Have you noticed any cracks between your toes? Are your feet itching all the time? Have your nails suddenly lost their color and started to deteriorate? These symptoms should not be overlooked as they can signal a fungal infection of the foot. This disease is far from rare; it is particularly common among military personnel, professional athletes and visitors to the swimming pool. Much to our regret, fungal skin lesions are treated for a long time and with difficulty, while causing considerable discomfort to its "owner". What you need to do to avoid getting this disease, as well as how to cope with it after the acquisition: we will tell you about all this in our article.
Causal relationships: where does the nail fungus come from
Of course, the fungus itself does not "cling" 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 largest percentage of patients. All of them are called by the single term "onychomycosis". This group can include fungal spores of candida, dermatophytes or trichophytos, the latter in turn having several subspecies, localized on different parts of the feet and nails.
These difficult names, at first glance, characterize an extremely nasty infection that penetrates under the nail or "sets in" in the area between or under the fingers, at the very base. The most wonderful environment for fungal spores is the moist, warm folds of human legs, it is here that they feel really comfortable and constantly grow, which leads to expansion of the affected area.
So what causes toenail fungus?
- Without proper hygiene, fungi proliferate and can affect large areas of the foot. At the same time, their spores are quite capable of reaching the surface of any shoe, "settling in" and infecting a person over and over again, and besides him, also those who can wear. these shoes. Rubber slippers and slippers are breeding grounds for conflict.
- Due to excessive sweating in the legs, called hyperkeratosis. The shoes of soldiers, minors or athletes are often wet inside. This happens due to increased loads and "non-breathable" materials from which the boots or 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 runs the risk of bringing you a fungus, which is quite difficult to get rid of. It can happen to anyone with a cut with pedicure tweezers that has not been treated with a special sterilization solution.
- Onychomycosis is a frequent companion of people who take antibacterial drugs or who have reduced immunity. Also, a factor provoking the appearance of fungus on the nails can be impaired blood circulation in the lower extremities, varicose veins or diabetes mellitus.
- Chronic diseases present in the body can affect fungal infections. 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 fungal spores are very fond of moisture and heat, they often "live" in baths, public showers and saunas. That is why in places where there is standing water, high humidity and high temperatures, you should follow the rules of hygiene. Make sure you only wear your own shoes brought from home in saunas, showers, and public baths. Remember: If someone has repeatedly put on slippers in the sauna before you, it is quite possible that fungal spores have already settled inside the porous structure of the rubber and you are infected with it. onychomycosis.
How to diagnose toenail fungus yourself
It is not difficult to perform self-diagnosis, because by 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, and your fingernails. 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.
- Nails with an unusual shape. Any natural marigold detachment from the skin, their 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 able to change: yellow, white, gray or even blackened marigolds are not at all rare for such a disease.
- Also look for itchy, scaly patches and rashes on the surface of your feet. If they don't go away for 1 to 2 days, you should see a dermatologist.
- You should also beware of the sudden appearance of bubbles on the skin of your feet. They are usually located in small groups and have a clear liquid inside.
- A very important symptom is an unpleasant odor in the feet. If your legs have never given off a foul aroma before, don't skip this factor, as it may indicate the presence of fungal disease.
Due to the presence of such symptoms, you can independently diagnose yourself with fungal skin disease. If you have any doubts, you should consult 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
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. The doctor will ask you to tell in detail what medicines you are taking and whether you have any specific illnesses, 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 disease 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, you do not need to wash your feet, and the places of nail plate detachment should be sealed with adhesive plaster. It is on the border 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 destroyed marigold are taken for analysis. They are placed in a special environment where the fungus can grow more actively. Likewise, laboratory assistants, together with doctors, determine the type of fungus and can then decide on further treatment.
Diseases of this nature are treated by dermatologists and doctors of a narrower specialization - mycologists.
How to cure toenail fungus
Unfortunately, nail fungus is not a cold. It will never pass by itself. Disputes hold up quite well to many drugs, but what can I say: it is the fungus that is considered one of the most stubborn microorganisms on the planet. Just like mold, fungal spores can outlive all of us.
