Onychomycosis or nail fungus is an infectious disease that can affect the nails both the upper and lower limbs.However, the second option is more likely for a number of reasons.Especially often the fungus affects the nail plate of the thumb.In such cases, it is important to answer the problem on time, not to give pathology to spread to the skin and other fingers.
For successful treatment, which eliminates the development of complications and relapses in the future, it is necessary to start combating as early as possible.Therefore, it is important to know the clinical picture of the disease, to understand the main causes of its occurrence and development characteristics.Despite the need to see a doctor, it will not be unnecessary to understand the principles of treating the nail fungus on the toe.
The causes of the fungus of the thumb
The most common localization of fungal damage is the nails of the lower limbs.The fact is that the legs are more susceptible to factors in which the fungus is easier to strengthen and develop.In addition, legs are many times more often in a potentially contaminated environment.
At the same time, it is important to know that in approximately 90% of cases the development of onychomycosis begins with the nail of the thumb.
There are two main causes of this scenario of the disease:
- The size of the thumb nails is much larger than the other fingers.On this basis, subordinating to the most prime theory of probability, it is that the most pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms fall on it.Therefore, the likelihood of the start of the pathological process in this area will always be higher.
- Due to the characteristics of the size of the thumb, as well as its physiological location, it is more trauma.It is with the thumb that people often hit, they often step on it in transport.Due to the fact that one of the main predisposing factors in the development of nail fungus is damage to the nails, the model becomes justified and understandable.
If we are talking about the causes of onychomycosis as a whole, the main in medical practice is to reduce the body's defenses.Anything can cause weakening of immunity, from ordinary stress or hypothermia, ending with chronic diseases or even an advanced age of a person.
In order to protect yourself from the disease, it is necessary to constantly strengthen immunity.But with a set of factors, this may not be enough.
In order to reduce the number of predisposing factors to a minimum, it is worth considering the most common:
- Injury to the thumb - especially this happens with people who work on a construction site or deal with other hard work as well as athletes.
- Exposure to the feet with a diaper rash and excessive sweating in most cases, this is due to wearing inappropriate shoes in which the feet are very sweaty and successful.
- Wearing uncomfortable or close shoes - the problem of choosing shoes is particularly acute.It is recommended that you buy high quality shoes, do not walk with high heels for a long time.
- Failure to observe hygiene - men are especially sinful with believing that a washing of their feet before going to bed is enough.It is important to observe your nails, cut them out and feed them on time, use special hygiene lotions and prevent diapers from rash or drying from the skin.
The most common factors are given above, which are easier to influence, reducing the likelihood of fungal damage.In general, it is also recommended to monitor everyday life, to eat completely, as little nervous as possible.
Important!Due to the fact that one of the main causes of the fungus of the thumb is an advanced age, the elderly should be especially careful.In order to strengthen the body, it is important to constantly undergo the maintenance of chronic diseases, to see a doctor regularly, it is possible to periodically undergo vitamin therapy to boost immunity.
Clinical picture of the disease
Even the initial symptoms of thumb nail fungus are easier to detect than other fingers.This is explained by the same physiological features of the structure.
Due to the size of the finger, even the initial manifestations of the disease are easier to see.
At the same time, in order to detect the development of the pathology in time and to take appropriate measures, it is important to know especially the clinical picture of the early stage of onychomycosis:
- White spots, dots or stripes appear on the nail.Initially, they have a small size, in the future they increase, merging together.
- The nail loses its natural shine, becomes matte, sometimes rough, for no apparent reasons.
- The nails gradually change color, at first it becomes yellowish or light brown
- Initial structural disorders can be invisible.Usually, the firm nails of the thumb become soft or brittle.From the more obvious symptoms, cracks, hills and grooves appear on the surface of the nail, its outer (free) edge is slightly exfoliated.
- Already in the early stages of the progression of the pathological process, one can feel itching in the nail of the thumb of the thumb.At the same time, the skin around becomes rough, dry, capable of dressing.
In order to notice the initial symptoms, it is important to be very careful about your feet and perform hygiene procedures regularly.This applies to all clinical signs, except for itching, which no longer goes unnoticed.
In the absence of timely treatment, the disease is slow, but still progresses.At the same time, the clinical picture changes more evidently, ignoring the problem is more difficult.
Symptoms of onychomycosis of the thumb on a later date acquire the following characteristics:
- Itching occurs in the first or improves, this symptom is constant, as is the intensity.If the legs are successful or sweaty, the thumb is shy for the shoes, the itching intensifies.
- There is a change in the color of the nail, now it acquires green, brown or even black.At the same time, looking white spots expand and merge.
- Due to the fact that the fungus penetrates deeper, structural disorders worsen.The abdomen of the nails, tubularity and cracks become deeper.Increased softness is replaced by Britishness, the nail literally gradually falls apart.The stratification process not only affects the outer part of the nail plate, it spreads throughout the area and the depth, which only sharpens destruction.
Important!When appointing the doctor, the doctor can visually determine the stage of progression of the disease and accept that the pathogen is caused.A complete diagnosis is required to make an accurate diagnosis.The same applies to the early stages, when the symptoms are invisible to the doctor, but the complaints come from the patient.
Traditional treatment of fungal damage
Like the symptoms, the characteristics of the treatment of the disease depend on what the fungus caused onychomycosis, and at what stage the treatment began.If you find the sponge on the nail of the thumb in the latch, the duration of therapy is significantly reduced and is very likely to be done with local external medicines.
We are talking about ointments, gels, varnishes, sprays or drops with antifungal activity.Such drugs are administered directly to the affected nail, sometimes on the surrounding areas of the skin.In most cases, these drugs are effective in connection with a wide range of mushrooms.
If you cannot get rid of the fungi with external medicines or the patient consults with a doctor in the late stage of the progression of the disease, complex therapy is required.To the local medicines for the treatment of the fungus of the thumb nails are added systemic, which are taken orally and affect the pathogen inside.
Folk methods
In folk medicine, there are a huge number of ways to treat fungi on a large nail.These include lotions, baths, erases and ointments based on natural components or improvised agents with antifungal activity.
Among the most popular and effective recipes are emphasized:
- The use of vinegar or iodine - both substances have pronounced antiseptic properties.By wetting a cotton pad in iodine or vinegar, then wipe your nails 2-3 times a day, you can achieve the desired result-the death of the sponge.Such manipulations are performed within 3-4 weeks a day.
- Salt baths - Dilute in two liters of hot water 2 tablespoons of sea or dining salt.To stew your feet for 15-20 minutes before going to bed, do not wash, allow your feet to dry.The procedure is performed daily for 2-3 weeks.
There are many similar methods, but the use of even the most common, requires compulsory consultations of the doctor.
Important!Traditional medicine is effective in the fight against nail fungal damage only in the early stages of the development of the pathology.In other cases, folk recipes are used only as ancillary treatment, which supplements drug therapy or as prevention.