Onychomycosis can affect men and women of different ages. Not all patients understand the danger of nail fungus. Many consider this problem purely cosmetic. Therefore, there are times when women mask the fungus under extended nails, and some men simply ignore this problem. Unfortunately, such an attitude can cause serious harm to health.
Onychomycosis
WHO experts say that about 25% of the world's population is affected by nail fungus. However, a few decades ago, the problem was not so acute. Researchers suggest that the spread of the disease contributed to the benefits of modern civilization. For example, beauty salons and sports complexes.
Gyms, pools, saunas and spas should contribute to improving human health. But it turned out that warm showers and changing rooms became real nurseries of pathogenic fungi. It is there that the parasites are looking forward to meeting the new owner.
Immediately after infection, the fungus does not manifest itself. First, he must gain a foothold in the human body. Over time, the first symptoms begin to appear. The fight against the disease must begin immediately, as soon as the pathology is diagnosed. Otherwise, the treatment may drag on for several long months.
Doctors know well the danger of nail fungus for the human body. Unfortunately, this pathology can threaten serious complications, especially if the human immunity is weakened. Therefore, medical attention should be sought at the first suspicious symptoms.
Causes of the disease
Any person can become infected with a fungus. But in people with weakened immune systems or various chronic pathologies, the chances of getting sick are much higher. The causes of the appearance of fungus on the nails are different for everyone, the main factors include:
- Poor processing of manicure tools.
- Nail Injury
- Shoes made from synthetic materials are either too narrow.
- Endocrine Disorders
- Impairment of blood circulation in the limbs.
- Non-observance of personal hygiene.
- Varicose veins.
- Hyperhidrosis.
- Using someone else’s shoes.
- Taking hormonal contraceptives or long-term antibiotic treatment.
- Avitaminosis.
- Slowing down the body's metabolic processes.
- Fungal skin lesions. Such patients are at high risk of being diagnosed with nail onychomycosis.
- Walking barefoot in the locker room.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Improper nutrition. Especially the prevalence of sweets and refined foods in the diet.
- HIV
How does nail fungus infection occur? Infection is introduced through scratches, scuffs and even diaper rash. In addition, spores can fall under the nail roller from the side of the free edge of the plate. The fungus is able to exist on the skin for several hours and even days, waiting for a favorable moment for its activation.
Symptoms and stages
It is almost impossible to immediately notice how the fungus begins on the nails. The first two to three days there are no symptoms of infection. Then in the affected area or near it begins a slight itching. Dryness and peeling of the skin, as well as hyperemia, gradually develops. In the event that a person has strong immunity, this stage can last up to several months and even years.
If the infection continues to develop, the affected nail begins to turn yellow. Small cracks can form on the plate, often they spread to the skin.
In the event that at this stage the patient does not start treatment, other symptoms also appear. For example, the lower part of the plate becomes more and more friable, while the nail itself becomes thinner and more stratified.
At the last stage, painful cracks begin to appear on the skin. Nails are deformed and destroyed, often they turn black and thin out an unpleasant odor. At this stage, a complete loss of the nail is possible.
Types of Fungi
Not all types of fungi are capable of affecting the nail plates. Without the help of doctors, the patient is not able to independently classify the pathogen, which means that self-medication can be ineffective. That's the danger of nail fungus: while the patient will treat onychomycosis to no avail, time will be lost. The infection will have time to affect the surrounding tissues and internal organs.
Doctors distinguish the following varieties of fungus that can affect the nail plates:
- Dermatophytes. Most often, infection occurs during contact with an infected person or in contact with soil containing spores. The microorganism rarely infects people with strong immunity. First, only the tip of the nail is infected, then the plate is completely affected.
- Yeast Mushrooms. Contact is not necessary for infection. Candida is present on the skin and mucous membrane of most people, pathology begins to progress if the immune system weakens. Often, the disease fades for no apparent reason and worsens again.
