Fungal skin infections occur in 7-10% of the population of our planet, but only a third of this group of people seek medical help in a timely manner. The rest, ignoring the symptoms, allow the disease to spread over the entire surface of the foot and affect the nail plates. Such carelessness can cost not only health, but in some cases even life, if opportunistic microorganisms penetrate the blood and settle in any of the internal organs. Therefore, as soon as toenail fungus is detected, treatment should begin immediately.
Our skin and nails are constantly attacked by pathogenic microorganisms, and in most cases the immune system can cope with this problem on its own. But, unfortunately, not everyone’s protective function of the body does its job 100%. And, as a result, toenail fungus appears. Symptoms of the disease after infection will not take long to appear, since dermatophytes, spores of yeast-like and mold fungi, actively multiply on the skin of their “victim”. Such a lesion is medically called onychomycosis, or nail fungus.
According to the nature of the course, the disease is divided into three main types: normotrophic, hypertrophic and atrophic (onycholytic). With the first type, only the color of the nail plate changes. Spots and stripes may appear on it, but its thickness and shine remain normal. It is advisable to treat toenail fungus at this stage, while you can get by with folk remedies and antifungal medications for topical use.
The hypertrophic type of foot fungus is more common than others. Its clinical picture is characterized by a change in the color of the nail, as well as its thickening and deformation. In some cases, destruction of the nail plate along the edges is observed. It is very difficult to cure this type of toenail fungus, but it is possible. To do this, you need to consult a doctor who will prescribe an effective course of treatment with medications.
As for the onycholytic form of the disease, it is characterized by complete atrophy of the nail plate. In other words, it is completely affected and rejected from the nail bed. Toenail fungus of this form can be cured only with the help of complex therapy, which includes topical medications, oral medications and traditional medicine.
It is simply impossible not to notice the appearance of the first signs of onychomycosis. Changes in the color of the nail plates, thickening or the appearance of stripes and spots on them are a signal for action. It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible and begin treatment.
Depending on the symptoms, the extent of the lesion, the nature of the pathological changes and the presence of concomitant diseases, the doctor will be able to select adequate therapy. The complex of drugs can be individual for each clinical case and contain antifungal drugs in the form of varnishes, ointments, tablets.
All medications aimed at treating fungi of the nails of the feet and hands are divided into two main groups: drugs of local and systemic (general) action. The first include ointments, gels, and varnishes that are applied directly to the affected areas. In this case, the highest possible concentration of the active substance is achieved in the focal zone. This effect cannot be achieved by taking tablets, and the drug does not enter the bloodstream. This is convenient for people prone to allergic reactions.
However, this treatment for toenail fungus is not effective in all cases. So, for example, if the source of infection is in the nail bed, then the drug cannot affect it. Patients who find themselves in such situations need to soften the nail plate or remove it altogether. Modern pharmacists have created many drugs that avoid surgery.
As for general medications in tablet form, their effect on pathogens is carried out through the blood. By taking a remedy for toenail fungus orally, you can avoid the painful procedure of removing the nail plate, but this method also has its significant disadvantages. Firstly, almost all of these medications have a lot of contraindications, so not every patient can take them. In addition, they have many side effects that can negatively affect the general condition of the patient.
All drugs included in this group of synthetic antimycotics are used to treat various fungal infections of the epidermis and nails. They have a wide spectrum of action and quickly destroy the structures of the fungus, as a result of which the disease recedes. This group includes creams “Nizoral”, “Zalain”, “Mifungar”, ointments “Bifosin” and “Mikozoral”, as well as “Mikospor” solution and “Bifosin” spray. These drugs represent only a small part of the total group of azoles, but they are the ones most often prescribed to patients who suffer from onychomycosis.
It is worth noting that before treating toenail fungus with products from this group, you should definitely consult a doctor. After all, an extremely high concentration of the drug, even on the affected area of the skin or nail, can cause an allergic reaction.
Another group of synthetic antimycotics that are widely used in the treatment of onychomycosis are allylamines. They have increased lipophilicity and, when applied externally, are able to penetrate all layers of the epidermis, creating a concentration there that exceeds the MIC for microorganisms that cause the disease.
