How to treat nail fungus on feet

Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is one of the most common infectious pathologies that are difficult to treat. According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the planet suffers from fungal infections, which can not only affect the skin and nails, but is also the cause of serious health problems. In advanced cases, the presence of the pathogenic fungi, the internal organs suffer, there is a decrease in the General and local immunity, and often develop complications associated with the accession of secondary bacterial infection.

Fungus of the nails

In order to completely get rid of the fungus is difficult, as the treatment process is long, requiring a careful monitoring of the recommendations. And, if you do not bring therapy to an end, to the high risk of relapse and further progression of the disease. In the pharmaceutical market today, there is a wide range of antifungal drugs in order to cope with the infection. It's not just oil, gels, sprays, varnishes, and systemic medications are intended for oral administration. Tell me more about how to cure fungus of the toenails, and the medication, according to the opinion of doctors, mycologists and dermatologists will most effectively be able to deal with the problem. But it was the first station of the first symptoms of the infection and the method of transmission.

Nail-fungus — causes for the infection.

Doctors have identified a few main causes for the occurrence of fungal infections:

  • Direct contact with a carrier of the yeast infection.
  • The failure to observe the rules of hygiene
  • A reduced immune system
  • An injury to the feet because of wearing uncomfortable shoes
  • Chronic diseases

The fungus infection occurs due to the violation of elementary sanitary-hygienic norms, or in contact with the media. For example, you may have become infected with the family members, if one of its members is suffering from onychomycosis. It's enough to wear someone else's Slippers, to use a common cloth, and other household items.

Fungal infections can be easily picked up in public places with high temperature and humidity (in a swimming pool, spa, sauna, public shower, gym). This is where there is a favorable microclimate for the growth of the pathogenic fungi, and to create the conditions for the contact of bare feet with the infected surface. Fungi thrive and prosper in a humid and warm environment. For a long time, they are able to survive on all surfaces (desks, carpet on the floor). If a person is in a public place, barefoot, the fungus spores get on the feet, the fingers and nails.

A gateway for infection are small cracks, abrasions, corns, sores on the feet caused by wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. However, even in this case, however, the infection can occur if a person has a good immune system able to cope with the infection. If a person's immune system is weakened, the infection can not be avoided. The appearance of a fungus, often contributes to excessive sweating of the feet, or underlying chronic diseases (diabetes, psoriasis, varicose veins).

The reasons for the infection.

The fungus first affects the skin of the feet and the area between the toes, and then spreads to the nail plate, where, in the absence of timely treatment, it continues to grow and multiply. The infection develops very slowly, so that, in the early stages of development to detect the fungus in the toenails is a difficult. In order to effectively deal with onychomycosis, the treatment should begin as soon as before, and so, the first sign of infection, it is necessary to know all the.

The symptoms, as well as photos

The first signs of the fungus on the feet is a burning sensation and the itching. The skin of the feet and between the toes is starting to peel off, it is up to the bubbles, which bursting, form cracks or sores. If time does not begin treatment, the fungus spreads and penetrates under the nail, the choice of the localisation of the area under the nails, where there are the nutrients necessary for the subsequent proliferation and growth.

As provided under the nail plate, the fungus starts to produce special enzymes that can destroy tissue, and a layer of corneum and contributing to the growth of the filaments of the mycelium. In the early stages of the infection, the symptoms are practically invisible, so few people pay attention to it, but further progression is starting to emerge of the typical symptoms:

  1. To change the appearance of the nail plate. It gets annoying, it pops up a yellow or white stain-specific longitudinal or lateral strips. With the passage of time, the more the nail changes color and may become completely yellow, gray, or even black.
  2. About the nails in the skin of the toes may be red and inflamed. This process is accompanied by itching and soreness in the inflamed area of the skin.
  3. The nails start to look thicker, crumble, deform, and if it is not treated, it may become loose from the nail bed.

The nature of the lesions depends largely on the species. Also, when infected by dermatophytes, a common symptom is the appearance of yellow spots and longitudinal stripes in the centre and on the edges of the nail plate. If you pass, got the yeast fungus in their destructive activity, it starts on the sides of the nail, which gradually turns yellow and begins to lag behind the finger nail. If the nails are black, then these changes are probably caused by yeasts and fungi.

One of the serious complications of mycosis is an ingrown nail. The nail plate affected by the fungus, thick, and with the passage of time, it grows in the wrong way, twisted, and breaks in the skin. The result of the ingrown nail-I say to myself severe pain when walking, the injury to the skin, and can cause a secondary bacterial infection. The toe is red and swollen, from under a nail plate pus. A man with a diseased nail can be difficult to walk because of the pain. Such a complication is especially dangerous for diabetics, as it may cause gangrenous lesions of the foot.

If you do not start treatment during the first negative symptom, the disease will progress, and furthermore, fungal growth has spread to all the nails. In more complex cases, the fungus infection begins to affect the whole body to have allergic reactions, disorders of the digestive system, other symptoms of intoxication induced by the penetration of fungal toxins into the circulatory and lymphatic systems. At the first disturbing symptoms, you should consult with a specialist who will choose the best treatment plan, and recommend the most effective cure for nail fungus.