- Mold mushrooms. There are more than 40 species of this microorganism. It is difficult to diagnose and therapy, it can destroy the entire nail plate in the shortest possible time. In addition, it is able to penetrate the body and affect internal organs and systems.
Diagnostics
Onychomycosis is best treated at the first stage of its development. In order for the doctor to prescribe the most effective drug, he must know the type of parasite. Therefore, the doctor may prescribe the following diagnostic procedures:
- Antibiotic content from the nail channel.
- Scraping the skin or nails for testing for parasitic fungi.
- Back sowing with antimycotogram.
Possible complications
Onychomycosis does not have an adverse effect on the body at the initial stage of its development. Therefore, people who have not encountered this pathology before do not understand the danger of nail fungus, they ignore the first symptoms and delay treatment. Doctors know cases when patients asked for help even when almost all of the nail plates were destroyed.
A neglected form of nail fungus is capable of undermining the patient's health. The danger of the disease lies in possible complications. These include:
- Irreversible nail changes.
- Paronychial.
- Exacerbation of eczema and dermatitis.
- General intoxication of the body.
- Exacerbation of chronic inflammatory diseases.
- Decreased immunity.
- The ingress of pathogens into damaged skin.
- The penetration of the fungus into nearby internal organs.
The use of pharmaceutical preparations
At home, treatment of nail fungus can be carried out only after consulting a doctor and making a diagnosis. The doctor will prescribe a treatment regimen and dose of the drug. Most often, onychomycosis is treated with topical preparations. The most effective include:
- Lamisil. Used once or twice a day. Effective for both fighting advanced pathology and for prevention. The duration of treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Children under 12 years old are not recommended.
- Nizoral. Contains ketoconazole. Treatment can last from two to four weeks. The most effective cream in the first stages of the disease.
- Clotrimazole. This medication should be applied three times a day. Clotrimazole is able to completely rid the patient of the fungus in just two weeks.
- "Exoderyl." The medicinal substances that make up the cream destroy the cell membrane of the parasite, and it dies. The drug quickly relieves itching and flushing. It is not prescribed for pregnant and lactating.
- "Mikozan". The ointment is applied with the applicator strictly to the affected areas, twice a day. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to process the surface of the nail plate with a nail file.
For the treatment of advanced stages of onychomycosis, systemic drug treatment may be required, which involves taking the drugs inside. In rare cases, the doctor may resort to surgery and remove the nail plate.
Traditional medicine recipes
Treatment of nail fungus at home can be done using traditional medicine recipes. The most appropriate treatment option should be selected with a dermatologist. This will help to avoid complications and increase the effectiveness of treatment.
The following methods have proven themselves well:
- In a liter of hot water, dissolve a tablespoon of soda and sea salt. Feet are lowered into a liquid and held until it cools down. Repeat daily, at least twice a day. After the bath, the affected areas are lubricated with iodine.
- Tar soap is crushed and mixed with a small amount of water. The resulting foam is applied to the affected areas and incubated for at least 20 minutes.
- A few cloves of garlic are passed through a press. The resulting slurry is used for compresses. Manipulation is repeated twice a day. The compress should be kept for at least 30 minutes.
- Horseradish root is minced using a meat grinder. The pulp is applied to the problem area and covered with cling film. Such a compress is left overnight.
- A small piece of Kombucha is applied to the affected nail and fixed with a bandage. The compress is left until the morning.
Prevention
Avoidance of infection with onychomycosis helps prevention. Treating toenail fungus can be expensive and time consuming. Therefore, it is better to do everything to prevent infection.
You can protect yourself by observing the following rules:
- Attentive to health. Treat any scratches, corns and abrasions with an antiseptic and stick with a plaster.
- Daily quality hygiene. With foot hyperhidrosis, special drying agents with antibacterial and antifungal effects should be used.
- The use of individual shoes.
In addition, in places where you can become infected, you should be very careful. For example, it’s better to go into the shower room of the gym in rubber slippers.