Nail fungus on the thumb: treatment with folk remedies and medications

Toenail fungus is called onychomycosis. Initially, the infectious process affects the thumb, but as it develops, it spreads to others. The disease goes through several stages. The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to deal with the problem. This is especially true about the big toe of the lower limbs - it has a large area and size, so the degree of damage is important.

Stages of onychomycosis

Nail fungus goes through several stages of development, each of which is characterized by certain symptoms. The following stages of disease development are distinguished:

• Original.At this stage, no obvious pathological deviations are observed: the changes are still external. The nail plates on the toes of the lower extremities lose their shine. White spots or streaks appear on the surface. In general, the nail looks healthy, the person does not experience pain or discomfort. If you identify nail fungus at this stage, you can quickly remove it.
• Moderate or progressive.The structure of the nail is already undergoing pathological changes. The nail takes on a pronounced yellow hue, peels and falls apart. There is also an unpleasant smell coming from the affected leg.
• Advanced or dystrophic stage.Deep nail damage occurs. In this case, the infectious process passes from the thumb to the rest. The entire surface of the nail plate is affected by the fungus and peels off from the bed and becomes loose. The patient is bothered by severe itching. When you press on the affected areas, a painful and throbbing sensation appears. For this reason, the patient should not wear closed shoes.

In the third stage of the development of the infectious process, infection of the skin of the foot is possible. In this case, the fungus can be cured only with the help of complex therapy, which includes the use of local and systemic drugs (tablets for oral administration).

Reasons for the development of fungus on the thumb

The main reasons that cause the development of onychomycosis are:

• contact with a person who is a carrier of a fungal infection;
• neglect of hygiene rules;
• wearing someone else's shoes or tight shoes that don't fit;
• weakened immune system;
• visits to a bath, sauna, swimming pool or beauty salon, where non-disinfected instruments may be used;
• trauma to the nails and surrounding skin;
• flat feet;
• long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
• hyperhidrosis (increased sweating on the feet);
• the presence of endocrine or immune lesions;
• disturbances in the circulatory system, which is especially important for elderly patients;
• phleberism;
• diabetes.

An important factor that increases the risk of onychomycosis is old age. The elderly suffer from poor blood supply to the limbs, which also increases the risk of developing fungal infections.

The causative agent of the disease enters the nails or skin from infected objects or through contact with a carrier. The pathogen spreads quickly, invading new areas. Fungi enter the subungual space through damaged areas of the nail plate or surrounding skin.

Fungus spreads quickly in the nail bed. The rate of advance exceeds the rate of plate growth. Soon the pathogenic microorganism reaches its target and causes changes in the structure of the nail. It has been proven that men suffer from fungus 3 times more often. Nail plates are affected by types of fungi such as dermatophytes, mold and yeast.

When should you see a doctor?

You should consult a doctor at the first sign of a fungal infection. You should not wait for visible signs of the disease to appear - the formation of white spots and even slight itching in the area of the feet should be a reason to contact a specialist - a mycologist or dermatologist.

Diagnosing

Diagnostic measures to identify the disease and its stage include:

• visual inspection of nail plates;
• taking a tissue sample from the affected nail;
• cultural examination - inoculation of the material taken from the patient in a nutrient medium to identify the type of microorganisms that have affected the nails.

In some cases, a specialist makes a differential diagnosis and separates onychomycosis from diseases such as lichen planus, psoriasis and keratoderma.

Treatment of fungal nail infection in an early stage of development

If the disease is detected at an early stage, it will be much easier to cope with it. In this case, it is usually enough to use local agents that directly affect the affected nail.

In the first stage of mycosis, if no more than 50% of the nail plate is affected, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Varnish to be applied to the surface of the affected nails. This should be done twice a day, the total course of treatment will be one month. The product has contraindications, so it can be used only as prescribed by a doctor.
• Product produced in the form of a cream. The main active ingredient kills almost all types of fungi. The cream is applied 3 times a day, the course of treatment lasts about a month.
• A product that is gypsum impregnated with a special composition. The adhesive strips are left on for 3 days and then removed. Special substances that cover the surface of the plaster help soften the nail plate, so it can be easily removed with manicure tools or scissors.
• A drug that contains a substance that destroys the fungus and stops its spread. It is recommended to apply the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the nail plate and can vary from two to four weeks.

Any medication that aims to treat even mild forms of nail fungus must be prescribed by a doctor.

