Nobody will like the ugly appearance of the nails on the fingers of the legs subject to a fungal disease.Brown, distorted and bleached nails can cause a lot of trouble in a person and become a real source of instability.In an advanced form of the disease, several fungus forms can often develop and progress simultaneously, which will largely complicate the treatment of infected nails.How to easily and quickly overcome the fungus of nails on the legs than to treat, what are the methods of effective treatment and prevention of the disease?
Let's start with the definition, what is nail fungus?In the article we will list the main causes and symptoms, as well as share information about how to easily and effectively fight these types of infections and what is important to prevent their further appearance.
What is a fungal disease on the legs?
According to clinical data, fungus of nails on the legs or onychomycosis (the disease caused by fungi - dermatophytes).It is classified as an infection that occurs when the fungus penetrates under a healthy nail plate of the toes, where it later finds its refuge, rapidly multiplies and damages soft tissues, which actually leads to peeling, cracking and dying of the nail.White or yellow spots are observed on the nails affected by the fungus.If they do not treat the spots will increase, the nail will begin to peel off, to disclose that it will inevitably lead to its loss.
Signs of fungus
The most common signs of a painful, fungal disease on the legs are usually visually obvious.These symptoms may include:
- Thickened nails.
- An unpleasant odor in the nail region.
- The dull color of the nail, the absence of a “ordinary shine”.
- Separation of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis).
- Dry, crumbly or brittle nail structure.
- The shape of the nails is quite distorted.
- Color distortion of the nail (darker or brighter than usual).
- Pain in the area of infected nail.
The causes of the nail fungus on the legs
Microscopic mushrooms can find their refuge on the fingers under various circumstances.Usually, the nail affects fungal infections called - dermatophytes.The disease can also be caused by mold or yeast infections.Be it fungus, mold or yeast, all these infections love a warm and moist environment in which they can multiply quickly.
Your boots and socks, especially if you wear them for a long time and ventilate them, are also an excellent environment for the propagation of fungal infections.Small wounds and cuts between the nail and the nail bed are especially vulnerable to the penetration of fungal infections, as this opens the area for the penetration, reproduction and prosperity of the fungi.The fingers compared to the hands are more vulnerable to the damage to fungal infections due to the lack of sufficient air circulation and as a result of high humidity.
Nail fungus symptoms
Early symptoms of fungal damage
- White spots on one or more nails.
- A noticeable shade of yellow and stripes on the nails.
- Easy discomfort in the affected nails.
Moderate symptoms of a fungal disease
- Yellowing, which is becoming more and more dramatic, gradually spreading to other nails of both legs.
- Groundy nail plates begin to crack.
- There is a slight discomfort after the nails begin to separate from the nail bed.
- The legs on the legs look shapeless and can even begin to grow into the skin.
5 types of nail fungus
There are five different types of nail fungus on the legs.Consider each species separately:
Distal submarine onychomycosis
Although the name of the disease is severely pronounced, it is quite noticeable.Distal submarine onychomycosis is the most aggressive type of nail fungus.The fungus for the nail plate is nourished with keratin.As a result, the nail can become thicker and separate from the nail bed.If your doctor reveals it at an early stage, then there may not be special problems with treatment and the sooner to do this, the higher the chances of saving your nails.Descriptions along the nail bed, white, green and yellow are the first symptoms and signs of the disease.
White surface onychomycosis
White surface onychomycosis is a more gentle disease.However, do not underestimate this fungus.He does not cause much pain.The fungus leaves white spots on the surface of the nail.These spots can of course be scraped at the very beginning, but the sufferers are not recommended to spend precious time on this lesson, the best option would be to consult a doctor and undergo a course of treatment with suitable overgrowth antifungal ointments effective against this type of nail fungus.Unlike many fungal infections, this mushroom begins its procession from the surface of the nail and, in the end, takes control of the entire nail bed and other nails on the legs.
Proximal tray onychomycosis
The proximal tray onychomycosis is not so often found, but it tends to flow a little harder.Instead of affecting the surface of the nail, the infection penetrates under the nail, laying its path under the cuticle.It can be extremely painful.Descriptions often occur at earlier stages.In the later stages, in patients, cracking and separation of the nail from the nail bed can be observed.
Candidiasis
Candidiasis is a genus of conditionally pathogenic yeast mushrooms.The infection can easily affect the nail plates.Flaws of nails is the most common symptom, followed by swelling, redness and pain in the surrounding tissues.The nail bed can cloudy and lose its shine.The nail becomes rough to the touch.If the disease is not treated, initial symptoms can lead to further more serious consequences.
Black nail fungus (extreme stage)
Black nail fungus is the latest chronic stage of the disease.Symptoms of the nail fungus on the legs can begin with yellow or even green, but, in the end, will lead to the fact that blood spots are formed under the nail.The longer the blood remains under the nail plate, the darker its color.If you leave this unattended, the nail will become coal-black over time, dies and falls off.
Countering these infections should be taken timely and most serious.If you notice any of the above symptoms, then we strongly recommend that you visit an orthopedic doctor.
Who is at risk of nail fungus?
Any person can be subject to infection of the nail fungus, but elderly people are at greater risk due to the lack of sufficient blood circulation in the legs.Moreover, by old age, our nails become weak, making us more susceptible to fungal invasion.
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of a nail fungus can include:
- Diabetes.
- Injury to the nail.
- Non -compliance with personal hygiene rules.
