Nail fungus on the big toe: treatment with drugs and folk remedies

Toenail fungus is called onychomycosis. At first, the infectious process affects the thumb, but as it progresses it spreads to others. This disease goes through several stages. The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to overcome the problem. This is especially true in relation to the lower big toe - it has a large area and size, so the degree of injury is significant.

Stages of onychomycosis

Nail fungus goes through several stages of development, each characterized by specific symptoms. The following stages of disease development are distinguished:

• Original.At this stage, no visible pathological deviations are observed: the changes are still external. The nail plate on the toes of the bottom of the foot loses its shine. White spots or streaks appear on the surface. In general, the nails look healthy, the person does not experience pain or discomfort. If you identify nail fungus at this stage, you can quickly get rid of it.
• Moderate or progressive.The nail structure has undergone pathological changes. Nails acquire a clear yellowish color, peel and crumble. There is also an unpleasant odor coming from the affected feet.
• Advanced or dystrophic stage.Deep damage to the nail occurs. In this case, the infectious process passes from the thumb to the other. The entire surface of the nail plate is affected by the fungus and peels off from the bed and becomes loose. The patient is bothered by severe itching. When pressing on the affected area, a painful and throbbing sensation occurs. For this reason, patients should not wear closed shoes.

In the third stage of the development of the infectious process, infection of the skin of the feet is possible. In this case, the fungus can be cured only with the help of complex therapy, which involves the use of both local and systemic drugs (tablets for oral administration).

Reasons for the development of fungus on the big toe

The main reasons that cause the development of onychomycosis are:

• contact with someone who is a carrier of a fungal infection;
• neglect of hygiene rules;
• wearing other people's shoes or narrow shoes that don't fit;
• weak immune system;
• visiting a bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool or beauty salon, where non-infected instruments can be used;
• trauma to the nail and the skin around it;
• Flat feet;
• long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
• hyperhidrosis (increased sweating of the feet);
• the presence of endocrine or immune lesions;
• disorders in the circulatory system, which is very important for elderly patients;
• phlebeurism;
• diabetes.

An important factor that increases the risk of getting onychomycosis is old age. Elderly people experience a lack of blood supply to the feet, which also increases the risk of getting fungal infections.

The causative agent of this disease gets to the nails or skin from an infected object or through contact with the carrier. Pathogens spread quickly, invading new areas. Fungus enters the subungual space through damaged areas of the nail plate or surrounding skin.

The fungus quickly spreads to the nail bed. The rate of advancement exceeds the rate of plate growth. Soon pathogenic microorganisms reach their target and cause changes in the nail structure. It has been proven that men suffer from fungus 3 times more often. The nail plate is affected by types of fungi such as dermatophytes, molds and yeasts.

When should you see a doctor?

You should see a doctor at the first sign of a yeast infection. You should not wait for obvious signs of the disease to appear - the formation of white spots and even mild itching in the leg area should be a reason to contact a specialist - a mycologist or a dermatologist.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic steps to identify the disease and its stage include:

• visual inspection of the nail plate;
• take a tissue sample from the affected nail;
• culture examination - inoculation of material received by the patient on a nutrient medium to identify the type of microorganisms that have affected the nail.

In some cases, specialists make a differential diagnosis and separate onychomycosis from diseases such as lichen planus, psoriasis and keratoderma.

Treatment of fungal nail infections in the early stages of development

If the disease is detected at an early stage, it is easier to cope with it. In this case, it is usually enough to use a local agent that directly affects the affected nail.

In the first stage of mycosis, if not more than 50% of the nail plate is affected, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Varnish that needs to be applied to the affected nail surface. This should be done twice a day, the total course of treatment will be one month. This product has contraindications, so it can only be used as prescribed by a doctor.
• The product is produced in the form of a cream. The main active ingredient kills almost all types of fungi. The cream is used 3 times a day, the course of treatment lasts about a month.
• Gypsum-impregnated products with a special composition. The adhesive strip is left on for 3 days and then removed. A special substance that covers the surface of the plaster helps to soften the nail plate, so it can be easily removed with a manicure tool or scissors.
• Medicines that contain substances that destroy fungi and stop their reproduction. It is recommended to wipe the affected area 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the nail plate and can range from two to four weeks.

Any medication intended to treat even a mild form of nail fungus must be prescribed by a doctor.

