Thumbnail fungus is an infectious pathology. It manifests itself with a weakening of the protective functions of the body and non-observance of hygienic measures. Fungal microorganisms infect the nail plate and move to nearby areas.
Photo of thumbnail fungus
Causes of thumb nail fungus
Poor hygiene is a key cause of infection. You can often get it from another person. So, if you do not follow the preventive measures, all people around the infected can get pathology. An example of a toenail fungus is shown in the photo.
The thumb plate is prone to onychomycosis due to its structural features. Mycelium filaments spread faster in it than in other environments. The reason is a large concentration of blood vessels and nerve endings.
The defeat can develop against the background of some predisposing factors:
- endocrine pathologies;
- varicose veins;
- hormonal imbalance;
- slow metabolism (especially for the elderly);
- impaired blood circulation;
- psoriasis;
- dermatitis (inflammation);
- eczema;
- pathology of the immune system;
- severe pathologies like hepatitis and HIV;
- general use of hygiene items;
- Frequent wearing of unsuitable footwear (tight, of low-quality materials).
Onychomycosis is rare in children. The main group susceptible to the disease is the elderly. This is due to changes in the body and a decrease in its protective abilities. The second group includes pregnant and lactating women, as well as women during menopause.
People who live in humid climates or frequent sports clubs, baths, swimming pools and saunas are also at risk. About 30% of cases are contaminated from non-sterile instruments used for pedicure.
Symptoms of thumb nail fungus
Despite the specific characteristics of the types of toenail fungus on the big toe, the symptoms are similar in all cases. The primary manifestations of infection are severe itching, burning, peeling of the skin at the site of the lesion. Gradually, as the infection penetrates deeper, cracks and bubbles appear between the fingers, forming open foci.
The following stages of defeat can be distinguished:
- manifestation of whitish or yellow spots (sometimes stripes) on the nail plate, thickening of the plate, itching;
- plate thickening and dulling of its color, the appearance of an unpleasant odor, redness of the skin around, inflammation and swelling.
- destruction of the nail, the appearance of open sores on the surrounding area, discomfort while walking.
The affected nail may begin to grow inside the cushion. Pus often appears in the nail corners. If the disease is ignored, the nail will completely flake off.
Color changes vary by pathogen type:
- dermatophyte - yellowish or whitish stripes, eventually turning into a uniform color;
- yeast type - brownish tint, wavelike structure of the plate;
- mold type - black or greenish color of the nail.
With a fungal infection, the top layer becomes rough, and harmful microorganisms instantly move to other areas of the body. They go deep inside, infecting the rest of the skin and foot. The form of the pathology becomes chronic. Others are more likely to become infected.
Thumbnail Fungus Treatment
How to cure a fungus on the big toe, only a doctor can know. In the hospital, the nature of the disease, the level of infection, as well as the specific characteristics of the patient's body are established. Based on the data obtained, the specialist draws up a set of therapeutic measures. When developing a treatment, the following are taken into account:
- affected area;
- depth of infection penetration;
- the duration of the disease;
- the nature of the fungus.
A therapy course may include:
- Varnishes and solutions. Antifungal agents. Suitable in the early stages of infection. The composition is used to cover the affected area and forget about it for a while. The drug is used 3-5 times a week. Then take a break and apply the same remedy again. The total duration of therapy varies from 6 to 12 months.
- Ointments, gels, sprays and creams. Antifungal purpose. They are applied to the affected areas and can be used at any stage of infection.
- Internal medication. Antimycotic drugs and tablets are prescribed at a later stage in the development of pathology. They have a number of contraindications and side effects. Must be appointed by a doctor.
- Immunostimulants and vitamins. Recommended as an adjunct to external and internal antimycotic drugs. These include supplements and preparations containing magnesium and iron, B-vitamins, folic acid, and zinc and selenium. They stimulate the protective functions of the body. Useful in all stages of thumb nail fungus.
- Laser. Indicated for ingrown toenails. It will not completely eliminate the fungus, however, it will prevent recurrence of ingrowth.
Fungal pharmaceuticals are designed to completely eliminate the infection. They destroy harmful microorganisms and prevent them from spreading quickly. As a rule, they have a cumulative effect and accelerate the course of the therapeutic course. When used correctly, relapses are prevented.
