The first signs of the appearance of a fungus on the nails of the hands. Topical treatment of nail fungus. Laser therapy contraindications

12.06.2019

Fungal infection of the nails is one of the most common types of infectious diseases. The main reason for the appearance of pathogenic microorganisms is to reduce the quality of the immune system. Considering the disease, it can have a chronic form, which is almost not amenable to therapy. That is why it is important to know how nail fungus begins in order to take all necessary measures in a timely manner.

Fingernail fungus (onychomycosis) is a fairly common disease throughout the world.

Representatives of different families of mushroom colonies are quite often found in the external environment. Ideal conditions for the life of the infection - moisture and heat. This type of pathogenic organisms can harm not only human skin and nails, but also internal organs. The main reason for the development of fungal diseases lies in direct contact with the pathogen. However, good hygiene and a strong immune system protect many people from a dangerous disease.

There are several forms of fungal diseases of the nail plates, which differ in the type of infection that caused the change in the nails. Often nails are affected by microbes representing the family - red trichophyton. Much less often, onychomycosis develops against the background of nail damage by fungi from the Candide family, Trichophyton interdigitale, Epidermophytosis, Microsporum and Aspergillus.

Affecting the nail plate, pathogens penetrate into the blood, where, thanks to the circulatory system, they are distributed to all internal organs. Many experts say that a fungal infection affects not only the nails, but also the lymph nodes that are located in various parts of the body. This form of the disease occurs in every thousandth person with onychomycosis.

Risk factors

Having become acquainted with the mechanism of infection, attention should be paid to the sources of infection. The fungus, due to the high degree of contagiousness, can be transmitted from the patient to his immediate environment. Bed linen, towels and even dishes can act as a carrier of infection.

Quite often, public pools, saunas and baths act as a source of infection. Often, infection occurs during the manicure procedure, when the master uses poorly processed tools.

The causes of nail fungus on the hands are as follows:

disorders in the immune system, as well as the presence of chronic diseases;
prolonged stress, depression and other disorders of psycho-emotional balance;
prolonged use of antibacterial drugs and oral contraceptives;
the presence of diabetes;
non-observance of hygiene rules.

One of the common causes of the development of the disease in girls is the wearing of false nails. Artificial nails create ideal conditions for life and reproduction of microbes.

Weakened immunity is the main cause of the disease

Stages of development of onychomycosis

The fungus penetrates the nail plate due to violations of the integrity of the nail bed. However, a strong immune system can resist the development of infection. The disease has a slow course, which makes it easy to identify the first signs of nail fungus on the hands and start therapy in a timely manner. Prolonged delay can lead to deformation of the nail plate and its further destruction.

However, even timely measures cannot protect against the recurrence of onychomycosis. According to statistics, signs of the disease are observed in twenty percent of people who have undergone therapy. In addition, a fungal infection can be complicated by the addition of a bacterial infection, which greatly complicates the course of the disease.

Clinical picture

Speaking about what the nail fungus looks like on the hands, it should be clarified that this disease has three clinical forms:

Normotrophic onychomycosis- with this form of the disease, the symptoms characteristic of a fungal infection are absent for a long period of time. Pathological processes occur under the surface of the nail plate. At a certain stage in the development of the disease, small yellow spots appear on the patient's nails. Over time, the spots increase in diameter, spreading throughout the nail.
Hypertrophic onychomycosis- affects not only the nail, but also the nail bed. The development of the disease leads to a change in the color and structure of the nail plate. At certain stages of the development of the disease, cavities and tubercles form on the surface of the nails. Most often, this form of the disease affects the toenails.
Onycholytic onychomycosis- characterized by rapid separation of the plate from the nail bed. The development of pathology can be determined by changing the color of the nails into whitish shades.

Important! In medical practice, there are often cases when a patient has symptoms characteristic of several forms of the disease.

Diagnostics

Having found the symptoms of nail fungus on the hands, you should visit a dermatologist without delay. After examining the affected limbs, the doctor directs the patient for a diagnostic examination. To determine the form of the disease and the type of fungal infection, a BAC seeding procedure is performed. During this procedure, a scraping is taken from the patient from the lesions, which is further studied using a microscope.

Microscopic examination allows you to identify not only the presence of a fungal infection, but also determine its type, as well as sensitivity to various medications.

Treating fingernail fungus is not an easy task.

Therapy Methods

Treatment of onychomycosis is a long process that requires full dedication. Failure to follow the recommendations of a specialist can lead to the fact that the disease becomes chronic. Therapy for nail fungus on the hands is carried out by complex methods. The basis of treatment is the use of drugs whose action is aimed at eliminating pathogens.

