How to cure toenail mycosis: main rules and mistakes not to make

Onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that becomes noticeable when it develops strongly enough and requires active treatment. For whom are mushrooms most dangerous and what mistakes should be avoided to get rid of them? Let's talk.

Damage to toenails is caused by different types of fungi (mold, yeast, ringworm). Toenails are most often affected. The danger of this disease is that it does not appear immediately on the outside; Noticeable changes occur already when it is more difficult to influence the causative agent of the disease. In this case, the infection can easily spread from the feet to the hands and even penetrate the organs, with negative effects on overall health.

This is a very common disease and with age the chances of getting an infection increase.

Self-treatment, despite the large number of drugs in pharmacies, is unacceptable; it may simply not lead to the desired effect or it may worsen the condition. We tell you why, how to protect yourself from this unpleasant pathology and which treatment methods can be used and which may not help.

Types of Toenail Fungus

Onychomycosis can differ in the type of fungus itself, the form of infection and the stage.

Types of mushrooms

• Yeast.Yeast doesn't just live outdoors, it's part of our microflora. It normally consists of "good" and "bad" bacteria in an optimal combination. With normal immunity and health, yeast does not show its negative properties, and if disturbed, they become dangerous.
• Dermatophytes.This is the most common causative agent of the disease (more than 80% of cases). You can find them in the soil, dust and you can also get them from dogs and cats. This species is also the causative agent of ringworm.
• Mold.Mold thrives in humidity and heat (which is why it is important to ventilate rooms regularly). Such mushrooms are widespread, literally everywhere, some species can even be found on food. In addition to mycoses, they can cause lung diseases.

Depending on the type of fungus, some treatments may vary. To determine the species, a mycological culture is taken from the nails, where the type of fungus and its sensitivity to antifungal drugs are determined. Based on these results, the drug is selected.

Without an accurate diagnosis, self-administration of the medicine may simply not work.

Types based on the shape of the lesion

• Surface- damage to the nail plates themselves.
• Distal- The forefoot is affected.
• Lateral- side parts.
• Proximal- rear end.
• Total- The entire foot is affected.

Development phases

• Soon.The most difficult stage, since at this time external manifestations may be slightly noticeable. At the same time, it is advisable to start treatment on it.
• Progressive.The appearance of the nails has already changed significantly.
• Launched.The nails are destroyed. Secondary infections can occur, which will only make the symptoms worse.

The earlier treatment begins, the greater the success will be. It is important to remember that the disease progresses more rapidly in people with a weakened immune system.

Toenail fungus - symptoms

The first signs of a fungal infection can begin with damage to the skin of the foot, manifested by redness, peeling and itching. Moreover, the disease can begin only with a change in the appearance of the nails. At the beginning of the disease, the nail plate is often affected at the edge in the form of a yellowish or whitish spot. Next change the color of the entire plate and change its thickness. The infection can affect one nail or all of them.

Externally, there is nothing attractive about this disease - photos of toenail fungus prove this.

Causes

The causes of toenail mycosis are often associated with direct contact with someone who has contracted the infection or with objects they have used (shoes, clothes, bath mats, washcloths, manicure tools). The infection often occurs when visiting swimming pools, saunas, baths and gyms. Factors contributing to the infection are cracks in the interdigital folds, increased sweating of the feet, dry skin, plaque lesions.

At risk of this disease are, first of all, people with reduced immunity, as well as those who have pathologies such as diabetes, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, flat feet, immune diseases, as well as those who take steroids and cytostatic (anti-tumor) drugs, drugs.

Prevention and treatment

To prevent infection, it is very important to follow hygiene rules:

1. in swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms wear only slate;
2. regularly ventilated and dry shoes;
3. change socks regularly;
4. after the pool, take a shower and let your feet dry;
5. do not try on someone else's shoes, especially barefoot;
6. increase immunity.

Also, if you know that there is a carrier of the infection next to you, it is important not to use his hygiene items or his shoes.

How to get rid of foot fungus

At the first signs of infection noticed (we have already told and shown what toenail fungus looks like), it is necessary to immediately start treating it without starting it. First of all, the infection can reach nearby plaques, and also can enter organs with blood, causing intoxication, allergic reactions or diseases associated with the immune system.

Treatment of toenail fungus includes external methods (antifungal solutions, creams, ointments), as well as oral administration of antifungal drugs in tablets. At the initial stage of infection, if the duration of the disease is not more than a month and plaque damage is not more than 1/3, only external antifungal therapy is possible. If the process is long, tablets are needed for complete recovery.

There are also surgical and laser treatment methods, but they may not be effective enough on their own; the plaque could still grow back defective.

Even self-medication is not allowed. It's really dangerous. The doctor should choose any means and thus help monitor the healing process. With this disease it is not fast (from 3 months or more). At the first visible improvements, you should not stop taking the drugs, as a relapse may occur: the infection remains inside the nail, you need to wait until the plaque grows back completely, without damage. It is necessary to complete the entire route and always under supervision.

The most common errors in treatment

• Simply dry shoes and socks without treatment.If fungus appears on your feet, it is important not only to wash or dry your shoes or socks. Shoes should be treated with an antifungal agent and socks should be ironed to kill harmful spores.
• Use only your own hygiene tools, but do not treat them in any way.Regardless of who has the infection, you or a relative, you not only need to start using only individual hygiene items and tools, but they also need to be treated with special means. Where possible it is best to use disposable instruments.
• Use folk remedies.You can find many of these recipes on the Internet. Some can help, but experimenting on your own can be very dangerous. Everything must be agreed with the doctor.