Hello dear readers. Nail fungus is one of the most common forms of fungal damage in the body. The disease is quite unpleasant and it is not easy to recover from it. The disease cannot be started, because this is not a cosmetic problem, but a serious pathology. But not everyone knows which approach will be correct. It should be noted right away that self-medication is not the best option in this situation. But information about what the disease is and how to quickly get rid of nail fungus will not be superfluous to anyone.
What Causes Fungal Nail Infection?
Nail fungus, or as it is called in medicine, onychomycosis, is a disease that causes damage to the nail plates and adjacent areas by parasitic fungal microorganisms. This is one of the subspecies of mycosis. If we consider all the diseases to which only the feet can be subject, then onychomycosis is the most common.
You can contract the infection in public places where humidity is excessive. This includes baths, steam rooms, swimming pools, beaches.
Wooden objects (benches, deck chairs, etc. ) are widely used here. Due to the porosity of the wood, the fungus is difficult to kill there.
In addition, doctors distinguish several risk groups. For people who belong to one of them, the probability of infection increases dramatically.
- cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy;
- after a course of treatment with antibiotics or steroids;
It is not always possible to get rid of the disease quickly. The cure rate depends on the variety of the parasite that caused it, the stage of development of the disease, the area of the lesion, the presence of complications and concomitant ailments, and the general condition of the body.
Symptoms of onychomycosis
Nail damage from a parasitic fungus cannot go unnoticed. Symptomatic changes in the nail plates are quite pronounced and boil down to the following.
- Loss of natural shine, transparency.
- The color is changing. It can be yellowish, brownish, whitish, bluish, greenish, grayish.
- Surface roughness appears.
- Stripes, spots and thickenings are clearly distinguished.
- Stratification is observed.
- There is exfoliation of the nail bed.
- The different areas are painted and crumbling.
- The surrounding tissues may become red, swollen, and itchy.
- There are sensations of pain.
- The feet exude an unpleasant odor.
Despite all this, self-diagnosis can be difficult. At the beginning of development, the signs of onychomycosis are similar to the symptoms of some other injuries - trauma to the nail area.
How to quickly get rid of toenail fungus with home remedies and medicines
You need to be realistic and understand that fungal infection of the nails and nail areas is not treated within a week. According to doctors, the healing period can last from 6-8 weeks to six months, and sometimes 8-12 months.
It depends on many factors, as well as the growth activity of the nails. On the hands, this process is much faster than on the legs, and therefore healing here comes earlier.
The best and fastest positive results can be obtained if you follow the recommendations below.
- Use a variety of therapeutic measures in the complex. Do not trust the effectiveness of any miracle remedy. Competently combine pharmacological preparations and recipes of traditional medicine.
- Treatment should be active, but gentle: aggressive agents, often used for therapeutic purposes, should not affect healthy areas of the body located in close proximity to the affected ones.
- Strictly adhere to hygiene requirements so that the fungus does not spread, also to avoid reinfection soon after the cure. And the probability that this is the case is very high.
- Watch for dryness of the affected extremities. Remember that humidity and heat are ideal conditions for the active reproduction of the fungus.
- Eliminate all the causes that provoked the appearance of onychomycosis and eliminate them.
- Every day carefully, but as much as possible, cut the edge of the growing nail affected by the disease. If possible, carry out the laser exposure procedure, which very effectively inhibits the pathological activity of pathogens.
pharmacological agents
Means that act against pathogens are usually divided into three subgroups depending on the active components. Each of them has in his arsenal both external ointments and tablets of general action on the entire body.
It should be borne in mind that the latter have an extensive list of side effects. Therefore, you should not self-prescribe medication. To minimize the risks, you need to undergo an examination, identify which varieties of the fungus caused the disease, and act with "targeted" drugs.
Antifungal drug subgroups
- azole agents. They are based on triazole or imidazole, as well as their derivatives. Depending on the concentration, they exhibit fungistatic or fungicidal effects. They are effective in fighting mold and yeast-like fungi.
- allylamine agents. The active ingredients can be terbinafine, naftifine, butenafine. They are able to stop the growth of the fungus, and also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Other drugs. They act on the basis of flucytosine, morpholine, griseofulvin, chlornitrophenol additives. They are distinguished by a more limited activity directed at certain types of fungal pathogens.
external media
At the beginning of the development of onychomycotic lesions, one should resort only to the help of ointments. Only if they turn out to be ineffective, the administration of antifungal tablets is introduced.
