Nail fungus is a common infection caused by infection with opportunistic and pathogenic fungi with dermatophytes. About 20% of the adult population suffers from nail mycosis and is practically undetectable in children.
Causes of infection
Fungi are widespread in the environment, but damage to nails and human skin develops only under favorable conditions. With age, the acidic pH of the skin can change to alkaline, which is favorable for the growth of fungi. Infection usually occurs through contact, and if personal hygiene is not followed, the source of infection may be a sick person or common objects. Infection can occur in public places: swimming pools, saunas, gyms. Also with the general use of slippers, socks, manicure accessories, towels and laundry in everyday life.
Factors predisposing to onychomycosis infection are:
- reduction of immunity;
- poor blood circulation in the legs, including when wearing narrow shoes;
- excessive sweating;
- diabetes;
- obesity;
- mechanical damage to the nails;
- deformations and anatomical features of the feet.
Signs of nail fungus
Nail fungus is a very persistent infection, the initial stage of the disease is expressed as:
- discoloration of the nail plate, loss of luster;
- increased fragility;
- itching and irritation of the skin around the affected nail;
- pain at the site of the lesion, especially when wearing tight shoes;
- to separate a part of the nail from the nail bed.
As the entire nail plate progresses and becomes involved in the process, new symptoms appear: the nail thickens and becomes significantly deformed.
Depending on the degree of damage to the nails, there are three types of onychomycosis:
- Normotrophic - manifests itself with a violation of nail color from white to dark green. The color initially changes in the form of spots or streaks and gradually covers the entire surface of the nail, the thickness of the nail plate does not change and the shine remains.
- Hypertrophic - is characterized by discoloration of the nail, loss of luster and severe thickening and deformation. The nail is strongly eroded and partially destroyed;
- Atrophic - is manifested by discoloration, thinning and subsequent rejection of the affected area.
Which doctor treats fungi?
You can diagnose the infection yourself, but only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis. If you find a change in the color of the nail, increased fragility, you should consult a dermatologist. The doctor will order a diagnostic microscopic or culture test to confirm the diagnosis. Part of the affected nail is removed for analysis or nearby tissues are broken. Timely detection of nail fungus greatly simplifies treatment and prevents the development of complications. Initiated onychomycosis is dangerous because it can cause mycotic eczema, aspergillosis, decreased immunity, infection of all nails, skin and other organs.
Treatment of nail fungus
How to treat onychomycosis is determined by the doctor according to the degree of change of the nail plate, the clinical form, the degree of hyperkeratosis and the length of the affected area. Local agents (ointments, drops, sprays, varnishes) and general agents (antifungal drugs) are used for treatment.
As a rule, with small changes in the nail, drugs are used for local treatment. Before treatment with antifungal solutions, ointments, varnishes, the affected area of the nail should be removed surgically or with the help of keratolytic drugs. This is necessary for the antifungal drug to better penetrate the damaged tissues, which allows you to get rid of the fungus faster.
Keratolytic drugs help to soften the nail and remove it easily and painlessly, are produced in the form of plasters containing urea or salicylic acid:
- ureaplast;
- urea plaster with quinosol;
- quinosol-salicylic patch;
- onycoplast;
- quinosol-dimexide patch;
- mycospores (combined preparations).
Before applying the plaster, it is necessary to scratch the top layer of the nail, then apply the therapeutic mass and glue it with adhesive plaster, changing the dressing every 1-2 days. Prior to the change, the affected areas of the nail are removed with scissors and antifungal agents are applied.
Antifungal creams, ointments and drops are:
- based on ketoconazole;
- clotrimazole derivatives;
- micanazole based;
- oxycanazole derivatives;
- based on terbinafine;
- chloronitrophenol derivatives;
- based on naftifi.
Ointments, creams and drops should be applied to the open nail bed 2-3 times a day until the final restoration of the nail. These drugs are active against the vast majority of pathogens, but can not penetrate to the entire depth of the nail plate.
Local antiseptics - in the treatment of nail fungus is often used a solution of iodine, dyes, quinosol, organic acids, when other means can not be used. The main advantage is that the antiseptic is inexpensive and widespread. Topical antiseptics, such as iodine, treat the affected nail up to three times a day for a month. When applying the solution, it is recommended not to touch the surrounding skin to prevent burns. The burning sensation and tingling sensation help to recognize the onset of exposure.
If topical treatment is ineffective, antifungal tablets prescribed by a specialist are prescribed in addition.
Properly selected combination therapy helps to treat advanced onychomycosis as quickly as possible. Also, treatment combined with local and general therapy is prescribed for people with more than three nail injuries, over 50 years of age and slow nail growth. The use of combination therapy can significantly reduce the duration of the course of treatment.
Treatment of the fungus with folk remedies
You can use for the preparation of antifungal agents at home - apple cider vinegar and herbal preparations:
- Mix equal parts of vegetable oil and apple cider vinegar, moisten a cotton pad in the resulting solution and apply to the affected nail for 4 hours, you can fix the bandage with adhesive plaster for comfort. The procedure is performed daily for a month;
- A mixture of 9% vinegar with celandine helps to treat a neglected process, the resulting composition should be infused within a month. Then add 50 g of salt. As a result, the product is used for foot baths for 5-10 minutes before bedtime. It is important to dry your feet after the bath, not to wipe them;
- You can use an alcoholic solution of propolis, juice or onion, garlic oatmeal to treat the affected nail. A blend of lavender and tea tree oils also works well;
- Herbal decoction for foot baths: mix oak bark, calendula, horsetail, verbena in equal proportions. Pour 50 g of the resulting mixture with boiling water and keep in a water bath for about 15 minutes.
Prophylaxis
Good personal hygiene can prevent fungal damage to nails:
- You need to wash your feet with antiseptics every day.
- Dry your feet with a personal towel.
- Use a pumice stone to peel off old skin that has a good growth environment for fungi.
- Use medications that reduce foot perspiration.
- Change socks, knee pads and tights every day.
- Wear loose, comfortable shoes. Do not wear wet shoes.
- Wear shoes when visiting pools and showers.
- Do not use other people's shoes, slippers, socks, towels, manicure accessories.
- Before visiting beaches, swimming pools, saunas, use pharmacological preparations for protection.