Fungal nail diseases are quite common in humans. In addition to the undesirable cosmetic effect, these infections can cause significant damage to the body, so onychomycosis should be treated. But for this you need to know as much as possible about this disease, especially since today scientists have identified a huge number of types of pathogens.
Types of pathogens
With onychomycosis, the parasites begin in the tissue structure of the nails and in the skin around them. According to the generally accepted classification, spore microorganisms that can manifest themselves in humans are divided into three groups:
- yeast nail fungus, mainly Candida albicans;
- dermatophyte fungi (genus Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton);
- mold species (genus Aspergillus, Alternaria and Fusarium).
Acute or chronic onychomycosis causes each of them separately. It is also not uncommon for two or, more rarely, three of these species to be infected at the same time. When diagnosing, it is extremely important to accurately detect the pathogen, since each of the groups of fungal diseases can be treated with different drugs that are not universal.
Reasons for the appearance
The reasons for the development of the infection can be associated with both the penetration of the pathogen from the external environment, and the general condition of the patient's body. Their knowledge will help you understand how to treat nail fungus.
External sources of fungal spread include:
- Swimming pools, changing rooms, showers, baths - those public places where a person walks barefoot. Therefore, when visiting such establishments, slippers should be worn for safety reasons.
- The use of poorly disinfected tools in beauty salons during a pedicure, which can be generally dangerous for the body.
- Files, scissors and other products of others used for personal hygiene are no less dangerous.
- In summer, closed shoes can be dangerous, because the feet sweat a lot.
- In order not to treat onychomycosis of the nails, you need to bathe or shower regularly, since sweat and dirt act as a favorable environment for germs.
- Some types of onychomycosis are transmitted by pets, but these pathogens are common mainly in hot countries.
Other health problems also contribute to the development of the described disease:
- Weakened immune system.
- The presence of small wounds and cracks on the skin, dry tissues.
- A large number of burrs.
- Violation of the blood circulation of the tissues of the nails.
- Contact with fungal pathogens of human skin. This method of infection is called auto-infection.
Thus, there are many sources of infection with fungal diseases. These microorganisms are very common in the world, so such a disease as nail fungus occurs in many people. Thus, knowing how to treat onychomycosis will never be superfluous.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The appearance of a fungus on the legs does not mean the inevitable development of the disease. Onychomycosis develops only in a person with a weakened immune system. But there are many options for how toenail fungus manifests itself. In this case, pay attention to the following symptoms of nail fungus:
- compaction or reduction in the thickness of the stratum corneum;
- high fragility of the nail plate, its delamination;
- the presence of burrs and calluses;
- unnatural color: white, yellowish or greenish shades;
- roughness of the surface of the nail plate;
- loss of natural shine;
- inflammation of the skin of the fingers, itchy feet;
- cracked foot.
By these signs you can find out how the toenail fungus begins.
Treatment of advanced nail fungus is extremely difficult and time consuming. That is why the appearance of symptoms of onychomycosis cannot be ignored. If they are found, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The main goal of diagnosing nail fungus is to accurately determine the causative agent of the infection. Many types of parasitic organisms are extremely difficult to detect, especially since outward signs of disease are easily mistaken for metabolic disorders.
Usually, onychomycosis is diagnosed in several stages, for which the following methods are used to recognize the nail fungus:
- study of clinical data;
- analysis of a piece of tissue under a microscope;
- cultural diagnosis;
- DNA research.
When examining the patient at the first appointment, the doctor can diagnose the presence of damage to the nail plate, however, without conducting accurate studies, it is not possible to understand what caused the disease. Laboratory research is the only way to identify nail fungus.
By examining a scraping under a microscope, a doctor can tell you exactly what nail fungus looks like. The difficulty lies in determining the specific type of pathogen. Therefore, at this stage, the diagnosis does not stop.
The exact fungal culture is determined by its breeding in the laboratory. To do this, an analysis of nail fungus is carried out using a special Sabouraud nutrient medium. Usually, after three to five days of such a study, specialists are able to determine the specific type of pathogen. Also, using this method, you can check the sensitivity of parasites to drugs and set the most effective treatment.
The parasite DNA test is the current and most promising option for identifying toenail fungus, reducing the time it takes to get results to one or two days. However, such an analysis for nail fungus can only effectively detect yeast species.
Who is at risk
As already mentioned, certain categories of people are prone to onychomycosis to varying degrees. Here are the main factors that increase the likelihood of developing an infection:
- Reaching retirement age. Due to reduced blood circulation and deterioration of metabolism, this disease is much more common in older people than in other categories of the population. Late diagnosis also plays an important role in this, because pensioners, having discovered the symptoms of nail fungus and considering it a common sign of aging, do not always seek qualified help.
- Mechanical damage to nail tissue. Any injury impairs the supply of nutrients to the tissues. As a result, a focus of infection will begin at the site of a break or crack, which will then spread throughout the entire nail, which may even simply slip out of it.
- High blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the foot. Therefore, the manifestation of onychomycosis is so common in diabetics, which it is also extremely difficult for them to get rid of.