The difference between creams and ointments:
- have a direct effect on injuries;
- have fewer contraindications;
- adverse reactions are limited.
If you catch the disease at the very beginning of development, then it will be possible to cope with it within a month.
The most popular antifungal creams and ointments.
- Zinc ointment. It allows you to relieve inflammation, dry the affected areas, eliminate itching and get an absorbing effect.
- clotrimazole. Broad spectrum substance. Duration of use: from 2 weeks to six months. It also has an antiseptic effect. May cause dry skin, burning, allergic skin manifestations. Contraindicated for pregnant women and lactating mothers, as well as for young children under three years of age.
- Naftifin. Fights inflammation, has an antimicrobial effect. The agent is prone to build up on treated surfaces. Use the ointment no more than twice a day. The tool is not used during pregnancy and lactation.
use of tablets
To provide a systemic effect throughout the body, the doctor prescribes oral tablets. Broad spectrum drugs are prescribed.
- Substances fluconazole, medoflucon. It is enough to take it only once a day. The agent is well tolerated. In rare cases, intestinal disorders and rashes on the body can occur. The course of treatment can be 1-4 weeks.
- Orungal substances, sporanox. It can be used for pulse therapy. The drug is not prescribed for renal failure, pregnancy, hypersensitivity to the action of the drug. May cause allergic reactions, dizziness, hypokalemia, abdominal pain.
All medications for fingernail or toenail fungus should be taken only after consulting a doctor.
How to treat toenail fungus with home remedies at home.
First of all, you need to strictly adhere to all medical recommendations, not to skip taking medication and ending treatment, and not to interrupt the course after the removal of particularly annoying symptoms.
Also, you need:
- regularly use local toilets;
- apply a specialized varnish that blocks the spread of the fungus, and also has a therapeutic effect;
- daily remove the protruding parts of the growing nail, which is affected by the disease;
- use special means to soften the nail plate to remove it;
- steam hands or feet before using external topical agents;
- take measures to prevent infection of households.
special lacquers
Lacquers have a number of advantages. The active ingredients penetrate the affected nails well, but at the same time harden and do not leave marks on clothes, sheets, shoes.
The hardened layer reliably blocks the oxygen supply to pathogens, thus blocking their activity. But varnish products are effective only at the initial stage of onychomycosis.
Before using varnishes, you should resort to using a warm local bath. Soaked plates affected by a fungus are cut to the maximum, treated with a file or other grinding device. the surface dries
Lacquer is also recommended to cover healthy nails. The procedure is repeated every night for an extended period, from several months to six months.
help of a surgeon
Both part and all of the plate can be removed. But this is not a guarantee of complete relief from the disease. The probability of further spread of a fungal infection is very high.
After surgery, the finger heals for a long time. Also, suppuration may develop. A newly grown nail may be deformed. A preferred alternative to such a method is laser therapy.
After surgical removal of the damaged nail formation, special emphasis is placed on drug treatment of the fungus. In some, especially severe cases, the growth zone can be removed, after which the finger will remain "bare": the nail will no longer be able to grow here.
Traditional medicine
Alternative methods are slower than medical, but have fewer side effects. They can be effective only for the treatment of the early stage of the development of the disease.
Later, folk recipes are used exclusively in combination with pharmacological preparations as auxiliary measures.
For the treatment of nail fungus, such remedies are used.
- Garlic. Apply garlic gruel in the form of applications on sore nails. A fixation bandage is placed on top. A nocturnal repetition of the procedure is practiced. You can also use squeezed garlic juice in an equal mixture with alcohol. Nails are treated with the resulting balm twice a day.
- Vinegar. Acetic acid acidifies the environment, which inactivates pathogens. This tool lubricates damaged nails every day. You can use vinegar compresses. To do this, cotton balls are moistened in vinegar and fixed on the desired fingers on the affected area. The compresses hold all night, removing in the morning.
- Peroxide. Like vinegar and other similar products, apply directly to nails or cotton swabs. The peroxide acts as an antiseptic.
- Alcoholic iodine solution. They can cover the nail plates, including healthy ones, 1-2 times a day. Also, an iodine supplement is suitable for any bath. To do this, just add a few drops of the product.
