Nail fungus: types, ways to get 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 that make disease classification difficult;This article discusses the most common types, as well as ways to get rid of this pathology.

To be the cause

The cause of fungal nail infections is infection with pathogenic organisms;Their penetration can happen in three main ways:

• Penetration under the free edge of the nail plate and subsequent deepening, this way is the most common.
• Penetration through the dorsal part of the nail is rarely observed because it is not accessible to all mycotic organisms.In such a situation, the development of pathological processes occurs faster.
• Penetration with the proximal ridge is also quite rare and occurs most often on the arm rather than the leg.

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

• Mechanical injuries that cause the destruction of the nail plate.
• Excessive use of degreasers or cleaning products with harmful components;Systematic contact with water.
• Appropriate and uncomfortable shoes, as well as things made of synthetic materials, which create favorable conditions for the spread of pathogenic microflora.
• Sweating, sweating, regardless of the cause.
• Straight legs.
• Anatomical features of foot development, especially the presence of very narrow spaces between the toes, which disrupts natural air exchange.
• Lack of hygienic foot care and timely treatment of ingrown 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, warm temperatures and high humidity are favorable factors for the reproduction of such organisms, because they increase the risk of developing fungal diseases, because warm temperatures and high humidity are favorable factors for the reproduction of these organisms.
• More age.Changes in the body of elderly people increase the possibility of infection.
• Carrying out work activities in unfavorable conditions with gassy and dusty rooms, physically demanding work, high humidity and frequent contact with chemicals.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, obesity, disorders of natural metabolism, HIV infection, thyroid gland malfunction.All of these health problems put a person at risk.
• Long-term use of strong antibacterial agents and hormonal pharmacological drugs.
• Visiting public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
• Use of shared footwear and personal care products.
• Conducting various cosmetic procedures due to the use of an instrument that has not undergone appropriate treatment.

Types and symptoms

Symptoms that occur when noticed 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 affected by pathological processes.At the initial stage, intended white or yellowish stripes and spots appeared, which were localized on the sides.If left untreated, they begin to grow and cover the entire nail.
2. Hypertrophic fungus.With this disease, there is not only a change in color, but also an increase in the thickness of the plate, which is associated with accelerated growth of the skin under the nail.Gradually, a loss of healthy shine occurs and the nail becomes more brittle, even with light pressure it begins to color.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 barn.
3. Atrophic fungus.The first symptom of this pathology is a change in color: the nail plate acquires a characteristic brown-gray color.Soon its natural brightness disappears and it is destroyed.If left untreated, the development of the disease leads to complete exposure of the nail layer and tissue necrosis.
4. Lateral and distal fungus.Both varieties cause the formation of yellow transverse grooves, and in parallel with this, the surface of the nail plate becomes pale.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, the nail is deformed and the nail layers are partially exposed.This pathology can cause severe physical discomfort to the patient and cause constant pain when the skin ridges are swollen and red.
5. Proximal fungus.This type of disease is extremely rare;At the initial stage, the area around the skin layer 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 take over the entire nail plate.
6. Just a mushroomIt occurs when there is no treatment for other forms of the disease, in which case there is a change in color and increased fragility, which gradually leads to the complete loss of the nail.
7. White surface mushroom.The main symptom is the appearance of localized white spots near the posterior pad.In the absence of proper treatment, the pathology progresses and the lesion begins to spread to neighboring areas.Often, a large number of small spots appear in a pattern that looks like scattered dust.

Stages of fungi

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

1. In the initial stage, lesions are localized in separate areas,Most often they are sides or free edges.At this stage, the form of thin stripes or spots that a person often does not notice.
2. In the stage of normotrophic lesions, pathological changes are noticeable,Traces of fungi can also be detected with the naked eye.There is also a change in nail fragility and shade;In some forms of the disease, serous discharge can come out from under the plate.
3. In the stage of hypertrophic lesion, the pathology continues to develop in idolatry, causing plate thickening.It can occur depending on the disease, deformation, separation, thinning, lack of natural growth and other types of destruction.

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, it is almost impossible to make a diagnosis and an accurate diagnosis at this stage.
In the advanced stages, the disease develops actively;Symptoms spread not only to the nails, but also to the plates on the hands and skin.

How to behave at home?

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

1. IodineThe most common remedy, it is used as a cotton swab and subsequent treatment of the affected areas, as well as an auxiliary component for foot baths.
2. VinegarAnother highly effective tool, because almost all fungal pathogens die in an environment with high acidity.It can be used neat or diluted in water and then applied directly to affected areas.
3. Salicylic acidused in the same way as vinegar, it is effective in treating any form of fungus.
4. Eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.Both drugs have a strong antiseptic effect, but are usually included in complex therapy.

How to get rid of foot fungus with medicine?

At the first symptoms of a fungal infection, it is recommended to immediately seek professional medical help, because 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 unwanted consequences.

Experts generally prescribe pharmaceutical products that 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, body deficiencies, playing sports, sports and other measures to strengthen the immune system, provides a balanced diet.
• Wearing shoes when at the beach.
• Wearing special closed rubber slippers when visiting baths or saunas.
• Wear socks made of natural materials and changed daily.
• Just wear your own shoes.
• Dry your feet thoroughly after showering to ensure they are completely dry.

Reviews

1. I have been suffering from toenail 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 her nails for a few days and soon noticed that the disease was slowly disappearing.
2. Recently I came across a mushroom;Apparently I took it off when I showered after a workout.Therefore, swim only in flip-flops and do not go everywhere barefoot.Fungus is such an infection that it is difficult to get rid of.I used an antifungal drug, it helped.But in addition, he applied vinegar to the affected areas.Everything came together to such a great effect.
3. This is not the first time I have struggled with fungus.It's so hard to leave me.I used various drugs that did their job perfectly.
4. This mushroom is very unpleasant.Especially in the summer!You are embarrassed to even go out somewhere, but I use an antifungal agent for external use, it helped me a lot.If you catch a mushroom, there is a 70% chance that it will appear a second time.Be careful!