In addition, the patient is prescribed medications that strengthen the immune system and normalize blood circulation. One of the important components of therapy is the use of antifungal solutions to treat the patient's belongings. In order to prevent the spread of the fungus to other parts of the body, experts recommend using special varnishes.

Important! The photos of the initial stage of the fungus on the hands located below will allow you to independently determine the symptoms of the development of the disease and start treating the disease in a timely manner.

There are more than a dozen different tools used in the fight against fungal diseases. With a mild and moderate nature of the pathology, preparations are used to treat the lesions, which are available in the form of ointments, creams, lotions, varnishes and gels. Such medicines can not only eliminate the disease, but also protect the surrounding tissues from the spread of infection. The main advantage of this group of drugs is the minimum number of side effects.

Most of the products used for external treatment are made on the basis of components such as fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine. The composition of these medicines accumulates in the tissues, which increases their effectiveness.

In more difficult situations, the dermatologist may reconsider the therapy and supplement the treatment with various antifungal drugs in the form of tablets. The use of tablets in combination with ointments and creams increases the effectiveness of treatment.

Along with drug treatment, various physiotherapeutic methods are used. One of the most effective methods today is laser exposure. Often, in order to eliminate the infection, the removal of the affected plate is required. In the presence of a secondary infection of a bacterial nature, the patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics.

Before starting a course of treatment for onychomycosis, it is very important to correctly determine the form of the disease and the type of fungus. Only on the basis of these data can the correct therapy be prescribed, which will give a positive result in a short period of time.

Nail fungus on the hands often accompanies a person all his life

Use of antifungal drugs

The use of antifungal agents in the form of tablets allows you to achieve a stable result in the treatment of severe forms of the disease. The combination of tablets and preparations for external use significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment. When taking strong antifungal medications, you should adhere to the prescribed dosage in order to avoid side effects.

In the treatment of onychomycosis, two types of antifungal agents are used:

Azoles based on fluconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole.
Allylamineamines based on naftifine or terbinafine.

The choice of methods of therapy, dosage and regimen are determined by a specialist based on the nature of the disease, the severity of symptoms and the type of infection. Before starting a course of treatment, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the possible side effects of medications and contraindications.

Local preparations

The use of drugs for external treatment of lesions allows you to create a high concentration of antifungal substances on the affected areas of the body. The only drawback of this group of medicines is that only a small part of the composition enters the nail bed.

Among the ointments and creams for the treatment of onychomycosis, drugs such as Exoderil, Loceril and Nizoral should be distinguished. To enhance the effectiveness of these funds, doctors recommend using them in combination with solutions of the same name. Varnishes and sprays are considered to be no less effective for treating affected nails, but it is more expedient to use them at the initial stages of the development of the disease.

Important! The use of external agents in the form of independent preparations for the treatment of onychomycosis makes it possible to achieve the desired result only if the area of the lesion does not exceed fifty percent of the area of the nail plate.

Ointments and creams

This type of pharmaceutical product for the treatment of fungal diseases is used only after the affected nail has been softened or completely removed. In other cases, the use of such drugs almost does not bring the desired effect due to the fact that the composition of the ointments does not penetrate under the affected plate.

Solutions

Antimycotic solutions are the most common type of medication used in the treatment of nail fungus. It is this dosage form that allows you to achieve a high result, due to the fact that the composition of the drug easily penetrates into the lesions. You can use antifungal solutions in the treatment of any complexities of the disease. In addition, such drugs can be used to prevent a possible relapse.

The main part of onychomycosis is caused by a fungus of the species Trichophyton rubrum.

Lucky

Varnishes for the treatment of onychomycosis are used only at the initial stages of the development of the disease. The application of varnish helps to soften the affected plate, which allows the composition of antifungal agents to penetrate into the very center of the lesion. Before starting a course of therapy, carefully read the instructions for use that comes with the drug.

Before using varnish, thoroughly clean the affected nail with a disinfectant solution. The varnish should be used regularly, until a completely healthy nail plate grows. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of this type of medication is quite small, so experts recommend using varnishes in combination with antifungal tablets.

Preventive measures

To talk about how nail fungus looks like on the hands, photos of the initial stage can be better than various words. In the photographs below, you can clearly see the danger of this disease.

Onychomycosis is a disease that is much easier to prevent than to cure. In order to protect yourself from infection, you just need to follow the rules of hygiene. Many experts recommend that in order to reduce the risk of infection, purchase your own manicure supplies and abandon those tools that are used in beauty salons.

