Nail mycosis, known among professionals as onychomycosis, is a very common pathology. The injury affects approximately 40% of people at least once in their lives. In this case, fungi on the feet are 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 discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edges. If treatment is not started early, onychomycosis begins to affect 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 can you get nail fungus?
Since the disease is contagious, it is possible to become infected only 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. For onychomycosis to develop, a combination of several factors is needed: poor health (for example, after a recent acute respiratory viral infection), as well as small cracks in the nails and surrounding skin. In addition, after the penetration of pathogenic bacteria, it is necessary to create a moist and warm environment favorable for reproduction.
Other risk factors that increase the risk of developing nail fungus include:
- nail microtraumas;
- diabetes;
- take immunosuppressants;
- congenitally thickened nail plates;
- venous insufficiency (poor blood circulation in the legs);
- peripheral arterial disease;
- elderly age;
- fungal skin infections.
People who notice lesions on their nails quite often should take some measures to prevent recurrences. At a minimum, you need to keep your feet dry and warm. You should not walk barefoot in public places, especially in swimming pools, saunas and spas. Even professional athletes, people who do hard physical work most of the day, should pay attention to choosing the right shoes and socks. Feet should not sweat and nails should not be crushed.
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 for the first time new growths appear on the nails, you need to 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 that occur with nail fungus. Therefore, a specialist doctor must make a diagnosis and select treatment. In the future, in the event of a recurrence, the patient will be able to reuse the drugs already prescribed.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods
Before prescribing treatment for a fungus, a good doctor should subject 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, you need to consult a doctor again. Symptoms that indicate nail fungus is progressing:
- microbleeding around the nail bed;
- swelling and pain in the affected area;
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- the appearance of a characteristic pulsation when walking;
Only after identifying the true cause of the infection is a truly effective treatment possible.
Treatment options
There is no best or optimal treatment method. The medical prescription directly depends on the severity of the condition and the type of microorganism that caused 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 drugs.
They are the first choice option, the most common treatment method for recurring fungus. The tablets help the new nail to grow clean and with the correct structure. You need 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 grown back completely healthy and clean.
As for the disadvantages, the therapy is not suitable for elderly people over 65 years of age, as well as people with liver problems or diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Additionally, oral antifungal medications can cause side effects such as rashes and nausea. It is strictly forbidden to start taking such drugs without preliminary tests. In addition, approximately 2 weeks after starting treatment, it is recommended to perform a curettage again to check how exactly the body reacts to the prescribed drugs.
Healing paint.
If the nails are affected for the first time (the onset of the disease is diagnosed) or the fungus is detected in the "punctual phase", the doctor may prescribe the use of a special antifungal varnish with the main active ingredient. For best results, it is recommended to treat the affected nails and surrounding skin at least once a day. After seven days, it is necessary to remove the accumulated layers of paint with medical alcohol, evaluate the result and repeat the course if necessary. The product quickly removes small fungal spots, but if the lesion is deep enough the risk of recurrence is high.
Antifungal cream.
If the lesion has spread under the nail to the surrounding skin, it is more advisable to use a cream rather than nail polish. Before each use, you need to thoroughly wash and dry your feet and file the affected layer of the nail plate. Then you need to apply the cream in a thin layer. If the infection has spread to the surrounding skin, which is also thickened, before starting treatment it is recommended to additionally apply urea cream to soften it. 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 a treatment program. Specialists will make sure that the prescribed medications do not conflict with each other. The fact is that even small foot problems in diabetics can turn into real gangrene.
Don't think that a fully completed course of treatment automatically means 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 upgrade can take up to 18 months.
When to resort to surgery?
If the fungus constantly recurs and stops responding to the drugs used, the best option is to seek help from a surgeon. The specialist will suggest 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 plate grows back thin, already deformed. Surgical removal is also performed if the nail is so deformed and damaged that podiatric hygiene does not help to correct the situation. The operation is also indicated for those patients who cannot take pills or use external agents due to individual intolerances.
Prevention methods
Following all the doctor's recommendations is the key to a positive outcome of treatment. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or ignorance of hygiene rules. Simple preventive measures to avoid relapses:
- keep your feet clean and dry;
- wear slippers in public swimming pools, showers and changing rooms;
- carry out general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your bathroom;
- change socks every day;
- for those who wear barefoot shoes, it is recommended to wash the insoles at least once a week, and after an exacerbation of the fungus, install new ones or use insoles;
- remove tight shoes and tight-fitting socks from your wardrobe;
- cut nails short, file the edges strictly at right angles;
- wash your feet regularly, several times a day in summer;
- wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe;
After an exacerbation of the fungus, all shoes that cannot be washed at 90 degrees or disinfected should be thrown away. It is also recommended to boil socks and household textiles.
Carpets should be thrown away or treated with disinfectants and antifungal laundry detergents. Nail treatment tools (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During the period of exacerbation, it is prohibited to use decorative varnishes, perform extensions or apply artificial tips.
Features of the course of the fungus in children, methods of treatment
Nail fungus looks really unpleasant, but it rarely poses a serious threat to life and health. This is why adults sometimes ignore treatment. However, fungal diseases in children have their own characteristics. Changing the appearance of nails can have a profound impact 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 child and even cause problems with the perception of one's body and worsen self-esteem.
The task of parents is to periodically examine the child's body. After all, very often children hide fungal growths because they believe that they are responsible for the disease, do not want to upset the elderly or 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 "you didn't wash your feet well", "it's because you rarely change your socks" are prohibited. It is necessary to calmly talk about what nail fungus is, alleviate possible fears, reassure and describe the treatment in general terms.
It is important to explain to the child that he is not responsible for the illness. But at the same time it is necessary to convey that fungal infections love dark and damp spaces, so it is necessary to regularly change socks, keep shoes clean and not forget about daily hygiene procedures.
Treatment of fungi in children is usually carried out with oral medications. 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 greater.
Fungal infections are very common. But with high-quality daily hygiene procedures and strong immunity, the risk of infection is minimized.