Toenail fungus: how to recognize and treat it correctly

2 April 2024

Fungal diseases are the most common diseases on earth. We propose to think about how to treat toenail fungus and what professional preparations (tablets, ointments, creams, varnishes, other drugs) and folk remedies to use for this.

Onychomycosis (also known as "dermatophytic onychomycosis" or "herpes zoster") is the most common nail infection, affecting one in ten people worldwide. Although the disease needs to be treated at home, this infection is very difficult to influence from the outside and the infection is often accompanied by relapses and inflammation.

Nail fungus – what is it?

In medical terminology, nail fungus is called onychomycosis. Upon contact with spores, the nail plate becomes infected, then rapid growth of fungal bodies begins, affecting the depth and width of the nail.

This pathological condition is most often observed in older people. The occurrence of the disease is influenced by the following factors:

excessive body weight;
diseases of the digestive system;
weakening of the immune system;
impaired thyroid or adrenal function;
improper hygiene.

Experts identify different stages and forms of a fungal infection.

Types and causes of toenail diseases

Diseases of the nail plate can be divided into three types:

Mushroom;
not fungal;
Other diseases.

Non-fungal diseases

Here are the causes of illnesses not related to a fungal infection:

uneducated care of the nail plate;
Injury;
unbalanced diet;
presence of infection in the body;
Smoke;
hereditary predisposition;
the presence of dermatological diseases such as psoriasis, eczema;
acute and chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, nervous system, endocrine diseases.

Fungal diseases

Fungal problems arise from infection with various types of fungi. This pathogen is very dangerous due to its rapid and easy spread. This disease must be treated. Most often, the fungus affects the nail plates of the lower extremities, since the feet represent the most favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria.

There are factors that contribute to the occurrence and development of the disease:

increased sweating of the feet;
inferior shoes: stuffy and airtight, poor durability;
use of clothing made from synthetic materials;
neglect of personal hygiene;
Visiting public places without individual shoes, for example baths, swimming pools, saunas, public showers.

To recognize the onset of the disease, you need to know what a healthy nail plate should look like:

color flesh pink;
the surface is smooth, without roughness;
has a homogeneous structure, no densifications or thinnings;
The nails are intact at their ends and do not come loose.

If your nails do not meet at least one point, you need to see a doctor for advice.

Shapes of mushrooms

The symptoms of the disease depend on the form of the fungus:

Atrophic. A grayish tint appears on the nail and the plate becomes pale and dull. The nail begins to atrophy at the outer ends.
Hypertrophic. Due to the active growth of skin flakes, the nail plate thickens by more than 2 millimeters. Nail deformation depends on the severity of the pathology. Color tone – gray or dark yellow. One of the signs of such a mushroom is that it resembles a bird's claw.
Normotrophic. With this type of fungus, the color of the nail changes, but the shine and thickness remain the same. In the first stage, white to yellow spots appear. If the disease is not treated, they will grow larger. In this case, the plate does not adhere to the nail bed.
Proximal. This fungus spreads to the skin fold. Possible pain in the cuticle area.
In total. This infection occurs when treatment for other types of fungi is ignored. Accompanied by loss of color and shine, friability and fragility. The result is complete destruction of the nail plate.
Superficial white fungus. Characterized by the formation of white spots and streaks that spread throughout the nail.
Distal. The lesion is accompanied by dullness, loss of color and changes in the thickness of the nail plate. After the affected area dies, the nail deforms and crumbles.
Laterally. The skin lumps become swollen, reddened and thickened. Characterized by pain in the area near the nail. When a bacterial infection occurs, a purulent process begins.

Depending on the severity of the pathology, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Practical advice

Preventing thumb and athlete's foot fungus is a very important task. Immediately after eliminating the accident, you will find yourself in a high-risk zone, because. . . The body will be very vulnerable to this type of infection for a long time.

Drug treatment does not always pay off; antibiotics destroy the immune system and the body becomes more susceptible to fungi and spores. Try to keep the use of such medications to a minimum.
Any burns and frostbite must be treated immediately, otherwise the bacteria will be destroyed very quickly;
Effective treatment is only half the battle, because you need to disinfect absolutely all surfaces with which you have come into contact: bedding, floors, clothes, shoes, etc. ;
Traditional treatment is good, but it does not guarantee that relapses will not occur. Before starting this fight, it is advisable to consult a doctor who will carry out an analysis and tell you exactly what type of fungus you have and how to fight it;
Do not treat yourself with medication;
Do not try to cover damaged nails with colored varnish - this will damage them even more and slow down regeneration;
The doctor recommends regularly doing foot baths with mint and chamomile, as this significantly reduces the likelihood of infection.
A person who has already suffered from a fungal disease cannot be a blood donor;
The fungus is very contagious, so consult your relatives and take them to the doctor.