In addition, this group of drugs is also available in tablet form. When alliamines are taken orally, complete cure of the disease is achieved in 98% of cases. But without a doctor’s prescription, it is impossible to treat toenail fungus with such drugs, as this can lead to undesirable consequences from the hematopoietic, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. An acute allergic reaction, complicated by swelling of the respiratory tract and other symptoms, may also occur. Therefore, if a person has toenail fungus, treatment should only be selected by a specialist.
The first symptoms of the disease absolutely cannot be ignored. After all, within a couple of days after their manifestation, pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate deep into the epidermis and under the nail plate, and, accordingly, the disease will be more difficult to cure. Therefore, those who do not want to risk their health and value their own time should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
So, treatment of toenail fungi in the early stages can be limited only to topical medications. In such cases, the patient will be prescribed antimycotic solutions and varnishes, such as Mikozan, Cyclopiroxolamine, Batrafen and Lotseril. Despite the fact that improvement can be noticeable within a week after starting to use these drugs, the course of therapy is quite long. For example, until the disease is completely defeated and relapses are prevented, Loceril varnish must be used for 6-12 months.
In the early stages of onychomycosis, doctors recommend using folk remedies in combination with medications. For example, foot baths with soda and herbs soften the skin and promote better penetration of local antimycotic drugs into the layers of the epidermis. However, before treating toenail fungus with such remedies, you should consult a doctor.
If time is lost and the patient does not begin to fight the disease in the early stages, treatment will be quite complex and lengthy. In addition to local medications in the form of solutions, varnishes and sprays, it will be necessary to take antifungal medications orally.
If the nail plate is completely affected and peels off from the nail bed, it is not advisable to talk about using only local drugs. And before treating toenail fungus, the affected plate must be removed. This can be done either surgically or independently at home. The first method is more practical and will not take much time, the second is a little more complicated, but the patient will be able to cope with the task on his own.
So, if the surgical method is unacceptable for some reason, you should purchase the product “Nogtevit” or “Nogtimycin”. Both of these drugs belong to the cosmetic, not medicinal, group, and are an alternative to surgical treatment.
The composition of the Nogtevit product includes stearic acid, tea tree oil, propylene glycol, urea and triethanolamine, which promote the removal of the nail plate and the growth of a new one.
Before using any of the above remedies, you should thoroughly steam your feet in a solution of soda and thick soap. After this, they should be wiped dry and adhesive plaster should be fixed on the finger around the affected nail. Only after this simple procedure can you begin to apply the product. However, it should be remembered that the cream should be applied in a thick layer only to the affected areas of the plate, without rubbing. Then the phalanx of the finger and the treated nail are covered with a plaster, which must be removed after 4 days. Next, the feet are steamed again and the exfoliated nail plate is removed using cosmetic accessories. It is worth noting that this procedure is completely painless, and it should be repeated until the nail is completely scraped off.
But if the patient has atrophic toenail fungus, topical agents will be ineffective. Therefore, for such patients, the doctor prescribes antimycotic drugs in tablet form for oral administration. The most commonly used drugs are Orungal, Flucanazole, and Lamisil.
All these drugs have good fungistatic and fungicidal effects. In other words, these systemic treatment drugs block the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms and completely destroy them. Moreover, practice shows that they are effective against both yeast and mold fungi. Thanks to this, it is possible to achieve excellent clinical effect during outpatient treatment. But it is worth remembering that if a person has toenail fungus, only a doctor should select any type of medication.
Today, there are a lot of folk recipes that are effective in the initial stage of onychomycosis. But with more complex forms of the disease, you should know that herbal infusions or lotions most often only temporarily improve the patient’s condition and blur the overall clinical picture. Meanwhile, pathogens continue to multiply and expand their habitat. Of course, many may disagree with this, since they managed to cure toenail fungus using folk remedies. Reviews from such patients indicate the fact that they were able to completely get rid of the disease, not only at an early stage. However, it is difficult to understand for certain which treatment method is most effective from the comments of patients. Therefore, we will consider several especially popular options.
As soon as symptoms of toenail fungus begin to appear, you need to purchase dry celandine at the pharmacy and begin treatment. For this, 4 tbsp. spoons of crushed dry plant should be poured with 1 liter of boiling water and brought to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for 4-5 minutes. Pour the hot, strained broth into a basin and steam the legs in it. If the disease strikes in late spring or summer, you can lubricate your nails and feet with the fresh juice of this plant.
