Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that may not be noticed immediately.Fungus destroys your nail plate, causing discomfort and pain;if treatment for onychomycosis is started, it can lead to soft tissue pathology.Fungus can easily spread to healthy fingernails or toenails, and this poses a great risk to your health and the health of others.
If you have any doubts about the health of your nails, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with a dermatologist.Only with complex treatment, consisting of a course of medication, regular foot hygiene and special treatment of nail plates, the treatment will bring a positive result.
The main symptoms of fungal infections:
- Brittle, rough nails
- Deformation of the nail plate
- The presence of inflamed tissue around the nail
- Delamination, thickening or thinning of the nail plate
- The presence of brown, black or yellow areas on the nails.
How do you get nail fungus?
Ways of infection with onychomycosis.If you follow the rules of hygiene, have good immunity and have healthy and well-groomed skin, the risk of getting a fungal infection is low.Fungi often enter the body through scratches, cuts, cracks and damaged areas of the nails and skin.Excessive sweating or dry skin, or wearing tight shoes can contribute to the growth of the fungus.
You are more susceptible to nail fungus if:
- Do you have varicose veins?
- Reduced immunity
- You wear non-breathable rubber shoes
- There are endocrine and vascular diseases
- You have been in contact with a person infected with the fungus
- He has flat feet.
What danger does toenail fungus pose to humans?
In an advanced stage of onychomycosis, nail fungus causes an allergic reaction, has an intoxicating effect on the body and can affect internal organs.
How to cure nail fungus?
During the treatment of nail fungus, local medications can be used - creams, ointments, patches, which can also be used at home.Various spray options are available that have strong antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
In the early stage of the disease, the use of sprays or creams is recommended. Remember that the treatment of nail fungus is not only about removing external manifestations. During treatment, the dermatologist prescribes systemic medications.The drug can be prescribed in the form of tablets, which will be taken for a course of three to six months.
The most common mistakes when treating nail fungus
The wetness of your feet. Fungi in the form of spores are all around us.When skin humidity is more than 80%, fungal spores begin to multiply and infect the nail plate and surrounding skin.
The presence of fungal spores in items.When you steam your socks, you kill the active fungal spores that remain there.If this is not done, then from the spores, in the presence of wet skin of the feet (favorable environment), high humidity of the shoes, the fungus begins to multiply actively.
Shoe hygiene.When starting treatment for toenail fungus, be sure to treat all the shoes you wear.Use a personal towel intended for feet only.
Residues of fungal spores on instruments. All nail clippers must be treated with disinfectant solutions;it is recommended to use available files to care for affected nails.If fungal spores remain on the tools, then you can manually remove them for years, cut the traces of the fungus along with your fingernail, but this will not bring any results.
What should you follow when treating toenail fungus?
If you do not follow the recommendations during the treatment of nail fungus, a relapse may occur.Try to always keep your feet clean and change your socks every day.It is important for your feet to wear the right shoes to prevent your feet from sweating.After taking any water procedure, wipe your feet dry, paying special attention to the area between the toes.
Use an individual foot towel, which should be dried after use.If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately.It is recommended to change indoor shoes at least twice a year during treatment.Foot baths with soda and salt will also be useful.Feet should be washed daily using laundry or tar soap.
Always follow hygiene rules when visiting public places: sauna, bath, hammam, swimming pool.Do not self-medicate;it would be good to contact a dermatologist who will prescribe you a course of treatment in order to quickly get rid of toenail fungus and save your time and nerves.