The fungus of the nails on the legs is a disease that is very easy to be infected, and it is much more difficult to heal.The nail fungus does not disappear in itself and is very difficult to treat.
How can you get an infection with nail mushrooms
Six to eight percent of the adult population suffer from nail mushrooms.
Fungal nail infection is more frequent in men than in women, as well as in the elderly than in young people.Signs or additional factors that increase the risk of fungal nail infection include the following elements:
- reduction of blood flow to legs;
- If the nails grow slowly;
- Family history of fungal infection (genetics);
- Increase in leg sweating;
- working environment - damp or humid legs;
- Wear socks and shoes that prevent ventilation;
- walking barefoot in humid public places (swimming pools, sports halls and showers);
- injuries or skin or nail infections;
- Diabetes, AIDS, circulatory problems, weakened immune system;
- Hard shoes with pressure on the fingers.
Systemic diseases, for example: in the fungus of the legs, predispose to the fungus
- diabetes mellitus,
- obesity,
- anemia,
- Hormonal disorders,
- gastrointestinal disorders,
- immune and cardiovascular systems,
- as well as long -term treatment with antibiotics,
- Reception of steroid therapy and chemotherapy.
The heat and humidity contribute to the growth of fungi - if you do not try your feet carefully after washing, walk in air -resistant shoes and wear synthetic socks.The fungus develops when the nail baking sheet is damaged for a cut too short on the legs, it can easily pass under the nail.Wearing cramped shoes can weaken the nail plate, such as acrylic nails and varnishes.
Onychomycosis affects legs on the legs more often than on the hands.It can be limited by a plate or move to the neighbors.Usually, fungal nails infections on the legs affect the thumb and little finger.Probably because the interior surface of the shoes especially affects them.
Types of nail mushrooms
Fungal nail infections are caused by microscopic organisms that do not require sunlight to survive.In most cases, it is a group of mushrooms called dermatophyte (for example, Candida).However, some yeasts and mold also cause these infections.
Although Trichophyton dermatophytes are the most common cause of nail fungi, interior trichophyton, epidermophyton floccosum, trichophyton violaceum, microsporum gypseum, tonsurans trichophyton and soudanense trichophyton can also lead to infection.Common forms of mushrooms - neoscytalidium, scopulariopsis and aspergillus.
The pathogens of the nail fungus, as a rule, fall under the skin through tiny cuts or small cracks between the nail and the bed of the nail.They grow when the environment provides them with a warm and humid climate.
What the nail fungus looks like - symptoms
At the initial stadium The nail infected with a fungus gradually modifies its appearance.The bands appear - first whitish, then yellowish and, finally, brown.The coat appears on the nail, it relaxes and becomes thicker, it becomes difficult to cut it.The nail smells bad, because fungal deposits accumulate under the nails.
The doctor, on the exam, can immediately determine onychomycosis.Sometimes, however, the image of the disease is not clear and laboratory tests must be carried out.The samples taken from the nails and fragments of nail plates under a microscope may confirm that the disease is really caused by fungi.Sometimes, in the laboratory, a fungus is cultivated from the sample to determine the chosen species and medicine.
Before selection, you cannot paint your nails, lubricate your legs with creams or powders.
In the second step - The nails infected with mushrooms are generally thickened, become fragile, broken, worn, curves, dull and dark, yellowish or brown.
The patient can also suffer from onycholysis, when individual nail areas are absent, exposing the nail bed.Sometimes fungal nail infections can cause pain in the fingers and cause an unpleasant odor.
Another symptom associated with fungal infections is skin damage near the nail.There may be a rash or itching that looks like an allergic reaction.
Nail fungus diagnosis
To diagnose the fungus of the nails, as a rule, the doctor must study the cut and microorganisms under the nail.
Doctors should be careful when diagnosing fungal nail infections due to certain other conditions that may cause such symptoms.These include psoriasis, red flat lichen, contact dermatitis, injuries, nail bed tumors, eczema.The (seme) culture of the fungus can take several weeks.
How to determine the nail fungus at home
It is very simple to do it:
We will need potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), water and a basin.
Take water in the pelvis so that it completely covers the feet of the legs.Throw a little potassium permanganate in the water so that the water becomes shiny - pink (fuchsia color).Put your legs or arms in the water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Then we go out and examine the nails carefully.If they have become completely brown, then everything is fine - the nails are healthy.But if there are areas that have not changed the color - they are infected with nail mushrooms.
Treatment of nail fungi
The treatment of fungal nails infections can be a long and expensive process.