Symptoms

The treatment of nail fungus

At the first sign of foot fungus you need to undertake active measures for their elimination, it is not necessary to hope that all of the signs and symptoms will disappear on their own. This isn't going to happen. Fungal infections, and in time it will progress and can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, the earlier treatment is started, the more chances you have to get rid of onychomycosis, for ever and ever. Today, in the Arsenal of dermatologists and mycologists to be a highly effective cure for fungus of the toenails, the General and local action.

In the initial stages of the disease, when the affected area is minimal, we can restrict the application of local anti-fungal medication with a broad spectrum of action (ointments, creams, solutions, varnishes, sprays). If the process has gone too far and is quite the nail affected by a fungus, which is a part of the comprehensive treatment includes antifungal drugs for systemic effects in the form of a tablet. Most of these pills have serious contraindications and adverse side-effects, and give the necessary treatment to be carried out under their control. I will be focusing more and more on products intended for the treatment of fungus.

Solutions and coatings. In the initial phases, you may use the antifungal solution and nail Polish. The range of facilities is very varied.

Ointments, gels, creams. For the external treatment of nails affected by fungus, it is used to a group of medicines on base of the terbinafine, naftifin, ciclopiroxolamine, ketoconazole.

Capsules, tablets. In the complicated forms of fungal infections, the external treatment is completed with an antifungal medication in tablet form. No systemic antifungal medication is necessary in cases where the disease is progressing, and the treatment, is the only local media is ineffective. Medicinal products for the treatment of a fungus it is a lot to choose from, for them to have experienced the doctor is, because a lot of them have severe contraindications and limitations of use. These measures may not be taken by children, pregnant women, patients with abnormalities of the liver, and the kidneys. The effectiveness of these products is very high, which in combination with a topical agent, does not manage to achieve lasting results, and can deal with onychomycosis, to prevent repeated relapses of the disease.

The means for the removal of the nail. If the nail is struck in full prior to the start of the treatment, it is better to remove it. The alternative non surgical methods are a special cosmetic means to safely remove the nail affected by the fungus.

The treatment of nail fungus on your feet folk remedies

There are a lot of folk recipes, helping to stop the spread of mold and it is dealt with in the early stages of development. Present to your attention a couple of popular recipes used in the treatment of toe nail fungus at home.

  1. Kombucha. An effective cure for the fungus is to be compressed using the tile Kombucha. It is wrapped in a sterile bandage, apply to the nails and fixed with a band-aid. This compress may be left on at night, so that it does not slip on a foot wearing a sock. In the course of the procedure, you may feel a burning sensation, but for the benefit of the patient. In the morning the poultice was removed, the softened stratum corneum removed with a tool, the nail surface is treated with an antiseptic solution.
  2. Creolin. It is a cheap remedy with a veterinary antiparasitic and a powerful disinfectant effect. It should be used very carefully, avoiding contact with healthy skin, as it is possible for you to burn. In order to avoid this, a strip of skin around the nail you need to seal the plaster. The affected nails were treated with Creolin once a day for 2 months until full recovery.
  3. The foot bath. To eliminate the fungus you can also do foot baths with apple cider vinegar or the juice of a lemon. The procedure takes no more than 15 minutes to complete. The good effect gives nails with a solution of propolis, baking soda, or Epsom salts. The nails can be coated with the oil from the tea tree, lavender, oregano, and they have antiseptic and antifungal activity. A lot of traditional recipes are based on the use of garlic, vinegar alcohol, onions. Before you can use these recipes for yourself, don't forget to consult with your doctor.
The treatment of nail fungus

The prevention of the disease

In order to avoid the infection by the fungus, please follow these easy recommendations:

  • Don't go barefoot in a pool,spa, gym and other public places. In areas with high humidity, you need to wear rubber Slippers or slates. As a measure of prevention that apply to the fingernails, the antifungal nail Polish, it will protect you from the infection.
  • Never use someone else's shoes, Slippers, socks, towels and other household items. All products for personal care, pedicure tools, you need to be highly individual.
  • Wear comfortable shoes made of natural, breathable materials. A shoe should not be tight, can RUB and injure the foot.
  • The feet should be washed twice a day, morning and evening, and the daily change socks and stockings. The after-treatment of the water, wipe your feet dry, carefully dry the skin between your fingers.
  • The fungus is particularly active, with a reduced immune system. So, be careful of your health, it's time to treat the comorbidities, taking immunomodulatory drugs. The maintenance of the body's defenses, adequate and balanced nutrition, eat more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and trace elements.
  • In the course of the process of the treatment of the shoes with the antiseptic solution, and this will also help to prevent the re-emergence of the disease. You should disinfect shoes with a solution of formalin or vinegar, to carefully processed it on the inside. After the treatment, a cotton swab moistened with an antiseptic solution, should be placed at the toe of the Shoe, and place it in an airtight plastic bag for a day out.

These straightforward preventive measures will help to protect yourself from the mildew and to keep your feet healthy. Remember that the fungus of the nails is treated as a long, and hard, so that it is very important to prevent the occurrence of athlete's foot, carefully observe hygiene standards and to respond to any adverse changes which may be early signs of an infection.