Did you notice any crack between your toes? Do your feet itch and itch non-stop? Did your nails suddenly lose their color and start to deteriorate? These symptoms should not be overlooked, as they can signal an infection by the fungus of the foot. This disease is far from uncommon, being especially common among military personnel, professional athletes and swimming visitors. To our great regret, fungal skin lesions are treated for a long time and are difficult, causing considerable discomfort to their "owner". What you need to do to prevent this disease, as well as how to deal with it after acquisition: all of which will be covered in our article.
Causal relationships: where does the nail fungus
Naturally, the fungus itself does not "cling" to the legs of a healthy person for no reason. There are several types of fungi considered classic, that is, they affect most patients. All of them are referred to by the single term "onychomycosis". This group can include spores of candida fungi, dermatophytes or trichophytes, 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 region between the fingers or under them, at the base itself. The most wonderful environment for fungal spores is the warm, moist folds of human legs, this is where they feel truly comfortable and develop constantly, 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 repeatedly and, in addition to that, also those who can wear those shoes. Slippers and rubber slippers are common breeding grounds for disputes.
- Due to excessive sweating of the legs, called hyperkeratosis. The shoes of military personnel, miners or athletes are usually damp inside. This is due to increased loads and the "non-breathable" materials with which the 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 instruments, the master is at risk of bringing a fungus, which is very difficult to get rid of. This can happen to absolutely anyone during a cut with pedicure tongs that have 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 triggering factor for nail fungus may be impaired blood circulation in the lower extremities, varicose veins or diabetes mellitus.
- Chronic diseases present in the body can affect fungal infection. There is no need to start the inflammatory process, which has become chronic. It is imperative to treat it.
Because mushroom 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 stagnant water, high humidity and high temperatures, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene. Be sure to wear only your own shoes brought from home in saunas, public showers and baths. Remember: if someone has already worn slippers in the sauna several times before you, it is quite possible that the fungal spores have already settled inside the porous structure of the rubber and you may well be infected with onychomycosis.
How to diagnose nail fungus on your own
It is not difficult to make the self-diagnosis, because by the most insignificant signs it is possible to 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 your toes, at the base of them, 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 putting on 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 they get wet and inflamed constantly.
- Nails with unusual shape. Any detachment of the skin's natural marigold, its deformation or discoloration should alert you. In patients with onychomycosis, the nails become very thick, 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 uncommon for such a disease.
- Also, look for itchy spots and rashes on the surface of your feet. If they don't go away for 1-2 days, you should see a dermatologist.
- You should also be aware of the sudden appearance of blisters on the skin of your feet. They are usually located in small clusters and contain a clear liquid inside.
- A very important symptom is an unpleasant odor in the feet. If your legs have never exuded a fetid scent before, do not ignore this factor, as it may indicate the presence of a fungal disease.
Due to the presence of these symptoms, you can independently diagnose yourself with a fungal skin disease. If you have any questions, you should consult a doctor, he will do a special examination and confirm or deny the presence of onychomycosis.
How nail fungus is diagnosed in a medical clinic
You will probably be asked to have 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 you in detail what medications you are taking and if you suffer from specific diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus. Due to the increase in the level of glucose in the blood, as well as the excess weight, which usually accompanies endocrine disorders, the so-called diabetic foot frequently appears. This disease is characterized by calluses, calluses, cracks and fungal lesions.
Laboratory analysis for the presence of fungal spores is mandatory. Normally, a few days before diagnosis, it is not necessary to wash the feet, and the sites of detachment of the nail plate should be sealed with adhesive tape. It is at 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, the particles of the 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 later decide on whether to continue therapy.
Diseases of this nature are treated by dermatologists and doctors of a more restricted specialization - mycologists.
How to cure nail fungus
Unfortunately, nail fungus is not a common cold. It will never pass 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, mold spores can survive all of us.
Mycoses must be treated without fail, as 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 drugs called antimycotics. Like antibacterial drugs, they eliminate the problem from the inside out, as they are usually taken orally. Only a doctor can prescribe antimycotics, as some of them can have many side effects. Certain groups of drugs are capable of combating only one or several types of fungi, but there are also broad-spectrum antimycotics.
