There is an opinion that nail fungus is a purely cosmetic problem and cannot harm human health. This position is extremely incorrect, since the toxins produced by pathogenic fungi enter the bloodstream, causing intoxication of the body and can lead to very serious consequences. In addition, a sick person is a source of infection and can infect a large number of other people.
Reasons for the appearance
Onychomycosis - a fungal infection of the nail plates of the legs or arms - most often affects people who lead an active lifestyle: swimming pools, gyms, spas, vacations at resorts.
Getting on the skin and nails of a person with strong immunity, the spores of the fungus are in a latent state for some time. Their transition to development and reproduction can occur under the influence of such factors:
- weakening of the body's defenses due to viral diseases,
- diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and other endocrine diseases,
- stressful conditions, excessive nervous and emotional excitement,
- varicose veins of the lower extremities, disrupting normal blood circulation,
- bruises, abrasions, cracks and other injuries to the feet and nails,
- prolonged stay in closed shoes, leading to increased sweating,
- wearing synthetic tights or socks,
- metabolic disorders, obesity,
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
The risk group includes people with chronic pathologies of internal organs - kidneys, liver, bile ducts, as well as patients who take antibiotics for a long time, hormonal drugs, including birth control pills.
Types of onychomycosis
There are over 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 begins on the nail plates and, if left untreated, spreads to the entire foot.
- Candid yeast. In most cases, infection occurs in places with high humidity - saunas, baths or swimming pools.
- Mold, the main sign of whose defeat is a change in the color of the nails - from dirty green to brown and black.
First, the fungus affects the thumbnail, then moves on to the rest, especially the little finger. All types of onychomycosis are accompanied by severe itching in the interdigital area, burning and an unpleasant putrefactive smell caused by the decomposition of fungal waste.
Disease stages
Any type of fungus requires drug treatment. Before making an appointment, the doctor should understand what stage the disease is in and determine the degree of damage to the nail plate.
According to the clinical picture, the following stages of onychomycosis are distinguished:
- Normotrophic - the initial stage of the disease, in which the nails gradually change color, spots and stripes appear on them. The nail plate still retains its normal shape, thickness and shine.
- Hypertrophic. The nail thickens, becomes dull and brittle, crumbles along the edges. The patient feels pain when walking in tight shoes.
- Atrophic. In full accordance with the stage name, the nail is quickly destroyed, bending and separating from the nail bed. The plate becomes very thin, and brownish spots appear under it - foci of invasion of the pathogen. In the end, the nail is completely torn out.
The more advanced the disease, the longer and more difficult it is to get rid of it. If at the initial normotrophic stage it is possible to cure onychomycosis with the help of traditional medicine, then in the later stages it is often necessary to resort even to the removal of affected nails by surgical methods.
Symptoms
In order to start treatment in a timely manner, it is necessary to understand how onychomycosis of the nails manifests itself at each stage.
At the initial stage, the main signs of nail fungus are reddening of the skin in the interdigital area, accompanied by slight peeling and itching. Subsequently, the symptoms of a fungal infection develop in the following order:
- the fold of the nail 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 stripes appear on the surface of the plate,
- the nail thickens and exfoliates,
- a white mass accumulates in the subungual space, giving off an unpleasant odor,
- the keratinized nail plate begins to crumble along the edges,
- the nail completely exfoliates from the bed and is rejected.
Feet affected by nail fungus can seem extremely unpleasant to others, so the patient is forced to hide them, which is especially difficult in the hot season. In addition, running onychomycosis leads to complications.
What is a dangerous disease
The reluctance of many patients to consult a doctor in the early stages or the inability to recognize the first symptoms of onychomycosis leads to its transition into a chronic form that can be ill throughout life. At the same time, with normal immunity, the fungus will "freeze" to a certain level, and one of the provoking factors mentioned above can again transfer the disease into the active phase.
The following categories fall into the risk group for complications from fungal nail infections:
- children under 12,
- Pregnant,
- women during lactation,
- people of the older generation.
Against the background of a decrease in the body's defenses in such people, the disease will quickly pass, leading to further weakening of immunity and such possible consequences:
- allergic reactions up to bronchial asthma,
- worsening of the course of chronic diseases of internal organs,
- intoxication of the body due to the ingress of toxins into the blood,
- dysbacteriosis,
- the appearance of new foci of inflammation on the skin,
- nervous system disorders, psychological problems.
Since nail fungus refers to infectious diseases, not only the sick person himself, but also all his personal belongings are a constant source of infection for others. In the event that onychomycosis is detected in a woman during pregnancy, there is a risk that the unborn baby will be born with a predisposition to allergies.
Diagnostic
Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are treated by dermatologists or mycologists. For consultation, you can contact the dermatovenerological clinic or dispensary, where these specialists receive.
After interviewing the patient, the doctor will be able to draw up a picture of the onset and course of the disease. The following measures will help to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment:
- visual examination of the affected nails with a Wood's ultraviolet lamp,
- take pieces of skin and nails for examination,
- general blood and urine tests.
The biomaterial obtained as a result of scraping is sent to the laboratory, where it is studied under a microscope, which makes it possible 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 create optimal conditions for their development. After 10-14 days, by the type and shape of colonies, it is possible not only to identify the pathogen, but also to establish its reaction to the most common drugs.
The fastest and most accurate method is considered to be PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The biomaterial is processed by special enzymes that allow the fungus 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 receives a final diagnosis and an optimal scheme is developed to get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.
Processing
Dermatologists promise a positive prognosis for onychomycosis only if the patient strictly follows all their 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 methods of therapy.
Keratolytics are used to soften and remove the affected nail plate. You can also get rid of the manifestations of a fungal infection with the help of special varnishes.
In cases where the fungus on the nails has passed to an advanced stage or there is a risk of developing a secondary infection, which can be caused by pathogenic bacteria that have penetrated the affected areas, oral antifungal antibiotics are prescribed.
You can speed up the healing process by using traditional home healers. The most effective, according to patients, are the following procedures:
- baths with baking soda or decoctions of medicinal herbs,
- apple cider vinegar lotion,
- compress with tincture of celandine,
- propolis ointments and other bee products.
To destroy pathogenic microorganisms, before applying antifungal drugs, the nails can be treated with essential oils of cinnamon, clove, fir, oregano or lemon.
Many dermatological centers offer to remove the nail fungus with a laser beam. This procedure, which allows you to quickly and painlessly get rid of the affected nail plate, is performed on an outpatient basis.
How can you catch a mushroom
Onychomycosis is a contagious fungal disease that is easily transmitted from person to person through household contact.
Most often it goes like this:
- when walking barefoot in very humid public places - saunas, spas, gyms, swimming pools, on the beach,
- when you try on or wear someone else's shoes or stockings,
- through bedding, towels, washcloths, brushes and other personal items.
When visiting a nail salon, it is necessary to pay attention to the disinfection of tools, since in many cases infection with a fungus occurs through the fault of unscrupulous employees of beauty salons.
Prevention
In order to prevent pathogenic fungi from multiplying even when they penetrate the nails or skin, you should take care of your health and strengthen your immune system by following the following recommendations:
- Refuse bad habits.
- Keep fit.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Balance the diet by including foods with nutrients and vitamins.
- Observe personal hygiene.
- Timely cure all chronic diseases.
- Wear quality shoes and socks that don't constrict or make your feet hover.
- Shoes used at the pool, gym or beach should be regularly treated with disinfectants.
Having noticed incomprehensible changes in the skin or nails, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist to start treatment as soon as possible and get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.