Nail fungus on the big toe: treatment with folk remedies and medications

Toenail fungus is called onychomycosis. Initially, the infectious process affects the thumb, but as it develops it spreads to others. The disease goes through several stages. The earlier you start treatment, the easier it will be to deal with the problem. This is especially true in relation to the big toe of the lower extremity: it has a large area and size, so the degree of injury is significant.

Stages of onychomycosis

Nail fungus goes through different stages of development, each of which is characterized by certain symptoms. The following stages of development of the disease are distinguished:

• Original.At this stage, no visible pathological deviations are observed: the changes are still external. The finger nails of the lower extremities lose their shine. White spots or streaks appear on the surface. In general, the nail looks healthy, the person does not feel pain or discomfort. If you identify nail fungus at this stage, you can get rid of it quickly.
• Moderate or progressive.The structure of the nail is already undergoing pathological changes. The nail acquires a pronounced yellowish tint, peels off and disintegrates. There is also an unpleasant odor coming from the affected foot.
• Advanced or dystrophic stage.Deep damage to the nails occurs. In this case, the infectious process passes from the thumb to the rest. The entire surface of the nail plate is affected by the fungus, it comes off the bed and becomes loose. The patient is bothered by severe itching. When pressing on the affected areas, a painful, throbbing sensation occurs. For this reason the patient should not wear closed shoes.

In the third stage of development of the infectious process, infection of the skin of the foot is possible. In this case, the fungus can be cured only with the help of complex therapy, which involves the use of both local and systemic drugs (tablets for oral administration).

Reasons for the development of fungus on the big toe

The main reasons that cause the development of onychomycosis are:

• contact with a person carrying a fungal infection;
• negligence of hygiene standards;
• wearing tight or someone else's shoes that don't fit;
• weakened immune system;
• visiting a bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool or beauty salon, where non-disinfected tools can be used;
• trauma to the nail and surrounding skin;
• flat feet;
• long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
• hyperhidrosis (increased sweating in the feet);
• the presence of endocrine or immune lesions;
• disorders in the circulatory system, which is especially important for elderly patients;
• phlebeurism;
• diabetes.

An important factor that increases the risk of developing onychomycosis is advanced age. Older people suffer from poor blood supply to their extremities, which also increases the risk of developing fungal infections.

The causative agent of the disease enters the nails or skin from infected objects or through contact with a carrier. The pathogen spreads rapidly, invading new areas. The fungus enters the subungual space through damaged areas of the nail plate or surrounding skin.

The fungus quickly spreads to the nail bed. The rate of advancement exceeds the rate of growth of the plaque. Soon the pathogenic microorganism reaches its target and causes changes in the structure of the nail. It has been established that men suffer from fungus 3 times more often. Nails are affected by types of fungi such as dermatophytes, molds and yeasts.

When should you see a doctor?

You should see a doctor at the first sign of a fungal infection. You should not wait for obvious signs of the disease to appear: the formation of white spots and even slight itching in the foot area should be a reason to contact a specialist - a mycologist or dermatologist.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic measures to identify the disease and its stage include:

• visual inspection of nails;
• take a tissue sample from the affected nail;
• cultural examination - inoculation of the material received from the patient onto a nutrient medium to identify the type of microorganisms that have affected the nails.

In some cases, a specialist makes a differential diagnosis and separates onychomycosis from diseases such as lichen planus, psoriasis and keratoderma.

Treatment of fungal nail infection at an early stage of development

If the disease is detected at an early stage, it will be much easier to deal with it. In this case, it is usually enough to use local agents that directly affect the affected nail.

In the first stage of mycosis, if no more than 50% of the nail plate is affected, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Varnish that should be applied to the surface of the affected nails. This should be done twice a day, the total course of treatment will be one month. The product has contraindications, so it can only be used as prescribed by a doctor.
• Product made in the form of a cream. The main active ingredient kills almost all types of fungi. The cream is applied 3 times a day, the course of treatment lasts about a month.
• A product that is impregnated with chalk with a special composition. The adhesive strips are left to act for 3 days and then removed. Special substances covering the surface of the plaster help to soften the nail plate, so it can be easily removed with manicure tools or scissors.
• A drug that contains a substance that destroys the fungus and blocks its proliferation. It is recommended to smear the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the nail plate and can vary from two to four weeks.

All medications intended to treat even mild forms of nail fungus must be prescribed by a doctor.

Advanced therapy for onychomycosis

In more severe cases of the fungus, as well as in the case of an ongoing infectious process, complex treatment is indicated. Systemic antifungal agents should be prescribed if there are no contraindications. The patient is prescribed the following drugs:

• Systemic antibiotic of the triazole group in the form of tablets. The active ingredient of the drug reaches the location of pathogenic microorganisms and has a fungicidal effect.
• A drug from the imidazole group that inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms and destroys them. The course of treatment and dosage are determined by the attending physician. The product causes adverse reactions.
• A drug from the allylamine group that has a fungicidal effect. The active substance gradually accumulates in the layers of the nail plate, making it possible to destroy even fungi that are located quite deeply.

