Onychomycosis or nail fungus is a common fungal disease that is often confused with cosmetic defects.However, unlike cosmetic pathology, onychomycosis treatment is a complex and prolonged process, which includes not only external manifestations of the disease, but also internal.Moreover, they can be infected in almost any public place.But about everything in order.
Causes of nail fungus

The main causes of nail fungus are yeast and mold.They double quickly, leading to the destruction of nail plate.On the other hand, there are many situations where this fungus can enter the skin and nails of the human race.Among such situations, it is worth highlighting some of the most common:
- Visit a public pool without special shoes;
- The use of other people's shoes;
- Not compliance with foot hygiene;
- Reduces human immunity, etc.
Public pools often become fungal sticks.Most infected people come here to swim and do not comply with hygiene rules.As a result, healthy people are subject to significant risk of infection.
The same risk arises if we take, called "rent", other people's shoes.After all, few admit that it is infected with fungus.But non -compliance with foot hygiene can be called one of the most common causes of infection with nail fungus.Hyperhidrosis and just the reluctance to wash the feet lead to the fact that microbes appear on the skin and nails that grow quickly in a damp environment.As a result, not only the nail plate, but also the skin.
Reducing immunity is not so many reasons as a factor that accompanies the infection.In other words, all the previous reasons can be more important if one's immunity is reduced.And many factors can reduce it, starting with bad habits to use antimicrobial drugs.
Symptoms of nail fungus
How is the nail fungus real at different levels of development?Symptoms are quite specific, so they should be told about it gradually according to the level of damage to the nails:
- In the early stages of infection, muddy areas appear on the nails.It can be located in the middle, side or on the edge of the nail plate.In this case, the type of fungus for the cause of the disease is indicated.
- Complete damage to the nail plate.The whole nail becomes cloudy, the light strip appears on it.The nail surface begins to change, the smoothness disappears.
- Detachment.After the entire nail falls under the influence of fungus, it begins to increase in thickness.Gradually, the structure becomes porous.Free advantages begin to rise and move from the fingers.
- The appearance of cracks on the scalp.After the entire nail has been modified, the fungus gradually begins to switch to the skin.And the first area under the influence of microbes is the area between the fingers.
With these symptoms, one can independently determine the presence of nail fungus.However, if the first signs of the disease have appeared, then you must contact the specialist immediately.
Diagnosis of nail fungus
However, a doctor, like a patient, is enough to see one to understand that the toenails are heated by fungus.And the essence of the diagnosis in this case is to determine the type of fungus exciter.Currently, four types of nail fungus are known, which differ in them in the nature of manifestations:
- Shallow white.This type of fungus is one of the less dangerous and easier in terms of treatment.With such onychomycosis, only the upper surface of the nail occurs.No stratification, nails do not break from the skin.
- Sub -Gear distal fungus.This species is almost contrary to the previous type.It infects the lower nail surface, from there and begins to destroy the nail plate.Increased nail thickness, nail separation from the skin - in this case, all of these symptoms should appear.
- Sub -Gear Proximal Fungus.This type of fungus acts in two directions: damage to the nail plate and skin wound.It appears along the cuticle on the nails and spreads in both directions, namely on the nails and skin.Proximal fungus is one of the most dangerous and complex in terms of treatment with fungus.
- The amount of dystrophic fungus.This fungus is the result of one of the previous species.It develops when the nail plate is completely destroyed, the skin around the nail.It is indicated by the inflammatory process of the skin, accompanied by the accumulation of purulent mass.
Although the symptoms of nail fungus are quite strange, which allows you to easily diagnose the disease, you should still contact your doctor.Only a doctor can understand the cause of the infection, determine the level of the wound, choose the right treatment.
Prevention

As with other diseases, onychomycosis is easier to prevent than cure.In addition, preventive measures here are relatively easy and accessible to everyone.First of all, this is the preservation of foot hygiene.In addition, there are several events that will allow, if they do not avoid infection, then significantly reduce the risk:
- Special use of cosmetics to eliminate sweat and excessive foot moisture.It should also use moisturizer if the skin is too dry.This will help prevent cracks and irritation.
- Wear shoes in the public pool, don't use other people's shoes.
- Wash and wipe your feet regularly.It is very important to pay attention to the area between the fingers.Here it needs to be eradicated using alcohol or cosmetic solutions.
- Frequent bathrooms, shoes, cloths, etc.