If you couldn’t get celandine, don’t despair. You can prepare an antimycotic solution from equal parts of alcohol, vinegar and glycerin. You need to apply the prepared medicine twice a day until a healthy nail grows. However, before treating toenail fungus with this remedy, you should cover the phalanx of the finger with an adhesive plaster so that the solution does not get on healthy skin.
In the summer, burdock leaves can be used to treat illness. They should first be washed and wiped dry, and then beaten with a rolling pin. When the juice comes out of the leaves, you need to wrap your fingers in them. This compress should be secured with a bandage. The procedure is repeated twice a day until a healthy nail plate grows.
Nail fungus is easiest to treat at an early stage. When the plate has just changed its color, become less transparent and slightly deformed, onychomycosis can be defeated in a few months.
If the patient has not treated the nail fungus, the initial stage degenerates into an advanced form and the plate becomes covered with brown, green or black spots and stripes, crumbles, delaminates, and completely falls off.
Another reason for the progression of the disease is the ineffectiveness of the antimycotics used. Doctors say that treatment with varnishes and creams requires a regular and long-term approach. But not every patient follows the instructions, skips procedures, and the situation gets worse.
The consequences of advanced onychomycosis can be conjunctivitis, dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, asthmatic bronchitis and other serious pathologies.
At a late stage, onychomycosis is treated locally and systemically, using external agents and taking antifungal tablets orally. You cannot take the tablets on your own due to their high toxicity, extensive lists of contraindications and harmful effects on the liver. Only a doctor should prescribe them.
External antifungal agents should also not be purchased without consultation with a dermatologist. Often the first symptoms of a fungus in a person appear due to the activity of yeast strains, and other types of infection do not manifest themselves for a very long time. As a result, the treatment becomes ineffective, and the patient observes a thickening of the plate, a change in its color and shape.
Therefore, before treating advanced toenail fungus or fingernail fungus, you need to visit a dermatologist, get tested and find out what type of pathogens affected the condition of the plates through their vital activity. To get a good result, it is important to tune in to long-term combination therapy and not deviate from the intended course, because you have to fight the fungus for 6–8 months, and even longer.
An integrated approach to the treatment of onychomycosis is based on several measures:
Laser treatment, ozone therapy, and hardware treatment of the affected nail are carried out at the discretion of the doctor.
Let's look at several effective medications for local treatment of nail fungus and list their prices. We remind you that before applying external products, the plates should be sanded with a disposable nail file.
The preparations are applied to a previously steamed and cleaned plate and wait until they are completely absorbed, if it is a cream or ointment against fungus, or dry (after applying varnish). There is no need to bandage your fingers.
External treatment of advanced nail fungus is supported by systemic antimycotics in tablets and capsules:
Antifungal tablets are often the only truly effective remedy that can cope with the problem of advanced nail fungus. This is explained by deep damage to the nail plates, which are poorly affected by external agents.
In advanced forms, treatment of nail fungus can be carried out with a laser (the price of one procedure is 1000 - 1500 rubles). The laser treats the problem area and achieves the destruction of pathogens in just a few sessions. The patient is prescribed 3–4 procedures with a break of 1 month.
In addition to treating fungus, laser is also used to remove the affected plate. The speed and effectiveness of hardware treatment is much higher than that of medication.
Contraindications to laser treatment of onychomycosis are:
If drug therapy and laser do not help cope with the fungal infection, the patient is offered surgical removal of the nail. After the operation, the person is freed from work for several weeks because the nail bed remains open. If 10–30% of the nail is affected by the fungus, it is partially removed. If the infection covers a large part of the plate, complete removal is required.
At home, fungal nail removal is carried out by cutting out the affected areas with manicure or pedicure instruments. The plate is pre-steamed in a hot bath.
Conservative antimycotic therapy for advanced forms of nail fungus, in consultation with the doctor, is supplemented with treatment with folk remedies. But you shouldn’t count on quick results, since the third stage of onychomycosis is cured in almost a year.
Complex treatment is carried out until a new healthy nail replaces the infected, collapsing plate.
It is very convenient to treat advanced fungus with hydrogen peroxide. What you need to do for this:
Hydrogen peroxide for the treatment of onychomycosis is used in a concentration of 3–5%.
