Onychomycosis is a disease that becomes infected quickly but is much more difficult to cure. It is not only a cosmetic problem, but it also causes unpleasant and painful sensations in a person. According to statistics, every tenth inhabitant of the planet suffers from it, and can also be in the risk zone. What are the causes of the disease, the factors for the development of onychomycosis and how to beat the fungus on the toenails?
How does toenail fungus appear and why do they occur?
The disease is caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds. According to statistics, one in ten people on the planet is affected by this disease.
Where can you get toenail fungus? The main risk areas are swimming pools, baths, saunas. You can become infected from someone else's shoes, socks, or during a pedicure procedure. Onychomycosis most commonly affects people with chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, anemia, gastrointestinal, hormonal, immune, and cardiovascular disorders, and long-term steroid, antibacterial, and chemotherapy treatments.
Heat and humidity contribute to the development of spores. The main routes of infection are wounds, microcracks and other skin lesions in the area of the fingers. Mycosis develops when the nail plate is damaged: if we cut it briefly or break it, the fungi easily penetrate inside. Wearing tight-fitting shoes also weakens the fabric, as do acrylic, gel, and nail polish.
We make a diagnosis
The visual manifestations of the disease are already the second stage of the disease. The first evidence of infection (itching, burning) is most often attributed to excessive drying of the skin, lack of soap, a side effect of taking medications. Timely diagnosis and the start of treatment allow you to quickly and effectively get rid of the problem.
How to diagnose the disease yourself
The main symptom is external changes, especially in the early stages of the development of the disease. The first signs usually appear on the free edge (front) of the nail plate or on the sides. At the beginning of onychomycosis, it can be an unpleasant sensation during physical activity. Patients describe paresthesia (numbness), pain, discomfort, and loss of fitness. Typical external changes include the following symptoms:
- discoloration - spots of a white, yellow, brown, greenish, gray hue appear at the ends of the nail;
- peeling and delamination of the fabric, its brittleness is clearly improved;
- thickening of the stratum corneum, characteristic symptoms of excessive keratosis;
- unpleasant foot odor.
Yeast infections are more common in the legs than in the hands. They can be limited to one finger or cover all of them. However, the condition usually affects the first and fifth toes, due to the closer proximity of the shoes.
How are fungi diagnosed in a medical clinic?
The self-diagnosis method is not always effective, because there are a number of diseases that have a history similar to a fungal infection. These include:
- Psoriasis: it may seem similar, but the characteristic of this disease is that it affects symmetrically. The typical signs are the appearance of white spots due to accumulation of air, redness of the hole, thimble syndrome (dents), loss of shine, roughness. In addition, the patient has typical skin lesions.
- CandidiasisIt is characterized by the appearance of purulent secretions, as well as painful sensations when pressing on the affected area. The disease is more common in women, especially in people who often have to wear closed, tight shoes in hot and humid environments. To develop this type, it is necessary to have a finger injury in the nail area. Leakage - Plaque follicles swell, become very red and painful.
- Trophic changes caused by mechanical damage. The problem is usually centered in the proximal part of the plate (that is, at its base).
- Lichen. It is characterized by typical lesions on the skin and mucous membranes. The sheet affected by the lichen is usually covered with yellowish-white stripes.
Also, there are different types and forms of nail fungus, depending on the causative agent that caused the problem, the duration of the infection. The clinic determines the type of disease and prescribes a treatment regimen based on the tests performed.
Treatment methods
Onychomycosis therapy should be started immediately after the problem is detected. If you delay with treatment, a complication may occur: infection of the neighboring fingers, the transition to a chronic form and a progressive course of the disease. Therefore, always make an appointment with your doctor if you find any suspicious changes or if you use time-tested folk methods.
Folk remedies for fungi.
In the early stages of the disease, home remedies work well to fight the yeast infection. To get rid of the fungus, you can try these recipes:
- Tea tree oil. The mixture is a powerful natural antiseptic and fungicide. It is applied drop by drop to the affected area 2 times a day. The duration of the course is 21 days.
- Apple vinager. From it foot baths are prepared, mixing in equal parts with water.
- Iodine from the fungus. An old proven way to get rid of nail fungus. Method of application: once a day, apply 1-2 drops of the composition on the affected plaque. To prevent infection of neighboring fingers, it is recommended to lubricate them with iodine, but less often - once every 2-3 days.
