Nail fungus, 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, fungus on the feet is 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 in time, onychomycosis begins to affect the areas between the fingers 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 infectious, it can only be infected 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 necessary: 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 humid and warm environment that promotes 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;
- advanced age;
- fungal skin infections.
People who notice nail lesions quite frequently should take certain measures to prevent their recurrence. At the very least, you should keep your feet dry and warm. You should not walk barefoot in public places, especially in swimming pools, saunas and spas. Professional athletes, people who do hard 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 squeezed.
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 growths appear on your nails for the first time, it is necessary to 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 that occur with nail fungus. Therefore, a specialist doctor must make a diagnosis and select treatment. In the future, in case of relapse, the patient will be able to reuse the medications already prescribed.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods.
Before prescribing treatment for a fungus, a good doctor should refer the patient for laboratory tests. Even an experienced specialist cannot determine the type of pathogen by eye. In most cases, 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 should consult a doctor again. Symptoms that indicate that 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 real cause of the infection is truly effective treatment possible.
Treatment options
There is no best or optimal treatment method. The medical prescription depends directly on the severity of the condition and the type of microorganism that caused the disease. Very often, doctors prescribe medications 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, the most common treatment method for recurrent fungus. The pills help the new nail grow clean and with the correct structure. You need to prepare for the fact that the results are not quick; The entire treatment lasts between 6 and 12 weeks. Suspension of oral therapy is allowed only when the nail has completely grown back, clean and healthy.
As for the disadvantages, the therapy is not suitable for people over 65 years of age, as well as for people who have liver problems or diagnosed congestive heart failure. Additionally, oral antifungal medications can cause side effects such as rash and nausea. It is strictly prohibited to start taking such medications without preliminary testing. In addition, approximately 2 weeks after the start of treatment, it is recommended to scrape again to check how exactly the body reacts to the prescribed medications.
Healing varnish.
If the nails are affected for the first time (the onset of the disease is diagnosed) or the fungus is detected in the "point stage", 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 nail plates and surrounding skin at least once a day. After seven days, it is necessary to remove the accumulated layers of varnish with medicinal alcohol, evaluate the result and repeat the course if necessary. The product quickly removes small fungal spots, 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 more advisable to use a cream instead of varnish. Before each use, it is necessary to wash and dry your feet well and file the affected layer of the nail plate. Then you must apply the cream in a thin layer. If the infection has spread to the surrounding skin, which has also become thick, before starting treatment it is recommended to additionally apply a urea cream 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 a treatment program. Specialists will ensure that prescribed medications do not conflict with each other. The fact is that even minor diabetic foot problems can turn into full-blown gangrene.
Don't think that a full treatment will automatically mean 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 go for surgery?
If the fungus constantly reappears and stops responding to the medications used, then the best option is to seek the help of 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 important, drawback of the method: sometimes the new plate becomes thin again and is already deformed. Surgical removal is also carried out 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 cannot take pills or use external agents due to individual intolerance.
Prevention methods
Following 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 a relapse:
- Keep your feet clean and dry;
- wearing slippers in public pools, showers and locker rooms;
- carry out general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your own 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 tights from your wardrobe;
- cut your nails, 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, it is necessary to throw away all shoes that cannot be washed at 90 degrees or disinfected. It is also recommended to boil socks and home textiles.
Rugs should be discarded or treated with disinfectants and antifungal laundry detergents. Nail treatment instruments (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During the period of exacerbation, it is prohibited to use decorative varnishes, make extensions or attach artificial tips.
Features of the course of the fungus in children, treatment methods.
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 own health. The rapid progression of the disease can become a great stress for the baby and even cause problems in the perception of one's own 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 themselves are to blame for the disease, they do not want to bother their elders, or they are simply afraid of the treatment. Parents who have discovered pathological changes on the feet should not show disapproval, disgust or even scold the child. The phrases "you didn't wash your feet properly", "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 to blame for the illness. But at the same time it must be conveyed that fungal infections love dark and damp spaces, so it is necessary to periodically change your socks, keep your shoes clean and not forget about daily hygiene procedures.
Treatment of fungus in children is usually done 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.