Nail fungus, known by professionals 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 feet 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 whiten, thicken and crumble at the edges. If treatment is not started early, onychomycosis begins to affect the areas between the toes and can even reach the skin of the feet. Neglected fungus is called epidermophytosis. Be sure to consult your local doctor!
How can you get nail fungus?
Since the disease is contagious, you can only get infected through contact. There are hundreds of different types of pathogens in the environment. But completely healthy people with strong immunity are not susceptible to nail fungus. For onychomycosis to develop, 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 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:
- microtrauma of the nail plates;
- diabetes;
- taking immunosuppressants;
- congenital thick 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 the very least, you should keep your feet dry and warm. You should not walk barefoot in public places, especially in swimming pools, saunas and spas. Professional athletes, people who do heavy physical work most of the day, should also pay attention to choosing the right shoes and socks. Feet should not sweat and nails should not be squeezed.
Who should I contact if I have nail fungus?
There are many effective over-the-counter medications that can be used for treatment without a doctor's prescription. But if for the first time new growths appear on the nails, 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 of nail fungus. Therefore, a specialist must make a diagnosis and choose the treatment. In the future, in case of relapse, the patient will be able to reuse the drugs already prescribed.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods
Before prescribing treatment for a 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 the affected nail clippings to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.
If the chosen treatment methods do not help, then you should consult a doctor again. Symptoms that indicate that the 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 while walking;
Only after identifying the true cause of the infection is a truly effective treatment possible.
Treatment options
There is no one best or optimal method of treatment. The medical prescription directly depends on the severity of the condition and the type of microorganism that provoked the disease. Most often, doctors prescribe medications 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, most common treatment method for recurrent ringworm. The tablets help the new nail to grow clean and with the right structure. You should be prepared for the fact that the results are not fast; the entire course of treatment lasts 6-12 weeks. Discontinuation of oral therapy is allowed only when the nail has grown completely clean and healthy.
As for the disadvantages, the therapy is not suitable for the elderly over 65 years old, as well as for people who have liver problems or diagnosed congestive heart failure. Also, oral antifungal drugs can cause side effects such as acne 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 an itch again to see how exactly the body reacts to the prescribed medications.
Healing spray.
If the nails are affected for the first time (the beginning of the disease is diagnosed) or the fungus was discovered in the "point stage", then the doctor may prescribe the use of a special antifungal spray with the main active ingredient. For best results, it is recommended to treat the affected nail plates and 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 rather than a spray. Before each use, you should wash and dry your feet completely and remove the affected layer of the nail plate. Then you should apply the cream in a thin layer. If the infection has spread to the surrounding skin, which has also become thick, then before starting the 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 a podiatrist, but also an endocrinologist is involved in the development of a treatment program. Specialists will ensure that the prescribed medications do not conflict with each other. The fact is that even minor problems with the feet of diabetics can turn into full-blown gangrene.
Do not think that a fully completed course of treatment automatically means that your nails will look aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, the destruction of the fungus does not mean that the nail plate will return to its natural color and shape. The full update may take up to 18 months.
When to turn to surgery?
If the fungus constantly recurs and stops responding to the drugs used, then the best option is to seek help from a surgeon. The specialist will suggest the 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 grows back thin, already deformed. Surgical removal is also performed if the nail is so deformed and damaged that podiatry hygiene will not help correct the situation. The operation is also indicated for those patients who cannot take pills or use external agents due to individual intolerance.
Prevention methods
The implementation of all the doctor's recommendations is the key to a successful treatment result. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or ignorance of hygiene rules. Simple preventive measures to help avoid relapse:
- keep your feet clean and dry;
- wear slippers in public pools, showers and locker rooms;
- perform general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your 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 a worsening of the fungus, install new ones or use insoles;
- remove tight shoes and tight-fitting socks from your wardrobe;
- cut your nails, fill the edges strictly at a right angle;
- wash your feet regularly, several times a day during 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. It is also recommended to boil socks and household textiles.
Carpets should be thrown away or treated with disinfectants and antifungal laundry detergents. Nail treatment tools (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During the period of deterioration, it is forbidden to use decorative varnishes, to extend or glue artificial tips.
Features of the course of fungi in children, methods of treatment
Nail fungus looks really ugly, but it rarely poses a serious threat to life and health. This is why adults sometimes ignore treatment. However, fungal diseases in children have their own characteristics. Changing the appearance of nails can have a profound impact on a child's self-esteem. Children may feel ugly and worry about their health. The rapid progress of the disease can become a great stress for the baby and even provoke problems with the perception of its own body and worsen self-esteem.
The parents' duty is to periodically examine the child's body. After all, very often children hide fungal growth, because they believe that they themselves are to blame for the disease, they do not want to disturb the elderly 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 didn't wash your feet well", "it's because you rarely change your socks" are prohibited. It is necessary to calmly talk about what nail fungus is, relieve possible fears, calm down and 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 conveyed that fungal infections love dark and moist spaces, so it is necessary to regularly change socks, keep shoes clean and do not forget daily hygiene procedures.
Treatment of fungus in children is usually carried out 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.