The second option for using hydrogen peroxide for nail fungus involves combining the chemical liquid with apple cider vinegar. To treat nail fungus, both products are mixed in equal parts and a gauze pad is irrigated with the solution. Apply a compress to the affected nail and listen to the hissing sound. As soon as the sound disappears, the hands or feet are rinsed and dried, then a pharmaceutical antifungal agent is applied to the nail.
Fir oil is famous for its antioxidant and antiseptic properties. To treat onychomycosis it is used as follows:
Let us describe how to cure advanced toenail fungus using ordinary vinegar at home. Several ingredients are mixed in a dry glass container:
Before applying a compress with the prepared vinegar mixture, wash your feet with laundry soap. Moisten a piece of cotton wool with the solution and bandage it to the sore nail for 15 minutes. Then the bandage is removed and a new one is made, and again after 15 minutes it is changed. The manipulation is repeated 4 – 5 times.
Treating nail fungus can cause discomfort in your feet, but there is no need to be afraid of them. After about a week, with regular procedures, all the unpleasant symptoms of onychomycosis will disappear. The patient just has to be patient and grow a healthy nail.
For nails, iodine has strengthening and antiseptic properties. It can be used for preventive treatment of healthy nails and treatment of developing fungus. Iodine not only kills bacteria, but also protects the cuticle from irritation and inflammation that occurs after a trimmed manicure.
To treat fungus, iodine is used in its pure form, lubricating the nails at night. Until the morning, the yellowness disappears completely or becomes insignificant.
Treatment of fungus with iodine receives positive reviews, because the product is inexpensive and helps effectively. You can add it to hot water and steam your hand or foot (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water). Sometimes iodine is included in masks.
If healthy nails are naturally yellowish, treatment masks can enhance the yellowness. Iodine also stains cuticles that are too dry more intensely, and they retain a yellowish tint for some time.
For variety, the procedures are alternated with baths prepared from water with iodine, vinegar and sea salt. You can replace unpleasant-smelling vinegar with lemon juice.
To prevent onychomycosis, iodine is recommended to be used by all people who have already suffered from the fungus, as well as family members of an infected person. Athletes, teenagers, pregnant women, the elderly and frequent visitors to public baths, swimming pools, and saunas are at risk for the development of onychomycosis. They can also protect themselves from infection by treating the nail plates with iodine.
The likelihood of contracting onychomycosis increases when a person moves barefoot in public places with high humidity. If a healthy person walks where a person with foot fungus walked, the pathogen will quickly attach itself to a new victim. The fungus penetrates especially quickly into the body with a weakened immune system and in the presence of serious or microscopic injuries on the skin of the feet.
Therefore, to prevent fungus, it is necessary to take foot baths with iodine after each visit to wet places. The water is heated to 60 – 70°C, a little iodine is added and the feet are steamed for 20 minutes. The session is completed by wiping your feet with a dry disposable napkin, then putting on clean cotton socks.
This method of treating nail fungus is not suitable for pregnant and lactating women. All other patients can mix celandine oil with tea tree essential oil in equal proportions and use the mixture to apply a compress.
The nail previously affected by the fungus is steamed, wiped with hydrogen peroxide and the damaged part of the plate and adjacent skin are cut off as much as possible. The compress is applied at night for 3 weeks.
Nail fungus is a disease that significantly worsens the appearance and creates a lot of discomfort. This is one of the most common ailments affecting human nails and skin. If you have toenail fungus, an experienced mycologist will tell you how to treat it.
It is simply not possible to ignore a fungal disease, so at the first symptoms you need to contact a medical facility. A dermatologist will tell you how to treat the disease and will carefully supervise this process. Self-treatment is recommended only if you have experience. In any case, only bacteriological culture from the site of infection will allow you to prescribe the most effective treatment.
Drugs are prescribed upon the arrival of culture results, which provide an accurate diagnosis. The doctor prescribes tablets or targeted treatments on the affected area. Often traditional treatment can be combined with folk recipes.
In situations where the fungus covers more than half of the nail, surgical intervention is almost always necessary. In the old days, the plate was completely removed; now there are methods of mechanical cleaning with a milling cutter, as a result of which the required thickness of the plate is ground off.
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Most other ointments include synthesized acids, which, together with the fungus, can damage healthy tissue and cause poisoning and pain.
Due to the rapid adaptability of fungal organisms to the components of antimycotic drugs, treatment of nail fungus is not carried out twice with the same medicine.
