Nail fungus in adults: symptoms, causes, treatment

Dermatovenereologist (cosmetologist)

Baichorova

Marua Azretovna

21 years of experience

Dermatologist (cosmetologist)

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In medicine, nail fungus is officially called onychomycosis. This is a fungal disease that affects the nail plates of the fingers or toes. According to WHO, this is a fairly common disease. It occurs in approximately 27% of people, and pathology is diagnosed on the legs 2 times more often than on the arms. The problem of nail fungus is very delicate, since the unpleasant appearance of the affected plates makes the patient feel discomfort and hide them from others.

Symptoms and signs of nail fungus

Onychomycosis is very easy to recognize, since its signs on the nails cannot be ignored. First, the nail plates become dull and rough, losing their glossy shine. Then the nail turns dirty yellow, whitish or gray instead of pink. Then other characteristic symptoms of the fungus appear:

• increasing plate thickness;
• defects in the form of stripes, bends, irregularities and waves;
• delamination and crumbling of the plate;
• unpleasant smell from nails.

As a result, the nail is completely destroyed and even peels off, exposing the nail bed. The skin next to the plates turns red and causes severe itching.

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Contraindications

The use of iodine can be harmful to health in some cases. There are several contraindications to the use of the product:

• sensitive skin type prone to irritation;
• chronic dermatological pathologies on the feet, such as advanced psoriasis or eczema;
• allergic reaction to the product;
• children up to 6 months;
• hormonal imbalance in women;
• severe forms of hyperthyroidism;
• destruction of the nail plate down to the nail bed.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the product is not prohibited from use. It is considered a safe alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, but you should not get carried away with it. It is not recommended to use it for longer than 2 weeks without consulting a specialist.

If the rules of use are violated, side effects may develop in the form of irritation, peeling of the skin, increased sensitivity, burns, blisters and rashes around the affected plate. If such symptoms appear, it is recommended to stop using the product and consult a specialist.

In order to prevent negative reactions, before using the product, you should conduct a sensitivity test by applying 2 drops to the skin of the inside of the forearm. If there are no negative effects within 24 hours, the solution can be used.

Routes of infection

The risk of becoming infected with fungus is especially high in public places with high humidity. These are saunas, swimming pools, gyms, public baths, etc. The most common routes of infection:

• direct contact with an infected person. Here the fungus moves from its habitat to healthy areas, thereby causing an infection;
• household way. In this case, infection occurs when using the patient’s personal belongings: shoes, personal hygiene items, etc.

Ointments

Ointments can also be used to treat feet. Thanks to their oily base, their effect on the skin is less aggressive.

Composition 1: The egg, previously washed, is placed in a glass container with 100 ml of essence. Wait for the shell to dissolve, the films are removed. The composition is mixed with 200 g of butter. Apply 1-2 times a day.

Composition 2: An effective ointment for onychomycosis has the following composition - ground Kalanchoe leaves (100 g), 6% acid solution - tbsp. spoon, honey – 10 g, essential oil – 10 ml. The ingredients are mixed and left for 3 days in the dark. Apply 1-2 times a day.

Risk factors

The incidence of onychomycosis increases by age 60. At this time, the probability of developing such an infection is 60%, which is explained by a slowdown in metabolism, especially in the distal (remote) parts of the body, which are the fingers and toes.

Other risk factors for developing nail fungus include:

• diabetes;
• varicose veins;
• injuries to nails and adjacent tissues;
• HIV and other immunodeficiency conditions;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• weakened immune system;
• vascular and skin diseases, dermatitis, diaper rash;
• disturbances in the blood supply to the extremities;
• insufficient hygiene.

Disadvantages of the method

In the treatment of nail fungus with vinegar, some adherents of the folk method found the following disadvantages:

• the pungent characteristic odor is unpleasant to many,
• long-term treatment is required, so its cost is quite high - a bottle of a simple table remedy costs about 25 rubles,
• the use of medications, especially varnishes, is more convenient, more effective, and does not require time, preparation of solutions, or mixing, as with vinegar therapy at home.

Many people believe that medical methods of treating fungus are more reliable and give faster results. Reviews of treatment using acid of varying concentrations are also positive.

Complications

In an uncomplicated course, the disease causes symptoms traditional for the fungus, causing only severe discomfort in a person. But without treatment, onychomycosis can cause complications. Most often they manifest themselves in the addition of a bacterial infection.

