To cure nail fungus at home, you need to use special medicine.Different treatment methods for early and advanced stages of the disease.Each of them can be recognized by certain symptoms.The disease itself is called onychomycosis.It should not be left to chance, because the pathology takes a long time and is difficult to treat.Specific medications for toenail fungus are chosen based on the severity of the symptoms.
What is nail fungus?
Onychomycosis is one of the most common infectious diseases caused by microorganisms in the form of yeast and mold.Due to its rapid spread, the nail plate begins to turn yellow, crack, crumble and thicken.As a result of fungal growth, you can lose your nail completely.If left untreated, they will disintegrate.Easily infected with fungus in public places.This is especially true for saunas, swimming pools, beaches, nail salons and fitness clubs.
what does it come from?
Most cases of infection occur through household items or shoes that are shared with sick people.People who sweat excessively on their feet are more prone to nail fungus.More often, athlete's foot appears in adults;in children it occurs more or less often.The reasons for the development of the disease are:
- wear tight shoes;
- inadequate hygiene;
- endocrine and nervous system disorders;
- weak immune system;
- poor blood circulation in the lower legs;
- frequent visits to places with high humidity;
- chronic infectious diseases;
- leg deformities;
- vascular disease.
Types of toenail fungus
There are several types of fungus that can affect toenails.The main ones are considered as follows:
- moldyPeople who are weak due to long illness are more likely to get it.The nail takes on a bluish, yellowish or greenish color, and may turn black.Toenail fungus can be completely removed in 1-2 months.
- Yeast.The nail becomes uneven, covered with grooves and waves, and turns yellow or brown.As the disease progresses, plates are left behind the bed.At the same time, the nail folds fester and thicken.
- Dermatophytes.They appear as yellow spots on the nail plate.The side of the nail extends from the bed.As the condition worsens, the yellowness completely consumes the nail.
Signs
The disease first affects the big toe.Over time, it destroys the nails.When the fungus spreads, other fingers are also affected.The person felt a severe itching between them.The skin begins to peel and crack.Further, pathology is indicated by the following symptoms:
- Change in the color of the nail plate.In its normal state it is translucent and has a pink color.After a fungal infection, the nail color changes to yellow, brown or black.
- Thickening of the nail plate.An increase in keratinization occurs, so it becomes thick.In advanced cases, this also interferes with treatment.
- Collapsed.In the absence of proper therapy, the nail plate is destroyed and completely discolored.
level
Symptoms of fungal infection vary depending on the stage of onychomycosis.Infection occurs quickly, and the pathology can be recognized by the following symptoms:
- First stage.It is very difficult to see with the naked eye.This can only be done by a doctor who, with various magnifications, can see small pale spots.
- Second stage.Pathology continues to develop.Small stripes and dots develop into whole grooves.This leads to the destruction of the plate.The shine of the nail plate is lost and it starts to turn yellow.
- Third stage.If you ignore the previous symptoms, you can lose your nails completely.The skin around it will be red and flaky.The nail is completely peeled off.Against this background, there is an unpleasant smell
How to diagnose fungus
The external manifestation of this disease only confirms that the toenail is affected by a fungal infection.The cause of the disease can only be determined through laboratory tests.To prescribe adequate therapy, onychomycosis is differentiated from psoriasis, lichen planus, and others.If there are signs, you should consult a mycologist or dermatologist.The diagnostic methods are as follows:
- Microsporia.It is a scraping from the nail plate.To collect the material, the nails are treated with a special substance that destroys keratin.In this form, the material is easier to learn.
- Bacterial research.It involves placing the material in a nutrient medium.The causative agent of infection is determined by the growth rate, color and shape of the colony.This study allows us to identify the sensitivity of microorganisms to drugs.
- DNA diagnostics.This method reveals areas that are only affected by dermatophytes and candida fungi.Diagnostics are carried out with special devices, so they are expensive.
