Onychomycosis is a disease that gets infected quickly but is much more difficult to cure. It is not only a cosmetic problem, but it also causes unpleasant and painful sensations in a person. According to statistics, every tenth inhabitant of the planet suffers from it and you may even find yourself in the risk zone. What are the causes of the disease, the factors for the development of onychomycosis and how to defeat the fungus on the toenails?
How does toenail fungus appear and why does it occur?
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 areas are swimming pools, baths, saunas. You can get infected using someone else's shoes, socks, or during a pedicure procedure. Onychomycosis most commonly affects individuals with chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, anemia, gastrointestinal, hormonal, immune, and cardiovascular disorders, and long-term steroid, antibacterial, and chemotherapy treatments.
Heat and humidity contribute to the development of spores. The main routes of infection are wounds, microfractures and other skin lesions in the finger area. Mycosis develops when the nail plate is damaged: if we cut it briefly or break it, the fungi easily penetrate inside. Wearing tight shoes also weakens the fabric, as do nail acrylic, gel, and polishes.
Let's make a diagnosis
Visual manifestations of the disease are already the second stage of the disease. The first evidence of infection - itching, burning, is often attributed to excessive dryness of the skin, poor soap, a side effect of taking medications. Timely diagnosis and the start of treatment allow 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 development of the disease. The first signs usually appear on the free (front) edge of the nail plate or on the sides. At the onset of onychomycosis, it can be an unpleasant sensation during physical activity. Patients describe paraesthesia (numbness), pain, discomfort, and loss of fitness. Typical external changes include the following symptoms:
- discoloration - spots of white, yellow, brown, greenish and gray hue appear on the ends of the nails;
- peeling and delamination of the tissue, its fragility is clearly improved;
- thickening of the stratum corneum, characteristic symptoms of excessive keratosis;
- unpleasant foot odor.
Fungal infections are more common on the legs than on the hands. They can be limited to one finger or cover all of them. However, the disorder usually affects the first and fifth toes, due to the proximity of the shoes.
How is the fungus diagnosed in a medical clinic
The self-diagnosis method is not always effective, becauseThere are a number of diseases that have a history similar to a fungal infection. These include:
- Psoriasis - It may sound similar, but the characteristic of this disease is that it affects symmetrically. Typical signs are the appearance of white spots due to air accumulations, redness of the hole, thimble syndrome (dents), loss of its luster, roughness. In addition, the patient has typical skin lesions.
- candidiasis. It is characterized by the appearance of purulent secretions and painful sensations when pressing on the affected area. The disease is more common in women, especially in people who often have to wear closed, airtight shoes in hot, humid environments. To develop this type, it is necessary to get a finger injury in the nail area. Loss: Plaque follicles swell, becoming very red and painful.
- Trophic changes caused by mechanical damage. The problem usually focuses on the proximal part of the plate (i. e. at its base).
- Lichen. It is characterized by typical lesions on the skin and mucous membranes. The leaf affected by the lichen is usually covered with yellow-white streaks.
In addition, there are different types and forms of nail fungus, depending on the causative agent that caused the problem, the duration of the infection. The clinic determines the type of disease and prescribes a treatment regimen based on the tests performed.
Methods of treatment
Onychomycosis therapy should be started immediately upon detection of the problem. If treatment is delayed, a complication can occur: 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 find any suspicious changes or use time-tested folk methods.
Folk remedies for mushrooms
In the early stages of the disease, home remedies work well to fight fungal infections. To get rid of the fungus, you can try these recipes:
- Tea tree oil. The blend is a powerful natural antiseptic and fungicide. It is applied drop by drop on the affected area 2 times a day. The duration of the course is 21 days.
- Apple cider vinegar. From it prepare foot baths, mixing in equal parts with water.
- Iodine from the fungus. An old proven way to get rid of nail fungus. Method of application: once a day, apply 1-2 drops of the composition on the affected plate. 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 in its composition, which have a detrimental effect on the treatment process.
