Today, about 25% of the world's population suffers from mycoses. Often the disease is expressed in the legs. The nail fungus on the thumb conveys many unpleasant moments that deprive a person of a normal, quiet life. In addition, it can spread to neighboring areas. How to treat a fungus on the big toe? Which drugs are most effective? The answers to these questions are in our article.
Reasons for appearance
The fungus on the skin of the big toe can be picked up in public places (baths, saunas, swimming pools, water parks and other establishments where people walk barefoot). It should be noted that fungal spores often get on the skin of people, but not everyone is infected. In order for an infection to occur, the microorganism must enter the skin cells, stay there firmly, and begin to multiply. This is facilitated by wounds and micro cracks. We may not see them, but for mushrooms they are wide open doors.
If a family member already has mycosis, it is possible to become infected. This is observed when people do not follow the rules of personal hygiene, use common towels, sleep in the same bed, have common shoes and socks.
If a person has a strong immune system, the risk of infection with a fungus in public places is reduced.
Miniature mycosis can also be seen after trying on shoes in stores or at the market, if you do it barefoot.
Other factors that cause fungal infections:
- Lack of foot hygiene.
- Excessive sweating (sweat is an excellent breeding ground for fungi).
- Straight legs.
- Wear tight shoes.
- Aging (over the years, people have poor blood circulation, weakened immunity).
- Pedicure with non-disinfected instruments.
More often, the fungus first appears on the skin of the thumb, because it is easier to grow in the soft layers of the dermis. If left untreated, the disease can spread to the nails. However, in some cases, onychomycosis is the main disease, and microorganisms spread from the already affected nail plate to the skin.
symptoms
Microorganisms that infect the nail plate secrete enzymes that help destroy it. Thus, the fungus prepares the ground for its reproduction and the growth of colonies. Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.
Mycosis of the skin manifests itself with severe itching. This is the first sign. Then a bubble filled with light exudate appears. The bubble explodes and a deep crack forms in its place. It is extremely painful, and even walking in shoes is frustrating. In addition, the wound continues to itch. Dry, crusty skin forms around it. The crack may improve, but will reappear soon.
At first, the disease does not manifest itself in the nail plate. Separate whitish spots and streaks suggest that there is nail fungus on the thumb. The photo above shows what the affected area looks like.
In the second stage, the nail fades (sometimes turns yellow), significantly thickens and bends. It can often grow on the skin, causing pain and local inflammation while walking.
In the third stage of onychomycosis, the nail becomes loose and painful to cut. In some patients, it is peeled off the skin. At this stage, the patient poses a significant danger to others, as his nail plate becomes a nest for fungal spores that spread easily to the surfaces.
Classification
There are three stages of onychomycosis:
- First, there are no changes in the texture, the tone changes are not visible enough: streaks, spots may appear.
- Second - the plate turns yellow, stops shining, there is an unpleasant odor from the feet.
- Third - the plate loses its texture, loosens, erodes from the nail bed.
Depending on the color of the nail, you can tell which fungus is holding it:
- Yellow spots indicate a dermatophyte lesion, and the changes are limited to areas in the center and along the edges of the plate.
- The location and crusting along the edges of the lesions indicate damage to the fungi of the yeast family.
- Darkening of the plate indicates a lack of blood circulation in the finger and the adhesion of mold fungi.
Treatment
The success of the treatment of toenail fungus depends entirely on how quickly it begins. In the early stages, topical remedies can help treat the mycosis, and in the later stages, only surgical treatment and nail sinking can help.
Medications
Fungus on the nail of the thumb is treated with special varnishes, ointments and medicines taken orally. In the early stages, the disease heals in 1-2 months, and in the later stages it can take six months or even a year.
Lucky
The action of therapeutic varnishes is associated with the softening of the plate and the disinfectant effect. The varnish penetrates the nail plate and destroys fungi.
Ointments, creams and sprays
Such drugs are used for dermatomycosis and onychomycosis. They are very effective and adverse reactions are extremely rare. It is recommended to apply these funds once or twice a day.
Oral preparations
Tablets are used in the later stages to treat thumb fungus. Only complex treatment with mycosis can help. Oral medications include tablets and capsules.
How to remove the nail
With a fungus on the big toe, removing the nail plate can give an effective result. To do this, use tools that help soften the nail: patches, ointments, creams.
Apparatus pedicure
This is a medical procedure, not a cosmetic one. Do this in medical institutions. Apparatus pedicure is performed with a special nozzle with a grinding cover. With the help of this procedure you can get rid of fungus on the thumb. The photo shows the implementation of the device pedicure.
What is the procedure:
- The affected area is disinfected.
- Soften with special medications.
- Remove the outer layer with a nozzle.
The procedure is performed very carefully, removing the layers gradually. If a healthy part of the nail is affected, it can cause the fungus to spread further.
