In this article we will look at the symptoms of an advanced form of fungal disease of the toenails, treatment with medicinal and traditional methods, indications for nail removal, recommendations for preventing infections.
Chronic toenail fungus is a reason to immediately go to the doctor and begin treatment immediately.The disease is detected late if the initial symptoms are mistaken for a simple mechanical injury to the nail.The problem sometimes does not even manifest itself at the initial stage.If left untreated or done incorrectly without consulting a doctor, the disease progresses.The fungus is much more dangerous than many people think.Such an infection, accompanied by loosening and destruction of toenails, is a parasitic infection of the entire body, immunity is impaired, allergic manifestations are possible and there is a risk of developing bronchitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis and conjunctivitis.
In old onychomycosis, the nail becomes opaque, white, yellow or bluish.In the most serious cases, it turns black, becomes loose, flakes, cracks, thickens and changes shape.The adjacent skin becomes red, inflamed, there is pain, burning and itching.Painful sensations are caused by mold and yeast-like fungi.Other varieties do not cause physical suffering or discomfort;they can only be identified by the shape and color of the nails.The inability to wear open shoes or go barefoot causes difficulties.An unpleasant, nauseating smell becomes a constant companion.
Treatment methods
An advanced form can only be treated under the supervision of a doctor - a dermatologist or mycologist.He will scrape the infected nails, classify the problem and prescribe treatment.Amateur activity is unacceptable here!It is impossible to cure the disease with home remedies.You can only drive the disease inward, temporarily suppress the source of infection.But the consequences will be more terrible.
When the disease is advanced, patience is required.The treatment is complex and complex.Failure to complete this will inevitably lead to relapse.The tips are simple.You can recover if you follow the rules for simultaneously implementing a set of measures:
- Use of external agents (varnishes, ointments, sprays, gels).
- Taking oral medications (tablets, capsules).
- If necessary, the doctor will prescribe intravenous injections.
- Taking immunostimulating agents, vitamin and mineral complexes.
- Use of anti-inflammatories.
- Application of traditional medicine methods.
- If your feet sweat excessively, take a foot bath every day with the addition of one tablespoon of sea salt for every five liters of water.Before applying ointments, wash your feet with hot water to speed up the treatment.
- Regular treatment of shoes with antiseptics.
If you follow these measures, curing the fungus will not be as difficult as it seems.
Preparations for topical use
Official medicine offers several drugs for external treatment in the treatment of fungus on the legs.The doctor will prescribe the ones you need, you don't need to experiment, trying everything.
Healing varnishes:
- Ciclopirox.Antimycotic agent.Destroys yeast and fungi.Apply every four days.Duration – six months.At the same time, take terbinafine tablets orally (it is safe for pregnant women).
- Terbinafine-based varnish.Apply a layer of nail polish to affected nails every four days.Treatment lasts 9 to 12 months.
Antifungal ointments:
- Terbinafine.Prevents the growth of parasitic yeast and mold fungi.With simultaneous administration of tablets of the same name, it has a destructive effect on the fungus.
- Ketoconazole.Blocks the proliferation of fungi and destroys them.Apply morning, evening, of course - a month.It is not absorbed into the blood and is not detected in plasma, which is why it is recommended for pregnant women.Contraindicated for children under three years of age.
- Naftifine - to destroy advanced nail fungus, it is recommended to use it in the form of drops.Designed to combat dermatophyte fungi, yeast and fungus.
- Clotrimazole destroys advanced foot fungus at the cellular level.
Preparations for oral administration
Tablets are prescribed in short but frequent courses due to the negative effect on the human liver and kidneys.
- Fluconazole.Available in capsules.Take 150 milligrams.Duration of treatment – 56 days.The toenails are then shaved to determine if further treatment is needed.
- Itraconazole capsules.With their help, chronic onychomycosis can be cured within six months.
- Griseofulvin.Antifungal antibiotic.It accumulates in the skin cells from which keratin is formed, making healthy, growing toenails immune to onychomycosis.Treatment lasts 8 months.
