There are many reasons for the development of toenail fungus. In most cases, the infection is transmitted through home contact. The disease is especially common in the summer, when everyone wears mostly open shoes. In addition, in warm and humid environments, bacteria multiply much faster and become more active.
The pathology most often develops in people who like to walk barefoot in public places such as swimming pools, baths and saunas, changing rooms on beaches and sports clubs. Also, toenail fungus often affects children who like to try on someone else's shoes. As a rule, this happens in schools or kindergartens.
Nail fungus can be the result of a weakened immune system. And even if a person follows all the rules of safety of behavior in public places, the infection can easily penetrate the skin with excessive sweating of the feet or poor personal foot hygiene.
It is recommended to wash your feet as often as possible with warm water and soap and be sure to wipe them dry, in the summer use powders to avoid sweating skin. This is especially true for people who are prone to colds and infectious diseases.
In some cases, poor quality shoes are the cause of the fungus. This often happens when a person wears closed shoes for a long time, which does not allow air to pass. This creates a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria.
It is advisable, if possible, to buy shoes made of natural materials, wash them and ventilate them constantly.
Symptoms of nail fungus
The symptoms of fungus on the toes are relatively easy to notice. After all, they appear almost immediately as the infection enters the body. But the problem is that people do not always pay attention to the first changes, thus delaying the treatment of the disease. Let's look at these symptoms in more detail.
- At the very beginning of the development of the disease may increase sweating between the toes. In this case, there will be an unpleasant odor, which is almost impossible to remove. As the disease progresses, it will intensify further, delivering great discomfort.
- Nails change color and structure. Most often they acquire a yellow, gray and even green hue. The nail plate can be painted gradually. Also, the nail of the thumb begins to exfoliate. Sometimes it even falls apart. At the same time, nail files and nail scissors do not help to fix this.
- As the disease progresses, the skin around the nail plate begins to become inflamed. A characteristic feature of the fungus is severe itching and burning. This is especially enhanced if the foot is constantly in the shoe. In summer, the itching is not so severe.
- Often, against the background of toenail fungus, diseases begin to progress, which until then were only stimulating factors for the growth of bacteria. The course of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and thyroid gland is complicated.
- If the nail starts to get thicker, it indicates that the disease is progressing. Usually, when large growths appear on the nail plate, the treatment of the fungus takes a long time. And only an integrated approach can guarantee a good result.
Specifics of treatment
When fungus appears on the toenails or if the foot is affected, treatment should be timely and comprehensive.
Thumb fungus in a child is best treated with safe folk remedies at the very beginning of the disease. Or consult your doctor first.
As for the elderly, the treatment of the fungus of the big toe can be done both with the help of pharmaceuticals and home remedies. Let's look at this in more detail.
Pharmacy preparations
In case the fungus on the thumb has gone too far, the problem should be treated not only with local remedies. It is advisable to consult a specialist about taking pills. Today there are a huge number of them, so it is important to choose the right one for you.
The most popular tablets based on Terbinafine and Ketoconazole. But the fact is that the tablets have many contraindications. So in no case should it be drunk by people with kidney or liver failure, as well as by those who have heart problems. Care should be taken to take such tablets at the same time as other medicines. This is especially true for hormonal drugs.
Sprays, gels and ointments are used for local treatment of the fungus. They are also recommended to be chosen together with the attending physician. They perfectly help in the fight against nail fungus in the early stages of the disease. Excellent help are healing varnishes, which should be applied directly to the affected nails.
Varnishes are able to destroy the structure of the cell membrane of a pathogenic fungus in the shortest possible time. It is also useful to use such means to prevent the disease, as they have absolutely no side effects and are completely safe.
But if the nail is affected to such an extent that you need to remove it, then there are special solutions for this. These substances are applied to the pre-steamed affected toenail, after which the affected area is closed with a plaster and bandage. After a few hours, everything is removed painlessly.
Removing an unhealthy nail is an excellent alternative to surgery. After all, along with the stratum corneum, pathogenic microorganisms are killed and removed. And special auxiliary components allow a new healthy nail to grow as actively as possible.
Folk recipes
You can simultaneously deal with nail fungus and folk methods. There are a huge number of them. Consider some of the most common and effective. So daily warm baths with salt help well. They help soften the skin and disinfect the nail.
Kills fungi and fresh garlic juice. You need to mix warm vegetable oil with garlic puree, let it boil for a day.
Lubricate the affected toe and affected skin of the foot daily before bed for a month for complete healing. Please note that the visible results after the first two procedures should not stop, as it is necessary to completely destroy the entire infection.
Fighting toenail fungus is extremely difficult if you start the disease.
It is therefore recommended that action be taken as soon as the first symptoms are detected. Simultaneous treatment with folk and pharmaceutical remedies will certainly give a good result.