Have you noticed cracks between your toes? Do your feet itch and itch endlessly? Have your toenails suddenly lost their color and began to deteriorate? These symptoms should not be overlooked as they can signal a foot fungus infection. This disease is far from uncommon; it is especially common among military personnel, professional athletes and pool visitors. To our great regret, a fungal infection of the skin is treated for a long time and hard, while causing considerable discomfort to its "owner". What you need to do to avoid contracting this ailment, as well as how to cope with it after the acquisition: we will tell you about all this in our article.
Causal relationships: where the toenail fungus comes from
Naturally, the fungus itself does not "cling" to the legs of a healthy person for no reason at all. There are several types of fungus 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 may include candida fungal spores, dermatophytes or trichophytos, the latter, in turn, have several subspecies, which are localized on different parts of the feet and nails.
Such difficult, at first glance, names 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 human legs, it is here that they feel truly 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, their spores are quite capable of getting to the surface of any shoe, "settling" there and infecting a person again and again, and besides him, also those who can wear these shoes. Rubber slippers and slippers are common breeding grounds for disputes.
- Due to excessive sweating of the legs, which is called hyperkeratosis. The shoes of military personnel, miners or athletes are often damp inside. This happens due to increased loads and "non-breathable" materials from which boots or boots are sewn. Such an environment is a paradise for mushroom 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 injecting you with a fungus, which is quite difficult to get rid of. This can happen to absolutely anyone during a cut with pedicure tweezers that have not been treated with a special sterilization solution.
- Onychomycosis is a frequent companion of people who are taking antibacterial drugs or have reduced immunity. Also, a provoking factor for 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 infection. There is no need to start the inflammatory process, which has become chronic. It is imperative to treat it.
Due to the fact that mushroom spores are very fond of moisture and warmth, they often "live" in baths, public showers and saunas. That is why in places where there is stagnant water, high humidity and high temperatures, hygiene rules must be observed. Be sure to wear only your own shoes brought from home in saunas, public showers and 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 may well become infected with onychomycosis.
How to diagnose toenail fungus on your own
It is not difficult to carry out self-diagnostics, because by the most insignificant signs you can recognize the fungus and consult a doctor at the initial stage. All you need for this is to 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 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 detachment of natural marigold 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 capable of changing: yellow, white, gray or even blackened marigolds are not at all uncommon for such an ailment.
- Also, look for itchy, flaky spots and rashes on the surface of your feet. If they do not go away for 1-2 days, you should consult a dermatologist.
- You should also beware of the sudden appearance of bubbles 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 from the feet. If your legs have never exuded a fetid aroma before, do not skip this factor, because it may indicate the presence of a fungal disease.
Due to the presence of such symptoms, you can independently diagnose yourself 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
Most likely, you will be asked for a general blood and urine test in order to find out if there is an inflammatory process in the body. The doctor will ask you to tell in detail about what medications you are taking and whether 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 fungal spores is mandatory. Usually, a few days before the diagnosis, you do not need to wash your feet, and the places of detachment of the nail plate must be sealed with adhesive tape. It is on the border of healthy skin and the affected area that a special scraping is taken, which determines the presence of onychomycosis. In rare cases, when a relapse of the disease occurs, particles of the destroyed marigold are taken for analysis. They are placed in a special environment where the fungus can develop more actively. In a similar way, laboratory assistants, together with doctors, determine the type of fungus and can subsequently decide on further therapy.
Diseases of this nature are dealt with by dermatologists and doctors of a narrower specialization - mycologists.
How to Cure Toenail Fungus
Unfortunately, nail fungus is not a common cold. It will never pass by itself. Disputes are quite resistant to many medications, but what can I say: it is the fungus that is considered one of the most tenacious microorganisms on the planet. Just like mold, fungal spores can outlive us all.
Mycoses should be treated without fail, because they can spread over the surface of the skin, involving all large areas in the pathological process and even settle in the respiratory tract, provoking the appearance of asthma.
