Mushroom Miniature: A Guide to Fighting

The miniature fungus is an infectious pathology. It is manifested by a weakening of the body's protective functions and non-compliance with hygienic measures. Fungal microorganisms infect the nail plate and migrate to nearby areas.

Thumbnail mushroom photo

Fungus on the big toe

Causes of thumb nail fungus

Poor hygiene is a key cause of infection. You can often get it from another person. So if you don’t follow preventative measures, all the people around the infected can get the pathology. An example of toenail fungus is shown in the photo.

The thumb plate is prone to onychomycosis due to its structural characteristics. Nor does the mycelium spread faster in it than in other environments. The reason is the high concentration of blood vessels and nerve endings.

Defeat can develop against the background of some predisposing factors:

  • endocrine pathology;
  • varicose veins;
  • hormonal imbalance;
  • slow metabolism (especially for the elderly);
  • impaired blood circulation;
  • psoriasis;
  • dermatitis (inflammation);
  • eczema;
  • pathology of the immune system;
  • severe pathologies such as hepatitis and HIV;
  • general use of hygiene items;
  • Frequent wearing of inappropriate footwear (tight, made of poor quality materials).

Onychomycosis is rare in children. The main group susceptible to the disease are the elderly. This is due to changes in the body and a decrease in its protective abilities. The second group includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as women during menopause.

People who live in a humid climate or are frequent sports clubs, baths, swimming pools and saunas are also at risk. About 30% of cases are contaminated with non-sterile pedicure instruments.

Symptoms of thumb fungus

Despite the specific characteristics of the types of toenail fungus, the symptoms are similar in all cases. The primary manifestations of the infection are severe itching, burning, peeling of the skin at the site of the lesion. Gradually, as the infection penetrates deeper, cracks and bubbles appear between the fingers, creating open foci.

The following stages of defeat can be distinguished:

  1. manifestation of whitish or yellow spots (sometimes streaks) on the nail plate, plate thickening, itching;
  2. thickening of the plaque and damping of its color, the appearance of an unpleasant odor, redness of the skin around, inflammation and swelling.
  3. destruction of nails, appearance of open ulcers in the environment, discomfort in walking.

The affected nail may start to grow inside the pillow. Pus often appears in the corners of the nails. If the disease is ignored, the nail will peel completely.

Color changes vary depending on the type of pathogen:

  • dermatophyte - yellowish or whitish streaks, which eventually turn into a uniform color;
  • type of yeast - brownish shades, wavy structure of the plate;
  • type of mold - black or greenish nail color.

In a fungal infection, the top layer becomes rough, and harmful microorganisms are currently moved to other areas of the body. They go deep inside, infecting the rest of the skin and feet. The form of pathology becomes chronic. Others are more likely to become infected.

Treatment of fungi with miniatures

Only a doctor can know how to cure a fungus on the big toe. The hospital determines the nature of the disease, the level of infection, as well as the specific characteristics of the patient's body. Based on the obtained data, the specialist develops a set of therapeutic measures. The following are taken into account when developing the treatment:

  • affected area;
  • depth of infection penetration;
  • duration of illness;
  • character of the mushroom.

The therapy course may include:

  • Varnishes and solutions. Antifungals. Suitable in the early stages of infection. The composition is used to cover the affected area and forget about it for a while. The drug is used 3-5 times a week. Then take a break and apply the same medicine again. The total duration of therapy varies from 6 to 12 months.
  • Ointments, gels, sprays and creams. Antifungal purpose. They are applied to the affected areas and can be used at any stage of the infection.
  • Internal Medicine. Antifungal drugs and tablets are prescribed at a later stage of pathology development. They have a number of contraindications and side effects. It must be appointed by a doctor.
  • Immunostimulants and vitamins. It is recommended as an adjunct to external and internal antifungal drugs. They include supplements and preparations that contain magnesium and iron, B-vitamins, folic acid, and zinc and selenium. They stimulate the protective functions of the body. Useful in all stages of nail fungus on the thumb.
  • Laser. Indicated for ingrown toenails. It will not completely eliminate the fungus, but it will prevent it from growing again.

Fungal medications are designed to completely eliminate the infection. They destroy harmful microorganisms and prevent their rapid spread. They typically have a cumulative effect and accelerate the course of the therapeutic course. When used properly, relapses are prevented.