In order to prevent the disease, it is necessary to pay as much attention as possible to the condition of the nail plates and immunity. To do this, you should properly compose a diet, devote more time to physical activity and good rest.

20-07-2016

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Verified Information

This article is based on scientific data written by experts and verified by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and estheticians strives to be objective, open-minded, honest and present both sides of an argument.

is a very common phenomenon. In medicine, it is called. It is very difficult to recognize it at the initial stages of development, but it is quite possible if you are more attentive to your health and your feelings. So what does fungus look like under the nail? And is it possible to cure it yourself? Let's talk about it.

Onychomycosis is an infectious disease that is transmitted from one person to another. It affects the soft tissues located under the nail plate. The fungus multiplies gradually, so it is very difficult to identify it immediately. When it reaches its peak, the nail plate itself is already drawn into the process, and it is at this moment that a person, as a rule, notices that something is wrong with his nail.

The following:

the shape of the nail plate changes (it can be concave inward, like a spoon, or vice versa, become convex, resembling a small mound);
the thickness of the nail changes (if the normal nail on the hand has a thickness of 0.5 mm, then when it is damaged by a fungus, it thickens to 1-1.5 mm, or vice versa, it becomes much thicker, like a film);
the appearance of the nail plate changes (normally, it should be smooth and even, and its surface becomes rough, longitudinal lines and cracks may appear on it);
the color of the nail changes (normally it should be pale pink, with infection, white or yellow spots appear on it, which darken over time and acquire a dirty gray tint).

If at this stage you do not start under the nails, then all the above symptoms become more intense and over time the nail plate begins to crumble and move away from the nail bed. In this case, you can observe an unpleasant odor, severe burning and itching.

How to treat a fungus under the nail?

Only a doctor, after examining and taking the necessary tests, will be able to give an accurate answer on how to treat the fungus under the nail. Since several factors must be taken into account here - the type of infectious agent (there are 300 types of fungi that can affect the nails, each of which has its own characteristics and resistance threshold to certain drugs) and the degree of damage to the nail plate.

At the initial stages of the development of the fungus under the nail, treatment can be carried out with special varnishes or drops that are used to treat the nail plates. Their active ingredients penetrate very deeply, thus reaching the source of infection. Only treatment with such means should occur until a healthy nail grows.

When there is already a deformation of the nail plate and its destruction, this means that the fungus has penetrated very deeply and treatment with varnishes and drops alone will not give positive results. It requires taking drugs both externally and orally. At the same time, the treatment has been going on for about six months.

But again, only a doctor should prescribe all these. After all, only he will be able to choose a truly effective remedy that will not only mask the symptoms of the infection, but also treat it.

It is possible, but only on condition that they are combined with drug treatment. At the same time, they also need to be used for a long time. Do not stop treatment at the stage of disappearance of the main symptoms of infection. It must be continued exactly until a healthy nail grows.

The following:

onion compresses;
compresses with garlic;
compresses with kombucha;
celandine.

Onion compress and garlic compress are made according to the same scheme. It is necessary to take ½ onion or a couple of cloves of garlic and grind to a mushy state (to increase efficiency, you can use onion and garlic at once in a 1: 1 ratio).

Then you need to thoroughly wash your feet or hands with soap (it is better to use household soap), wipe dry with a clean towel. Garlic or onion gruel should be carefully applied to the affected nail, wrapped with polyethylene on top and fixed with a bandage. This compress should be left for at least 10 hours. After that, it must be replaced with a new one.

Kombucha in the fight against fungal infection is also considered very effective. It is also applied to the affected nail, wrapped in polyethylene and a bandage. Such a compress is done every day at night. It must be removed in the morning.

Celandine is another universal remedy that is used not only to treat fungus, but also warts. But this remedy has one big drawback - it can only be used in summer, since fresh grass is needed to treat the fungus. The stem is broken, and the juice, which as a result begins to flow from it, is smeared on the nail.

But here you should be careful not to let the celandine juice get on the skin, as irritation or even burns may occur. This remedy is used several times a day, and before each application of juice to the affected nail, it is necessary to wash the affected limbs with laundry soap and steam them in a soda bath (1 tbsp of soda for 1 liter of warm water).

There are a lot of ways, as with a fungus under the nails. But it is worth noting that all of them do not give such a result as the use of modern drugs. Therefore, if you want to get rid of the infection as soon as possible and return a healthy appearance to your nails, you should not self-medicate. It is better to immediately seek help from a doctor.

