In this article, we will consider the symptoms of an advanced form of fungal disease of the toenails, treatment with drugs and traditional methods, indications for nail removal, recommendations to prevent infection.
Chronic toenail fungus is a reason to see a doctor immediately and start treatment immediately.The disease is detected at a late stage if the initial symptoms are confused with a simple mechanical injury to the nail.The problem is sometimes not manifested at all in the initial stage.If not treated or done incorrectly without consulting a doctor, the disease progresses.Fungi are much more dangerous than many people think.Such an infection, accompanied by shaking and destruction of the toenails, is a parasitic infection of the whole organism, immunity is impaired, allergic manifestations are possible, there is a risk of developing bronchitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis and conjunctivitis.
In old onychomycosis, the nail is opaque, white, yellow or bluish.In the most severe cases, it blackens, loosens, flakes, cracks, thickens and changes shape.Adjacent skin is red, inflamed, pain, burning and itching are felt.Painful sensations are caused by mold and yeast-like fungi.Other varieties cause no physical distress or discomfort;they can only be recognized by the shape and color of the nails.The inability to wear open shoes or walk barefoot causes difficulty.The unpleasant, nasty smell becomes a constant companion.
Methods of treatment
The advanced form can be treated only under the supervision of a doctor - dermatologist or mycologist.He will take scrapings of infected toenails, classify the problem and prescribe treatment.Do-it-yourself is not allowed here!It is impossible to cure the disease with home remedies.You can only bring the disease inside, temporarily suppress the source of infection.But the consequences will be so much more terrible.
When the disease is advanced, patience is needed.Treatment is complicated and complex.Failure to do so will inevitably lead to relapse.The tips are simple.You will be able to recover if you follow the rules for the simultaneous application of a set of measures:
- Use of external means (lacquers, ointments, sprays, gels).
- Taking drugs by mouth (tablets, capsules).
- If necessary, the doctor will prescribe intravenous injections.
- Reception of immunostimulating agents, complexes of vitamins and minerals.
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Application of the methods of traditional medicine.
- If your feet sweat excessively, make a foot bath every day with the addition of one tablespoon of sea salt to five liters of water.Before applying ointments, wash your feet with hot water to speed up healing.
- Regular treatment of shoes with antiseptic preparations.
If you follow these measures, treating the fungus is not as difficult as it seems.
Preparations for local application
Official medicine offers many different drugs for external treatment in the treatment of foot fungus.The doctor will prescribe the ones you need, there is no need to experiment by trying everything.
Healing varnishes:
- Ciclopirox.Antimycotic agent.Destroys yeasts and molds.Apply every four days.Duration – six months.At the same time, take terbinafine tablets orally (it is safe for pregnant women).
- Varnish based on terbinafine.Apply a coat of nail polish to the affected toenails every four days.Treatment lasts 9-12 months.
Antifungal ointments:
- Terbinafine.Stops the growth of parasitic yeasts and molds.The simultaneous use of tablets with the same name has a destructive effect on fungi.
- Ketoconazole.It blocks the spread of fungi and destroys them.Apply morning, evening, course - one month.It is not absorbed into the blood and is not detected in the plasma, which is why it is recommended for pregnant women.Contraindicated for children under three years of age.
- Naftifin - for the destruction of advanced toenail fungus, it is recommended to use it in the form of drops.Designed to combat dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.
- Clotrimazole destroys advanced foot fungus at the cellular level.
Preparations for oral administration
Tablets are prescribed in short but frequent courses due to the negative effect on the human liver and kidneys.
- fluconazole.Available in capsules.Take 150 milligrams.Duration of treatment - 56 days.The toenails are then scraped to determine if further treatment is needed.
- Itraconazole capsules.With their help, chronic onychomycosis can be cured in six months.
- Griseofulvin.Antifungal antibiotic.It accumulates in the skin cells from which keratin is formed, which makes growing healthy toenails immune to onychomycosis.The treatment lasts 8 months.
