Onychomycosis is a disease that is contracted quickly but much more difficult to cure.It is not only a cosmetic problem, but also causes unpleasant and painful sensations in a person.According to statistics, one in ten inhabitants of the planet suffers from it and you may also be at risk.What are the causes of the disease, the factors for the development of onychomycosis and how to combat toenail fungus?
How does toenail fungus appear and why does it occur?
The disease is caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.According to statistics, one in ten people on the planet suffers from this disease.
Where can you get toenail fungus?The main risk area is swimming pools, baths and saunas.You can get infected by wearing someone else's shoes, socks, or during a pedicure procedure.Onychomycosis most often affects people who suffer from chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, anemia, gastrointestinal, hormonal, immunological and cardiovascular disorders, as well as long-term steroids, antibacterials and chemotherapy.
Heat and humidity promote spore development.The main routes of infection are wounds, microfissures and other skin lesions in the finger area.Mycosis develops when the nail plate is damaged;If we cut or break it, the fungi easily penetrate inside.Wearing tight shoes also weakens the fabric, as do acrylics, gels and nail polishes.
make a diagnosis
Visual manifestations of the disease are already the second stage of the disease.The first evidence of infection (itching, burning) is most often attributed to excessive dryness of the skin, poor soap, or a side effect of taking medications.Timely diagnosis and start of treatment allow you to get rid of the problem quickly and effectively.
How to diagnose the disease yourself.
The main symptom is external changes, especially in the early stages of the disease.The first signs usually appear on the free (front) edge of the nail plate or on the sides.At the onset of onychomycosis, there may be an unpleasant sensation during physical activity.Patients describe paresthesia (numbness), pain, discomfort, and loss of physical fitness.Characteristic external changes include the following symptoms:
- discoloration: white, yellow, brown, greenish and gray spots appear at the ends of the nails;
- peeling and delamination of the fabric, its fragility clearly increases;
- thickening of the stratum corneum, characteristic symptoms of excessive keratosis;
- unpleasant foot odor.
Fungal infections are more commonly seen on the feet than the hands.They can be limited to one finger or cover the entire thing.However, the disease usually affects the first and fifth toes, due to their greater proximity to shoes.
How is fungus diagnosed in a medical clinic?
The self-diagnosis method is not always effective, because there are a number of diseases that, in their anamnesis, are similar to a fungal infection.These include:
- Psoriasis may seem similar, but the characteristic of this disease is that it affects symmetrically.Characteristic signs are the appearance of white spots due to air accumulation, redness of the socket, thimble syndrome (dent), loss of shine and roughness.In addition, the patient has typical skin lesions.
- Mycoses.It is characterized by the appearance of purulent discharge, as well as painful sensations when pressing the affected area.The disease is more common in women, especially people who often have to wear closed, tight-fitting shoes in hot, humid areas.To develop this type, it is necessary to suffer a finger injury in the nail area.Leakage: The follicles in the plaque swell, becoming very red and painful.
- Trophic changes caused by mechanical damage.The problem is usually concentrated in the proximal part of the plate (that is, at its base).
- Lichen.Characterized by typical lesions on the skin and mucous membranes.The plaque affected by lichen is usually covered with yellowish-white stripes.
Additionally, there are different types and forms of nail fungus, depending on the pathogen that caused the problem and the duration of the infection.The clinic determines the type of disease and prescribes a treatment regimen based on the tests performed.
Treatment methods
Treatment of onychomycosis should begin immediately after the problem is detected.If you delay treatment, complications may arise: infection of neighboring fingers, transition to a chronic form and a progressive course of the disease.Therefore, always make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any suspicious changes or use time-tested traditional methods.
Folk remedies for fungus.
In the initial stages of the disease, home remedies to combat fungal infection are useful.To get rid of fungus, you can try the following recipes:
- Tea tree oil.The mixture is a powerful natural antiseptic and fungicide.It is applied drop by drop to the affected area 2 times a day.The duration of the course is 21 days.
- Apple cider vinegar.Foot baths are prepared from it, mixed in equal parts with water.
- Iodine for mushrooms.An old proven way to get rid of fungal nail infections.Instructions for use: Apply 1-2 drops of the composition to the affected area once a day.To prevent infection of neighboring fingers, it is recommended to lubricate them with iodine, but less frequently - once every 2-3 days.
