Toenail fungus: types, removal methods and best remedies

Fungus affecting the nail plates of the toes is an infectious disease caused by fungi.Today, there are more than 50 pathogens, which complicates disease classification;This article discusses the most common varieties, as well as ways to get rid of this pathology.

reason

The cause of toenail fungal infection is infection with pathogenic organisms;Their penetration can occur in three main ways:

• Penetration under the free edge of the nail plate and going deeper afterwards, this route is the most common.
• Penetration through the dorsal portion of the nail is observed in rare cases, as all fungal organisms are inaccessible.In such a situation, the development of pathological processes occurs much faster.
• Penetration through the proximal ridge is also quite rare and occurs most often in the arms rather than the legs.

Usually, fungal infections of organisms occur under the influence of the following provoking factors:

• Mechanical trauma leads to destruction of the nail plate.
• Using too much degreaser or cleaning products containing harmful ingredients;Systematic contact with water.
• Wearing ill-fitting and uncomfortable shoes, as well as things made from synthetic materials, creates favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora.
• Increased sweating, regardless of cause.
• Flat feet.
• Anatomical features of the development of the foot, in particular, the presence of too narrow a distance between the toes, disrupt the natural process of air exchange.
• Lack of hygienic foot care and timely trimming of overgrown nails.
• Malfunction of the immune system.
• There is a tendency to varicose veins.
• Always wear warm clothes or shoes due to the region's climatic conditions.Living in a subtropical climate also increases the risk of developing fungal diseases, as warm temperatures and high humidity are favorable factors for the reproduction of those organisms.
• Old age.Changes in the body of older adults increase the likelihood of infection.
• Perform work in unfavorable conditions, including rooms with high levels of gas and dust, physically strenuous work, high humidity, and frequent exposure to chemicals.
• Gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, obesity, natural metabolic disorders, HIV infection, thyroid malfunction.All of these health problems put people at risk.
• Long-term use of strong antibacterial agents and hormonal pharmacological drugs.
• Visit public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
• Sharing shoes and personal care products.
• Undergoing various cosmetic procedures in which an instrument has not been properly treated.

Types and symptoms

Symptoms that occur when toenails are affected depend on the type of fungus and the causative agent.

The main types and their characteristic clinical picture are described below:

1. Nourishing mushrooms.The main symptom is a change in the color of the nail plate;Its thickness and structure are not subject to pathological processes.In the early stages, noticeable white or yellow stripes and spots are formed, localized on the sides.If left untreated, they begin to grow and cover the entire nail.
2. Fungal hypertrophy.With this disease, people see not only a change in color, but also an increase in the thickness of the plate, which is associated with the rapid growth of the skin under the nail.Gradually, the loss of healthy shine occurs and the brittleness of the nail increases, starting to change color even with light pressure.First, the lateral areas are destroyed, but if left untreated, there is a general deformation, due to which the nail begins to resemble a bird's claw.
3. Mushroom shriveled.The first symptom of this pathology is a change in color: the nail plate turns a characteristic gray-brown color.Soon, its natural light disappeared and gradual destruction occurred.If left untreated, the disease will progress to complete exposure of the nail fold and tissue necrosis.
4. Lateral and distal mushrooms.Both varieties lead to the formation of transverse grooves of a yellow tint, and parallel to this, the surface of the nail plate becomes dull.If the causative agent is mold, the affected area may be green or black.Fragility gradually increases, the texture of the sheet becomes uneven and rough.After the affected areas die, the nail becomes deformed and the nail fold is partially exposed.This condition can bring severe physical discomfort to the patient and cause constant pain if swelling and redness of the skin occur.
5. Near mushrooms.This type of disease is extremely rare;In the early stages, the area around the skin folds is affected.The main cause of the pathology is the side effect of removing the cuticle, after which the sheet area near the growth zone acquires a characteristic white color.The location of the lesion is related to the spread characteristics of fungal spores;They gradually take over the entire nail plate.
6. Total number of mushroomsoccurs when other forms of the disease are not treated, in this case there is a change in color and increasing brittleness, gradually leading to complete loss of the nail.
7. White surface fungus.The main symptom is the appearance of white spots localized near the posterior cushion.In the absence of appropriate treatment, the pathology will progress and the damage will begin to spread to neighboring areas.Usually, a large number of small spots are formed, merging into a single pattern that looks like scattered powder.

