There is an opinion that toenail fungus is a purely aesthetic problem and cannot harm human health. This position is extremely wrong, since the toxins produced by pathogenic fungi get into the bloodstream, cause intoxication of the body and can lead to very serious consequences. In addition, a sick person is a source of infection and can infect a large number of others.
Reasons for appearing
Onychomycosis - a fungal infection of the nail plates on the legs or arms - most often occurs in people leading an active lifestyle: visiting pools, gyms, spas, vacationing in seaside resorts.
The spores of the fungus, getting on the skin and nails of a person with strong immunity, are in a latent state for some time. Their transition to development and reproduction can occur under the influence of such factors:
- Weakening of the body's defenses due to viral diseases,
- Diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and other endocrine diseases,
- stressful states, excessive nervous and emotional excitement,
- varicose veins of the lower extremities that disrupt normal blood circulation,
- bruises, abrasions, tears and other injuries of the feet and nails,
- long stay in closed shoes, which leads to increased sweating,
- wearing synthetic tights or socks,
- metabolic disorders, obesity,
- Failure to comply with the rules of personal hygiene.
The risk group includes people with chronic diseases of the internal organs - kidneys, liver, bile ducts, as well as patients who take antibiotics, hormonal drugs, including birth control pills for a long time.
Types of Onychomycosis
There are more than 500 opportunistic fungi that can parasitize human skin and nails.
The most common causes of onychomycosis are:
- dermatophytes. These include fungi such as Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. The disease begins on the nail plates and, if left untreated, spreads to the entire foot.
- yeast candida. In most cases, infection occurs in places with high humidity - saunas, baths or pools.
- Mold, the main sign of defeat is a change in the color of the nails - from dirty green to brown and black.
Fungi first attack the thumbnail and then the rest, least of all the little finger. All types of onychomycosis are accompanied by severe itching in the interdigital zone, burning and an unpleasant smell of putrefaction caused by the breakdown of waste products of fungi.
stages of the disease
Any type of fungus requires treatment with medication. Before making an appointment, the doctor must understand what stage the disease is at and determine the degree of damage to the nail plate.
Depending on the clinical picture, the following stages of onychomycosis are distinguished:
- Normotrophic - the initial stage of the disease, during which the nails gradually change color, spots and stripes appear on them. The nail plate continues to retain its normal shape, thickness and healthy shine.
- hypertrophic. The nail thickens, becomes dull and brittle, and crumbles at the edges. The patient has pain when walking in tight shoes.
- atrophic. In full accordance with the name of the stage, the nail is quickly destroyed, bent and separated from the nail bed. The plate becomes very thin, and brownish spots appear under it - foci of invasion of the pathogen. In the end, the nail is completely torn off.
The more advanced the disease is, the longer and more difficult it is to get rid of it. If at the initial normotrophic stage it is possible to cure onychomycosis with the help of traditional medicine, then in the final stages it is often necessary to resort even to the removal of the affected nails by surgical methods.
symptoms
In order to start treatment in a timely manner, it is necessary to understand how onychomycosis of the nails is manifested at each stage.
At the initial stage, the main signs of nail fungus are reddening of the skin in the interdigital zone, accompanied by slight peeling and itching. Subsequently, the symptoms of a fungal infection develop in the following order:
- the nail fold turns red, swells and hurts,
- the nail begins to turn from dirty yellow to black, depending on the type of pathogen,
- Spots, grooves, bumps and streaks appear on the surface of the slab,
- the nail thickens and flakes off,
- a white mass accumulates in the subungual space, which exudes an unpleasant odor,
- the keratinized nail plate begins to crumble at the edges,
- the nail completely peels off the bed and is pushed off.
Feet affected by nail fungus can look extremely uncomfortable to others, so the patient is forced to hide them, which is especially difficult in the warm season. In addition, ongoing onychomycosis causes complications.
What is a dangerous disease
The reluctance of many patients to go to the doctor at the initial stage or not to recognize the first symptoms of onychomycosis leads to its transition into a chronic form, which can become ill for life. At the same time, with normal immunity, the fungus "freezes" at a certain level, and any of the above provoking factors can return the disease to the active phase.
