Nail fungus, (onychomycosis) is one of the most common infectious diseases, which are hard to treat. According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the planet, which is suffering from a fungal infection, which can not only affect the skin and nails, but also leads to more serious health problems. In more extreme cases, due to the presence of the pathogenic fungi, who are suffering from internal organs, there is a reduction of General and local immunity, and they often develop complications associated with the accession of secondary bacterial infection.
To completely get rid of the mold is hard, the healing process is slow, requires the careful adherence to medical recommendations. And, if you do not make treatment until the end of the high risk of the recurrence of the disease and the subsequent progression of the disease. In the pharmaceutical market, there is now a wide selection of an antifungal medications to control the infection. It is not just, ointments, gels, powders, nail Polish, and a system of medicinal products intended for oral use. Tell me more about it how to treat fungus on your feet, and that the medicament according to the opinion of doctors, mycologists, and it will be the most effective to deal with the problem. But first, a stop at the first symptoms of infection and modes of transmission.
Fungus toenails — causes of infection
The doctors have found that some of the major causes of fungus infections:
- Direct contact with a carrier of a fungal infection
- Failure to observe the rules of hygiene
- Less
- Injury to the feet because of wearing uncomfortable shoes
- Chronic disease
The fungus infection occurs due to the violation of elementary sanitary-hygienic norms, or are in contact with the media. For example, you could become infected with a family, if one or more of its representatives to suffer from onychomycosis. It's enough to wear someone else's Shoes, to use a common towel or other household item.
A fungal infection can easily be picked up at public places with high temperature and humidity (in a swimming pool, bath, sauna, public bath, gym). That is, where there is a favourable microclimate for the development of pathogenic fungi and create the conditions for the contact of bare feet with the infected area. The fungus to thrive and prosper in a humid and warm environment. Long they can survive on all surfaces (benches, carpet on the floor). If a person is in a public place, barefoot, the fungus spores get on the feet, the fingers and nails.
The transition to the infection of the small cracks, abrasions, corns, sores on the feet caused by wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. However, in this case, the infections can occur when a person has a good immune system is able to cope with the infection. If it's the body's immune system is weakened, the infection can not be avoided. The appearance of the fungus, often contributes to excessive sweating of the feet, or the base of a chronic disease (diabetes, psoriasis, varicose veins).
The fungus first affects the skin of the feet and the area between the toes and then spreads to the nail plate, which, in the absence of timely treatment, continue to grow and multiply. The infection develops slowly in the early stages of the detection of the fungus on the feet, it is difficult for you. To cope with onychomycosis, the treatment should be started as soon as possible, so the first sign of the infection it is important to know all of them.
Symptoms and pictures
The first signs of fungus on the feet is a burning sensation and the itching. The skin of the foot, between the toes is starting to peel off, it displays a panel, which, bursting, form cracks or sores. If the time does not begin treatment, the fungus spreads and penetrates under the nails, the choice of the localisation of the area under the nail, where there are nutrients that are necessary for its continued reproduction and growth.
In the table, in the line of the nail plate, the fungus starts to produce special enzymes that can destroy tissue, and the stratum corneum and contribute to the growth of the filament in the mycelium. In the early stages of the infection the symptoms are practically invisible, so few people are paying attention, but further progress will begin to appear the typical symptoms are the following:
- To change the appearance of the nail plate. It gets boring, there seems to be a yellow or white spots of a specific longitudinal or lateral stripes. Over time, more of the nail polishes that change color, and become completely yellow, gray, or even black.
- Around the nail the skin on the toes may be red and inflamed. This process is accompanied by itching and soreness in the inflamed area of the skin.
- Your nails will begin to become thicker, crumble, deform, and if it is left untreated, it may become loose from the nail bed.
The nature of the injury depends largely on the type of fungus. So, when you are infected with dermatophytes, a common symptom is the appearance of yellow spots and longitudinal lines in the center and on the edges of the nail plate. If your nails get a yeast, a fungi, as well as their harmful activity, which begins at the sides of the nail, which gradually turns yellow and begins to lag behind the nail bed. If the nail is black, then these changes are likely to be the result of fungus, of fungus.
One of the serious complications of mycosis is an ingrown toenail. Of the nail plate, the influence of the fungus, thickens with the passage of time, it grows in the wrong direction, twisted, and cuts in the skin. The result of the skin the nails say about yourself in severe pain, in a way, damage your skin and cause a secondary bacterial infection. The Toe was red and swollen from the nail plate pus. A man with a sick nail can be difficult to walk due to the pain. This complication is especially dangerous for diabetics, as it can lead to gangrenous lesions in the limbs.
If you don't start treatment at the first of the adverse symptoms of the disease, the progress and the continuation of the fungal growth spread to all the nails. In complex cases, the fungal infection begins to suffer, the whole body of: there there are allergic reactions, disorders of the gastrointestinal system and other symptoms of poisoning, which are caused by invasion of fungal toxins into the circulatory and lymphatic systems. At the first disturbing symptoms, you should consult with an expert who will choose the best treatment plan, and recommend an effective remedy for nail fungus.
