Onychomycosis is a disease that gets infected quickly but is much more difficult to cure. In addition to being a cosmetic problem, it also causes uncomfortable, painful sensations in a person. According to statistics, every tenth inhabitant of the planet suffers from it, and you can also be in the risk zone. What are the causes of the disease, factors in the development of onychomycosis, and how to fight the fungus on the toenails?
How does toenail fungus arise and why does it occur?
The disease is caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and molds. According to statistics, every tenth person on the planet is affected by this disease.
Where do you get toenail fungus? The main areas of risk are swimming pools, baths, saunas. You can get infected from someone else's shoes, socks, or while having a pedicure. Onychomycosis more commonly affects people with chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, anemia, gastrointestinal, hormonal, immune, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as long-term steroid, antibacterial, and chemotherapy treatments.
Warmth and moisture contribute to the development of spores. The main routes of infection are wounds, microcracks and other skin lesions in the area of the fingers. Mycoses develop when the nail plate is damaged - if we cut it briefly or break it off, the fungi easily penetrate inside. Wearing tight shoes also weakens the fabric, as does nail acrylic, gel and varnish.
We make a diagnosis
Visual manifestations of the disease are already the second stage of the disease. The first signs of infection - itching, burning sensation - are most often attributed to excessive drying of the skin, poor soap, and a side effect of taking medication. By diagnosing and initiating treatment in a timely manner, you can get rid of the problem quickly and effectively.
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 onset of onychomycosis, there may be an uncomfortable feeling during physical activity. The patients describe paresthesia (numbness), pain, discomfort and loss of performance. Typical external changes are the following symptoms:
- discoloration - white, yellow, brown, greenish, gray spots appear on the ends of the nails;
- Peeling and delamination of the tissue, its fragility is significantly increased;
- Thickening of the stratum corneum, symptoms characteristic of excessive keratosis;
- unpleasant foot odor.
Fungal infections are more common on the legs than on the hands. They can be limited to one finger or cover all of them. However, it usually affects the first and fifth toes of the foot because the shoes are so close together.
How is a fungus diagnosed in a medical clinic?
The self-diagnostic method is not always effective because there are a number of diseases that have a history similar to that of a fungal infection. These include:
- Psoriasis - It may look similar, but the characteristic of this disease is that it acts symmetrically. Typical signs are the appearance of white spots due to accumulation of air, reddening of the hole, thimble syndrome (dents), loss of gloss, roughness. In addition, the patient has typical skin changes.
- Candidiasis. It is characterized by the appearance of purulent discharge, as well as painful sensations when pressing the affected area. The disease is more common in women, especially people who often have to wear closed, airtight shoes in hot, humid environments. To develop this type, it is necessary to get a finger injury in the nail area. Leakage: The follicles of the plates swell and become very red and painful.
- Trophic changes due to mechanical damage. The problem is usually concentrated in the proximal part of the plate (i. e. at its base).
- Lichen. It is characterized by typical lesions on the skin and mucous membranes. The lichen-infested lamina is usually covered with yellow-white stripes.
There are also different types and forms of nail fungus, depending on the pathogen that caused the problem and the duration of the infection. The clinic determines the nature of the disease and, based on the tests carried out, prescribes a treatment regimen.
Treatment methods
Onychomycosis therapy should be started immediately after the problem is identified. If you delay treatment, there may be a complication: infection of neighboring fingers, transition to a chronic form and the progression of the disease. So always make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any suspicious changes or if you use popular folk methods.
Folk remedies for fungus
In the early stages of the disease, home remedies work well for fighting yeast infections. 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 dropwise to the affected area 2 times a day. The course duration is 21 days.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. From it, prepare foot baths and mix them with water in equal parts.
- Iodine from the mushroom. A tried and true way to get rid of nail fungus. Method of application: apply 1-2 drops of the composition to the affected plate once a day. To prevent infection of neighboring fingers, it is recommended to smear them with iodine, but less often - every 2-3 days.