- Micosis - (disease of the skin and nails caused by pathogenic, parasitic fungi).
- Excessive sweating or (hyperhidrosis).
- The disease of peripheral vessels.
- Constant effect of humidity.
- Accompanied immunodeficiency.
How to treat a nail fungus on the legs
There are two types of treatment of a fungal nail disease: local and general.
The treatment procedures can be both separately and in combination, depending on the localization and prevalence of fungal infection.
Long -term treatment
Treatment of fungal nail infections can sometimes be quite long.To get a quick effect from treatment, it is advisable to treat the infection as early as possible, as soon as the first symptoms and signs begin to appear.Until the complete elimination of infection, treatment can last from 6 to 12 months, depending on the factors.
Local treatment
Local treatment of nail fungus is most advisable to use in the very initial stage when the first symptoms appear.Treatment can supplement the use of certain types of tablets and applying to affected areas of antifungal ointments and sprays.Sustainly repeating the procedures, it is possible to achieve maximum penetration of antibacterial agents under the nail into the very focus of the disease externally with ointments and internally with a blood flow in the form of used tablets.
Medicines are applied in the form of nail polish or sprayed abundantly with a spray.Several types of inexpensive but effective drugs for the treatment of nail fungus are available in the pharmacy, which can be used once a week or one day for 2-6 months.
The duration of the treatment of a fungal disease of the nails
The treatment time for nails on the hands can be 6 months.But for nails on the fingers of the legs, a treatment procedure lasting at least 9-12 months is just right.
General procedure for treating nails affected by a fungus
Treatment in a tablet form doctors, as a rule, are prescribed everywhere.These treatment methods are indicated when the fungus spread to a sufficiently large area of the nail.
Removing the nail surgically
Sometimes surgical removal of an infected nail is necessary, for example, when treatment with drugs is ineffective.
Gradual replacement of healthy nails
The appearance of the nails improves in proportion to how a healthy nail grows.The growth period of a healthy nail lasts about 6 months for nails on the hands and up to about 12 months for nails on the fingers.
Nail fungus Folk remedy for treatment
Folk remedies for the treatment of nail fungus are quite numerous.There are a number of fairly effective natural agents capable of treating fungal infections and act as safe fungicides, for internal and external treatment of affected nails on the leg with fungal infections.
The nail fungus is a complex infectious disease in terms of treatment and takes many months before the first positive results are visible.There are many natural means of treating nail fungus and soaking solutions and various types of antibacterial oils.The key to successful and effective treatment is its duration, which should last every day for 3 to 6 months at least!
Fucking apple cider vinegar
Apple vinegar in terms of treatment of nail fungus is a very popular and fairly effective folk remedy.The treatment prescription requires dilution of apple cider vinegar with warm water and daily soaking of the affected fingers of not less than 20 minutes.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a sufficiently powerful antifungal agent made from the oil of the surviving leaves of the tea plant.Oil is widely used all over the world to treat not only fungal infections, but also various acne, abrasions and cuts.It is recommended that the nails affected by the fungus be applied after a few drops of tea tree oil after taking a shower.
Treatment of nail fungus in children
It is not so difficult to cure nail fungus in children, but to prevent its repeated appearance, the task that should definitely be solved.Ointments, creams and lotions against the nail fungus are relatively accessible and simple enough in use, but remain quite doubtful in terms of effectiveness.Oral drugs are an alternative option for treating a nail fungus.
These oral drugs should be used for four months and no less, because the new growing nail should completely change the infected and only after that the course of treatment can be safely stopped.The only minus of treatment with these drugs is that some people may have complications in the form of skin rashes, liver damage, etc. Therefore, it is not recommended to use the listed drugs to people with liver disease, heart problems, etc.
Children who can be prone to a nail fungus should not be exposed to a contaminated environment and situation, for example, common pools, showers, washing, etc. Children should also resemble the importance of personal hygiene in order to prevent nail fungus and not only.
Tips and recommendations, preventive measures
- Make sure that you change socks and shoes immediately after sports training.
- Be sure to wear slippers in any public locker room, in the sauna and by the pool.
- If possible, do not wear shoes that interferes with the ventilation of the legs.
- Treat the fungus at an early stage.
- The faster you begin to treat the fungus, the better.
- Buy socks made of organic cotton or other natural material that absorbs the sweat compartments well.
- Never go barefoot in wet public places.
- Treat the increased sweating of the legs.
- Perform physical exercises increasing blood circulation in the fingers, so the immune system of your body will be better protected, detect and eliminate into the focus of infections at an early stage.
- Constantly hold your legs and fingers clean.
- Try to soak your infected nails in 32 ml of water with 3 ml of organic apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup of Himalayan salt within 15 minutes on a daily basis, until the disease retreats completely.
- Mix natural tea wood oil with oregano oil and use 1 drop on the nails before bedtime.
- Mix 1 drop of 35% food peroxide of hydrogen per 6 drops of distilled water, 3 drops of natural apple cider vinegar and 1 drop of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).Apply the composition to infected nails in the morning and before bedtime.
Now you know what is a fungal disease of nails on the legs, both in adults and in children, what are its symptoms and causes, as well as how and how to treat it with the help of ointments, pills and folk remedies.So that you do not take this disease by surprise, which can easily be from a harmless loss of color to develop into an advanced, chronic form, be sure to follow yourself and with your children, and also do not ignore the tips and recommendations given above.