Fungus nail plates on the feet of the so-called onychomycosis. Initially the infectious process affects the big toe, but by the development shall also apply to the other. The disease goes through several stages. The sooner treatment is started, the easier cope with the problem. This is especially true in relation to the nail of the thumb of the lower limbs: in his grand lodge and dimensions, so the extent of the lesion material.
Phase of the onychomycosis
Fungus nail plate, goes through several stages of development, for each of which are typical of certain symptoms. We distinguish the following stages of the development of the disease:
- Initial. At this stage, visible pathological deviations is not observed: the changes are external in nature. The nail plate on the fingers of the lower limbs, they lose their luster. On the surface, appear white spots or stripes. Overall the nail looks healthy person does not feel pain or discomfort. If you uncover onychomycosis at this stage, you can quite quickly get rid of.
- The average, or continues. Morbid is influenced the structure of the nail. The plate acquires a more pronounced yellowish tint, foliated, and breaks in work. Also creates an unpleasant odor coming from the affected leg.
- States, or degenerative phase. There is a profound defeat of the nails. In this case, the infectious process is with your thumb on the other. The entire surface of the nail plate affected by the fungus and exfoliate from the bed, it becomes free. The patient tormented by severe itching. When the pressure on the affected areas creates the pain and feeling of pulsation. For this reason, the patient cannot wear closed shoes.
The degenerative phase of the onychomycosis
On the third stage of the development process of infection likely infection of the skin sheets of the foot. In this case, to cure the fungus is possible using only the complex therapy, which involves the use of local medicines and drugs is a systemic action (pills for ingestion).
The reasons for the development of mold on the big finger of the foot
The main reasons that cause the development of onychomycosis are:
- contacting with a person who is a carrier of the fungal infection;
- the neglect of standards of hygiene;
- wearing someone else's, or tight, it is not appropriate to the size of the shoes;
- weakened immunity;
- a visit to a spa, saunas, swimming pools or beauty salons, where they can be used not disinfect the instruments;
- injury to the nail and skin sheets, which surround it;
- flat feet;
- longer receiving antibacterial medications;
- hyperhidrosis (increased sweating in the area of the feet);
- the presence of endocrine or immune lesions;
- a breach in the circulatory system, which is especially true in the elderly;
- varicose veins;
- diabetes.
Flat feet — one of the reasons for the occurrence of onychomycosis
An important factor that increases the risk of onychomycosis, is a high age. People of advanced age suffer from bad blood circulation in the extremities, which also increases the risk of fungal infections. The causative agent of disease enters the nails or the skin with infected items or contact with a native speaker. The pathogen spread rapidly, grabbing new sections. In the subungual space of the fungus enters through damaged areas of the nail plate or areas of the skin around it. The fungus quickly spreads towards the nail house. The advancing speed higher than the speed of the growth plate. Soon the pathogenic microorganism reaches the target and causes changes in the structure of the nail. Found that the from the mold in 3 times more likely to suffer from men. Nail the boards hit such a species of fungus such as dermatophytes, moulds and yeast-like.
If it's worth it to see a doctor?
Contact the doctor should at the first appearance of the fungal lesion. It is not necessary to wait until they show obvious symptoms of the disease: education of white spots and even mild itching in the area stop should be the reason for the appeal to the specialist – to the mycologist or a dermatologist.
Diagnosis
For diagnostic activities, which will allow it to detect the disease and its stage, include:
- visual inspection of the nail plate;
- fence of a tissue sample of the affected nail;
- culture studies – sowing obtained from the patient material on nourishing environments for the identification of species of microorganisms, which hit the nails.
In some cases, the specialist conducts differential diagnosis and distinguishes them is onychomycosis from such diseases as lichen planus, psoriasis, keratoderma.
Treatment of fungal lesions of the nail at the initial stage of development
If the disease has been found in the initial stage, to cope with it will be much easier. In this case, usually just the use of the financial resources of a local nature, which have an impact directly on the affected nails. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the nail plate and can vary from two to four weeks. All of the cure funds, which are intended for the treatment of even mild forms of mycosis of the nails, were appointed by the doctor.
Therapy is initiated onychomycosis
During the serious course of the mold, and even in the case of running infectious process shows a complex treatment. Necessarily prescribe antifungal agents systemic measures, if no contraindications. The patient prescribe drugs:
- Systemic antibiotics in the form of a tablet. The active ingredient of the drug reaches the sites of localization of pathogenic micro-organisms and has a fungicidal action.
- The product suppresses the development of disease pathogens and destroys them. The course of treatment and dose are determined by the attending physician. A means of causing the adverse reaction.
- The product has a fungicidal effect. The existing substance gradually accumulates in the layers of the nail plate, which allows you to destroy even the mushrooms, which localized deep enough.