- Propolis tincture. It can be used for lotions, as well as injected into local hand or foot baths. The compresses are left on the nails overnight. You can prepare an ointment, which is a mixture of propolis and butter. The composition is superimposed on gauze and placed on the desired area. The agent is left for 10 hours.
- Remedies to burn vegetables. For the treatment of onychomycosis, onions or horseradish are suitable. They have antimicrobial activity. Herbal products are used in the form of porridge. You can also make a kind of salve by mixing liquid pomace with butter or melted chicken fat.
- essential extracts. These funds have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and regenerative effects. For the preparation of local baths or as part of mixtures for compresses, fir oils and some others can be used.
The essential extract is mixed with petroleum jelly in a 1: 1 ratio. It must be rubbed into damaged nail plates. As always in such cases, the remedy will have a stronger effect if the nails are steamed first.
What is a fungal nail infection?
fungal nail infectionsalso know asdermatophytic onychomycosis. The initial fungus that affects the skin of the feet is a common infection of the skin on the feet, especially between the toes. On the skin of the feet, the original fungus lives in the keratin that forms the outer layer of the skin. When the fungus spreads to the keratin of the nails,fungal nail infection.
What causes fungal infections?
mushroomsthat extends from the foot (known as"dermatophyte fungi"), cause most fungal nail infections. Less commonly, nail infections are caused by other types of fungi, usually yeasts (eg,candid) Ymold.
These fungi usually attack nails that are already damaged, since it is easier for the fungus to enter. Fungal infections of the toenails are very common (1 in 4 people may be affected at any given time), less common is toenail fungus. Both types are more common in older people, people with weakened immune systems, and people with diabetes and poor peripheral circulation. A warm, moist environment helps fungi grow and cause infections. Wearing tight-fitting shoes or using showers, baths, or changing rooms can increase the risk of yeast infections.
Are they hereditary?
Absolutely not. However, in some extremely rare cases, a genetic risk factor exists and other family members may also be susceptible to the infection.
What are the symptoms of fungal nail infections?
Initially, there are usually no symptoms. Later, the nails can thicken and become painful when pressed against the inside of the shoe. So they are difficult to trim. Seeing an infected nail, especially a fingernail, can be embarrassing. An affected nail can ruin socks and stockings, and it can also irritate the surrounding skin. The nearby skin may also have a fungal infection; it may itch, crack, blister, or appear whitish, especially between the toes.
What are fungal nail infections like?
nail fungusit usually starts at its free edge and then extends along the side of the nail to the base of the cuticle. Eventually, the entire nail may be affected. Infected areas turn white or yellowish, thicken, and become scaly. Less commonly, there may be white inclusions on the nail plate. The nails of the big toes and little fingers are the most susceptible to damage from fungal infections. Sometimes, especially in those who do regular wet jobs, such as a housewife or cleaner, the skin around the nail becomes red and swollen. This is called paronychia and can easily allow infection to enter the nail.
How are fungal nail infections diagnosed?
fungal nail infectionsit is usually diagnosed clinically. Your doctor may take a piece of an infected nail and send it to a lab to see if the fungus can be seen under a microscope or grown in culture. Repeat samples may sometimes be required.
Many nail problems can only seemfungal infection, - for example, the changes seen in psoriasis after a bacterial infection or previous injury, but antifungal pills will not help. Proper treatment may depend on knowing which fungus is causing problems; it can take several weeks to get results.
Can fungal nail infections be cured?
Yes. However, to be successfultreatment of fungal nail infectionslong-term treatment is required, which can last up to a year. Nails are easier to handle.fungal nail infectionsThey often come back, especially on the toes.
How can fungal nail infections be treated?
fungal nail infectionsby themselves they do not bother, not all need treatment. Some people with infected toenails don't care about them at all. In this case, they can sometimes be left alone (although the patient should be careful and try not to spread the infection to other parts of the body and to the nails, as well as to other people).
On the other hand, ifinfected nailscause embarrassment or discomfort, they are usually treated. It is important to treat people whose infections can cause serious health problems, such as diabetes or reduced immunity, to prevent potentially serious health problems.
The goal of treatment is to get rid of the fungus: the nail then usually returns to normal. However, if the nail was damaged before it became infected, it will be more difficult to clean and may return to its original state.nail infectionscaused by molds and yeasts can be very resistant to treatment.
