Treating toenail fungus with folk remedies is a long process that can take from 1 to 4 months. At the same time, it is possible that after a while there will be a recurrence of the disease. This is due to the high level of infectivity of the microorganisms that cause this pathology, as well as the spread of their spores in the environment where the infected person lives.
What is toenail fungus
Nail plate fungus on the fingers is an infectious disease with a chronic form of the flow that occurs as a result of infecting this part of the limb with pathogens (fungi). In medical terminology, this pathology is defined as onychomycosis.
It is considered a common disease that is difficult to treat with all types of therapy.On average, every 10th resident suffers from toenail fungus. The disease can turn into complicated forms, completely affecting the entire surface of the nail plate, causing its detachment and deformation.
Types of toenail fungus
Treating toenail fungus using folk remedies is a long process and a positive result can be achieved after 1-3 months. since the beginning of therapy. The variety of mycosis is also of great importance, the development of which has led to the defeat of all or part of the nail plate.
The table below shows the types of toenail fungus, as well as a description of the pathological process:
| Type of onychomycosis | Characteristics of the disease |
| Normotrophic | The color of the nail plate changes. Elongated streaks and irregular spots may appear. At the same time, the usual shine of the nail, the transparency of the plate and its normal thickness are maintained. It is considered a kind of non-serious disease that responds well to treatment with traditional medicine. |
| Hypertrophic | The color of the nail changes, its shine and transparency are lost. A gradual deformation of the nail plate develops with the destruction of the edges. Detaching a part of the nail from the bed is possible. The degree of plaque deformation depends directly on the fertilization of the tissue by pathogenic microorganisms. |
| Onikolitik | This is an atrophic type of disease, when the nail plate deformity phase ends. The nail tissue dies, which ultimately leads to its rejection by the root of the bed. |
This classification of onychomycosis species diversity is used by dermatologists.
Also, the disease is divided according to the signs of clinical appearance, namely:
- distal - damage to the nail plate occurs only on the free edge side;
- lateral - nail destruction takes place on the sides; proximal
- - mycosis destroys posterior crest tissues;
- total - the fungus has completely affected the entire nail, from its root to the front.
The type and form of the disease is determined by a specialist at the time of the patient examination. Based on the results of the examination and diagnosis, a treatment regimen is selected. This applies to both methods of drug therapy and folk remedies.
Stages and scales of toenail fungus
Toenail fungus, treatment with folk remedies, which lasts a long time, is a chronic disease. Onychomycosis develops over several months, and sometimes for many years. It depends on how strong the patient's immune system is, as well as the type of infectious pathogen.
Each stage of the disease is characterized by a gradual deterioration of the health of the affected tissues, namely:
- The first stage - there is a gradual change in the color of the nail plate along the edges, the formation of streaks and spots of white, gray or yellow shades is possible, other painful signs of the diseasecompletely absent (does the person feel a sharp and unpleasant yeast smell coming from the toes);
- The second stage - onychomycosis progresses, covering the entire area of the nail plate, the structure of which begins to change from the edges to the base of the bed (the color of diseased tissue is completely yellow or gray, there are no signstransparency);
- Third stage - the last stage in the development of toenail fungus, which is characterized by complete necrosis of the affected tissues, they are deformed and rejected by the body (appearance of local inflammation caused by detachment of the nail platefrom the base of the bed is possible).
The last stage of the disease is the most severe form of onychomycosis. After the rejection of the nail, its re-formation occurs, but in this case, healthy tissue is already formed. If a person does not take measures to treat a dermatological disease and get rid of pathogenic microorganisms, then the new nail will also become infected with mycosis and be destroyed in the soil.
Symptoms of toenail fungus
Toenail fungus, treatment with folk remedies for which requires regular use of home decoctions, tinctures and oils, is a disease with pronounced symptoms.
Onychomycosis of this part of the body can be recognized by the following symptoms:
- redness of epithelial tissue located on the perimeter of the nail plate;
- white spots or streaks appear on the sides of the nail as well as on the front of it, which do not disappear during plate processing or water procedures;
- nail plate gradually changes its color, there is a loss of its transparency (the pathological process develops from the edges to the center and the root of the tissue);
- fungal microorganisms penetrate deep into the nail plate, destroying its structure, which leads to its deformation;
- the affected nail has a wrinkled yellow shape;
- under mechanical action on the affected tissues, they separate from the nail bed (this process may be accompanied by painful symptoms and ichor secretion at the root of the nail, where it connects to the epithelial and soft tissues of the toe)
All of the above symptoms are accompanied by the constant persistence of a sharp and unpleasant odor, which resembles yeast, but more pronounced. This sign of the disease appears even before the external symptoms begin to develop, indicating a gradual destruction of the nail plate tissue.