The following categories fall into the risk group for complications from fungal nail infections:
- children under 12 years,
- pregnant,
- women during lactation,
- people of the older generation.
Against the background of a decrease in the body's defenses in these people, the disease will quickly pass, which will lead to a further weakening of immunity and such possible consequences:
- allergic reactions to bronchial asthma,
- aggravation of the course of chronic diseases of internal organs,
- intoxication of the body due to the penetration of toxins into the blood,
- dysbacteriosis,
- the appearance of new foci of inflammation on the skin,
- Disorders of the nervous system, mental problems.
Since nail fungus denotes infectious diseases, not only the sufferer himself, but also all his personal property is a constant source of infection for others. If onychomycosis is detected in a woman during pregnancy, then there is a risk that the unborn child will be born with a predisposition to allergies.
diagnosis
Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are treated by dermatologists or mycologists. For a consultation, you can contact the clinic or dermatovenereological pharmacy, where these specialists will receive.
After questioning the patient, the doctor can get an idea of the occurrence and course of the disease. The following measures will help to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment:
- visual examination of the affected nails with a Wood UV lamp,
- removal of skin and nail pieces for examination,
- general blood and urine tests.
The biomaterial obtained by scraping is sent to the laboratory, where it is examined under a microscope, which makes it possible to determine the fungal nature of the disease.
To clarify the type and strain of pathogenic microorganisms, fungal cultures are placed in a nutrient medium and create optimal conditions for their development. After 10-14 days, based on the type and shape of the colonies, it is possible not only to identify the pathogen, but also to determine its reaction to the most common drugs.
The fastest and most accurate method is the PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The biomaterial is processed by special enzymes that make it possible to study the fungus at the DNA level. As a result, the type of pathogen is determined and its exact description is given.
Based on the above procedures, the patient receives a final diagnosis and an optimal scheme is developed to get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.
treatment
Dermatologists promise a positive prognosis for onychomycosis only if the patient strictly follows all their prescriptions and recommendations.
In most cases, complex treatment is carried out, which includes the use of external ointments, creams and varnishes, oral antifungal drugs and alternative methods of therapy.
Keratolytics are used to soften and remove the affected nail plate. You can also get rid of the manifestations of a fungal infection with the help of special varnishes.
In cases where the fungus on the nails has passed to an advanced stage or there is a threat of secondary infection, which can be caused by pathogenic bacteria that have penetrated into the affected areas, oral antifungal antibiotics are prescribed.
You can speed up the healing process by using traditional healers at home. The most effective, according to patients, are the following procedures:
- baths with baking soda or decoctions of medicinal herbs,
- apple cider lotion,
- compresses with tincture of celandine,
- Ointments based on propolis and other bee products.
To destroy pathogenic microorganisms, before using antifungal drugs, nails can be treated with essential oils of cinnamon, clove, fir, oregano or lemon.
Many dermatological centers offer to remove nail fungus with a laser beam. This procedure, which allows you to quickly and painlessly remove the affected nail plate, is performed on an outpatient basis.
How can you get a mushroom
Onychomycosis is a contagious fungal disease that can be easily spread from person to person through household contact.
Most often it happens like this:
- walking barefoot in public places with high humidity - saunas, spas, gyms, swimming pools, on the beach,
- when trying on or wearing someone else's shoes or hosiery,
- through sheets, towels, washcloths, brushes and other personal items.
When visiting a manicure salon, it is necessary to take care of the disinfection of tools, since in many cases infection with a fungus is due to the fault of unscrupulous employees of beauty salons.
prevention
To prevent disease-causing fungi from multiplying, even if they get on your nails or skin, you need to take care of your health and strengthen your immune system by following the recommendations below:
- Refusing bad habits.
- Keep fit.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Balance the diet by including foods with nutrients and vitamins.
- Pay attention to personal hygiene.
- Cure all chronic diseases in time.
- Wear quality shoes and stockings that won't restrict or float your feet.
- Shoes worn in the pool, gym or on the beach should be regularly treated with disinfectants.
Having noticed incomprehensible changes in the skin or nails, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist in order to start treatment as soon as possible and get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.