- Listerine mouthwash.It contains an antiseptic and a small amount of alcohol, which have a detrimental effect on the treatment process.
- Lemon juice.It is applied in the form of a compress for 30 minutes.to the affected areas.
Food restrictions during treatment have a positive effect.You should exclude sweets and starchy foods from your daily diet, increase the amount of protein (beef, fish, poultry) and fermented milk products (yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese).Fruits should also not be sweetened (lemon, grapefruit, sour apples, raspberries, cherries).The diet is necessary to strengthen human immunity and reduce the concentration of the nutrient medium of the fungus - simple sugars that are formed in the body when easily digestible carbohydrates are consumed.
Modern medications and procedures.
Unfortunately, treating yeast infections at home is often ineffective.This is due to the fact that the disease has already entered a progressive form.To get rid of it, you need to consult a doctor.The effectiveness of medical treatment depends on the duration of the course, which lasts several months even after the elimination of visual symptoms.But patients forget that it is necessary to continue treatment after the cosmetic effect occurs.This leads to relapse and the need for treatment from the beginning.
In the early stages, when tissue changes are minor, a fungicide ointment will help.For advanced cases, oral medications are usually prescribed.Foot fungus is prone to recurrence, so after recovery, follow your doctor's recommendations.In general, the duration and order depend on the species that infected the nails, the clinical course, the number of infected nails, and the degree of plaque damage.In some cases, a systematic approach combining several methods is required.The combination of systemic and local effects improves the effectiveness of therapy.
Topical antifungal ointments
Topical medications should be used only in cases where the lesion occupies less than half of the distal part of the plaque and when the patient does not tolerate systemic treatment.Ointments and suspensions include amorolfine, cyclopirox and bifonazole, urea.They are used daily for 5 to 12 months.The last option for the topical treatment of onchomycosis is bifonazole in combination with a 40% urea solution.
But external remedies cannot help heal completely because they do not penetrate the tissues sufficiently.It has been found that although the latest generation of ointments covers all layers, they still have low efficacy when used as a single preparation.However, these agents may be useful as adjuvant therapy, complementing oral medications or to prevent relapse in patients who have previously taken oral medications.
Antifungal tablets
Oral treatment is almost always necessary for ringworm.New generations of antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole or terbinafine, have recently replaced older generic drugs in the treatment of nails.The effectiveness of these products is explained by their ability to penetrate the nail plate a few days after the start of the course.By using them, you can afford shorter duration therapy with a high recovery rate and fewer side effects.Terbinafine (international name, you should look for commercial analogues in the pharmacy), fungicides (kill the pathogen) cure the disease and prevent the further spread of spores.These medications act against yeast viruses and dermatophytes, the most common causes of nail fungus.
Surgical treatment of onychomycosis.
This method can also be used to treat fungal nail infections.It involves mechanical and chemical removal of the infected nail plate (using 40-50% urea).This is a painless and useful method when the growth is very thick and interferes with the patient's comfort.
Nail plate removal due to onychomycosis should be considered as adjuvant therapy in patients treated with oral agents.A combination of oral, topical (lubricant) and surgical fungal treatment leads to the highest cure rate and is at the same time the cheapest option (lowest number of relapses, short course).
laser therapy
A new method that shows the greatest efficiency.In just 4 “cold” laser irradiation sessions, you can completely eliminate the problem.The only drawback of this type of influence is the relatively high cost of the procedures.
Prevention principles
Having learned what causes foot fungus, it is easier to avoid the disease.By following simple recommendations, you can prevent the problem.Basic rules on how to avoid fungus:
- Avoid injuries to the skin in the finger area.
- Don't tear the edges, just cut them with sharp scissors.
- Use only your own towels and personal hygiene products (scissors, files and sharpening stones).
- After washing your feet, dry the skin between your toes thoroughly.
- Do not walk barefoot in public places.
- Wear cotton socks and shoes made of breathable materials.
- If your feet sweat excessively, change your socks and shoes frequently.
- Use pedicure services at approved locations where instruments are disinfected and sterilized according to established protocol.
- Do not wear shoes or slippers that have been previously worn by other people.
You must take care of your feet and keep them clean.After carrying out bath procedures, it is advisable to treat the skin with cosmetics with an antiseptic effect.Wet shoes should be dried to a completely dry state after one day of use;you should not wear even slightly damp shoes.If, despite the precautions taken, any changes characteristic of the disease appear, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.