Nail fungus, known among professionals as onychomycosis, is a very common pathology. The lesion affects approximately 40% of people at least once in their lifetime. In this case, fungi on the legs are more common than on the hands.
The disease begins with the appearance of a white or yellowish-brown spot under the tip of the nail. As the fungal infection penetrates deeper into the skin, the nail plate begins to discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edges. If treatment is not started early, onychomycosis affects the areas between the toes and can even reach the skin of the feet. The neglected fungus is called epidermophytosis. Be sure to consult your local doctor!
How do you get nail fungus?
Since the disease is contagious, it can only be contracted through contact. There are hundreds of different types of pathogens in the environment. But completely healthy people with strong immunity are not susceptible to nail fungus. The development of onychomycosis requires a combination of several factors: poor health (for example, after a recent acute respiratory viral infection) and small cracks in the nails and the surrounding skin. In addition, after the penetration of pathogenic bacteria, a moist and warm environment must be created, which is favorable for their reproduction.
Other risk factors that increase the risk of developing nail fungus include:
- microtrauma of the nail plates;
- diabetes;
- taking immunosuppressants;
- congenital thickened nail plates;
- venous insufficiency (poor blood circulation in the legs);
- peripheral arterial disease;
- old age;
- fungal skin infections.
People who frequently notice lesions on their nails should take certain steps to prevent recurrence. At the very least, you should keep your feet dry and warm. Do not go barefoot in public places, especially in swimming pools, saunas and spas. Professional athletes who do heavy physical work for most of the day should also pay attention to choosing the right shoes and socks. Feet should not sweat and nails should not be clipped.
Who should I contact for nail fungus?
There are many effective over-the-counter medications that can be used for treatment without a prescription. But if new growths appear on the nails for the first time, you should consult a dermatologist or podiatrist. The fact is that fungi are not the only possible cause of nail problems. Many other pathologies can be similar to the manifestations of fungal infections. For example, some forms of psoriasis can mimic the symptoms of nail fungus. Therefore, the doctor must diagnose and choose the treatment. In case of a relapse in the future, the patient can use the already prescribed medicines again.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods
Before prescribing an antifungal treatment, a good doctor should refer the patient to laboratory tests. Even an experienced specialist cannot determine the type of pathogen by eye. Most often, the patient is asked to send cut pieces of the affected nails to the laboratory for microscopic examination.
If the selected treatment methods do not help, you should consult a doctor again. Symptoms that indicate the progress of nail fungus:
- microbleeding around the nail bed;
- swelling and pain in the affected area;
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- the appearance of a characteristic pulsation while walking;
Only after identifying the true cause of the infection is a truly effective treatment possible.
Treatment options
There is no best or optimal method of treatment. The prescription depends directly on the severity of the condition and the type of microorganism causing the disease. Most often, doctors prescribe drugs that must be applied directly to the nail or taken orally. Let's take a closer look at each option.
Oral antifungal agents.
It is the first choice, the most common treatment method for recurrent yeast infections. The tablets help the new nail to be clean and have the right structure. You have to be prepared for the fact that the results are not fast, the entire course takes 6-12 weeks. Discontinuation of oral treatment is allowed only when the nail has grown completely clean and healthy.
As for the disadvantages, the therapy is not suitable for the elderly over 65 years, as well as those with liver problems or congestive heart failure. Also, oral antifungals can cause side effects such as rash and nausea. It is strictly forbidden to start taking such drugs without prior examinations. Moreover, about 2 weeks after the start of treatment, a repeated scraping should be done to check exactly how the body reacts to the prescribed drugs.
Healing varnish.
If the nails are affected for the first time (the beginning of the disease is diagnosed) or the fungus is detected in the "exact stage", the doctor may prescribe the use of a special antifungal varnish with the main active ingredient. To achieve the best results, it is recommended to treat the affected nail plates and the surrounding skin at leastonce a day. After seven days, the accumulated varnish layers should be removed with medical alcohol, the result should be evaluated, and the course should be repeated if necessary. The product quickly removes small spots of the fungus, but if the lesion is deep enough, there is a high risk of relapse.
