In this article, we will look at the symptoms of an advanced form of fungal toenail disease, treatment with medical and traditional methods, indications for nail removal, recommendations for infection prevention.
Chronic toenail fungus is a reason to go to the doctor immediately and start treatment right away.The disease is detected at a late stage if the initial symptoms are confused with a simple mechanical injury to the nail.Sometimes the problem is not manifested at all in the initial stage.If it is not treated or not done properly without consulting a doctor, the disease progresses.Mushrooms are much more dangerous than many people think.Such an infection, accompanied by loosening and destruction of the toenails, is a parasitic infection of the whole organism, the immunity is impaired, allergic manifestations are possible, there is a risk of developing bronchitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis, conjunctivitis.
In old onychomycosis, the nail is opaque, white, yellow or bluish.In the most severe cases, it turns black, loosens, peels, cracks, thickens and changes shape.The adjacent skin is red, inflamed, pain, burning and itching are felt.Painful sensations are caused by mold and yeast-like fungi.Other types do not cause physical suffering or discomfort;they can be recognized only by the shape and color of the nails.The inability to wear open shoes or walk barefoot causes difficulties.An unpleasant, nauseating smell becomes a constant companion.
Treatment methods
The advanced form can be treated only under the supervision of a doctor - dermatologist or mycologist.They will take shavings from infected toenails, classify the problem and prescribe treatment.Amateur activity is unacceptable here!It is impossible to cure the disease with home remedies.You can only drive the disease inside, temporarily suppress the source of infection.But the consequences will be more dire.
When the disease is advanced, patience is needed.The treatment is complex and complex.If this is not completed, it will inevitably lead to relapse.The tips are simple.You will be able to recover if you follow the rules of simultaneous implementation of a number of measures:
- Use of external agents (lacquers, ointments, sprays, gels).
- Taking oral medications (tablets, capsules).
- If necessary, the doctor will prescribe intravenous injections.
- Taking immunostimulating agents, vitamin and mineral complexes.
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Application of traditional medicine methods.
- If your feet sweat excessively, take daily foot baths with the addition of a spoonful of sea salt to five liters of water.Before applying the ointment, wash your feet with warm water to speed up the treatment.
- Regular treatment of footwear with antiseptic preparations.
If you follow these measures, curing the fungus is not as difficult as it seems.
Preparations for local use
Official medicine offers many different drugs for external treatment in the treatment of foot fungus.The doctor will prescribe what you need, there is no need to experiment, try everything.
Medicated varnishes:
- Ciclopirox.Antimycotic.It destroys yeast and mold fungi.Apply every four days.Duration – six months.At the same time, take terbinafine tablets orally (it is safe for pregnant women).
- Varnish based on terbinafine.Apply a coat of nail polish to the affected nails every four days.Treatment lasts 9-12 months.
Antifungal ointments:
- Terbinafine.Stops the growth of parasitic yeasts and molds.With the simultaneous use of tablets of the same name, it has a destructive effect on the fungus.
- Ketoconazole.It blocks the proliferation of fungi and destroys them.Apply in the morning, in the evening, course - one month.It is not absorbed into the blood and is not detected in the plasma, therefore it is recommended for pregnant women.Contraindicated for children under three years of age.
- Naftifin - for the destruction of advanced toenail fungus, it is recommended to use it in the form of drops.Designed to combat dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.
- Clotrimazole destroys advanced foot fungus at the cellular level.
Preparations for oral administration
Tablets are prescribed in short but frequent courses due to the negative effect on the human liver and kidneys.
- Fluconazole.Available in capsules.Take 150 milligrams.Duration of therapy - 56 days.The toenails are then scraped to determine if further treatment is needed.
- Itraconazole capsules.With their help, chronic onychomycosis can be cured in six months.
- Griseofulvin.Antifungal antibiotic.It accumulates in the skin cells from which keratin is formed, making growing healthy toenails immune to onychomycosis.Treatment lasts 8 months.
