Yeast infection is easy to get but difficult to treat. This is due to many factors. Pathogenic microorganisms quickly adapt to changing conditions, get used to the active components of drugs. They are able to be on various surfaces for a long time. They multiply rapidly, capturing more and more new areas. They literally penetrate the horny plates, penetrating deeper and deeper. Treatment of nail fungus should be carried out comprehensively, observing all the rules. Otherwise, you may be faced with a situation where the symptoms start to pass, but everything quickly returns to its original position.
How can you get onychomycosis?
Most often, the infection, according to statistics, occurs as follows:
- Personal contact with a person suffering from a fungus;
- Personal items: washcloths, towels, shoes;
- When visiting saunas, beaches, showers, sports clubs;
- With a pedicure performed with non-disinfected instruments.
Infection can occur anywhere people walk barefoot. If a person with yeast infection has walked on the ground, their skin scales remain on the surface. If they have healthy nails, a pathological process will begin. A similar route of infection occurs when using the belongings of others. Fungal microorganisms thrive especially actively in hot and very humid places. This is why they usually accumulate in saunas, baths, baths.
Even if a fungus has penetrated the nails, this does not mean the onset of the disease. The body's defenses are sufficient to fight infection. However, there are factors under the influence of which the fungus is introduced and spreads more actively. If they are present, the chances of detecting this disease in itself increase several times. Consider these factors:
- Wounds and cuts on the feet, microcracks typical of dry skin - these are all gateways for infection;
- A weakened immune system;
- Take antibiotics that change the acidity of the feet;
- Poor hygiene
- Sweating of the feet;
- Metabolic problems;
- Diabetes;
- AIDS;
- Overweight.
Factors triggering the development of the disease can be:
- Lack of personal slippers when visiting public places;
- Use someone else's shoes;
- Use of tight synthetic materials;
- Ignore the need for regular disinfection of the bath;
- Lack of foot hygiene.
Based on these observations, it is easy to deduce methods of preventing fungal infection.
Symptoms
Signs of the disease appear only when the fungus is already at a moderate stage. However, it is possible to determine the disease at the first stage. To do this, you just need to carefully monitor the condition of the nails. The following symptoms should alert:
- Peeling feet;
- The appearance of white spots on the nails;
- Mild itching;
- Dry feet.
With these signs, it is better to consult a doctor. They are not specific and therefore one disease can be easily confused with another. Symptoms of later stages will be much more pronounced:
- The nail loses its natural shine, becomes cloudy;
- The plate takes on artificial shades: yellow, green, blue;
- The nail begins to crumble, exfoliates, becomes much more brittle;
- The plaque begins to detach from the nail bed. Before that, free spaces arise between him and the bed;
- The structure of the nails is changing. Thickening appears. The nail can be bent, growth pathologies are observed;
- The disease spreads to the skin. An inflammatory process develops on them, manifested by the release of pus, redness;
- The space between the fingers peels off, cracks appear;
- The itching and burning intensify;
- An unpleasant odor appears.
In the most advanced stages, the fungus seriously destroys not only the nails, but also the skin. Abscesses may appear. All this causes severe discomfort, interferes with a normal lifestyle.
Is yeast infection dangerous if left untreated?
Untreated illness leads to the following problems:
- The appearance of infectious complications;
- The appearance of severe allergic reactions;
- Causing exacerbations of various diseases, including diabetes mellitus;
- The defeat of internal organs by fungal microorganisms.
In the later stages, the disease is very uncomfortable. There is a discharge of pus, cracks appear. It hurts to walk. A strong odor emerges. All of this makes it difficult to lead a normal life. In addition, pathogens enter the bloodstream and can affect the whole body. It is extremely dangerous and fraught with handicap or even death.