Video about the treatment of nail fungus

Hello dear readers. Everyone heard about such a disease as nail fungus, and maybe not just heard, but he himself suffered. A fungal infection affects the nails of the hands and feet, which ultimately leads to the complete falling off of the entire nail plate. Such a disease is contagious and, as a rule, it starts with the legs, but a little later it gets to the hands, which can greatly complicate your life. You should not give a chance to the disease for its development, since every day it will be more and more difficult to treat it. Indeed, in the initial stages, you can get rid of the disease with the help of home remedies that will provide you with a safe treatment. But with a massive defeat of several parts of the body, traditional medicine will be powerless, as a result of which it will be necessary to fight the fungus with the help of the strongest drugs that will bring new troubles with them.

Causes of fingernail fungus

The most common cause of the appearance of a fungus on the hands is its appearance on the lower extremities. Why exactly on your feet?

Yes, because you can “take with you” the infection precisely in places with high humidity, where your legs will not be protected from it.

For example, going to the pool, bathhouse or even a shower in the gym can result in unpleasant symptoms. In such places, the probability of catching the disease increases several times, due to the fact that the fungus rapidly multiplies in a humid environment.

But getting infected immediately through the hands is not so simple, but still possible. Again, public places that have been visited by many human hands can “reward” you with such a surprise.

In general, hands suffering from athlete's foot can and do spread fungus spores everywhere. But in a dry environment, such bacteria will not last long, so you may not be affected by this problem.

Another thing is if a person is not completely healthy. There are factors that weaken the human immune system, then it will not be possible to avoid mycosis.

This applies to people suffering from heart disease or diabetes.

What is the source of infection

The source of onychomycosis is the fungal bacterium itself, which feels great in a humid environment, which means that there will be enough ways to get infected:

✔ If at least one person in the family is infected with an infection, then soon other family members will feel its first manifestations; the reason may be the use of a shared towel, bed linen, not to mention the shower.

✔ Any fungus, both skin and nail, can move to the nails of the hands, and this happens just because of the main symptom of mycosis - itching; we scratch the affected areas with our nails, so it’s better not to succumb to the temptation, but immediately start treating at least one disease before we get a new one.

✔ Use of common things, for example, clothes, shoes; you can catch fungus in suspicious nail salons, and this is the most harmless disease of all that are in such establishments, but still you should not endanger your health.

✔ City transport, swimming pool or even a beauty salon; moisture is the best conductor and source of fungal infection, so it is best to avoid such places if possible.

What provokes the development of onychomycosis

A common cause is a weakened immune system, which can occur for various reasons:

Stress that becomes a constant guest in your life. Due to constant experiences, the nervous system weakens, as a result of which a person can develop more serious diseases. The protective mechanism fails, and the path to fungal diseases is open.

Insufficient saturation of the body with all useful substances. Our immune system works only due to the vitamins and minerals that we draw from food every day. But in the cold season, it is not so easy to provide ourselves with all the necessary products, which is why we get sick.

Passing several courses of antibiotics, during which the immune system is not involved in the fight against the disease. So, it is weakened, and requires urgent restoration.

But there are other factors that provoke the fungus, which you can influence:

Insufficient hand hygiene, or even its complete absence; keep your own cleanliness, wash your hands after transport and money, and then you will significantly reduce the risk of acquiring a fungus.

Long false nails, under which there will definitely be a little moisture; in fact, it is there that the fungus develops; it is undesirable to wear such nails for more than three months.

How the disease develops

In most cases, a fungal bacterium enters the nail either through its root or through the nail bed.

Usually, infection occurs only in the presence of external damage (cracks, wounds), but if there are none, then there is nothing to be afraid of.

At risk are people who now and then like to gnaw barbs, or deliberately cut them off.

As a result, wounds are formed that will definitely not heal in one day, and avoiding contact with the outside world is not so easy.

Well, if it's just a fungus that you can get rid of even with the help of alternative medicine, but what if it's HIV or hepatitis? Therefore, it is better not to tempt fate, and not create problems for yourself with your own hands.

The fungus itself develops rather slowly, but surely. The main thing is that you have time for regular and harmless treatment.

If you do not start it in time, then everything can end with lesions of the skin, which will take a long time to heal.

Even with proper treatment, the fungus can return up to several times. It is important here not to turn off the treatment, even after the symptoms that bother you have been eliminated.