Advanced therapy for onychomycosis

In severe cases of fungus, as well as in cases of persistent infectious processes, complex treatment is indicated. Systemic antifungal agents must be prescribed if there are no contraindications. Patients are given the following medications:

• Systemic antibiotics from the triazole group in tablet form. The active ingredient of the drug reaches the location of pathogenic microorganisms and has a fungicidal effect.
• Medicines from the imidazole group that inhibit the development of pathogenic microorganisms and destroy them. The course of treatment and dosage is determined by the attending physician. The product causes adverse reactions.
• Drugs from the allylamine group that have a fungicidal effect. The active ingredient gradually accumulates in the layer of the nail plate, which makes it possible to destroy even the fungus that lies quite deep.

Also, with advanced nail fungus, the procedure is effective in removing the infected plate. This can be done in the following ways:

• Surgical removal.This method involves lifting the plate with a sharp surgical instrument and removing it from the bed. After the operation, a bandage is applied. Surgical methods are traumatic and rarely used. Instead, minimally invasive methods are practiced.
• Removing plaque using chemicals, promotes rapid exfoliation of the affected nail. In this case, the problem area is treated with a special solution, wait until the drug takes effect, and then use a product that helps quickly separate the plaque from the nail bed.
• Laser treatment.This is a modern and painless method that will quickly get rid of nail fungus. The laser acts on the plate, bringing it to a high temperature as quickly as possible. The beam penetrates deeply and neutralizes pathogens. This method is bloodless and completely safe, as it does not cause burns.

In the advanced stages of onychomycosis, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, because the lack of adequate treatment increases the risk of general damage to the body by fungal infection.

Traditional method

Toenail fungus can also be cured using traditional medicine. Such methods are supplementary in nature and cannot be the basis of therapy. The most popular folk remedies include:

• Onion pulp.It is necessary to grate some onions and apply the resulting mass on the affected nails. Secure the top with a bandage. Leave for 15-20 minutes, rinse.
• Hydrogen peroxide.First, soak the affected foot in a water bath to soften the nail as much as possible. Then remove the top layer from the plate. Dip a piece of gauze in hydrogen peroxide and wrap the phalanx of the finger with the affected nail, catching the lesion immediately. Leave for 40-50 minutes. You can repeat the procedure up to twice a day.
• Apple cider vinegar.It is important to use natural products. Take 2 spoons of vinegar and add the same amount of vodka and one spoon of glycerin. Dip a cotton ball into the resulting mixture and apply it to your nails for 15 minutes. Repeat 4 times a day.

Traditional recipes help reduce the severity of disease symptoms and eliminate discomfort, but they cannot destroy the causative agent of the disease.

The course of the disease and features of the treatment of nail fungus in children

Onychomycosis is rare in children. The main cause of this disease is weak immunity due to incomplete formation. Symptoms of onychomycosis in children are:

• plates lose their natural pink color, gray or white spots appear on the surface;
• unevenness and tuberosity of the nail plate;
• crumbling and brittle nails;
• redness and swelling of the skin around the infected child's nails.

To treat nail fungus in children, only topical preparations, such as sprays, varnishes or creams, are usually used. If necessary, systemic agents are also prescribed. Antifungal drugs for oral administration should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Features of treatment in pregnant and lactating women

During pregnancy, there is a high risk of developing onychomycosis if the woman has already had the disease and has not fully recovered. This is due to the weakening of the immune system that occurs during pregnancy.

It is important to treat the fungus in time, because in severe cases it poses a risk of bacterial infection that threatens the health of the mother and the fetus. Systemic drugs should not be used during pregnancy, as they have a high level of toxicity.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, topical medications should be used, but only medications that are safe for the expectant mother and her baby. This includes sulfur-salicylic ointment.

Elderly treatment

In older people, decreased immunity is a natural age-related phenomenon that creates an additional risk for the development of onychomycosis. In this case, experts are also careful when choosing drugs to treat nail fungus.

Systemic drugs are prescribed if the disease lasts a year or more, as well as for extensive lesions and degenerative changes in the nails.

Often, elderly patients are prescribed systemic antifungal agents from the group of allylamines and triazoles.

Preventive measures

If you have signs of fungus on your pinky or thumb, see your doctor right away. But steps can be taken to prevent the development of this disease. The following recommendations should be followed:

• wash your feet at least once a day;
• wash socks every day and wear clean ones;
• if you sweat excessively, use a special foot deodorant;
• Wear shoes of the right size, they should not be too tight, and they should be washed every day;
• use only personal hygiene products, as well as manicure and pedicure tools;
• when visiting the swimming pool, beach, sauna, use personal rubber shoes;
• After visiting the swimming pool, sauna, wash your feet with soap and water, if necessary, use pharmaceutical preparations for prevention.

Toenail fungus is a disease that is quite difficult to cure in the advanced stages. At the first symptoms you need to see a doctor. Treatment depends on the stage of development of onychomycosis: in the early stages, local medicine is sufficient; when initiated, a systemic antifungal agent is required.