Toenail fungus: types, ways to get rid of it and the best remedies

Fungus that affects the nail plates of the toes is an infectious disease caused by fungi.Today, there are more than 50 pathogens, which makes it difficult to classify the disease;This article discusses the most common types, as well as ways to get rid of the pathology.

Reasons

The cause of fungal nail infection is infection with pathogenic organisms;their penetration can take place in three main ways:

• Penetration under the free edge of the nail plate and subsequent deepening, this is the most common way.
• In rare cases, penetration through the back of the nail is observed, as it is not accessible to all fungal organisms.In such a situation, the development of pathological processes takes place much faster.
• Penetration through the proximal spine is also quite rare and most commonly occurs in the arms rather than the legs.

Infection with fungal organisms often occurs as a result of the following provoking factors:

• Mechanical injuries that lead to the destruction of the nail plate.
• Excessive use of degreasing or cleaning products containing harmful ingredients;systematic contact with water.
• Wearing ill-fitting and uncomfortable shoes, as well as objects made of synthetic materials, which create favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.
• Increased sweating, regardless of its cause.
• Flat feet.
• Anatomical features of foot development, especially the presence of too narrow spaces between the toes, which disrupts natural air exchange.
• Lack of hygienic foot care and timely cutting of ingrown nails.
• Disorders of the immune system.
• I am prone to varicose veins.
• Frequent wearing of warm clothes or shoes due to the climatic conditions of the region.Living in a subtropical climate also increases the risk of developing fungal diseases, as warm temperatures and high humidity are favorable factors for the growth of such organisms.
• Advanced age.Changes in the body of elderly people increase the likelihood of infection.
• Working in adverse conditions, including gas and dusty rooms, physically demanding work, high humidity and frequent contact with chemicals.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes, obesity, natural metabolic disorders, HIV infection, thyroid dysfunction.All these health problems put a person at risk.
• Long-term use of strong antibacterial agents and hormonal pharmacological drugs.
• Visiting public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
• Use of shared footwear and personal care products.
• You undergo various cosmetic procedures that use an instrument that has not been properly treated.

Its types and symptoms

The symptoms that occur when the toenail is affected depend on the type of fungus and the causative agent of the disease.

The main types and their typical clinical picture are described below:

1. Normotrophic fungus.The main symptom is a change in the color of the nail plate;its thickness and structure are not subject to pathological processes.In the initial stage, noticeable white or yellowish stripes and spots are formed, which are located on the sides.If left untreated, they begin to grow and cover the entire nail.
2. Hypertrophic fungus.With this disease, not only the color changes, but also an increase in the thickness of the plate can be observed, which is accompanied by an accelerated growth of the skin under the nail.Gradually, there is a loss of healthy shine and the fragility of the nail increases, which begins to color even with slight pressure.First, the lateral areas are destroyed, but if not treated, a general deformation is observed, as a result of which the nail begins to resemble a bird's claw in appearance.
3. Atrophic fungus.The first symptom of this pathology is a change in color: the nail plate acquires a characteristic brown-gray shade.Soon its natural glow disappears and gradual destruction ensues.If left untreated, the development of the disease leads to complete exposure of the nail fold and tissue necrosis.
4. Lateral and distal fungus.Both types lead to the formation of transverse furrows with a yellow tint, and in parallel, the surface of the nail plate becomes dull.If the pathogen is mold, the affected areas may be green or black.The fragility gradually increases, the plate structure becomes uneven and rough.After the affected areas die, the nail is deformed and the nail fold is partially exposed.This pathology can cause severe physical discomfort to the patient and cause constant pain when swelling and redness of the skin ribs appear.
5. Proximal mushroom.This type of disease is extremely rare;in the initial stage, the area around the skin fold is affected.The main cause of the pathology is the side effects of removing the cuticle, after which the area of the disc near the growth zone acquires a characteristic white color.The localization of the lesion is related to the characteristics of the spread of fungal spores;they gradually cover the entire nail plate.
6. Whole mushroomit occurs in the absence of treatment of other forms of the disease, in which case there is a change in color and increased fragility, which gradually leads to the complete loss of the nail.
7. White surface fungus.The main symptom is the appearance of white spots near the back pad.In the absence of proper treatment, the pathology progresses and the lesion spreads to neighboring areas.Most often, a large number of small spots are formed, which merge into a single pattern and look like scattered dust.

