Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is contagious
a fungal disease that affects fingernails and toenails and is easily spread to others.Most of the time, the causative agents are fungi of the genus Trichophyton, Epidermophyton or Microsporum.For their growth and reproduction, fungal colonies use the protein keratin, which is one of the components of nails, hair and the upper layer of the skin (epidermis).
Onychomycosis is easily transmitted both through direct contact with an infected person or animal and through other transmission factors, for example, through contact with the patient's personal belongings or any object that has interacted in some way with the carrier of the infection.It occurs more often in older people or in adults with weakened immune systems.
Although nail fungus itself is not life-threatening, it "harasses" a person's immune system, the body becomes more vulnerable to other diseases, and in the absence of adequate treatment, it can cause irreparable complications.Treatment of nail fungus should therefore be taken very seriously.
Causes of nail fungus
A warm, constantly humid environment provides optimal conditions for fungal colonies.The risk of infection is increased in places where the sanitary and epidemiological regime is not followed.You can “catch” onychomycosis in public places or through common objects.
Fungi are natural inhabitants of the skin and mucous membranes;the immune system constantly encounters them and, in good health, can easily cope with them.But certain factors cause a reduction in the body's defenses, thus activating the fungal invasion.Among them:
- suffered from serious illnesses;
- circulatory problems (for example due to tight shoes);
- constant exposure to a hot and humid environment (for example, with hyperhidrosis or wet shoes);
- hormonal imbalances;
- venous thrombosis, systemic vascular diseases;
- nail injuries;
- take antibacterial medications;
- stress, etc.
Patients with systemic diseases are particularly susceptible to mycoses: diabetes, psoriasis and immune deficiency.
The risk of developing onychomycosis is much higher in people suffering from skin fungus.Skin fungus is accompanied by severe itching, and constant scratching causes nail infection and the spread of the infection.
Types of nail fungus
Onychomycosis refers to superficial mycoses - fungal invasions that affect the skin and mucous membranes.If the immune system is significantly weakened, deep mycoses can develop - fungal infections of the internal organs.
There are many types of nail fungus, but they all fall into one of three categories:
- Normotrophic onychomycosis - the nail may change color, become covered with light spots or stripes, but the shape and structure of the nail plate does not change.
- Hypertrophic - the nail noticeably yellows, thickens, deforms, the shine of the nail is lost and begins to collapse from the sides.
- Onycholytic (atrophic) – affected nails become thin, brittle and gradually peel away from the nail bed.
Signs of fungal damage on the nail plate
There are a large number of types of fungi, so the symptoms of the disease can manifest themselves in different ways:
- light spots or stripes appear;
- the color of the nail becomes earthy gray, yellow or light brown, the pink tint fades;
- the nail thickens, deforms, cracks and, in advanced cases, peels off;
- pain in the affected nail area, especially when wearing shoes.
Nails affected by onychomycosis can cause an unpleasant odor and severe pain when walking.Advanced fungal infections can cause allergic reactions and create a “platform” for the development of other infectious diseases.
Development stages
The fungus can enter through the free (distal) edge of the nail, through lateral folds on the sides, or through damaged areas of the nail.First, the infection attaches itself to the edges of the nail, and as the colony grows, it spreads to the entire nail.The fungus is able to penetrate the epithelial tissue under the nail plate through microcracks and wounds on the nail.
Usually, the big toes are the first to suffer from fungus.The first manifestations of onychomycosis are the appearance of light spots on the nails.The color of the nail plate changes - the pink tint inherent in healthy nails disappears.The nail plate becomes earthy gray, yellowish or whitish and loses its transparency.The edge of the nail begins to crack and thin.
If the attachment of fungi and the creation of mycelium has taken place, the deformation of the nail begins gradually.After penetrating the nail plate, the fungus slowly spreads to the hard shell of the nail and then to adjacent tissues.Air cavities appear and delamination begins.Some try to cut the entire affected area - this will not give the expected result, since the infection has already penetrated into deeper layers.Sometimes disruptions occur in the process of nail tissue formation - the nails will grow poorly and new areas will appear already deformed.
Then the nail begins to deteriorate, pain may appear and an unpleasant odor may be felt.The next stage of the infectious process is the transfer of the fungus to neighboring nails and adjacent skin areas.
The longer you ignore the problem with the fungus, the more it “takes root” in the body and the more difficult it is to cure it later.Therefore, if the color of the nail, its structure or shape has changed, you should immediately consult a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis will not go away on its own.As a rule, treatment of onychomycosis with "traditional methods" or the use of "random" antimycotic drugs is not effective.Although this causes a short-term effect, the untreated disease returns over time.To get rid of onychomycosis, you need a systematic approach and the participation of a doctor.
To confirm the diagnosis, a nail scraping is usually prescribed - a microscopic examination for the presence of pathogenic fungi, and then a culture is taken to determine the specific pathogen.Based on the test results, the doctor will be able to choose the optimal treatment.
Treatment for onychomycosis can last 2 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the disease.The result will be visible later, in a few months, when the nail has recovered.
Antimycotic agents are preparations with both local (cream, spray, ointment, gel) and complex (injections, tablets) action.In addition to the use of medications, when treating fungi, it is necessary to disinfect shoes, gloves, floors and bathrooms, towels and bed linen.
In extremely advanced cases, the nail is destroyed to such an extent that the only effective treatment is its removal.But surgery is only used if other methods of treating onychomycosis have failed and there is a risk of the infection spreading.
Nail fungus prevention
The body does not form specific (targeted) immunity to the fungus.Therefore, even after successful treatment of onychomycosis, if hygiene rules are not followed, there is a risk of re-infection.
To avoid getting onychomycosis, it is important:
- follow the rules of personal hygiene;
- not use other people's personal belongings or clothing;
- wash your feet (or at least your feet) daily with cold water and soap;
- so that socks or stockings are always clean and dry;if you are prone to excessive sweating, treat your feet with special preparations;
- don't let your nails grow, but don't cut them too short so that they remain level with the tips of your toes;
- periodically disinfect nails with an antiseptic;
- Clean regularly and avoid excessive humidity and humidity.
In case of nail injuries, it is important to immediately treat the wound with antiseptics and consult a doctor for timely treatment of the wound, as it can serve as a "gateway" for a fungal infection.