Onychomycosis or nail fungus is an infectious disease that can affect nails of the upper and lower limbs.However, the second option is more likely for a number of reasons.Above all often, the fungus affects the nail plate of the thumb.In such cases, it is important to respond to the problem over time, not to give pathology to spread to the skin and other fingers.
For a successful treatment, which eliminates the development of complications and relapses in the future, it is necessary to start a fight as soon as possible.For this, it is important to know the clinical picture of the disease, to understand the main causes of its characteristics of occurrence and development.Despite the need to see a doctor, it will not be superfluous to understand the principles of treatment of the fungus of the nails on the thumb of the leg.
The reasons for the appearance of the fungus on the thumb of the leg
The most likely location of fungal damage is nails in the lower limbs.The fact is that the feet are more sensitive to the factors in which the fungus is easier to gain a foothold and develop.In addition, the legs are often more often in a potentially contaminated environment.
At the same time, it is important to know that in around 90% of cases, the development of onychomycosis begins with the nail on the go.
Two main causes of this scenario of the disease are distinguished:
- The size of the nail plate on the go is much larger than on the other fingers.Based on this, obeying the simplest theory of probability, it is on this subject that the most pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms are there.Consequently, the probability of the start of the pathological process in this area will be always higher.
- Due to the characteristics of the thumb size, as well as its physiological location, it is more subject to trauma.It is with the thumb that people often strike, they often walk on transport.Due to the fact that one of the main predisposing factors in the development of the nail fungus is damage to the nail plate, the diagram becomes supported and understandable.
If we are talking about the causes of onychomycosis in general, the main of medical practice is a decrease in body defenses.Everything can cause a weakening of immunity, ordinary stress or hypothermia, ending with chronic diseases or even an advanced age of a person.
To protect yourself from the disease, it is necessary to constantly strengthen immunity.But with a set of factors, this may not be enough.
To reduce the number of predisposing factors to the minimum, it is necessary to consider most likely:
- The injury of the thumb - in particular this happens with the people who work on a construction site or who engage in another hard work, as well as with athletes.
- The exposure of the legs with a rash and excessive sweating in most cases, this is due to the wearing of inappropriate shoes in which the legs are very sweaty and successful.
- Wearing uncomfortable or closed shoes - the problem of choosing shoes is particularly acute.It is recommended to buy high quality shoes, do not walk in high heels for a long time.
- The fact of not complying with hygiene - men are particularly sinners with it, believing that a washing their feet before bedtime is sufficient.It is important to monitor the nails, cut them and place them in time, use special hygienic lotions and prevent rash or dry skin.
The most common factors are given above, which are easier to influence, reducing the probability of fungal damage.In general, it is also recommended to observe the daily routine, to eat completely, as little as possible.
Important!Due to the fact that one of the main reasons for the appearance of the fungus on the go is advanced age, the elderly must be particularly cautious.To strengthen the body, it is important to constantly undergo treatment in support of chronic diseases, to regularly visit a doctor, it is possible to periodically undergo vitamin therapy to strengthen immunity.
Clinical photo of the disease
Even the initial symptoms of nail mushrooms on the go are easier to detect than on the other fingers.This is explained by all the same physiological characteristics 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 pathology over time and take appropriate measures in time, it is important to know the particularly clinical image of the early stage of onychomycosis:
- White spots, points or scratches appear on the nail.Initially, they are a small size, in the future, they are increasing, merging together.
- The nail loses its natural radiance, becomes mat, sometimes rough, without visible reasons.
- The nail plate is gradually changing color, at the beginning, it becomes yellowish or light brown
- Initial structural disorders can be invisible.The usually hard nail baking sheet becomes soft or brittle.Among the most obvious symptoms, cracks, mounds and furrows appear on the surface of the nail, its external (free) edge is slightly exfoliated.
- Already in the early stages of the progress of the pathological process, a person may feel itching in the thumb of the thumb.At the same time, the skin around becomes rough, dry, capable of lining.
To notice the initial symptoms, it is important to be very attentive to your feet and to do hygiene procedures regularly.This applies to all clinical signs, with the exception of itching, which already do not go unnoticed.
In the absence of a timely treatment, the disease is slow, but always progresses.At the same time, the clinical image changes more distinct, ignoring the problem is more difficult.
The symptoms of onychomycosis of the thumb on a later date acquires the following characteristics:
- The itching appear in the first or improve, this symptom is constant, as well as the intensity.If the legs succeed or sweat, the thumb is shy about 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, the white spots appearing previously expand and merge.
- Due to the fact that the fungus penetrates deeper, the structural disorders are aggravated.The belly of the nail plate, its tuberosity and its cracks become deeper.Increased sweetness is replaced by fragility, the nail is literally gradually collapsed.The stratification process not only affects the outer part of the nail plate, it spreads throughout the area and depth, which only aggravates destruction.
Important!At the doctor at the doctor, visually, the doctor can only determine approximately the stage of progression of the disease and assume that the pathogen is caused.To make a precise diagnosis, a complete diagnosis is necessary.The same goes for the first 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 which the fungus caused onychomycosis, as well as in what stage the treatment has started.If you detect the fungus on the thumb nail in the lock, the duration of therapy is considerably reduced and it is very likely to do with local external drugs.
We are talking about ointments, gels, varnishes, spraying or drops with antifungal activity.These drugs are applied directly to the affected nail, sometimes to the surrounding areas of the skin.In most cases, these drugs are effective compared to a wide range of fungi.
If you cannot get rid of the fungus with external drugs or if the patient consults a doctor at the late stage of the progression of the disease, complex therapy is necessary.Local medications for the treatment of the fungus of the nails on the go, systemic mosquito nets are added, which are taken orally and affect the pathogen from the interior.
Treatment with folk methods
In folk medicine, there are a large number of ways to treat the fungus on a large nail.These include lotions, baths, wiping and ointments based on natural components or improvised means with antifungal activity.
Among the most popular and effective recipes are highlighted:
- The use of vinegar or iodine - the two substances have pronounced antiseptic properties.Moisten a cotton in iodine or vinegar, then wiping the nail plate 2-3 times a day, you can get the desired result - the death of the mushroom.Such manipulations are performed within 3 to 4 weeks a day.
- Salt baths - Dilute in two liters of hot water 2 tablespoons of sea or table salt.To steam your legs for 15 to 20 minutes before bedtime, don't wash, let your legs dry.The procedure is carried out daily for 2 to 3 weeks.
There are many similar methods, but the use of the most harmless requires compulsory doctor consultations.
Important!Traditional medicine is effective in the fight against fungal damage to nail plates only at the early stages of the development of pathology.In other cases, folk recipes are only used as auxiliary treatment that completes pharmacotherapy or prevention.