Nail fungus , also known as onychomycosis , is a widespread disease that is difficult to treat and tends to recur. According to medical statistics, almost a quarter of the population suffers from this disease. The risk of infection in capitals with this fungus is much higher than in small cities. This infection is hidden in places that are unexpected for us, such as swimming pools, saunas, gyms, yoga clubs; it is in these places that the risk of infection is very high.
Also, with factors such as sweating, flat feet, diaper rash, poor hygiene, poor-quality shoes, a person becomes twice as vulnerable.
The seriousness of the disease should never be underestimated; if you suspect its presence, immediately consult a dermatologist. It really poses a great threat to human health, since during reproduction it releases toxic poisons. In turn, the accumulation of these poisons negatively affects metabolism and the functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and urogenital systems.
To the question: “How to treat toe fungus?” In folk medicine there is a lot of practical advice. Many people managed to cure this disease at home using folk remedies.
If this disease affects at least one nail, then infection of other fingers and toes may soon occur. As you know, this disease cannot be left to chance, since in its neglected form it can significantly harm the entire body. To do this, each person needs to know the first signs and symptoms of his disease in order to prevent its spread.
Not many patients rush to see doctors, considering toenail fungus to be a minor aesthetic problem. But onychomycosis is a serious disease; connivance can lead to the proliferation of a fungal infection, penetration into deeper tissues and the bloodstream with damage to internal systems and organs.
The danger of the fungus lies in the release of toxins that can negatively affect the immune system, cause allergies, and the development of internal diseases. It is better to start treatment at an early stage, since in advanced cases it is difficult to get rid of the fungus.
Warmth and high humidity are an ideal environment for the proliferation of fungal infections. The main source of infection is public places (saunas, baths, swimming pools), or infected household items, contact with which with bare feet can cause the development of pathology.
Other provoking factors:
You can catch nail fungus on the big toe in public places due to the settling of fallen scales of onychomycosis on the nails.
Reference! It is the nail on the big toe that is often subject to mechanical trauma, so the likelihood of contracting a fungal infection is extremely high.
Onychomycosis of nails is a disease with a staged course. Symptoms may vary depending on the stage:
The effectiveness of treatment will directly depend on the stage of development of onychomycosis and the moment of seeking help from doctors.
Before treating the affected nail, it is important to identify the nature and causes of the development of a fungal infection, which means going through a series of diagnostic procedures:
On a note! For women, in addition - examination by a gynecologist, taking a test for possible pregnancy .
Onychomycosis of the nails is a recurrent disease, so choosing the optimal therapeutic measures can be difficult. Meanwhile, pathogenic bacteria quickly become active, negatively affect the nail tissue (plates), and lead to destruction. You cannot delay treatment, otherwise the therapy will become protracted.
The choice of treatment methods is made only by the attending physician. For example, toenail fungus caused by seasonal dermatitis with the appearance of peeling on the feet can be treated exclusively with medications. Treating your toes with artisanal home methods can only make the situation worse.
REFERENCE! Antimycotic drugs (tablets) should not be taken for long periods without following dosages. Uncontrolled use can cause side effects (liver damage!). For example, an advanced stage of onychomycosis requires an integrated approach to treatment: laser, cauterization, local agents for external application.
Treatment of nail fungus is complex. Regardless of the stage of development of onychomycosis, drug treatment at an early stage is effective, as an auxiliary therapy - folk remedies, immunotherapy to maintain a weakened immune system.
Popular pharmacy medicines
On a note! The regimen for using drugs may be different. First you need to read the instructions and follow the dosage. Many drugs are contraindicated for children and cause side effects: headache, allergies, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. During the period of therapy, you should stop drinking alcohol and maintain a gentle diet. The duration of therapy directly depends on the degree of neglect of the disease.
A popular, safe and painless procedure by applying heat, infrared rays to the affected areas. Therapy allows you to achieve stable remission. It is carried out quickly and comfortably and does not lead to complications.