Signs and symptoms of fingernail fungus

There are three types of the disease, with the course of which the deformation of the nail plate is considered, and a significant deterioration in the overall picture:

For a long time you may not observe any symptoms, but bacteria are already developing and infecting the plate. A feature of this type is the yellowing of the nail along the lateral parts, later these areas cover healthy tissue, including the root.

If in the previous case, the nail bed is not touched by the fungus, then the opposite is true here. First of all, the skin suffers, and the nail itself thickens in this area. The entire surface changes its relief, forming a significant tuberosity. When the infection reaches the base, the growth of the nail itself can change direction.

This type of fungus develops rapidly, and therefore it is already noticed when the nail from the outside is separated from the finger itself. The color is classic, yellowish-white, but the surface does not change its structure.

Bacterial complication of onychomycosis

Quite often, in addition to the nails, the fungus can also reach the nail folds that frame the nail.

The surrounding skin becomes inflamed, a slight redness may appear, followed by swelling.

Inflamed areas are painful, as well as fever. In severe cases, there is a discharge of pus, in which it is necessary to start antibiotic treatment.

Diagnosis of nail fungus

Of course, at the first suspicion of a fungus, it is best to immediately consult a doctor. Only after the analyzes have been carried out, it is possible to determine the type, and only then proceed to its treatment.

In such cases, you should not self-medicate, because anyway it will not bring any result.

But before going to the doctor, you should have at least some confidence that this is a fungus. The nail plate begins to delaminate, during which the relief changes, as well as the color of the nail. Almost the main symptom is the thickening of the nail in its bed.

Nail fungus on the hands - treatment at home

So, treating such a disease is not as easy as it seems at first glance, but there are still pluses.

In the early stages, you can limit yourself to natural “medicines” in the form of decoctions, homemade ointments and tinctures.

All this can bring the desired effect only with proper regular use.
A list of remedies that can save you from such trouble as a fungus:

Grapefruit Seed Extract. It is clear that no one will extract the extract at home, so you can find such a remedy at any pharmacy. Lubricate painful areas should be up to three times a day.

Baths based on strong coffee. Relieve inflammation and annoying itching. And if you carry out such procedures daily for several months, then you can completely get rid of the fungus.

Wraps with horseradish , which is pre-rubbed on a grater. The finished gruel is applied to the skin, wrapped in cling film, and left for an hour.

Mask based on onion and lemon juice. Lemon juice is squeezed out, and the onion is rubbed on a grater, after which it is wrapped in gauze and the liquid is squeezed out. Lemon juice is added to the pulp of the onion, and spread on sore fingers.

Baths based on saline and soda solution. They relieve not only inflammation, but also the very source of the disease. For a liter of water, you need only one spoon of soda or salt.

So, we figured out the causes of such a disease as onychomycosis, traced its course and types.

After consulting with a specialist, you should immediately begin treatment with the help of non-traditional methods, since they will have the desired effect, while only strengthening the immune system.

And this will only accelerate not only the recovery and growth of a new healthy nail, but also accelerate the overall recovery of the body. As a result, you will not only have beautiful nails, but also healthy ones.

Nail fungus or onychomycosis is one of the most common skin problems. Onychomycosis develops under the condition of infection of the skin and nail plates. There are about 50 types of bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause this disease. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the fungus under the nail plates and on the surface of the hands is similar to the usual scuffs and spots, so it is difficult to recognize and start treatment. However, if treatment is not started in a timely manner, the disease progresses and worsens the condition of the nails and skin.

What is toenail fungus

In the outside world, mushrooms are widely distributed. And hands are in daily contact with many surfaces and are often subject to interaction with microorganisms. Onychomycosis occurs when infected with various pathogens, such as yeast, mold. However, most of the subungual fungi are caused by dermatophytes, namely Trichophyton red (Trichophyton rubrum). Through the blood and lymphatic vessels, it is carried throughout the human body and damages the nail plate from the inside.

Why does the fungus appear on the skin of the hands

The main sources of infection can be people around, everyday items (towel, bed linen, etc.). Among the most common causes of the development of the fungus are:

the presence of diabetes;
constant stressful situations;
unbalanced diet;
weak immune system;
long-term use of oral hormonal contraceptives or antibiotics;
lack of hand hygiene;
nail plate injuries.

What does a fungus look like

With onychomycosis, the nail plate begins to deform from the outer edge or at the base. The stages of development of the fungus are as follows:

There is inflammation in the area of the lateral or posterior ridge of the nail. It begins to thicken, swell and redden.
If you press on the inflamed area, pus will come out.
Grayish scales form along the edges of the roller.
The color of the nail changes. Gray spots, stripes or furrows are formed.
Then the gray areas begin to collapse.

