Onychomycosis or nail fungus is a common fungal disease that is often confused with a cosmetic defect.However, unlike cosmetic pathologies, the treatment of onychomycosis is a complex and prolonged process, which covers not only the external manifestation of the disease, but also the internal one.Moreover, they can become infected in almost any public place.But about everything in order.
Causes of nail fungus
The main cause of nail fungus is yeast and mold.They multiply very quickly, which leads to the destruction of the nail plate.In turn, there are many situations in which these fungi can enter the skin and nails of the human legs.Among such situations, it is worth highlighting some of the most common ones:
- Visiting a public pool without special shoes;
- Use of someone else's shoes;
- Non -compliance with hygiene of the legs;
- Reducing human immunity, etc.
Public pools are quite often a rod of fungus.A huge number of infected people come here to swim and do not comply with hygiene rules.As a result, healthy people are subjected to a significant risk of infection.
The same risk arises if we take, which is called "rent", someone else's shoes.After all, few admit that it is infected with a fungus.But non -compliance with the hygiene of the legs can be called one of the most common causes of infection with nail fungus.Hyperhidrosis and simply unwillingness to wash the legs leads to the fact that microbes appear on the skin and nails that quickly develop in a humid environment.As a result of this, not only the nail plate, but also the skin of the legs occurs.
Reducing immunity is not so much a reason as the factor accompanying infection.In other words, all previous reasons can become more significant if the immunity of a person is reduced.And many factors can reduce it, starting with bad habits to the use of antimicrobial drugs.
Symptoms of nail fungus
How does the nail fungus manifest at different stages of development?Symptoms are quite specific, so it is worth telling about it in stages in accordance with the degree of damage to the nail:
- In the initial stages of infection, a muddy area appears on the nail.It can be located in the center, side or on the edge of the nail plate.In this case, the type of fungus of the causative agent of the disease is manifested.
- Complete damage to the nail plate.The whole nail becomes cloudy, light stripes appear on it.The surface of the nail begins to change, smoothness disappears.
- Detachment.After the entire nail fell under the influence of the fungus, it begins to increase in thickness.Gradually, its structure becomes porous.The free edge begins to rise and move away from the finger.
- The appearance of cracks on the skin of the legs.After the whole nail has already been modified, the fungus gradually begins to switch to the skin.And the first areas that fall under the influence of microbes are areas between the fingers.
By these symptoms, a person can independently determine the presence of nail fungus.However, if the first signs of the disease have appeared, then you must immediately contact a specialist.
Diagnosis of nail fungus
However, a doctor, like the patient, is enough for one look to understand that the nails of the legs are fanned by the fungus.And the essence of the diagnosis in this case is to determine the type of exciter fungus.At the moment, four types of nail fungus are known, which differ among themselves in the nature of manifestation:
- White superficial.This type of fungus is one of the less dangerous and simpler in terms of treatment.With such onychomycosis, only the upper surface of the nail occurs.There is no stratification, the nail does not break away from the skin.
- Distal sub -gear fungus.This species is almost completely opposite to the previous type.It infects the lower surface of the nail, from there and begins to destroy the nail plate.An increase in the thickness of the nail, the separation of the nail from the skin - in this case, all these symptoms will necessarily appear.
- Proximal sub -gear fungus.This type of fungus acts in two directions: damage to the nail plate and lesion of the skin.It appears along the cuticle on the nail and spreads in both directions, i.e.On the nail and on the skin.The proximal fungus is one of the most dangerous and complex in terms of treatment with a fungus.
- Total dystrophic fungus.This fungus is the result of one of the previous species.It develops when the nail plate is already completely destroyed, the skin around the nail occurred.It is manifested by inflammatory processes on the skin, accompanied by the accumulation of purulent masses.
Despite the fact that the symptoms of nail fungus are quite peculiar, which allows you to easily diagnose the disease, you still need to contact a doctor.Only a doctor will be able to understand the causes of infection, determine the degree of lesion, choose the correct course of treatment.
Prevention
Like any other disease, onychomycosis is easier to prevent than cure.Moreover, preventive measures here are quite simple and accessible to everyone.First of all, this is observance of hygiene of the legs.In addition, there are a number of events that will allow, if not avoiding infection, then significantly reduce the risk:
- The use of special cosmetics to eliminate sweating and excessive moisture of the legs.It is also necessary to use moisturizers if the skin of the feet is too dry.This will help to avoid cracks and irritations.
- Wear shoes in public pools, do not use someone else's shoes.
- Wash and wipe your legs regularly.It is especially worth paying attention to the areas between the fingers.Here it is necessary to periodically disinfect using alcohol solutions or cosmetics.
- Regularly disinfected the bathroom, shoes, washcloths, etc.
