The fungus of the nails or the onychomycosis (medical name) is a disease that occurs with damage to the nail plate with a fungal infection.Onichomicisis suffers from 5 to 15 % of people.The risk of its development increases with age, although the fungus is often detected in babies.Every 10 years of life, the incidence grows 2.5 times.If in children it is 3 %, then the elders already have 50-60 %.
Pathogens of the disease
Onichomicisis is caused by microorganisms of the kingdom of fungi.The world of fungi is diverse, and not all are as pleasant as champions, tickets or fungi, which we are used to seeing at our table.There are microscopic parasitic species that feed on plants, animals, human tissues.
Causal agents of onychomycosis consume keratin protein, which is part of the nail plate, hair, the upper skin layer (keratinized).Around 50 representatives of parasitic fungi are known that can cause a disease.
They are divided into three groups:
- DermatophytesThey represent 80 % of cases of onychomycosis.They are distinguished by high survival and vitality.In nature they are on the ground;
- Mushrooms similar to yeast.Among them is the known by women Candida Albicans (microorganisms of the genus Candida), causing vaginal candidiasis.Explosion -like fungi 5 times more often affect nails in the hands.Toxic and worsens the work of the entire organism;
- Molds.Onicycosis, caused by mold, is rare.But it is more dangerous, progressing quickly, can completely destroy the nail plate, go to neighboring fabrics.
Onicycosis affects the nails of the arms and legs, but in the legs, the fungus of the nails occurs much more frequently.This is due to the fact that their hands are given much more attention, more often washed during the day, dealing with antiseptic agents.They are always open, well ventilated with the exception of winter, when we wear gloves.And the legs are constantly closed by street shoes, homemade shoes, socks, socks, sweat more.These factors create ideal conditions for the development of the fungus in the legs, because heat and humidity are their best "friends."
The causal agent of onychomycosis penetrates the nail from different directions.The most common shape is from above, from the free edge of the nail plate.It is also possible to introduce the side of the side rollers or from under the cuticle and the growth zone of the nail.
The most dangerous onychomycosis is close to the cuticle.In this case, the fungus slows or stops the division of the onicoblasts: the cells in the outbreak area under the lower nail roller.The nail stops growing in length, infected areas may not recover.There is a pathological change in the structure, the destruction of the nail.
The fungi are rarely introduced immediately into the nail plate.At first, their spores fall into the skin around the nail or interdigital holes through microcracks, cuts, abrasions, scratches, calluses.Then the growth of the colony begins, the pathogen moves to the nail plate, penetrates it and leads to parasitize.
Why does onychomycosis appear?
Fungi live in warm and humid places, and wherever there are such conditions, it is easy to infect them.For example, if you go barefoot in public bathrooms, swimming pools, showers or gyms segments, then the possibilities of infection are high.
The development of onychomycosis is facilitated by some diseases:
- Diabetes.In patients with diabetes, the fungus occurs 3 times more often.Excess blood glucose creates favorable conditions for life for fungi.In the absence of sugar control and their retention within the norm, blood vessels suffer.The more experience in the disease, the more the blood supply to the legs (diabetic foot syndrome) is more deteriorated.Wounds heal worse, infection is easier;
- Poor blood circulation in the lower extremities caused by varicose veins, atherosclerosis (narrowing of light, blocking of arteries), thrombophlebitis (the formation of blood clots in the light of the veins);
- Immunity weakening, immunodeficiency conditions (HIV), damage to the organs of the immune system.Reduce body resistance to any infection;
- Soriasis90 % of people suffering from psoriasis have changes in the nail plate.Fundamentals are formed in it, the cloud is present, recesses appear, detachment of the nail plate.These factors 1.5 - 2 times increase the possibilities of infection with a fungus;
- Hyperhidrosis or increased feet sweating often cause onylomycosis in men;
- The presence of an approach to fungal infection in other parts of the body.
The risk group includes old people.
The cause of onychomycosis is often associated with the characteristics of the profession and incorrect care of the legs:
- Bad care of the feet and nails, the lack of daily hygiene procedures due to the negligence of personal hygiene rules or difficulties with their implementation (in patients in bed or patients with limited mobility);
- Work in humid and raw rooms (greenhouses, greenhouses, vegetable stores), frequent use of rubber gloves or rubber shoes;
- professional sports;
- Wear uncomfortable shoes or shoes, narrow and narrow facts of artificial materials (leather), creating a "greenhouse effect" that prevents normal air exchange.
Disposable factors for the development of onylomycosis include nail or tissue injuries that surround it, taking antibacterial or hormonal drugs.
Women have a common cause of long -term fungi with gel enamel.Create a closed space between the nail plate and the coating in which a fungal infection develops successfully.It is not recommended to apply gel enamel on the legs on the legs, it is better to use ordinary decorative varnish.Also in women, onychomycosis appears after a manicure or pedicure without success in the salons, where the high quality disinfection of the tools is not carried out, sterility is not observed.
Signs of onychomycosis
Very often, the fungus infects the thumbs of the feet.
The following changes in the nail plate are indicated on fungal damage:
- opacity, yellowing, loss of softness and brightness;
- itching, redness, peeled from the skin around;
- Relaxing, fragility, loose;
- unpleasant smell;
- structure violation, thickening;
If you find at least one of the listed signs, you must immediately consult a doctor, treating the fungus of your nails.It can be a premium, dermatologist or mycologist.
A mandatory inspection of a subsidy for the verification of onychomycosis is required after a nail lesion or the skin around it.If there are disposable factors (varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, weakened immunity, greater sweating, etc.), it is recommended to make a medical pedicure once a month, in which the doctor will carefully examine the nails and the skin of the feet, reveals changes in the early stages.