Causes of Toenail Fungus
Fungus on toenails, the treatment of which folk remedies are based on the principle of systematic use of home remedies, can no longer develop on its own without the influence of a number of factors.
Onychomycosis infection is possible in the following cases:
- as a result of visiting public showers, baths, steam rooms, swimming pools, saunas, if a person did not use individual rubber slippers, came into contact with a surface in which persistent spores of microorganisms are presentfungi;
- the common wearing of shoes by several persons, when one of them has fungal lesions of the nail plates;
- poor hygiene, occasional foot washing;
- the presence of concomitant diseases such as diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, as well as deformity of the foot, increases the risk of toenail fungus, as local immunity is reduced, or a nutrient medium is created to increase the population of fungal microorganisms;
- wearing shoes made of poor quality clothing that does not allow air to pass through and does not absorb water, which ultimately leads to the fact that the toes are constantly wet;
- contact of the open part of the foot or nail with the floor surface in the apartment, if a person with onychomycosis lives in the same living conditions.
A person's immune status plays an important role in the development of this disease. People with strong immunity can avoid infection and further damage to the nail plate. Warm and humid environments are ideal conditions for fungal microorganisms, so this information should be taken into account when visiting beaches and other crowded places.
Diagnosis of toenail fungus
Fungus on toenails, the treatment of which folk remedies begin only after a detailed examination by a dermatologist, is an infectious disease that requires careful diagnosis. This is necessary in order to determine the type of fungal microorganisms and then choose a treatment regimen that will be effective in a particular case.
For the diagnosis of onychomycosis, the patient must undergo the following stages of examination:
- preliminary examination by a dermatologist who examines the appearance of the affected plaque, assesses the condition of the tissues, the degree of their deformation;
- a stain is carried out from the surface of the epithelium located on the perimeter of the nail bed (biochemical analysis is performed for a type of fungal microorganisms, as well as the possible presence of secondary bacterial microflora);
- in the conditions of the laboratory manipulation room, the specialist selects a part of the affected tissue in order to study in more detail the fungal microorganisms and to exclude the simultaneous presence of several types of mycosis;
- In addition to the toes, an examination of the skin surface of the foot is performed to make sure that the fungal disease is localized and that there are no signs of it spreading to other parts of the lower limb.
Based on the results of an external examination, as well as based on laboratory findings, the attending physician diagnoses the patient - onychomycosis or denies the presence of pathology.
Diagnosis takes an average of 1 to 3 days. At a public hospital, the services of a biochemical laboratory are free, but conditions for studying biological material can take up to 7-10 days.
When to see a doctor
Consultation with a dermatologist should be performed as soon as signs of nail fungus development are detected.The delay is fraught with worsening of symptoms and damage to large areas of nail plate.
In addition, a person with signs of onychomycosis is a carrier of a fungal infection, and also, without realizing it, spreads spores of pathogenic microorganisms in the daily conditions of his residence. In this case, infection of healthy family members with onychomycosis is not excluded.
Prevention of toenail fungus
it is possible to avoid contamination of toenails with a fungal infection, but for this simple preventive rules must be followed every day, which will protect the lower limbs from fertilization by pathogenic microorganisms.
The following actions are recommended:
- do not visit public baths, swimming pools, saunas, showers or wear individual shoes with rubber soles;
- wear only high quality shoes made of genuine leather;
- follow the rules of personal hygiene, wash your feet daily with warm soapy water, wash socks;
- insist on treating family members who have signs of toenail fungus but have let the disease take its course and do not seek medical help;
- during summer vacations near open bodies of water, on the beach, walk only in shoes, avoiding contact of the epithelial surface of the feet and toes with sand, river sludge or soil;
- wear only your shoes;
- make sure there are no areas of mold growth in the apartment or private house (damp on the walls, fungus that has infected old wooden floors, planks, blackened wallpaper in the corner).
To prevent fungal infections of the nails, it is recommended to pay special attention to strengthening the immune system.
To do this, you need to take a contrast shower every day, get rid of bad habits, strengthen the body, eat rationally, eating only biologically beneficial products (cereals, chicken, rabbit, rooster). seafood, beef, fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, cottage cheese, milk, cheese, ocean fish).
