Onychomycosis is a disease that catches quickly but is much more difficult to cure.It is not only a cosmetic problem, but also causes unpleasant, painful sensations in humans.According to statistics, every tenth inhabitant of the planet suffers from it, and you may also be at risk.What are the causes of the disease, factors in the development of onychomycosis and how to fight fungus on toenails?
How does toenail fungus develop and why does it occur?
The disease is caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.According to statistics, every tenth person on the planet is affected by this disease.
Where can you get toenail fungus?The main risk area is swimming pools, baths, saunas.You can become infected by wearing someone else's shoes or socks or during a pedicure.Onychomycosis more commonly affects individuals suffering from chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, anemia, gastrointestinal, hormonal, immune and cardiovascular diseases, as well as long-term steroid, antibiotic and chemotherapy treatment.
Warmth and moisture promote spore development.The main routes of infection are wounds, microcracks and other skin lesions in the finger area.Mycosis occurs when the nail plate is damaged - if we cut it short or break it off, fungi can easily penetrate inside.Wearing tight shoes also weakens the tissue, as do nail acrylics, gels and varnishes.
Make a diagnosis
Visual manifestations of the disease are already the second stage of the disease.The first signs of infection - itching, burning - are usually attributed to excessive drying of the skin, poor soap or a side effect of taking medication.Timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment allows you to quickly and effectively eliminate 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 edge (front) of the nail plate or on the sides.At the beginning of onychomycosis, there may be an unpleasant feeling during physical activity.Patients describe paresthesia (numbness), pain, discomfort, and loss of physical fitness.The characteristic external changes include the following symptoms:
- Discoloration – white, yellow, brown, greenish and gray spots appear at the ends of the nails;
- Peeling and delamination of the fabric, its fragility increases significantly;
- Thickening of the stratum corneum, symptoms characteristic of excessive keratosis;
- unpleasant foot odor.
Fungal infections occur more often on the feet than on the hands.They can be limited to one finger or cover everything.However, due to the close proximity to shoes, the first and fifth toes are usually affected by the disease.
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 have a history similar to a fungal infection.This includes:
- Psoriasis may look similar, but the characteristic of this disease is that it occurs symmetrically.Characteristic signs include the appearance of white spots due to air accumulation, redness of the eye socket, foxglove syndrome, loss of shine and roughness.In addition, the patient has typical skin changes.
- 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 people who often have to wear closed, airtight shoes in hot, humid areas.To develop this type, an injury to the finger in the nail area is necessary.Leakage: The plate follicles swell and become very red and painful.
- Trophic changes caused by mechanical damage.The problem is usually concentrated in the proximal part of the plate (i.e., at its base).
- Lichen.Typical lesions on the skin and mucous membranes are characteristic.The plate affected by lichen is usually covered with yellow-white stripes.
In addition, there are different types and forms of nail fungus depending on the pathogen and the duration of the infection.The clinic determines the type of disease and, based on the tests carried out, prescribes a treatment regimen.
Treatment methods
Treatment of onychomycosis must begin immediately after the problem is identified.If you delay treatment, complications may arise: infection of neighboring fingers, transition to a chronic form and progressive 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 fungi
In the early stages of the disease, home remedies to combat a fungal infection are helpful.To get rid of fungi, you can try the following recipes:
- Tea tree oil.The mixture is a powerful natural antiseptic and fungicide.It is applied dropwise to the affected area twice a day.The course duration is 21 days.
- Apple cider vinegar.Foot baths are prepared from this, which are mixed in equal parts with water.
- Iodine against fungi.A tried and tested method to get rid of fungal nail infections.Instructions for use: Apply 1-2 drops of the composition to the affected area once a day.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, which have a detrimental effect on the course of treatment.
- lemon juice.It is applied as a compress for 30 minutes.to the affected areas.
Dietary restrictions during treatment have a positive effect.You should 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 because the disease has already taken a progressive form.To get rid of it, you need to consult a doctor.The effectiveness of drug therapy depends on the duration of the course, which lasts several months even after the elimination of visual symptoms.However, patients forget that they need to continue the course after the cosmetic effect occurs.This leads to a relapse and a need for treatment from the start.
In the early stages, when the tissue changes are still minor, a fungicidal ointment helps.In advanced cases, oral medications are usually prescribed.Athlete's foot is prone to recurrence.Therefore, after recovery, follow your doctor's recommendations.In general, the duration and sequence 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 multiple methods is required.The combination of systemic and local effects improves the effectiveness of therapy.
Topical antifungal ointments
Topical medications should only be used if the lesion occupies less than half of the distal portion of the plate and the patient cannot tolerate systemic treatment.Ointments and suspensions include amorolfine, ciclopirox and bifonazole, as well as urea.They are used daily for 5-12 months.The final option for topical treatment of onchomycosis is bifonazole in combination with a 40% urea solution.
But external remedies cannot contribute to complete healing because they do not penetrate the tissue sufficiently.It turned out that the latest generation of ointments cover all layers, but as a single preparation they still have low effectiveness.However, these agents may be useful as adjuvant therapy, as an adjunct to oral medications, or to prevent relapse in patients who have previously taken oral medications.
Antifungal tablets
Ringworm almost always requires oral treatment.New generations of antifungals such as itraconazole and terbinafine have recently replaced older generics in nail treatment.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 duration of therapy 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 subsequent spread of spores.These drugs are effective against both yeast viruses and dermatophytes, the most common pathogens of nail fungus.
Surgical treatment of onychomycosis
This method can also be used to treat fungal nail infections.The infected nail plate is removed mechanically and chemically (with 40-50% urea).This is a painless and useful method when the growth is very thick and affects the patient's well-being.
In patients treated with oral drugs, removal of the nail plate for onychomycosis should be considered as adjuvant therapy.A combination of oral, topical (lubricants) and surgical fungal treatment leads to the highest cure rates and is at the same time the cheapest option (lowest number of relapses, short course).
Laser therapy
A new method with maximum efficiency.In just 4 sessions of irradiation with a “cold” laser you can completely eliminate the problem.The only disadvantage of this type of influence is the relatively high cost of the procedures.
Principles of prevention
Knowing what causes athlete's foot makes it easier to prevent the disease.By following simple recommendations, you can prevent the problem.Basic rules for avoiding fungus:
- Avoid injuring the skin in the toe area.
- Do not break the edges, just trim them with well-sharpened 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 go barefoot in public places.
- Wear cotton socks and shoes made from breathable materials.
- If your feet sweat excessively, change socks and shoes frequently.
- Utilize pedicure services at 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 bathing, it is recommended to treat the skin with antiseptic cosmetics.Wet shoes must be completely dried after a day of wear - even slightly damp shoes should not be worn.If, despite the precautionary measures taken, changes typical of the disease occur, you should consult a doctor immediately.