- Lemon juice. It is applied in the form of a compress for 30 minutes. to the affected areas.
A positive effect is given by the restrictions on food for the duration of the treatment. Sweet and starchy foods should be excluded from the daily diet, and the amount of protein (beef, fish, poultry), dairy products (yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese) should be increased. Fruit 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 consuming easily digestible carbohydrates.
Modern medicines and procedures
Unfortunately, home remedies for fungal infections are often ineffective. This is due to the fact that the disease has already passed into a progressive form. To get rid of it, you need to consult a doctor. The effectiveness of medical therapy depends on the duration of the course, which takes several months even after the elimination of visual symptoms. But patients forget that they need to continue the course after the cosmetic effect has occurred. This leads to relapse and the need for treatment right from the start.
In the early stages, when the tissue changes are small, a fungicidal ointment will help well. For advanced cases, oral medications are usually prescribed. Foot fungus is prone to relapse, so follow your doctor's recommendations after recovery. In general, the duration and order depends on the type that infected the nails, the clinical course, the number of infected nails, and the degree of damage to the plaque. In some cases, a systematic approach that combines several methods is required. The combination of systemic and local exposure improves the efficacy of the therapy.
Topical antifungal ointments
Topical medications should only be used in cases where the lesion occupies less than half of the distal part of the plaque and when the patient cannot tolerate systemic treatment. Ointments, suspensions include amorolfine, ciclopirox and bifonazole, urea. They are used daily for 5-12 months. The last option for topical treatment of oncomycosis is bifonazole in combination with a 40% urea solution.
But external agents cannot help heal completely, because they don't penetrate enough into the tissues. It has been found that although the latest generation of ointments capture all layers, they still have low efficacy when used as a single formulation. However, these agents may be useful as adjuvant therapy, complementary to oral medications, or to prevent relapse in patients who have previously taken oral medications.
Antifungal pills
Oral treatment for ringworm is almost always a necessity. New generations of antifungal drugs such as itraconazole or terbinafine have recently replaced the older generics in nail treatment. The effectiveness of these funds is explained by their ability to penetrate the nail plate in a few days after the start of the course. Using them, you can afford a shorter duration of therapy with a faster recovery rate and fewer side effects. Terbinafine (international name, you should look for commercial analogues in the pharmacy), fungicides (they kill the pathogen) cure the disease and prevent the subsequent spread of the spores. These drugs work with 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. It is a mechanical and chemical removal of the infected nail plate (using 40-50% urea). This is a painless and beneficial method when the growth is very thick and interferes with the patient's comfort.
Removal of the nail plate for onychomycosis should be considered as adjunctive therapy in patients receiving oral agents. The combination of oral, topical (lubricating) and surgical treatment of the fungus results in the fastest healing rate and is at the same time the cheapest option (minimal relapse, short course).
Laser therapy
A new method that shows maximum efficiency. In just 4 sessions of "cold" laser irradiation, you can completely eliminate the problem. The only drawback of this type of exposure is the relatively high cost of the procedures.
Principles of prevention
Having found out what causes the fungus on the feet, it is easier to avoid the disease. By following simple tips, you can prevent the problem. Basic rules for avoiding mushrooms:
- Avoid trauma to the skin around the toes.
- Do not break the edges, but only cut with well-sharpened scissors.
- Use only your towels and personal hygiene products (scissors, files and sanding sticks).
- After washing your feet, carefully wipe the skin between your toes.
- Do not go barefoot in public places.
- Wear cotton socks and breathable shoes.
- Change your socks and shoes often if you experience excessive sweating.
- Use pedicure services in reliable places where instruments are disinfected and sterilized according to the established protocol.
- Do not use shoes or slippers that others have previously worn.
You need to take care of your feet and keep them clean. After carrying out the bath procedures, it is advisable to treat the skin with cosmetics with an antiseptic effect. Wet shoes, after a day of use, must be dried in an absolutely dry state - 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.