There are drugs called antimycotics. Like antibacterial drugs, they kill the problem from the inside out, as they are often taken by mouth. Only a doctor can prescribe antimycotics, due to the fact that some of them can have a lot of side effects. Certain groups of drugs are able to fight only one or several types of fungus, but there are also broad-spectrum antimycotics.
For effective treatment of onychomycosis, preparations 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 one antimycotic that is suitable for absolutely all patients with onychomycosis.
Also, special ointments, applications and creams are prescribed for high-quality treatment of fungal lesions of the foot. These remedies for toenail fungus are used both at the initial stage and during the running process. Based on the degree of damage and localization 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 plaster. Such an application is usually kept overnight, and in the morning the dead skin or nail particles are carefully removed and removed.
The following treatment options also give good results:
- Treatment with antifungal sprays,
- Creams or emulsions,
- Coating of toenails with a special varnish against fungus.
Complex therapy of a fungal disease, combining the use of ointments, antimycotics and other procedures, gives the most lasting effect. But we should not forget that the therapy of onychomycosis is a long-term 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 grows back completely, you should not interrupt the treatment, because sometimes spores can persist at the root of the nail. If you stop treatment ahead of time, a relapse of the disease may occur.
Folk remedies for toenail fungus
Treatment of 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, forget about therapy. The course of antifungal therapy should last at least three weeks, but sometimes it takes much longer to defeat an unpleasant disease. Be patient or the toenail fungus will come back.
The mainstay of home treatment is to remove the 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 upper affected layer of the nail with a special milling cutter with a non-coarse nozzle, after which it will be possible to apply an antifungal ointment to this area. At home, you are unlikely to be able to completely remove the layer of dead cells, but it will be quite possible to soften and carefully remove it.
Toenail Fungus Recipe:
- Chicken egg - 1 pc,
- Vinegar essence 70% or 80%,
- Tea tree oil, butter or olive.
Acetic acid works well against many types of fungus, 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 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 to it (in case you want to add tea tree oil, 1-2 drops will be enough). Now you need to grind the mixture thoroughly so that the egg turns into a homogeneous paste. The mixture needs to 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 steamed marigold should be cut off. With regular use, the diseased nail can be removed almost completely, and the fungus can be eliminated forever.
Toenail fungus: treatment with folk remedies
If you want to defeat onychomycosis on your own, it is possible that compresses made from various ingredients, for example, from garlic, horseradish or kombucha, will help you. 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 cleanse and disinfect the skin and toenails. Making a bath is simple: pour hot water into a basin and pour soda there, at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. soda for 3 liters of water. Potassium permanganate powder must be added carefully so as not to burn the inflamed skin. The solution should not be purple or purple; light pink water will suffice. We lower the legs into our bath and enjoy it for about 1 hour. Wipe your feet dry. Now you can perform other manipulations.
Grate horseradish or garlic on a fine grater or squeeze 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 in plastic and wear warm socks. Kombucha has an identical effect, you will need a little of it - a small piece, which must also be applied to the affected area of the nail.
Prevention of fungus on the feet - how to avoid infection with fungal spores
As a preventive measure against onychomycosis infection, you should follow some simple rules:
- Use your own shoes to visit the pool, shower, sauna or steam bath. Try not to walk in such places barefoot, 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 home pedicure brush, to strangers.
- In order to never think about how to get rid of toenail fungus, change your underwear, socks or tights more often. Your health depends on it.
- When you come to a pedicure, check if the master has sterilized his instruments. In some salons there is a service of buying your own set of pedicure tools. This significantly reduces the risk of contracting the fungus.
- Do not forget that for the prevention of calluses, corns and blisters, you should wear loose shoes that do not restrict movement. Remember: if there are no wounds, cracks or scratches on the surface of the skin, fungal spores are unlikely to attack you.