First signs

The initial stages of the development of the disease can be seen independently. Among the first signs of onychomycosis are:

The shine of the nail plate disappears.
Spots of different shades are formed on the nail (from pale gray to yellowish).
Nails become more brittle.
The shape of the nail bed changes. She becomes curvy.
Pus begins to stand out from the plate.
There is keratinization under the nail.
The inflamed area begins to itch.
There is an unpleasant smell.

Types of fungus

The fungus of the hands and nails is divided into several types, which is determined by the severity and form of leakage.

normotrophic fungus develops rather slowly. Gradually, the color of the nail changes, then grooves, spots and stripes appear. At the next stage, the nail begins to exfoliate and thin.
hypertrophic. With the development of this type of fungus, the finger begins to hurt a lot, and the nail plate breaks and crumbles. Separate parts of the nail grow into the roller. Onychomycosis develops to a greater extent under the skin.
atrophic. At the beginning, the plates become thinner, break, constant discomfort is felt in the fingers. Then the nails change color to grayish or brown. With the development of the disease, it can completely disappear.

Treatment of the fungus under the nail on the hand

In order to get rid of the fungus on the hands, an integrated approach to treatment is needed. Optimal will be the sharing of means for oral administration, external use and folk methods. During treatment, flour and sweet products, as well as alcohol, should be avoided. It is recommended to add vegetable fiber, protein and antioxidant vitamins A, C, E to the diet.

With the right approach to therapy, the symptoms of mycosis infection completely disappear, the nail grows together and looks healthy. It is necessary to take tests for the presence of fungi three times: after the course of treatment, after two and four months. One of the necessary conditions for getting rid of hand fungus is the frequent disinfection of all bypass means (towels, bed linen, common areas).

When a fungus appears under the surface of extended nails, they are urgently removed and consult a dermatologist. After he examines and identifies the type of fungus, an antimycotic drug (ointment, varnish or gel) is prescribed. With a running process or its complication, tablets and injections are additionally used. In the most difficult cases, a complete removal of the nail is performed.

Hand nail fungus remedies

The choice of antifungal drugs on the shelves of pharmacies is quite large and it is problematic to determine the most effective remedy. The choice of methods for the treatment of onychomycosis and the scheme for using drugs is prescribed by the doctor in accordance with the degree of infection of the patient's nail plates. When prescribing antimycotic drugs, the following aspects are taken into account:

The exact diagnosis will be determined only by the attending dermatologist.
To avoid side effects, taking antifungal drugs is not combined with other medicines.
To completely cure onychomycosis and avoid relapses, you need to complete a course of systemic medicines for the fungus.
You should see a doctor twice a month in the early stages of treatment. Then once.

There are many ways to treat fungus with:

tablets;
varnishes of a wide range of activity;
ointments;
sprays;
gels;
specialized plasters;
creams, fungicidal action (Lotseril and Atifin).
surgery in advanced stages.

Fungal medicines for oral use

In order to avoid the rapid destruction of the nail plate, doctors recommend using both external antifungal drugs (cream, ointment) and internal action. In order for the treatment to help, you need to carefully observe the time of taking the remedy and the entire treatment regimen (duration of the course, changing the dosage, skipping the prescribed medication). The main oral remedies for onychomycosis are as follows:

Nystatin. Belongs to the group of polyenes. The action applies only to yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida (Candida albicans). The drug is taken up to 6 million units per day, regardless of the time of eating. If children are under one year old, then the dosage is reduced to 250 thousand units three times a day. The course lasts 10-14 days. Then a week break is made and the reception is repeated if necessary. Contraindications: pancreatitis, chronic liver disease, stomach ulcers, pregnancy.
Ketoconazole. An antifungal drug belonging to the group of azoles. Actively acts against such types of fungi as dermatophytes, yeast-like, dimorphic, and higher. Use is shown for both children and adults if the body weight exceeds 30 kg. Use 200-400 mg once a day during a meal. The average course duration is two weeks. The drug is given to children under three years of age, women during pregnancy, people with liver disease or hypersensitivity to active ingredients.

Ointment

The effectiveness of antimycotic drugs for external use can be detected only two to three weeks after the start of the course of treatment. Among the means of local action, allylamine and azole are distinguished.