Advanced therapy for onychomycosis

In severe cases of fungus, as well as in the case of a continuous infectious process, complex treatment is indicated. Systemic antifungal agents should be prescribed if there are no contraindications. The patient is prescribed the following drugs:

• Systemic antibiotic from the triazole group in the form of tablets. The active substance of the drug reaches the location of pathogenic microorganisms and has a fungicidal effect.
• A drug from the imidazole group that inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms and destroys them. The course of treatment and dosage is determined by the attending physician. The product causes negative reactions.
• A drug from the allylamine group that has a fungicidal effect. The active substance gradually accumulates in the layers of the nail plate, which makes it possible to destroy even those fungi that are located deep enough.

Also, with advanced nail fungus, the procedures are effective in getting rid of the infected plate. This can be done in the following ways:

• Surgical excision.This method involves lifting the plaque with a sharp surgical instrument and removing it from the bed. After the operation, a bandage is placed. The surgical method is traumatic and rarely used. Instead, minimally invasive methods are practiced.
• Plaque removal using chemicals, promoting rapid exfoliation of the affected nail. In this case, the problem area is treated with a special solution, wait until the drug takes effect, and then use products that help quickly separate the plaque from the nail bed.
• Laser treatment.This is a modern, painless method that will quickly get rid of nail fungus. The laser acts on the plate, bringing it to high temperatures as quickly as possible. The beam penetrates deeply and neutralizes pathogens. The method is bloodless and absolutely safe, as it does not cause burns.

In the advanced stages of onychomycosis, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, since the lack of adequate treatment increases the risk of general damage to the body from a fungal infection.

Traditional methods

Nail fungus can also be cured with traditional medicine. Such methods are additional in nature and cannot be the basis of therapy. The most popular folk remedies include:

• Onion pulp.It is necessary to chop a few onions and apply the resulting mass to the affected nails. Secure the top with a bandage. Leave for 15-20 minutes, rinse.
• Hydrogen peroxide.First, soak the affected feet in a water bath to soften the nails as much as possible. Then remove the top layer from the plate. Dip a piece of gauze in hydrogen peroxide and wrap the phalanx of the finger with the affected nail, grasping the immediate lesion. Leave it for 40-50 minutes. You can repeat the procedure up to twice a day.
• Apple cider vinegar.It is important to use a natural product. Take 2 tablespoons of vinegar and add the same amount of vodka and one tablespoon of glycerin. Dip a cotton swab in the resulting mixture and apply it to your nails for 15 minutes. Repeat 4 times a day.

Traditional prescriptions help alleviate the severity of the symptoms of the disease and eliminate discomfort, but they are not able to destroy the causative agents of the disease.

The course of the disease and features of the treatment of nail fungus in children

Onychomycosis is rare in children. The main cause of the disease is weak immunity due to incomplete formation. Symptoms of onychomycosis in children are:

• the plate loses its natural pink color, gray or white spots appear on the surface;
• unevenness and tuberosity of the nail plates;
• crumbling and brittle nails;
• redness and swelling of the skin around the child's infected nail.

For the treatment of nail fungus in children, only local preparations, such as spray, spray or cream, are usually used. If necessary, systemic agents are also prescribed. Antifungal drugs for oral administration should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Features of treatment in pregnant and lactating women

During pregnancy, there is a high risk of developing onychomycosis if the woman has already suffered from the disease and has not fully recovered. This is due to the weakening of the immune system that occurs during pregnancy.

It is important to treat the fungus at the right time, since in severe cases it creates a risk of bacterial infection that threatens the health of the mother and the fetus. Systemic drugs should not be used during pregnancy, as they have a high level of toxicity.

During pregnancy and lactation, local medications should be used, but only those that are safe for the expectant mother and her baby. These include sulfur-salicylic oil.

Treatment of the elderly

In older people, decreased immunity is a natural age-related phenomenon that creates additional risks for the development of onychomycosis. In this case, the specialist also shows caution when choosing a drug for the treatment of nail fungus.

Systemic drugs are prescribed if the disease lasts a year or more, as well as for extensive lesions and degenerative changes in the nails.

Most often, elderly patients are prescribed systemic antifungal agents from the group of allylamines and triazoles.

Preventive measures

If you have signs of fungus on your little finger or big toe, consult your doctor immediately. But measures can be taken to prevent the development of this disease. The following recommendations must be observed:

• wash your feet at least once a day;
• wash your socks every day and wear clean ones;
• if you sweat excessively, use a special deodorant for your feet;
• Wear shoes of the right size, they should not be too tight and should be washed daily;
• use only personal hygiene products, as well as manicure and pedicure tools;
• when visiting the pool, beach, sauna, use personal rubber shoes;
• After visiting the pool, sauna, wash your feet with soap and water, if necessary, use pharmaceutical preparations for prevention.

Toenail fungus is quite a difficult disease to cure in the advanced stage. At the first symptoms you should consult a doctor. Treatment depends on the stage of development of onychomycosis: in the initial stage, local drugs are sufficient; when initiated, systemic antifungal agents are needed.