There is an opinion that toenail fungus is a purely cosmetic problem and cannot harm human health. This position is extremely wrong, since toxins produced by pathogenic fungi enter the bloodstream, causing intoxication of the organism 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 appearance
Onychomycosis - a fungal infection of the nails on the legs or arms - is most often found in people who lead an active lifestyle: visiting swimming pools, gyms, spas, holidays in seaside resorts.
Getting on the skin and nails of a person with strong immunity, the spores of the fungus have been 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 arousal,
- varicose veins of the lower limbs, which disrupt normal blood circulation,
- bruises, abrasions, cracks and other injuries of the feet and nails,
- long stay in closed shoes, resulting in increased sweating,
- wearing synthetic tights or socks,
- metabolic disorders, obesity,
- failure to comply with the rules of personal hygiene.
The risk group includes people with chronic pathologies of the internal organs - kidney, liver, biliary tract, as well as patients who have been taking antibiotics for a long time, hormonal drugs, including birth control pills.
Types of onychomycosis
There are more than 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 nails and, if left untreated, spreads throughout the foot.
- Candida yeast. In most cases, the infection occurs in places with high humidity - saunas, baths or swimming pools.
- Mold, the main sign of defeat of which is a change in the color of the nails, from dirty green to brown and black.
First of all, the mushrooms hit the thumbnail, and then move on to the rest, especially on 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 breakdown of the waste products of mushrooms.
Stages of the disease
Any type of fungus requires drug treatment. Before making an appointment, the doctor must understand what stage the disease is in and determine the degree of damage to the nail plate.
Depending on 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 streaks appear on them. The nail plate still retains its normal shape, thickness and shine.
- Hypertrophic. The nail thickens, becomes dull and brittle, crumbling along the edges. The patient feels pain when he walks with tight shoes.
- Atrophic. In full accordance with the name of the stage, the nail is quickly destroyed, bending and separating from the nail bed. The plate becomes much thinner, and brownish spots appear under it - foci of invasion of the pathogen. Eventually, the nail is completely torn off.
The more advanced the disease, the longer and harder it will be to get rid of it. If in the initial normotrophic phase it is possible to cure onychomycosis with the help of traditional medicine, in the last phases it is often necessary to resort to the removal of the affected nails with surgical methods.
Symptoms
To begin treatment in a timely manner, it is necessary to understand how nail fungus manifests itself at each stage.
In the initial stage, the main signs of nail fungus are redness of the skin in the interdigital area, accompanied by mild peeling and itching. Subsequently, the symptoms of a fungal infection develop in the following sequence:
- 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, furrows, 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 pushed back.
Feet affected by nail fungus can seem extremely unpleasant to others, so the patient is forced to hide them, which is especially difficult in hot weather. Also, performing onychomycosis causes complications.
What is a dangerous disease
The reluctance of many patients to go to the doctor in the early stages or the inability to recognize the early symptoms of onychomycosis leads to its transition to a chronic form that can be ill for life. At the same time, with normal immunity, the fungus "freezes" to a certain level, and any of the provoking factors mentioned above can transfer the disease back to the active stage.
The following categories fall into the complication risk group in fungal nail infections:
- children under 12,
- pregnant,
- women during breastfeeding,
- people of the older generation.
Against the background of a decrease in the body's defenses in these individuals, the disease will quickly pass, leading to further weakening of immunity and such possible consequences:
- allergic reactions up to bronchial asthma,
- aggravation of the course of chronic diseases of internal organs,
- intoxication of the body due to the penetration of toxins into the blood,
- dysbacteriosis,
- the appearance of new foci of inflammation on the skin,
- nervous system disorders, psychological problems.
Since mycosis of the nails 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 threat that the unborn child will be born with a predisposition to allergies.
Diagnostics
Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are treated by dermatologists or mycologists. For a consultation you can contact the clinic or dermatovenerology dispensary, where these specialists are receiving.
After interviewing the patient, the doctor will be able to draw up a picture of the appearance and development of the disease. The following measures will help 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 allows you to determine the fungal nature of the disease.
To clarify the type and strain of pathogenic microorganisms, mushroom cultures are placed in a nutrient medium and create optimal conditions for their development. After 10-14 days, from the type and shape of the 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 to study the fungus 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 is given a final diagnosis and an optimal scheme is developed to eliminate the fungus as soon as possible.
Treatment
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 therapeutic methods.
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 paints.
In cases where the fungus on the nails has progressed to an advanced stage or if there is a threat of developing a secondary infection, which can be caused by pathogenic bacteria that have entered 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,
- compresses with tincture of celandine,
- ointments based on propolis and other bee products.
To destroy pathogenic microorganisms, before applying antifungal drugs, nails can be treated with essential oils of cinnamon, clove, fir, oregano or lemon.
Many dermatological centers offer to remove the fungus from the nail 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 get a mushroom
Onychomycosis is a contagious fungal disease that is easily transmitted from person to person through home contact.
Very often it happens like this:
- when walking barefoot in public places with high humidity - saunas, spas, gyms, swimming pools, on the beach,
- when trying on or putting on someone else's shoes or socks,
- through sheets, towels, washcloths, brushes and other personal items.
When visiting a manicure 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
To prevent pathogenic fungi from multiplying even when they stick to your nails or skin, you need to take care of your health and strengthen your immune system by following the following tips:
- Refuse bad habits.
- Keeping fit.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Balance your diet by including foods containing nutrients and vitamins.
- Observe personal hygiene.
- Promptly cure all chronic diseases.
- Wear quality shoes and socks that don't restrict or wobble your feet.
- Shoes used in the pool, gym or beach should be treated regularly with disinfectants.
Having found incomprehensible changes on the skin or nails, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist to start treatment as soon as possible and get rid of the fungus as soon as possible.