Sometimes onychomycosis is very acute with the appearance of blisters, ulcerations and weeping areas on the skin next to the nail. In severe cases, the disease takes on a generalized form. This means that nail fungus spreads to internal organs and systems, and then the patient will require emergency hospitalization.

Preparing for iodine therapy

To increase the effectiveness of the therapeutic effect, treatment should be preceded by preliminary preparation of the nail plates. Before each procedure:

• limbs are steamed with baths of soap and soda solution;
• softened nails are polished with a file, removing dead layers;
• the free edge of the plate is trimmed short.

This treatment enhances the effect of the solution and allows you to quickly cure toenail fungus.

First make sure there is no allergic reaction to the drug. To do this, drop a few drops of liquid on the inner surface of the elbow and wait 2-3 hours. If irritation does not appear, it can be used against the fungus.

It may not always be safe to use iodine liquid, so you should first consult a dermatologist. In addition, illiterate performance of home manipulations can lead to drying out of the sensitive skin of the hands/feet or burning of the nail.

Additionally, keep in mind that you cannot use one recipe throughout the entire nail fungus treatment. It is necessary to combine baths, compresses or internal effects on local immunity with other means to prevent oversaturation of the body with iodine. This can affect the functioning of the liver and thyroid gland, even when applied externally.

Iodine baths

Baths are one of the safest ways to eliminate fungus, as they have a gentle effect on the microflora of a natural manicure, ensuring gradual removal of the infection.

An additional effect of the techniques is the softening of rough skin of the feet or cuticles.

There are several recipes for fungal baths:

1. Mix 2 liters of warm water, 100 grams of soda and a tablespoon of iodine. You need to take a bath for 20-25 minutes, and then rinse your limbs and wipe them dry with disposable paper towels.
2. Squeeze the juice of half a large lemon and 2 tablespoons of iodine into 2 liters of water. The composition is more aggressive, so manipulations are carried out for 15 minutes.
3. To 3 liters of hot water you need to add 100 grams of the main substance, salt and soda. Stir the mixture until the bulk components are completely dissolved, cool to the optimal temperature and immerse your limbs in it for 15-20 minutes.

The substance can also be used in its pure form. To do this, it is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10, so as not to seriously injure the sensitive surface of the hands or feet, or damaged nail plates.

Regardless of the recipe, after it you need to rinse your fingertips with warm water and wipe dry with disposable napkins to prevent the multiplication and progression of the disease.

To treat nails, the component can be applied in its pure form, this will ensure its effect as a strong antiseptic, which will speed up the elimination of the fungus.

To do this, every day before going to bed you need to dip a cotton swab or brush into the solution and apply it to your fingertips. Cotton gloves can be worn on top to prevent damage to the bed linen.

It can also be used as a prevention of fungal diseases. But often girls ignore this technique, since it greatly affects the visual condition of the manicure - it becomes yellowish.

Celandine and iodine

Celandine herb is also a natural antiseptic, so it is often used for external or internal use to eliminate infections or inflammatory processes in the body.

You can use it in its pure form if you apply the cut of the stem to the affected area, and apply a few drops of iodine on top.

But there are two other recipes for using the components together:

1. Soak two tablespoons of fresh herb stems in a glass of boiling water. After an hour and a half, strain the mixture through a sieve and add two tablespoons of iodine to the liquid. Use as a bath before bed for 20 minutes.
2. You can brew dry herbs in a similar way in the same proportions. However, the mixture is used in the form of a compress due to its more gentle effect - a cotton pad absorbs the liquid and is applied to the nails for half an hour.

Vinegar with iodine

Vinegar is a strong antiseptic, so it is often used separately to treat fungus. However, you can mix the two components to increase the effectiveness of the manipulations.

The substances are easy to use. You need to mix them in equal proportions and add the same amount of water, and then moisten a cotton pad and make compresses. You can use them every day for 15 minutes.

You can do a more aggressive method by applying a layer of essence (9%) to the nail bed, and then a layer of iodine substance. You need to wash off the mask after 15 minutes. It is allowed to carry out this procedure no more than three times a week, so as not to spoil the health of the natural manicure.

Lemon will help prevent severe yellowing of your nails by helping to soften the color and further clear away fungus.