Antifungal cream.
If the lesion has spread under the nail, to the surrounding skin, it is better to use a cream than varnish. Before each use, wash and dry your feet thoroughly and file the affected layer of the nail plate. Then apply the cream in a thin layer. If the infection has spread to the surrounding skin, which has also thickened, it is recommended to apply urea cream to soften it before starting the treatment. Antifungal nail creams are quite effective and rarely cause complications.
If the disease occurs against the background of diabetes, not only a podiatrist, but also an endocrinologist is involved in the development of the treatment program. The specialists ensure that the prescribed medicines do not conflict with each other. The fact is that even minor problems with the feet of diabetics can turn into full-fledged gangrene.
Do not think that a completely completed course automatically means that your nails will be aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, the death of the fungus does not mean that the nail plate will regain its natural color and shape. A full upgrade can take up to 18 months.
When should we turn to surgery?
If the fungus keeps reoccurring and does not respond to the drugs used, the best solution is the help of a surgeon. The specialist will recommend removing the affected nail completely so that the antifungal medication can be applied directly to the skin. The only, but significant, drawback of the method: sometimes the new disc grows back, already deformed. Surgical removal is also performed if the nail is so deformed and damaged that podiatry hygiene does not help to improve the situation. The operation is also recommended for patients who cannot take pills or use external drugs due to individual intolerance.
Prevention methods
Following all the doctor's recommendations is the key to successful treatment. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or neglect of hygiene rules. Simple preventive measures to avoid a relapse:
- keep your feet clean and dry;
- wear slippers in public pools, showers and changing rooms;
- perform general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your own bathroom;
- change socks every day;
- for those who wear shoes with bare feet, it is recommended to wash the insoles at least once a week and install new ones or use insoles after the fungus worsens;
- remove tight shoes and tights from your wardrobe;
- cut your nails short, file the edges strictly at right angles;
- wash your feet regularly, several times a day in the summer;
- wear shoes that allow the feet to breathe;
After the fungus worsens, all shoes that cannot be washed or disinfected at 90 degrees must be thrown away. It is also recommended to cook socks and home textiles.
Carpets should be thrown away or treated with disinfectants and anti-fungal detergents. The tools required for nail treatment (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During the period of aggravation, it is forbidden to use decorative varnishes, to attach extensions or artificial teeth.
Characteristics of the course of the fungus in children, treatment methods
Nail fungus looks very ugly, but rarely poses a serious threat to life and health. This is why adults sometimes neglect treatment. However, fungal diseases in children have their own characteristics. Changing the appearance of nails can have a serious impact on a child's self-esteem. Children may feel ugly and worry about their own health. The rapid progress of the disease can cause a lot of stress for the baby, and even cause problems with the perception of one's own body and can damage self-esteem.
It is the responsibility of the parents to periodically examine the child's body. After all, children very often hide fungal infections because they believe that they themselves are to blame for the disease, they do not want to upset their elders, or they are simply afraid of treatment. Parents who have discovered pathological changes in the feet should not show disapproval, disgust, or even scold the child. The phrases "he doesn't wash his feet well", "because he rarely changes his socks" are prohibited. You need to talk calmly about what nail fungus is, ease any fears, reassure them and describe the treatment in general.
It is important to explain to the child that he is not to blame for the illness. At the same time, it should also be noted that fungal infections like dark and damp places, so it is necessary to regularly change socks, keep shoes clean and do not forget about daily hygiene procedures.
Fungal infections in children are usually treated with oral medications. The fact is that children's nails are very thin and grow quite quickly, which means that there is a greater risk of complications after using creams and gels.
Fungal infections are very common. But with high-quality daily hygiene procedures and strong immunity, the risk of infection is minimized.