Traditional treatment methods
- Celandine Oil - freshly squeezed juice of the plant has a cauterizing effect and destroys the body of the fungus.Treat daily until complete healing.
- Acetic acid is a powerful and affordable remedy against ancient onychomycosis.A special solution is prepared based on vinegar.Mix equal parts of vodka and 70% vinegar essence and add three raw chicken egg whites.Mixture.Place in the refrigerator.Moisten gauze and place it over the painful nail.Leave for a quarter of an hour.Doing this for six months is enough time to cure the fungus.The product is aggressive and can cause burns to healthy tissue.Lubricate the skin around the affected nails with cream or sunflower oil.
- 20% alcohol infusion of propolis.Sold in a pharmacy.Wet gauze and make a compress.Do this daily until the fungus disappears.
- Golden mustache To prepare the dye, pour vodka over the golden mustache and hide it in a dark corner.On the fifteenth day, dilute three parts water with one part tincture.Treat the fungus morning and night.Treatment lasts at least six months.
- Homemade antifungal ointment.Place a piece of butter (butter) weighing 200 grams, 100 milliliters of acetic acid (70%) and a raw chicken egg with shell in a glass container.Don't stir.Place the mixture in a cool place.Wait a week.The shell will dissolve.Then you must stir, spread, cover with plastic wrap and bandage.
- Calamus rhizome tincture: 15 g.Prepare the root with a cup of boiling water.Leave for 30 minutes.A glass of tincture is drunk per day.At the same time, ten-minute baths are taken daily.To do this, steam 30 grams of calamus rhizome with boiling water (one cup) and leave for 30 minutes.The nails will start to crumble within seven days.And then lubricate with ointment.If you treat with this method, the fungus can be cured in a month and a half.In this case, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and vitamin preparations are taken internally.
- Squeeze out the toothpaste (with fluoride) to the size of the knuckle of your little finger.Add ash from three cigarettes.Make a compress, leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning.
- Take equal parts honey and onion juice and mix.Keep refrigerated.Treat neglected fungi daily.
- Lilac and marigold flowers - 30 grams each, celandine - 15 grams, oak bark - 45 grams.Add half a liter of water.Boil, leave for an hour and make a compress.Every day until the fungus is completely cured.
- One hundred milliliters of hydrogen peroxide, two liters of warm water - take a bath for a quarter of an hour.Dry with paper towel and apply the ointment.Repeat every day until it is clear that the fungus has subsided.Hydrogen peroxide will protect healthy nails from infection and relieve healed nails from reinfection.
If traditional and folk medicine methods do not help, you can resort to laser therapy.Laser treatment is painless and gives an almost instantaneous effect.Four treatments are enough to kill the fungus.In this case, the periungual skin is not damaged.
Nail removal
Surgery to remove a nail is rarely used if conservative methods do not give the desired result.
- The surgical removal method is painful.It takes a long time for the nail plate to recover.
- The laser method of nail removal is easy and painless.The disadvantage is the high cost.
- Replace surgical nail removal with medication.Under the influence of medications, the nail plates soften and are removed painlessly.The process is time-consuming and requires caution.
Treatment of onychomycosis during pregnancy
Treatment of chronic toe fungus with most medications is contraindicated during pregnancy!They can harm the intrauterine development of the fetus.A mycologist will prescribe safe remedies that will slow the development of the disease and improve the appearance of your nails.And complete healing or removal must begin after the birth of the child.
It is better for pregnant women to resort to proven methods of traditional medicine.They act more gently and have fewer side effects:
- Take a foot bath with warm water and sea salt.
- Clean the skin around damaged nails with celandine juice.Continue for 3 months.
Recommendations and tips
An advanced fungus must be treated immediately!Do not allow the infection to affect the entire body, be patient and be sure to complete the therapy.Treat only after examination, under the supervision of a doctor.Traditional medicine methods must be combined with medications recommended by a specialist.Advice for the patient's family: observe good hygiene, take vitamins and medications that increase immunity.