There is an opinion that nail fungus is a purely aesthetic problem and cannot harm human health. This position is extremely incorrect, as the toxins produced by pathogenic fungi enter the bloodstream, causing intoxication of the organism, which can lead to very serious consequences. In addition, a sick person is a source of infection and can infect a large number of other people.
appearance reasons
Onychomycosis - a fungal infection of the nail plates on the legs or arms - is most often found in people who lead an active lifestyle: visiting swimming pools, gyms, spas, vacationing at seaside resorts.
Entering the skin and nails of a person with strong immunity, the spores of the fungus lie dormant for some time. Its 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 disorders,
- stressful conditions, excessive nervous and emotional arousal,
- varicose veins of the lower extremities, interrupting normal blood circulation,
- bruises, abrasions, cracks and other injuries to the feet and nails,
- long stay in closed shoes, leading to increased sweating,
- wearing socks or synthetic socks,
- metabolic disorders, obesity,
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules.
The risk group includes people with chronic pathologies of internal organs - kidneys, liver, bile ducts, as well as patients who take antibiotics for a long time, hormonal drugs, including birth control pills.
Types of onychomycosis
There are over 500 opportunistic fungi that can parasitize human skin and nails.
The most common causes of onychomycosis are:
- Dermatophytes. These include fungi like Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. The disease starts on the nail plates and, if left untreated, spreads to the entire foot.
- Candida yeast. In most cases, the infection occurs in places with high humidity - saunas, baths or swimming pools.
- Mold, the main sign of defeat of which is a change in the color of the nails - from dirty green to brown and black.
Firstly, the fungus affects the thumb nail, and then it spreads to the rest, even less to the little finger. All types of onychomycosis are accompanied by intense itching in the interdigital area, burning and an unpleasant putrefactive odor caused by the breakdown of fungal waste products.
stages of the disease
Any type of fungus requires treatment with medications. 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, in which the nails gradually change color, spots and stripes appear on them. The nail plate still retains its normal shape, thickness and healthy shine.
- hypertrophic. The nail thickens, becomes dull and brittle, crumbling at the edges. The patient feels pain when walking in tight shoes.
- atrophic. According to the name of the stage, the nail is quickly destroyed by bending and separating from the nail bed. The plaque becomes much thinner and brown spots appear under it - foci of pathogen invasion. Finally, the nail is completely torn off.
The more advanced the disease, the longer and more difficult it is to get rid of it. If in the initial normotrophic stage it is possible to cure onychomycosis with the help of traditional medicine, in the later stages it is often necessary to resort to the removal of the affected nails by surgical methods.
Symptoms
To start treatment in a timely manner, it is necessary to understand how nail onychomycosis manifests itself at each stage.
In the initial phase, the main signs of nail fungus are redness of the skin in the interdigital area, accompanied by slight scaling and itching. Subsequently, symptoms of a fungal infection develop in the following sequence:
- the nail fold turns red, swells and becomes painful,
- the nail starts to change color from dirty yellow to black depending on the type of pathogen,
- spots, grooves, tubercles and stripes appear on the surface of the plate,
- the nail thickens and exfoliates,
- a white mass accumulates in the subungual space, giving off an unpleasant odor,
- the keratinized nail plate begins to crumble along the edges,
- the nail completely exfoliates from the bed and is discarded.
Feet affected by nail fungus can look extremely unpleasant to others, so the patient is forced to hide them, which is especially difficult in the hot season. Also, running onychomycosis causes complications.
What is a dangerous disease
The reluctance of many patients to go to the doctor in the early stages or the inability to recognize the first symptoms of onychomycosis leads to its transition to a chronic form that can become ill throughout life. At the same time, with normal immunity, the fungus "freezes up" at a certain level, and any of the provoking factors mentioned above can again transfer the disease to the active phase.
The following categories fall into the risk group for complications from fungal nail infections:
- children under 12 years old,
- pregnant,
- women during lactation,
- older generation people.
Against the background of a decrease in the body's defenses in these individuals, the disease will quickly pass, leading to an even further weakening of immunity and possible consequences:
- allergic reactions to bronchial asthma,
- worsening 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 in the skin,
- nervous system disorders, psychological problems.
As nail fungus refers to infectious diseases, not only the patient himself but also all his personal belongings are a constant source of infection for others. In the event that onychomycosis is detected in a woman during pregnancy, there is a threat that the fetus will be born with a predisposition to allergies.
Diagnosis
Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are treated by dermatologists or mycologists. For consultation, you can contact the dermatovenerological clinic or dispensary where these specialists are receiving.
After interviewing the patient, the doctor will be able to draw a picture of the appearance and development of the disease. The following measures will help to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment:
- visual examination of affected nails with Wood's UV lamp,
- taking pieces of skin and nails for examination,
- general blood and urine tests.
The biomaterial obtained by scraping is sent to the laboratory, where it is studied 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 ideal 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 establish its reaction to the most common drugs.
The fastest and most accurate method is considered to be 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 provided.
Based on the above procedures, the patient is given a final diagnosis and an optimal regimen is developed to get rid of the fungus as quickly as possible.
Treatment
Dermatologists promise a positive prognosis for onychomycosis only if the patient strictly follows all their prescriptions and recommendations.
In most cases, a complex treatment is carried out, which includes the use of external ointments, creams and varnishes, oral antifungals 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 nail fungus has progressed to an advanced stage or if there is a threat of developing a secondary infection, which can be caused by pathogenic bacteria that have entered 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 bicarbonate of soda or decoctions of medicinal herbs,
- apple cider vinegar lotion,
- compresses with celandine tincture,
- propolis-based ointments and other bee products.
To destroy pathogenic microorganisms, before applying antifungal drugs, nails can be treated with cinnamon, clove, spruce, oregano or lemon essential oils.
Many dermatological centers offer toenail fungus removal with a laser beam. This procedure, which allows for quick and painless removal of the affected nail plate, is performed on an outpatient basis.
How can you get a fungus
Onychomycosis is a contagious fungal disease that is easily transmitted from person to person through household contact.
Most of the time it happens like this:
- when 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 socks,
- through bedding, towels, cloths, brushes and other personal items.
When visiting a nail salon, it is necessary to pay attention to the disinfection of tools, since in many cases the infection with a fungus is the fault of unscrupulous employees of beauty salons.
Prevention
To prevent pathogenic fungi from multiplying even when they reach your nails or skin, you need to take care of your health and strengthen your immune system by following these recommendations:
- Refuse to bad habits.
- Keep in shape.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Balance your diet by including foods that contain nutrients and vitamins.
- Observe personal hygiene.
- Timely cure all chronic diseases.
- Wear quality shoes and socks that don't restrict or hover your feet.
- Shoes worn in the pool, gym or beach should be treated regularly with disinfectants.
Having found incomprehensible changes to the skin or nails, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist to start treatment as soon as possible and get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.