Onychomycosis or nail fungus is an infectious disease that can affect the nails of both upper and lower extremities.However, the second option is more likely for a number of reasons.Especially often the fungus affects the nail plate of the thumb.In such cases, it is important to respond to the problem in time, not to give pathology to spread to the skin and other fingers.
For successful treatment, which eliminates the development of complications and relapses in the future, it is necessary to start a struggle as early as possible.For this, it is important to know the clinical picture of the disease, to understand the main causes of its occurrence and developmental features.Despite the need to see a doctor, it will not be superfluous to understand the principles of treating the nail fungus on the thumb of the leg.
The reasons for the appearance of the fungus on the thumb of the leg
The most likely localization of fungal damage is the nails of the lower extremities.The fact is that the feet are more susceptible to factors in which the fungus is easier to gain a foothold and develop.In addition, legs are many times more often in a potentially contaminated environment.
At the same time, it is important to know that in approximately 90% of cases the development of onychomycosis begins with the nail on the thumb.
Two main causes of this scenario of the disease are distinguished:
- The size of the nail plate on the thumb is much larger than on the other fingers.Based on this, obeying the simplest probability theory, it is on it that the most pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms falls on it.Therefore, the probability of the beginning of the pathological process in this area will always be higher.
- Due to the characteristics of the size of the thumb, as well as its physiological location, it is more subject to trauma.It is with the thumb that people often hit, they often step on it in transport.Due to the fact that one of the main predisposing factors in the development of nail fungus is damage to the nail plate, the pattern becomes substantiated and understandable.
If we talk about the causes of onychomycosis in general, the main one in medical practice is a decrease in the body's defenses.Anything can provoke a weakening of immunity, from 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 a minimum, it is worth considering the most probable:
- The injury of the thumb - especially often this happens with people who work at a construction site or engage in other hard work, as well as with athletes.
- The exposure of the legs with diaper rash and excessive sweating-in most cases, this is due to the wearing of inappropriate shoes in which the legs are very sweated and successful.
- Wearing uncomfortable or close shoes - the issue of choosing shoes is especially acute.It is recommended to buy high -quality shoes, do not walk in high heels for a long time.
- Failure to comply with hygiene - men are especially often sin with this, believing that one washing of their feet before bedtime is enough.It is important to monitor the nails, cut them and file them in time, use special hygienic lotions, and prevent diaper rash or drying out of the skin.
The most common factors are given above, which are easier to influence, reducing the likelihood of fungal damage.In general, it is also recommended to observe the daily routine, eat fully, as little as possible nervous.
Important!Due to the fact that one of the main reasons for the appearance of the fungus on the thumb is advanced age, older people need to be especially careful.To strengthen the body, it is important to constantly undergo supporting treatment of chronic diseases, to regularly visit a doctor, it is possible to periodically undergo vitamin therapy to strengthen immunity.
Clinical picture of the disease
Even the initial symptoms of nail fungus on the thumb are easier to detect than on the other fingers.This is explained by all the same physiological features of the structure.
Due to the size of the finger, even the initial manifestations of the disease are easier to see on it.
At the same time, in order to detect the development of pathology in time and take appropriate measures in time, it is important to know the especially clinical picture of the early stage of onychomycosis:
- White spots, dots or stripes appear on the nail.Initially, they have a small size, in the future they increase, merging together.
- The nail loses its natural shine, becomes matte, sometimes rough, without visible reasons.
- The nail plate gradually changes color, at first it becomes yellowish or light brown
- Initial structural disorders can be invisible.The habitually hard nail plate of the thumb becomes soft or brittle.Of the more obvious symptoms, cracks, hillocks and furrows appear on the surface of the nail, its external (free) edge is slightly exfoliated.
- Already in the early stages of the progression of the pathological process, a person can feel itching in the nail of 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 regularly carry out hygiene procedures.This applies to all clinical signs, with the exception of itching, which already does not go unnoticed.
In the absence of timely treatment, the disease is slow, but still progresses.At the same time, the clinical picture changes more distinct, ignoring the problem is more difficult.
The symptoms of onychomycosis of the thumb at a later date acquires the following features:
- Itching appears in the first or enhances, this symptom is constant, as well as intensity.If the legs are successful or sweated, the thumb is shy about shoes, 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 previously appearing white blotches expand and merge.
- Due to the fact that the fungus penetrates deeper, structural disorders are aggravated.The belly of the nail plate, its tuberosity and cracks become deeper.Increased softness is replaced by brittleness, the nail literally gradually crumbles.The stratification process affects not only the outer part of the nail plate, it spreads throughout the area and depth, which only exacerbates the destruction.
Important!At the doctor’s appointment, visually the doctor can only approximately determine the stage of progression of the disease and assume which the pathogen is caused.To make an accurate diagnosis, a full diagnosis is required.The same applies to the early stages when the symptoms are invisible to the doctor, but complaints come from the patient.
Traditional treatment of fungal damage
Like symptoms, the features of the treatment of the disease depend on which the fungus caused onychomycosis, as well as at what stage the treatment has begun.If you detect the fungus on the nail of the thumb in the latch, the duration of therapy is significantly reduced and it is highly likely to do with local external drugs.
We are talking about ointments, gels, varnishes, sprays or drops with antifungal activity.Such drugs are applied directly to the affected nail, sometimes to the surrounding areas of the skin.In most cases, these drugs are effective in relation to a wide range of mushrooms.
If you can’t get rid of the fungus with external drugs or the patient consults a doctor at the late stage of the progression of the disease, complex therapy is required.To the local drugs for the treatment of the nail fungus on the thumb, systemic ones are added, which are taken orally and affect the pathogen from the inside.
Treatment with folk methods
In folk medicine, there are a huge 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 - both substances have pronounced antiseptic properties.Weting a cotton pad in iodine or vinegar, then wiping the nail plate 2-3 times a day, you can achieve the desired result-the death of the fungus.Such manipulations are done within 3-4 weeks daily.
- Salt baths - dilute in two liters of hot water 2 tablespoons of sea or table salt.To steam your legs for 15-20 minutes before bedtime, do not wash off, let the legs dry out.The procedure is carried out daily for 2-3 weeks.
There are many similar methods, but the use of even the most harmless, requires mandatory consultations of the doctor.
Important!Traditional medicine is effective in the fight against fungal damage to the nail plates only in the early stages of the development of pathology.In other cases, folk recipes are used only as an auxiliary treatment that complements drug therapy or as a prevention.