Recognize nail fungus, why it appears and how to treat it, helps specialized medical literature, sites on the Internet. However, it is recommended to favor consultations with a mycologist. Laboratory tests carried out accurately establish the type of fungal infection, which makes it easier to select the correct treatment regimen.
What is onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is a subgroup of diseases caused by the penetration of fungal microorganisms into the tissue of the nail plate. The infection is usually due to untreated skin lesions on the fingers / toes. The disease can occur at any age, but most often men aged 20 to 55 face it.
According to the International Classification of Diseases, the code for onychomycosis is B35. 1. It is mainly dermatophytes that cause pathological changes in the nails, less often diagnostic studies are established by pathogens of the genus Candida or mold microorganisms.
Nail fungus is transmitted, which is why it occurs in 90% of cases - it is direct contact with someone who is already sick, for example, with members of the same family, or with close communication, using common household items. Promotes infection by weakening the body's immune barriers -causes of fungus on the toenailsare rooted in diabetes, immunodeficiency, recent serious illnesses.
The clinical picture directly depends not only on the type of pathogen of mycosis, but also on the area of its penetration - the distal form of onychomycosis or the proximal lesion of the nail. The variant with the general spread of infection is extremely rare.
Causes and symptoms of toenail fungus
Research by experts has allowed us to studynail fungus, where does it come fromand which people are at risk of infection. Pathogenic microorganisms live not only on the tissues of the feet and hands, but also on the rest of the human body, they are able to maintain their vital activity on surrounding objects. To do this, it is enough for them to be in warm and humid conditions, and for nutrition there are enough epidermal scales, which are constantly crumbling in humans.
The maincauses of nail fungus:
- age criterion - anyone can cope with a fungal infection, but men from 18 to 50 years old are susceptible to it;
- working in hazardous industries - in gas polluted and dusty rooms with high temperature / humidity;
- constant wearing of tight and poorly ventilated shoes;
- frequent and minor tissue injuries - abrasions, abrasions, calluses on the feet;
- anatomical and physiological features - for example, narrow interdigital spaces;
- a tendency to excessive sweating - hyperhidrosis;
- the course of various somatic pathologies that weaken the protective barriers of the skin - diabetes, hyperthyroidism, psoriasis, obesity.
To suspectnail fungusallow the symptoms and characteristic signs of the disease. Most often, people go to a doctor to complain that their nail plate has become cloudy, with a yellowish tint, an unpleasant odor emanates from the feet, and increased brittleness of the edge of the nail.
Fungal risk groups
In fact, onychomycosis is a public infection. After all, anyone can get infected with a fungus, especially when visiting places with a higher concentration of pathogens. Many people are at risk:
- employees of baths and saunas, swimming pools and gymnasiums;
- cleaners of public premises;
- family members of a sick person;
- people weakened by recent illnesses;
- pregnant women - pregnancy worsens the condition of the skin of the feet;
- people who neglect personal hygiene;
- forced to be in a warm and poorly ventilated room during the entire shift, especially in tight shoes made of artificial materials;
- women who visit pedicure salons with an unverified reputation;
- beach lover - the sand is often infected with fungal microorganisms, as people walk barefoot or with dirty shoes.
If you know who has the most andwhy nail fungus, it is easier to protect yourself against infections. It is therefore advisable for each person to assess their risk of infection and take appropriate preventive measures.
Diagnosis of the disease
It is much easier to get rid of the pathological focus of the disease, it is much easier to choose the treatment when people seek medical help early. Since the clinical manifestations of onychomycosis are similar to the symptoms of other pathologies of the nail plate, the mycologist will certainly prescribe a number of diagnostic procedures:
- a thorough examination of the affected nail with a magnifying glass;
- collection of complaints and anamnesis - the reasons for its penetration into the tissues, which a person can indicate on his own;
- take scrapings from the surface of the plate and examine the cells under a microscope;
- take a piece of the nail to sow it on a special nutrient medium - the existing fungal colonies begin to actively multiply, but the analysis takes a long time;
- histological examination - if the process is suspected to be malignant.
After comparing all the information of the diagnostic procedures, the mycologist gives his opinion with reservation - confirms the preliminary diagnosisnail fungus, then selects the optimal regimen for his therapy.
Treatment of nail fungus
Important information aboutnail fungusfor a mycologist in that it allows you to identify and eliminate the mechanism of human infection, as well as to select the appropriate treatment regimen. After all, there are many pathogens of an infectious disease, and some drugs will be effective, while others will only stop the growth of infectious cells, but not completely eliminate them.
By definingcauses of nail fungus, experts at the first consultation give recommendations for their disposal - for example, the purchase of new shoes, good personal hygiene, treatment of all family members. Only after that, after having estimatedwhy nail fungus, you can start drug treatment. It is customary to distinguish two main areas - a local effect on the lesion with the help of fungicidal ointments, varnishes and, depending on individual needs, systemic antifungal treatments.
