Nail fungus on the legs: identify and treat correctly

Such a nuisance as a fungus on the nails of the legs is a frequent pathology, which when ignoring treatment can cause various complications.The disease is poorly succumbing to therapy, but there are many drugs and alternative drugs, which, with proper use, help get rid of the disease.

Nail fungus - what is it?

In medical terminology, nail fungus is called onychomycosis.The nail plate is infected in contact with spores, then the rapid growth of the fungus begins, affecting the nail deeper and in breadth.

Most often, such a pathological condition is observed in people of advanced age.The following factors affect the occurrence of the disease:

• excessive body weight;
• digestive diseases;
• weakening of the immune system;
• impaired thyroid functions or adrenal glands;
• Incorrect hygiene.

Experts determine several stages and forms of fungal damage.

The first signs and symptoms

The fungal damage to the nails is difficult to determine, since its clinical manifestations are gatherings with symptoms of other diseases.

The first signs of a pathology of fungal infection include:

• decrease in the gloss of nails;
• itching near the toes;
• thickening of the plate;
• fragility of nails;
• uneven edges of the plate;
• white, black or yellow spot on the surface;
• Blacation of the nail.

If the nails become brittle, thin and often crumble, then this symptom can also be an early symptom of the fungus.

Forms of the fungus

Symptoms of the disease depend on the shape of the fungus:

• Atrophic.A gray shade on the nail is manifested, pallor and dull plate are observed.The nail begins to atrophy from the outer ends.
• Hypertrophic.As a result of the active growth of skin scales, the nail plate thickens more than 2 millimeters.The deformation of the nail depends on the neglect of the pathology.The shade is gray or dark yellow.One of the signs of such a fungus is similar to a bird's claw.
• Normotorophical.The color of the nail with this variety of the fungus changes, but the luster and thickness remain the same.In the first stages, spots from white to yellow shade are formed.If the disease is not treated, they become more in size.The plate in this case does not grow to the bed of the nail.
• Proximal.This fungus spreads to the skin roller.Painful sensations in the area of the cuticles are possible.
• Total.This infection develops in the case of ignoring the treatment of other types of fungi.It is accompanied by loss of color and shine, crushing and brittleness.As a result, the complete destruction of the nail plate.
• Superficial white fungus.It is characterized by the formation of white spots and stripes that apply to the entire nail.

• Distal.The lesion of the nail is accompanied by dullness, color loss and a change in the thickness of the nail plate.After the affected area dies, the nail is deformed and crumble.
• Lateral.There is swelling of the skin rollers, their redness and seal.It is characterized by soreness of the region near the nail.When a bacterial infection is attached, a purulent process begins.

Depending on the severity of the pathology, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

A typical clinical picture

The clinical manifestations of the fungal damage to the nail include:

• a sensation of burning and itching of the skin near the destination;
• fragility of the nail;
• swelling of the lesion;
• active exfoliation of the plate;
• color changes (black, yellow, gray, green, brown tint indicate the pathological process);
• a painful sensation in the place where the fungus is localized;
• Nail deformation.

When ignoring treatment or inappropriate therapy, keratinization of the plate and increase in seals are observed.

Stages of fungal nail damage

Experts distinguish three stages of the disease.Each of them is characterized by certain symptoms:

• 1st.It is difficult to determine visually.It is manifested by small pale spots on the nails.
• 2nd.Superiors are formed, the color of the plate begins to change, shine is lost.
• 3rd.The skin near the nail plate begins to blush and get sick.There is a stratification and deformation of the nail.

Places of risk of infection

Only a qualified specialist can diagnose fungal damage.

Infection can occur in a wet and warm place where the fungus develops rapidly.Therefore, you should be attentive and adhere to hygiene rules in the public environment:

• sauna;
• shower cabin;
• bath;
• gym;
• solarium;
• public locker room;
• beach;
• pool.

You can pick up a nail fungus, trying on someone else's shoes.In addition, infection can occur in a cosmetic salon in the pedicure procedure if non -sterile instruments are used or the master has a fungus on the hands and performs mittens manipulation.

Diagnostic methods

If signs of the fungus appear, the patient should consult a dermatologist or mycologist.

The following laboratory studies include the diagnostic methods of the disease:

• microsporia;
• cultural analysis;
• DNA research.

If necessary, additional diagnostic methods may be prescribed.

Traditional treatment

As a result of the disease, various complications may develop, therefore, appropriate therapy is necessary.Only a specialist can prescribe drug treatment for a mushroom, given the following factors:

• form and stage of the disease;
• sections of the lesion;
• concomitant pathologies;
• Individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Most often used drugs for external use in such forms:

• cream or ointments;
• patch;
• special antifungal varnish;
• solution for lotions and compresses;
• sprays;
• oil.