- Maintain immunity.No matter how primitive it sounds, but all previous preventive measures can become meaningless if the immunity is so reduced that he is not able to withstand microbes.Regular use of vitamins, walks in the fresh air, sports will help maintain your own body protection at the proper level.
If the prevention was not observed or did not help, when the nail fungus is first detected, it is necessary to immediately proceed to its treatment.Ideally, the doctor prescribes a combined course of treatment, consisting of external drugs, drugs for oral administration.But you need to tell you more about this.
Treatment of nail fungus
Nail fungus is one of the most complex diseases in terms of treatment.This is simply explained - the spores of the fungus constantly mutate and adapt to changing conditions.In other words, if any specific treatment did not produce the desired effect in the first weeks, it is likely that this method includes drugs, to which the fungus easily produces immunity.That is why treatment should include several methods at the same time.
First of all, it should be understood that nail fungus must be treated not only with external drugs, although the main emphasis is on them.Treatment of nail fungus must include taking medications aimed at restoring intestinal microflora and vitamins aimed at restoring immunity.
So, the treatment of nail fungus should take place in four planes:
- Local drugs (ointments, gels, varnishes, etc.);
- Antifungal drugs;
- Medicines for gastrointestinal tract;
- Groups of means to maintain and improve immunity.
Each of these planes has its own popular means that have already proven their effectiveness and are in significant demand.It is about these drugs that will be discussed further.
Local drugs
Local drugs include all the drugs that are in contact directly with the place of damage, i.e.With a nail.They are entrusted with the main mission - eliminating a cosmetic defect and the destruction of the spores of the fungus.In the early stages of the disease and small areas of lesion, treatment can be limited only by local drugs.
By the way, it is important to remember that when infected with a fungus, you should carefully ensure that the nail always remains dry.This will slow down the reproduction and development of infection, because bacteria multiply more actively in a humid environment.
Antifungal drugs
These drugs are produced in the form of capsules or tablets.As a rule, the duration of the course of such drugs is from 3 months to six months.They are prescribed only after determining the type of fungal pathogen.
All drugs aimed at combating nail fungus are divided into several groups depending on the active substance.
Medicines for gastrointestinal tract
Taking any drugs in most cases ends with a violation of intestinal microflora and gastrointestinal tract functions.In particular, antibiotics destroy non -pathogenic bacteria, which take an active part in the digestive process.Symptoms of microflora disorders can be the following signs:
- Stool violations (constipation or diarrhea);
- Bloating and gas formation;
- Pain and discomfort in the abdomen;
- External disorders, such as a rash on the skin, an increase in hair loss, fragility of nails and hair.
Microflora can independently recover, but this process will take a lot of time.That is why any treatment with antifungal, antimicrobial drugs must be accompanied by drugs to restore microflora.
Preparations aimed at restoring microflora are combined into one large group called "prebiotics".The essence of their action lies in the population of the digestive tract by bacteria, which restore normal microflora and inhibit the negative effect of harmful microorganisms.The main "good" bacteria that are part of the prebiotics are the following:
- Bifidobacteria;
- Lactobacilli;
- Enterococci;
- Lactic acid streptococcus;
- Nepatogenic types of E. coli;
- Some types of yeast mushrooms.
These bacteria, getting into the intestines, perform several functions at once:
- Develop substances that can withstand infections;
- Eliminate the ability of harmful bacteria to linger in the digestive tract;
- Destroy toxins and prevent their absorption in the blood;
- Enhance the protective functions of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Produce B vitamins;
- Produce antibodies of certain viruses.
By the way, if certain conditions or contraindications do not allow you to take prebiotics, they can be replaced by certain products containing beneficial bacteria.First of all, these are dairy products, yogurts and fruits.
To date, several groups of prebiotics have been created, which differ among themselves by bacteria contained in them.So, these groups are the most famous representatives in them:
- Preparations with bifidobacteria;
- Preparations with lactobateria;
- Preparations with colibacteria;
- Complex drugs.They contain bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
Modern food industry also offers a number of products that contain bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.They are regularly advertised on TV, and stores present a wide selection of their tastes and types.
Immunity restoration drugs
The immune system of a healthy person can independently fight pathogenic microflora.However, finding an absolutely healthy person with perfect immunity today is almost impossible.Transferred diseases, poor -quality nutrition, harmful surrounding conditions, taking certain drugs - all this leads to a violation of the natural protection of the body.Therefore, in order to accelerate recovery with onychomycosis, it is necessary to pay attention to this side of the issue.
At the moment, there are a huge number of drugs to restore the immune system, and all of them differ significantly.Consider some of them:
- Synthetic immunomodulators;
- Microbial immunomodulators;
- Bone marrow immunomodulators;
- Timic immunomodulators;
- Chemical immunomodulators;
- Plant immunomodulators.