For the effective treatment of onychomycosis, medications with the following active ingredients are suitable:
- Terbinafine,
- Clotrimazole,
- Ketoconazole,
- Fluconazole,
- Itraconazole.
Remember that only a doctor has the right to prescribe antimycotics. Given 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 nail fungus remedies are used both in the initial stage and during the execution process. Based on the degree of damage and location of the fungus, the doctor can prescribe applications. They involve applying ointment to the affected areas of the skin, which are then sealed with a plaster. This application is usually maintained overnight and in the morning, dead skin or nail particles are carefully removed and removed.
The following treatment options also provide good results:
- Treatment with antifungal sprays,
- Creams or emulsions,
- Coat the toenails with special varnish against fungi.
Complex therapy of fungal diseases, combining the use of ointments, antimycotics and other procedures, provides the most lasting effect. But we must not forget that onychomycosis therapy is a long process. To get an idea of how to get rid of the fungus on the nails, it is worth mentioning a fact: as usual, the nail grows back completely in a period of 6 to 12 months. Until a new, healthy nail grows completely, you should not interrupt the treatment, because sometimes the spores can persist at the root of the nail. If you stop the treatment ahead of time, a recurrence of the disease may occur.
Folk remedies for nail fungus
The treatment of a fungus at home will not be effective if only two or three treatment procedures are performed and, with the slightest improvement in the clinical picture, forget the therapy. The course of antifungal therapy should last at least three weeks, but it sometimes takes much longer to defeat an unpleasant illness. Be patient or the nail fungus will come back.
The basis of home treatment is to remove the affected skin and nails as much as possible to prevent the spread of spores. Under the conditions of the beauty salons, the pedicure master will help to deal with ringworm. It will remove the affected top layer of the nail with a special cutter with a non-thick nipple, after which it will be possible to apply an antifungal ointment to that area. At home, it is unlikely that you will be able to completely remove the layer of dead cells, but it will be possible to soften and remove it carefully.
Nail 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 the essence of the chicken egg so that it is completely covered with the solution. It is better to use a glass cup 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, remove the container and add a little oil (if you want to add tea tree oil, just 1-2 drops are enough). Now you need to grind the mixture well so that the egg becomes a homogeneous paste. The mixture needs to cover the areas affected by the fungus, apply a plastic film 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 must 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 be sure to spray your legs before applying, that is, prepare a steam bath for them.
Baths with soda solution or potassium permanganate are considered to be the most effective. Both ingredients have an antiseptic effect, perfectly clean and disinfect the skin and toenails. Bathing is simple: pour hot water into a bowl and pour the soda, at the rate of 1 tbsp. I. soda per 3 liters of water. The potassium permanganate powder should be added carefully so as not to burn the inflamed skin. The solution should not be purple or purple; clear pink water will suffice. We lower our legs in our bath and enjoy it for about 1 hour. Dry your feet. You can now perform other manipulations.
Grate the horseradish or garlic on a fine grater or squeeze in the press. Wrap the dough 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 bit of it - a little bit, which should also be applied to the affected area of the nail.
Prevention of fungus on the feet - how to prevent infection by fungal spores
As a preventive measure against onychomycosis infection, you must follow some simple rules:
- Wear your own shoes to go to the pool, shower, sauna or Turkish bath. Try not to walk in these places with bare feet, especially if there is minimal skin damage.
- Do not lend your shoes and foot hygiene items, such as pumice or a home pedicure brush, to strangers.
- To never think about how to get rid of the fungus on your nails, change your underwear, half or half more often. Your health depends on it.
- When you go to a pedicure, make sure the master has sterilized your instruments. In some salons there is a service to purchase your own set of pedicure tools. This significantly reduces the risk of contracting the fungus.
- Do not forget that for the prevention of calluses, calluses and blisters, you should wear wide shoes that do not restrict your movements. Remember: if there are no wounds, cracks or scratches on the surface of the skin, fungal spores are unlikely to attack you.