Yeast infection should be treated without fail, as it can spread on the surface of the skin, involve all large areas of the pathological process, and even settle in the respiratory tract, causing asthma.
There are medicines called antimycotics. Like antibacterial drugs, they kill the problem from the inside out because they are often taken orally. Only a doctor can prescribe antimycotics, as some of them can have many side effects. Some groups of drugs are able to fight only one or more types of fungi, but there are also broad-spectrum antimycotics.
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 antimycotics. Due to the possibility of side effects, it is impossible to choose an antimycotic 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 infections of the foot. These remedies for toenail fungus are used both at the initial stage and during the ongoing process. Depending on the degree of damage and the location of the fungus, the doctor may prescribe applications. They involve applying an ointment to the affected areas of the skin, which are then sealed with a bandage. 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 nails with a special varnish against fungi.
Complex therapy of fungal diseases, combining the use of ointments, antimycotics and other procedures, gives the most lasting effect. But it should be remembered that onychomycosis therapy is a long process. To give you an idea of how you can get rid of nail fungus, it is worth mentioning one fact: as usual, the nail grows back completely in 6-12 months. Until a new healthy nail grows back completely, you should not stop treatment, as sometimes the spores can linger at the root of the nail. If you stop treatment in advance, the disease may relapse.
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, forget about the treatment. Antifungal treatment should last at least three weeks, but it can sometimes take much longer to overcome an unpleasant illness. Be patient or the nail fungus will return.
The mainstay of home treatment is to remove as much of the affected skin and nails as possible to prevent the spread of the spores. In the conditions of beauty salons, a master of pedicures will help to cope with mycosis. He will remove the affected top layer of the nail with a special burr with a non-coarse nozzle, after which it will be possible to apply antifungal ointment to this area. At home, it is unlikely that you can completely remove the layer of dead cells, but it will be quite possible to soften it and carefully remove it.
Nail fungus recipe:
- Chicken egg - 1 pc,
- 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 see that the shell is completely dissolved, take out the container and add a little oil to it (in case you want to add tea tree oil, 1 to 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 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 steamed marigold should be cut. With regular use, the diseased nail can be removed almost completely, and the fungus can be eliminated forever.
Nail fungus: treatment with folk remedies
If you want to beat onychomycosis on your own, it is possible that compresses made from various ingredients, for example, garlic, horseradish or kombucha, will help you. Just make sure to spray your legs before applying i. e. prepare a steam room for them.
Baths with a solution of soda or potassium permanganate are considered the most effective. Both ingredients have an antiseptic effect, perfectly cleanses and disinfects the skin and toenails. To make a bath is simple: pour hot water in a basin and pour in soda, at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. soda for 3 liters of water. Potassium permanganate powder should be added carefully so as not to burn the inflamed skin. The solution should not be purple or violet; light pink water will suffice. We lower the legs into our bath and enjoy it for about 1 hour. Wipe your feet. You can now perform other manipulations.
Grate horseradish or garlic on a fine grater or run through 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 the same effect, you will need a little of it - a small piece, which should also be applied to the affected area of the nail.
Prevention of fungus on feet - how to avoid infection with fungal spores
As a preventive measure against onychomycosis infection, you should follow a few simple rules:
- Use your own shoes to visit the pool, shower, sauna or steam room. Try not to walk barefoot in such places, especially if there is even minor damage to the skin.
- Do not lend your shoes and foot hygiene items, such as pumice stone or a household pedicure brush, to strangers.
- To never think about getting rid of nail fungus, change your underwear, socks or tights more often. Your health depends on it.
- When you come to a pedicure, check whether the master has sterilized his instruments. In some salons there is a service to purchase your own set of pedicure tools. This greatly reduces the risk of contracting the fungus.
- Remember that to prevent calluses, corns and blisters, you should wear loose shoes that do not restrict movement. Remember: If there are no sores, cracks, or scratches on the surface of the skin, the fungal spores are unlikely to attack you.