Treatment according to the stage of the disease
Nail fungus has several stages, depending on the extent of the lesion. 90% of the therapy methods will depend on the stage. Consider the features of treatment depending on the stages of development of the disease:
- Step 1.Good reviews can be found on the medicinal solution. It works very well in the early stages of the disease. The solution is used to treat diseased nails twice a day. Before treatment, it is recommended to take a hot bath for the feet, cut the nails and treat them with a file. The cost of the solution is about 500 rubles. The advantage of the solution in the form of a solution is its instantaneous absorption, its rapid action;
- 2nd step.The loose part of the nail is removed with scissors or a nail file. In the cavity, as well as over the entire surface of the plaque, a healing solution is applied. It is advisable to start taking pills. The treatment will last about 6 months;
- Step 3.In this case, the lesion affects not only the plaque, but also its root, the nail bed and the surrounding skin. Treatment is carried out with drugs of systemic action. It is imperative to observe a doctor, because you cannot get rid of an advanced stage without the help of a specialist.
The success of nail fungus treatment is determined by the regrowth of healthy plaque on which there is no sign of damage.
Fundamentals of yeast infection treatment
How to cure nail fungus? Therapy is carried out with the help of two groups of funds:
- Local preparations.Used in the first and second stages of the disease. Can be combined with systemic drugs. This category includes varnishes, solutions, ointments, gels;
- Systemic drugs.They are antimycotics. These can be tablets, capsules. They stop the spread of the disease, destroy pathogenic microorganisms. They have a cumulative effect. That is, the active components of the drug remain in the integument even after the end of treatment. This prevents relapse.
It is best to treat nail fungus early. This is due to the fact that in this case only local preparations can be used. Tablets are very effective, but they are also toxic, they have a lot of contraindications and side effects. Forbidden to receive pregnant women and children.
The use of medicinal varnishes
Varnishes are excellent in the early stages of nail fungus. They have the following advantages:
- You don't need to apply the product daily. Enough twice a week;
- The varnish dries almost instantly;
- The tool creates a film on the surface of the nail which does not allow additional bacteria and infections inside;
- The varnish is transparent and therefore is not noticeable on the nails.
The characteristics of the course depend on the specific varnish. Their major drawback is their considerable cost.
Antifungal pills
Antifungal pills will be needed if the yeast infection has spread to more than a third of the nail. A specialist should prescribe a remedy for nail fungus, since the choice depends on the type of microorganisms that caused the disease.
Almost all of the tablets have inexpensive counterparts. The cost of drugs is different.
Laser therapy
In some cases, nail fungus does not respond to medication. In this case, you can use laser therapy. The following advantages should be noted:
- Indolence;
- Efficient destruction of fungal microorganisms;
- No damage to healthy tissue;
- The ability to cure a disease at a severe stage in just 4-6 procedures.
It is advisable to supplement the action of the laser with systemic drugs, as well as vitamin complexes aimed at strengthening the body's defenses.
Remove the nail
Nail removal is usually indicated in the advanced stages of nail fungus. Using this method on a relatively healthy plate is not recommended. Deletion has the following advantages:
- Painless (shrinkage occurs due to maximum softening of the plaque);
- Stop the spread of pathological processes;
- Better penetration of drugs to the focus of the disease.
Removal can be done at home. For this there are special preparations. Elimination is carried out due to the urea content of the products. The composition also contains auxiliary components that stop the reproduction of the fungus and have an antiseptic effect: stearic acid, tea tree oil.
Before use, the feet are steamed in a bath with a spoonful of baking soda. They must be wiped off. Then a bandage is stuck on the integument near the nail. The product must not come into contact with the skin, as this will cause burns. The composition is applied to the nail with a thick layer, then sealed with a plaster. After 4 days, the patch is removed. If the nail does not come off, the event can be repeated.