The advantages of this method include:
- Rapid removal of affected parts of the nails.
- No pain.
- Achieving good permeability for medicated ointments and varnishes.
However, this type of pedicure has its disadvantages:
- Allergic reactions may occur.
- There is a risk of infection.
laser
Laser technology is more promising than other methods of removing fungi. The beam is heated in a point-by-point manner and destroys harmful microorganisms without touching healthy tissues.
Laser removal of nail plates takes a few minutes. If more than one finger is infected, the laser procedure will take longer. Depending on the degree of damage, it may take several sessions to remove a nail with a fungus. Healthy nails will be restored only after six months.
Surgery
With this procedure, the patient's nail is completely removed. Use this method only if other methods do not help to get rid of the disease. Removal of the nail on the thumb can destroy the fungus, but after the operation, the patient undergoes a complex treatment prescribed by a doctor.
The operation is contraindicated:
- People with poor blood clotting.
- Presence of infectious and other diseases in the acute stage.
- Intolerance to anesthesia.
- Suffering from diabetes.
- Those with immune diseases.
- With dilated vessels and conductive capillaries.
How the operation is performed
The procedure itself is painless for the patient because it is performed under anesthesia. The nail and the skin around it are treated with iodine. The doctor puts a special tool under the nail plate and insulates it from the skin. If a small area of the nail is affected, only that part is removed.
After the procedure, an antibiotic is injected into the wound and wrapped. The healing process takes several weeks. Requires ligation. The process of growing a new nail can take several months.
Possible results:
- Cutting, pain after the procedure.
- Infection.
- Irregular nail growth.
Restoration
Usually, your doctor will give you individual advice on wound care. However, there are some general tips:
- Bed rest for at least 1 month after surgery.
- Open wounds should be treated regularly, new sterile dressings should be applied, and medications (ointments, creams) should be used.
- After the procedure, the doctor prescribes medication (anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal).
Prevention
The following recommendations should be followed to reduce the risk of onychomycosis:
- Fungi can be infected in a beauty salon. This happens when manicure and pedicure tools are not sufficiently sterilized. You should visit salons with a good reputation and a large number of positive reviews.
- It is advisable to have your own pedicure accessories at home and not to use strangers.
- If your feet sweat a lot, you should sprinkle them with talcum powder or powder, and wipe them dry after taking a bath or shower.
- It is recommended to take vitamins that increase immunity.
- Frequent pedicure operations thin the nail plate, disrupting its structure, which contributes to fungal infections.
- Acetone nail polish remover can also damage the nail plate.
- It is forbidden to wear someone else's shoes.
- Drying towels should be personal.
- Cracks in the legs are a risk factor for the appearance of mycosis, so they should be treated in a timely manner.
Folk remedies
Those who are interested in how to treat a fungus on the big toe should also remember that there are traditional medicine methods that show good results.
Use the following recipes more often:
- Lotions based on table vinegar. Take half a glass of water, glycerin and vinegar, mix. The resulting liquid is moistened with a gauze napkin and applied to the nails affected by the fungus for 25 minutes. The procedure should be played twice a day.
- Coffee bath. Make strong coffee (preferably natural) so that the drink comes out strong, then wait until it cools down a bit. Legs should be immersed in the mixture for 25 minutes. The operation is required to be performed every day for 5 days.
- Iodine. It is a cheap medicine, but it is considered a strong antiseptic. The affected areas are lubricated with a cotton swab. You need to perform the procedure for a week, then take a break for 7 days and start the course again.
- Baths with sea salt. Add a tablespoon of salt to a bowl of warm water and immerse your feet in this water for 20 minutes.
- Horseradish dressing. You need to take fresh horseradish roots, rub them in a thin frying pan. One teaspoon of grated mass is enough for a compress. It is necessary to apply a bandage at night.
- Bath with compresses and potatoes. You need potato peelings. They need to be washed, boiled and crushed. The broth in which the cleansers are cooked should be used for the bath. The prepared puree is then applied to the affected nails. Bandage. After the product has cooled, rub the inner grease on the nails.
Folk remedies are effective only in the early stages of the disease. They can be used as prophylaxis and complex therapy.
Reviews
People who suffer from fungus on their feet write that ointments, varnishes, sprays and any other external agents only help with ringworm in the early stages. They are not suitable for the treatment of onychomycosis because they cannot kill all the spores of the fungus. Therefore, relapses will inevitably occur during treatment, after a visible improvement.
Patients are advised not to spare or throw away shoes, socks, tights during or after treatment.
Also, people with fungal infections are advised to always wear socks at home. Otherwise, the spores of the fungus will spread throughout the apartment.
According to those who are trying to get rid of nail fungus, this disease is very difficult to treat. The course of therapy should be long. It is the most effective tool for oral use, but they all have many side effects and contraindications.
All patients agree that it is better to take preventive measures than to treat the disease.