Tablets for treating nail fungus:
Topical agents are most actively used for fungal infections, as they act directly on the affected area. Such medications are always used in the initial stages of the disease, as they have fewer contraindications and side effects. People come to the aid of pills if the situation is already quite serious.
Before using topical preparations, it is necessary to thoroughly clean, wash and dry the area of application. As a rule, you need to apply the products using massaging rubbing movements, but this is described in detail in the instructions. So, among these drugs the most common are:
In the first stages of the development of the disease, you can save yourself with the help of special medicinal varnishes. After application, the varnish softens the nail, and its active components penetrate inside and begin to fight the pathogens. As a rule, after two days the process of destroying fungi begins. Since medicinal varnish, without reducing its effectiveness, can be applied under regular varnish. This method of fighting fungi is very popular among girls, since for them beauty is above all. With great efficiency, women use the following varnishes:
Various patches and ointments also help treat nail fungus:
To quickly and effectively get rid of fungus, our readers recommend the cream “ NOMIDOL+ ”. The product eliminates fungus in one course, quickly and painlessly, and consists only of natural ingredients. NOMIDOL+ is completely safe . Has no side effects.
A very interesting antifungal drug was developed in the middle of the 20th century by A.V. Dorogov, candidate of sciences. The name given to the product was: “ASD fraction-3.”
You can buy this drug in veterinary hospitals, since the medicine was originally planned as a means of protecting the immune system in pets. Numerous tests have shown its excellent resistance to fungal spores. ASD is used externally only; it has an antiseptic and healing effect on the affected area. Its main disadvantage is the characteristic, “in-your-nose” disgusting smell. Treat feet with this remedy three times a day after washing and drying, applying it to the infected area.
Traditional medicine recipes are not inferior in quantity, and sometimes even in quality, to pharmaceutical analogues. Their use, by the way, is much safer, since all recipes are based on natural plant components that have no side effects on the body.
Therapeutic baths can help prevent foot fungus. As a rule, you buy ready-made salts or solutions that are added to a filled container, but there are also recipes for making them yourself:
Many health resorts also use specialized mud baths that kill fungi and remove them from the body.
Varnishes are used not only for medical purposes, although this is primarily, but they also have a cosmetic component. Used as a local treatment, applied simply to the nail plate, some products should also affect the adjacent skin. They are used only in mild stages of the disease, the most popular are:
The duration of treatment with varnishes is long; for example, Loceryl is typically applied twice a week. The course lasts from six months to a year. Batrafen is used according to a dosage reduction strategy: for the first 30 days it is used every other day, for a further 30 days twice a week, then once a week until complete recovery.
It is allowed to apply a manicure coating over medical varnish.
The characteristic feature of the disease is that it is never eliminated on its own; a transition to the remission stage is possible only with increased immunity, and even then this is a temporary elimination. Local treatment does not always help to achieve a positive result, since the drug does not penetrate the skin well, and medications can have a toxic effect on the body.
If there are any contraindications to previous methods or if the disease is at a serious stage, it is recommended to use a laser. Benefits of use:
The duration of the procedure is 10-30 minutes, no rehabilitation is required. The principle of operation is simple: the fungus is cauterized by ultraviolet radiation and loses its reproductive function, and itself gradually dies due to damage to the protective shell.
Of course, many patients want to get rid of the discomfort and manifestations of fungus without going to the hospital. For this purpose, drugs can be used, which for the most part are found in every person’s home. Provided that the effect does not occur or an increase in symptoms is noticed, it is still necessary to contact a mycologist.
Propolis is highly effective against fungus. In folk recipes it is used as a 20% tincture. You can simply buy the product or prepare it manually from 20 g of propolis and 80 g of alcohol. It is dark in color and has a resin-like aroma.
Used as follows:
In some cases, you can increase the dosage of propolis and prepare a 50% tincture.
An alternative method is to clean the nail plate, and apply propolis to the nail, leave it for 30-40 minutes. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.
Baths are no less relevant; you need to add a tincture to hot water in the ratio of 1 liter of water to 1 tsp. propolis and steam your feet for 10 minutes.
ASD of the third fraction is a black liquid, which has a peculiar odor, is sparingly soluble in water, but dissolves well in alcohol and oils.
