Did you notice any cracks between your toes? Are your feet itching and itching endlessly? Have your toenails suddenly lost their color and started to deteriorate? These symptoms should not be overlooked as they can signal a foot fungus infection. This disease is far from rare; it is especially common among military personnel, professional athletes, and pool visitors. To our great regret, fungal skin lesions are treated for a long time and with difficulty, causing considerable discomfort to its "owner". What you need to do to avoid contracting this disorder and how to deal with it after the acquisition: we will tell you about all this in our article.
Causal relationships: where does the toenail fungus come from
Of course, the fungus itself does not "stick" to the legs of a healthy person for any reason. There are several types of mushrooms that are considered classic, that is, they affect the largest percentage of patients. All of them are called with the term only "onychomycosis". This group can include candida fungal spores, dermatophytes or trichophytos, the latter, in turn, have several subspecies, which are localized on different parts of the feet and nails.
Such difficult names, at first glance, characterize an extremely unpleasant infection that gets under the nail or "settles" in the area between the fingers or under them, at the base itself. The most wonderful environment for fungal spores is the moist and warm folds of human legs, this is where they really feel comfortable and constantly develop, which leads to an expansion of the affected area.
So what causes toenail fungus?
- In the absence of proper hygiene, fungi proliferate and can affect large areas of the foot. At the same time, their spores are perfectly capable of reaching the surface of any shoe, "settling" there and infecting a person again and again, and besides him, even those who can wear these shoes. Slippers and rubber slippers are common breeding ground for disputes.
- Due to excessive sweating of the legs, which is called hyperkeratosis. The shoes of military personnel, miners or athletes are often damp on the inside. This happens due to increased loads and "non-breathable" materials from which boots or boots are sewn. This environment is a mushroom spore paradise.
- Sometimes the fungus gets under the nail during the pedicure procedure in any beauty salon. Without proper sterilization of pedicure tools, the master runs the risk of bringing you a fungus, which is quite difficult to get rid of. This can happen to anyone during a pedicure tweezer cut that has not been treated with a special sterilization solution.
- Onychomycosis is a frequent companion of people who take antibacterial drugs or have reduced immunity. In addition, a provoking factor for the appearance of fungus on the nails can be impaired blood circulation in the lower limbs, varicose veins or diabetes mellitus.
- Chronic diseases present in the body can affect the fungal infection. It is not necessary to start the inflammatory process, which has become chronic. It is imperative to deal with it.
Due to the fact that mushroom spores are very fond of moisture and heat, they often "live" in bathrooms, public showers and saunas. That is why in places where there is standing water, high humidity and high temperatures, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene. Make sure you only wear your own shoes brought from home in saunas, public showers and bathrooms. Remember: if someone has repeatedly worn their slippers in the sauna before you, it is entirely possible that the fungal spores have already lodged within the porous structure of the gum and you could be infected with onychomycosis.
How to diagnose toenail fungus on your own
It is not difficult to carry out self-diagnosis, because from the most insignificant signs you can recognize the fungus and consult a doctor at the initial stage. All you need to do is regularly examine your feet in the area between the toes, at their base, as well as your nails. It is especially important to pay attention to the condition of the skin of the foot after visiting swimming pools, saunas, baths or after wearing someone else's shoes.
The most common symptoms of fungal infections of the feet and nails are:
- Cracked skin at the base of the toes. At the same time, the wounds do not dry out, but get wet and are constantly inflamed.
- Unusual shaped nails. Any detachment of natural calendula from the skin, their deformation or discoloration should alert you. In patients with onychomycosis, the nails become very thick, become too brittle and can even crumble. At the same time, the color scale is able to change - yellow, white, gray or even blackened marigolds are by no means uncommon for such ailment.
- Also, look for itchy, scaly patches and rashes on the surface of your feet. If they do not disappear for 1-2 days, you should consult a dermatologist.
- You should also pay attention to the sudden appearance of blisters on the skin of your feet. They are usually found in small groups and contain a clear liquid inside.
- A very important symptom is an unpleasant smell from the feet. If your legs have never given off a fetid aroma before, don't skip this factor, as it could indicate the presence of a fungal disease.
Due to the presence of such symptoms, you can independently diagnose a fungal skin disease. If in doubt, you should visit a doctor, he will carry out a special examination and confirm or deny the presence of onychomycosis.
How nail fungus is diagnosed in a medical clinic
Most likely, you will be asked for a general blood and urine test to find out if there is an inflammatory process in the body. Your doctor will ask you to detail what medications you are taking and if you have any specific diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. Due to the increase in the level of glucose in the blood and excess weight, which often accompanies endocrine disorders, the so-called diabetic foot often appears. This disorder is characterized by corns, corns, cracks and fungal lesions.
Laboratory analysis for the presence of fungal spores is mandatory. Usually, a few days before diagnosis, it is not necessary to wash the feet, and the points of detachment of the nail plate must be sealed with adhesive plaster. It is at the border between healthy skin and the affected area that a special scraping is performed, which determines the presence of onychomycosis. In rare cases, when a relapse of the disease occurs, the particles of the destroyed calendula are taken for analysis. They are placed in a special environment in which the fungus can develop more actively. Similarly, laboratory assistants, together with doctors, determine the type of fungus and can subsequently decide on further therapy.
Diseases of this nature are treated by dermatologists and doctors with a narrower specialization: mycologists.
How to cure toenail fungus
Unfortunately, nail fungus is not a common cold. It will never go away by itself. Disputes are quite resistant to many drugs, but what can I say: it is the fungus that is considered to be one of the most tenacious microorganisms on the planet. Just like mold, fungal spores can survive all of us.