Traditional treatment
In the classic version,why there is a fungus on the toenails- infection through contaminated shoes or walking barefoot on the pool tiles, it is better to start the treatment of the infection by external means. In pharmacies, antifungals are presented in a wide range:
- subgroup of polyenes - they are distinguished by democratic cost and high efficiency, a variety of dosage forms;
- subgroup of azoles - they cope with most of the known fungal microorganisms with the timely initiation of treatment;
- subgroup of alliamides - it is inherent to quickly remove fungal infections of the nails, hair or epithelium of the feet and body.
After discoveringwhy does the fungus appear on the nails, the mycologist will recommend the optimal drugs for the external suppression of the activity of onychomycosis - a cream / ointment with fungicidal properties. While in the case of a severe course of the disease, tablets / capsules or injections of medicinal solutions will be prescribed - to create a systemic effect on the infection.
It is unacceptable to independently change the dosage of drugs, the frequency of their administration or the duration of treatment. Such actions will worsen the clinical picture of onychomycosis and lead to the formation of complications.
ethnoscience
Long agonail fungus treatmentwas the prerogative of traditional healers. There are many effective recipes with herbal remedies, bee products and improvised home remedies that eliminate discomfort and suppress the activity of fungal microorganisms.
The accumulated knowledge about the causes of the disease and the symptoms made it possible to create effective recipes for home treatment:
- Prepare a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate before bed, in which to place the feet for 15-20 minutes. Then dry the skin thoroughly and apply a mixture of crushed propolis with alcohol to the area affected by the fungus. Tie a gauze bandage on top, go for a day. Repeat the procedure 3 to 5 times.
- Insist in a dark cabinet in 1 liter of vinegar essence, the contents of 1 bag of celandine in pharmacies. Filter after 3-4 weeks. Add to foot baths with salt. The duration of the procedure is 5-7 minutes.
- Tar soap lotions. After pre-steaming the tissues of the feet, lather the interdigital spaces and nails well with tar soap, pour table salt on top. Leave on overnight.
To speed up the healing of nail fungus, you can use simple recipes - wipe the affected areas in the morning with tincture of iodine or with the juice of a golden mustache, Indian onion, celandine. They have bactericidal properties which suppress the activity of fungal cells.
Prevention of fungal diseases
Preventing the primary infection, as well as the recurrence of fungal infection, is much easier than getting rid of the infection from the feet / hands. Primary / secondary prevention interventions are affordable and easy to implement. After allwhat does the fungus say on the toenails- on the weakening of the human body's own defenses.
Therefore, in order to restore a strong and powerful immunity, it is necessary to take a number of measures:
- revise the diet - the menu should contain more fresh vegetables with fruits, vitamins, light protein, but minimize pickles and preservatives, fast food and fatty / smoked dishes;
- refuse alcohol / tobacco products;
- carefully observe personal hygiene - take a hygienic shower every day, change underwear, socks;
- buy shoes made of high quality material, the size of your feet, never wear someone else's shoes / boots;
- do a pedicure yourself with individual tools, or entrust your nails to a professional master;
- Before visiting public places with humid air - swimming pool, sauna or bath, use protective gear against fungus.
Widespread prevention of fungal infections is compliance with sanitary and epidemiological rules - wet cleaning of premises with the use of disinfectant solutions, active ventilation and, if necessary, quartzing.
Reviews on the treatment of toenail fungus
- "Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis is not only the effect on the infection with medication, but also the correction of a person's lifestyle. It is possible to defeat the fungus by a combination of measures - for example, the simultaneous application of ointments, hardening of the human body and observance of personal hygiene. In addition, it is recommended to treat all family members at the same time so that the disease does not recur. There are many antifungal agents in the pharmacy, you can choose the optimal treatment regimen for each case. "
- "I recently learned that if there is a fungus on the nails - my diagnosis is onychomycosis, the process of early inflammation has started in the blood and the tests can show it. The doctor-mycologist gave me in detail all the information about the fungal infection and the best way to treat it. Now that I have already been in therapy, I feel much better. Now I will better observe the prevention of such pathologies, and also tell my friends and acquaintances so that they do not get infected with this bad infection. "
- "Pharmaceuticals, of course, can deal with nail fungus, but at the same time, they are harmful to health with their chemical components. Therefore, I prefer to use the recipes of traditional medicine first. I removed the fungus from my husband's feet in a simple way - every evening they steam the nails with a soda bath, then apply lotions with homemade vinegar. At first, the itching with burning was eliminated, then healthy nails grew back. In addition, they took decoctions with calendula and chamomile, echinacea to strengthen the immune system. Now my husband has completely got rid of toenail fungus. "