The most in demand are:

Terbinafine. Belongs to the allylamine group. The action extends to almost all types of pathogens of onychomycosis. Before use, it is necessary to remove the keratinized parts of the affected nail plate with a nail file. The agent must be applied in a thin layer to the site of infection and nearby areas, which contributes to prevention. After the ointment is absorbed, a gauze bandage should be applied. The drug is used twice a day for four to six months.
Clotrimazole. Included in the group of azoles. It acts against dermatophytes, yeast-like and mold fungi. After the nail is completely cleansed, a thin layer of ointment is applied to it and rubbed into the surface. The procedure is repeated three to four times a day. Unlike the first ointment, here a bandage is not applied to the area with the drug. The tool is used until the moment of cure and for two weeks after the elimination of the fungus for prevention. Among the contraindications are the 1st trimester of pregnancy and intolerance to the active components of the ointment.

Antifungal nail polishes

In order to cure the nail plate, antifungal varnishes are applied locally. Their distinguishing feature is durability and long-term preservation on the nail compared to ointments or gels. Liquid varnish is easy to apply and quickly absorbed. It gets inside the structure of the nail and fills even microscopic cracks. When applying antifungal varnish, infectious agents die after 48 hours. Some of the best varnishes are:

Oflomelid. Its action extends to all types of fungi, both at the initial and advanced stages of infection. The drug is applied once or twice a week until a full cure. Contraindications for use - pregnancy and lactation period.
Batrafen. Actively acts against 58 different types of pathogens of onychomycosis. Treatment with varnish is carried out for 3 months. In the first period, the product is applied every other day, in the second stage twice a week, in the third month - once a week. Among the contraindications are: age under ten years, pregnancy and lactation.

How to cure a fungus on the hands of the surgical method

The decision to remove a fungus-infected nail plate can only be made by a doctor after the prescribed treatment options have not helped. There are several ways:

Hardware pedicure. Do not confuse the procedure with cosmetic care. It is carried out only in a medical institution with a specialized cone-shaped nozzle coated with an abrasive coating. The nail plate is softened with chemicals and removed one layer at a time.
laser method. It acts directly on the focus of the disease and kills the pathogens of the fungus. Then the nail is removed using local anesthesia. The process takes several minutes and does not affect healthy nail tissue. The new plate grows within six months.
Surgery. Used less frequently than others. Is quite painful. The nail plate is removed with a scalpel under local anesthesia. The wound is then treated with antibiotics and bandaged. Tissue healing takes two to three weeks.

Folk remedies

If it was possible to detect the beginning of the infectious process on time, you can cure the nails from the fungus with the help of folk remedies. The main advantage of using folk recipes is their safety and no risk of exposure to toxins on the body. The most effective traditional medicine are:

Tea mushroom. Use a two-month infusion of the fungus. It is boiled for one hour, filtered and cooled to room temperature. A piece of tissue is impregnated with the Kombucha concentrate and applied to the surface of the nail infected with the fungus overnight. The whole process is repeated daily until the condition improves.
Essential oils. They are added to baths or used as compresses. More often used (tea tree oil, lavender and rosemary). Lubricate the infected nail with oil twice or thrice a day. You can drip 10 drops of essential oil and iodine solution into a hot water hand bath. This procedure is carried out daily for 10-15 minutes. Another option for using the solution is to dip a bath disc in it and make a compress for the night.

Prevention of the fungus

In order to avoid the long process of fungus treatment and keep the skin of the hands and nails in good condition, it is important to follow these rules:

Therapist Khalepa Y.V.

Fungus under the nails of the hands is an unpleasant dermatological disease that can be transmitted from person to person or acquired under certain conditions. You can catch this infection in many public places: in the pool, gym, sauna or bath.

How to identify nail fungus

The fungus infects the nails and the skin around them. Most often it is accompanied by such symptoms:

change in the color of the nail from dark gray to greenish;
stratification of nails, increased fragility;
thickening of the nail;
lagging of the nail from the bed.

Note! These symptoms may be the result of injury to the nail, and not a fungal infection. As a result of some injuries, even the loss of the nail plate is observed. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms.

Often the shape of the nail plate, its color, skin texture change under the influence of chemical household products, homework, lack of cosmetic care for them.

Causes of the fungus and how it is transmitted

The fungus lives where good conditions are created for its reproduction. It should be a nutritious moist environment, with a slight lightening, a temperature of up to 75 degrees with an alkaline PH. The human skin is an ideal habitat for fungus, so it is very easy to get infected with it. Places of increased risk of infection with nail fungus are:

reservoirs open for public bathing;
pools;
gyms;
saunas;
baths;
hotels.

