Onychomycosis is a disease that is caught quickly but is much more difficult to cure.It is not only an aesthetic problem, but also causes unpleasant and painful sensations in a person.According to statistics, every tenth person on the planet suffers from it, and you may also be at risk.What are the causes of the disease, factors for the development of onychomycosis and how to defeat fungus on toenails?
How does toenail fungus appear and why does it appear?
The disease is caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.According to statistics, one in ten people on the planet is affected by this disease.
Where can you get toenail fungus?The main risk area is swimming pools, baths and saunas.You can become infected by using someone else's shoes, socks or during a pedicure procedure.Onychomycosis more often affects people with chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, anemia, gastrointestinal, hormonal, immune and cardiovascular disorders, as well as long-term steroids, antibacterials and chemotherapy.
Heat and humidity favor the development of spores.The main routes of infection are wounds, microcracks and other skin lesions on the fingers.Mycosis develops when the nail plate is damaged - if we cut or break it, fungi easily get inside.Wearing tight shoes also weakens the fabric, as do acrylics, gels and nail polishes.
Make a diagnosis
Visual manifestations of the disease already constitute the second stage of the disease.The first signs of infection - itching, burning - are most often attributed to excessive drying of the skin, poor soap or a side effect of taking medications.Timely diagnosis and treatment allows you to quickly and effectively get rid of the problem.
How to diagnose the disease yourself
The main symptom is external changes, especially in the early stages of the disease.The first signs usually appear on the free (front) edge of the nail plate or on the sides.At the start of onychomycosis, it may be an unpleasant feeling during physical activity.Patients describe paresthesia (numbness), pain, discomfort, and loss of physical fitness.Characteristic external changes include the following symptoms:
- discoloration - white, yellow, brown, greenish and gray spots appear on the tips of the nails;
- peeling and delamination of the fabric, its fragility increases significantly;
- thickening of the stratum corneum, characteristic symptoms of excessive keratosis;
- unpleasant foot odor.
Fungal infections are more often seen on the feet than on the hands.They can be limited to just one finger or cover everything.However, the disease usually affects the first and fifth toes, due to the greater proximity to shoes.
How is a fungus diagnosed in a medical clinic?
The self-diagnosis method is not always effective, because There are a number of diseases that in their anamnesis are similar to a fungal infection.These include:
- Psoriasis may seem similar, but the characteristic of this disease is that it affects symmetrically.The characteristic signs are the appearance of white spots due to accumulations of air, redness of the alveolus, thimble (tooth) syndrome, loss of luster, roughness.Additionally, the patient presents with typical skin lesions.
- Candidiasis.It is characterized by the appearance of purulent discharge, as well as painful sensations when pressing on the affected area.The disease is more common in women, especially in people who often have to wear closed, tight-fitting shoes in hot, humid areas.To develop this type, it is necessary to sustain an injury to the finger at the nail level.Leaking: The follicles of the plaques swell and become very red and painful.
- Trophic changes caused by mechanical damage.The problem is generally concentrated in the proximal part of the plaque (i.e. at its base).
- Lichen.Characterized by typical lesions of the skin and mucous membranes.The plaque affected by lichen is usually covered with yellow-white stripes.
Additionally, there are different types and forms of nail fungus, depending on the pathogen causing the problem and the duration of the infection.The clinic determines the type of disease and prescribes a treatment regimen based on the tests performed.
Treatment methods
Treatment for onychomycosis should begin immediately after the problem is detected.If you delay treatment, a complication may occur: infection of neighboring fingers, transition to a chronic form and gradual course of the disease.Therefore, always make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any suspicious changes or use proven traditional methods.
Folk remedies for fungus
In the early stages of the disease, home remedies to combat fungal infections are useful.To get rid of fungus, you can try the following recipes:
- Tea tree oil.The mixture is a powerful natural antiseptic and fungicide.It is applied drop by drop to the affected area twice a day.The duration of the course is 21 days.
- Apple cider vinegar.Foot baths are prepared from it, mixed in equal parts with water.
- Iodine for mushrooms.An old proven method to get rid of fungal nail infections.Directions for use: Apply 1 to 2 drops of the composition to the affected area once a day.In order to prevent infection of neighboring fingers, it is recommended to lubricate them with iodine, but less often - once every 2-3 days.
