There is an opinion that toenail fungus is a purely aesthetic problem and can not harm human health. This position is extremely incorrect, as toxins produced by pathogenic fungi enter the bloodstream, causing intoxication of the body and can lead to very serious consequences. In addition, a sick person is a source of infection and can infect a large number of others.
Reasons for submission
Onychomycosis - a fungal infection of the toenails or toenails - is most commonly found in people who lead an active lifestyle: visits to swimming pools, gyms, spas, vacations at seaside resorts.
Sticking to the skin and nails of a person with strong immunity, fungal spores are latent for some time. Their transition to development and reproduction can occur under the influence of such factors:
- weakening of the body's defenses due to viral diseases,
- diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and other endocrine diseases,
- stressful conditions, excessive nervous and emotional excitement,
- varicose veins of the lower extremities, disrupting normal blood circulation,
- bruising, scratching, cracking and other injuries of the feet and nails,
- long stay in closed shoes, leading to increased sweating,
- wearing tights or synthetic socks,
- metabolic disorders, obesity,
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
The risk group includes people with chronic pathology of internal organs - kidneys, liver, biliary tract, as well as patients taking long-term antibiotics, hormonal drugs, including birth control pills.
Types of onychomycosis
There are more than 500 opportunistic fungi that can parasitize on human skin and nails.
The most common causes of onychomycosis are:
- Dermatophytes. These include fungi such as Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. The disease starts on the nail plates and if left untreated, spreads to the entire foot.
- Maja Candida. In most cases, the infection occurs in places with high humidity - saunas, baths or swimming pools.
- Mold, the main sign of the loss of which is a change in the color of the nails - from dirty green to brown and black.
First of all, the fungus touches the nail of the thumb, and then passes to the rest, at least to the little finger. All types of onychomycosis are associated with severe itching in the interdigital area, burning and an unpleasant putrid odor caused by the decomposition of fungal waste products.
Stages of the disease
Any type of mold requires treatment with medication. Before making an appointment, the doctor should understand at what stage the disease is and determine the degree of damage to the nail plate.
Depending on the clinical picture, the following stages of onychomycosis are distinguished:
- Normotrophic - the initial stage of the disease, in which the nails gradually change color, on them appear spots and streaks. The nail plate still retains its normal shape, thickness and healthy shine.
- Hypertrophic. The nail thickens, becomes dull and brittle, crumbling along the edges. The patient experiences pain when walking in tight shoes.
- Atrophic. In full accordance with the name of the scene, the nail breaks down quickly, bending and separating from the nail bed. The plaque becomes much thinner, and beneath it appear brown spots - foci of pathogen invasion. After all, the nail is completely torn.
The more advanced the disease, the longer and harder it is to get rid of it. If in the initial normotrophic stage it is possible to cure onychomycosis with the help of traditional medicine, then in the later stages it is often necessary to resort to the removal of affected nails by surgical methods.
Symptoms
To begin treatment in a timely manner, it is necessary to understand how onychomycosis of the nails manifests itself at each stage.
In the initial stage, the main signs of nail fungus are redness of the skin in the interdigital area, accompanied by skin and slight itching. Subsequently, the symptoms of a fungal infection develop in the following sequence:
- the folding of the nails becomes red, swollen and becomes painful,
- the nail begins to change color from dirty yellow to black, depending on the type of pathogen,
- spots, grooves, tubercles and streaks appear on the surface of the plate,
- the nail thickens and exfoliates,
- a white mass accumulates in the subungual space, emitting an unpleasant odor,
- keratinized nail plate begins to crumble along the edges,
- the nail is completely exfoliated from the bed and rejected.
Feet affected by nail fungus can look extremely uncomfortable to others, so the patient is forced to hide them, which is especially difficult in the warm season. In addition, running onychomycosis causes complications.
What is dangerous disease
The reluctance of many patients to go to the doctor in the early stages or the inability to recognize the first symptoms of onychomycosis leads to its transition to a chronic form that can be ill throughout life. At the same time, with normal immunity, the fungus will "freeze" to a certain level, and any of the provocative factors mentioned above can transfer the disease back to the active stage.
