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

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

Causes

The cause of fungal infections of the toenails is infection with pathogenic organisms; their penetration can occur 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, since 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 on the arms rather than the legs.

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

• Mechanical injuries leading to destruction of the nail plate.
• Excessive use of degreasers or cleaning products that contain harmful components;systematic contact with water.
• Wearing ill-fitting and uncomfortable shoes, as well as things made from synthetic materials, which creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.
• Increased sweating, regardless of its cause.
• Flat feet.
• Anatomical features of the development of the foot, in particular, the presence of too narrow spaces between the toes, which disrupts natural air exchange.
• Lack of hygienic foot care and timely trimming of overgrown nails.
• Malfunctions of the immune system.
• Tendency to varicose veins.
• Frequent wearing of warm clothes or shoes due to the climatic conditions of the region.Living in a subtropical climate also increases the risk of developing fungal diseases, since warm temperatures and high humidity are favorable factors for the reproduction of such organisms.
• Advanced age.Changes in the body of older people increase the likelihood of infection.
• Carrying out work activities in unfavorable conditions, which include gassy and dusty rooms, physically difficult work, high humidity and frequent contact with chemicals.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, obesity, disorders of natural metabolism, HIV infection, malfunction of the thyroid gland.All of these health problems place a person at risk.
• Long-term use of potent antibacterial agents and hormonal pharmacological drugs.
• Visiting public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
• Use of shared footwear and personal care products.
• Undergoing various cosmetic procedures during which an instrument is used that has not undergone appropriate treatment.

Types and symptoms

The symptoms that occur 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, noticeable white or yellowish stripes and spots are formed, which are localized on the sides.If left untreated, they begin to grow and cover the entire nail.
2. Hypertrophic fungus.With this disease, not only the color changes, but also an increase in the thickness of the plate is observed, which is associated with the 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 slight pressure.First, the lateral areas are destroyed, but if left untreated, 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 tint.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 in parallel with this, dulling of the surface of the nail plate is observed.If the causative agent is mold, the affected areas may be green or black.The fragility gradually increases, the structure of the plate becomes uneven and rough.After the affected areas die off, the nail becomes deformed and the nail fold becomes partially exposed.This pathology can bring severe physical discomfort to the patient and cause constant pain if swelling and redness of the skin ridges occurs.
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 is the side effects of cuticle removal, after which the area of the plate near the growth zone acquires a characteristic white color.The localization of the lesion is associated with the characteristics of the spread of fungal spores; they gradually capture the entire nail plate.
6. Total fungusoccurs 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 complete loss of the nail.
7. White superficial fungus.The main symptom is the appearance of white spots localized near the posterior cushion.In the absence of proper 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 looks like scattered powder.

Stages of fungus

Regardless of the type of causative agent of the disease, the nail plate is never completely affected.The development of pathology occurs gradually, which allows us to distinguish the following stages:

1. At the initial stage, the lesions are localized in separate areas,most often they are the sides or free edge.At this stage, subtle stripes or spots form, 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.There is also increased fragility of the nail and a change in its shade; in some forms of the disease, serous discharge may protrude from under the plate.
3. At the stage of hypertrophic lesion, the pathology continues to develop in the subungual space, which leads to thickening of the plate.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 may be observed.Due to the lack of a clear clinical picture, diagnosis and making an accurate diagnosis at this stage is virtually impossible.
In advanced stages, the disease actively develops; symptoms spread not only to the toenails, but also to the plates located on the hands and the skin.

How to treat at home?

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

1. Iodineis the most common remedy, it is used for application to a cotton swab and subsequent treatment of the affected areas, and also as an auxiliary component for foot baths.
2. Vinegaris another highly effective remedy, since virtually all fungal pathogens die in an environment with high acidity.It can be used pure or diluted in water and 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 occur, it is recommended to immediately seek professional medical help, since only diagnostic measures can make an accurate diagnosis, and taking measures at the initial stage allows you to quickly get rid of the pathology and minimize the risk of undesirable consequences.

Specialists usually prescribe pharmaceutical products, which can be produced 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:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, hardening, ensuring a balanced diet, taking vitamins if they are deficient in the body, playing sports and other measures to strengthen the immune system.
• Wearing shoes when on the beach.
• Wearing special closed rubber slippers when visiting baths or saunas.
• Wearing socks made only from natural materials and changing them daily.
• Wear only your own shoes.
• Dry your feet thoroughly after showering to ensure they are completely dry.

Reviews

1. I have been suffering from fungus on my toenails 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 fungus quite recently; apparently I picked it up when I took a shower after a workout.Therefore, swim only in flip-flops and do not go barefoot anywhere.Fungus is such an infection that it is difficult to get rid of.I used an antifungal drug, it helped.But along with it she applied vinegar to the affected areas.Everything together gave such a great result.
3. And this is not the first time I have struggled with fungus.It's very hard to leave me.I used various medications that did their job perfectly.
4. This fungus is a very unpleasant thing.Especially in summer!You are embarrassed to even go out somewhere, but I use an antifungal agent for external use, it has helped me a lot.If you catch a fungus once, the probability of it appearing a second time is 70%.Be careful!