- Maintain immunity.No matter how primitive the sound is, but all previous preventive measures can be meaningless if the immunity is reduced so that he cannot withstand the microbes.Regular use of vitamins, walking in fresh air, sports will help maintain your own body protection at the right level.
If prevention is not complied with or does not help, when the nail fungus is first detected, it is necessary to continue the treatment immediately.Ideally, doctors prescribe a combined treatment course, consisting of external drugs, medications for oral administration.But you need to tell you more about this.
Nail fungal treatment
Nail fungus is one of the most complex diseases in terms of treatment.This is just explained - fungal spores are always mutated and adapt to the changing conditions.In other words, if any specific treatment does not produce the desired effect in the first week, the possibility of this method includes medications, where the fungus can easily produce immunity.That is why treatment should include several methods at the same time.
First of all, it should be noted that nail fungus must be treated not only with external remedies, although the main emphasis is on them.Nail fungal treatment must include taking medications aimed at restoring intestinal microflora and vitamins aimed at restoring immunity.
Therefore, nail fungal treatment should occur in four aircraft:
- Local medicine (ointment, gel, varnish, etc.);
- Antifungal drugs;
- Drugs for gastrointestinal tract;
- A group of ways to maintain and enhance immunity.
Each of these aircraft has its own popular way that has proven its effectiveness and in significant demand.This is about these medicines that will be discussed further.
Local medicine
Local medicines include all drugs that are directly in contact with the place of damage, which is with nails.They are entrusted with the main mission - eliminating cosmetic defects and the destruction of fungal spores.In the early stages of the disease and small lesions, treatment can be restricted only by local medicines.
This way, it is important to remember that when infected with fungus, you should make sure that the nails are always dry.This will slow the reproduction and development of the infection, as the bacteria multiply more active in a damp environment.
Antifungal
These drugs are produced in the form of capsules or tablets.As a rule, the duration of the drug is from 3 months to six months.They are prescribed only after determining the type of fungal pathogen.
All drugs aimed at combating nail fungus are divided into several groups depending on the active ingredient.
Medicines for the gastrointestinal tract
Taking any drug in most cases ends with a violation of the function of the intestinal microflora and the function of the gastrointestinal tract.In particular, antibiotics destroy non -pathogenic bacteria, which participate in the digestive process.Symptoms of microflora disorders can be the following signs:
- Impairment of stools (constipation or diarrhea);
- Bloating and gas formation;
- Pain and discomfort in the stomach;
- External disorders, such as rash on the skin, increased hair loss, nail and hair fragility.
Microflora can recover freely, but this process will take a lot of time.That is why any treatment with antifungal, antimicrobial drugs must be accompanied by drugs to restore microflora.
Preparations aimed at restoring microflora are combined into a large group called "prebiotics".The essence of their action lies in the population of the digestive tract by bacteria, which restores normal microflora and prevents the negative effects of harmful microorganisms.The main "good" bacteria that are part of the prebiotics are as follows:
- Bifidobacteria;
- Lactobacilli;
- Enterococci;
- Lactic acid streptococcus;
- Nepatogenic type E. coli;
- Some types of yeast mushrooms.
These bacteria, into the intestines, perform some functions at once:
- Develop materials that can withstand infections;
- Eliminating the ability of harmful bacteria to linger in the digestive tract;
- Destroy toxins and prevent their absorption in the blood;
- Improving the gastrointestinal mucous membrane protection function;
- Produce vitamin B;
- Produces certain virus antibodies.
In this way, if certain conditions or contraindications do not allow you to take prebiotics, they can be replaced by certain products containing beneficial bacteria.First of all, these are dairy products, yogurt and fruits.
To date, several prebiotics groups have been created, which is different between them by the bacteria contained in it.So, this group is the most famous representative of it:
- Preparation with bifidobacteria;
- Preparation with lactobateria;
- Setup with Colibacteria;
- Complex remedies.They contain bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
The modern food industry also offers several products containing bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.They are always advertised on TV, and shops present a wide range of options and types.

Immunity recovery drug
The immune system of healthy people can independently fight pathogenic microflora.However, finding the right person -is healthy with the perfect immunity today is almost impossible.Transmitted diseases, poor nutrition -quality, dangerous surroundings, taking certain medications -all of which lead to violations of the body's natural protection.Therefore, in order to accelerate recovery with onychomycosis, it is necessary to pay attention to the side of the issue.
Currently, there are a large number of drugs to restore the immune system, and everything is significantly different.Consider some of them:
- Synthetic immunomodulator;
- Microbial immunomodulator;
- Bone marrow immunomodulator;
- Timic immunomodulator;
- Chemical immunomodulator;
- Plant immunomodulator.
