Such an annoying disease as nail fungus (or onychomycosis) is considered to be one of the most common in the world. According to statistics, every tenth inhabitant of our planet suffers from foot fungus! People of different races, of both genders and of all ages are susceptible to the disease, from preschool children to the elderly.
Many of us believe that foot fungus can only appear in people who neglect personal hygiene, forget to monitor the condition of the skin of their feet, etc.
Indeed, toenail fungus can appear even in a clean person, because the infection is very easy to "catch" in public places: on the beach, in the sauna, in the swimming pool, in the gym, etc. Nail fungus is a disease, although not fatal, but very insidious. At an initial 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 take its former form. In addition, nail fungus is very contagious, so a person who has found a fungus can easily infect all family members.
Toenail fungus: early signs
It is quite difficult to identify the pathology in the first stage, but it is possible if you carefully observe the condition of the nails and the skin surrounding them.
The main signs by which it is possible to identify the fungus are:
- thickening of the nail plate;
- the appearance of furrows, streaks and spots on it;
- loss of luster and elasticity of the toenails;
- nails cut into the skin of the legs, which were not previously observed;
- 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, as their skin is much thinner and more tender than that of adults).
Later, with the development of the fungus, other signs and symptoms appear:
- distortion of the structure of the toenails: they become brittle, scaly and crumbly edges appear;
- color change - instead of the usual, healthy transparent white color, the dish acquires unnatural shades, such as purple, yellow or even black;
- the nail is deformed, becomes flat or convex, tubercles are formed on it.
But peeled 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 collect and multiply. Often this manifests itself after contact with hot water: when taking a shower, bath, bath in the pool, take a steam bath. After the legs have dried, the plate can stick to the skin again.
Sometimes similar symptoms can occur in a person who is not suffering from a fungus. The nail can turn black, peel off and then fall off completely due to mechanical damage. The dying process begins a week or two after you injure your toes or simply wear tight, unsuitable shoes.
As a rule, after six months, a completely healthy new nail plate grows. To determine if it is a fungus or just the consequences of an injury, a qualified dermatologist or surgeon can.
These symptoms are also accompanied by an unpleasant odor, created by pathogenic bacteria. A person suffering from toenail fungus has a bad smell in their socks and shoes, and normal hygiene procedures cannot eliminate this symptom. In this situation, complex treatment is required, otherwise a person may lose the nail plate.
Treatment of onychomycosis
A person can recognize the first symptoms of the disease on their 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 for which the disease begins:
- humid and warm environment. Wear socks, tights, and shoes made from natural materials only. After each visit to the street, dry your shoes, change your socks, do not let your feet stay wet for a long time;
- 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;
- weak immunity. Often this disease occurs against the background of weak immunity, lack of useful nutrients in the body, frequent colds. After consulting your doctor, you should take a complex of vitamins and minerals that will strengthen the immune system and, accordingly, help in the treatment.
Traditional treatment
Local treatment of onychomycosis in the initial stage consists in the application of antifungal creams and ointments. These funds are usually sold together 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, remove the patch, lower the legs into a warm solution of soda and soap, and remove dead tissue with a pedicure nail file.
After removing the affected areas of the nail plate on the legs, the product should be applied to the nail bed. The duration of such treatment is up to the growth of a healthy dish.
In the first stage of the disease, only with the onset of the first symptoms can special antifungal paints be used. Apply this paint once or twice a week throughout the year.
However, if such therapy does not help and the fungus is already in a different stage, then more effective drugs are needed. In this case, antifungals of general action will be needed. They can also be combined with antifungal paints. The course of treatment with systemic drugs is prescribed by the doctor individually, depending on the stage of the patient's onychomycosis.
Such funds have a number of limitations: kidney and liver diseases, pregnancy, the period of breastfeeding of the baby. Also, you cannot combine them with oral contraceptives.
Despite the fact that toenail fungus is a disease that is not dangerous to human life, in the absence of the necessary therapy, it can lead to allergic reactions, reduced immunity and the emergence of various skin diseases. That is why the treatment of this disease cannot be postponed until later, it is necessary to immediately seek the help of a specialist.