- Listerine mouthwash. It contains an antiseptic and a small amount of alcohol in its composition, which adversely affects the treatment process.
- Lemon juice. It is applied in the form of a compress for 30 minutes. to the affected areas.
A positive effect is achieved by restricting food for the duration of the treatment. 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. Fruit should also be unsweetened (lemon, grapefruit, sour apples, raspberries, cherries). Diet is necessary to strengthen human immunity and reduce the concentration of the nutrient medium for the fungus - simple sugars, which are formed in the body when consuming easily digestible carbohydrates.
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 them, you need to see a doctor. The effectiveness of drug therapy depends on the duration of the course, which lasts for several months even after the visual symptoms are eliminated. But patients forget that they need to continue the course after the cosmetic effect appears. This leads to relapses and the need for treatment from the start.
In the early stages, when the tissue changes are minor, a fungicidal ointment will help well. In more advanced cases, oral medications are usually prescribed. Athlete's foot is prone to relapse, so once you recover, follow your doctor's recommendations. In general, the duration and sequence will depend on the type of nail infection, the clinical course, the number of nails infected, and the degree of damage to the plate. In some cases a systematic approach that combines several methods is required. The combination of systemic and local exposure improves the effectiveness of the therapy.
Topical antifungal ointments
Topical drugs should only be used in cases where the lesion occupies less than half of the distal part of the plate and the patient cannot tolerate systemic treatment. Ointments, suspensions include Amorolfine, Ciclopirox and Bifonazole, urea. They are used daily for 5-12 months. The final option for topical treatment of onchomycosis is bifonazole in combination with a 40% urea solution.
However, external means cannot contribute to complete healing because they do not penetrate the tissue sufficiently. It has been shown that the latest generation of ointments, although they capture all layers, are still poorly effective as a single formulation. However, these agents may be useful as adjuvant therapy, as a supplement to oral medications, or to prevent relapse in patients who have previously taken oral medications.
Antifungal pills
Oral treatment for ringworm is almost always a necessity. New generations of antifungal drugs such as itraconazole or terbinafine have recently replaced older generics in nail treatment. The effectiveness of these funds is explained by their ability to penetrate the nail plate 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 (kill the pathogen) cure the disease and prevent the later spread of spores. These drugs 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 (with 40-50% urea). This is a painless and beneficial method when the growth is very thick and affects the patient's comfort.
Removal of the nail plate in onychomycosis should be considered as add-on therapy in patients receiving oral medicines. The combination of oral, topical (greasing) and surgical treatment of the fungus leads to the fastest healing rate and is at the same time the cheapest option (minimal relapses, short course).
Laser therapy
A new method that shows the greatest efficiency. You can completely eliminate the problem in just 4 sessions of "cold" laser irradiation. The only downside to this type of exposure is the relatively high cost of the procedures.
Prevention Principles
After figuring out what is causing the fungus on your feet, it will be easier to avoid the disease. By following simple recommendations, you can avoid the problem. Basic rules for avoiding mushrooms:
- Avoid injuring the skin around the toes.
- Do not break off the edges, just cut them off with well-sharpened scissors.
- Use only your own towels and personal care products (scissors, sanding files, and sticks).
- After washing your feet, dry the skin between your toes thoroughly.
- Do not go barefoot in public places.
- Wear cotton socks and breathable shoes.
- Change your socks and shoes often if you sweat excessively.
- Use pedicure services in trusted locations where instruments are disinfected and sterilized according to a set protocol.
- Do not use shoes or slippers that others have previously worn.
You need to take care of your feet and keep them clean. After taking bath procedures, it is advisable to treat the skin with cosmetics with an antiseptic effect. Wet shoes must be dried absolutely dry after a day of wearing - you should not wear shoes that are slightly damp either. If, despite the precautions taken, changes characteristic of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.