Usually, people who encounter a nail fungus panic. Everyone knows his symptoms. The disease is dangerous to others. Everyone asks the same questions: what is nail fungus afraid of, how quickly can you get rid of the disease? However, after trying all kinds of means, infected people go to a specialist who explains what a nail fungus really is. In fact, few people know about the nature of the disease. But this is the secret of treatment.
general characteristics
Onychomycosis - this is the name given to this disease in medicine, but the usual expression for hearing is “nail fungus”. It conceals in itself more semantic meaning. This is damage to the nail plate due to the spread of fungal viruses. It should be noted that, despite the wide spread of the disease, in fact, only 10% of the world's population are pathologically predisposed to this ailment.
Pathogens
Even with a great desire, all known pathogens cannot be listed. They are divided according to their types and properties into several groups:
- Dermatophytes. These include: red trichophyton, favus fungus, purple trichophyton, etc.
- Yeast-like fungi. Candida fungus belongs to this category: white and parapsilosis.
- Mold category. It includes: Fusarium, black aspergillus and the equally common scopulariopsis.
A certain part of the above pathogens does not originate on the nail plates. This fact is very important to consider when solving the problem of what the nail fungus on hands is afraid of.
Another important point - in 25% of cases, the nail surface is affected not by one type of pathogen, but several at once.
Causes
The fungus, depending on its type, has various causes and conditions for manifestation. However, a number of habitual and characteristic for all types of predisposing factors was derived:
- damage to the nail plate or cuticle;
- moisture;
- bodily contact with an already infected person;
- non-compliance with banal standards of hygiene of nails;
- weak immunity;
- hormonal imbalance or diabetes.
Of course, in a detailed study of this ailment, it is necessary to take into account where it is common. So, you can display a number of the most famous locations of the fungus:
- salons for manicure and pedicure;
- public saunas, pools and baths;
- various entertainment centers where it is necessary to use replaceable shoes;
- public locker rooms.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out in various ways. Some of them seem complicated at first glance. However, in order to calculate that a nail fungus is afraid like fire, several types of research are required.
In the laboratory, the patient will pass 2 tests:
The first method is the most effective, since it gives accurate results in 60% of cases. It determines not only the presence of the fungus itself, but also its appearance. The process itself occurs in this order: first, a sample of the material is taken from the infected nail, then it is placed in a special environment that will feed the fungal cells, which will provoke their rapid development. The grown cells of the virus are examined under a microscope, this way the exact answer will be given exactly how the fungus affects the nail.
Microscopic examination involves processing the material and studying it under a microscope. In 20% of cases, treatment is carried out with potassium hydroxide. Thus, a diagnosis is made. Under the microscope, not only the cells of the fungus itself are visible, but also its hyphae.
The latter method gives the most accurate results, but it is not so common and not all types of viruses are detected - this is a DNA diagnostic method. He calculates the appearance of the fungus by its DNA structure. Moreover, this method is the fastest, and for many patients it is also the most convenient, because everyone wants to reveal that they are afraid of nail fungus in order to quickly get rid of the pathology.
Symptoms of the initial stage
Symptoms in most types of fungus are very similar, therefore, a certain systematics was revealed to identify this ailment in humans. All patients, regardless of the location of the fungus, are eager to get rid of it. Thousands of people are puzzled by what the fungus of fingernails is afraid of. Wherever a fungal infection develops, its first signs are completely invisible.
In the initial stages, the fungus manifests itself as follows:
- There is a change in the color of the nail.
- The nail plate becomes brittle and brittle, and its surface loses its smooth structure.
- The infected person ceases to feel the sensitivity of the nail, that is, it seems to die off.
If at this stage you do not begin to act, then you can only aggravate the condition of the nails. It must be remembered that nail fungus is a problem not only for the patient himself, but also for those around him.
Progressive Symptoms
If the infected person did not contact a specialist on time, then the fungus manifests itself in all its glory. And here it is no longer a joke, since its symptoms are now pronounced, and treatment is a complicated task at times. In addition to the appearance of the nail, its structure deteriorates so much that the nail becomes a source of pain. This is accompanied by characteristic symptoms:
- Deep and wide cracks on the surface of the nail.
- The shape of the nail changes.
- The color of the nail is subject to dramatic changes, the nail stands out in its shade, which is very far from natural.
- Legs or hands (depending on the spread of the fungus) become a source of unpleasant odor.
