Currently, about twenty -five percent of the population suffer from onychomycosis.Often the disease manifests itself precisely on the thumb.The fungus is in places of public stay.You can get infected if one of the family members is already sick with onychomycosis.The nail fungus on the thumb of the leg, its treatment takes a lot of effort and takes a significant part of the time.In addition, onychomycosis causes itching, causing discomfort.How to cure the nail fungus of the thumb of the foot?The answers below.
The causes of the nail fungus
The fungus on the nail of the thumb occurs more often in men than in women.Elderly people get sick more often than young people, which is associated with less intense blood circulation due to age.Micosis is localized more often on the nail plate of the thumb.This is due to a large space under the nail plate, which contributes to the propagation of fungi.The nail plate is surrounded by nerves and blood vessels, so onychomycosis causes intense pain.
A person is infected with onychomycosis in contact with the surfaces on which there is a fungus.Disputes on the skin or nail plate can fall in public places.Also, a fungal infection can be infected when using washcloths, towels or slippers used by the patient.The following factors can be distinguished, leading to the fungus on the thumb of the leg:
- excessive sweating;
- flat feet;
- violation of the integrity of the skin next to the nail plate or directly the plate, the consequence is the penetration of the fungus;
- insufficient legs hygiene;
- diaper rash;
- reduction of immunity;
- long stay in close shoes;
- elderly age;
- chronic diseases (acquired immunodeficiency, diabetes mellitus, vascular diseases);
- Frequent gluing of artificial nails.
Symptoms of the appearance of the nail fungus on the thumb of the leg
Mycosis, which affects the nail plate, emits enzymes that contribute to its destruction.So the fungus prepares a place for its reproduction and growth.The nail fungus on the thumb, the symptoms depend on the stage of the disease.The first stages of the disease do not manifest themselves, itching, burning is possible.In the next stages, you can see that the plate changes color, thickening.The consequence of the thickening may be an ingrown nail.
Patients do not seek medical help at the initial stages of the disease.Often it is the ingrown nail that makes you turn to a specialist.
The affected nail plate grows in the wrong direction, bends and crashes into the skin, creating swelling, discomfort and pain when walking.Such a complication threatens the development of the infectious process.A history of diabetes in a history of diabetes mellitus is a particular danger - it can lead to ulcers and gangrene of the lower limb.
You can suspect the fungus by changing the surface of the nail plate:
- The nail plate becomes thicker, strips of white or yellow appear on it;
- its gradual destruction, its tip may disappear;
- In the lower part of the nail bed, you can notice yellow stains;
- Examination from the nail bed.
Stages of development of the disease:
- initial -There are no changes in the structure, color changes are poorly noticeable: strips, spots may appear;
- The second -The plate becomes yellow, ceases to shine, the smell comes from the feet;
- neglected -The plate loses its structure, becomes loose, exfoliates from the nail bed.At this stage, there is a great risk of infection of the rest of the family: the spores of the fungus are distributed on the floor, the bathroom.
By the color of the affected nail, you can understand which fungus settled on the nail plate.Yellow spots indicate damage to a fungal disease, while the changes are localized in the center and around the edges;localization of changes in the edges and detachment indicates the lesion of the fungi of the yeast;The blacken of the plate indicates an insufficient blood circulation of the finger and the attachment of molds.
Treatment of the nail fungus of the thumb
The success of treatment entirely depends on how quickly it is started.At the early stage in the treatment of mycosis, local remedies will help, and with far -goed forms, surgical treatment will help.
Drug treatment
The fungus on the nail of the thumb is treated with varnishes, ointments and drugs prescribed inward.In the early stages, it is possible to cure the disease within two to three months, in advanced cases it may take six months or even a year.
Varnishes
The action of therapeutic varnishes is associated with softening the plate and the antiseptic effect.The varnish penetrates the nail plate and kills the fungus.
Ointments, creams and sprays
Preparations in this form are used if mycosis was struck not only by the nail, but also to the skin.They are quite effective, adverse reactions are rarely caused, applied once or twice a day.
Medicines in the form of tablets
The tablets from the fungus of the nail of the thumb are used in advanced cases.With mycosis of this form, only complex therapy can help: ointment or solution and internal forms of dosage drugs.The internal forms include tablets and capsules.
Full removal products
Removing the nail on the thumb of the leg can forever solve the problem of the fungus.To do this, use means that help softening the nail: plasters, ointments, cream.
Surgical treatment
In far -goed, advanced cases, when the plate thickens and begins to grow into the skin, surgical intervention is used.The nail plate is removed completely under local anesthesia.Surgical treatment guarantees recovery.
Treatment of nail fungus with a laser
The laser impact is the latest method of treating onychomycosis, for several years of existence in the market of medical and cosmetological services, managed to prove its undeniable effectiveness in the fight against fungal pathology.
It is scientifically proven that with a systematic heating of the nail plate to a temperature of 60 ° C and above, fungal microorganisms die.Such thermal effects without damage to surrounding tissues can be achieved only due to laser radiation, since the laser beam has a length that reacts only to the cell affected by onychomycosis.
Laser treatment of mycoses is recommended to be carried out in combination with drugs against fungi and immunomodulating drugs.
Folk remedies
If you do not want to spend money, then you should resort to folk methods, especially if the effect is noticeable from such treatment.
- Baths with iodine - a solution of iodine is added to hot water.Keep their feet in the bath for fifteen minutes.Achomicosis affected by onychomycosis, the steamed plate is cut off, the skin is treated with hydrogen peroxide;
- Treatment with vinegar - add one part of vinegar to two parts of water.In the resulting solution, hold your legs for fifteen minutes.The affected plate should then be cut as much as possible.Perform procedures until complete recovery;
- At night, attach a piece of lemon to the affected plate, wrap with a film on top and leave it overnight.This procedure should be done daily.After the use of the lemon, part of the nail plate will soften, it must be removed;
- Celee juice is also able to help to get rid of onychomycosis on the thumb.Fresh juice must be applied to the plate and the skin adjacent to it.
Prevention measures
To reduce the risk of infection onchomycosis, you should follow the following tips:
- Onychomycosis can be obtained in a beauty salon.This becomes possible in case of insufficient sterilization of tools.It is necessary to visit salons with sufficient reputation and a large number of positive reviews;
- Maintenance for manicure should be individual;
- With hyperhidrosis (increased sweating) of the leg, especially the membranes between the fingers, it is necessary to sprinkle with talcum or pouring, as well as wipe them dry after bath procedures;
- Excessive use of a moisturizer can become a favorable environment for a fungal infection;
- It is necessary to use drugs that increase immunity;
- Frequent pedicure procedures thin the nail plate, violate its integrity, which will lead to the settlement of its fungus;
- The liquid plate can also damage the nail plate to remove varnish with acetone;
- You can not wear other people's slippers;
- The wiping towel should be individual;
- Shoes must contact air;
- Cracks on the feet are a risk factor for mycosis, so they need to be treated on time.
Onychomycosis is an unpleasant phenomenon that causes itching, and a change in the color of the nail.In advanced cases, onychomycosis is able to lead to a thickening of the nail plate and the nail, which has grown into the skin, which can only be cured by surgically.Therefore, mycosis must be diagnosed and treated in time.