You can use a medical varnish based on amorolfine from the fungus.This tool is suitable both for treatment and for prevention.They help to get rid of the pathological process on nails and other varnishes.

For the treatment of the fungus, solutions are often prescribed that effectively cope with the disease.

For painless getting rid of the affected nail, a special adhesive plaster is used.Before its use, the legs must be steamed in hot water.Apply the product for four days.To remove the patch again, you need to make a hot bath bath.The exfolved nail is carefully removed with scissors.If necessary, the procedure is repeated several times.

With a neglected form of the fungus, drugs for internal administration can be prescribed.

With severe damage to the nails, surgical removal is used.It is also possible to use acid disinfection, laser treatment, cryotherapy.Usually these methods are addressed if drug therapy does not give a result.

During treatment, in order to prevent re -infection, it is necessary to disinfect surfaces with which there were contacts of damaged nails.

It is important to remember that a specialist should prescribe medications.Self -medication can aggravate the situation and provoke the development of complications.

Alternative products in the fight against nail fungus

There are a large number of alternative methods of combating a fungal infection.

In folk medicine, popular and effective procedures that help eliminate the fungus are considered:

• compress;
• foot bath;
• lotions;
• applying ointments from plant products.

Effective antifungal agents of alternative therapy are:

1. Garlic ointment.To prepare it, butter is mixed with grated garlic.Apply for several hours to affected nails.
2. Bath with sea salt.Make a warm solution and hold the legs in it for thirty minutes.After the procedure, it is recommended to apply olive oil to the nails.
3. Feet bath with a decoction of calendula, celandine, field horsetail or milkweed.
4. Mint-salt compress.A spoonful of salt is mixed with a crushed plant and applied to the problem area for several hours.
5. Lotion from propolis.A cotton pad is wetted in tincture and applied to a affected nail.
6. Lubrication of a sick nail plate with celandine juice.
7. Egg-coil mixture.Modes, birch tar and sulfur are added to the protein.Mix thoroughly and applied to the nails.
8. Compress from ammonia.A spoonful of ammonia is diluted in a glass of water.Material for the procedure is moistened in the liquid.
9. Smol apricot.Tincture on alcohol is prepared from wood resin, taking the ingredients in equal parts.Using this tool, they make a compress.
10. Coffee bath.Make strong coffee, pour it into a basin.In this tool, it is recommended to steam your legs for twenty minutes.
11. Tar compress.For this procedure, take a birch tar.
12. Bath based on the bleach for the oral cavity, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
13. Compress from hydrogen peroxide.Before its use, it is recommended to make a soda bath bath.
14. Attaching to the sick fingernail of gruel from onions.

An effective folk cure for fungal damage is considered a means of soda and apple cider vinegar.The following ingredients are needed for its preparation:

• Apple vinegar - 250 ml;
• food soda - 150 g;
• Water (hot) - 3 l.

Foot baths are made with this medicine.The peculiarity of such a procedure is that at first the legs are placed in a vinegar solution for twenty minutes.Then, after a while, make a bath with soda.It is recommended to do the procedure several times a day.

• Compresses can also be made from such ingredients:
• crushed horseradish (root);
• sunflower oil and vinegar (products ratio 1: 1);
• tea mushroom;
• Mandarin juice;
• tea tree oil;
• Washed mountain ash.

These funds are recommended to be applied to the affected area at night.

Phytotherapists are advised to fill the crushed medicinal herbs in socks with a fungus on their feet:

• mint;
• chamomile;
• nettle;
• sage.

The first signs of the disease can be defeated if you steam your legs in a solution of laundry soap.

Prevention measures

It is important to remember that you can use alternative drugs only on well -washed legs.The dead layers must be removed each time using a nail file or scissors.

To prevent the occurrence of the disease, the following recommendations should be followed:

1. Avoid contacts with infected people.
2. In the sauna, bath, gym, pool, put on disposable rubber slippers.
3. Strengthen the immune system.
4. Dry the shoes after walks.
5. For pedicure, use sterile instruments.
6. Wear clean socks made of cotton material.
7. Wipe your legs dry after the bath and shower.
8. Do not escape someone else's shoes.
9. Do not allow burns and frostbite.
10. After visiting public places such as a locker room, a sauna, a bath, you should wash your feet well.To do this, it is advisable to use laundry soap.You can hold a little leg in a warm unconscious solution of ration or soda.
11. Choose shoes comfortable, natural.
12. Follow the correct hygiene of nails: remove pollution and trim.
13. Take medications only for medical prescription.
14. Have individual household items (washcloth, pumice, slippers).

For the prevention of infection, it is recommended to use a special antifungal varnish.

Thus, it is easy to become infected with a fungus in public places.To avoid the development of the disease, the rules of prevention should be followed.

Pathology can be treated with the help of drugs and folk remedies.However, therapy should be carried out only with the approval of the doctor.