The treatment of nail fungus
At the first sign of foot fungus need to take active steps to bring it to an end, it is not necessary to hope, that all of the symptoms go away by themselves. It's not going to happen. Fungal infections, and over time it will progress and can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, the earlier the treatment is begun, the more chances you have to get rid of the onychomycosis to do so. Today, in the Arsenal of dermatologists and mycologists are quite effective cure for fungus of the feet of the General and local action.
In the early stages of the disease, when the affected area is minimal, we can restrict the application of local anti-fungal drug with a broad spectrum of action (ointments, creams, solutions, varnishes, spray). If the process has gone too far, and completely nails the impact of the fungus, and part of a holistic treatments include antifungals for systemic effects from the tablets. However, most of these drugs have serious contraindications and side-effects, and therefore be assigned to a specialist and the treatment is carried out under his or her control. It will focus more on the products used for the treatment of fungus.
Solutions for coatings. In the early stages, you can use an antifungal solution and nail Polish. The range of facilities is very varied.
Ointments, gels, creams.
For the external treatment of nails of the influence of the fungus and the categories of medicinal products on the basis of the terbinafine, naftifin, ciclopiroxolamine, ketoconazole.Capsules, tablets.
In the complicated forms of fungal infection of the external treatment is accompanied by antifungal medicines in the form of a tablet. None of the systemic antifungals is necessary in cases where the disease progresses, and treatment is, it is only in the local media, it is ineffective. The medicine to treat the fungus there is a lot to pick them up they are an experienced doctor, as many of them are serious contra-indications and restrictions to the use of it. This means they can not be taken by children, pregnant women, patients with abnormalities of the liver, and the kidneys. The effectiveness of these products is very high, and in combination with topical agents fails to achieve lasting results, and to deal with onychomycosis, the prevention of recurrent relapses of the disease.The means for the removal of nail Polish on the nails.
If the nail is struck in their entirety, prior to the commencement of the treatment, it is best to remove it. As an alternative to the surgical methods there are special cosmetic means, it is safe to remove the shade effect of the fungus.Nail fungus treatment on legs folk remedies
There are a lot of folk recipes, helping to stop the spread of mold and dealing with it in the early stages. Present to your attention a few of the popular recipes that are used for the treatment of toe nail fungus at home.
- Kombucha. An effective cure for the fungus, that is, that the compression of the use of the plates of the Kombucha. It is wrapped in a sterile bandage to apply to the nails and fixed with a band-aid. This is pressed, you can stay the night, so it was not a slip of the foot wearing out a sock. In the process, you may feel a burning sensation, but for the sake of the patient. In the morning the poultice was removed, and the softened stratum corneum removed using a tool, the nail area is treated with antiseptic solution.
- Creolin. This is a low-cost means of with a veterinary antiparasitic and a powerful disinfectant effect. It should be used with extreme caution, avoiding contact with healthy skin, as it is possible to burn out. To avoid this, a strip of skin around the nail you need to seal the plaster. The affected nail is treated with Creolin once a day for 2 months until full recovery.
- The foot bath. By eliminating the fungus, you can do a foot bath with Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. It does not take more than 15 minutes to complete. The good effect gives to your nails with a solution of propolis, baking soda, or Epsom salts. The nails can be coated with tea tree oil, lavender, and oregano have antiseptic and antifungal activity. A lot of people's recipes, which are based on the use of garlic, vinegar, alcohol, and onions. Before you use these recipes for yourself, don't forget to consult with your health care provider.
The prevention of the disease
In order to avoid infection by the fungus, follow these simple steps:
- Don't go barefoot in a pool,a bath, a fitness room, and other places open to the public. In areas with high humidity, you need to wear rubber Shoes or a tablet. As the prevention measures applied to the nail, antifungal nail Polish, it will protect against infection.
- Do not use someone else's shoes, running Shoes, socks, towels and other household items. All personal care products and pedicure tools should be strictly on an individual basis.
- Wear comfortable shoes made of natural breathable fabrics. The shoes should not be tight, to RUB and injure the foot.
- The feet should be washed twice a day, morning and evening, and the daily change of socks and stockings. After cleaning out the water, wipe dry, to keep your feet dry, carefully dry the skin between your fingers.
- The fungus is particularly active, with a low resistance. So keep an eye on the health of the time for the treatment of comorbidities, duration of immunomodulatory drugs. The maintenance of the body's defense of a proper and well-balanced diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamins and trace elements.
- During the treatment the shoes with an antiseptic solution, it will help to prevent the recurrence of the disease. You can disinfect the boots with a solution of formalin or vinegar, to the carefully worked it inside. After the treatment, a cotton swab moistened with an antiseptic solution, should be placed in the toe of the Shoe, and place it in an airtight plastic bag on a daily basis.
These simple preventive measures will help to protect yourself from mildew and to keep your feet healthy. Don't forget that the fungus on the feet are treated to a long, and wide, and therefore, it is important to avoid the occurrence of athlete's foot, carefully observe hygiene standards and to react to any adverse changes, which may be the first signs of an infection.