Fungus on the nails of the hands is a disease that is quite common in our time. It is very simple to get this infection. It is easily transmitted through personal contact with a sick person or household items.
When visiting public places, such as a sauna, swimming pool or beauty salon (during a visit to a manicurist), the likelihood of catching this disease increases significantly. Also, frostbite of hands, stress or a decrease in immunity can provoke an infection. In men, fungus on the nails of the hands is more common than in women.
The scientific name for the disease is onychomycosis. The disease is a lesion of the plates of the nails - both arms and legs. At the same time, they fade, exfoliate and even crumble, starting from the edge. After this, deformation of the nail occurs, and in some places there is a thickening. Its color also changes - initially it turns white, then it turns yellow. In advanced cases, the nail is completely destroyed. Often, such a disease can be the result of not completely cured fungus of the skin of the hands or feet. If you wish, you can see what the nail fungus looks like - photos of it are presented in large numbers on the Internet.
Onychomycosis is also capable of harming the entire body, since it is not difficult to penetrate other infections through the affected tissue. It can also act as an allergen, which will lead to skin diseases or even bronchial asthma.
Fungus on the nails of the hands can complicate other existing diseases. The most dangerous case is its penetration into the internal organs of a person and their defeat.
Thus, when the first changes in the appearance of the nail plates appear, it is necessary to consult a specialist. After a thorough study in the laboratory, the doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. It can be local or systemic. In the first case, the doctor prescribes antifungal drugs that are applied directly to the nail. Modern drugs stay on a sore spot for a long time, so they are usually used 1-2 times a week. Local treatment is prescribed if the fungus has affected less than half of the nail. Preparations are available in the form of special varnishes, ointments, sprays.
In advanced cases, it will be advisable to remove the nail or several layers of the plate. So the fungus on the nails of the hands will be easier to treat, since drugs have a better effect on an open wound.
Systemic therapy is prescribed in the following cases: after 50 years, with diabetes and with a large lesion (more than three nails at the same time or more than half of one). Medicines are available in the form of capsules or tablets.
If necessary, both methods of treatment are prescribed at the same time. In each case, the doctor prescribes drugs individually.
Also, there are many known methods of traditional medicine that help fight this disease.
Treatment of foot and arm fungus usually takes a long time, so do not forget about prevention. It consists in the following: proper nutrition, intake of vitamins, compliance with simple rules of personal hygiene. After visiting public places, such as a swimming pool, sauna, water park, the bath should be washed thoroughly. Another remedy is antifungal varnish (colorless), which can be applied as a base under any other.