Fungal diseases of the nails and feet are widespread.
Cause
Doctors divide fungal diseases of the feet and nails into two groups. The first includes diseases called epidermophytosis, caused by the fungus Trichophyton interdigitale, the second - rubrophytosis, which occurs when the fungus Trichophyton rubrum multiplies. These fungi can affect both the nails and the interdigital folds, soles of the feet and the back of the foot.
Factors contributing to fungal infection:
- cracks, abrasions in the interdigital folds caused by sweating or dry skin, abrasion, poor drying after water procedures, narrow interdigital spaces, flat feet, tight shoes, etc. ;
- vascular diseases, frostbite of the extremities, standing work, varicose veins, decreased immunity, endocrine diseases, stress;
- professional factors: work in mining enterprises, in the metallurgical and chemical industries. Nail and toe fungus often affects military personnel and athletes, also due to the peculiarities of their profession.
The disease can be transmitted through close contact with the patient or through the objects he has used. Bathrooms, swimming pools and other public places with high humidity are "dangerous" from the point of view of contamination. There, the ideal "greenhouse" conditions for the fungus were created: heat and humidity. In addition, the nail plate, almost entirely composed of keratin, is an excellent breeding ground for fungi.
Once in the nail plate, the fungus grows and multiplies very slowly. Gradually, it dissolves the nail, taking its place and spreads to the skin around it.
What is happening?
With a fungal infection of the skin of the feet, the process often begins with interdigital folds. In these places, cracks and peeling are formed. Subsequently, the skin begins to redden and itching occurs. The process often goes to the back of the foot, the sole of the foot, the plantar part of the toes. Other clinical forms of fungal infection are also possible.
Nail fungus manifests itself as follows:
- Nail color: white, yellow, brown, black. The nail is dull, dull.
- Surface of the nail: uneven, rough. The nail is crumbling.
- Nail thickness: thickening or thinning / delamination.
- Nail shape: deformed.
- The fold of the nail: neither altered nor inflamed.
A significant deformation of the nails and their thickening creates some difficulties when trimming. Also, the pressure of a thick, deformed nail on the underlying tissue (nail bed), as well as the pressure of the shoe on the nail, can cause pain in many cases.
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis and treatment of fungal diseases is carried out by a dermatologist. The doctor will first send you for a scraping - to determine the type of fungus and prescribe the necessary treatment. In addition, some drugs are prescribed based on the general condition of the patient, the presence or absence of other diseases. Therefore, self-medication is ineffective and can sometimes even worsen the course of the disease.
The main danger of foot fungal infection is that the disease will progress continuously. If the fungus is not treated, then, starting from one nail, it will spread to others and then to the nearby areas of the skin or nails. In rare cases, internal organ damage even occurs.
In addition, the causative agents of this disease, being very strong allergens, can rebuild the sensitivity of the body and thus cause various types of allergic reactions.
Many patients prefer to use the widely advertised antifungal paints and ointments. It should be remembered that antifungal varnishes help only in the early stages of the disease and do not affect the entire thickness of the nail - in many cases it is necessary to take drugs (tablets) inside. In addition, some creams only act on the skin, without penetrating the nail. These funds are primarily intended for prevention.
Sometimes people do not go to doctors for fear of complete removal of the nail plate. This will not happen because the delete method is no longer applied. Powerful antifungal drugs are currently used which, when used correctly, completely eliminate the fungus.
In the process of treating a fungal infection and after its completion, it is important to disinfect everything the fungus has come into contact with. Disinfection should be applied to floors, walls, inventory of bathrooms, showers, toilets, as well as the patient's personal items: linen, shoes, skin and nail care items.
You can reduce the risk of infection with a fungus by observing the following recommendations:
- use an individual towel;
- wear individual indoor shoes;
- take a shower after swimming;
- do not wear slippers during the visit;
- do not try on barefoot shoes in the store.