Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a fungal infection of the nail plate. This disease is found in both adults and children. The main causative agents of onychomycosis are dermatophyte fungi. If untreated, the fungus spreads to the skin and can cause complications.
Classification of onychomycosis
Like any other disease, onychomycosis has its own types and forms. Types of nail fungus are as follows:
- Normotrophic. The color of the nail plate changes, white spots or stripes appear. However, the gloss does not disappear and the thickness does not deform.
- Hypertrophic. Also, the color changes, the gloss disappears, and the nail plate thickens noticeably. At the edges of the nail can be destroyed.
- Atrophic. Atrophy begins, and the affected nail is separated from the nail bed.
By location, onychomycosis is divided into four forms:
- Distal (the nail is affected at the free edge).
- Lateral (the sides are affected).
- Proximal (the posterior roller is affected).
- Total (the nail is completely affected).
In order to establish the main cause of infection, the type and form of the fungus, you will need to undergo a thorough examination.
Causes of the disease
Fungal spores can get under the nails and on the skin due to scratches or other minor damage. Also, infection can occur after using other people's towels or open shoes. Do not think that if one of the adult family members has a fungal disease, then it will not spread to the child. Due to their age, children with an immature immune system get sick much more often than adults. Many diseases, including fungal ones, can develop much faster and have a negative effect on the health of the child.
The most common causes of fungus on toes in children are barefoot walking on the street, beach, pool or kindergarten. In the absence of proper sterilization of the premises, fungi actively multiply and the risk of infection increases even with the slightest contact.
If there are animals in the house, parents should be careful not to let the child walk barefoot. It is advisable to reduce or completely eliminate open interaction with the pet. There are a huge number of various harmful microorganisms on the paws, and fungal spores are no exception. Infection occurs not only in contact with the surface of the floor or carpet. For example, cats can spread parasites to furniture (bed, table, etc.), bedding (especially for children), so if possible it is necessary to control the movement of the animal and carefully monitor its hygiene.
If a child is diagnosed with immunodeficiency, vitamin deficiency, flat feet or metabolic disturbances are present, then the risk of onychomycosis and skin lesions increases.
Symptoms and manifestations of foot fungus
Very often, parents do not attach much importance to the primary signs of fungus on the toes of children. Such carelessness can lead to subsequent complications, as parasitism progresses rapidly. In the absence or ineffective treatment in the future, the child may develop severe allergic reactions and a general decrease in immunity.
The main symptoms of fungus on toes in children include:
- Initially, the fungus is localized between the toes, after which it can go to the nails and foot;
- small transparent blisters that gradually turn into severely itchy ulcers;
- the skin of the affected area becomes bright red;
- severe itching and slight swelling in the area of the nail;
- the skin is cracking and peeling;
- soreness when walking.
If the child is at the age when he can tell his parents what is bothering him, then he must consult a dermatologist for diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Diagnosis of onychomycosis
To establish a diagnosis, a doctor initially makes a visual examination of the affected area. An examination of infected skin is usually sufficient to establish a diagnosis. However, to be sure, a scraping is done to analyze the horny masses of the nail plate for the presence of parasites. After examining the results of the study, a dermatologist will be able to develop treatment tactics.
Treatment
Uncomplicated fungus in children is treated with effective antifungal drugs for the feet. Most often, these are antimycotic oral tablets, ointments and special solutions for baths or compresses. The treatment is systemic in nature and is carried out by the course, depending on the form of the fungal infection. In the presence of complications, complete or partial removal of the affected nail and tissues is required. That is why you should not postpone a consultation with a doctor.
Drug treatment
Special drugs are used to treat most fungal infections. An effective antifungal drug is Griseofulvin. The instructions for use of "Griseofulvin" for children say that the drug has a fungistatic effect to stop the multiplication of microorganisms. Destroys parasitic fungi that provoke the occurrence of skin diseases. The instructions for use of "Griseofulvin" for children also indicate that the drug is prescribed for children weighing 25 kg at a dosage of 10 mg / kg before meals, 2 times a day. Tablets are taken orally (by mouth).
Diflucan also helps with treatment. The drug is intended to prevent the development of fungal diseases. "Diflucan" against fungus is available in the form of capsules, powder and solutions for infusion therapy. The active ingredient is fluconazole.
"Naftifin" is an antifungal agent in the class of allylamines. The active ingredient is naphthyne hydrochloride. Its effect is associated with the inhibition of ergosterol. This drug has a positive effect for adults. According to reviews, "Naftifin" from a fungus for children is better not to use, as there are cases of overdose and inefficiency.
"Terbinafine" is an antifungal agent with a wide spectrum for combating various fungal diseases. Available in the form of tablets, spray and ointment. Its impact is minimal. The instructions for use of the ointment "Terbinafine" indicate that the drug is recommended to be applied to the affected areas 2 times a day, easily rubbing. The average course of treatment is 4 weeks. After that, consult a dermatologist.
The selection of medications and the preparation of a course of treatment should be carried out exclusively by the attending physician. Self-medication is prohibited, as the wrong choice of funds will lead to the development of complications, which in the future will be more difficult to eliminate.
Traditional medicine
If parents decided to resort to folk remedies that can eliminate the fungus on the toes of children, then this must first be agreed with a dermatologist. If approved, you can choose some of the safest recipes for the child. These include:
- Aloe leaves. Grind fresh leaves to a state of gruel and apply to the affected areas, apply a sterile dressing. In this case, it is desirable that the child is lying, since when walking the bandage will not hold. After 30 minutes, remove and wipe with fresh aloe juice.
- Apple vinegar. Take cotton socks, soak in vinegar, squeeze well so that they are wet, and put on overnight. Pre-wipe the affected area with vinegar diluted with water.
- Tea tree oil. It must be natural, without impurities. First you need to make a foot bath with oil, then apply oil to the affected skin and nails, rubbing it easily. Better to do at night.
- Decoction of calendula and chamomile. Take 1 tbsp. l chamomile flowers and calendula, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave to infuse for 2 hours. After the broth, pour in 3 l of hot water, bring to room temperature and make a bath, lowering the legs for 20 minutes. Get your feet wet with a clean towel and put on cotton socks.
- An effective remedy for fungus on the toes is a bath with potassium permanganate. Manganese has an excellent disinfecting effect. Such baths help eliminate itching. It is advisable to take manganese in capsule form. Dissolve 1 g in 2 liters of water at room temperature. The color of the solution should be pale pink. Lower your legs for 25 minutes, then wipe dry with a towel.
Disease prevention
After recovery, it is recommended that you follow proper personal hygiene as a preventive measure. Parents should carefully monitor the cleanliness of rooms, bedding, shoes, clothes, towels, etc. If the child is small, then avoid contact with animals, especially street ones. Do not allow walking barefoot along the street, as in this case, infection with a fungal infection cannot be ruled out.
The most important thing is to consult a specialist in time at the first sign of foot fungus in children. In no case do not independently treat the disease unknown to the parents.
Forecast
In most cases, the prognosis for recovery from onychomycosis and other fungal skin diseases is favorable. If the appeal to the medical institution was timely, then the recovery lasts unhindered and without complications.