To carry out the bath, you need to add two tablespoons of both components to two liters of warm water, stir and immerse the limbs for 15-20 minutes. You can use the recipe 3-4 times a week.

However, you can additionally use lemon for a daily compress before bed. To do this, mix in equal proportions with the main component and apply to the nail.

Iodine and oils

For additional nail care, you can use oils. In addition, they will provide a more gentle effect on the fungus, which is why manipulations can be done simultaneously with the application of medicinal ointments.

There are several recipes for using the components:

1. Mix a tablespoon of olive or cosmetic oil with a teaspoon of solution and use as a compress at night.
2. Mix two liters of warm water with one tablespoon of iodine solution, two tablespoons of soda and one teaspoon of tea tree oil. Take the bath for 20 minutes, and then rinse your hands (feet) with warm water.
3. Sea buckthorn oil is very effective, so it can be mixed in equal proportions with the substance and applied in a thin layer to the nails, without rinsing, once a day.

If marks remain on the skin after oil baths or compresses, you can perform a cleansing bath with the addition of laundry soap.

Soda with iodine

Soda is included in many recipes, but it can also be used in its pure form with the main ingredients to restore nail fungus.

To do this, you need to take water and mix the three components in equal proportions. The paste is applied to the nails, and the top is wrapped with cellophane and a bandage for 2 hours. After this, the mixture must be removed; it is recommended not to wash your fingers.

Diagnosis of nail fungus

First of all, the patient is sent for microscopy, which allows to identify the presence of the pathogen. In the future, it is necessary to determine its type in order to select the correct treatment for toenail fungus. At JSC "Medicine" (clinic of academician Roitberg) in the center of Moscow, the most modern and widespread methods for diagnosing onychomycosis are practiced:

• cultural examination of a biological sample of affected tissue. To do this, it is placed in an artificial nutrient medium, where the pathogen is grown in order to determine its type;
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect pathogen DNA in a sample of affected tissue.

The mechanism of action of iodine on fungus

Most often, the nail plates, skin on the hands and feet are colonized by saprophytic fungi. Parasites absorb living organic matter, in particular keratin, which is produced by the skin. Keratin is a protein compound that can coagulate under the influence of irritating components.

Regular application of iodine and products based on it allows you to deprive the mycelium of the nutrient medium necessary for its life. The antiseptic has irritating, cauterizing, bactericidal and absorbable effects.

Treatment

At an early stage of the disease, local therapy is usually prescribed, which consists of the use of creams and ointments with an antifungal effect.

Antiseptic solutions are also used as external remedies for nail fungus. In addition to effective remedies for nail onychomycosis, antihistamines and desensitizing drugs are prescribed that relieve swelling, inflammation and sensitivity.

If the nail is completely affected by the fungus and drug treatment does not produce positive results, then the plate is subjected to surgical removal. Also, in the total form of onychomycosis, antimycotic drugs are prescribed orally in the form of tablets, which have a systemic effect on the body.

How to cure thrush in a man?

Help to overcome candidiasis:

• locally - creams with clotrimazole;
• systemically – fluconazole (drugs Fluconazole, Diflazon, Forkan, Medoflucon, Mikosist).

The duration of the average course of treatment is 5 days.

During treatment, underwear and towels should be changed daily. Hygienic procedures are carried out using products without fragrances or additives. Despite the fact that most drugs are used topically, alcohol should not be consumed during treatment.

Men are prescribed drugs of local and systemic action

Home remedies

Before using home remedies, you should consult your doctor. With his permission, you can use the following recipes:

• iodine. Before use, feet must be steamed, washed with laundry soap, and then the affected areas of the nail plates must be removed. Next, treat the nails and skin between the fingers with iodine, soak them in a bath with soda solution for 20-30 minutes and dry thoroughly;
• vinegar. For 3 liters of water take 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar and add a little potassium permanganate. Soak your feet in the bath for 20-30 minutes, then dry thoroughly;
• hydrogen peroxide. After thoroughly steaming your feet, remove the affected areas of the nail plates. Place cotton pads soaked in hydrogen peroxide on them, wrap them with a bandage and leave for half an hour.

