Toenail fungus: types, removal methods 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 complicates the classification of the disease;This article examines the most common varieties, as well as ways to get rid of this pathology.

reasons

The cause of fungal toenail infections is infection with pathogenic organisms;their penetration can be done in three main ways:

• Penetration under the free edge of the nail plate and subsequent deepening, this path is the most common.
• Penetration through the dorsal part of the nail is observed in rare cases, since it is not accessible to all mycotic organisms.In such a situation, the development of pathological processes occurs much faster.
• Penetration through the proximal edge is also quite rare and occurs more often on the arms than on the legs.

Infection with fungal organisms often occurs under the influence of the following provoking factors:

• Mechanical injuries leading to destruction of the nail plate.
• Excessive use of degreasers or cleaning products that contain harmful components;systematic contact with water.
• Wearing inappropriate and uncomfortable shoes, as well as things made of synthetic materials, which creates favorable conditions for the spread of pathogenic microflora.
• Increased sweating, regardless of the cause.
• Flat feet.
• Anatomical features of the development of the foot, in particular the presence of too narrow spaces between the toes, which disrupts the natural exchange of air.
• Lack of hygienic foot care and timely trimming of overgrown nails.
• Malfunctions of the immune system.
• A tendency to varicose veins.
• The 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 high temperatures and high humidity are favorable factors for the reproduction of such organisms.
• Advanced age.Changes in the body of the elderly increase the likelihood of infection.
• Carrying out work in unfavorable conditions, which include polluted and dusty premises, physically demanding work, high humidity and frequent contact with chemicals.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, obesity, disorders of natural metabolism, HIV infection, thyroid gland dysfunction.All of these health problems put a person at risk.
• Long-term use of powerful antibacterial agents and hormonal pharmacological drugs.
• Visiting public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
• Use of common footwear and personal hygiene products.
• Undergoing various cosmetic procedures, during which an instrument that has not been properly processed is used.

Types and symptoms

The symptoms that appear when the toenails are affected depend on the type of fungus and the causative agent of the disease.

The main types and their characteristic 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 localized on the sides.If left untreated, they begin to grow and cover the entire nail.
2. Hypertrophic fungus.In this disease, not only a change in color is observed, but also an increase in the thickness of the plate, which is associated with the accelerated growth of the skin under the nail.Gradually, there is a loss of healthy shine and the brittleness of the nail increases, which begins to discolor even with light pressure.First, the lateral sections are destroyed, but if left untreated, a general deformation is observed, as a result of which the nail begins to resemble a bird's claw.
3. Atrophic fungi.The first symptom of this pathology is a change in color: the nail plate acquires a characteristic brown-gray shade.Soon its natural luster disappears and gradual destruction takes place.If not treated, the development of the disease leads to complete exposure of the nail fold and tissue necrosis.
4. Lateral and distal fungi.Both varieties lead to the formation of transverse furrows with a yellow tint, and in parallel, a dulling of the surface of the nail plate is observed.If the cause is mold, the affected areas may be green or black.Gradually the fragility increases, the structure of the plate becomes uneven and rough.After the affected areas die, the nail is deformed and the nail fold is partially exposed.This pathology can cause serious physical discomfort to the patient and cause constant pain if swelling and redness of the skin ridges appear.
5. Proximal fungus.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 cuticles, after which the area of the plate near the growth zone acquires a characteristic white color.The localization of the lesion is related to the characteristics of the distribution of fungal spores;they gradually capture the entire nail plate.
6. Total fungusoccurs in the absence of treatment for other forms of the disease, in this case there is a change in color and increased fragility, which gradually leads to a complete loss of the nail.
7. White surface fungus.The main symptom is the appearance of white spots localized near the back cushion.In the absence of appropriate treatment, the pathology progresses and the lesion begins to spread to neighboring areas.Most often, a large number of small spots are formed, which merge into a single pattern that looks like scattered dust.

Fungal stages

Regardless of the type of pathogen, the nail plate is never completely affected.The development of the pathology occurs gradually, which allows us to distinguish the following stages:

1. In the initial stage, the lesions are localized in separate areas,most often these are sides or a free edge.At this stage, fine streaks or spots are formed, which a person often does not notice.
2. At the stage of normotrophic lesions, pathological changes become noticeable,traces of fungi can be detected even with the naked eye.There is also increased fragility of the nail and a change in its shade;in some forms of the disease, the serous secretion may protrude from under the plaque.
3. At the stage of a hypertrophic lesion, the pathology continues to develop in the subungual space, which leads to thickening of the plate.Depending on the form of the disease, deformation, separation, thinning, lack of natural growth and other types of 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 can be observed.Due to the lack of a clear clinical picture, diagnosing and making an accurate diagnosis at this stage is practically impossible.
In an advanced stage, the disease develops actively;symptoms spread not only to the toenails, but also to the plates located on the hands and skin.

How to treat 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 damage to your health.Some effective techniques are described below:

1. iodineis the most common remedy, it is used for application on a cotton pad and subsequent treatment of the affected areas, and also as an auxiliary component for foot baths.
2. Vinegaris another highly effective agent, since almost all fungal pathogens die in a highly acidic environment.It can be used neat or diluted in water and then used directly on the affected areas.
3. Salicylic acideffective in treating any form of fungus, used in the same way as vinegar.
4. Eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.Both drugs have a powerful antiseptic effect, but are usually included in complex therapy.

How to get rid of foot fungus with medication?

If the first symptoms of a fungal infection appear, it is recommended to immediately seek professional medical help, because only diagnostic measures can make an accurate diagnosis, and taking measures at the initial stage allows you to quickly get rid of the pathology and minimize the risk of unwanted consequences.

Specialists usually prescribe pharmaceutical products, which can be manufactured in various forms.

Prevention

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

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, hardening, ensuring a balanced diet, taking vitamins if there is a deficiency in the body, playing sports and other measures to strengthen the immune system.
• Wear shoes when on the beach.
• Wear special closed rubber slippers when visiting baths or saunas.
• Wear socks made only from natural materials and change them daily.
• Only wear your own shoes.
• Dry your feet thoroughly after showering to ensure they are completely dry.

Reviews

1. I have been suffering from toenail fungus for a long time.I tried iodine and vinegar, but the effect was temporary.Only a fungicidal medicine helped me.I applied the cream to my nails for several days and soon noticed that the disease was slowly receding.
2. I just recently came across fungus;apparently i picked it up when i showered after practice.Therefore, swim only in flip-flops and do not go anywhere barefoot.Fungus is such an infection that it is difficult to get rid of it.I used an antifungal drug, it helped.But along with that, she smeared the affected areas with vinegar.Everything together gave such a great result.
3. And it's not the first time I've struggled with fungus.It's very hard to leave me.I have used various medications that have done the job perfectly.
4. These fungi are a very unpleasant thing.Especially in summer!It makes you uncomfortable to even go out, but I use an anti-fungal product for external use, it has helped me a lot.If you catch a fungus once, the probability of it appearing a second time is 70%.Be careful!