There is an opinion that toenail fungus is a purely aesthetic problem and cannot harm human health. This position is extremely incorrect, since the toxins produced by pathogenic fungi enter the bloodstream, causing intoxication of the body and can lead to very serious consequences. Also, a sick person is a source of infection and can infect a large number of people.
Reasons for the appearance
Onychomycosis - a fungal infection of the nail plates of the legs or arms - is most often found in people who lead an active lifestyle: they visit swimming pools, gyms, spas, vacation in spas.
Upon contact with the skin and nails of a person with strong immunity, the spores of the fungus are in a dormant 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 conditions, excessive nervous and emotional arousal,
- varicose veins of the lower extremities, disrupting normal blood circulation,
- bruises, abrasions, cracks and other injuries of the feet and nails,
- staying in closed shoes for a long time, which leads to increased sweating,
- wear synthetic stockings or socks,
- metabolic disorders, obesity,
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
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 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 in the nail plates and, if left untreated, spreads to the entire foot.
- Yeast candida. 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.
First of all, the fungus affects the thumb nail, and then passes to the rest, and less to the little finger. All types of onychomycosis are accompanied by severe itching in the interdigital zone, burning and an unpleasant putrefactive smell caused by the decomposition of fungal waste products.
disease stages
Any type of fungus requires drug treatment. Before making an appointment, the doctor must understand at what stage the disease is 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 streaks appear on them. The nail plate still retains its normal shape, thickness, and healthy shine.
- hypertrophic. The nail thickens, becomes dull and brittle, crumbling along the edges. The patient experiences pain when walking in tight shoes.
- atrophicIn accordance with the name of the stage, the nail is rapidly destroyed, bending and separating from the nail bed. The plaque becomes very thin, and brown spots appear under it - foci of invasion of the pathogen. In the end, the nail is completely torn off.
The more advanced the disease, the longer and more difficult it is to get rid of. If in the initial normotrophic stage it is possible to cure onychomycosis with the help of traditional medicine, then in the later stages it is often necessary to resort even to removal of the affected nails by surgical methods.
Symptoms
In order to start treatment in a timely manner, it is necessary to understand how nail onychomycosis manifests itself at each stage.
In the initial stage, the main signs of nail fungus are reddening of the skin in the interdigital area, accompanied by slight peeling and itching. Subsequently, the symptoms of a fungal infection develop in the following sequence:
- the nail fold turns red, swells and becomes painful,
- the nail begins to change color from dirty yellow to black, depending on the type of pathogen,
- spots, grooves, tubercles and streaks appear on the surface of the plate,
- the nail thickens and exfoliates,
- a white mass accumulates in the subungual space, exuding an unpleasant odor,
- the keratinized nail plate begins to crumble along the edges,
- the nail completely exfoliates from the bed and is rejected.
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 be ill for a lifetime. At the same time, with normal immunity, the fungus will "freeze" 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 of 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 pass quickly, which will lead to a further weakening of immunity and such possible consequences:
- allergic reactions up to bronchial asthma,
- aggravation of the course of chronic diseases of the 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,
- nervous system disorders, psychological problems.
Since nail mycosis refers to infectious diseases, not only the sick person 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 inquiries, 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 the affected nails with a Wood ultraviolet lamp,
- take pieces of skin and nails to examine them,
- General blood and urine tests.
The biomaterial obtained as a result of 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 optimal conditions for their development are created. After 10-14 days, by 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 allow the fungus to be studied 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 therapy methods.
Keratolytics are used to soften and remove the affected nail surface. 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 passed into an advanced stage or 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 baking soda or decoctions of medicinal herbs,
- apple cider vinegar lotion,
- compresses with tincture of celandine,
- propolis-based ointments and other bee products.
To destroy pathogenic microorganisms, before applying antifungal drugs, nails can be treated with essential oils of cinnamon, clove, fir, oregano or lemon.
Many dermatological centers offer to remove the nail fungus with a laser beam. This procedure, which allows you to quickly and painlessly get rid 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 spread 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,
- 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 infection with a fungus occurs due to unscrupulous employees of beauty salons.
Prevention
To prevent pathogenic fungi from multiplying even when they are deposited on the nails or skin, you need to take care of your health and strengthen your immune system by following these recommendations:
- Reject for bad habits.
- Keeping fit.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Balance the diet including foods that contain nutrients and vitamins.
- Observe personal hygiene.
- Timely cure all chronic diseases.
- Wear quality shoes and hosiery that do not restrict or crowd your feet.
- Shoes worn at the pool, gym, or beach should be regularly treated with disinfectants.
Having found incomprehensible changes on the skin or nails, you need to 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.