A radial version of therapy with removal of the nail under local anesthesia followed by a course of rehabilitation. Prescribed in advanced cases, when internal (external) drugs for onychomycosis become powerless. But surgery is a traumatic method. Leads to scarring of the skin, long healing of the nail, severe injury to the nail bed without the possibility of subsequent recovery. Additionally, restorative therapy (vitamin therapy, physical therapy) will be required to strengthen the body's defenses.
On a note! Today, surgeons have begun to more often use adhesive mass applied to the nail plates. The method allows you to imitate a healthy nail and maintain the original shape of the nail bed for a long time.
External preparations for therapy for onychomycosis of the toe are applicable at different stages of the development of the disease. The best remedies: Lamisil, Exoderil, Batrafen, Clotrimazole, Nizoral, Mycospor, Terbinafine, Zalain.
Before applying the compositions, it is worth carrying out a number of preparatory procedures:
It is advisable to carry out procedures at night. In the morning, remove the compresses.
To achieve greater effect, doctors recommend using Lamisil, an antifungal drug to quickly destroy pathogenic microflora, destroy the integrity of membranes and the fungal body from the inside. Also with Lamisil spray, it is necessary to additionally treat the inside of the shoes. A good remedy is Creolin (solution) with spot application to the affected areas, avoiding contact with healthy skin.
On a note! Iodinol (solution) is best used to soften the affected plates, then apply another medicinal composition - Creolin with ichthyol, but only pointwise. The preparation contains alkali. Spreading onto adjacent healthy areas of skin may cause burns.
Therapeutic varnishes to kill fungus
Antimycotic varnishes are indicated at the initial stage of development of onychomycosis of the toe. The main effect is antiseptic with deep penetration, exerting a destructive effect on fungal spores.
The varnishes include a set of disposable files to soften the plates and allow better penetration of the medicine inside. It is necessary to apply medicinal compositions to previously cleaned, steamed nails 2 times a week. Read the instructions before use. The duration of therapy should be agreed with your doctor.
Treatment of the big toe with varnishes can be done at home. The average course of treatment is 3-4 weeks. The most effective drugs:
Fungus on the finger with changes in the color and structure of the nail in children is treated exclusively with local medications (antifungal patches, varnishes). The course of treatment is 2-4 months. During the period of therapy, it is important for parents to disinfect the room, toys and things with which the child has been in contact.
Effective folk remedies for home treatment
Home treatment can be an excellent addition to the main procedures for onychomycosis of the foot at the initial stage, when the fungus has not yet led to severe destruction or detachment of the nail plate from the bed. Effective recipes:
Ammonia therapy
Ammonia is a common home recipe for the treatment of onychomycosis. 1 tbsp. l. dilute in warm water (1 glass), moisten a cotton cloth, apply to the affected areas, wrapping the film on top and putting on warm socks.
It is advisable to carry out procedures at night. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
The main thing when treating big toenail fungus is to prevent self-infection from occurring again. This means you need:
Treatment of onychomycosis of the feet will not be complete unless the diet is adjusted and carbonaceous foods (sweet, dairy products) are excluded, which can create favorable conditions for the proliferation of microbes.
Onychomycosis is a contagious infection. Of course, death will not occur, but troubles can cause a lot of trouble. Simple measures and recommendations will allow you to achieve stable remission, prevent the progression of the fungus, and further spread to healthy tissue. The main thing is to carry out therapy in a complex manner.
Read how you can cure toenail fungus using only conservative methods. Let's consider the main methods for solving this problem.
Nail fungus is one of the most common diseases. It is difficult to treat and there are frequent relapses. The following material will reveal the secrets of a quick, effective recovery.
After all, the fungus (onychomycosis) can affect all family members. Advanced forms lead to suppuration and loss of the nail. The fungus causes a lot of trouble and contributes to the development of complexes in a person of any character. You can and should get rid of it!
