Have you noticed any cracks between your toes? Do your feet itch and itch incessantly? Have your toenails suddenly lost their color and started to deteriorate? These symptoms should not be overlooked as they may indicate a fungal foot infection. This disease is far from uncommon; it is especially common among military personnel, professional athletes, and pool visitors. To our great regret, fungal skin lesions are long and difficult to treat, while causing considerable discomfort to their "owner". What you should do to avoid contracting this ailment, as well as how to deal with it after the acquisition: we will tell you all this in our article.
Causal relationships: where does the nail fungus come from
Naturally, the fungus itself does not "stick" to the legs of a healthy person for no reason. There are several types of fungi that are considered classic, that is, they affect the highest percentage of patients. All of them are called "onychomycosis. "This group can include yeast spores, dermatophytes or trichophytos, the latter, in turn, have several subspecies, which are located in different parts of the feet and nails.
Such difficult names, at first glance, characterize an extremely unpleasant infection that penetrates under the nail or "settles" in the area between the fingers or under them, at the very base. The most wonderful environment for fungal spores is the moist and warm folds of the human legs, it is here that they feel really 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, its spores are quite capable of reaching the surface of any shoe, "settling" there and infecting a person again and again, and in addition to him, also those who can wear these shoes. Slippers and rubber slippers are common breeding grounds for disputes.
- Due to excessive sweating of the legs, which is called hyperkeratosis. The shoes of military, mining or sports personnel are usually damp inside. This happens due to increased loads and the "non-breathable" materials from which the boots are sewn. This environment is a haven for fungal spores.
- Sometimes the fungus gets under the nail during the pedicure procedure in any beauty salon. Without proper sterilization of pedicure instruments, the master risks bringing you a fungus, which is quite difficult to get rid of. This can happen to anyone during a pedicure forceps cut that has not been treated with a special sterilization solution.
- Onychomycosis is a common companion of people who take antibacterial medications or have reduced immunity. In addition, a provoking factor for the appearance of nail fungus can be impaired blood circulation in the lower extremities, varicose veins or diabetes mellitus.
- Chronic diseases present in the body can affect fungal infection. It is not necessary to start the inflammatory process, which has become chronic. It is imperative to treat it.
Due to the fact that fungal spores are very fond of humidity and heat, they often "live" in bathrooms, public showers, and saunas. That is why in places where there is stagnant water, high humidity and high temperatures, you need to follow the rules of hygiene. Be sure to only wear your own shoes brought from home in saunas, public showers, and bathrooms. Remember: if someone has repeatedly put on slippers in the sauna before you, it is very possible that the fungal spores have already settled within the porous structure of the rubber and you may become infected with onychomycosis.
How to diagnose toenail fungus on your own
It is not difficult to carry out a self-diagnosis, because with 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 foot and nail infections are:
- Cracked skin at the base of the toes. At the same time, the wounds do not dry out, but are constantly wet and inflamed.
- Nails with an unusual shape. Any detachment of natural calendula from the skin, its deformation or discoloration should alert you. In patients with onychomycosis, the nails become very thick, become too brittle, and may even crumble. At the same time, the color scale is capable of changing: yellow, white, gray or even blackened marigolds are not at all uncommon for such an ailment.
- Also, look on the surface of the feet for scaly and itchy spots and rashes. If they do not disappear within 1-2 days, you should consult a dermatologist.
- You should also watch out for the sudden appearance of bubbles 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 odor from the feet. If your legs have never exuded a foul aroma before, don't skip this factor, as it may indicate the presence of a fungal disease.
Due to the presence of such symptoms, it can be independently diagnosed with a fungal skin disease. If you have any doubts, you should visit a doctor, he will conduct a special examination and confirm or deny the presence of onychomycosis.
How is nail fungus diagnosed in a medical clinic?
You will most likely be asked for a general blood and urine test to determine if there is an inflammatory process in the body. The doctor will ask you to tell him in detail what medicines you are taking and if you suffer from specific diseases, for example diabetes mellitus. Due to the increased level of glucose in the blood, as well as excess weight, which often accompanies endocrine disorders, the so-called diabetic foot often appears. This ailment is characterized by calluses, corns, cracks, and fungal lesions.
Laboratory analysis for the presence of fungal spores is mandatory. Usually, a few days before the diagnosis, it is not necessary to wash the feet, and the places of detachment of the nail plate should be sealed with adhesive plaster. It is on the edge of 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, particles of the destroyed calendula are taken for analysis. They are placed in a special environment where the fungus can develop more actively. Similarly, laboratory assistants, along with physicians, determine the type of fungus and can later decide on additional therapy.
Diseases of this nature are treated by dermatologists and doctors of more limited specialization: mycologists.