Foot baths with iodine solution

A good method of treatment at the initial stage of infection. In a large bowl, dilute 2.5 liters of hot water and 1 teaspoon of iodine. If you have tea tree oil in your medicine cabinet, you can add a few drops, but you can do without it. Steam your feet for 10 minutes, carefully cut off the affected areas, and treat these areas with hydrogen peroxide. After such a bath, apply a drop of iodine or a gauze compress with antibacterial ointment to each affected nail. During treatment, the procedure should be carried out three times a week, and after therapy it is recommended to repeat it occasionally. This helps avoid relapse.

Efficiency

Vinegar and iodine show good results in the fight against fungus. However, keep in mind that the procedure for getting rid of the problem takes a long period of time, so you will have to be patient to do the treatment regularly.

A good result is achieved due to the fact that a product with such components acts on the root of the problem, destroying the source of infection. Comments from those who have already used this method will also help judge the effectiveness.

Advice from people on forums

It is clearly seen that it is important not only to regularly use iodine, but also to eliminate favorable conditions for the development of fungus: dampness, uncomfortable shoes, poor ventilation, and so on.

Advice on using a recipe with the addition of iodine, vinegar essence and glycerin.

To enhance the effect, it is recommended to change your shoes and drip iodine onto the tip of the trimmed nail.

Side effects reported by people

As a rule, folk remedies do not have many side effects. The same applies to vinegar with iodine. Among others, people note the only thing: the nail becomes yellowish, which is bad from an aesthetic point of view.

Well, in case of an overdose, burns on the skin may appear.

Compress using glycerin and vinegar

Components such as vinegar and glycerin in combination have a positive effect on nail restoration. To prepare a compress, the ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and applied to a previously cleaned and steamed nail.

After applying the resulting solution, wrap the affected area with cling film and apply a bandage on top. The compress is worn for 8 hours, and then carefully removed and the nail plate is lubricated with medicinal ointment to consolidate the effect. The procedure can be performed daily.

Compress using apple cider vinegar

As a replacement for regular vinegar, you can use apple essence, which has a more active environment. The procedure involves soaking a cotton pad or swab in vinegar and applying it to the site of infection.

The attached tampon should be secured with cling film and wrapped with a bandage to obtain the effect. This compress can be used for 2–3 months until the nail plate is completely renewed and the affected part of the nail is gradually removed.

Compress based on vinegar and iodine

The recipe is a good replacement for glycerin, and the preparation technology is to mix 1 tbsp. spoons of apple cider vinegar with 2-3 drops of iodine. The resulting solution is applied to the affected nail, which has been previously cleaned and freed as much as possible from fungal growths.

After the solution is applied, the finger is wrapped in polyethylene and a bandage is applied on top. The compress stays for at least 12 hours. The process can be carried out over several weeks until complete recovery occurs.

Additional Tips

To ensure recovery occurs faster and the disease does not return, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. it is necessary to maintain high immunity, lead a healthy active lifestyle, since the fungus is activated when a person is weakened,
2. do not walk barefoot in public baths, swimming pools, do not wear someone else’s shoes,
3. wash your shoes more often and dry them every day, you need to change them every day, so they will be well ventilated and refreshed,
4. choose shoes according to the season so that your feet do not sweat; do not wear boots or outdoor shoes indoors.

You need to constantly monitor the condition of your feet; the sooner treatment for onychomycosis begins, the easier it will be to destroy the pathogen without losing your nails.

Each treatment method has its supporters and those who are uncomfortable with it and who do not believe in its effectiveness. You need to start treating onychomycosis immediately after symptoms appear, so home remedies always come to the rescue first.

Which vinegar should you choose for the best effect?

In order for the procedure to be effective, select the components. Pay special attention to vinegar.

For cooking, choose either 9% table vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Both options are safe to use on the skin. Other types are also suitable, but in this case they will have to be diluted so that they do not damage the epidermis during procedures. See how fungus is treated with apple cider vinegar and soda.

Author's note

Vanin Timofey

When preparing, follow the indicated dosages. Otherwise, the procedure causes discomfort or skin burns.

Useful properties of iodine

Treatment with iodine can be carried out at home, so the substance is very popular and is used to get rid of various diseases

In order to make this process as effective as possible, it is necessary to take into account the beneficial properties of the substance for the human body. Among them are the following:

• has an antiseptic effect;
• has an astringent and cauterizing effect;
• is a good antifungal agent;
• regulates metabolism in the body;
• stimulates the functioning of immune system cells;
• increases endurance;
• prevents diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• reduces the risk of breathing problems;
• improves memory.