How to treat toenail fungus
Depending on the clinical form of the disease, the size of the affected area and the degree of changes in the nail, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive treatment.Therapy may include:
- ointments, creams, lotions, drops, sprays for disinfecting and treating shoes, which help with mild or moderate fungal infections;
- tablets when the disease progresses to a severe stage;
- nail plate removal surgery for severe or recurrent infections;
- folk remedies, for example, soda, garlic, hydrogen peroxide, birch tar ointment, tea tree oil, celandine tincture, propolis, acetic acid.
In the early stages
For small lesions, local therapy will help cure onychomycosis.These include peeling patches, medicated varnishes, creams, gels and ointments.Such drugs are effective only in the early stages of onychomycosis.They are used directly on damaged nails and surrounding tissue for a long time.Sometimes it takes about a year for full recovery.
neglected fungi
If the disease is advanced, then external medicines will be less effective.It is necessary to use medicine for internal use.These include antimycotics in tablet and capsule form.They prevent the development of pathogens and prevent their spread.In addition, the tablets have a long-lasting effect, therefore reducing the possibility of re-infection.
How to treat toenail fungus
Depending on the stage of the disease, the doctor prescribes certain drugs to the patient.The main groups of antifungal drugs are:
-
drugs for systemic use;
- products for topical use.
The last group of drugs includes various drugs that are applied directly to the affected nail.The main ones are:
- varnish;
- spray;
- solution;
- cream
Special varnish
In the early stages of the disease, antifungal varnish can be used.They help to soften the nail plate and increase the concentration of medicinal substances in it.
Ointments and creams
The effectiveness of local drugs is due to the direct contact of the drug with the lesion.In the first stage of the disease, only such drugs are prescribed, because tablets have more side effects.
Antifungal tablets
If the signs of toenail fungus indicate an advanced stage of the disease, then the doctor will prescribe a more serious antifungal drug in the form of tablets.
Laser therapy
If the toenail fungus is at an advanced stage and cannot be treated with drugs, then more radical methods are used.One of the effective methods is laser therapy.When exposed to radiation, the fungal spores die.In addition, the laser does not harm the surrounding tissue.Even advanced stages of onychomycosis can be cured in 3-4 treatment procedures.
Treatment of toenail fungus with folk remedies
Ways to treat toenail fungus with folk remedies should be used along with the use of medications.This is especially true for advanced stages of the disease.In this case, just using folk recipes will not help.At the first signs of onychomycosis, you can use vinegar, iodine, kombucha, and celandine tincture.
Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is used to get rid of fungus.It must be mixed with warm water in a 1:1 ratio. You need to soak your feet in this solution for about 15-20 minutes.After this, your feet should be allowed to dry completely.It is recommended to repeat the procedure every day for 2 weeks.At this time, you can see how a new nail, not damaged by the fungus, begins to grow.
Iodine
Effective treatment of toenail fungus is also carried out with the help of iodine.The course of treatment is 3 weeks.Every day it is necessary to treat the affected nail plate with iodine.It is important to regularly remove the tips of the nails that have grown.This remedy for foot fungus gets good reviews.Iodine can also be used for hot baths.To do this, dissolve 10 drops of the product in 0.5 liters of water, and soak your feet in it for 10 minutes.
Kombucha
The compress is made using kombucha.To do this, a plate of this product must be applied to the sick nail, wrapped in cellophane and a bandage.You need to wear socks on top.It is better to do the procedure at night, and in the morning rinse your feet under warm water, then remove the affected area and lubricate it with iodine.Many patients report severe pain, but if you are patient, you can quickly recover from the fungus.
Celandine
Fresh celandine must be passed through a meat grinder and the juice extracted from the resulting pulp using 3-4 layers of gauze.You need to take enough herbs to make 200 ml of liquid.200 ml of 70% alcohol is added to it and left to infuse throughout the day.Apply the prepared product to the affected area after steaming the feet for 10 minutes and let it dry completely.The course of treatment is at least 10-12 days.The nail plate needs to be treated 3-4 times a day.