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, fungus on the feet is more common than on the hands.
The disease begins with the appearance of a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of the nail. As the fungal infection penetrates deeper into the skin, the nail plate begins to lose color, thicken and crumble at the edges. If treatment is not started early, onychomycosis begins to affect the areas between the toes and can reach the skin of the feet. A neglected fungus is called epidermophytosis. Be sure to consult your local doctor!
How can you get nail fungus?
Since the disease is contagious, you can only get infected by 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. A combination of several factors is necessary for the development of onychomycosis: poor health (for example, after a recent acute respiratory viral infection), as well as small cracks on the nails and surrounding skin. Also, after the penetration of pathogenic bacteria, it is necessary to create a moist and warm environment suitable for reproduction.
Other risk factors that increase the risk of developing nail fungus are:
- microtrauma of the nail plate;
- diabetes;
- taking immunosuppressive drugs;
- congenital thickened nail plates;
- venous insufficiency (poor blood circulation in the legs);
- peripheral artery disease;
- old age;
- fungal skin infections.
People who notice lesions on their nails quite often should take certain steps to prevent recurrences. At the very least, your feet need to be dry and warm. You should not walk barefoot in public places, especially in swimming pools, saunas and spas. Professional athletes, people 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 pinch.
Who should I contact if I have nail fungus?
There are many effective over-the-counter medications that can be used for treatment without a prescription. But if new nail growths appear for the first time, you should consult a dermatologist or podiatrist. The fact is that fungus is 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, a specialist must make a diagnosis and choose a treatment. In the future, in the event of a relapse, the patient will be able to use the already prescribed drugs again.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods
Before prescribing treatment for the fungus, 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 clippings of the affected nails to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.
If the selected treatment methods do not help, it is necessary to consult a doctor again. Symptoms that indicate that nail fungus is progressing:
- microbleeding around the nails;
- swelling and pain in the affected area;
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- appearance of a characteristic pulsation when walking;
Only after determining the true cause of the infection is a truly effective treatment possible.
Treatment options
There is no best or optimal method of treatment. The doctor's prescription directly depends on the severity of the condition and the type of microorganism that caused the disease. Most often, doctors prescribe drugs that need to be applied directly to the nail or taken orally. Let's take a closer look at each option.
Oral antifungal drugs.
They are the first-choice option, the most common treatment method for recurrent yeast infections. The tablets help the new nail to grow cleanly and with the correct structure. You have to prepare for the fact that the results are not quick, the entire course of treatment lasts 6-12 weeks. Discontinuation of oral therapy is allowed only when the nail has completely grown clean and healthy.
As for the downsides, the therapy is not suitable for the elderly over 65, as well as for people with liver problems or diagnosed congestive heart failure. Also, oral antifungal medications can cause side effects such as rash and nausea. It is strictly forbidden to start taking such drugs without preliminary tests. Moreover, approximately 2 weeks after the start of treatment, it is recommended to take the scraping again 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 "point stage", then the doctor may prescribe the use of a special antifungal varnish with the main active ingredient. For the best results, it is recommended to treat the affected nail plates and the surrounding skin at least once a dayAfter seven days, it is necessary to remove the accumulated layers of varnish with medical alcohol, evaluate the result and repeat the course if necessary. The product quickly removes small spots of fungus, but if the lesion is deep enough, there is a high risk of recurrence.
Antifungal cream.
If the lesion has spread under the nail, to the surrounding skin, then it is more advisable to use a cream than a varnish. Before each use, you must wash and dry your feet well and file the affected layer of the nail plate. Then it is necessary to apply the cream in a thin layer. If the infection has spread to the surrounding skin, which has also become thickened, it is recommended to additionally apply urea cream before starting the treatment to soften it. Antifungal nail creams are quite effective and rarely cause complications.
If the disease occurs against the background of diabetes, then not only a podiatrist, but also an endocrinologist is involved in the development of the treatment program. Specialists will make sure that 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 fully completed treatment will automatically mean that your nails will look aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, the destruction of the fungus does not mean that the nail plate will return to its natural color and shape. A full update can take up to 18 months.
When to resort to surgery?
If the fungus keeps recurring and stops responding to the drugs used, then the best option is to seek help from a surgeon. The specialist will suggest removing the affected nail completely so that the antifungal medicine can be applied directly to the skin. The only, but significant drawback of the method: sometimes the new plate grows back thin, already deformed. Surgical removal is also performed if the nail is so deformed and damaged that podiatric sanitation will not help correct the situation. The operation is also indicated for those patients who, due to individual intolerance, cannot take tablets or use external means.
Prevention methods
Compliance with all the doctor's recommendations is the key to a successful treatment result. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or ignorance of hygiene rules. Simple preventive measures to help avoid relapse:
- keep feet clean and dry;
- wear slippers in public pools, showers and changing rooms;
- carry out general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your own bathroom;
- change your socks every day;
- for those who wear shoes on bare feet, it is recommended to wash the insoles at least once a week, and after the fungus worsens, install new ones or use insoles;
- remove tight shoes and tight-fitting socks from your wardrobe;
- shorten the nails, file the edges strictly at right angles;
- wash your feet regularly, several times a day in the summer;
- wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe;
After the fungus worsens, you must throw away all footwear that cannot be washed at 90 degrees or disinfected. Boiling socks and home textiles is also recommended.
Carpets should be thrown away or treated with disinfectants and anti-fungal laundry detergents. Nail treatment tools (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During the period of deterioration, it is forbidden to use decorative varnishes, make extensions or attach artificial tips.
Features of the course of fungi in children, methods of treatment
Fungi on the nails look really unsightly, but they rarely pose a serious threat to life and health. Because of this, adults sometimes neglect treatment. However, fungal diseases in children have their own characteristics. Changing the appearance of nails can have a profound effect on a child's self-esteem. Children may feel ugly and worry about their health. The rapid progression of the disease can become a great stress for the baby, and even cause problems with the perception of one's own body and worsen self-esteem.
The task of the parents is to periodically examine the child's body. After all, children very often hide fungal growths because they believe they are to blame for the disease, they don't want to upset their elders, or they are simply afraid of treatment. Parents who discovered pathological changes on the feet should not show disapproval, disgust, or even scold the child. The phrases "you didn't wash your feet well", "it's because you rarely change your socks" are prohibited. It is necessary to calmly discuss what nail fungus is, get rid of possible fears, reassure and generally describe the treatment.
It is important to explain to the child that he is not to blame for the illness. But at the same time, it must be conveyed 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.
Treatment of fungus in children is usually carried out with oral medication. The fact is that children's nails are very thin and grow quite quickly, which means that the risk of complications after using creams and gels is higher.
Fungal infections are very common. But with good daily hygiene procedures and strong immunity, the risk of infection is minimized.