In addition, with advanced nail fungus, procedures are effective in eliminating infected plaque. This can be done in the following ways:

• Surgical excision.This method involves lifting the plaque with a sharp surgical instrument and removing it from the bed. After the operation a bandage is applied. The surgical method is traumatic and is rarely used. Instead, minimally invasive methods are practiced.
• Removing plaque using chemicals, favoring rapid exfoliation of the affected nail. In this case, the problem area is treated with a special solution, wait for the drug to take effect, and then use products that help quickly separate the plaque from the nail bed.
• Laser treatment.This is a modern and painless method that will quickly eliminate nail fungus. The laser acts on the sheet, bringing it to high temperatures in the shortest possible time. The beam penetrates deeply and neutralizes pathogens. The method is bloodless and absolutely safe, as it does not cause burns.

In the advanced stages of onychomycosis it is necessary to scrupulously follow the doctor's recommendations, since the lack of adequate treatment increases the risk of general damage to the body due to a fungal infection.

Traditional methods

Toenail fungus can also be treated with traditional medicine. Such methods are of an additional nature and cannot form the basis of therapy. The most popular folk remedies include:

• Onion pulp.It is necessary to grate several onions and apply the resulting mass to the affected nails. Secure the top with a bandage. Leave to act for 15-20 minutes, rinse.
• Hydrogen peroxide.First, soak the affected feet in a water bath to soften the nails as much as possible. Then remove the top layer from the plate. Dip a piece of gauze in hydrogen peroxide and wrap the phalanx of the finger with the affected nail, capturing the immediate lesion. Leave to act for 40-50 minutes. You can repeat the procedure up to twice a day.
• Apple cider vinegar.It is important to use a natural product. Take 2 tablespoons of vinegar and add the same amount of vodka and a tablespoon of glycerin. Dip a cotton ball in the resulting mixture and apply it to your nails for 15 minutes. Repeat 4 times a day.

Traditional recipes help to alleviate the severity of the symptoms of the disease and eliminate discomfort, but are not able to destroy the causative agents of the disease.

The course of the disease and features of treatment of nail fungus in children

Onychomycosis is rare in children. The main cause of the disease is weak immunity due to incomplete formation. Symptoms of onychomycosis in children are:

• the plate loses its natural pink color, gray or white spots appear on the surface;
• irregularity and tuberosity of the nails;
• crumbling and brittle nails;
• redness and swelling of the skin around the child's infected nail.

To treat nail fungus in children, only topical preparations, such as sprays, paints or creams, are usually used. If necessary, systemic agents are also prescribed. Antifungal drugs for oral administration should be prescribed only by a doctor.

Features of treatment in pregnant and breastfeeding women

During pregnancy the risk of developing onychomycosis is high if the woman has already suffered from the disease and has not treated it completely. This is due to the weakening of the immune system that occurs during pregnancy.

It is important to treat the fungus in a timely manner, since in severe cases there is a risk of a bacterial infection that puts the health of both the mother and the fetus at risk. Systemic drugs should not be used during pregnancy, as they have a high level of toxicity.

Topical medications should be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but only those that are safe for the expectant mother and her baby. These include sulfo-salicylic ointment.

Treatment of the elderly

In older people, decreased immunity is a natural age-related phenomenon that creates additional risks for the development of onychomycosis. In this case, the specialist also pays attention when choosing a remedy for the treatment of nail fungus.

Systemic drugs are prescribed if the disease lasts a year or more, as well as in case of extensive lesions and degenerative changes in the nails.

Most often, elderly patients are prescribed systemic antifungal agents from the group of allylamines and triazoles.

Preventive measures

If you have signs of fungus on your little finger or thumb, see your doctor immediately. But it is possible to take measures to prevent the development of this disease. The following recommendations must be observed:

• wash your feet at least once a day;
• wash socks every day and wear clean ones;
• if you sweat excessively, use special foot deodorants;
• Wear shoes of the right size, they must not be too tight and must be washed daily;
• use only personal hygiene products, as well as manicure and pedicure tools;
• when visiting the swimming pool, beach, sauna, use personal rubber shoes;
• After visiting the swimming pool, sauna, wash your feet with soap and water, if necessary, use pharmaceutical preparations for prevention.

Toenail fungus is a disease that is quite difficult to cure in the advanced stage. At the first symptoms you should consult a doctor. Treatment depends on the stage of development of onychomycosis: in the initial phase, local drugs are sufficient; when initiated, systemic antifungal agents are needed.