The stages of the fungus

Regardless of the type of causative agent of the disease, the nail plate is never completely affected.The development of pathology occurs gradually, which makes it possible to distinguish the following stages:

1. In the initial stage, the lesions are localized in separate areas,most often the sides or the free edges.At this stage, fine streaks or spots are formed, which one often does not notice.
2. In the stage of normotrophic changes, pathological changes are noticeable,traces of the fungus can even be detected with the naked eye.The fragility of the nail has increased and its shade also changes;in some forms of the disease, a serous discharge may protrude from under the disc.
3. In the hypertrophic lesion stage, the pathology continues to develop in the subungual space, which leads to disc thickening.Depending on the form of the disease, deformation, separation, thinning, lack of natural growth and other destruction may occur.

Before the initial stage, a person often has problems with the skin of the feet: severe itching, burning or cracking of the upper layers of the epidermis is observed.Due to the lack of a clear clinical picture, it is practically impossible to establish a diagnosis and an accurate diagnosis at this stage.
In an advanced stage, the disease develops actively;The symptoms spread not only to the toenails, but also to the plates on the hands and skin.

How do we treat it at home?

In the early stages, you can get rid of the disease with the help of traditional medicine, but such measures must be agreed with a specialist, otherwise there is a risk of health damage.Here are some effective techniques:

1. Iodineit is the most common remedy, it is applied to a cotton swab, then used for the subsequent treatment of the affected areas, and as an auxiliary material for foot baths.
2. Vinegaranother highly effective remedy, as almost all fungal pathogens are killed in a highly acidic environment.It can be used neat or diluted with water and then applied directly to the affected areas.
3. Salicylic acideffective in treating any form of fungus, it is used in the same way as vinegar.
4. Eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.Both drugs have a strong antiseptic effect, but are usually included in complex therapy.

How to get rid of athlete's foot with medication?

If the first symptoms of a fungal infection appear, it is recommended to immediately seek the help of a specialist, since an accurate diagnosis can only be made with diagnostic measures, and measures at the initial stage allow you to quickly get rid of the pathology and minimize the risk of undesirable consequences.

Specialists usually prescribe pharmaceutical preparations, which can be produced in various forms.

Prevention

It is impossible to completely protect yourself from the fungus, but the preventive measures described below will significantly reduce the risk of infection:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising, ensuring a balanced diet, taking vitamins if they are deficient in the body, sports and other measures to strengthen the immune system.
• Wearing shoes on the beach.
• Wearing special closed rubber slippers when visiting a bath or sauna.
• Wearing socks made of natural materials and changing them daily.
• Only wear your own shoes.
• After showering, dry your feet thoroughly so that they are completely dry.

Reviews

1. I have been suffering from toenail fungus for a very long time.I tried iodine and vinegar, but the effect was temporary.Only an antifungal drug helped.I applied the cream to my nails for several days and quickly noticed that the disease was slowly receding.
2. I recently came across a mushroom;apparently I put it on when I showered after training.Therefore, swim only in flip-flops and don't go anywhere barefoot.Fungus is an infection that is difficult to get rid of.I used an anti-fungal, it helped.But at the same time, he applied vinegar to the affected areas.All together produced a great result.
3. And this is not the first time I have struggled with fungus.It's very hard to leave me.I have used various medications that have done the job perfectly.
4. This fungus is a very unpleasant thing.Especially in summer!You are ashamed to even go out, but I use an antifungal agent externally, it helped me a lot.Once you catch a mushroom, the probability of it appearing a second time is 70%.Be careful!