Such a troublesome disease as nail fungus (or onychomycosis) is considered one of the most common in the world. According to statistics, one in ten inhabitants of our planet suffers from foot fungus! People of different races, of both sexes and of all ages are susceptible to the disease - from preschool children to the elderly.
Many of us believe that foot fungus can appear only in people who neglect their personal hygiene, forget to monitor the condition of the skin on their feet, etc.
In fact, nail fungus can appear even in a clean person, because the infection is very easy to "catch" in public places - at the beach, in the sauna, at the swimming pool, in the gym, etc. Nail fungus is a disease, although not fatal, but very insidious. At an early stage, it manifests itself in the form of harmless symptoms, but later it can lead to such serious consequences as the destruction and deformation of the nail, which will never return to its former shape. In addition, onychomycosis is very contagious, so a person who has found a fungus can easily infect everyone in the household.
Nail fungus: first signs
It is quite difficult to identify the pathology at the first stage, but it is possible if you carefully examine the condition of the nails and the skin around them.
The main signs by which fungi can be identified are:
- thickening of the nail plate;
- the appearance of furrows, scratches and spots on it;
- loss of shine and elasticity of the nails;
- nails cut into the skin of the legs, which had not been observed before;
- the skin around the nail plate began to itch and cause discomfort to the person; sometimes itching begins between the fingers (these signs are characteristic of children and adolescents, since their skin is much thinner and more sensitive than that of adults).
Subsequently, with the development of the fungus, other signs and symptoms appear:
- distortion of the structure of the nails - they become brittle, flaky and crumbly edges appear;
- color change - instead of the usual healthy transparent white color, the plate acquires unnatural shades, such as purple, yellow or even black;
- the nail deforms, becomes flat or convex, tubercles form on it.
But peeling nails are symptoms of an advanced stage of the disease. The nail separates from the skin, forming a so-called pocket, in which pathogenic bacteria actively gather and multiply. It often manifests itself after contact with hot water - when taking a shower, bathing, swimming in the pool, taking a steam bath. Once the legs are dry, the plaque can again adhere to the skin.
Sometimes similar symptoms can occur in a person who does not have a fungus. The nail may turn black, peel off, and then completely fall off due to mechanical damage. The dying process begins a week or two after you injured your toes or simply wore tight, ill-fitting shoes.
As a rule, after six months, a completely healthy new nail plate grows. To determine whether it is a fungus or simply the consequences of an injury, a qualified dermatologist or surgeon can do this.
These symptoms are also accompanied by an unpleasant odor, created by pathogenic bacteria. A person suffering from nail fungus smells bad in socks and shoes, and usual hygienic procedures cannot eliminate this symptom. In this situation, complex treatment is required, otherwise a person risks losing the nail plate.
Treatment of onychomycosis
A person can recognize the first symptoms of the disease on his own. But even if you are sure that you have symptoms of nail fungus, you should seek the advice of a qualified doctor, otherwise the treatment may not bring the desired results. The specialist will help to recognize the disease, determine its stage and recommend the necessary treatment.
First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the causes that caused the disease:
- humid and warm environment. Wear socks, tights and shoes made only from natural materials. After each outing on the street, dry your shoes, change your socks, do not leave your feet wet for long;
- do not wear someone else's shoes when visiting public places - swimming pool, sauna, beach - use personal replacement shoes, which after each use are disinfected with chlorine or alcohol;
- low immunity. Often this disease occurs against the background of low immunity, lack of useful nutrients in the body, frequent colds. After consulting with your doctor, you need to take a vitamin-mineral complex that will strengthen the immune system and, therefore, help in treatment.
Traditional treatment
Local treatment of onychomycosis at the initial stage consists in applying antifungal creams and ointments. These bottoms are usually sold with a special waterproof patch.
Using a dispenser, the drug is applied to the affected nail plate, fixed with a plaster and left for 24 hours. The patch should not be removed during this time.
After a day, the patch should be removed, lower the legs in a warm solution of soap and soda and remove dead tissue with a pedicure nail file.
After the affected areas of the nail plate on the legs are removed, the product should be applied to the nail bed. The duration of such treatment is until the growth of healthy plaque.
At the first stage of the disease, only with the appearance of the first symptoms, special antifungal varnishes can be used. Apply this polish once or twice a week throughout the year.
However, if such therapy does not help, and the fungus is already at a different stage, more effective drugs are needed. In this case, antimycotics of general action will be required. They can also be combined with antifungal varnishes. The course of treatment with systemic drugs is prescribed by the doctor individually, depending on the patient's stage of onychomycosis.
These funds have a number of limitations - kidney and liver diseases, pregnancy, period of nursing the baby. You also cannot combine them with oral contraceptives.
Despite the fact that nail fungus is a disease that is not dangerous to human life, in the absence of the necessary treatment it can lead to allergic reactions, reduced immunity and the appearance of various skin diseases. That is why the treatment of this disease cannot be postponed, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.