There are many reasons why toenail fungus develops. In most cases, the infection is transmitted through household contact. Especially often the disease strikes in the summer, when everyone wears mostly open shoes. Also, in a warm, humid environment, bacteria multiply much faster and become more active.
Most often, pathology develops in people who like to walk barefoot in public places such as swimming pools, baths and saunas, locker rooms on beaches and sports clubs. Also, toenail fungus often affects children who like to try on someone else's shoes. As a rule, this happens in schools or kindergartens.
Nail fungus can be the result of a weakened immune system. And even if a person follows all the safety rules of behavior in public places, the infection can easily penetrate the skin with excessive sweating of the feet or with insufficient personal foot hygiene.
It is recommended to wash your feet as often as possible with warm water and soap and be sure to wipe them dry, in summer use powders so that the skin does not sweat so much. This is especially true for people who are prone to colds and infectious diseases.
In some cases, poor-quality shoes become the cause of the fungus. Often this happens when a person wears closed shoes for a long time, which does not allow air to pass through. This creates a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria.
It is recommended, if possible, to buy shoes made from natural materials, wash and air them constantly.
Symptoms of a fungus on the nail
The symptoms of toe fungus are fairly easy to spot. After all, they appear almost immediately, as the infection is introduced into the body. But the problem is that people do not always attach importance to the first changes, thereby delaying the treatment of the disease. Let's look at these symptoms in more detail.
- At the very beginning of the development of the disease, sweating between the toes may increase. In this case, an unpleasant odor will be observed, which is almost impossible to remove. As the disease progresses, it will intensify even more, delivering great discomfort.
- Nails change their color and structure. Most often they acquire a yellow, gray and even green tint. The nail plate can be painted gradually. Also, the nail on the thumb begins to exfoliate. Sometimes it even crumbles. At the same time, nail files and nail scissors do not help to fix this.
- As the disease progresses, the skin around the nail plate begins to become inflamed. A characteristic feature of the fungus is severe itching and burning. This is especially enhanced if the foot is constantly in the shoe. In the summer itching is not so strong.
- Often, against the background of a toenail fungus, diseases begin to progress, which until then were only stimulating factors for the reproduction of bacteria. The course of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and thyroid gland is complicated.
- In the event that the fingernail begins to become thicker, this indicates that the disease is progressing. Usually, when large growths appear on the nail plate, the treatment of the fungus takes a long time. And only an integrated approach can guarantee a good result.
Specificity of treatment
When a nail fungus appears on the big toe or if it affects the foot, treatment should be timely and comprehensive.
The fungus of the thumb in a child is best treated with safe folk remedies at the very beginning of the development of the disease. Or consult with your doctor first.
As for adults, the treatment of the fungus of the big toe can be carried out both with the help of pharmaceutical preparations and home remedies. Let's dwell on this in more detail.
Pharmacy preparations
In the event that the fungus on the thumb has gone too far, the problem should be treated not only with local remedies. It is advisable to consult a specialist about taking pills. There are a huge number of them today, so it is important to choose the most suitable for yourself.
The most popular tablets based on Terbinafine and Ketoconazole. But the fact is that tablets have a lot of contraindications. So, in no case should they be drunk by people with kidney or liver failure, and also by those who have heart problems. Care should be taken to take such tablets simultaneously with other drugs. This is especially true for hormonal drugs.
Sprays, gels and ointments are used for topical treatment of the fungus. They are also recommended to be selected together with the attending physician. They perfectly help fight nail fungus at the initial stage of the development of the disease. Medicinal varnishes, which should be applied directly to the affected nails, are excellent help.
Varnishes are capable of destroying the structure of the cell membrane of a pathogenic fungus in the shortest possible time. It is also useful to apply such funds for the prevention of the disease, since they have absolutely no side effects and are completely safe.
But if the nail is affected to such an extent that you need to remove it, then there are special solutions for this. These substances are applied to a pre-steamed affected toenail, after which the sore spot is closed with a plaster and a bandage. After a few hours, everything is painlessly removed.
Removing an unhealthy nail is an excellent alternative to surgery. After all, along with the stratum corneum, pathogenic microorganisms are killed and removed. And special auxiliary components allow a new healthy nail to grow as actively as possible.
Folk recipes
You can simultaneously deal with nail fungus and folk methods. There are a huge number of them. Consider a couple of the most common and effective. So, daily warm baths with salt help well. They help soften the skin and disinfect the nail.
Kills fungus and fresh garlic juice. You should mix warm vegetable oil with garlic gruel, let it brew for a day.
Lubricate the sore finger and the affected skin of the foot daily at bedtime for a month for a complete cure. Please note that visible results after the first two procedures should not stop, since it is necessary to completely kill the entire infection.
Fighting toenail fungus is extremely difficult if you start the disease.
Therefore, it is recommended to take action immediately after the first symptoms are detected. Simultaneous treatment with folk and pharmacy remedies will certainly give a good result.