Treatment of fungus on the big toe, even in the case of mild disease, is recommended to be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.This recommendation is based on the fact that therapy for onychomycosis (this is the medical name of this disease) depends on the stage of the fungal process and on the type of pathogen.
When self-medication, it is difficult to independently determine the severity of the pathology and evaluate the results of treatment.
Characteristics of the thumb
Dermatologists consider that removing the fungus on the toenails is more difficult than on other toes on the lower limbs.This is due to the fact that it is large in size and has a large nail bed.
Due to the structural characteristics of finger lesions, they are distinguished by the following characteristics:
- large affected area (large nail);
- high risk of fungal spores entering the bloodstream (more blood supply).
These distinctive features increase the duration of the treatment process.Dermatologists note that when several fingers are affected by onychomycosis, the greatest difficulty is in removing the lesions on the thumb.
Stage of fungal infection
The doctor's recommendations on how to treat toenail fungus depend on the stage of the disease:
- First.The patient does not experience any unpleasant sensations;barely noticeable stripes or spots appear on the nail plate.Toenails look healthy and a slight change in color is considered a cosmetic defect, and not the first symptom of infection with mycosis.Detecting the infection during this period allows you to heal nail wounds quickly.
- Second.The development of fungus on the thumbnail causes minor discomfort to a person.The main symptoms at this stage: unpleasant smell from the feet and changes in the nail plate.Nails become yellowish and lose their shine.Itching and discomfort only bother you when wearing tight or closed shoes.Cure is possible with the external use of antifungal agents;anti-fungal tablets are prescribed only if a person has a very weak immune system.
- Third.It is considered an advanced form of pathology, in which deep damage to the nail plate occurs.When it happens, other toes are affected and the skin of the feet may become infected.Patients worry about itching, severe deformation of the nail plate, which thickens and becomes loose.At this time, the sick person is the most dangerous to others due to the fact that the particles of the nail plate with fungal spores contained on it peel off.At this stage of the disease, nail fungus on the big toe can only be cured with the help of complex therapy (combined use of antifungal tablets and external treatment of the affected area).
A dermatologist can advise you on how to get rid of the fungus, taking into account the symptoms and signs of the severity of the infection.
Self-medication error
Nail fungus has appeared on my big toe, treatment is always carried out, but there is no result.This can be heard from several patients who were treated independently with the help of antifungal agents purchased at the pharmacy.
As a rule, patients begin to blame the drug manufacturer for failure, but in fact the main reason why the fungus does not heal is the patient's mistake:
- Determining the wrong level of pathology.If for the first stage it is enough to use medical varnish and treatment with non-specific antiseptics (iodine, hydrogen peroxide), then for severe lesions specific therapy is required.Due to lack of experience, a person may limit himself to use only external drugs when it is necessary to take pills.
- Incorrect assessment of the treatment process.There are many agents that cause fungal infections, and most drugs for external use have a broad spectrum of action.But the medicine for fungus is not universal and may not be effective if onychomycosis has developed.The key to the effectiveness of therapy is the timely replacement of drugs with drugs from other groups, but most people do not take this into account and continue to use purchased ointments or sprays without results.
- Irregularity of therapy.To cure toenail fungus, treatment must be done daily.Regular removal of the detachment of the nail plate and the use of medications will prevent the development of onychomycosis and help destroy fungal spores.Skipping external treatment interferes with the inhibition of the growth of mycoses and slows down the healing process.
- Poor hygiene.Fungus on the big toe is dangerous not only for others, but also for the patient: pathogenic microspores remain on clothes and shoes.Wearing slippers on bare feet or rarely changing socks promotes self-infection and negatively affects the treatment process.When carrying out antimycotic therapy, you should always wear clean socks made of natural fabrics, even at home.
Important!
How to treat advanced toenail fungus in certain cases is determined individually, after laboratory methods have determined the type of pathogenic microorganisms.
Drug review
Preparations for toenail fungus are divided into the following groups according to the form of release:
- varnish;
- ointments and sprays;
- pills;
- nail plate remover.
Lucky
Varnish is sold in pharmacies without a prescription, and it is recommended to use not only in the treatment of the initial stage of the disease, but also for the prevention of onychomycosis.Medicines have an antiseptic effect and help soften the area affected by the fungus.
Medicines act on certain groups of pathogens, destroying spores and blocking the growth of mycotic colonies.Varnish is applied to a clean nail plate and, after drying, is left for a long time.
Ointment and spray
Products for external use are available without a prescription in pharmacies and their use rarely causes adverse reactions.Apply after cleaning and treating nails on the affected surface and nearby skin.Lubrication of the affected area is carried out 1-2 times a day, and therapy can last from several months to a year (depending on the severity of the pathology).
Medicines have different effects in suppressing the growth of mycocolonies, but they all have good therapeutic properties.
Tablets
Oral drugs are used for advanced forms of the disease, when there is a risk of mycotic spores entering the bloodstream.This medicine is carried through the bloodstream throughout the body and helps eliminate damage to deep tissue.Taking pills is always prescribed in combination with the use of external agents.
It is not recommended to determine how to treat a fungal infection on the feet if you need to take pills.If, when using the medicine externally, a mistake in choosing the medicine will only lead to the ineffectiveness of the treatment, then when taken internally, such a mistake will cause the development of dysbiosis and additional suppression of a weak immune system.
In the question of what and how to treat, if you need to take pills, it is better to trust the competence of the doctor.
Medicines are selected individually and not only the symptoms of the disease are taken into account, but also the presence of contraindications, as well as possible side effects.All drugs have an inhibitory effect on the development of mycotic colonies, and they can be taken for a long time.
Nail remover
In case of severe damage to the nail plate, it must be removed for successful treatment.But removing the nail from the nail bed is always painful and can cause disfigurement.If there are no special instructions, then it is recommended to remove the nails in a less traumatic way, using a softening agent.
The most popular are:
- The product is applied to the affected area in the evening and left overnight.In the morning you need to remove the compress, clean all the peeled plates and clean the surface with a cosmetic file.This procedure is repeated every day until the complete removal of the affected structure is done.
- Antifungal paste is attached to a clean and non-flaking nail plate as much as possible and left for 10-12 hours, and in the morning the nail is removed using nail clippers.For most patients, 1 session is enough to completely exfoliate the nails, but in some cases, several procedures may be necessary to achieve the effect.
In mild cases of fungal infection of the big toe, one properly selected drug is enough to treat, but in advanced pathology, combined therapy is required (drugs for internal and external use are prescribed).
Home treatment
Using home remedies as self-therapy has a good effect in the early stages of the disease.
Not a drug means you can use:
- Potato skins.Boil in plenty of water without removing the salt.Drain the water and use it to steam your feet, and mash the peel into a puree.After steaming the nails in cleansing water, apply the puree to the affected area for 15-20 minutes.After completing the procedure, rinse the pulp with warm water and put on clean socks.
- coffee.Brew ground or instant coffee vigorously with boiling water and cool to medium heat.Soak your feet in coffee for 15 minutes, then rinse your feet and lubricate them with moisturizer.
- Garlic.Mix the pulp of 3-4 cloves of garlic with a spoonful of alcohol.Apply the resulting mixture on a gauze pad and use it to compress daily.The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
- Kombucha.Mushroom pulp is often applied to areas affected by the fungus.
In the early stages of the disease, these available drugs will help defeat the fungus, and in the advanced form of the pathology they are recommended to be used in addition to drug therapy.
Toenail fungus, due to the structure of the toe, takes a long time to treat.The doctor will help you choose the appropriate therapy, but the success of the treatment depends on how often the patient carries out the treatment procedure.