Toenail fungus: types, methods of getting rid of it and the best remedies

A fungus that affects the toenail plates is an infectious disease caused by fungi.Today, there are more than 50 pathogens, making disease classification difficult;This article discusses the most common varieties, as well as ways to get rid of this pathology.

Causes

The cause of fungal toenail infections is infection by 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, as it is not accessible to all mycotic organisms.In such a situation, the development of pathological processes occurs much faster.
• Penetration through the proximal ridge is also quite rare and occurs most often in the arms rather than the legs.

Often, infection with fungal organisms occurs under the influence of the following provoking factors:

• Mechanical injuries leading to the destruction of the nail plate.
• Excessive use of degreasers or cleaning products containing harmful components;systematic contact with water.
• Wearing poorly fitted and uncomfortable shoes, as well as things made of synthetic materials, which creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.
• Increased sweating, whatever the cause.
• Flat feet.
• Anatomical features of foot development, including the presence of too narrow spaces between the toes, which disrupt natural air exchange.
• Lack of hygienic foot care and timely trimming of overgrown nails.
• Immune system dysfunctions.
• Tendency to varicose veins.
• Frequent wearing of warm clothing 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 these organisms to reproduce.
• Advanced age.Changes in the body of older people increase the risk of infection.
• Carrying out work activities in adverse conditions, including gaseous and dusty premises, physically strenuous work, high humidity and frequent contact with chemicals.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, obesity, disorders of natural metabolism, HIV infection, dysfunction of the thyroid gland.All these health problems put a person at risk.
• Long-term use of potent antibacterial agents and hormonal pharmacological drugs.
• Visit public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
• Use of shared shoes and personal care products.
• Undergoing various cosmetic procedures during which an instrument is used that has not undergone proper treatment.

Types and symptoms

The symptoms that appear when 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.At the initial stage, visible white or yellowish stripes and spots are formed, localized on the sides.If left untreated, they begin to grow and cover the entire nail.
2. Hypertrophic fungus.With this disease, not only a change in color is observed, but also an increase in the thickness of the plaque, associated with accelerated growth of the skin under the nail.Gradually, a loss of healthy shine occurs and the fragility of the nail increases, which begins to color even with light pressure.First of all, the side areas are destroyed, but if they are 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 takes on a characteristic brown-gray shade.Soon its natural shine disappears and destruction gradually occurs.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 varieties lead to the formation of transverse grooves with a yellow tint, and at the same time dulling of the surface of the nail plate is observed.If the causative agent is mold, the affected areas may be green or black.Fragility gradually increases, the structure of the plate becomes uneven and rough.After the affected areas disappear, the nail becomes deformed and the nail fold is partially exposed.This pathology can bring severe physical discomfort to the patient and cause constant pain in case of swelling and redness of the skin ridges.
5. Proximal fungus.This type of disease is extremely rare;at the initial stage, the area around the skin fold is affected.The main cause of the pathology lies in the side effects of cuticle removal, after which the plaque area near the growth zone acquires a characteristic white color.The location of the lesion is associated with the characteristics of the spread of fungal spores;they gradually capture the entire nail plate.
6. Total mushroomoccurs 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 lead to the complete loss of the nail.
7. White superficial fungus.The main symptom is the appearance of white spots located near the posterior 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, merging into a single pattern that resembles scattered powder.

Stages of the fungus

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

1. At the initial stage, the lesions are localized in distinct areas,most often these are the sides or the free edge.At this stage, subtle scratches or stains are formed, which a person often does not notice.
2. At the stage of normotrophic lesions, pathological changes become noticeable,traces of fungus can be detected even with the naked eye.We also note increased fragility of the nail and a change in color;In some forms of the disease, serous discharge may protrude under the plaque.
3. At the stage of hypertrophic lesion, the pathology continues to develop in the subungual space, which leads to thickening of the plaque.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, diagnosis and establishment of an accurate diagnosis at this stage is practically impossible.
In advanced stages, the disease is actively developing;symptoms spread not only to the toenails, but also to the plaques on the hands and skin.

How to treat at home?

In the early stages, you can get rid of the disease using traditional medicine, but these measures must be agreed with a specialist, otherwise there is a risk of harming your health.Some effective techniques are described below:

1. Iodineis the most common remedy, it is used for application on a cotton swab and subsequent treatment of affected areas, as well as as an auxiliary component for foot baths.
2. Vinegaris another very effective remedy, since virtually all fungal pathogens die in a high acidity environment.It can be used pure or diluted in water 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 they 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 consult a professional doctor, since only diagnostic measures can establish 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:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, harden up, ensure a balanced diet, take vitamins in case of deficiency in the body, play sports and other measures to strengthen the immune system.
• Wear shoes when you are at the beach.
• Wear special closed rubber slippers when visiting baths or saunas.
• Wear socks made only from natural materials and change them daily.
• Wear only your own shoes.
• Dry your feet thoroughly after showering to ensure they are completely dry.

Notice

1. I have suffered from nail fungus for a very long time.I tried iodine and vinegar, but the effect was temporary.Only a fungicidal drug helped me.I applied the cream to my nails for several days and soon noticed that the disease was slowly receding.
2. I came across a mushroom quite recently;apparently I picked it up when I was taking a shower after a workout.Therefore, swim only in flip-flops and do not go anywhere barefoot.Fungus is such an infection that is difficult to get rid of.I used an antifungal medication, it helped.But at the same time, she applied vinegar to the affected areas.All this together gave such a good result.
3. And this isn't the first time I've struggled with fungus.It's very hard to leave me.I used various medications which did their job perfectly.
4. This mushroom is a very unpleasant thing.Especially in summer!You are even embarrassed to go out somewhere, but I use an antifungal agent for external use, it helped me a lot.If you catch a mushroom once, the chance of it appearing a second time is 70%.Be careful!