Treating toenail fungus with folk remedies is a long process that can take anywhere from 1 to 4 months. At the same time, it is possible that after some time the disease will return. This is due to the high degree of infection by the microorganisms that cause this pathology, as well as the spread of their spores in the environment where the infected person lives.
What is a toenail fungus
Onychomycosis of the toe is an infectious disease of a chronic form that occurs due to infection of a pathogen (fungus) in this part of the genus. In medical terms, this pathology is indicated as onychomycosis.
This is considered a common disease, difficult to treat with any therapy.On average 1 out of every 10 people has nail fungus. The disease can turn into complex forms, completely affecting the entire surface of the nail, causing flaking and deformation.
Types of toenail fungus
Folk treatment of toenail fungus is a long process and positive results can be achieved in 1-3 months. from the start of therapy. The diversity of the fungus is also of great importance; fungal growth results in the loss of all or part of the nail.
The table below presents the toenail fungus, as well as a description of the pathological process:
| Onychomycosis | Characteristics of the disease |
| Normotrophic | The color of the nail plate changes. Prolonged streaks and irregular spots may appear. At the same time, the nail's normal shine, the transparency of the paint sheet and its normal thickness are preserved. Rated as a non-serious disease, respond well to treatment with traditional medicine. |
| Big Tiger | The color of the nail changes, losing luster and transparency. Gradual deformation of the foundation plate develops with destruction of edges. Part of the nail can be separated from the bed. The degree of deformation of the plate directly depends on the fertilization of the tissues by the pathogenic microorganism. |
| Psychotic Medicine | This is a type of atrophic disease, at the completion of a deformation of the nail. The nail tissue dies, eventually leading to it being expelled from the base of the bed. |
This species-rich class of onychomycosis is used by dermatologists.
In addition, the disease is divided according to the signs of the clinical picture, namely:
- far - damage to the foundation plate occurs only from the side of the free edge;
- lateral - destruction of the nail develops on the sides;
- proximal - fungal disease that destroys the tissues of the posterior ribs;
- total - fungus that completely affects the entire nail, from root to front.
The type and appearance of the disease is determined by the specialist at the time of examination for the patient. Based on examination and diagnosis results, a treatment regimen is selected. This applies to both medicinal treatments and folk remedies.
Stages and levels of toenail fungus
Toenail fungus, treated with time-consuming folk remedies, is a chronic disease. Onychomycosis develops over several months, and sometimes even years. It depends on the strength of the patient's immune system, as well as on the strain of the infectious pathogen.
Each stage of the disease is characterized by a gradual deterioration of the health of the affected tissues, namely:
- Stage 1 - there is a gradual change in the color of the nail plate along the edges, which may form white, gray or yellowish-colored stripes and spots, other signs of painthe disease is completely absent (a person feels an unpleasant and unpleasant yeast odor emanating from the toes);
- Stage 2 - progressive onychomycosis, covering the entire area of the nail, the structure begins to change from the edges to the base of the bed (the color of the diseased tissue is completely yellow or gray, yesno signs of transparency);
- Stage 3 - the last stage in the development of toenail fungus, is characterized by complete necrosis of the affected tissues, they are deformed and rejected by the body (appearancelocal inflammation caused by the nail sloughing off the base of the bed is possible).
The last stage of the disease is the most severe form of onychomycosis. After the nail is removed, the remodeling of the nail occurs, but in this case, healthy tissue is already formed. If a person does not take dermatological treatments and removes pathogenic microorganisms, the new nail will also become infected with a fungus and be destroyed to the ground.
Symptoms of toenail fungus
Toenail fungus, treated with folk remedies that require frequent use of homemade decoctions, drops and ointments, is a disease with pronounced symptoms.
Onychomycosis in this part of the body can be identified by the following symptoms:
- red epithelial tissue located in the circumference of the nail plate;
- White spots or stripes appear on both sides of the foundation as well as on the front of the foundation, they do not disappear during sheet machining or water treatment;
- the nail plaque gradually changes color, loses its transparency (the pathological process that develops from the edges to the center and base of the tissues);
- fungal microorganisms penetrate deeply into the nail plate, destroying its structure, leading to its deformation;
- Affected nail has a wrinkled yellow shape;
- under a mechanical action on the affected tissues, they are separated from the nail layer (this process can be accompanied by painful symptoms and sebum secretion at the base of the nail, where it connects to the epithelium. tissue and soft tissue of the toe).