The main route of infection is through microcracks in the legs. Why do they appear? This is all due to uncomfortable shoes, non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, nail injuries in public places, such as public showers, etc. All these factors are reinforced by decreased immunity, a sedentary lifestyle, and frequent stress.
There are deeper reasons for the development of the disease: chronic diseases, poor blood circulation in the legs, obesity and other factors. Most often, people become infected in public places (baths, swimming pools, saunas, beaches). There are frequent cases of toenail fungus in the family circle. Sharing nail scissors, shared sex, close contact are helpers of onychomycosis.
Important! Be vigilant and take precautions if there are children in the house. This disease is difficult to treat in young patients.
Most often, the big toe is the first to be affected. If you notice the following signs, take action immediately:
And now it is slowly starting to peel off. This process is the first sign of complete loss of the nail.
If you notice the above signs, be sure to follow these rules before treatment:
If you find fungus on your big toenail, you should consult a specialist. First you need to find out the type of fungus. Treatment of onychomycosis requires a lot of effort and time. Be determined, then the disease will soon recede. Treatment occurs in a complex. Exposure to external medications alone may not give the desired effect, and the risk of relapse is high.
The body's defenses must be in full combat readiness to fight the disease. Play sports, eat right (exclude fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol), take immunomodulatory drugs. Load up on fresh vegetables and fruits containing vitamins.
An experienced specialist will recommend that you take multivitamin complexes. They are aimed at strengthening the immune system and improving the condition of the affected toenail.
This remedy is actively used in the initial stages of onychomycosis. The drug is applied to the nail plate every day; for some products, twice a week is enough. Before applying the medication, be sure to wash each previous layer.
The principle of action is very simple - the drug softens the nail plate, the substance kills fungal spores. Medicines can also be used for preventive purposes, preventing relapses.
An effective antifungal varnish with a wide spectrum of action. The main component is cyclopiroxolamine. Used for prevention and treatment purposes, it is absolutely safe. In rare cases, it can cause allergic reactions, redness around the nail, and itching. Not recommended for use during pregnancy. The average cost is 1,500 rubles per package.
An effective remedy that acts on almost a dozen species of mushrooms. The active ingredient, morolphine, has the peculiarity that it destroys the cell membrane of the fungus and continues to act for 7–10 days. In rare cases, a slight burning sensation may be felt around the nail plate. Price – 1300 rubles (2.5 ml), 2200 rubles (5 ml).
Important! Monitor the condition of the nail during treatment. Using a nail file, file off the overgrown nail, making room for the growth of a healthy nail plate.
The doctor may prescribe ointments and topical creams. They are easy to use and quickly relieve external signs of the disease. You should not self-medicate; if you can visit a doctor, the doctor will prescribe the necessary medications. The domestic market is rich in various ointments. Below are the most effective and efficient means.
The cream acts on the fungal spore membrane, destroying it. The main active ingredient is clotrimazole. The medication is applied to the affected nail 2-3 times a day. The duration of treatment is 4–5 months, it all depends on the degree of damage to the nail plate. After complete recovery, the product is used for another month. The price of the medicine is 270 rubles.
It is produced in the form of a cream, you can purchase a bottle with drops. The effect is similar, but the liquid is easier to distribute over the nail. The main component is naftifine hydrochloride. Apply the product twice a day to the affected thumbnail; it is advisable to treat 1 cm of skin around the problem area. The course of treatment is up to 6 months. You can avoid relapses by applying the drug for another two weeks after complete recovery. The price of the medicine is 450 rubles.
In addition to popular products, you can choose cheaper analogues. They cope well with the task, their only drawback is a specific, sometimes pungent odor. List of drugs:
It is extremely popular, applied several times a day, and has a pronounced aroma. The course of treatment lasts no more than one week, the procedures are repeated as necessary. Price – 85 rubles for 25 g.
The affected thumbnail is lubricated three times a day, the duration of treatment depends on the degree of development of the disease. The average cost is 30 rubles for 25 g.
It is best to combine local treatment with oral medication. The tablets strengthen the body’s resistance to the fungus and help resolve this issue more quickly.
