Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that may not be noticed immediately.The fungus destroys your nail plate, causing discomfort and pain;If treatment for onychomycosis is initiated, 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 any 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 hygiene of the feet and special treatment of the nail plates, the treatment will bring 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?
Modes of infection with onychomycosis.If you follow hygiene rules, have good immunity and have healthy, well-groomed skin, the risk of getting a fungal infection is low.The fungus often enters the body through abrasions, cuts, cracks and damaged 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.
How dangerous is toenail fungus for humans?
In 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 treat nail fungus?
When treating nail fungus, local medications can be used - creams, ointments, patches, which can also be used at home.Various spray options are available and have strong antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
At the early stage of the disease, the use of sprays or creams is recommended. Remember that treating nail fungus is not just about getting rid of external manifestations. During treatment, the dermatologist prescribes systemic medications.The medicine can be prescribed in the form of tablets, which will be taken for three to six months.
The most common mistakes when treating toenail fungus
The humidity of your feet. Fungi in the form of spores are all around us.When skin humidity exceeds 80%, fungal spores begin to multiply and infect the nail plate and surrounding skin.
The presence of fungal spores on objects.When you steam iron socks, you kill the active fungal spores that remain on them.If this is not done, then from the spores, in the presence of moist skin of the feet (favorable environment), high humidity of shoes, the fungus actively begins to multiply.
Shoe hygiene.When you begin treatment for toenail fungus, be sure to treat any shoes you wear.Use a personal towel intended for feet only.
Remains of fungal spores on instruments. All tools for cutting nails 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, cut out traces of the fungus with your nail, but this will not bring 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.Try to always keep your feet clean and change your socks daily.It is important that your feet wear the right shoes to prevent your feet from sweating.After carrying out water procedures, wipe 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 respect hygiene rules when visiting public places: saunas, baths, hammam, swimming pools.Don’t self-medicate;it would be better to contact a dermatologist who will prescribe treatment so that you can quickly get rid of toenail fungus and save your time and nerves.