- The nail (even in the absence of damage) constantly crumbles.
- The nail plate noticeably increases in thickness.
All these creepy symptoms can lead to complete dystrophy of the nail. Moreover, the advanced form of the disease, especially if you do not try to treat it at least at this stage, can lead to the penetration of the fungus into other parts of the body. The fungus that completely affects the nail will spread further along the skin, causing pain and exposing the wearer to the risk of contracting other serious infectious diseases. Also, the fungal carrier has a transition of its chronic diseases to more severe forms.
Specialist Reviews
Many leading dermatologists in reviews of nail fungus write that such diseases are very common. And all because such microorganisms are able to survive even in scales from the fallen skin of a sick person. If you do not turn to a specialist in time, then the fungus will spread throughout the human body. Moreover, all doctors strongly recommend a competent diagnosis of the disease, which will determine the type of fungus itself. Trying at home to get rid of the disease yourself is not worth it. Traditional medicine treatment is ineffective, and this is not what the nail fungus is afraid of. Such methods can only dull the symptoms of the infection process, but they are not able to eradicate the disease.
Complications
In fact, nail fungus is not rich in complications, but they scare even uninfected people. Pathology can lead to the following:
- the appearance of deep cracks both on the nail surface itself and on the skin adjacent to the nail;
- purulent painful formations;
- peeling off the nail partially or completely;
- the multiplication of the infection and its transition to other parts of the body.
Treatment
Naturally, in order to start treatment, you need to know exactly about the type of disease itself. For this, diagnostics are carried out. After identifying the type of fungal infection, treatment should be started immediately. The best technique is to combine medical medicine with folk. Official medicine implies:
- Use a special ointment or varnish for nail fungus.
- Taking the necessary medications.
- Removing infected nail.
All medications that have long been known to medicine and are widely used include:
- ointments for external use;
- tablets;
- creams;
- Sprays
- solutions;
- powders;
- syrups and so on.
Some users write in reviews about nail polish varnish, which they have been treating for a long time, that it was difficult to cure nail fungus. Periodically, people think that they have already got rid of the disease, but it makes itself felt again and again. Medications are often not very effective, so people began to use special varnishes - "Mikozan", "Oflomil" and others. Using them is extremely simple. To do this:
- remove dead skin layers;
- wipe the nail with alcohol;
- varnish those areas that are already infected;
- leave the varnish to dry for about 5-10 minutes.
The reviews write that the treatment was long, but it was worth it.
When using ointments, it is very important to observe the time frame. You can not constantly use ointments, as well as you can not leave them on the nail for more than 15 minutes.
Medications have contraindications. They are strictly forbidden to use when:
- renal or hepatic pathologies;
- pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- allergies to certain components.
There are a number of tools that are uniquely the most effective, but their use requires accuracy, since they burn the surface on which they are applied. In addition, their components are known pathogens of allergic reactions.
One of the inevitable questions that the patient asks: is the nail fungus afraid of ultraviolet radiation? The answer is unequivocal: the use of ultraviolet is very common, which means that it is really effective. In order to achieve the desired results, it is very important to undergo a full course of treatment. This means that you need to visit the office of such therapy at least four times. As soon as ultraviolet rays begin to act on the fungus, pathogenic microorganisms die, which means that the nail is healing. The procedure is absolutely painless and does not cause any discomfort to the patient. It must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. However, it must be borne in mind that if the virus penetrates the body, then such a procedure will relieve symptoms, but will not completely cure the patient.
ethnoscience
Turning to traditional medicine, the patient is faced with the question: is the nail fungus afraid of vinegar or not? It is vinegar that has earned universal approval as a means to combat this disease. To the question of whether the fungus is afraid of nail vinegar, a positive answer can be given. This is because vinegar is harmful to all types of infections and viruses.
His miraculous abilities have long been known both in official medicine and in folk medicine. In addition, vinegar prevents the appearance of a fungal disease, acting as an antibacterial substance. In addition to vinegar, you can use citric acid, tincture of celandine, iodine, birch resin and much more. Now it’s clear which environment is afraid of nail fungus - acidic.
Conclusion
When using traditional medicine, it is important to first consult with a specialist. It must be remembered that combination treatment is the most effective. When the first signs of the disease are detected, it is necessary to begin to act, since the advanced stage is dangerous to health, and its treatment is significantly complicated.