Methods for treating toenail fungus
The therapy of onychomycosis is performed using traditional pharmaceuticals, prescriptions of traditional medicine and is also performed with the method of surgical intervention. Each of these methods is effective at a certain stage of disease development.
Medications
Treatment of a fungal infection is performed with drugs that have an antifungal spectrum of action.
Antifungal medications should only be prescribed by a dermatologist. Only a specialist of this profile is able to determine which particular drug is effective in a particular clinical case. In addition, when designing a treatment regimen, the data of laboratory studies of collected samples of a deformed or altered nail are taken into account.
Traditional methods
There are traditional medicine recipes that allow you to get rid of a fungal infection of the toenails without the use of pharmaceutical preparations. To do this, use the following compresses, household oils, tinctures and other methods:
Compression of Kombucha
To prepare this folk remedy, you will need to buy a kombucha, or grow it yourself at home. A portion of this ingredient is cut with a knife and then placed on the surface of the infected nail. The procedure is performed the night before you go to bed. Kombucha is fixed to the finger with an adhesive plaster. The time of therapy is not limited by time.
Onion Liquid Tincture
You need to take 1 medium onion, chop it with a knife and then pour in 1 tablespoon. powdered sugar.
The next medicine is sent to the refrigerator for 24 hours. During this period of time, the chopped vegetable manages to release a sufficient amount of juice, which is introduced and then used as medicine. A diseased nail is wiped with onion juice 3-4 times a day for 3 months, or until complete healing.
Antiseptic solution
This product is prepared at home by mixing in equal proportions of 1 tsp. boiled water, ethyl alcohol and garlic pulp. All ingredients are mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed. The resulting solution is used for antiseptic treatment of nail plate at least 2 times a day. The treatment lasts at least 3-4 months.
Salt ointment for mushrooms
An effective antifungal agent that is easily made at home. To do this, you need to take ½ tsp. table salt, add 1 tbsp. honey collected from herbs, and then mix all ingredients. The result is a honey-based oil that contains a high concentration of mineral salt.
The product is applied to the nail plate once a day. It is best to perform the procedure at night. In the treatment process, it is necessary to observe precautions, not allowing home remedies to get into the skin around the perimeter of the nail bed and also need to protect the eye mucosa.
Homemade ointment is used until the diseased nail is detached with the further formation of a healthy plaque. Alternative therapy is really effective, but the only drawback of using them is the timing of therapy.
The duration of their use should be at least 3 months. The initial form of fungal infection of the toenails can be eliminated within 2 months. In this case, the course of treatment should be continuous. Overcoming even one procedure can worsen tissue health.
Other Methods
An alternative treatment for a fungal infection of the lower extremity nails is surgery. The method consists in the fact that the attending physician removes the deformed nail plate.
Generally, the operation is performed as follows:
- The patient comes independently to the operating room, and then lies on the couch or sits in a chair.
- A nurse injects a local anesthetic into a finger whose nail is affected by onychomycosis.
- Once the anesthetic has started working (after 5-10 minutes), the surgeon removes the affected nail pliers.
- An antiseptic treatment of the operated area is performed, the suture material is placed and a sterile dressing is applied.
After the completion of the surgical intervention, the patient is transferred to his ward of the surgical department, where he receives further therapy with antifungal drugs. The average duration of complete healing of the wound site is from 7 to 10 days. Within 1 month. a new nail plate grows, which, provided the treatment process is properly organized, has no signs of fungus.
Possible complications
In the absence of actions aimed at curing nail plates from a fungal infection,may develop the following complications caused by pathogenic microorganisms:
- complete deformation of the nail plate with its further detachment from the base of the bed;
- spread of fungi to healthy skin tissues located on the surface of the foot, between the toes, disease transmission to the nails of the upper extremities, inguinal folds;
- onychomycosis infection of other family members who have not previously suffered from a fungal disease (children are most vulnerable because their immune system is weaker than that of adults);
- the loss of the nail and the completion of the process of forming a new plaque, since due to the abundance of infectious microorganisms, the integrity of its structure is initially violated.
Treating toenail fungus with folk remedies is possible, but this will require the maximum amount of effort, spending at least 3 months. koha
The main risk of onychomycosis is that the fungal microorganisms that cause nail plate damage are highly infectious and quickly adapt to new environmental conditions as well as the effects of the active ingredients of medicines.
This is why treatment of the disease should begin as soon as possible in order to prevent its transition to a complicated or chronic form of the course.