There is an opinion that nail fungus is a purely aesthetic problem and can not harm human health. This position is extremely wrong, because the toxins created by pathogenic fungi enter the bloodstream, cause intoxication of the body and can lead to very serious consequences. In addition, a sick person is a source of infection and can infect many others.
Reasons for appearance
Onychomycosis - a fungal infection of the nail plates on the feet or arms - is most common in people who lead an active lifestyle: visiting swimming pools, gyms, spas, relaxing in seaside resorts.
By entering the skin and nails of a person with strong immunity, the spores of the fungus remain hidden for some time. The transition to their development and reproduction can occur under the influence of the following factors:
- weakening of the body's defenses due to viral diseases,
- diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and other endocrine diseases,
- stressful situations, extreme nervous and emotional excitement,
- varicose veins of the lower extremities, disrupts normal blood circulation,
- bruises, abrasions, cracks and other injuries of the feet and nails,
- staying in closed shoes for a long time, increased sweating,
- wear synthetic tights or socks,
- metabolic disorders, obesity,
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
The risk group includes people with chronic pathology of the internal organs - kidneys, liver, bile ducts, as well as patients taking long-term antibiotics, hormonal drugs, including birth control pills.
Types of onychomycosis
There are more than 500 opportunistic fungi that can parasitize human skin and nails.
The most common causes of onychomycosis are:
- Dermatophytes. These include fungi such as Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. The disease starts in the nail plates and, if left untreated, spreads to the entire foot.
- Maya Candida. In most cases, the infection occurs in places with high humidity - saunas, baths or swimming pools.
- Mold, the main sign of defeat is a change in the color of the nails - from dirty green to brown and black.
First of all, the fungus affects the nail of the thumb, then move to the rest, at least the little finger. All types of onychomycosis are accompanied by severe itching, burning in the interdigital area and an unpleasant putrid odor caused by the decomposition of fungal waste products.
Stages of the disease
All kinds of fungi require treatment with drugs. Before making an appointment, the doctor should understand the stage of the disease and determine the degree of damage to the nail plate.
Depending on the clinical picture, the following stages of onychomycosis are distinguished:
- Normotrophic - the initial stage of the disease, the nails gradually change color, they appear spots and streaks. The nail plate still retains its normal shape, thickness and healthy shine.
- Hypertrophic. The nail becomes thick, dull and brittle, splitting along the edges. The patient feels pain when walking in narrow shoes.
- Atrophic. In keeping with the name of the stage, the nail is quickly destroyed, bent and separated from the nail bed. The plate is very thin and brown spots appear under it - the hotbeds of the pathogen. Finally, the nail breaks completely.
The more advanced the disease, the longer and harder it is to get rid of it. If onychomycosis can be treated with traditional medicine in the early normotrophic stage, in the later stages it is often necessary to resort to surgical removal of even the affected nails.
Symptoms
To start treatment on time, it is necessary to understand how onychomycosis of the nails manifests itself at each stage.
In the initial stage, the main symptoms of nail fungus are accompanied by redness of the skin in the interdigital area, slight peeling and itching. Later, the symptoms of a fungal infection develop in the following sequence:
- the nail layer turns red, swells and becomes painful;
- the nail begins to change color from dirty yellow to black depending on the type of pathogen;
- spots, grooves, tubercles and streaks appear on the surface of the board,
- nail thickens and wears,
- white mass accumulates in the subungual space, emitting an unpleasant odor;
- keratinized nail plate begins to collapse along the edges,
- the nail is completely peeled from the bed and rejected.
Feet affected by nail fungus can look extremely unpleasant to others, so the patient is forced to hide them, which is especially difficult in the hot season. In addition, the escape of onychomycosis leads to complications.
What a dangerous disease
Many patients are reluctant to see a doctor at an early stage or are unable to recognize the first signs of onychomycosis, leading to a chronic form of lifelong illness. At the same time, with normal immunity, the fungus will "freeze" to a certain extent, and any of the above provocative factors can lead the disease back to the active phase.