- Listerine mouthwash. It contains an antiseptic and a small amount of alcohol in its composition, which have a detrimental effect on the treatment process.
- Lemon juice. It is applied as a compress for 30 minutes. to affected areas.
Food restrictions during treatment give a positive effect. Sweet and starchy foods should be excluded from the daily diet, and the amount of protein (beef, fish, poultry), dairy products (yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese) should be increased. The fruit should also be unsweetened (lemon, grapefruit, sour apples, raspberries, cherries). The diet is necessary to strengthen human immunity and reduce the concentration of the nutrient medium for the fungus - simple sugars that are formed in the body when easily digestible carbohydrates are consumed.
Modern drugs and procedures
Unfortunately, home remedies for yeast infections are often ineffective. This is due to the fact that the disease has already passed into a progressive form. To get rid of it, you need to consult a doctor. The effectiveness of medical therapy depends on the duration of the course, which takes several months even after the elimination of visual symptoms. But patients forget that they must continue the course after the cosmetic effect occurs. This leads to relapse and the need for treatment early on.
In the early stages, when the tissue changes are small, a fungicidal ointment will be of great help. For advanced cases, oral medications are usually prescribed. Foot fungus is prone to relapse, so follow your doctor's advice after recovery. In general, the duration and order depend on the type of infected nails, the clinical course, the number of infected nails, and the degree of plaque damage. In some cases, a systematic approach combining several methods is required. The combination of systemic and local exposure improves the efficacy of therapy.
Topical antifungal ointments
Topical medications should be used only in cases where the lesion occupies less than half of the distal part of the plate and when the patient cannot tolerate systemic treatment. Ointments, suspensions include amorolfins, ciclopirox and bifonazole, urea. They are used daily for 5 to 12 months. The last option for the topical treatment of oncomycosis is bifonazole in combination with a 40% urea solution.
But external agents cannot help to heal completely, because they do not penetrate sufficiently into the tissues. It has been found that although the latest generation of ointments capture all layers, they still have low efficacy when used as a single formulation. However, these agents may be useful as adjunctive therapy, as an adjunct to oral medication, or to prevent relapse in patients who have previously taken oral medication.
Antifungal pills
Oral treatment for ringworm is almost always a must. New generations of antifungal medications such as itraconazole or terbinafine have recently replaced older generics in the treatment of nails. The effectiveness of these funds is explained by their ability to penetrate the nail plate in just a few days after the start of the course. By using them, you can afford a shorter duration of therapy with a faster recovery rate and fewer side effects. Terbinafine (international name, you should look for commercial analogues in the pharmacy), fungicides (they kill the pathogen) cure the disease and prevent the further spread of spores. These medications work on both yeast viruses and dermatophytes, the most common causes of nail fungus.
Surgical treatment of onychomycosis.
This method can also be used to treat fungal nail infections. It is a mechanical and chemical removal of the infected nail plate (using 40-50% urea). This is a painless and beneficial method when the growth is very thick and interferes with the patient's comfort.
Nail plate removal for onychomycosis should be considered as an adjunct therapy in patients receiving oral agents. The combination of oral, topical (lubricant) and surgical treatment of the fungus results in the fastest cure rate and at the same time is the cheapest option (fewer relapses, short course).
Laser therapy
A new method that shows the highest efficiency. In just 4 sessions of "cold" laser irradiation, you can completely get rid of the problem. The only downside to this type of exposure is the relatively high cost of the procedures.
Prevention principles
Having found out what causes the fungus on the feet, it is easier to avoid the disease. Following a few simple tips can help prevent the problem. Basic rules to avoid fungi:
- Avoid trauma to the skin around the toes.
- Don't break the edges, just cut with sharp scissors.
- Use only your own towels and personal hygiene products (scissors, sanding files and sticks).
- After washing your feet, dry the skin thoroughly between your toes.
- Do not go barefoot in public places.
- Wear cotton socks and breathable shoes.
- Change your socks and shoes frequently if you experience excessive sweating.
- Use pedicure services in trusted locations where instruments are disinfected and sterilized according to established protocol.
- Don't wear shoes or slippers that others have worn before.
You must take care of your feet and keep them clean. After taking bath procedures, it is advisable to treat the skin with cosmetics with antiseptic effect. Wet shoes, after a day of use, must be dried to an absolutely dry state; you should not wear even slightly damp shoes. If, despite the precautions taken, any characteristic change of the disease appears, you should immediately consult a doctor.