Stages of fungi

Regardless of the type of pathogen, the nail plate is never completely affected.The development of pathology occurs gradually, allowing us to distinguish the following stages:

1. In the early stages, lesions are localized in separate areas,usually they are edges or free edges.At this stage, small stripes or spots form that a person usually does not notice.
2. At the stage of normal damage, pathological changes become noticeable,Traces of fungus can be detected even with the naked eye.Nails also break more easily and change their color;In some forms of the disease, serous fluid may protrude from under the plate.
3. In the hypertrophic lesion stage, the pathology continues to develop in the subungual space, leading to thickening of the plate.Depending on the type of disease, the tree may be deformed, split, thinned, lack natural growth, and other types of damage.

Before the initial stages, a person often experiences problems with the skin of the feet: severe itching, burning or cracking of the upper layers of the epidermis can be observed.Due to the lack of a clear clinical picture, accurate diagnosis and diagnosis at this stage is almost impossible.
In the advanced stage, the disease actively develops;Symptoms spread not only to the toenails but also to the patches located on the hands and skin.

How to treat at home?

In the early stages, you can cure the disease with traditional medicine, but such measures must be approved by a specialist, otherwise there will be a risk of harm to your health.Some effective techniques are described below:

1. Iodineis the most popular treatment method, it is used for application on cotton swabs and subsequent treatment of affected areas, and is also an auxiliary component for foot baths.
2. Vinegaris another highly effective remedy, as almost all fungal pathogens die in highly acidic environments.It can be used undiluted or diluted in water and applied directly to the affected area.
3. Salicylic acideffective in treating any form of fungus, used similarly to vinegar.
4. Eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.Both of these drugs have a strong antiseptic effect, but they are often included in complex therapy.

How to get rid of foot fungus with medication?

If the first symptoms of a fungal infection occur, you should immediately seek professional medical help, since only diagnostic measures can make an accurate diagnosis, and taking measures at the initial stage allows you to quickly get rid of the pathology and minimize the risk of unwanted consequences.

Professionals often prescribe pharmaceutical products that can be produced in a variety of forms.

prevent

It is impossible to completely protect yourself from fungus, but the preventive measures described below significantly reduce the risk of infection:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise, ensure a balanced diet, supplement vitamins if the body is deficient, play sports and other measures to strengthen the immune system.
• Wear shoes when going to the beach.
• Wear special rubber slippers when taking a bath or sauna.
• Wear socks made only from natural materials and change them daily.
• Only wear your own shoes.
• Dry your feet thoroughly after bathing to ensure they are completely dry.

Evaluate

1. I have had toenail fungus for a long time.I tried iodine and vinegar but the effect was only temporary.Only one fungicide helped me.I applied the cream to my nails for a few days and quickly noticed that the condition was gradually improving.
2. I recently came across a type of mushroom;apparently I picked it up in the shower after a workout.Therefore, only wear flip-flops and do not go barefoot anywhere.Fungus is an infection that is very difficult to cure.I used antifungal medication, it helped.But along with that, she applied vinegar to the affected areas.Everything together gave a great result.
3. And this isn't the first time I've struggled with mushrooms.It's hard to leave me.I have used many different medications and they have worked perfectly.
4. This fungus is a very unpleasant thing.Especially in summer!You're afraid to go anywhere, but I use antifungal medicine to apply it externally, and it has helped me a lot.If you catch a mushroom once, the chance of it appearing a second time is 70%.Be careful!