Treatment options include:
Treatment applied to the nails (local procedures)
Treatments applied to the nails do not work as well as oral treatments. They are most effective if the infection is found at an early stage. The most commonly used methods are amorolfine-based nail polish, ciclopirox, and tioconazole solution.
They may not be able to clean the deeper parts of the infected nail on their own, but regularly removing the damaged part of the nail with a nail clipper or scraping may help. Medications taken by mouth, used in combination with an antifungal agent, increase the chance of cure. They may need to be used for 4 to 12 months before the effect is noticed.
Forfingernail infectionsshorter course of treatment. The cure rate with local treatments alone is approximately 15-30%. Topical treatment is safe. Redness and irritation may occur.
Before starting to take the pills, the doctor must send the part of the nail to the laboratory to check if the diagnosis of a fungal infection is confirmed.
Substances available for use in treating fungal nail infections include:
- The substance griseofulvin has been used for many years and is the only one of the three medicines licensed for use in children. It is only fully absorbed with fatty foods (such as milk and milk products) and long-term treatments are usually required (6-9 months for fingernails and up to 18 months for toenails). However, only about three quarters of infected fingernails and one third of infected toenails are removed. Frequent relapses are also possible.
- The substances terbinafine and itraconazole have now largely moved away from griseofulvin. They work better and much faster, although only about 50% of nail infections are cured. Terbinafine should be considered as a first-line treatment for dermatophyte fungi (ie, those that affect the feet). It is taken daily for 6 weeks for nail infections and for 12 to 16 weeks for foot infections.
- The substance itraconazole is effective in the treatment of dermatophytes; it is also useful for treating other fungi such as yeast. It is usually taken for periods -for a week each month- because it is absorbed into the cuticle of the nail and continues to act for several weeks. Two weekly cycles given for 21 days are usually sufficient for fingernail infections and three for toenail infections.
- The substance fluconazole may be effective for Candida fungal infections. Currently not licensed for fungal nail infections. It appears to be less effective than itraconazole and terbinafine, but remains an alternative for intolerance to both drugs.
- Other procedures
Laser and photodynamic therapy can be helpful, but are less effective than the topical and systemic treatments mentioned above.
Herbal products are also promoted totreatment of fungal nail infections, but there is no conclusive evidence that it is safe or more effective than standard treatments.
Are there side effects of the treatment?
Oral treatments are more likely to cause side effects than topical treatments.
Terbinafine sometimes causes a potentially very serious allergic reaction, can slightly worsen skin conditions, and sometimes affects the taste buds.
Itraconazole is not indicated for people who are already taking certain medications. Your doctor will inform you about it. Both terbinafine and itraconazole can affect the liver and your doctor may order a blood test to check this before and during treatment.
Although griseofulvin is the only licensed drug for use in children, many dermatologists prefer to use terbinafine because it is much more effective.
How do I know if the treatment is working?
The new nail will grow slowly from its base, and it may take 6 months to a year after treatment ends before the nails look normal again. Foot infections clear up faster and more completely than toenails; the foot can take 18 months to fully recover.
Surgical nail removal.
Surgeons can sometimes remove very thick nails that do not respond to pills alone under local anesthesia, but this is rarely done because the level of success of the treatment does not justify surgery.
Personal care
- Keep nails short, dry and clean. Use one nail clipper for infected nails and the other for normal nails.
- Don't just treat your nails; use an antifungal cream to treat the skin on the foot.
- Avoid cutting your cuticles, either by yourself or by a manicurist, as this increases the risk of nail damage and infection.
For a fungal infection on the toes:
- Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes, no high heels or tight socks.
- Keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks and change them daily, and wear breathable shoes. A regular wash with hot water cleans most contaminated socks, but using an antifungal spray before washing may be more effective. Other garments generally cannot be contaminated.
- Maintain foot hygiene, including treating any infection.
- Please wear clean shower shoes when using a shared shower.
- Take special care with the hygiene of the affected feet.
- Consider seeking the help of a podiatrist if thickened toenails make walking uncomfortable.
Prevention measures
The risk of reinfection with the fungus after getting rid of the disease is very high. Therefore, you must clearly follow simple rules:
- follow foot hygiene;
- get rid of the shoes, towels and socks that were used during the treatment;
- avoid sharing such things with other family members;
- avoid excessive moisture of the feet, use talcum powder;
- treat the inner surfaces of the shoes with antiseptics.
Do not forget, all drugs for nail fungus, take after consulting a doctor.