Also, when neglected fungus nail effective procedures, which will allow you to get rid of the affected boards. This can be done in the following ways:
- The surgical removal. This method provides podawanie boards acute surgical device and its tearing away from the bed. After the operation is applied bandage. A surgical method for traumatic and rarely used. Instead of practicing minimally invasive ways.
- The removal of the plates with the help of chemicals that contribute to premature flaking of the affected nail. In this case, the problematic plot of land governed by a special solution , wait until the drug begins to act, and then uses the tools that help to quickly separate the plate from the nail bed.
- The laser treatment. It is a modern painless method that will allow you to quickly get rid of fungal nails. The Laser acts on the plate, a maximum of rapid heating up to high temperatures. The beam penetrates and detoxifies pathogenic microorganisms. Method is bloodless and is absolutely safe because it does not cause burns.
During the running phase of the onychomycosis it is necessary to exactly follow the doctor's recommendations, because of the absence of adequate treatment increases the risk of a generalized lesion of the body of fungal infections.
Folk methods
Treatment nail fungus on the big finger of the foot can also take place with the help of the methods of folk medicine. These ways are of another character and cannot be the basis of therapy. The most popular folk remedies include, for example:
- Potatoes of a large onion. You need to grind it on a grater a few light bulbs and attach the resulting mass to was struck by nails. Upstairs at the castle bandage. Leave for 15-20 minutes, rinse.
- Hydrogen peroxide. The affected feet in advance hold in the bath with water to Polish the maximum softened. Then take off the top layer of the plate. A piece of gauze, the impregnation of the hydrogen peroxide and wrap up the phalanx of the finger was struck by a fingernail, grabbing the direct a hotbed of defeat. Leave for 40-50 minutes. Repeat the procedure, it is possible to two times a day.
- Apple cider vinegar. It is important to use a natural product. Take 2 tablespoons of vinegar and add an equal amount of vodka, and also a tablespoon of glycerin. In the composition of dip a cotton ball and apply on the nails for 15 minutes. Repeat 4 times a day.
Folk recipes will help reduce the severity of symptoms of the disease and eliminate the unpleasant feelings, which, however, are not able to destroy the pathogens of the disease.
In diseases and peculiarities of treatment of nail fungus in children
In children is onychomycosis occurs quite rarely. The main reason for the disease – a weakness in the strength of the incomplete formation of immunity. Symptoms of onychomycosis in children are:
- the loss of the plates of its natural pinkish color, the formation of gray or white spots on the surface;
- the robustness of and the tuberosity of the nail plate;
- crumbling and brittle nails;
- redness and swelling of the skin that surrounds the affected nail child.
To treat nail fungus in children are usually only used products for local use. In the case of the need to appoint and system resources. The most safe for the baby are capsule . Antifungal drugs for oral should be prescribed only by a doctor.
The properties of the drug in pregnant and lactating
When the pregnancy is a high risk of developing onychomycosis in that case, if earlier the woman suffered a disease and not a permanently cure his. Linked with the weakening of immunity, what is happening in the course of pregnancy. It is important to timely cure the fungus, because in severe cases, this creates the risk of the accession of a bacterial infection that threatens the health and the mother and the fetus. Systemic medications during pregnancy cannot be used, because they have a high degree of toxicity. In the period of pregnancy and lactation it is necessary to use topical medications, but only those that are safe for the future mother and her child. These include the sulfur-salicylic ointment, amicacola ointment.
Treatment in elderly
In elderly people a decrease in immunity – the natural age-related phenomenon, which creates additional risks for the development of onychomycosis. In this case, the specialist also reflected caution in the selection of remedies for the treatment of fungus nail plate. Systemic medications are prescribed if the disease lasts a year and more, even in the case of large lesions, and degenerative changes of the nails.
Preventive measures
Upon the occurrence of the symptoms of mold and mildew on the pinkie or a big toe should immediately seek medical help. But you can take steps that allow you to prevent the development of this disease. You need to follow these instructions:
- wash the feet at least twice a day;
- every day to wash socks and wear clean;
- when increasing the sweating use a special deodorizing means for the legs;
- wear shoes, that is suitable in size, it should not be too tight, also it need to wash every day;
- use only on personal means of hygiene, as well as tools for manicure and pedicure;
- when you visit the pool, the beach, the sauna, the use of personal rubber shoes;
- wash the feet with soap after visiting the pool, the sauna, when the need to use a pharmacy resources for prevention.
Nail fungus on the feet – a disease that is relatively difficult to treat in the stage of progression. At the first symptoms need to see a doctor. Treatment depends on the stage of development of onychomycosis: initial plenty of drugs for local action, while running the necessary systemic antifungal agents.