Mycoses should be treated without fail, because they can spread to the surface of the skin, involving all large areas in the pathological process and even settle in the respiratory tract, causing asthma.
There are drugs called antifungals. Like antibacterial drugs, they eliminate the problem from the inside, as they are often taken orally. Only a doctor can prescribe antifungals, as some of them can have many side effects. Some drug groups are able to fight only one or more types of fungi, but there are also broad-spectrum antifungals.
For effective treatment of onychomycosis, drugs with the following active ingredients are suitable:
- Terbinafine,
- Clotrimazole,
- Ketoconazole,
- Fluconazole,
- Itraconazole.
Remember that only a doctor has the right to prescribe antifungals. Given the possibility of side effects, it is impossible to choose an antifungal that is suitable for all patients with onychomycosis.
In addition, special ointments, applications and creams are prescribed for the high-quality treatment of fungal infections of the foot. These toenail fungus remedies are used both in the initial stage and during the running process. Based on the degree of damage and the location of the fungus, the doctor can prescribe applications. They consist of applying ointment to the affected skin areas, which are then sealed with a plaster. Such an application is usually kept overnight, and in the morning dead skin or nail particles are carefully removed and removed.
The following treatment options also give good results:
- Treatment with antifungal spray,
- Creams or emulsions
- Coating of toenails with a special anti-fungal varnish.
Complex therapy of fungal diseases, which combines the use of ointments, antifungals and other procedures, provides the most lasting effect. But we must not forget that onychomycosis therapy is a long process. To give you an idea of how you can get rid of toenail fungus, it is worth mentioning one fact: as usual, the nail completely grows back over a period of 6 to 12 months. Until a new and healthy nail grows back completely, you shouldn't stop treatment, as spores can sometimes persist at the root of the nail. If you stop treatment prematurely, a relapse of the disease can occur.
Folk remedies for toenail fungus
Treatment of a fungus at home will not be effective if only two or three treatment procedures are performed and, at the slightest improvement in the clinical picture, therapy is forgotten. The course of antifungal therapy should last at least three weeks, but sometimes it takes much longer to defeat an unpleasant disease. Be patient or the toenail fungus will come back.
The cornerstone of home treatment is to remove as much of the affected skin and nails as possible to prevent the spread of spores. In the conditions of beauty salons, a pedicure master will help to cope with mycoses. He will remove the affected top layer of the nail with a special bur with a non-coarse nozzle, after which it will be possible to apply antifungal ointment to this area. At home, you are unlikely to be able to completely remove the dead cell layer, but it will be quite possible to soften it and carefully remove it.
Toenail Fungus Recipe:
- Chicken egg - 1 piece
- Essence of vinegar 70% or 80%
- Tea tree oil, butter or olive.
Acetic acid works well against many types of fungi, so you can try it at home. First, pour the essence of the chicken egg so that it is completely covered with the solution. It is best to use a glass beaker for this. Now you need to put it in a dark place. Observe the egg: as soon as you realize that the shell is completely dissolved, remove the container and add a drizzle of oil (in case you want to add tea tree oil, 1-2 drops will be enough). Now you need to carefully grind the mixture so that the egg turns into a homogeneous paste. The mixture should cover the areas affected by the fungus, apply a film on top and wrap the feet with a bandage or gauze. It is recommended to leave the compress for several hours, after which the steamed calendula should be cut. With regular use, the diseased nail can be removed almost completely and the fungus can be eliminated forever.
Toenail fungus: treatment with folk remedies
If you want to defeat nail fungus on your own, it is possible that tablets based on various ingredients, for example, garlic, horseradish or kombucha, will help you. Just make sure you steam your legs before applying, that is, prepare a steam bath for them.
Baths with soda solution or potassium permanganate are considered the most effective. Both ingredients have an antiseptic effect, perfectly cleanse and disinfect the skin and toenails. Taking a bath is simple: pour hot water into a basin and pour soda into it, at the rate of 1 tablespoon. L. soda for 3 liters of water. Potassium permanganate powder should be added carefully so as not to burn the inflamed skin. The solution does not have to be purple or purple; light pink water will suffice. We lower our legs into our bathtub and enjoy for about 1 hour. Dry your feet. Now you can perform other manipulations.
Grate horseradish or garlic on a fine grater or squeeze with a press. Wrap the mass in a piece of gauze or bandage and apply to the affected area. Leave the compress overnight, remembering to wrap it in plastic and wear warm socks. Kombucha has an identical effect, you will need a little - a small piece, which also needs to be applied to the affected area of the nail.
Foot fungus prevention - how to avoid fungal spore infection
As a preventive measure against onychomycosis infection, you should follow a few simple rules:
- Use your shoes to visit the swimming pool, shower, sauna or Turkish bath. Try not to walk in these places barefoot, especially if there is even minor skin damage.
- Do not lend shoes and foot hygiene items such as pumice stone or a homemade pedicure brush to strangers.
- In order to never think about how to get rid of toenail fungus, change your underwear, socks or tights more often. Your health depends on it.
- When you come to a pedicure, check if the master has sterilized his tools. In some salons, a purchase service for your pedicure toolset is available. This significantly reduces the risk of contracting the fungus.
- Do not forget that for the prevention of corns, calluses and blisters, you should wear loose shoes that do not restrict movement. Remember: if there are no wounds, cracks or scratches on the surface of the skin, the fungal spores are unlikely to attack you.