The active ingredient is ketoconazole, a popular antimycotic that acts on many fungi. Use once a day with food, with a small amount of water. Not recommended for pregnant women. The course of treatment is 6–12 months, taken until complete recovery (until a healthy nail grows back). The price of the medicine is 350 rubles.
The main component is ketoconazole, available in 30 tablets in a cardboard package. Take one pill per day. If the result is not observed, the dose is increased to two tablets. The course of treatment is prescribed by the attending physician. The average cost of the drug is 470 rubles.
Good results in the fight against onychomycosis are shown by laser exposure and cryotherapy. Fungal spores are destroyed by mechanical action, the top layer of the nail plate is removed and treated with a special solution. The spread of the disease will be stopped, the only negative is that there is a high probability of damage to the skin.
The cost of one procedure ranges from 500 to 100 rubles, the specific amount depends on the degree of damage to the big toe nail. The specialist will prescribe the exact number of procedures.
There is also a method of removing the affected nail surgically. The procedure is unpleasant, has a long recovery period, and is used in extreme cases.
Medicinal herbs and natural products have always enjoyed great success in the fight against various diseases. For a long time, thumb nail fungus has been fought with the following recipes:
Onychomycosis of the thumbnail is difficult to cure, so it is better to prevent the development of the disease using the following recommendations:
Having considered the above methods of combating onychomycosis of the big toe nail, we can conclude that treatment must be approached comprehensively, after consulting with a doctor. Do not delay going to the doctor; you should not self-medicate. By following useful tips, your nails will always shine with beauty and health.
Fungal nail infection belongs to a large family of dermatomycosis caused by fungal parasites of the genus dermatophytes (Tinea Mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, as well as Candida fungi and mold mycelia).
It is their active harmful effect on the nail plates that leads to pathological destruction of their structure.
The reasons for the appearance of nail fungus on the big toe can be very diverse, but the main one is the enormous viability of the fungal parasite. It is able to instantly penetrate, adapt and develop in conditions favorable to it.
Penetrate into microscopic cracks in corns and calluses that occur mainly in the area of the big toe. Especially if the shoes don't breathe or don't fit your feet.
But even this fact does not always indicate the obligatory development of a fungal infection. A healthy immune system can fight off infection on its own. People with various background pathologies are at risk:
An additional source of infection, which can be attributed to the main cause, is contact with a carrier of the infection or with his personal items. The most likely causes include contact with sick people in sports centers, swimming pools or public baths.
Nail fungus on the big toe, photo
Transfer of the fungus can occur when trying on other people's clothes and shoes, in beauty salons where instruments are not properly processed, etc.
Increases the likelihood of fungal manifestations:
Older people are most vulnerable to fungal disease. With age, physiological changes occur in the structure of the nail plates; they thicken, blood circulation is impaired, and the protective acid balance changes, which creates favorable conditions for the penetration and development of the disease.
The subungual environment is the most optimal place for the growth of fungal mycelium, as it contains a large amount of nutrients. As a result of the influence of microorganisms on the tissue structure of the subungual bed, a certain enzyme is released that destroys the tissue itself and the strong fibrillar proteins of the plate.
An expanded empty zone is formed, ideal for the development of thread-like mycelium of the fungus, which gradually destroys the surface and structure of the nail plate.
The development of destructive changes in the nail caused by a fungal infection is due to three stages (stages).
In the initial stage of infection, the presence of a fungal infection does not show any signs. Sometimes there may be minor itching, redness and burning in the area of the big toe.
With the growth of mycelium, symptoms become obvious. The nail structure changes, it becomes brittle and dull. White or yellow spots and stripes appear on the plate.
Sometimes the presence of a fungus is confirmed by a thickened nail plate that has grown into the corners of the roller. This indicates its deformation under the influence of a fungal infection, which is typical for big toes.
Signs of nail damage
Various variations in damage to the nail plate are explained by the action of different types of pathogens. Dermotophyte fungi are characterized by stripes or spots of yellow color located along its edges or center.