The following categories fall into the risk group for complications in fungal nail infections:
- children under 12 years,
- pregnant,
- women during lactation,
- people of the older generation.
Against the background of a decline in the body's defenses in these individuals, the disease will pass rapidly, leading to a further weakening of immunity and such possible consequences:
- allergic reactions up to bronchial asthma,
- worsening of the course of chronic diseases of internal organs,
- intoxication of the body due to the penetration of toxins into the blood;
- dysbacteriosis,
- the appearance of new foci of inflammation in the skin,
- nervous system disorders, psychological problems.
Since nail fungus refers to infectious diseases, not only the patient himself but also all his personal belongings are a constant source of infection for others. In case onychomycosis is detected in a woman during pregnancy, there is a threat that the unborn baby will be born with a predisposition to allergies.
Diagnosing
Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are treated by dermatologists or mycologists. For a consultation, you can contact the dermatovenerology clinic or dispensary, where these specialists are waiting.
After interviewing the patient, the doctor will be able to draw a picture of the onset and development of the disease. The following measures will help to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment:
- visual examination of nails affected by a Wood's ultraviolet lamp,
- taking pieces of skin and nails for examination,
- general blood and urine tests.
The biomaterial obtained as a result of scratching is sent to the laboratory, where it is studied under a microscope, which makes it possible to determine the fungal nature of the disease.
To clarify the type and type of pathogenic microorganisms, fungal cultures are placed in a nutritious environment and create optimal conditions for their development. After 10-14 days, depending on the type and shape of the colonies, it is possible not only to identify the pathogen, but also to determine its response to the most common drugs.
The fastest and most accurate method is considered to be PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The biomaterial is processed by special enzymes that allow the study of fungi at the DNA level. As a result, the type of pathogen is determined and its exact description is given.
Based on the above procedures, the patient is given a final diagnosis and an optimal scheme is developed to get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.
Treatment
Dermatologists promise a positive prognosis for onychomycosis only if the patient strictly follows all their prescriptions and recommendations.
In most cases, complex treatment is performed, which includes the use of external ointments, creams and varnishes, oral antifungal drugs and alternative methods of therapy.
Keratolytics are used to soften and remove the affected nail plate. You can also get rid of the manifestations of a fungal infection with the help of special varnishes.
In cases where the fungus on the nails has passed to an advanced stage or if there is a risk of developing a secondary infection, which may be caused by pathogenic bacteria that have entered the affected areas, oral antifungal antibiotics are prescribed.
You can speed up the healing process by using traditional home remedies. The most effective, according to patients, are the following procedures:
- baths with baking soda or decoction of medicinal herbs,
- Apple cider vinegar lotion,
- compresses with celandine tincture,
- propolis-based ointments and other bee products.
To destroy pathogenic microorganisms, before applying antifungal drugs, nails can be treated with essential oils of cinnamon, clove, fir, oregano or lemon.
Many dermatological centers offer removal of fungus from nails with laser beam. This procedure, which allows you to quickly and painlessly get rid of the affected nail plate, is performed on an outpatient basis.
How do you get a fungus
Onychomycosis is a contagious fungal disease that is easily transmitted from person to person through contact with family.
This is most often the case:
- when walking barefoot in public places with high humidity - sauna, spa, gym, swimming pool, beach,
- when trying on or wearing someone else's shoes or socks,
- through bedding, towels, towels, brushes and other personal items.
When visiting a manicure salon, it is necessary to pay attention to the disinfection of tools, as in many cases the fungal infection occurs through the fault of unscrupulous employees of beauty salons.
prevention
To prevent pathogenic fungi from multiplying even when they fall on nails or skin, you need to take care of your health and strengthen your immune system by following these recommendations:
- To reject bad habits.
- Stay in shape.
- Spend more time outside.
- Balance your diet by including foods that contain nutrients and vitamins.
- Observe personal hygiene.
- Cure all chronic diseases in time.
- Wear quality shoes and socks that do not restrict or hover your feet.
- Shoes used in the pool, gym or on the beach should be treated regularly with disinfectant.
Once you have found incomprehensible changes in the skin or nails, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist to start treatment as soon as possible and get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.