In these places, the human skin is steamed, its small particles are separated from the body and deposited on the furniture, floor, handrails, interaction with which leads to infection.

The fungus can also be transmitted in domestic conditions. If there is a person with a fungus in the family, then the infection can be transmitted through shared towels and bedding. There are cases when the disease was transmitted through the rails in the subway or exercise equipment in fitness clubs.

Attention! The fungus under the nails develops very slowly. The first symptoms may not be noticed. Only constant nail care and monitoring of the condition of the skin and cuticles will make it possible to determine the presence of an infection in time.

There are frequent cases of fungus in lovers of artificial nails. Under them, increased humidity and temperature are formed, favorable for the reproduction of fungal bacteria. It is not recommended to wear false nails for more than three months.

There are three types of fungal infection that affects the nail plates on the hands:

normotrophic infection does not change the shape, size and thickness of the nail. Its main feature is dark spots and stripes on its surface;
onycholytic infection is accompanied by exfoliation of the nail plate, looseness of the skin under it, discoloration;
hypertrophic fungal infection affects the edges of the nails, accompanied by pain.

Each type of fungal infection can cause about ten different diseases. A dermatologist will help to accurately establish the diagnosis based on studies of the fungus under the nails.

Methods for treating fungus under the nails on the hands

The effectiveness of the treatment of fungus under the nails depends on the timeliness of medical intervention. The sooner the patient sees a doctor, the sooner he will get rid of this disease. Microscopic analysis of a nail particle allows you to determine the type of fungus, its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs. There are several techniques that are used during the treatment of a fungal infection.

Systemic medical therapy. It consists in the systematic use of pharmacological preparations: tablets and capsules, which are prescribed by a doctor based on a complete diagnosis of the infection.
The use of external treatment methods. If several nails are affected by the fungus, special ointments and gels are prescribed that stop the development of the infection.

Attention! There is no quick cure for fungus. Treating an infection is a lengthy process. Assurances of pharmacological companies that any gel or ointment will get rid of the fungus in a few applications are false.

An integrated approach that includes a combination of internal medication with the use of ointments. Such therapy is used in the later stages of infection.
The use of traditional medicine. Treatment with folk remedies is permissible in the early stages of the development of a fungal infection. Some doctors note that making nourishing baths and lotions is useful in combination with traditional drug therapy.

In severe forms of fungal infection, the nail plate is removed surgically. Rarely, when the infection is accompanied by a bacterial complication, antibiotics are prescribed.

During the treatment of the infection in the initial stages, the affected nails need special care. It is necessary to periodically remove the affected areas of the skin and nails with special manicure tools. In difficult cases, this can be done in any beauty parlor.

The key to successful treatment of nail fungus on the hands is a thorough study of the affected infection.

Note! Infection with a fungus cannot be determined by the appearance of the skin and nails. This only indicates its existence. The fungus can represent many dermatological diseases.

Fungal infection most often affects organisms with weak immunity. The lower the weaker the immune mechanisms of a person, the harder it is to cure the disease. Treatment of infection must be directed to the general strengthening of the body.

The use of traditional medicine is permissible only in cases of the onset of the disease, when several nails are slightly affected. Then nail baths, which are based on the following components, will help stop the development of a fungal infection:

Apple vinegar;
lemon juice;
a solution of honey and mint;
thyme oil;
soda and soap;
aloe juice.

These components are mixed in equal proportions with water and hands are kept in them for 15-20 minutes. There are no laboratory studies that would confirm the effectiveness of such methods, but many years of experience and practice prove their effectiveness.

Attention! Self-medication can cause the development of other diseases! Often the fungus indicates psoriasis, dermatitis, neurodermatitis. Hundreds of people have been trying for years without success to cure nail fungus just because they are treating the wrong disease.

If the fungus has affected a significant part of the nails, it is better to consult a specialist and undergo all the necessary research than to treat the infection at home

Prevention of fungus under the nails

To protect yourself from the risk of contracting a fungal infection, you need to know about preventive measures, avoid high-risk situations and follow a few tips:

at home and in public places, it is always necessary to follow the rules of personal hygiene: wear your own hand towel, washing products;
wear gloves in fitness clubs and gyms;
wash hands thoroughly after using public transport;
carry a gel exterminator with you, which, during a long stay on the street, treat the skin of the hands;
observe skin care on the hands: use moisturizing hand creams, periodically do nail baths;
in beauty salons, make sure that the manicure is done with a clean and disinfected instrument.

Careful adherence to all preventive recommendations will protect the nails from damage by a fungal infection.