Moldy fungi turn the plate almost black. Swelling of the nail fold, the formation of silvery scales on it, yellowness of the sides of the nail and their separation from the bed provoke the action of yeast fungi.
During their life, fungi release toxins that have a destructive effect not only on the nail plates. The development of a fungal infection contributes to the penetration of toxins into the lymphatic channel system, causing:
Spores of parasitic fungi perfectly and instantly adapt to the upper stratum corneum of the nail plate, gradually penetrating deep into the matrix.
Therefore, the principles of treatment of nail fungus on the big toe are based on a system of local-external and systemic effects. With a purely individual approach, determined by the signs of pathology and the state of the patient’s internal systems and organs.
The principle is based on a comprehensive treatment method using pulse therapy, systemic, bacterial and external therapy or a simultaneous combination of several techniques.
Pulse - therapy. Based on an intermittent long-term treatment regimen with antifungal drugs.
Systemic treatment increases the chance of completely clearing the infection. It is used for significant damage with obvious signs of structural changes in the nail plates of the big toes.
With the addition of infection, treatment is supplemented with bacterial therapy. A course of vitamin complexes and immunomodulatory agents is recommended.
The effectiveness of drug treatment is based on the cumulative principle, when the required concentration of drugs provides reliable protection long after cessation of treatment.
Therefore, it is very important to strictly adhere to the medication regimen and recommended interval.
varnish Loceryl Amorolfine
In addition to treatment, in the initial stages of infectious processes in the nail plates of the thumbs, various methods of external influence on the infection are used:
The prescription must be given by a doctor.
If the plate is significantly damaged, it is most advisable to remove it. An ointment containing urea is applied to the affected area as a compress overnight. Or use a special medical plaster for this purpose.
The nail plate is softened, it is trimmed and the remaining fragments are removed, followed by treatment with antiseptics. Until the new nail grows, the area is lubricated twice a day with Exoderil solution or ointment, or other antimycotic ointments.
Alternative methods include:
Treatment with iodine - in the form of rubbing the affected area 2 times a day until complete recovery.
Lemon - for a week, fix a slice of lemon to the affected nail with cellophane and a bandage. Treatment with lemon has been known for a long time and shows good results.
Hydrogen peroxide - the effectiveness of treating nail fungus with hydrogen peroxide has been proven over time. Before attaching a compress with peroxide (cotton swab) to the nail plate, it must be steamed in hot water with the addition of several crystals of copper sulfate (vitriol) and dried.
The compress lasts for up to half an hour until the plate becomes lighter. The softened areas are scraped off and lubricated with any antifungal cream.
In addition to excluding all causative factors, the main rule of disease prevention is:
If you still had to walk around in someone else’s slippers while visiting, or with bare feet in public places, treat your feet with an antifungal agent.
If you can’t purchase it, wipe your feet with a solution of citric acid or squeezed lemon juice. Strengthen your immune system, eat right, exercise, and this will not leave a chance for the development of a fungal infection.
I cut almost everything in a circle, cleaned it, but there was no result.
The nail must be removed completely. The first method is a special liquid that is applied to the nail daily, removing the nail layer by layer to the matrix, since antifungal drugs do not penetrate the nail itself, in which the fungi are located. The second method is surgical removal of the nail. A new one will grow within month.
Buy mycospor at the pharmacy. Follow the instructions for use.
And I cured a fungus on my nail with a folk remedy. I picked celandine at the dacha, squeezed out the juice at home, added a little pure alcohol, and every evening for about a month I applied bandages soaked in this infusion at night. Cheap and cheerful, as they say! I don’t even remember about the fungus anymore. But at first I treated with expensive pharmaceutical products, the effect was ZERO! Just money down the drain.
LOCIRIL. This is an antifungal nail polish. My entire thumbnail was affected. A week later the nail came off and a new one grew under it.