- Listerine mouthwash.It contains an antiseptic and a small amount of alcohol that have a detrimental effect on the treatment process.
- Lemon juice.It is applied as a compress for 30 minutes.to the affected areas.
Dietary restrictions during treatment have a positive effect.You need to exclude sweets and starchy foods from your daily diet, increase the amount of protein (beef, fish, poultry) and fermented milk products (yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese).Fruits should also be unsweetened (lemon, grapefruit, sour apples, raspberries, cherries).The diet is necessary to strengthen human immunity and reduce the concentration of the nutrient medium for the fungus - simple sugars that are formed in the body when eating easily digestible carbohydrates.
Modern medications and procedures
Unfortunately, treating fungal infections at home is often ineffective.This is due to the fact that the disease has already entered a progressive form.To get rid of it, you need to consult a doctor.The effectiveness of medical treatment depends on the duration of treatment, which lasts several months even after the elimination of visual symptoms.But patients forget that they must continue treatment after the appearance of the cosmetic effect.This leads to relapse and the need for treatment early on.
At first, when tissue changes are minor, a fungicidal ointment will be helpful.For advanced cases, oral medications are usually prescribed.Foot fungus is prone to recurrence, so after healing, follow your doctor's recommendations.In general, the duration and order depend on the species that infected the nails, the clinical course, the number of infected nails and the degree of damage to the plate.In some cases, a systematic approach combining several methods is necessary.The combination of systemic and local effects improves the effectiveness of treatment.
Topical antifungal ointments
Topical medications should only be used in cases where the lesion occupies less than half of the distal portion of the plaque and when the patient cannot tolerate systemic treatment.Ointments and suspensions include amorolfine, ciclopirox and bifonazole, urea.They are used daily for 5 to 12 months.The final option for topical treatment of onchomycosis is bifonazole in combination with 40% urea solution.
But external remedies cannot help heal completely because they do not penetrate the tissues sufficiently.It was found that even though the latest generation of ointments cover all layers, their effectiveness remains low when used as a single preparation.However, these agents may be useful as adjuvant therapy, in addition to oral medications, or to prevent relapses in patients who have already taken oral medications.
Antifungal tablets
Oral treatment for ringworm is almost always necessary.New generations of antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole or terbinafine, have recently replaced older generic drugs in the treatment of nails.The effectiveness of these products is explained by their ability to penetrate the nail plate just a few days after the start of the course.By using them, you can afford a shorter treatment duration with a high recovery rate and fewer side effects.Terbinafine (international name, you should look for commercial analogues in the pharmacy), fungicides (kill the pathogen) cure the disease and prevent the further spread of spores.These medications work against both yeast viruses and dermatophytes, the most common causes of nail fungus.
Surgical treatment of onychomycosis
This method can also be used to treat fungal nail infections.This is a mechanical and chemical removal of infected nail plate (using 40-50% urea).This is a painless and useful method when the growth is very thick and interferes with patient comfort.
Nail plaque removal for onychomycosis should be considered as adjuvant therapy in patients treated with oral agents.A combination of oral, topical (lubricant) and surgical treatment of the fungus leads to the highest cure rate and at the same time is the cheapest option (lowest number of relapses, short-term treatment).
Laser therapy
A new method showing the greatest efficiency.In just 4 sessions of irradiation with a “cold” laser, you can completely get rid of the problem.The only drawback of this type of influence is the relatively high cost of procedures.
Principles of prevention
After learning the causes of foot fungus, it is easier to avoid the disease.By following simple recommendations, you can avoid the problem.Basic rules for avoiding mushrooms:
- Avoid injury to the skin on the toes.
- Do not break the edges, but only cut them with sharp scissors.
- Use only your own towels and personal hygiene products (scissors, sanding files and sharpening stones).
- After washing your feet, dry the skin between your toes thoroughly.
- Do not walk barefoot in public places.
- Wear cotton socks and shoes made of breathable materials.
- If your feet sweat excessively, change your socks and shoes frequently.
- Use pedicure services in approved locations where instruments are disinfected and sterilized according to established protocol.
- Do not use shoes or slippers that have already been worn by others.
You need to take care of your feet and keep them clean.After taking a bath, it is advisable to treat the skin with cosmetic products with an antiseptic effect.Wet shoes should be dried until completely dry after a day of wear - you should not wear even slightly damp shoes.If, despite the precautions taken, changes characteristic of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.