the deformation of its growth.
In advanced stages, the following symptoms are likely to appear:
- Pain syndrome when walking;
- The appearance of swelling of the finger, its significant redness;
- Discharge of pus below the edges.
The signs of large toenail fungus can vary depending on the type of fungus that is causing the infection. For example, if it is moldy fungi, the disease will be very pronounced. The nail can literally turn black. There is swelling, the appearance of silver scales, yellow edges. The plaque begins to move away from the bed, causing great discomfort. However, in 95% of cases, the cause of the infection is dermatophytes. They are characterized by a relatively moderate course of the disease.
The disease affects not only the nail, but the entire body. This is due to the fact that toxins enter the lymphatic channels. This causes the following changes:
- Allergic reactions, appearance of skin rashes;
- Gastrointestinal disorders;
- Signs of intoxication.
If nothing is done with the advanced stage of mycosis, the lesion can spread to internal organs. This is extremely dangerous.
How is the treatment carried out?
How to cure toenail fungus? Pathogenic microorganisms are distinguished by enviable resistance to various influences. They quickly take root inside and begin to actively multiply. Therefore, it is desirable to carry out a complete antifungal therapy. Includes:
- Using local funds. It can be ointments, drops, medicinal varnishes, solutions. They are necessary to defeat the disease on a superficial level. Local remedies include varnish, serum;
- Systemic drugs. They are used for major injuries to the nail plate. The tablets are used daily. Pulse therapy is effective. It consists of taking short-term medications with a long pause of them. Then the course is repeated. It should be noted that the pills cannot be taken in all cases. Do not use them in the initial stage of the disease. These funds are quite powerful, and therefore have contraindications: pregnancy, childhood, kidney failure, intolerance of components.
The disease is often accompanied by bacterial complications. You can also be safe from them. Antifungal varnish is perfect for this purpose. Creates a film on the surface of the plate through which bacteria cannot penetrate.
In addition, it is necessary to stimulate the body's defensive objectives, which will be aimed at fighting infections. For this, vitamin complexes, immunomodulatory drugs are used.
Most medications have a cumulative effect. It is not enough to take them once and forget about therapy. Full course required.
It doesn't end even if all the symptoms are gone. The active substances accumulate in the integument and continue to act even after the end of taking the drug.
Another additional procedure is nail extraction. Relevant for strong pathological processes. Removal can be done with special products containing urea. If the plate is rigid, several procedures will be required to remove it completely. Extraction is not to be feared as it is painless. After removal, you need to treat the surface with antiseptics. Removal is convenient because after it local remedies can be applied directly to the nail bed. This greatly improves your efficiency.
Traditional methods
Home remedies cannot replace medications. But they are suitable for additional help. The following components help the fungus:
- Iodine.The affected area should be lubricated with iodine twice a day. If there is a burning sensation, you need to remove all the excess and reduce the dose;
- Lemon.A lemon slice is applied to the affected area, after which it is fixed with a bandage. Cellophane is put on top;
- Hydrogen peroxide.A cotton pad is moistened in hydrogen peroxide, after which it is fixed on the nail for 30 minutes. Areas that soften can be removed.
After all these procedures, treatment with topical antimicrobial agents is desirable.
Precautionary measures
It is important to observe preventive measures not only for a person who does not want to become infected with mycosis. They are essential for people who have just got rid of the disease. Prevention consists of the following rules:
- Compliance with personal hygiene;
- Daily foot bath;
- Lubrication of feet with moisturizers, pedicures;
- Use of personal slippers;
- Nail treatment with prophylactic agents before visiting bathrooms, showers. You can replace the special product with lemon juice.
Prevention measures for people who have recently had mycoses are even more stringent:
- Use a local remedy for fungus once a week;
- Regular use of hot foot baths with the addition of sea salt;
- Treatment of shoes with antifungal compounds;
- Boiling socks, in which there is a complete destruction of microorganisms;
- You must continue taking vitamins;
- The bathroom surface is disinfected. It is advisable to also treat all other surfaces in the house.
Prevention with a high degree of probability protects against mycosis. You only need to monitor the state of your feet. If unclear signs reappear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication is not recommended as mycosis is easily mistaken for other problems. In this case, the wrong treatment will be chosen and the disease will continue to progress. All of this is fraught with big problems in the future. The receipt of systemic funds, without fail, is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.