The application is obvious; it is necessary to apply the composition to the skin and leave it until it wears off. Paper is placed on top, then a large layer of cotton wool (about 2 cm) and the whole thing is bandaged. To avoid causing an overdose, do not apply the product to more than 3-4 lesions. In some cases, body temperature rises after use.
The duration of treatment is 1-2 months; in case of exacerbation, you will have to take a break of 1-2 days.
The acidic environment prevents the proliferation of spores and the growth of the lesion. By blocking the nutrient medium, the fungus gradually dies, but hardy spores can be found, which provoke a relapse.
It is important to use table vinegar and not its essence, otherwise burns will occur. Used in various ways:
Tea tree oil is a natural, powerful antiseptic that helps eliminate fungus and disinfect the affected area. It is used externally. In most cases, 100% oil is used.
The product is contraindicated for allergies, asthma, a tendency to suffocation, as well as for children under 6 years of age.
Many people know that celandine is famous as an antiseptic, but not everyone knows that it can kill fungus. To achieve a quick and high-quality recovery, you can use the following approaches:
Treatment involves the use of a standard alcohol solution of iodine. It allows you to disinfect damaged nails and cauterizes fungal spores. Parasites are protein in nature, and iodine coagulates it, which determines the effectiveness of the drug.
The principle of use is to apply the solution to the nail, as well as the surrounding area and between the fingers. Apply 1 drop twice a day. The minimum course of treatment is 20 days, but often reaches 1 month. It is important to monitor your health; in case of allergies, itching or severe burning, stop taking iodine.
The substance has an antibacterial effect and is often used for prevention. In most cases, peroxide is used externally, but there are methods for internal use.
Basically, doctors recommend to achieve maximum results by first steaming your feet in water with soda (1 liter per 1 tsp) and only then making a compress. Cut a small piece from a cotton swab so that it fits the shape and size of the affected nail. Next, you should moisten the patch in peroxide and apply it to the nail plate. It will complement the treatment well if you instill liquid under a cotton pad several times a day. Then wrap it with a bandage or stick it with a bandage. The duration of holding the cotton wool is 40–60 minutes, and repeat the procedure 1–2 times a day. It is also recommended to wrap your fingers in plastic to prevent the liquid from evaporating.
Alkali is the main enemy of the fungus, and ammonia forms a similar compound, so the infection dies. Also has an antiseptic effect.
Used as a compress. Cold boiled water is diluted with alcohol, 1 tbsp. l. for 200 ml of water. The swab is then moistened and applied to the affected area. Wrap your finger in cling film on top and also put on a sock.
The course should be carried out for 5-10 days, then a break of 2-4 days and repeat the procedure.
For effective treatment, simple baths are used, where you need to dilute 1 tbsp. l. soda and 1 tbsp. l. salt. Soak your feet in water for 15 minutes, and then rinse everything off with warm water.
The affected nail can no longer be cured if the fungus has penetrated into the interungual layer, so it should be grown healthy again. To prevent further spread of the fungus, it is recommended to remove the nail. There are special means for this, for example, Nogtevit or Nogtimitsin. Thanks to the active composition, they stimulate the removal of the nail, while no painful sensations are observed.
The procedure consists of applying the gel and fixing it on top (the nail is first cleaned). After 4 days, remove the patch and remove the peeled nail, repeat the procedure until complete removal.
It is easy to determine that something is wrong with the nail; you need to look at the appearance of the plate; it often has an uncharacteristic color, there is no shine, and holes may form. Itching occurs on the skin and increased dryness is noted.
An additional measure is to stir the potassium permanganate and dip your feet in it. If fungus is present, the affected areas will remain light, and the rest will be tinted.
A moist environment promotes the growth of fungus; excessive sweating on the feet should be prevented. Regularly treat them with potassium permanganate or other folk remedies. It is important to wear comfortable shoes.
The basis of prevention is personal hygiene. It is better to avoid crowded places, especially swimming pools and saunas. You should also not use shared intimate appliances: brushes, shoes, mugs, washcloths, etc.
When there is a person with foot fungus at home, it is necessary to especially carefully monitor the hygiene of the room.
A healthy family member definitely needs to monitor their immunity.
It is extremely easy to become infected; wherever there is warmth and moisture, fungal spores can actively develop and exist. Items of clothing and towels are likely carriers of the disease. In this case, the presence of diseases or calluses can aggravate the situation.