4 Lotseril How did you cure your nail in a week if the treatment lasts 6 months?
Removal is also not a panacea. I had three patients. Removal + antifungal varnish. Two helped, but the third is sick. Even if it is not very noticeable there, there is still a thickening. I also don’t know what to do now. Removing nails completely is very painful, and it’s autumn now, how can you wear closed shoes?
Girls, but I understand the treatment... But. What to do with shoes. It turns out that we constantly walk around in contaminated shoes and become infected again?? That's how it works.
8, so as soon as treatment has started, you need to disinfect all your shoes, socks, sneakers, everything. Only I don’t remember what solution, look on the Internet, everything is written there. I took recommendations from there. Everything is ok now.
Loceryl costs more than 1000 rubles.
It's a bit expensive for me 🙁
I treat my nails with 70% vinegar. and lamisil
I really didn’t notice any improvement :((. It will be 2 years soon.
http://www.woman.ru/health/medley7/thread/3851687/ Read, I wrote about Exoderil there.. It costs 370 rubles.
Vinegar essence helps perfectly, the nail will grow back healthy. You need to wrap some cotton wool around a thin stick, soak it in vinegar and coat your claws with varnish twice a day. Everything else has been tried - to no avail.
Shoes need to be treated with a 40% formaldehyde solution or simply formaldehyde. For a day in a plastic bag. This is if the skin or deputy. Rag - THROW AWAY.
And I was cured with Exifin tablets. True, I took it for 9 months.
I took a long course of "Orangal" and spent more than 15 thousand and it was of no use ((((
auuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu people. heeeeeelp toje samoe bolishih palitev nogtei nog pri4em tok oni 2 vse gribok tak neprieatno fuuuuuuuuuu.a vedi takie u menea oni krasivie nogti nu pream super bili..vse vishishalisi moim pedikiurom(((((((((((((( (((((((pla4evnaia situatia POMOGHITE.
Vinegar essence - 70 percent? This is not dangerous?
I also have a fungus on my big toes, everything I did... everything is useless, but now for a month I have been applying a lotion to the nail, this is how I do it: I take a slice of lemon, put it on the damaged nail, tie it with a bandage so that it does not fall off and I put on a sock, in the morning I get up and remove the top layer of the nail, on one finger I see improvements, the nail is now not yellow, but a natural pink color, but on the other... trouble.
Help get rid of fungus on your feet (big toenails).
The child has this from birth - doctors say that all medications act on the kidneys or liver, which is undesirable.
I had an affected nail of my big toe, once while swimming I was diving from a wooden pier, I slipped and while falling I hit my nail on the railing, when I stood up I couldn’t find the nail)), it didn’t hurt, after a couple of weeks a new, beautiful one grew and healthy nail. This is such a positive thing)))
Help get rid of fungus on your feet (big toenails). The child has this from birth - doctors say that all medications act on the kidneys or liver, which is undesirable. I have to do it every year - the procedure is not pleasant, and you can’t wear open shoes. Maybe someone will respond and can recommend something from folk remedies. Thanks in advance.
Ella, mojet urina pomojet, pogooglite, cherez internet.
I have to do it every year - the procedure is not pleasant, and you can’t wear open shoes. Maybe someone will respond and can recommend something from folk remedies. Thanks in advance.
I just smeared boron plus on my feet every day and changed my socks.. after a month everything went away and the itching and peeling and the nail fell off and a new one grew and now I sit and look at my feet and I don’t believe it. bora plus for feet .. costs only one dollar
5, no, a week after use the nail fell off, it was not subject to treatment, because... I was completely amazed. These cannot be treated. But because the new nail grew directly under the old one, there was a possibility that the fungus had spread to it. That’s why I used it, for prevention and insurance. In general, if the fungus has just begun, then it is cut off (the fungus) and covered with this varnish. It does not work on a 100% damaged surface.