All of the above symptoms are accompanied by a persistent pungent and unpleasant odor, like yeast, but more pronounced. Signs of this disease appear even before external symptoms begin to develop, indicating a gradual destruction of the tissues of the nail.
What is the cause of toenail fungus
Toenail fungus, folk remedies based on home remedies that have systemic effects, cannot develop on their own without the influence of some factors.
You can get a fungal nail infection in the following cases:
- due to visiting public showers, bathtubs, steam baths, swimming pools, saunas, if a person does not use personal rubber slippers, contact surface hasfungal microbial spores live on it;
- wears shoes from many people when one of them has mycotic lesions on the nail plates;
- poor hygiene, frequent foot washing;
- presence of concomitant diseases such as diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, as well as deformity of the foot, increases the risk of toenail fungus, due to reduced local immunity or the resulting nutrient environmentout to increase fungal microbial populations;
- wears shoes made of poor quality coating that do not allow air to pass through and do not absorb water, ultimately resulting in frequent toes getting wet;
- the contact of the open part of the foot or nail with the floor surface in the apartment, if the person with onychomycosis lives in the same living conditions.
A person's immune status plays an important role in the development of this disease. People with strong immunity can avoid infection and further damage to the nail. Warm and humid environments are ideal for fungal microorganisms, so this information should be kept in mind when visiting beaches and other crowded places.
Toenail fungus diagnosis
Fungus on toenails, treatment with folk remedies that begins only after a detailed examination by a dermatologist, is an infectious disease requiring careful diagnosis. This is necessary to establish strains of fungal microorganisms, and then choose an effective treatment regimen in a particular case.
To diagnose onychomycosis, the patient must undergo the following stages of examination:
- preliminary examination by a dermatologist, who checks for the appearance of the affected plaque, evaluates the condition of the tissues, their degree of deformation;
- smear is performed from the surface of the epithelium located within the perimeter of the basement layer (biochemical analysis is performed against a fungal strain, as well as the possible presence of the microflora. secondary bacteria);
- under laboratory operating room conditions, the specialist chooses a portion of the affected tissue to study in more detail the fungal microorganisms and excludes the simultaneous presence of several typesmushroom;
- In addition to the toes, an examination of the skin surface of the foot is performed to ensure that the fungal disease is localized and that there is no sign of spreading to other parts of the lower extremities.
Based on the results of an external examination, as well as on the basis of laboratory findings, the attending physician diagnoses the patient - onychomycosis, or denies the presence of pathology.
It takes 1 to 3 days on average to diagnose. In public hospitals, the services of a biochemistry laboratory are free, but terms of the study of biological materials can last up to 7-10 days.
When to see a doctor
Should consult a dermatologist as soon as signs of onychomycosis are detected.Delay can worsen symptoms and damage large areas of the nail.
In addition, a person with signs of onychomycosis is a carrier of the fungal infection and is also able to spread pathogenic microbial spores in the everyday conditions of the residence without realizing it. In this case, the possibility of infection of onychomycosis of healthy family members cannot be ruled out.
Preventing nail fungus
It is possible to avoid fungal infections of the toenails, but for this, simple daily precautions must be observed, which will protect the lower extremities from infection by pathogenic microorganisms.
The following actions should be taken:
- do not go to public baths, swimming pools, saunas, showers or wear rubber soles on your feet;
- wear only high quality genuine leather shoes;
- obey the rules of personal hygiene, wash feet daily with warm water and soap, and wash socks;
- insisted on treating family members with signs of toenail fungus, but let the disease go away on its own and did not go to the doctor;
- during summer holidays near open waters, on the beach, wear only in shoes, avoid contacting the epithelial surface of the feet and toes with sand, river silt or soil;
- wear only your own shoes;
- ensures that there are no mold growing areas in the apartment or private house (damp on the walls, fungus has infected old parquet floors, baseboards, blacking wallpaper in corners).
To prevent onychomycosis you should pay special attention to strengthening the immune system.
To do this, you need to take a daily contrast bath, give up bad habits, exercise your body, eat properly, eat only bio-beneficial products (grains, chicken, rabbit, turkey, veal, fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, cheese, milk, cheese, sea fish).