- For exactly the same reason, diseases of the circulatory system, such as Raynaud's syndrome or varicose veins, can cause infection.
- Since the spores are most often able to multiply both on nail tissue and on the surface of the body, people with fungal skin infections are at risk for onychomycosis. Once defeated, a disease can reappear.
The Danger of Ignoring Symptoms
Many people do not seek medical help if they find signs of fungal infection, and only after a while do they try to cure advanced fungus. This is due to the relatively mild course of the disease and the ability to hide cosmetic defects with socks or closed shoes.
However, you should not ignore the first symptoms and treatment of the disease, otherwise serious complications may occur.
If you are wondering why nail fungus is dangerous, you should start with the fact that onychomycosis is contagious. An infected person will pose a threat to others.
Some restrictions are imposed on patients with fungal infections. A person with an old fungus, for example, will never receive a medical certificate for admission to the swimming pool.
Being a parasitic disease, nail fungus will weaken the immunity of the patient, thus increasing the likelihood of other health problems. Trying to cure nail fungus at home can turn into more serious problems.
Old onychomycosis leads to serious consequences that should be feared:
- parasites can enter the circulatory system;
- the lack of treatment for nail fungus seriously weakens the immune system;
- spores increase allergic reactions, exacerbate chronic diseases;
- due to the deterioration of general health, people are more prone to depression, insomnia, etc.
That is why the first signs of nail fungus should be the reason for contacting the clinic.
Processing
The treatment of nail fungus is based on two principles. First, the drugs mechanically destroy the spores. Second, drugs slow down the reactions of parasites, blocking their activity and reproduction. By the way, you should think carefully before deciding on the treatment of nail fungus during pregnancy.
In medicine, medicines, folk remedies, laser treatment of nail fungus and medical pedicure are used.
Pharmaceutical preparations
Pharmaceuticals have a strong impact. Many of them are specially selected for specific pathogens, which further improves the effectiveness of the treatment of nail fungus in children and adults. Of all the ways to quickly cure nail fungus, medication is the best.
To enhance the effect, a diet against nail fungus can help. It is prescribed by the attending physician.
Folk remedies
Often, independent pest control does not lead to success, since fungi tend to restore the spore structure. Therefore, the most preferable, in case of detecting the first signs of the disease, is to consult a doctor. Only a doctor can confidently suggest how to quickly get rid of nail fungus.
There are many popular options on how to cure nail fungus. For example, essential oils help, which serve as a natural antiseptic. The main way to treat onychomycosis of the nails at home is to apply a drop of the substance to the affected area, which is then sealed with a bandage.
Vinegar against nail fungus, lemon juice, mouthwashes also fight well. It is not uncommon to treat nail fungus at home with iodine or garlic. The attending physician will recommend which of these remedies is better to use.
An effective home method of getting rid of nail fungus is a mixture based on vodka. To make it, you need to mix 200 ml of alcohol, a teaspoon of lemon juice, half a teaspoon of potassium permanganate. 50 ml of boiled water is added to the composition, then put it in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. With the resulting remedy, you need to wipe the affected areas twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime, until the infection is completely destroyed. Such assistance has a restorative effect, although the restoration of damaged tissues takes some time.
All these ingredients are included in the main list of what nail fungus is afraid of. How to get rid of the fungus fastest, a dermatologist or mycologist will tell you.
Laser treatment
More recently, laser technology has been added to the main means of getting rid of nail fungus. The principle of the treatment of nail fungus with a laser is the thermal effect of the beam on the parasites. This creates a temperature of about 50 degrees, by the way, this is the answer to the question: at what temperature does the fungus die. At the same time, the treatment of fungal diseases with short-term radiation has no effect on the human body.
Complex laser treatment usually consists of four sessions, with an interval of one week between them. Knowledgeable specialists at medical centers providing this type of service know how to properly treat advanced toenail fungus with radiation. After laser therapy, approximately 85% of patients are ultimately cured. This is one of the most effective ways to fight nail fungus.
Medical pedicure
You can apply a medical pedicure for nail fungus in the early stages of the disease, this is the main drawback of this method, moreover, the treatment of onychomycosis with varnishes is quite long. Therapeutic pedicure for nail fungus involves the use of special formulations that are applied to the damaged area. This service is offered by many beauty institutes. However, you can treat nail fungus at home using medical polish.
By the way, a specialist can find out how to restore a nail after a fungus.
Prevention
There are many ways to prevent fungal nail diseases:
- The most important thing is daily hygiene.
- In public places, swimming pools, saunas, changing rooms, you must wear slippers.
- Do not wear closed shoes in hot weather.
- To avoid fungal infection, do not use other people's personal hygiene products: nail files, scissors, towels, etc.
It is very important to make sure that the child clearly follows these rules.
There are different types of fungal nail infections. Treatment of onychomycosis requires serious diagnosis, long-term therapy, and a certain amount of money may be required. Therefore, it is better to observe preventive measures and prevent infection with parasites. It will also not be superfluous to know how to defeat the fungus.