Typical clinical picture

The clinical manifestations of a fungal nail infection include:

a burning sensation and itching of the skin near the affected area;
nail brittleness;
swelling of the affected area;
active detachment of the plate;
Color changes (black, yellow, gray, green, brown tint indicate a pathological process);
painful feeling in the place where the fungus is located;
Nail deformation.

If treatment is ignored or inappropriate therapy is observed, keratinization of the plate and an increase in compaction occur.Only a qualified specialist can diagnose a fungal infection.

Places at risk of infection

Infection can occur in a damp and warm place where the fungus grows quickly. Therefore, you should be careful in public spaces and follow the hygiene rules:

Sauna;
Shower;
Bath;
gym;
Solarium;
public changing room;
Beach;
Swimming pool.

You can contract nail fungus by trying on someone else's shoes. In addition, infection can occur in a beauty salon during a pedicure if unsterile instruments are used or the master has a fungus on his hands and performs the manipulation without gloves.

Alternative remedies for nail fungus

There are a variety of alternative methods for combating fungal infections. In folk medicine, popular and effective procedures for eliminating fungus are:

Compress;
foot bath;
lotions;
Applying ointments made from herbal products.

Effective antifungal alternative therapies include:

Garlic ointment. To prepare it, butter is mixed with grated garlic. Apply to affected nails for several hours.
Bath with sea salt. Make a warm solution and leave your feet in it for 30 minutes. After the procedure, it is recommended to apply olive oil to the nails.
Foot bath with a decoction of marigold, celandine, horsetail or spurge.
Mint-salt compress. A spoonful of salt is mixed with the crushed plant and applied to the problem area for several hours.
Propolis lotion. A cotton pad is moistened with the tincture and applied to the affected nail.
Lubricating the diseased nail plate with celandine juice.
Egg and honey mixture. Honey, birch tar and sulfur are added to the protein. Mix thoroughly and apply to nails.
Ammonia compress. A spoonful of ammonia is diluted in a glass of water. The material intended for the procedure is soaked in the liquid.
Apricot resin. An alcohol tincture is made from tree resin using equal parts of the ingredients. Make a compress with this remedy.
Coffee bath. You make strong coffee and pour it into a bowl. It is recommended to soak your feet in this product for twenty minutes.
Tar compress. For this procedure, take birch tar.
Bath based on Listerine, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
Hydrogen peroxide compress. Before use, it is recommended to make a soda foot bath.
Apply onion pulp to the sore nail.

An effective folk remedy for fungal infections is a remedy made from baking soda and apple cider vinegar. To prepare it you need the following ingredients:

Apple Cider Vinegar – 250ml;
baking powder – 150 g;
Water (hot) – 3 l.

Foot baths are made with this medicine. The peculiarity of this procedure is that the feet are first placed in a vinegar solution for twenty minutes. Then after a while they take a bath with soda. It is recommended to carry out the procedure several times a day.

Compresses can also be made from the following ingredients:
chopped horseradish (root);
sunflower oil and vinegar (product ratio 1: 1);
tea mushroom;
tangerine juice;
tea tree oil;
pureed mountain ash.

It is recommended to apply these products to the affected area at night. Herbalists recommend putting crushed medicinal herbs in your socks if you have athlete's foot:

Mint;
Chamomile;
Nettle;
Sage.

The first signs of the disease can be overcome by soaking the feet in a laundry soap solution. It is important to remember that alternative medicines should only be used on well-washed feet. Dead layers must be removed each time with a nail file or scissors.

Other diseases

This section includes diseases that can be signs of fungal or non-fungal pathology, but in this case they are independent.

hypertrophy

Hypertrophy is most commonly inherited.

This disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

the nail becomes thicker;
lengthens by several centimeters;
very long legs begin to bend down and resemble a bird's claw;
the color of the nail changes from yellow to dirty yellow;
In this condition the nail rarely grows into the side skin;
If the ingrowth is not treated, the inflammatory process begins.