Microbial immunomodulators act as immune system simulators.They restore local and general immunity, which allows you to completely destroy the virus and exclude body infections.
Chemical medicine is intended for the production of protein by the body, which can withstand the virus.Preparations can also be taken to restore immunity.And to maintain it.In addition, the first effect appears immediately after taking and strengthening within a few months after use.
Timic preparations are intended to develop T cells, which are responsible for confronting virus attacks.Bosomedic medicines are produced by the mediator, which in turn restores all indications of the immune system.
Plant preparations include extracts and extracts from growing -growths and herbs that have healing and recovery properties.The most popular are growing -growths such as cranberries, ginseng, raspberries, lemongrass, sea buckthorn, St.John, nettle, clover, echinacea, etc.
Traditional medicine in the fight against nail fungus
There are many people who avoid the use of drugs, explaining this with harm, the content of the chemical elements in it and other causes.That is why in this article we will talk about some of the most effective ways to combat nail fungus from traditional medicine.
Nail fungus vinegar
Vinegar is a powerful cafe, so in the fight against the nail fungus it has been widely discovered.In addition, treatment with vinegar is relatively short and relatively easy.To provide a solution, it is necessary to mix 9% vinegar with water at 1 to 8, which adds 8 parts of pure water to 1 vinegar.For men, the amount of water can be reduced 2 times, as they have skin, as a rule, for women.
Before using the solution, the feet and nails must be steamed.To do this, they should be soaked in the basin with warm water and hold it until the skin becomes tuberous.After that, the feet must be soaked in a bowl with the vinegar solution provided.Make sure they are 15-20 minutes.If the solution burns the skin, then the procedure should be reduced.
The course of treatment lasts only two weeks.In this case, the procedure must be performed once every two days.After that, the nails began to break, and the new ones grew in their place.If the disease is in a more advanced level, then the course should be repeated 1-2 times until complete recovery.
Iodine - the fungus will pass
The course of nail fungus treatment with iodine is about 3 weeks.Two procedures must be performed a day.It is advisable to do this in the morning and evening.For treatment, lubricate nail plate damaged with iodine.
In this way, doctors recommend applying a iodine for a healthy nail plate, because under it, the infection may have occurred, which is not visible to the human eye.Doctors also note that burning in the application area may mean the benefits of this treatment.
Tar birch from nail fungus
For nail fungus treatment, medications based on birch tar can be used.It can be 10 or 30 %ointment, or medicine with birch tar.In addition, the drug can be prepared independently.
To prepare the tar, it is necessary to take a bucket with a hole in the bottom, fold the birch skin and hang the bucket on the bucket or other pot.The process of getting the tar is quite long and thorough, but as a result you will get high quality products without any impurities.
The tar treatment course is 2 weeks.To do this, birch tar is applied to the affected nail, the finger is wrapped in polyethylene.After three to four hours, wash the tar.Apply medication 1-2 times a day, depending on the degree of damage.If after the first course of full recovery does not occur, then after one week the course should be repeated.
Vodka will help
Another popular disinfector is vodka.It can be used for treatment and to prevent nail fungus.To provide a solution, take a glass of vodka, half a teaspoon of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) and one teaspoon of lemon juice or citric acid.Mix all the components carefully.After that, the solution must be left in a cool place for 4-5 days.After that, the solution can be considered ready.
For treatment, it is necessary to absorb the cotton pad with the resulting solution, apply to the damaged nail and leave for a few minutes.After that, it should be removed, the nails cannot be eliminated.This procedure can be performed up to 5 times a day.The duration of the course can be anything and end with complete recovery.
Celandine and soda food
Celandine is one of the most powerful in the fight against plant infections.At pharmacies, celandine is represented in several types at once - grass, solution, extract, oil.In our case, celandine oil will be needed.Before the procedure, it is necessary to clean the nails and feet.To do this, prepare a solution - two tablespoons per liter of warm water.Mix well and submerge in a 15-20 minute solution.After that, you need to wipe your feet and apply celandine oil to the affected nails.
It is important to remember that celandine oil should be used very carefully.If it enters the skin, it can leave it baking or irritation.
The duration of celandine treatment can be anything and ends with complete recovery.
This is the main method for combating nail fungus.In this article, we talk about all kinds of treatment and prevention onychomycosis.In conclusion, we can only add that when the first symptoms of fungus appear, you must consult your doctor immediately, because to cure the disease in the early stages it is easier than advanced.