Is the fungus dangerous on the nails?
Onicycosis is a disease that is more likely to cause psychological discomfort than physical ailment.To understand what it is, just look at the photographic fungus in the legs on the Internet.It is characterized by a slow course, does not cause pain, fever and other symptoms that require an urgent search for a doctor.
People are in a hurry to treat nail fungus.After all, when the damage area is small, it can paint it with varnish, put socks or closed shoes with strangers.And the problem of psychological discomfort is temporarily solved.But, unfortunately, everything is not so simple.If it does not destroy fungal infection, it will not disappear anywhere, but it will be announced more.And onychomycosis is the contrast.An infected person is a danger to their family members and others.
How to prevent infection?
The best remedy for nail fungus is prevention.
To protect yourself from infection, you need:
- Use medical disinfectors with Gost's inscription (they can kill onychomycosis, tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV);
- Monitor the condition of the feet and nails, the main rule: the legs must be clean and dry;
- To take care of the shoes, regular disinfection, drying, it is convenient to use electrical dryers to dry;
- Try your legs with drying or anti -transpirants products, if your feet sweat hard;
- In the pool, the sauna, the gyms of gyms do not walk barefoot, but use rubber shoes with a closed footing;
- Use comfortable shoes made of breathable natural materials;
- Do not wear a towel, shoes or manicure supplies of strangers.
These tips will help you warn in onychomycosis, keep your nails healthy and well fixed.They are effective not only for the prevention of the fungus, but also of other problems: an incarnate nail, calluses, calluses.
Characteristics of the treatment of onychomycosis
Television advertising promises to easily and rapidly cure nail fungi using creams, solutions, varnishes, antifungal varnishes) antimicotic.It is promised that "different drugs penetrate deeply into the nail structure, effectively destroy the fungus, so that 2 - 3 use that they return the appearance before the nails."But why then a treatment so independent of the fungus in the legs gives good results in a maximum of 10 % of cases?Because these medications are effective only in the early stages of the fungus, when symptoms are not yet obvious and are almost not notable.
Manufacturers are often cunning that medications occur using the latest technologies and have good active substances in the composition. Most drugs are simply very well publicized and very expensive, without having the substances necessary for treatment. It will not buy specialized medications in ordinary pharmacies, since production is very expensive.
AGGRY medications are the basis for the treatment of onylomycosis.Without them, no matter how much we would like to defeat the infection.But they must be used correctly and deliberately.A cure for the nail fungus must be applied to a preacted and prepared nail to have the right healing effect.
The first thing to do if onychomycosis is suspected is to consult a doctor who confirms or refute the diagnosis.If necessary, prescribe an additional exam and treatment.The choice of a product of the nail fungus based on internet reviews, friends or television advertising will lead to a loss of time and money that will spend on unnecessary drugs.The same results will be obtained when trying to treat onylomycosis with popular methods.Vinegar, garlic, onions, medicinal herbs cannot destroy the pathogen.
An important point in the treatment of onychomycosis is the disinfection of shoes and clothing, which has contacted an infected area.If it is not fulfilled, you can get back to your own things.The clothes should be washed at high temperature (above 60 ° C), ironed, driving shoes with special disinfectants.
What drugs and methods are effective?
In the initial stages, the treatment of onychomycosis is easier and faster than in advanced cases.How to treat nail fungus?
To combat the pathogen, use:
- Hardware Medical Pedicure.It allows you to clean the areas of the nails affected by onychomycosis without blood and pain, prepare them for the use of antimicotic agents;
- Keratolithic.These are local drugs against nail fungus, which apply to the affected nail with the objective of its painless elimination.They loosen, soften and dissolve the nail plate, and then easily removed with pedicure tools.Keratolithics facilitate the treatment of onychomycosis, eliminate the infected area and stimulate the growth of a new healthy nail plate;
- Fungicide agents.The action of these drugs aims to destroy the fungus.For onylomycosis, they are used locally in the form of varnishes, solutions, ointments, creams and inside in the form of tablets.With internal use, active substances of nail fungus tablets accumulate in the skin and nail plate.The activity of fungal enzymes is suppressed, the permeability of cell membranes and pathogen is altered is death.
Treatment methods for onylomycosis are selected according to the severity of the symptoms and the area of the injury zone.In the initial stages of the disease, there is sufficiently enough hardware treatment and external fungicidal agents.In severe forms of damage, when the entire nail is infected with a fungus, it will require tablets, remove the nail plate.The treatment of an advanced way of onychomycosis takes 3 months to 1 year and depends on the growth rate of the nail.
Local fungicide medications are safe for health, but not always effective.Tablets negatively affect the liver, therefore, throughout their administration, laboratory control of the body of the body is required.
Cure onychomycosis, and this is the main thing!
The sooner consults a doctor, the faster you can handle it.
Do not be afraid and are shy.This problem is very common, millions of people around the world have it.
In the treatment of nail fungus in a professional medical center, you get: you get:
- Joint observation of a subsurrent and mycologist (a doctor dedicated to fungal diseases);
- 100 % sterility when performing all procedures;
- the possibility of a material fence (scratch of the skin and nail plate) to identify the type of fungus;
- fast result (on average 3 to 4 procedures are needed);
- • Free disinfection of a couple of shoes in which he came, the possibility of disinfection of all shoes in which it was during the period of onychomycosis;
- Recommendations for balance and shoes that will help prevent infection.
The most important thing is to choose a specialist competently and turn in a timely manner to get help only that their nails will be healthy and beautiful!