Traditional methods of treatment
- Yarrow oil - freshly squeezed juice from the plant has a cauterizing effect and destroys the body of the fungus.Treat daily until completely healed.
- Acetic acid is an affordable, powerful remedy against old onychomycosis.A special solution is prepared on the basis of vinegar.Mix equal parts of vodka and 70% vinegar essence, add three whites of raw chicken eggs.Mix it up.Put in the fridge.Moisten the gauze and place it on the affected nail.Leave for quarter of an hour.Doing this for six months is enough time to cure the fungus.The product is aggressive and can cause burns to healthy tissues.Lubricate the skin around the affected nails with cream or sunflower oil.
- 20% alcohol tincture of propolis.Sold in a pharmacy.Wet gauze and make a compress.Do this every day until the fungus is gone.
- Golden mustache To prepare the tincture, pour vodka over the golden mustache and hide it in a dark corner.On the fifteenth day, dilute three parts of water with one part of the tincture.Treat the fungus in the morning and evening.Treatment lasts at least six months.
- Homemade anti-fungal ointment.Put a piece of butter (butter) weighing 200 grams, 100 milliliters of acetic acid (70%) and a raw chicken egg in the shell in a glass container.It does not stir.Place the mixture in a cool place.Wait a week.The shell will dissolve.Then mix, spread, cover with cling film and tie.
- Tincture of the rhizome of yarrow: 15 g.Steam the root with a cup of boiling water.Leave for 30 minutes.A glass of tincture is drunk a day.At the same time, ten-minute baths are taken every day.To do this, infuse 30 grams of rhizome of yarrow with boiling water (one cup) and leave for 30 minutes.The nails will begin to fall off within seven days.And then lubricate with ointment.If you treat with this method, the fungus is cured in a month and a half.In this case, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and vitamin preparations are taken internally.
- Squeeze toothpaste (with fluoride) the size of the knuckle of your little finger.Add the ashes of three cigarettes.Make a compress, leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning.
- Take equal parts of honey and onion juice and mix.Store in refrigerator.Treat neglected fungus daily.
- Lilac and marigold flowers - 30 grams each, yarrow - 15 grams, oak bark - 45 grams.Add half a liter of water.Boil, leave for an hour and make a compress.Every day until the fungus is completely cured.
- One hundred milliliters of hydrogen peroxide, two liters of warm water - make a bath for a quarter of an hour.Blot with a paper towel and apply ointment.Repeat daily until it is clear that the fungus has retreated.Hydrogen peroxide will protect healthy nails from infection and protect healed nails from re-infection.
If the methods of traditional and folk medicine do not help, you can resort to laser therapy.Laser treatment is painless and gives an almost instant effect.Four procedures are enough to destroy the fungus.In this case, the cuticle is not damaged.
Nail removal
An operation to remove the nail is rarely resorted to if conservative methods do not give the desired result.
- The surgical method of removal is painful.The restoration of the nail plate takes a long time.
- The laser nail removal method is easy and painless.The disadvantage is the high price.
- Replacing surgical nail removal with medication.Under the influence of the drugs, the nail plates are softened and then removed painlessly.The process is long and requires careful attention.
Treatment of onychomycosis during pregnancy
Treatment of chronic toe fungus with most drugs is contraindicated during pregnancy!They can harm the intrauterine development of the fetus.A mycologist will prescribe safe means that will slow down the development of the disease and improve the appearance of the nails.And complete healing or removal will have to begin after the birth of the child.
It is better for pregnant women to resort to proven methods of traditional medicine.They act more gently and have fewer side effects:
- Make foot baths with warm water and sea salt.
- Wipe the skin around the damaged nails with celandine juice.Continue for 3 months.
Recommendations and tips
Fungi in an advanced stage must be treated immediately!Do not allow the infection to affect the whole body, be patient and do not forget to complete the therapy.Treat only after an examination, under the supervision of a doctor.The methods of traditional medicine should be combined with medicines recommended by a specialist.Advice for the patient's family members: observe good hygiene, take vitamins and drugs that increase immunity.