People, help me get rid of nail fungus! I read your comments but didn’t quite understand. The nail needs to be removed completely. The first method is a special liquid that is applied to the nail every day, removing the nail layer by layer to the matrix. Which doctor deals with nail removal? Vinegar essence helps excellently. Please tell me what percentage vinegar is?
it was necessary to delete it with the matrix!
You deleted it incorrectly 4 times. but you need to remove it 2-3 times only with the root - with the matrix completely. then a healthy nail will grow
Is this a strange forum, or are the moderators inappropriate?
I wrote in detail how I was cured of nail fungus, post number 31 as far as I remember,
so it was deleted. Why do you ask? It seems that he never called for the overthrow of Putin.
Everything that is written here about ointments, drops and varnishes is absolute nonsense.
As an auxiliary agent, the same exoderil, lamisil, lamicon, loteril and 150 more similar names can be used.
But nail fungus cannot be treated this way.
All of these ointments are absolutely ineffective individually, but can be used only in combination with the main synthetic broad-spectrum antifungal drug, a TRIAZOL derivative (the most effective of them is ITRACONAZOLE).
Without such chemicals, it is unlikely that it will be possible to get rid of nail fungus by 99%.
Treatment takes from 6 months to a year, and even longer.
What about removing nails along with the roots? - some kind of Middle Ages.
the nail has been rotting for 7 years, folk methods don’t help, they removed it 4 times, no use, it hurts me a lot, what should I do?
There is something I could advise you in your situation. Not long ago I encountered a similar problem myself. This method also helped a friend of mine, but his problem lasted for more than 8 years.
In general, you take a flannelette rag, set it on fire, put out the fire and place the smoking rag at the place of suppuration. I advise you to bring it as close as possible so that it gets hot on your finger (of course, within reason, so that it is tolerable). And keep it like this for 10 minutes, it is desirable that the rag smokes well, so in the process, from time to time, set it on fire again.
At first, I advise you to do this procedure twice a day, after the situation improves, do it once a day.
You also need to stock up on alum. "Alum" is a white powder sold in pharmacies.
About 5-7 days after the start of the “shamanism with a flannelette rag”, you will begin to use alum, 2-3 times a day, wash the place of suppuration with diluted alum in boiled water (a teaspoon per cup), after 15-20 minutes, fill the nail (under the nail, in general, fill all the places where it festeres) with dry alum.
Anything else worth mentioning? -Use a cotton rag until you completely get rid of pus and pain, even a couple of days after everything has passed, continue the procedure, just to be sure. Use alum until the wounds are completely healed.
There is an opinion that fungus on the big toe is just an aesthetic problem, so patients are in no hurry to see a doctor, ignoring the first alarming symptoms, but in vain. By starting a problem, a person puts himself at risk, because the fungal microorganism quite quickly spreads to the surrounding healthy tissues, penetrates the bloodstream, affecting internal organs and systems.
Of course, it is better to prevent a problem than to fight it later, but if an infection does occur, do not put off visiting a doctor, since treating a fungus in an advanced stage is many times more difficult than at the initial stage of its development. Full recovery may take several months, and sometimes a whole year.
Direct fungal infection occurs when the skin comes into contact with an infected surface - an unprotected foot touches a wet floor in public saunas, water parks, swimming pools, personal household items of a sick person are used, someone else's shoes are tried on, and the like.
Onychomycosis (medical terminology of the disease) is actively developing under the influence of the following unfavorable factors:
In addition, existing pathologies can act as provocateurs of the disease - diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, psoriatic disease, vascular diseases, etc.
If a person is completely healthy, but has had contact with an infected surface, the symptoms of fungus on the big toes will be minor and a strong immune system will soon cope with the disease on its own.
Symptoms of fungus on the foot may not appear immediately, since many types of these microorganisms often remain latent on the surface of the skin for several weeks. The trigger for activation is the creation of favorable conditions - a humid, warm environment is an ideal place for the infection to multiply.
Having penetrated under the nail, the pathogenic microorganism begins its life activity; the result of its activity is the enzymes it secretes, which, as they accumulate, lead to the destruction of the nail plate. At the initial stage, the symptoms are almost invisible, the foot looks quite healthy.
