Have you noticed cracks between your toes? Do your feet itch and itch endlessly? Have your toenails suddenly lost their color and started deteriorating? These symptoms shouldn't be overlooked as they can indicate an athlete's foot infection. This disease is far from uncommon and is particularly common among military personnel, professional athletes, and pool goers. To our great regret, fungal skin lesions are treated for a long time and with difficulty, while they cause considerable discomfort to their "owner". What to do in order not to get this disease and how to deal with it after the acquisition: we will tell you all of this in our article.
Causal relationships: where does the toenail fungus come from?
Of course, the fungus itself "sticks" to the legs of a healthy person for a reason. There are several types of mushrooms that are considered classic, that is, they affect the largest percentage of patients. All of them are referred to by the single term "onychomycosis". This group can include Candida fungal spores, dermatophytes or Trichophytos, the latter in turn having several subspecies that are localized at different points on the feet and nails.
Such difficult names at first glance indicate an extremely unpleasant infection that penetrates under the nail or "settles" in the area between the fingers or under them at the very bottom. The most beautiful environment for fungal spores is the moist and warm folds of the human legs. This is where they really feel comfortable and constantly evolving, which leads to an expansion of the affected area.
So what causes toenail fungus?
- Without proper hygiene, fungi multiply 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 down" there and repeatedly infecting a person and next to him also those who can wear these shoes. Rubber slippers and slippers are common breeding grounds for disputes.
- From excessive sweating of the legs, which is known as 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. This environment is a paradise for fungal spores.
- Sometimes the fungus gets under the nail during a pedicure procedure in a beauty salon. Without proper sterilization of the pedicure instruments, the master is at risk of getting a fungus that is difficult to get rid of. This can happen to absolutely anyone during an incision with pedicure tweezers that have not been treated with a special sterilizing solution.
- Onychomycosis is a common companion of people taking antibacterial drugs or who have decreased immunity. A provoking factor for the appearance of fungus on the nails can also be blood supply to the lower extremities, varicose veins or diabetes mellitus.
- Chronic illnesses in the body can affect fungal infections. There is no need to start the inflammatory process that has become chronic. It is imperative to treat it.
Due to the fact that fungal spores are very fond of moisture and warmth, they often "live" in baths, public showers and saunas. Therefore, you must follow the hygiene rules in places with standing water, high humidity and high temperatures. Only wear your own shoes that you brought from home to 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 in the porous structure of the rubber and you may become infected with onychomycosis.
How to diagnose toenail fungus yourself
Self-diagnosis is not difficult, because you can recognize the fungus by the most insignificant signs and consult a doctor at the initial stage. All you have to do is 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 your feet after visiting other people's pools, saunas, baths, or shoes.
The most common symptoms of fungal infections of the feet and nails are:
- Cracked skin on the base of the toes. At the same time, the wounds do not dry out, but get wet and constantly inflame.
- nails with an unusual shape. Any detachment of the natural marigold from the skin, its deformation or discoloration should alert you. In patients with onychomycosis, the nails become very thick, too brittle, and can even crumble. At the same time, the gamut of colors can change: yellow, white, gray or even blackened marigolds are not uncommon for such a disease.
- Also, watch out 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 blisters on the skin of your feet. They're usually in small clusters with a clear liquid inside.
- A very important symptom is an unpleasant smell from the feet. If your legs have never given off a foul smelling aroma before, don't skip this factor as it can indicate the presence of a fungal disease.
You can diagnose yourself with a fungal skin disease on the basis of such symptoms. If in any doubt, you should consult a doctor who will conduct a special examination and confirm or reject 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 to find out if there is an inflammatory process in the body. The doctor will ask you to give details of what medications you are taking and whether you have any medical conditions, such as: B. Diabetes mellitus. Due to the increased level of glucose in the blood and the excess weight, which is often associated with endocrine disorders, the so-called diabetic foot often occurs. This disease is characterized by calluses, corns, cracks, and fungal lesions.
A laboratory analysis for the presence of fungal spores is mandatory. As a rule, you do not need to wash your feet for a few days before the diagnosis, and the separation points of the nail plate must be sealed with adhesive plaster. A special scraping is performed on the border between healthy skin and the affected area, which determines the presence of onychomycosis. In rare cases, when the disease relapses, particles of the destroyed marigold are taken for analysis. You are in a special environment where the fungus can develop more actively. Similarly, laboratory assistants work with doctors to determine the type of fungus and can then decide on further therapy.
Diseases of this type are treated by dermatologists and doctors with a narrower specialization - mycologists.