How to cure toenail fungus
Unfortunately, nail fungus is not a common cold. It will never happen by itself. The disputes are quite resistant to many drugs, but what can I say: it is the fungus that is considered one of the most tenacious microorganisms on the planet. Like mold, fungal spores can outlive us all.
Mycoses must be treated without fail, since they can spread over the surface of the skin, involving all large areas of the pathological process and even settle in the respiratory tract, causing asthma.
There are medicines called antifungals. Like antibacterial drugs, they eliminate the problem from the inside out, as they are often taken orally. Only a doctor can prescribe antifungals, because some of them can have many side effects. Certain groups of drugs can fight only one or more types of fungus, 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 absolutely all patients with onychomycosis.
In addition, special ointments, applications and creams are prescribed for the high-quality treatment of fungal foot infections. These toenail fungus remedies are used both in the initial stage and during the running process. Depending on the degree of damage and the location of the fungus, the doctor may prescribe applications. They involve applying ointment to the affected areas of the skin, which are then sealed with a band-aid. 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 work well:
- Treatment with antifungal sprays,
- Creams or emulsions,
- Coating the toenails with a special anti-fungal varnish.
Complex therapy of fungal disease, combining the use of ointments, antifungals and other procedures, provides the longest 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 grows back completely in a period of 6 to 12 months. Until a new, healthy nail has fully grown back, you should not interrupt the treatment, as spores can sometimes persist at the root of the nail. If you stop treatment prematurely, a relapse of the disease may occur.
Home remedies for toenail fungus
Treating a fungus at home will not be effective if only two or three treatment procedures are carried out 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 overcome an unpleasant disease. Be patient or the nail fungus will come back.
The mainstay of home treatment is to remove affected skin and nails as much as possible to prevent the spread of spores. In the conditions of beauty salons, a pedicure master will help to cope with mycosis. He will remove the affected upper layer of the nail with a special bur with a non-thick nozzle, after which it will be possible to apply an antifungal ointment to this area. At home, it is unlikely that you will be able to completely remove the layer of dead cells, but it will be very possible to soften it and carefully remove it.
Toenail fungus recipe:
- Chicken egg - 1 piece
- Vinegar essence 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 in the essence of the chicken egg so that it is completely covered with the solution. It is better to use a glass beaker for this. Now you need to put it in a dark place. Observe the egg: as soon as you notice that the shell is completely dissolved, take out the container and add a little oil (in case you want to add tea tree oil, 1-2 drops will be enough). Now you need to grind the mixture well so that the egg turns into a homogeneous paste. The mixture should cover the areas affected by the fungus, apply a plastic wrap on top and wrap the feet with a bandage or gauze. It is advisable to leave the compress for several hours, after which the marigold should be steamed. With regular use, the diseased nail can be almost completely removed, and the fungus can be removed forever.
Toenail fungus: treatment with home remedies
If you want to beat onychomycosis on your own, compresses made with various ingredients, such as garlic, horseradish, or kombucha, may help. Just be sure to steam your legs before applying, that is, prepare a steam bath for them.
Baths with soda or potassium permanganate solution are considered the most effective. Both ingredients have an antiseptic effect, perfectly clean and disinfect the skin and toenails. Making a bath is simple: pour hot water into a container and pour soda there, 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 inflamed skin. The solution should not be purple or violet, light pink water will suffice. We lowered our legs to our bath and enjoyed it for about 1 hour. Dry your feet with a cloth. Now you can perform other manipulations.
Grate horseradish or garlic on a fine grater or squeeze it with a press. Wrap the mass in gauze or bandage and apply to the affected area. Leave the compress on overnight, remembering to wrap in plastic and wear warm socks. Kombucha has an identical effect, you will need a little, a small piece, which must also be applied to the affected area of the nail.
Prevention of foot fungus: how to avoid infection with fungal spores
As a preventive measure against onychomycosis infection, you should follow some simple rules:
- Wear your own shoes when visiting the pool, shower, sauna or steam room. Try not to walk barefoot in these places, especially if there is minor damage to the skin.
- Do not loan shoes or foot hygiene items, such as a pumice stone or a homemade pedicure brush, to strangers.
- To never think about how to get rid of toenail fungus, change your underwear, socks or stockings more often. Your health depends on it.
- When you come for a pedicure, check if the master has sterilized his instruments. In some salons there is the service of purchasing your own set of pedicure tools. This significantly reduces the risk of contracting the fungus.
- Don't forget that for the prevention of corns, corns and blisters, you should wear loose-fitting shoes that do not restrict movement. Remember: if there are no wounds, cracks or scratches on the surface of the skin, it is unlikely that fungal spores will attack you.