The world statistics of fungal infection of the nail plate provide disappointing data.Every fifth person suffers from nail damage and every tenth person is a carrier of yeast bacteria.Colloquially, nail damage is simply called "fungus";the scientific name of the disease is onychomycosis or dermatophytic onychomycosis.The treatment is carried out at home without hospitalization.The infection is resistant to external influences, does not pass for a long time, occurs secondarily, and causes inflammatory foci.
Symptoms
All fungal diseases have different symptoms and signs of damage.Thus, superficial onychomycosis makes itself felt immediately, shortly after infection:
- The nail plate thickens.
- The plate breaks from the edge to the cuticle and becomes brittle.
- The configuration is distorted, the structure of the surface changes - it becomes scaly.
- In the initial stage, the natural shine and elasticity of the nail plate is lost.
- Sometimes the nail turns black and cuts into the skin.
- In advanced cases, intestinal damage occurs - dysbiosis.General weakness, reduced immunity, lethargy and sleepiness.
- An itching sensation appears between the toes and is most pronounced in children.
- The last stage is onycholysis.The plate detaches from the nail bed.A slight unpleasant odor appears.
- The skin on the finger and around the nail cracks until there is blood or ichor and a rash develops.
- Depending on the type of fungus, an unpleasant white or yellow circle of mold appears under the nail.The brightness depends on the degree of damage: from dim to bright.
Oddly enough, this fungal infection most often occurs in people leading a healthy lifestyle.Frequent visits to public sports complexes, swimming pools and saunas increase the risk of nail fungus infection.There are several reasons to create a positive environment for fungus:
- The "favorite habitat" of the fungus is moist and quite warm.The first source is wet shoes.Dry it immediately after every walk.The choice of socks plays an important role in prevention.They should consist of more than 70% natural ingredients, ideally 100%.This is the only way to ensure optimal air access.
- Reduced general immunity.It is enough to walk barefoot and immediately pick up the mushroom.Prevention - take vitamins, preferably complexes that contain minerals and amino acids.
- The pursuit of beauty - nail extension.Frequent corrections and procedures contribute to the thinning of the nail plate, which means that it increases the risk of diseases.
- Public swimming pools, showers, baths, solariums are all sources of active fungal spores.The defeat happens immediately, and the treatment takes a long time.The spores penetrate deep into the epithelium of the nail and the cavity between the fingers.At the initial stage, just "sleep", then start a sharp "attack".
How to treat onychomycosis
Be patient immediately.The treatment is long.Also be prepared to "branch out" - treatment is expensive.
- Pharmacological drugs:
- External.It is prescribed in the initial stages of a fungal infection of the nail.These are drops, varnishes or oils containing antifungal ingredients.The most popular are Ciclopirox drops.Apply once a day to the affected nail.Subsequent application: first remove the old film of the drug, then apply a new one.Effect: the condition of the nail plate improves within a week.And the unpleasant smell disappears after the first or second application.
- Urea-based compounds.Available as lotions, ointments or creams.They are prescribed in combination with oral medications and are used to prevent relapse.
- Complex treatment is not possible without oral medications.Taking Itraconazole tablets helps to cure acute, advanced forms of fungal infection of the nail plate.
- Surgical method.The fungus that has taken root in the plate is removed together with the nail.
- Modern physiotherapy: cryotherapy, acid disinfection, laser removal of the upper part of the disc.The disadvantage is the damage to the epithelium, but the removal of the fungus is 100%.
Traditional methods of combating toenail fungus
- Iodine.Its antiseptic effect has long been known.The solution should be applied to the disc and the skin between your fingers.Active spores burn out and the formation of new foci stops.Remember, iodine dries out the cuticle and nail plate.Take a break between treatments.
- Garlic.Grate the cloves on a fine grater.Apply the liquid to the area affected by the fungus.Better for the night.In the morning, rinse the area with an acidic solution.Apply poultices until improvement appears.
- Rub with apple cider vinegar.Do it twice a day.Grease the skin and plate.Preparation of baths: 10 liters.Add 200 ml (glass) of vinegar to water with a temperature of 30-32 C.Hold for 10 minutes.This method is good for eliminating unpleasant foot odor.
- Grape vinegar.200 ml.vinegar 9%, half a stick of butter, one raw egg.Mix and shake.Place the resulting suspension in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours.Then use it as a poultice.
- Fresh celandine juice.Cut a green bush and immediately burn the affected area with juice.The course is 7 days, then a 3-day break and repeat.Continue treatment until visible improvement occurs.
- Grounds.The natural antioxidant properties help to clean the keratinized layers of the epithelium together with the fungus.
- Onion kiflik.Grate the onion.Mix the porridge with a spoonful of honey.Apply to the affected area, up to 5 cm.Let it stand for an hour.A moderate lesion can be cured within a week.
- Recipe for children.Mix the chalk and soda.Add a little water.Apply the mixture to the skin between the toes.A solution of methyl blue (blue) helps a lot.This method is also suitable for lactating or pregnant women.
- Soap.The laundry soap is rubbed in with shavings and a hot bath is prepared.The legs are steamed, then wiped dry and smeared with blue.
- Military recipe.Salidol.Apply to washed feet, leave on for 2-3 hours, then remove with a dry cloth or wash with tar soap.
Measures to prevent onychomycosis
- Protect the skin of your feet from hypothermia and burns.Damaged areas are fertile ground for fungal spores.
- If someone in the family has contracted fungus, immediately disinfect the floors in the rooms and bathrooms.Provide everyone with slippers.Wear special shoe covers or slippers when showering.Do not use patient equipment.
- Daily bathing with mint and chamomile is an excellent prevention for any skin disease of the feet and nails.
- If one person in the family is sick, everyone must be examined by a doctor and have tests performed.