Further, in the area of infection, unpleasant sensations may occur - itching, burning, slight swelling, peeling and redness. If nothing is done at this stage, the fungus on the big toe nail will progress and the symptoms will worsen:
When the nail detaches from its own bed, this indicates that the process is neglected; it is during this period that the risk of infecting others increases significantly - fungal spores remain on all surfaces with which there was contact.
A doctor should advise you on how to cure fungus on the big toe nail, but you, in turn, must follow some rules that are the key to successful treatment.
Before treating a fungus, read the recommendations that will help you avoid re-infection.
In addition to using medications, you also need to reconsider your diet. Dairy products, sweets, butter products containing yeast and simple carbohydrates create a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogens, so they should be abandoned during treatment.
If you do not follow these simple recommendations, the big toe nail fungus will progress and spread to healthy tissues of the body.
Treatment measures are carried out in accordance with the severity of the disease. At the initial stages of pathology development, external medications (creams, ointments, special varnishes) are used. The second, third stage requires taking systemic medications (tablets, capsules), and possibly even removing the nail plate.
If nail fungus appears on the big toe, treatment should be carried out by a doctor, and the sooner this is done, the better. Therapy usually begins with the use of external antimycotic drugs.
Before applying them, it is recommended to first steam your feet in a soda-soap solution, dry and remove as much of the damaged part of the nail as possible with manicure scissors, and carefully sand the remaining plate with a nail file. Such manipulations will allow medicinal substances to penetrate to the very depths of the problem.
There is a huge list of antimycotic drugs, here are some of them:
In addition to these drugs, treatment of big toe nail fungus can be carried out using external medications such as Lamisil, Nizoral, Fundizol, Exifin, Terbinafine and many others.
In addition to ointments, creams and drops, special antimycotic varnishes can be used as external medicines.
Antimycotic varnish is recommended for use in the initial stages of pathology development, since toenail fungus can be cured in its later stages only by taking systemic medications (tablets, capsules).
Apply a medicinal coating to a previously steamed and cleaned plate; for this purpose, a set of nail files is included. The varnish softens the nail, which promotes better penetration of medicinal substances and the destruction of pathogens.
The most popular means today:
The treatment coating should be applied regularly - every other day for the first two weeks of treatment, then every 2 days. It is also important to read the instructions for the drug before use.
Oral medications are prescribed when external therapy has failed. This occurs if the pathological process is in an advanced stage, more than 2-3 nail plates are affected, and the infection has spread to other parts of the body.
Onychomycosis of the third (last) stage can be cured only with the help of complex effects - using external and systemic medications. Laser treatment may also be prescribed along with this.
You cannot take antifungal tablets on your own; they have contraindications, and if used uncontrolled, they cause side effects.
In addition to these drugs, the doctor may prescribe Irunin, Diflucan, Orungal, Onychon and other systemic antimycotic agents.
Sometimes the only effective treatment for fungal nail infection is its removal. After removing the plate, medicinal substances will freely flow into the infected area, which will speed up the healing process.
Today, you can carry out the procedure for partial or complete removal of a nail yourself; to do this, just consult a doctor and buy one of the products at the pharmacy - Nogtivit, Nogtimycin, Onychoplast.
The preparations have a keratolytic effect (soften and exfoliate the upper layers). Their main task is to open access to antifungal drugs, for this you need:
If even such home removal does not bring long-awaited relief, the plate is removed surgically.
Surgery is the most radical method. They resort to it in extreme, especially severe cases. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, but even this does not completely eliminate pain. After surgery, the patient needs to regularly bandage the affected area. The rehabilitation period can drag on for a month, so able-bodied citizens need sick leave.
Surgical removal of the nail plate followed by the use of antifungal drugs guarantees complete recovery. At the same time, the doctor may recommend that the patient undergo a course of vitamin therapy, which will help restore and strengthen the body’s immune defense.