Microbial immunomodulators act as a simulator of the immune system.They restore both local and general immunity, which allows you to completely destroy viruses and exclude further infection of the body.
Chemical drugs are aimed at the production of protein by the body, which is able to withstand the virus.Preparations can also be taken to restore immunity.And to maintain it.Moreover, the first effect appears immediately after taking and intensifies within a few months after consumption.
Timic preparations are aimed at developing T cells, which are responsible for the confrontation of the attacks of the virus.Bosomedic drugs are produced by mediators, which in turn restore all indicators of the immune system.
Plant preparations include extracts and extracts from plants and herbs that have healing and restoration properties.The most popular are plants such as cranberries, ginseng, raspberries, lemongrass, sea buckthorn, St. John's wort, nettle, clover, echinacea, etc.
Traditional medicine in the fight against nail fungus
There are a considerable number of people who avoid the use of drugs, explaining this by harmfulness, the content of chemical elements in them and other causes.That is why in this article we will talk about some of the most effective methods of combating nail fungus from traditional medicine.
Nail fungus vinegar
Vinegar is a powerful disinfector, so in the fight against the fungus of nails it has found quite widely used.Moreover, the course of treatment with vinegar is relatively short and quite simple.To prepare the solution, it is necessary to mix vinegar 9% with water in a proportion of 1 to 8, i.e.Add 8 parts of pure water to 1 part vinegar.For men, the amount of water can be reduced by 2 times, becauseThey have skin, as a rule, for women.
Before using the solution, the legs and nails must be steamed.To do this, they should be immersed in a basin with warm water and hold until the skin becomes tuberous.After that, the legs must be immersed in a bowl with prepared vinegar solution.Keep them 15-20 minutes.If the solution burns the skin, then the procedure should be reduced.
The course of treatment lasts only two weeks.In this case, the procedures must be carried out once every two days.After that, the nails begin to break away, and new ones grow in their place.If the disease is in an advanced stage, then the course will need to be repeated 1-2 times until a complete recovery.
Iodine - the fungus will pass
The course of treatment of nail fungus with iodine is about 3 weeks.Two procedures must be carried out a day.It is advisable to do this in the morning and in the evening.For treatment, lubricate damaged nail plates with iodine.
By the way, doctors recommend applying iodine to healthy nail plates, becauseUnder them, an infection may already occur, which is invisible to the human eye.Doctors also note that burning in the area of application may mean that this treatment benefits.
Birch tar from nail fungus
For the treatment of nail fungus, drugs based on birch tar can be used.It can be ointments 10 or 30 %, or drugs with a birch tar.Moreover, the drug can be prepared independently.
To prepare tar, it is necessary to take a bucket with holes at the bottom, fold a birch bark and hang a bucket over another bucket or pots.The process of obtaining tar is quite long and painstaking, but as a result you will get a high-quality product without any impurities.
The course of treatment of tar is 2 weeks.To do this, a birch tar is applied to the affected nails, the finger is wrapped in polyethylene.After three to four hours, wash away the tar.Apply the drug 1-2 times a day, depending on the degree of damage.If after the first course the full recovery did not occur, then after one week the course should be repeated.
Vodka will help
Another popular disinfector is vodka.It can be used both for treatment and to prevent nail fungus.To prepare the solution, it is necessary to take a glass of vodka, half a teaspoon of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) and a teaspoon of lemon juice or citric acid.Mix all components thoroughly.After that, the solution must be left in a cool place for 4-5 days.After that, the solution can be considered ready.
For treatment, it is necessary to soak the cotton pad with the resulting solution, apply it to the damaged nail and leave it for several minutes.After that, it should be removed, the nail cannot be wiped.The procedure can be carried out up to 5 times a day.The duration of the course can be any and ends with a complete recovery.
Celandine and soda food
Celandine is one of the most powerful in the fight against infections of the plant.In pharmacies, celandine is represented in several types at once - grass, solution, extract, oil.In our case, celandine oil will be needed.Before the procedure, it is necessary to clean the nails and legs.To do this, prepare a solution - two tablespoons per liter of warm water.Mix thoroughly and immerse in the resulting solution for 15-20 minutes.After that, you need to wipe the legs and apply celandine oil to the affected nail.
It is important to remember that celandine oil should be applied extremely carefully.If it enters the skin, it can leave on it a baking or irritation.
The duration of the treatment of celandine can be any and ends with a complete recovery.
These are the main methods of combating nail fungus.In this article, we talked about all types of treatment and prevention of onychomycosis.In conclusion, we can only add that when the first symptoms of the fungus appear, you must immediately consult a doctor, because to cure the disease in the early stages is much easier than the advanced ones.