Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that may not be noticed immediately.The fungus destroys the nail plate, causing discomfort and pain;If treatment for onychomycosis is started, this can lead to soft tissue pathologies.The fungus can easily spread to healthy fingernails or toenails, posing a great danger to your health and the health of others.
If you have doubts about the health of your nails, it is best to make an appointment with a dermatologist.Only with complex treatment, consisting of drug treatment, regular foot hygiene and special treatment of nail plates, will the treatment give a positive result.
Main symptoms of fungal infections:
- Brittle and rough nails
- Deformation of the nail plate.
- Presence of inflamed tissue around the nail.
- Delamination, thickening or thinning of the nail plate.
- Presence of brown, black or yellow areas on the nails.
How do you get nail fungus?
Forms of infection with onychomycosis.If you follow hygiene rules, have good immunity and have healthy, well-groomed skin, the risk of contracting a fungal infection is low.The fungus often enters the body through abrasions, cuts, cracks and altered injured areas of the nails and skin.Excessive sweating, dry skin, or wearing tight shoes can contribute to the growth of the fungus.
You are more vulnerable to nail fungus if:
- Do you have varicose veins?
- Reduced immunity
- You wear rubber shoes that don't breathe.
- There are endocrine and vascular diseases.
- Having been in contact with a person infected with the fungus.
- There are flat feet.
What danger do toenail fungus pose to humans?
At an advanced stage of onychomycosis, nail fungus causes an allergic reaction, has an intoxicating effect on the body and can affect internal organs.
How to cure nail fungus?
When treating nail fungus, local medications can be used: creams, ointments, patches, which can also be used at home.Several spray options are available that have strong antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.
In the early stages of the disease, the use of sprays or creams is recommended. Do not forget that the treatment of nail fungus is not only about getting rid of external manifestations. During treatment, the dermatologist prescribes systemic medications.The medication can be prescribed in the form of tablets, which will be taken over a cycle of three to six months.
The most common mistakes when treating toenail fungus
The humidity of your feet. Fungi in spore form are everywhere around us.When skin humidity is above 80%, fungal spores begin to multiply and infect the nail plate and surrounding skin.
The presence of fungal spores on things.Steam-ironing socks kills any active fungal spores left there.If this is not done, from the spores, in the presence of moist skin of the feet (favorable environment), high humidity of the shoes, the fungus begins to actively multiply.
Footwear hygiene.When starting treatment for nail fungus, be sure to treat all the shoes you wear.Use a personal towel intended for feet only.
Remains of fungal spores on instruments. All nail cutting tools should be treated with disinfectant solutions;It is recommended to use disposable files to care for affected nails.If fungal spores remain on the tools, you can manually remove them for years and cut off the traces of the fungus along with the nail, but this will not give any results.
What should you follow when treating toenail fungus?
If you do not follow the recommendations during the treatment of nail fungus, a relapse may occur.Always try to keep your feet clean and change your socks daily.It is important that your feet wear the correct footwear to prevent them from sweating.After performing any water procedure, dry your feet, paying special attention to the area between the toes.
Use an individual foot towel, which should be dried after use.If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately.It is recommended to change indoor shoes at least twice a year during treatment.Foot baths with soda and salt will also be useful.Feet should be washed daily with laundry or tar soap.
Always follow hygiene rules when visiting public places: saunas, baths, hammams, swimming pools.Don't self-medicate;It would be best to contact a dermatologist who will prescribe a treatment so that you can quickly get rid of toenail fungus and save your time and nerves.