Nail fungus, known among specialists as onychomycosis, is a very common pathology. The lesion affects approximately 40% of people at least once in their lifetime. In this case, the fungus on the legs is 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 on time, onychomycosis begins to affect the areas between the toes and can even reach the skin of the feet. A neglected fungus is called epidermophytosis. Don't forget to consult your local doctor!
How can you get nail fungus?
Since the disease is infectious, you can only get infected by contact. There are hundreds of different types of pathogens in the environment. But perfectly healthy people with strong immunity are not susceptible to nail fungus. To develop onychomycosis, 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 the surrounding skin. Also, 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:
- microtraumas of the nail plates;
- diabetes;
- taking immunosuppressants;
- congenital thickened nail plates;
- venous insufficiency (poor blood circulation in the legs);
- peripheral arterial disease;
- old age;
- fungal skin infections.
People who notice lesions on their nails quite often should take certain steps to prevent recurrences. At a minimum, you should keep your feet dry and warm. You should not go barefoot in public places, especially in swimming pools, saunas and spas. Professional athletes, people who perform heavy 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 crushed.
Who should I contact if I have nail fungus?
There are many effective over-the-counter medications that can be used for over-the-counter treatment. But if neoplasms on the nails appear for the first time, then 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, the doctor must make a diagnosis and choose a treatment. In the future, in case of relapse, the patient will be able to reuse the already prescribed drugs.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods
Before prescribing treatment for fungus, a good doctor should refer the patient for 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 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 true cause of the infection is a truly effective treatment possible.
Treatment options
There is no best or optimal method of treatment. The medical prescription directly depends on the severity of the condition and the type of microorganism that provokes 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 medications.
They are the first choice, the most common treatment method for recurrent yeast infections. The tablets help the new nail to grow clean and with the correct structure. You should prepare for the fact that the results are not fast, the entire course of treatment takes 6-12 weeks. Discontinuation of oral therapy is permitted only when the nail has grown completely clean and healthy.
As for the disadvantages, the therapy is not suitable for elderly people over 65 years old, as well as for people who have liver problems or diagnosed congestive heart failure. Also, oral antifungal medications can cause side effects such as rash and nausea. It is strictly forbidden to start taking such drugs without preliminary tests. In addition, approximately 2 weeks after the start of treatment, it is recommended to do a scraping again to check exactly how the body reacts to the prescribed drugs.
Healing varnish.
If the nails are affected for the first time (the beginning of the disease is diagnosed) or the fungus is found at the "point stage", then 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 affectednail plates and the surrounding skin at least once a day. After seven days, it is necessary to remove the accumulated layers of varnish with medical alcohol, evaluate the result and repeat the course if necessary. The product quickly removes small spots of fungus, but if the lesion is deep enough, there is a high risk of recurrence.
Antifungal cream.
If the lesion has spread under the nail to the surrounding skin, then it is more advisable to use a cream than a varnish. Before each use, you should 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, then 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 appears against the background of diabetes, then not only the podiatrist, but also the endocrinologist is involved in developing a treatment program. Specialists will make sure that the prescribed drugs do not conflict with each other. The fact is that even minor problems with the feet of diabetics can turn into full gangrene.
Do not think that a fully completed course of treatment will automatically mean that your nails will look aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, the destruction of the fungus does not mean that the nail plate will regain its natural color and shape. A full update can take up to 18 months.
When to resort to surgery?
If the fungus constantly recurs and ceases to respond to the drugs used, then the best option is to seek help from a surgeon. The specialist will suggest complete removal of the affected nail so that the antifungal medication can be applied directly to the skin. The only, but significant drawback of the method: sometimes the new plate thins out, it is already deformed. Surgical removal is also performed if the nail is so deformed and damaged that podiatric rehabilitation will not help correct the situation. The operation is also indicated for those patients who cannot take pills or use external means due to individual intolerance.
Prevention methods
Compliance with all the doctor's recommendations is the key to a successful treatment outcome. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or ignorance of hygiene rules. Simple preventive measures to avoid relapse:
- keep your feet clean and dry;
- wear slippers in public pools, showers and changing rooms;
- carry out general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your own bathroom;
- change socks every day;
- for those who wear shoes on bare feet, it is recommended to wash the insoles at least once a week and, after the fungus has worsened, put on new ones or use insoles;
- remove from your wardrobe narrow shoes and socks that fit too tightly;
- cut your nails short, file the edges strictly at right angles;
- wash your feet regularly, several times a day in the summer;
- wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe;
After an exacerbation of the fungus, you should throw away all shoes that cannot be washed at 90 degrees or disinfected. Boiling socks and home textiles is also recommended.
Carpets should be thrown away or treated with disinfectants and anti-fungal laundry detergents. Nail processing tools (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During the exacerbation period, the use of decorative varnishes, extensions or placement of artificial tips is prohibited.
Features of the course of the fungus in children, methods of treatment
Nail fungus looks really unsightly, but rarely poses a serious threat to life and health. This is why adults sometimes neglect treatment. However, fungal diseases in children have their own characteristics. Changing the appearance of nails can have a profound effect 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 provoke problems with the perception of one's own body and worsen self-esteem.
The parents' task is to periodically examine the child's body. After all, very often children hide fungal growths because they think that they themselves are to blame for the disease, they do not want to upset their adults, or they are simply afraid of treatment. Parents who have discovered pathological changes in the legs should not show disapproval, disgust or even scold the child. The phrases "you don't wash your feet well", "because you rarely change your socks" are prohibited. It is necessary to calmly talk about what nail fungus is, to alleviate possible fears, to calm down and to 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 should be noted that fungal infections love dark and damp rooms, so it is necessary to regularly change socks, keep shoes clean and do 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 higher.
Fungal infections are very common. But with high-quality daily hygiene procedures and strong immunity, the risk of infection is minimized.