To combat the disease, vitamins and physiotherapy are prescribed.If inflammation is present, rinse with peroxide and chlorhexidine.

Traditional medicine recommends a massage with olive oil. In case of significant deformations that severely affect a person's appearance, they resort to cosmetic corrections.

atrophy

Toenail diseases that result in atrophy of the nails are often congenital in nature.

Already in a newborn you can recognize the following symptoms:

Deformation of the nail plates on one or more fingers, they are smaller, brittle, deformed;
Nail color is whitish, cloudy;
the surface has defects: roughness, microcracks;
absence of nails on one or more fingers;
the presence of membranes between the fingers;
deformation of fingers;
The hair growth rate is low and they also grow sparsely.

Such congenital pathologies are difficult to treat. It is recommended to take vitamins, consume substances rich in collagen and eat a balanced diet. Patients should pay attention to their nails and avoid injuries and contact with aggressive substances.

Peeling nails

The most common problem people face.

Here are the reasons for its appearance:

improper manicure, use of low-quality decorative cosmetics;
This problem is faced by half of the women who regularly undergo the shellac procedure;
lack of vitamins;
endocrine disorders, especially reduced thyroid function;
chronic diseases that deplete the body;
synthetic clothing and the wrong shoes.

This problem can be resolved through a number of measures:

cosmeticsspecial nail creams and oils.
Paraffin therapyYou need to buy paraffin and melt it until it is liquid but not hot. The feet must first be washed and dried thoroughly. Dip your fingers into the paraffin, let it harden, and then lower it back down. The procedure must be repeated several times until there are 3 to 5 layers of paraffin on the nails. Next, you need to wrap it in plastic and put warm socks on top. Keep this compress for 30 minutes. The paraffin must then be carefully removed and a rich cream applied to the nails.

Traditional medicine recommends a massage with sea salt. It must be dissolved in a ratio of 2 teaspoons per 200 ml of warm water. The feet should remain in the liquid for at least 15 minutes. Then you need to massage the skin around the nails. You can then apply olive or other unrefined vegetable oil.

Pterygium

This word refers to the thin film that lies on the nail in the crescent area. It is the lowest layer of the cuticle. Performs physiological protective functions and is not a pathology.

There are different lengths and thicknesses for different people. When performing a professional manicure, the pterygium begins to cause problems. It particularly disrupts coatings that harden under a UV lamp.

If a woman decides to remove it, it must be done correctly so as not to do thisinjure the cuticles and avoid dirt getting into the delicate layers of the epidermis:

soften the pterygium in water;
Carefully remove excess with an apricot stick;
Treat the area with an antiseptic – Chlorexidine or Miramistin.

In order for the pterygium to always remain soft and easy to remove, you need to treat the nail plate and cuticle with special oil from pharmacies and cosmetic stores every evening before going to bed.

Untreated nail diseases can have serious consequences. Complications include suppuration, abscess, panaritium and malignant neoplasms on the legs. Any change in the appearance of your nails should be consulted by a dermatologist.

General treatment regimen

Successful therapy requires complex treatment lasting several months. These include medications for local and systemic use, for nutrition and to strengthen the immune system. Fungal diseases of the toenails are treated using the following methods:

systemic antifungals;
physiotherapy that improves blood circulation in the feet and hands;
the affected areas are treated with local anti-infective agents (antifungal varnishes, ointments, gels) and the surrounding skin is covered for prevention;
Removal of affected tissue conservatively or surgically if severe thickening or total damage is confirmed;
the use of drugs that improve blood circulation in the hands and peripheral tissues of the legs.

Taking systemic antifungals

The use of systemic antimycotics is necessary for reliable and effective treatment of fungal diseases. Their effect is aimed at destroying the pathogen. Fungal spores can remain in the growth zone for a long time during the incubation period and remain viable. Therefore, it is very important to ensure their destruction.

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As the plate grows, the spores rise and enter the active phase, continuing to cause the pathological process. For this reason, treatment with systemic antifungal drugs is carried out over a longer period of time to allow a healthy, new nail plate to fully grow. This indicates that the germination zone is free of spores.