How to cure toenail fungus
Unfortunately, nail fungus is not a common cold. It will never go away by itself. Disputes are pretty resistant to many drugs, but what can I say, it's the fungus that is considered to be one of the toughest microorganisms on the planet. Fungal spores can survive all of us like mold.
Mycoses should definitely be treated, as they can spread over the skin surface, involve all large areas in the pathological process and even settle in the airways and cause asthma.
There are drugs known as antifungal drugs. Like antibacterial drugs, since they are often taken orally, they kill the problem from the inside out. Only a doctor can prescribe antifungal drugs as some of them can have many side effects. Certain groups of medicines can only control one or more types of fungus, but broad spectrum antifungal medicines are also available.
Medicines with the following active ingredients are suitable for the effective treatment of onychomycosis:
- Terbinafine,
- clotrimazole,
- ketoconazole,
- fluconazole,
- itraconazole.
Remember that only a doctor has the right to prescribe antifungal drugs. Given the possibility of side effects, it is impossible to choose an antifungal that will work for absolutely all patients with onychomycosis.
In addition, special ointments, applications and creams are prescribed for the high-quality treatment of fungal infections of the foot. These toenail fungus remedies are used both at the initial stage and during the ongoing process. Depending on the degree of damage and localization of the fungus, the doctor may prescribe applications. The affected areas of the skin are treated with ointment and 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 produce good results:
- Treatment with antifungal sprays,
- creams or emulsions,
- Coating of toenails with a special varnish against fungi.
A complex therapy for fungal diseases, in which ointments, antimycotics and other procedures are combined, ensures the most lasting effect. However, we should not forget that therapy for onychomycosis is a long process. To give you an idea of how to get rid of toenail fungus, one fact is worth mentioning: as usual, the nail grows back completely in a period of 6 to 12 months. Treatment should not be interrupted until a new, healthy nail grows back completely, as spores can sometimes remain on the nail root. If you stop treatment early, the disease may relapse.
Folk remedies for toenail fungus
Treating a fungus at home is not effective if only two or three treatments are carried out and therapy is forgotten at the slightest improvement in the disease. The course of antifungal therapy should be 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 as much of the affected skin and nails as possible to prevent spores from spreading. In the conditions of beauty salons, a pedicure master will help cope with mycosis. He removes the upper affected layer of the nail with a special cutter with a non-coarse nozzle. An antifungal ointment can then be applied to this area. At home, you are unlikely to be able to completely remove the layer of dead cells, but it is entirely possible to soften it and carefully remove it.
Toenail fungus recipe:
- Chicken egg - 1 pc.
- vinegar essence 70% or 80%,
- tea tree oil, butter or olives.
Acetic acid works well against many types of fungi, so you can try them 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 beaker for this. Now you need to put it in a dark place. Watch the egg: once you notice that the shell is completely dissolved, remove the container and add some oil (if you want to add tea tree oil, 1-2 drops will do). Now you need to thoroughly grind the mixture so that the egg becomes a homogeneous paste. The mixture must cover the areas affected by the fungus, put a plastic wrap on it and wrap the feet with a bandage or gauze. It is advisable to let the compress sit for a few hours. After that, the steamed marigold should be cut off. With regular use, the diseased nail can be almost completely removed and the fungus eliminated forever.
Toenail fungus: treatment with folk remedies
If you want to conquer onychomycosis yourself, compresses made from various ingredients, e. g. B. garlic, horseradish or kombucha to help you. Make sure to steam your legs before applying, that is, prepare a steam bath for them.
Baths with soda or potassium permanganate solution are considered to be the most effective. Both ingredients have an antiseptic effect, perfectly cleanse and disinfect the skin and toenails. To make 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 lavender or lavender, light pink water will do. We lower our legs into our bath and enjoy it for about 1 hour. Wipe your feet dry. Now you can do other manipulations.
Grate horseradish or garlic on a fine grater or press through a press. Wrap the mass in a piece of gauze or bandage and apply it to the affected area. Let the compress sit overnight, remembering to wrap it in plastic and wear warm socks. Kombucha has an identical effect, you will need a little bit of it - a small piece that 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 infections, you should follow a few simple rules:
- Use your own shoes to visit the pool, shower, sauna or steam room. Try not to go barefoot in such places, especially if the skin is only slightly damaged.
- Do not lend your shoes and foot hygiene items such as pumice stones or a pedicure brush to strangers.
- In order never to 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 that the master has sterilized his instruments. In some salons you can buy your own pedicure tools. This greatly reduces the risk of fungal contraction.
- Remember that to prevent calluses, corns and blisters, wear loose shoes that do not restrict movement. Remember: if there are no wounds, cracks, or scratches on the surface of the skin, it is unlikely that fungal spores will attack you.