Toenail fungus treatments
Treatment of onychomycosis is done with medicinal herbs, traditional medicine formulas, and also done by surgical methods. Each of these methods is effective at a certain stage in the development of the disease.
Medicines
Treatment of fungal infections is carried out with drugs that have an antifungal effect.
Antifungals should only be prescribed by a dermatologist. Only an expert of this record can determine which particular drug is effective in a particular clinical case. In addition, when forming a treatment regimen, data from laboratory studies of deformed or altered nail samples are collected into account.
Traditional method
There are traditional medicine formulas that allow you to get rid of toenail fungus without the use of pharmaceutical preparations. To do this, use the following suppositories, homemade ointments, tincture and other methods:
Kombucha Compression
To prepare this folk remedy, you will need to buy kombucha or grow it yourself at home. A portion of this ingredient is cut with a knife and then placed on the surface of the infected nail. The procedure is carried out in the evening before going to bed. Kombucha is fixed to the finger by a layer of adhesive plaster. The duration of therapy is not limited by time.
Onion juice alcohol
You need to take 1 medium-sized onion, chop it with a knife and pour in 1 teaspoon. sugar.
Prospective medicine sent in the refrigerator for 24 hours. During this time, the chopped vegetables secrete a sufficient amount of water, which is infused and then used as a medicine. Diseased nails are wiped with onion juice 3-4 times a day for 3 months or until complete recovery.
Disinfectant solution
This product is prepared at home by mixing in equal proportions of 1 teaspoon. boiled water, ethyl alcohol and garlic residue. All ingredients are mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed. The solution obtained is used to disinfect nails at least 2 times a day. Treatment lasts at least 3-4 months.
Saline antifungal ointment
An effective antifungal that is easy to make at home. To do this, you need to take ½ teaspoon. table salt, add 1 tbsp. l. The honey is collected from the herbs, and then mixed all the ingredients. The result is an ointment made from honey that contains a high content of mineral salts.
The product is applied to the nails once a day. It is best to perform the procedure at night. During treatment, it is necessary to observe precautions, do not let home medicine stick to the skin on the circumference of the nail bed, and you should also protect the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Homemade ointment is used until the diseased nail separates and more healthy plaques are formed. Alternative therapies are really effective, but the only limitation of their use is the length of treatment.
Use time at least 3 months. The initial fungal infection of the nail plates on the feet should go away within 2 months. In this case, the course of treatment should be continuous. Skipping even one procedure can worsen tissue health.
Other Methods
An alternative treatment for fungal nail infections of the lower extremities is surgery. This method includes the fact that the attending physician removes deformed nail plaques.
In general, surgery is performed as follows:
- The patient comes to the operating room independently, then lies down on the couch or sits down on a chair.
- A nurse injects a local anesthetic into a finger, the nail with fungal nail fungus.
- After the anesthetic has begun to work (after 5-10 minutes), the surgeon will use a forceps to remove the damaged nail.
- Antiseptic treatment of the surgical area is performed, suture material and a sterile bandage are applied.
After completing the surgical intervention, the patient is transferred to the area of the surgical department, where he is further treated with antifungal drugs. The average time it takes for a wound to fully heal is 7 to 10 days. Within 1 month. a new nail plate grows, provided the treatment is properly organized, with no signs of the fungus.
Possible Complications
In the absence of measures to cure nail plaques from fungal infections,may develop the following complications caused by pathogenic microorganisms:
- completely deforms the foundation plate as it continues to separate from the foot of the bed;
- spread of fungus to healthy skin tissues located on the surface of the feet, between toes, transfer to the nail of the upper extremities, inguinal folds;
- fungal onychomycosis of other family members who have not previously had it (children are most susceptible to fungal infections because their immune systems are weaker than adults);
- loses the nail and terminates the process of new plaque formation, because due to the abundance of infectious microorganisms, the integrity of the original structure is violated.
It is possible to treat toenail fungus with folk remedies, but it will take a maximum of effort, at least 3 months. time.
The main danger of onychomycosis is that the fungal microorganisms that damage the nail are highly contagious and quickly adapt to new environmental conditions, as well as the effects of active medicinal ingredients.
That is why treatment of the disease should be initiated as soon as possible to prevent the transition to a complex or chronic form of the disease.