Oral drugs for the treatment of infection, as a rule, should be taken up to four months until a nail fully infected with finger.These drugs are prescribed by a dermatologist according to certain regimes.Since drugs act on the liver and blood composition, it is necessary to pass tests before and during treatment.
In the initial mushroom stadium, local drugs - nails and varnishes help well.
Local antimicotics - The most effective means of local therapy because they are the most active compared to the pathogens of onychomycosis.Among the many local nail fungus drugs, only 2 can be called drugs for the treatment of onychomycosis itself, as they are available in the most appropriate form for this - in the form of nail polish.The remaining antifungal drugs are more often used in the treatment of fungal skin infections.
Failure varnish
Special nail polish designed to treat nail mushrooms allow you to better walk antimicotics through the nail plate deeply in the nail bed.In addition, the varnish film, freezing on the surface of the nail, prevents the evaporation of the nail medication and creates an infection barrier.
The main advantage of modern varnishes used in the treatment of onychomycosis is that they can be applied to the nail plate without removing it.The remaining drugs cannot penetrate the nail plate, which requires its preliminary withdrawal or at least a significant slimming.
Current antimicotics, which are part of the varnishes, are delayed in the nail for a long time after application, effective concentrations are kept for at least 7 days.This allows varnishes 1 or 2 times a week.
The Batrafen varnish is applied every two days for the 1st month of treatment, 2 times a week for the 2nd month, then 1 time a week.
Before starting the treatment, any varnish should be removed like a large part of the affected nail plate.The remaining nail plate on which the varnish will be applied must be sawn with the attached file to create an uneven surface.The varnish is applied with the attached brush or spatula.Before each application of varnish, the previous layer is deleted using a solvent or the alcohol pad attached and a nail plate is processed with a file.A layer of varnish can be eliminated by placing a nail in lukewarm water and scraping the lacquers of the scissors.
The duration of treatment depends on the growth speed of a healthy nail plate.For the treatment of onychomycosis, there are enough 6 months on the hands, on the legs-9-12 months.
The real methods of local mushroom treatment include nail polish, such as cyclopirox in addition to other creams.Local ointments and creams can clean nail fungal infection, but often do not heal the infection.
In some extreme cases, the doctor may recommend removing the nail.
The alternative drugs used to treat fungal nail infections include extract of Australian tea tree oil and grapefruit seeds.However, there is no scientific evidence in support of the use of these products.
Effective antifungal drugs
There are 3 effective antifungal drugs for oral administration (orally).The three drugs have serious side effects and can interact with many other drugs.Patients who take antifungal drugs should periodically carry out tests to control the function of liver and blood cells.The antifungal agents of the octus continue to operate even after treatment with the medication.
None of the oral antifungal agents can be taken during pregnancy.
Prevention
- Put a new pair of socks every day.The socks must be made of natural fibers such as silk, wool or cotton.These fibers allow humidity to move away from the foot and contribute to the distribution of the air around the thumb of the leg and foot.If your legs or socks are getting wet in sweat, you should remove them as soon as possible, dry your legs with a clean towel and put yourself on a new torque of socks.
- Wearing the same pair of shoes, day after day, can have a negative effect on the legs and expose you to bacteria and mushrooms.When you store shoes, you should make sure it is stored in a well ventilated room for full drying.It is advisable to have several sneakers and change them before going to the gymnasium, so that these steam has optimal drying time.And finally, wear shoes in front of the shower, sauna or gymnasium.It is a fertile soil for fungi that cause onychomycosis and other bacterial infections.
- There are ways to avoid infection and help a specialist in manicure and pedicures to prevent the fungus from the nails before it begins.The first sentence, bring your varnish with you.It is an easy way to prevent infection when using general varnish - when the fungus falls directly into the nail bed.The second proposal is the obligation to sterilize all the equipment for manicure and pedicure.Each device must be disinfected and stored correctly.And finally, the pedicure baths.This is a blessing for bacteria, which are just waiting to infect your nails.If you are not sure that the bath was cleaned with the corresponding disinfectant after each customer, try to avoid this at all costs.
- Fungal infections are a common sign of an abolished immune system.The enrichment of your diet with nutrients and vitamins, of course, can help prevent bacteria.Eat more garlic for food.Tea tree oil is also a natural antifungal agent.Peel the nails area on the legs of tea tree oil.Black Black Walnut extract can also work well in the prevention of onychomycosis.
- General use can cause infections and cause a finger nail fungus.The fungus can be transmitted from one person to another.Maximum prevention is not to divide towels, shoes, scissors with someone else.And, as we always recommend, to treat the fungus of the nails to the dermatologist during the first signs of the infection.