Onychomycosis or nail fungus is an infectious disease that can influence the nails of both the upper and the lower extremities.However, the second option is more likely for several reasons.The mushroom particularly often influences the thumb nail plate.In such cases, it is important to react to the problem in good time, not the pathology to spread to the skin and other fingers.
For successful treatment that eliminates the development of complications and relapses in the future, it is necessary to start a fight as early as possible.For this, it is important to know the clinical image of the disease and to understand the main causes of the occurrence and the development features.Despite the need to see a doctor, it is not superfluous to understand the principles of treatment of the nail fungus at the thumb of the leg.
The reasons for the appearance of the mushroom on the thumb of the leg
The most likely localization of mushroom damage is the nails of the lower extremities.The fact is that the feet are more susceptible to factors in which the fungus can take a easier walk and develop.In addition, the legs are more common in a potentially contaminated environment.
At the same time, it is important to know that in about 90% of cases the development of onychomycosis begins with the nail on the thumb.
Two main causes for this scenario of the disease are differentiated:
- The size of the nail plate on the thumb is much larger than with the other fingers.Based on this, to follow the simplest probability theory, it is because the most pathogenic and caused the most pathogenic microorganisms.Therefore, the likelihood of the beginning of the pathological process in this area is and higher.
- Due to the properties of the thumb size and its physiological location, it is exposed to more trauma.People often appear with the thumb, they often occur in transport.Due to the fact that one of the most important predisposing factors in the development of nail fungus is the damage to the nail plate, the pattern is justified and understandable.
When we talk about the causes of onychomycosis in general, the most important thing in medical practice is to decrease in the defense of the body.Everything can cause weakening of immunity from ordinary stress or hypothermia that end with chronic diseases or even an advanced age of a person.
In order to protect yourself from the disease, it is necessary to constantly strengthen immunity.But with a number of factors, this may not be enough.
In order to reduce the number of predisposing factors to a minimum, it is worth considering the most likely:
- The violation of the thumb - this is particularly common in people who work on a construction site or do other hard work and athletes.
- The exposure of the legs with a diaper rash and excessive sweating In most cases, the wearing of inappropriate shoes is due, in which the legs are very sweaty and successful.
- Wear uncomfortable or tight shoes - the problem of choosing shoes is particularly acute.It is recommended to buy high -quality shoes and not go to high heels for a long time.
- Default to adhere to hygiene - men are particularly sinful and believe that laundry of their feet is sufficient before going to bed.It is important to monitor, cut and submit the nails in good time, to use special hygienic lotions and prevent diaper rash or dry out of the skin.
The most common factors are given above that are easier to influence and reduce the likelihood of mushroom damage.In general, it is also recommended to observe the daily routine to eat as little as possible.
Important!Due to the fact that one of the main reasons for the appearance of the mushroom to the thumb is the advanced age, older people must be particularly careful.In order to strengthen the body, it is important to constantly undergo the treatment of chronic diseases.It is possible to visit a doctor regularly.It is possible to regularly subject vitamin therapy to strengthen immunity.
Clinical image of the disease
Even the initial symptoms of nail fungus on the thumb are easier to recognize than with the other fingers.This is explained by the same physiological characteristics of the structure.
Due to the size of the finger, even the initial manifestations of the disease are easier to recognize.
At the same time, it is important to know the particularly clinical image of the early stage of onychomycosis in order to recognize the development of the pathology in good time and to take appropriate measures:
- White spots, dots or stripes appear on the nail.Initially, they have a small size, in the future that increase them and merge together.
- The nail loses its natural shine, becomes matt, sometimes rough, without visible reasons.
- The nail plate gradually changes the color, first it becomes yellowish or light brown
- The first structural disorders can be invisible.The habitual hard nail plate of the thumb becomes soft or brittle.Cracks, hills and furrows on the surface of the nail appear slightly peeled by the more obvious symptoms.
- In the early stages of the progression of the pathological process, a person can itch in the thumbnail.At the same time, the skin becomes rough, dry and capable of lining.
In order to notice the initial symptoms, it is important to be very attentive to your feet and regularly carry out hygiene methods.This applies to all clinical signs, with the exception of the itching, which is not already unnoticed.
In the absence of timely treatment, the disease is slow, progress, but still.At the same time, the clinical image changes more clearly and it is more difficult to ignore the problem.
The symptoms of onychomycosis of thumb at a later date acquire the following features:
- Itching appears in the first or reinforced, this symptom is constant and intensity.When the legs are successful or sweaty, the thumb is shy at shoes, the itching is reinforced.
- There is a change in the color of the nail, now it acquires green, brown or even black.At the same time, the white spots that appear previously expand and merge.
- Due to the fact that the fungus penetrates deeper, structural disorders are tightened.The belly of the nail plate, its tuberosity and cracks become deeper.An increased softness is replaced by brittleness, the nail literally crumbles.The stratification process not only affects the outer part of the nail plate, but also spreads in the area and in depth, which only exacerbates the destruction.
Important!When appointing the doctor, the doctor can visually determine and assume that the disease is caused and assuming which pathogen is caused.To make a precise diagnosis, a complete diagnosis is required.The same applies to the early stages in which the symptoms are invisible to the doctor, but the patient's symptoms come.
Traditional treatment of mushroom damage
Like the symptoms, the characteristics of the treatment of the disease depend on how the fungus caused onychomycosis and in which stage the treatment started.If you find the mushroom on the thumbnail in the bar, the therapy duration is significantly reduced and it is most likely to do with local external medication.
We speak of ointments, gel, varnishes, sprays or drops with antifungal activity.Such drugs are applied directly to the affected nail, sometimes to the surrounding skin areas.In most cases, these drugs are effective in terms of a variety of mushrooms.
If you cannot get rid of the mushroom with external medication or the patient consults a doctor in the late stage of progressing the disease, complex therapy is required.In addition to the local medication for the treatment of the nail fungus at the thumb, systemic ones are added that are taken orally and influence the pathogen from the inside.
Treatment with folk methods
In folk medicine there are a large number of ways to treat the mushroom on a large nail.This includes lotions, baths, wiping and ointments based on natural components or improvised agents with antifungal activity.
The most popular and effective recipes include:
- The use of vinegar or iodine - both substances have pronounced antiseptic properties.Wet a cotton pad in iodine or vinegar and wipe the nail plate 2-3 times a day, you can achieve the desired result-the mushroom.Such manipulations are carried out a day within 3-4 weeks.
- Salt baths - Dilute 2 tablespoons of sea or table salt in two liters.To dampen your legs 15 to 20 minutes before going to bed, do not wash your legs.The procedure is carried out for 2-3 weeks a day.
There are many similar methods, but the use of the doctor requires the use of the doctor's harmless consultations.
Important!Traditional medicine is only effective in the fight against mushroom damage to the nail plates in the early phases of the development of pathology.In other cases, referendums are only used as auxiliary treatment that supplements drug therapy or as prevention.