Traditional methods of treatment
- Celandine oil - freshly squeezed plant juice has a cauterizing effect and destroys the body of fungi.Treat daily until complete healing.
- Acetic acid is an affordable, powerful remedy against old onychomycosis.A special solution is prepared on the basis of vinegar.Mix equal parts of vodka and 70% vinegar essence, add three raw chicken whites.Mix.Place in the refrigerator.Moisten the gauze and place it on the painful nail.Leave for a quarter of an hour.If you do this for six months, it is enough time to cure the fungus.The product is aggressive and can cause burns to healthy tissue.Lubricate the skin around the affected nails with cream or sunflower oil.
- 20% alcoholic infusion of propolis.It is sold in the pharmacy.Moisten the gauze cloth and make a poultice.Do this daily until the fungus is gone.
- Golden mustache To prepare the tincture, pour vodka over the golden mustache and hide it in a dark corner.On the fifteenth day, dilute three parts water with one part tincture.Treat the fungus in the morning and in the evening.Treatment lasts at least six months.
- Homemade antifungal ointment.Put a piece of butter (butter) weighing 200 grams, 100 milliliters of acetic acid (70%) and a raw chicken egg in the shell in a glass container.Do not stir.Put the mixture in a cool place.Wait a week.The shell will dissolve.Then you need to mix, spread, cover with transparent film and wrap.
- Calamus rhizome tincture: 15 g.Boil the root with a glass of boiling water.Leave for 30 minutes.A glass of tincture is drunk daily.At the same time, ten-minute baths are taken every day.To do this, scald 30 grams of calamus rhizome with boiling water (one glass) and leave for 30 minutes.The nails will begin to crumble within seven days.And then lubricate with grease.If you are treated with this method, the fungus can be cured in a month and a half.In that case, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and vitamin preparations are taken internally.
- Squeeze out the toothpaste (with fluoride) the size of the knuckle of your little finger.Add the ashes of three cigarettes.Make a poultice, leave it overnight, and wash it off in the morning.
- Take equal parts of honey and onion juice and mix.Store in the refrigerator.Treat neglected fungi daily.
- Lilac and calendula flowers - 30 grams each, celandine - 15 grams, oak bark - 45 grams.Add half a liter of water.Boil, leave for an hour and make a poultice.Every day until the fungus is completely cured.
- One hundred milliliters of hydrogen peroxide, two liters of warm water - take a bath for a quarter of an hour.Wipe with a paper towel and apply grease.Repeat every day until it is clear that the fungus has disappeared.Hydrogen peroxide will protect healthy nails from infection and free healed nails from re-infection.
If the methods of traditional and folk medicine do not help, you can resort to laser therapy.Laser treatment is painless and gives an almost immediate effect.Four treatments are enough to kill the fungus.In this case, the periungual skin is not damaged.
Nail removal
Surgery to remove the nail is rarely resorted to if conservative methods do not give the desired result.
- The method of surgical removal is painful.It takes a long time for the nail plate to recover.
- The laser method of nail removal is easy and painless.The disadvantage is the high price.
- Replacing surgical nail removal with medication.Under the influence of drugs, the nail plates soften and are then painlessly removed.The process is time-consuming and requires caution.
Treatment of onychomycosis during pregnancy
Treatment of chronic toe fungus with most drugs is contraindicated during pregnancy!They can harm the intrauterine development of the fetus.The mycologist will prescribe safe drugs that will slow the development of the disease and improve the appearance of the nails.And complete healing or removal will have to begin after the birth of the child.
It is better for pregnant women to resort to proven methods of traditional medicine.They work more gently and have fewer side effects:
- Make foot baths with warm water and sea salt.
- Wipe the skin around damaged nails with celandine juice.Continue for 3 months.
Recommendations and advice
Advanced fungus should be treated immediately!Do not allow the infection to affect the entire body, be patient and be sure to complete the treatment.Treatment only after an examination, under the supervision of a doctor.Traditional medicine methods must be combined with medicines recommended by a specialist.Advice for the patient's family members: observe hygiene, take vitamins and medicines that increase immunity.