Onychomycosis is a common disease. This files most often diagnosed fungus the nail on the thumb. With timely treatment the infection can stop and avoid hitting the health of the nails. Currently there are many tools designed to fight against the fungi. In the initial stages, it will be sufficient local drug, and neglected not to do without radical measures.
Causes of nail fungus and risk factors
Cause of nail fungus in the majority of cases, it is the contact with another person.
Risk Factors for fungal infection are the following:
- Old age.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Bacterial lesions of the skin.
- Eczema, dermatitis.
- The abuse of spirituous drinks.
The disease develops in contact with the nail plate fungal pathogens. They can also enter the bloodstream and on the skin. In the majority of cases, the cause of the pathology of development is the contact with another person. The possible causes are a fungal infection:
- Be in the public areas in accordance with the type of bath or basin. In this case fungus most often affects the toes.
- Contact with a person suffering from onychomycosis. Can be transmitted through personal belongings.
- Cosmetic procedures if the tools are not disinfected. For example, during the procedure of pedicure or manicure.
- The failure to observe rules of personal hygiene. The lack of proper control over the state of the feet or use of poor quality shoes leads to the development of nail fungus.
- Medication, side effect which is the development of fungal diseases.
- Poor circulation, varicose veins.
The stage of onychomycosis and its symptoms
Each stage of the nail fungus has its own symptoms. According to this treatment is selected, so it is important to know in which phase is fungal infection.
- Normal scars. The nail plate changes its color, while preserving the Shine of the nail and its normal thickness. Gradually the spots of different sizes, have a white-yellow color. With the development of the disease, the spots increase in size and become slightly convex, in consequence, that cover the entire nail plate. The thickness of the nail is kept in good condition.
- The hypertrophic scars. At this stage the manifestations of onychomycosis becomes more pronounced. In addition to changing the tone of the nail, the width of the nail. Increases by more than 2 mm. This is due to hyperkeratosis – increased formation of skin flakes. The nail plate loses its Shine, becomes dull, it starts to crack and severely deformed. A particularly strong failure occurs on the sides of the nail.
- Atrophic. The nail plate begins to acquire greyish-tint brown, boredom becomes more pronounced. As the progression of the disease, the nail is reduced, you completely atrophy. The pathological process develops from the tip of the nail plate, slowly moving to the cushion and skin area growth. Symptoms of tension for a long time do not affect the same growth of the area.
- Distal. The process of deformation becomes uniform throughout the nail plate. In the nails appear pronounced stripes. As the collapse of the nail, the free edge disappears completely. The nail plate becomes irregular in shape. On the side of the rollers there is inflammation and redness. In some cases, when pressed, may appear a little bit of pus.
- Proximal. The nail plate appears white spot large sizes. The nail begins to totally collapse.
- Total. It is the end of the stage. The nail plate is affected totally. The nail crumbles and takes on different nuances.
Diagnosis of fungi
Diagnosis includes visual inspection and series of tests. For diagnosis you must consult a dermatologist. To start with, the specialist will conduct a visual inspection, then perform the following procedure:
- Scraping of the infected area of the nail plate.
- Microscopy, which reveals the presence of fungal diseases.
As a general rule, the diagnosis of the fungus on the limbs without causing problems. Even by visual inspection, it is possible to understand if there is fungus and its stage.
How to cure nail fungus
Currently, there are many ways of treatment of the nail fungus on my big toe. Methods of treatment depend on the stage of the fungal infection. In the initial phases of the disease need only topical treatments.
Antifungal varnishes
Many people wonder how to treat nail fungus on my big toe. For these purposes, are widely used in special varnishes designed to eliminate fungal infections. Differ rapid effect and ease of use. The range of this type of coating is huge, so everyone can choose for themselves the individual means.
Ointments, sprays and creams
Among aerosols, ointments and creams for the treatment of nail fungus on thumb to allocate funds presented in the table below. They are very popular, and have proven to be the most effective.
Tablets for oral administration
Medicines for oral administration are assigned very rarely. Their method is suitable only in advanced stages of the fungal infection. As that causes a great number of side effects, that are forbidden to take without a prescription. Between the tablets especially popular drugs presented in the table below.
The means for the removal of the plate of nails
Removal of the nail plate may be necessary if there is yeast infection and was struck by its entire surface. It is necessary to use special tools to gently remove the nails. In addition, they also aimed at the elimination of fungi. When to use them, greater care must be taken to avoid injury and infection.
The effect of laser
Laser – an alternative method of treatment of fungus in the big toe. The lasers are able to penetrate deeply into the thickness of the nail, which allows to effectively eliminate the infection. This procedure is recommended for people with increased sensitivity to drugs for the treatment of mycosis. The laser acts without pain, without causing discomfort. The procedure has no side effects and contraindications. For maximum effect, it is necessary to have a course of this type of procedures.
Surgical removal
Surgical removal of the nail plate – in the most radical way. Used only if other techniques do not give the desired result. The operation is performed with local anesthesia. The nail plate is removed. Of the positive aspects of this method, you can cancel the fast relief of fungal infection. Subject to the measures required in the growth of a healthy nail can be accelerated. The downside is a relatively long rehabilitation after surgery, can cause pain.
Folk remedies
Methodology of folk medicine are widely used in the treatment of the fungal infection. It is recommended to use them as supplementary measures to the basic treatment. To replace the drugs they can't. The most common recipes:
- Regularly steam your feet in soda water, with the incorporation of iodine. After that the nail is treated with an agent antibacterial.
- Apply daily on the affected nails of the feet falling of a 5% iodine. As a prevention, apply 1-2 times a week.
- Throughout the week, lubricate the nail Apple cider vinegar.
- Grind celandine, bring to the boil. The solution is to add to the celebration of the baths of the feet.
- To add to the footbath soft drink and a piece of soap. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a week.
What happens if not treated the disease
If the weather does not deal with the treatment of nail fungus, threatens the transition of the disease into a chronic form. Its danger lies in the accumulation of toxic substances that enter the bloodstream. After the toxins are rapidly spread through the body.
Prevention tips
In order to avoid fungal infection to the nails of the plate, must comply with the following rules:
- To ensure that your legs will be dry.
- Wear comfortable and quality shoes.
- After a visit to the common areas and thoroughly wash feet with soap and water.
- When it comes to shoes is to use socks.
- Regularly monitor the status of the nail. To remove the excess length and perform hygienic pedicure.
- If a person is faced with the fungus, it is necessary to use a special antifungal drugs to prevent recurrence.
Preventive measures will help you avoid such unpleasant diseases such as onychomycosis of the nail. In addition, careful care of feet and nail to preserve them in excellent condition.