Minimal contact with the irritant is enough to cause fungal infection.
Identifying nail fungus is not difficult. It is best visible on the toenails. In its normal state, the nail is a solid structure with a smooth shiny surface and a white-pink tint. If fungus appears on your feet, the situation changes dramatically.
The first symptom, as a rule, is itching between the toes; over time, small cracks form in the itchy area, and then ulcers. At this stage, those affected by the fungus begin to hope that everything will go away on its own, but the fungus expands its zone of action, penetrating under the nails. It’s very easy to recognize its symptoms at this stage:
Having waited until the last stages of the disease develop, you should not be surprised if its treatment lasts several months. It will be quite difficult to return the nail plates to their usual state. Nail treatment should begin immediately after the first symptoms appear.
The penetration of the disease occurs very easily - it is enough to ignore the rules of personal hygiene and come into contact with a sick person or any object that he touched with his bare feet. The simplest routes of infection are through the floor, shoes or towel.
Public places such as swimming pools, locker rooms in gyms, saunas and baths are especially dangerous in terms of infection. The fungus thrives in conditions of high humidity and temperature, and in such places the factors for its maturation are simply ideal.
Through microcracks in the skin epithelium, fungi penetrate into the body and develop their activity. Very often there are additional conditions for this:
The causative agents of the disease in question are of three types:
Mold more often than others “turns its gaze” to an organism with reduced immunity. The entire nail plate becomes greenish-yellow in color and may even turn black. Less commonly, onychomycosis appears in the form of spots. The course of treatment of this type usually lasts a month.
Yeast fungus manifests itself somewhat differently. When infected, the nail plate does not easily turn yellow, but also takes on a wavy appearance, suppurates, and if the course of treatment is not started on time, it completely lags behind in a short time interval. It is possible to cure such a fungus in 7–8 weeks.
Dermatophytic formations appear in the form of yellow spots and stripes, initially located at the edges of the nail, and subsequently moving to the center of the plate . Thus, in the absence of treatment, the entire nail plate turns yellow, and it takes at least two months to return it to its former state.
Previously, it was said that it is advisable to immediately contact a doctor if you have a fungus on your feet. A mycologist will tell you how to treat this disease. He deals exclusively with fungal diseases. Unfortunately, finding this doctor in hospitals is quite problematic, but dermatologists are also familiar with the methods of fighting fungi. He will be able to indicate which treatment methods are most effective after conducting a bacteriological study.
Treatment of toenail fungus is very problematic, so it is better to prevent its occurrence by taking all necessary preventive measures. The causative agents of onychomycosis are incredibly tenacious creatures. Fungal spores survive when the ambient temperature rises to 90 o C and when it drops to -60 o C. Quite often they are capable of manifesting vital activity even when used as disinfection chemicals.
It is very easy to become infected with a fungus on your feet in any public place, such as a gym or a bathhouse, and it is better to follow a number of rules to prevent the penetration of fungal spores and the occurrence of toenail fungus, the treatment of which is very unpleasant:
If one of the family members already has a fungal disease, the floors in the apartment and the walls of the bathtub should be constantly treated with a mixture of lime chlorine and laundry detergent. They are mixed in a ratio of 1 to 1. After applying the composition, it must be allowed to stand for 20–30 minutes until it destroys fungal spores, and only then washed off.
The sick person needs to use separate hygiene items (towel and washcloth), which after use are washed with a five percent chloramine solution. Wash linen separately, and before washing, boil it in a 2% soapy soda solution. Things should be ironed at the highest possible temperature, thoroughly steaming them. After use, instruments for caring for fingernails and toenails are coated with an alcohol solution or vodka.
Following these simple rules will significantly reduce and virtually eliminate the risk of this disease, leaving your legs beautiful and healthy. It is worth considering that if the fungus has infected the body at least once, next time it will be much easier for it to penetrate, and it will have to be treated much longer and more difficult.
So the simplest action would be to prevent illness in yourself and family members and follow preventive rules and regulations that allow you to remain free from fungal infections all your life.
An advanced stage of the disease can cause irreversible consequences, such as gangrene, blood poisoning. Often the life of a person with an advanced stage can only be saved by amputation of a limb.
Under no circumstances should the disease be started!
A very good article on this subject was published by the Chief Dermatologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences of Russia Vladimir Nikolaevich Abrosimov.