Complete cure of fungal infection is achieved in 2-4 months. Occasionally therapy lasts more than six months.

If the damage to the nail tissue is severe, the nail can be removed. Removal is performed with the help of special aggressive compounds or surgical intervention. This method is the most reliable and completely eliminates the pathology.

The procedure has no side effects. The algorithm can be described as follows: the finger of the affected nail is treated with an antiseptic. After that, the doctor applies a cezve and injects anesthesia.

After removing the nail plate using various surgical instruments, the nail is freed of dead tissue and the site is treated with iodine solution. Finally, an antiseptic dressing is applied to the finger.

During well-chosen therapy, the manifestations of the disease should weaken, the skin should get rid of the lesion, and the nail plate should return to its natural healthy appearance. However, it is possible to reliably find out the departure of parasites only with the help of laboratory tests. They are performed after 14 days and a month after treatment.

Traditional methods of treating thumb fungus

Regardless of the type of nail fungus, treatment with traditional folk remedies is not recommended. In most cases, it is ineffective, has little effect, or worsens the situation. Especially if the therapy is carried out exclusively by independent efforts.

However, there are many recipes that can ease the course of the disease. The most common tools are:

  • Tea tree oil. Proven antiseptic. It partially removes harmful bacteria and has an antifungal effect.
  • Potato soup. Prepared from potato peel. Foot baths are made from the composition for 20 minutes. The procedure is everyday.
  • Lemon. Citruses are cut into slices and applied to the contaminated surface. It can be fixed with a cellophane bag and a sterile bandage. Course duration - 8-10 days.
  • Mixture of water and acid. 70% acetic acid and pure water are combined in identical proportions. The composition is mixed into the dough and applied to the infected area for 10-20 minutes. The duration of the course is 3-5 days. Helps remove the affected nail.
  • Salt baths. Take 20 grams of sea salt per liter of boiling water. Mix and lower your legs there. Do this every day for 14 days.
  • Aspen soup. Take 100 grams of aspen bark, grind, pour half a liter of water and bring to a boil. In the composition, the affected legs are steamed. To improve efficiency, the skin can be pre-coated with a mixture of baking soda and plain laundry soap without additives. The procedure is everyday.

Important to note:It is contraindicated for women to bathe on their feet. High water temperature causes blood flow to the pelvic organs. This can cause premature birth. Better to use propolis or tea tree oil.

Traditional methods can give results in the early stages of the disease. In that case, the fungus can disappear with local treatment with simple natural antiseptics.

For example, such as herbal teas, brilliant green, iodine or hydrogen peroxide. If onychomycosis lasts for a long time, the patient needs well-thought-out complex therapy with drugs of systemic and local action. Unconsciously, many patients resort only to external antifungals, limiting themselves to folk recipes, gels and ointments. However, this time it does not work in the vast majority of cases.

Preventive measures

Fungal prevention measures are divided into two types - primary and secondary.

The first task is to prevent infection in healthy people. The recommendations are as follows:

  • Adhere to personal hygiene. Especially when it comes to choosing shoes and pedicure tools.
  • Don't wear other people's clothes. Shoes and socks should only be yours.
  • Avoid walking barefoot in public places such as the beach or the beach.
  • Avoid damaging your nails and the area around the plate.
  • Treat your hands with antiseptic. Especially if the skin is damaged.
  • If you suspect a fungal infection, go to the hospital immediately.

Secondary prevention measures are designed to prevent recurrence of the disease. To avoid getting nail fungus a second time, follow these recommendations:

  • strictly follow medical instructions;
  • limit time spent in water;
  • do not go to public places such as the beach or sauna;
  • disinfect personal manicure tools;
  • throw away shoes and knitwear that have come in contact with the body contaminated with fungi;
  • Disinfect shoes with special mixtures.

In addition, you should monitor your diet, avoid long-term stress and try not to neglect physical activity.

Therefore, it is not difficult to acquire the fungus and start the disease. But treatment can take quite a lot of time, effort and material waste. At the first symptoms of defeat you should not delay a visit to the doctor. Early therapy is easier and faster. If the disease starts, the nail will have to be removed.