Complete cure of the fungal infection is achieved in 2-4 months. Occasionally, therapy takes more than six months.
If the damage to the nail tissue is severe, the nail may be removed. Removal is performed using special aggressive compounds or surgical intervention. It is this method that is the most reliable and completely eliminates pathology.
The procedure has no side effects. The algorithm can be described as follows: a finger with an affected nail is treated with an antiseptic agent. Then the doctor applies a tourniquet and injects anesthesia.
After the nail plate is removed by means of various surgical instruments, the nail bed is freed from dead tissue and the place is treated with iodine solution. At the end, an antiseptic compress is applied to the finger.
In the course of a well-chosen therapy, the manifestations of the disease should weaken, the skin should free itself from lesions, and the nail plate should return to its natural healthy appearance. However, it is possible to reliably learn about the departure of parasites only with the help of laboratory tests. They are carried out after 14 days and one month after the treatment course.
Traditional methods of treating thumbnail fungus
Regardless of the type of toenail fungus, treatment with traditional folk remedies is not recommended. In most cases, it is ineffective, has little effect, or aggravates the situation. Especially if the therapy is carried out exclusively by independent efforts.
However, there are many recipes that can ease the course of the disease. The most common tools are:
- Tea tree oil. Proven antiseptic. Partially eliminates harmful bacteria and has an antimycotic effect.
- Potato broth. Prepared from potato peelings. Foot baths are made from the composition for 20 minutes. The procedure is daily.
- Lemon. The citrus is cut into slices and applied to the contaminated surface. Can be fixed with a cellophane bag and sterile bandage. Course duration - 8-10 days.
- A mixture of water and acid. In identical proportions, 70% acetic acid and pure water are combined. The composition is kneaded into dough and applied to the infected area for 10-20 minutes. The duration of the course is 3-5 days. Helps to remove the affected nail.
- Salt baths. Take 20 grams of sea salt per liter of hot water. Mix and lower your legs there. Do it every day for 14 days.
- Aspen broth. Take 100 grams of aspen bark, grind, pour half a liter of water and bring to a boil. In the composition, the affected legs are steamed. To enhance the effectiveness, the skin can be pre-coated with a mixture of baking soda and plain laundry soap without additives. The procedure is everyday.
It is important to note:Foot bathing is contraindicated for women. High water temperature causes blood flow to the pelvic organs. This can cause early labor. Better to use propolis or tea tree oil.
Traditional methods can give results in the early stages of the disease. In this case, the fungus can go away with local treatment with simple natural antiseptic agents.
For example, such as herbal teas, brilliant green, iodine or hydrogen peroxide. If onychomycosis persists for a long time, the patient needs a well-thought-out complex therapy of medications of system-wide and local action. Unknowingly, many patients resort only to external antimycotics, limiting themselves to folk recipes, gels and ointments. However, this path does not work in the vast majority of cases.
Preventive Measures
Fungus prevention measures are divided into two types - primary and secondary.
The first task is to prevent infection in healthy individuals. The recommendations are as follows:
- Observe personal hygiene practices. Especially when it comes to the selection of shoes and pedicure tools.
- Don't wear other people's clothes. Shoes and socks should only be your own.
- Avoid walking barefoot in public places like a bathhouse or a beach.
- Avoid damage to nails and areas around the plate.
- Treat hands with antiseptics. Especially if the skin is damaged.
- If you suspect a fungal infection, go to the hospital immediately.
Secondary prevention measures are designed to prevent recurrence of the disease. In order not to get nail fungus a second time, you should follow these recommendations:
- strictly follow medical instructions;
- limit the time spent in the water;
- do not go to public places like the beach or sauna;
- disinfect personal manicure tools;
- to throw away shoes and hosiery that have come into contact with a body contaminated with the fungus;
- disinfect footwear using special compounds.
In addition, you should monitor the correctness of the diet, avoid prolonged stress and try not to neglect physical activity.
Thus, it is not difficult to acquire a fungus and start a disease. But the treatment can take a fairly large amount of time, effort and material waste. At the first symptoms of defeat, you should not postpone the visit to the doctor. Early therapy is easier and faster. If the disease starts, the nail will have to be removed.