Local treatment

This is another component of complex treatment that is carried out while taking systemic medications and does not replace them. Local therapy alone does not lead to complete recovery, so there is no way around taking antifungal medications in the form of tablets, solutions or capsules. This is due to the spores' ability to remain viable for a long time in destroyed tissue. Topical medications cannot penetrate these areas.

Treatment of onychomycosis with this method is aimed at treating the nail bed or nail with products that are in the form of lotion, varnish, cream, ointment or spray. Recommended at this point.

Removal of the nail plate

There are two options for this procedure – conservative and surgical. The first method uses keratolytic patches that can soften the tissue. After using these products, it is possible to painlessly and easily remove the affected area using a mild scalpel or ordinary scissors. Patch options are currently used for conservative removal.

Such products can be purchased at the pharmacy or ordered in the prescription department. Before using the composition against a fungal disease, apply a regular adhesive plaster to healthy areas of skin adjacent to the affected areas to protect against the effects of the keratolytic. Then apply a 2 mm layer of the mixture and secure it with a simple plaster for 2-3 days. Then peel off, remove any product residue and scrape off the softened tissue with a scalpel. The process is repeated until the entire nail surface is removed and only the bare nail bed remains.

The surgical method is considered more effective than the conservative one, as it not only removes the affected areas, but also clears the bed of keratinized scales, in which fungal spores continue to live and can cause a relapse of the disease. Clinical studies confirm that with surgical removal the effectiveness of the treatment is significantly higher; the procedure is carried out as follows:

Apply a tourniquet to the base of the finger.
Treat the surface with an antiseptic (any).
A local anesthetic is injected into the side surfaces of the finger.
Tweezers are inserted under the free edge from the left or right corner.
Move the instrument to the base.
The plate is separated by an inverting movement.
The bed is freed from horny plate accumulations.
The nail bed is rinsed with a powder sorbent containing an antibiotic.
A sterile bandage is placed over it.

Shoe processing

The issue of disinfecting shoes during the treatment of onychomycosis is very important, since they contain fungal pathogens that will lead to a relapse of the disease in the future. To eliminate them, you need to use chemical disinfectants. This cleaning process should be carried out at least once a week. Disinfection can be carried out with the following compositions:

Formalin solution 25%.
Chlorhexidine bigluconate solution 1%.
Acetic acid 40% etc.

As a preventive measure, you should regularly use special equipment for drying shoes at home. Fungi develop in humid environments, so you should not leave your shoes wet.

To eliminate the disease, you must strictly follow all the doctor's instructions. Medicines must be used exactly as directed. Home remedies can speed up the treatment process for onychomycosis, but only if they are used as an adjuvant solution in combination with conventional drug treatment.

Possible complications

Pessimists who do not believe that onychomycosis is curable should remember that they are fortunately mistaken. However, if the disease is ignored or self-medicated without being sure of the correct diagnosis, problems can arise.

Possible complications are:

the appearance of mycotic eczema with large-scale fungal infection;
Burns caused by improper use of keratolytic patch;
Dysfunction of the liver and gastrointestinal organs caused by the accumulation of toxins in the body;
the development of an allergic reaction, which also occurs due to the fact that the body is "overloaded" with substances harmful to it;
psychological problems caused by the fact that a person cannot lead a normal life - for example, can visit the bathhouse or go to the beach without hesitation.

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Laser treatment

This is an additional physiotherapeutic technique aimed at improving blood circulation. The procedure is carried out as part of complex therapy using antifungal drugs. Using a laser alone does not help cure the disease as it only improves blood flow to the tissues. This is necessary for effective delivery of the antifungal to hard-to-reach cells. If you do not take systemic medications, laser therapy will not bring therapeutic results.

Disinfection and personal hygiene

After you notice that the color of the nail has changed and you suspect the original form of the fungus, comparing the symptoms with the photo, you need to undergo complex treatment. To effectively get rid of the fungus, you must:

Thoroughly disinfect socks and shoes daily;
cook bed linen and towels;
After bathing, clean the bathtub thoroughly.

All clothing that came into contact with the affected nails during the day must be boiled in soapy water in the evening. It is better to use laundry soap. Shoes should be wiped daily with an antiseptic or special antifungal solution.

The disease onychomycosis of nails is often observed within the same family due to constant contact with the causative agent of a fungal infection, as well as general hygiene products. If a person scratches the affected areas and then touches household objects with his hands, at that time the fungal spores and pathogens spread to the objects and the risk of infection increases.