The following categories belong to the risk group for complications in fungal nail infections:
- Children under 12 years of age,
- pregnant,
- lactating women,
- people of the older generation.
Against the background of a decrease in the body's defenses in these individuals, the disease will pass rapidly, leading to further weakening of immunity and the following possible consequences:
- Allergic reactions to bronchial asthma,
- aggravation of chronic diseases of internal organs,
- intoxication of the body due to the penetration of toxins into the blood,
- dysbacteriosis,
- appearance of new foci of inflammation in the skin,
- nervous system disorders, psychological problems.
Because nail mycosis is an infectious disease, not only the patient himself, but all his personal belongings are a constant source of infection for others. If a woman is diagnosed with onychomycosis during pregnancy, there is a risk that the unborn baby will be born with allergies.
Diagnostics
Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are treated by dermatologists or mycologists. You can go to the clinic or dermatovenerological dispensary where these specialists are admitted for consultation.
After the interview with the patient, the doctor will be able to draw a picture of the appearance and development of the disease. The following measures will help to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment:
- Visual examination of nails affected by Wood's ultraviolet lamp;
- take pieces of skin and nails for examination,
- general blood and urine tests.
The biomaterial obtained from the crumbs is sent to a laboratory, where it is examined under a microscope, which allows to determine the fungal nature of the disease.
To clarify the type and strain of pathogenic microorganisms, cultures of fungi are placed in a nutrient medium and optimal conditions are created for their growth. After 10-14 days, it is possible not only to identify the pathogen by the type and form of colonies, but also to determine the reaction to the most common drugs.
The fastest and most accurate method is PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Biomaterial fungi are processed by special enzymes that allow them to be studied at the DNA level. As a result, the type of pathogen is determined and its exact description is given.
Based on the above procedures, the patient is finally diagnosed and an optimal scheme is developed to get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.
Treatment
Dermatologists promise a positive prognosis for onychomycosis, only the patient strictly follows all prescriptions and recommendations.
In most cases, complex treatment is carried out, which includes the use of external ointments, creams and varnishes, oral antifungal drugs and alternative therapies.
Keratolytics are used to soften and remove the affected nail plate. With the help of special varnishes you can get rid of the manifestations of a fungal infection.
Oral antifungal antibiotics are prescribed if the fungus on the nails has reached an advanced stage or if there is a risk of developing a secondary infection caused by pathogenic bacteria entering the affected areas.
You can speed up the healing process by using traditional treatments at home. According to patients, the most effective are the following procedures:
- baths with baking soda or herbal decoctions,
- apple cider vinegar lotion,
- compresses with celandine tincture,
- ointments based on propolis and other bee products.
Before applying antifungal drugs to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, nails can be treated with essential oils of cinnamon, cloves, fir, oregano or lemon.
Many dermatological centers offer laser removal of fungus from the nail. This procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, which allows you to quickly and painlessly get rid of the affected nail plate.
How to get a mushroom
Onychomycosis is a fungal disease that is easily transmitted from person to person through household contact.
This is often the case:
- in public places with high humidity - saunas, spas, gyms, swimming pools, walking barefoot on the beach,
- when wearing or wearing someone else's shoes or socks,
- through bedding, towels, clothes, brushes and other personal items.
When visiting a manicure salon, it is necessary to pay attention to the disinfection of tools, because in many cases, fungal infections occur through the fault of unscrupulous employees of beauty salons.
Prevention
To prevent the growth of pathogenic fungi even when they come in contact with nails or skin, you need to take care of your health and strengthen your immune system by following these tips:
- To give up bad habits.
- Keep in shape.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Balance your diet, including foods that contain nutrients and vitamins.
- Follow personal hygiene.
- Treat all chronic diseases in a timely manner.
- Wear quality shoes and socks that do not restrict or bend your feet.
- Shoes used in the pool, gym or on the beach should be regularly treated with disinfectants.
If you find unexplained changes in the skin or nails, you should start treatment as early as possible and make an appointment with a dermatologist to get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.