Traditional methods of treatment
It makes sense to apply folk techniques from the early stages. They have an additional effect. However, it should be remembered that these funds are not a substitute for local drugs. Consider the most common folk methods for nail fungus:
- Apple vinegar.The vinegar is mixed with water in a ratio of one to one. The feet are placed in a hot bath for 15-20 minutes. The procedure is carried out daily. After that, the feet should be thoroughly dried. The effect can be seen after 2 weeks. If it is not there, the product must be replaced by another;
- Tea tree oil.It is applied to the affected nails in a pure form three times a day. One drop is needed for each plate. There are contraindications: childhood and pregnancy;
- Fresh celandine.The plant must be chopped. The juice is extracted from the porridge. It can be done with gauze. A glass of juice is combined with a glass of 70% alcohol. The solution is infused throughout the day. Before treatment, the legs are steamed. Then the infusion is applied to the plates. Treatment is carried out 3-4 times a day. The course lasts 10 to 12 days;
- Iodine.Apply a drop of iodine daily to the affected area. Remember to trim the growing nail. If there is a burning sensation, you need to stop the procedure. This effect indicates tissue burn;
- Tea mushroom.Compresses can be made from it. For this, a piece of mushroom is placed on the nail. The finger is wrapped in cellophane and bandage. Then put on cotton socks. The procedure is carried out at night. In the morning, the compress is removed, the leg is washed with warm water, dead areas are removed.
What is the best treatment for toenail fungus? Folk recipes will not work for this. They can only be used as an auxiliary tool. However, the main treatment should be pills and topical medications.
Testimonials
People who have had nail fungus note the effectiveness of the medicinal solution, which is convenient to use. However, it should be borne in mind that the tool should be used regularly for a long time. Without it, the yeast infection will reappear immediately.
Celandine is also effective. People note that the visible effect can be observed already after 3 weeks of use. The structure of the nail changes, the signs of damage disappear. However, this is only relevant for the early stages of the disease.
You may also see negative reviews. They generally warn against the misuse of the remedies. For example, patients, when using iodine and acetic acid, received severe burns. Therefore, the use of these funds must be carried out in compliance with security measures. In particular, the recommended dosage should not be exceeded. If a burning sensation occurs, this indicates the start of a burn. Don't believe articles that claim pain is a sign of healing. This is usually a sign of serious processes that can leave more serious complications behind than after a fungus.
Additional measures
Additional measures are needed to speed up treatment and prevent relapses. Consider the main ones:
- Particles of the patient's skin remain on the socks and shoes. If a person is completely cured, by interacting with them, you may become infected again. Therefore, the socks should be boiled for 5 minutes. All fungal microorganisms will be destroyed in boiling water. The shoes are treated with special compounds that can be found in drugstores;
- Vitamin complexes should be taken in order to stimulate the immune system;
- All funds are used regularly, throughout the prescribed course. Otherwise, the treatment will be completely unnecessary.
Paying attention to all recommendations is the key to a speedy recovery.
Preventive measures
In order not to become infected with the mycosis again, preventive measures are applied:
- Before visiting baths, saunas and other public institutions, it is recommended to lubricate your nails with antifungal varnishes;
- You shouldn't be wearing someone else's shoes;
- You can perform hot foot baths once a week, where sea salt and soda are added;
- It is advisable to exclude sweets from the diet;
- Sweaty feet should be avoided.
Once a week, after a recent cure, you can use a topical antifungal or similar folk remedy. They are applied to all nails. Even if the infection reappears, it will stop quickly.
It is more difficult to protect yourself from illness when living with a sick person. In this case, regular disinfection of the bathroom and all surfaces in the house is important. The patient should store and wash their personal effects separately from other clothing. Households can use local mycosis remedies once a week for prophylaxis.
Yeast infection is difficult to treat. His therapy should be taken very seriously. At the first sign, it is advisable to consult a doctor. He takes a scratching of the affected area. After that, you can determine which microorganisms caused the disease. Based on this information, drugs are prescribed. Individual factors also play a role in the choice of medication. For example, if a woman is pregnant, pills are rarely prescribed. This is due to the fact that they enter the bloodstream and can harm the fetus. Typically, nail removal is used in combination with topical treatments.